The planet of Ekair was as equal part mountainous as it was forest. As Rey looked for a place where they could land, she could see where nature had reclaimed the old empire structures. She needed a place that would be big enough to hide the Falcon, however, and unfortunately none of them looked large enough.

There was always the possibility of simply landing in open space, but on the chance that someone did happen to pass by, the Falcon was recognizable enough that it would be a dead give away. Even though Ekair was far removed from the resistance base and chance that anyone would come by were slim, she didn't feel like taking any risks. Instead, she decided to take advantage of the planet's mountains region, on the possibility that there could be a large enough cave there they could hide inside.

After a few minutes of looking, she found a cave within the lower side of one of the mountains, just barely above the ground. She glanced over at Ben's sleeping form in the chair next to her, wondering if she should wake him up to let him know what she had found. She didn't deliberate for long, however, as she came to conclusion that he needed as much sleep as he could get, especially after everything that had happened. Looking forwards once more, she maneuvered the Falcon into the cave, finding it a bit more difficult then normal doing it with only one free hand.

Even in his sleep Ben hadn't wanted to let go of her hand, and Rey hadn't had the heart to pull away. Earlier when she had finished her tale and he had wordlessly asked for her hand like he had done so many times before, he had seemed so vulnerable, so unsure, but so desperately needing it. It was almost like all the other times he had asked for her hand before, but it was as if this time mattered more then the others. Like this one single time would make or break everything that came next.

At first, the offer had surprised her, since she hadn't thought that it was necessary when they were already together. She had no intentions of denying him though; not when it felt so significant to her. Not when the time finally came for her to accept the invitation, with nothing around to hold either of them back.

After landing inside as gently as she could, she decided that it was time to get some rest of her own, curling up in her seat and giving Ben's hand a gentle squeeze before drifting off herself.

/

It was with a metallic sort of knocking that Ben was pulled from sleep. He tried to ignore it at first, but when it came again, he forced his eyes open to see Rey across from him, looking as if she was just waking up herself.

"There must be someone outside." Rey sat up in her seat, pulling up the view screen.

An older woman was shown just outside the landing bay doors, adorned in a cloak with a woven basket hanging from one arm.

What does she want

It can't be anything good

"I'm going to go great her." Rey stood up from her chair, stretching a bit as she did so, threatening to let go of his hand in the process.

"But why?" He asked, gripping her hand tighter, keeping her from leaving. "We don't know what she wants. Who would come seeking out strangers if not because they want something?"

"I don't sense any malice from her Ben." Rey countered with a look. "It'll be fine."

He frowned slightly, remembering just how good she was about reading people. He found himself a little jealous of how she could look at someone and just know their intent, while he was always looking over his shoulder, always looking for an ulterior motive.

"Fine," he began, "but I'm coming with you."

She opened her mouth as if to protest, but sighed instead after a moment's pause. "Alright, let's go."

He nodded, and began to stiffly pull himself up from his chair, with Rey helping to pull him to his feet, while at the same time never letting go of his hand.

Perhaps she doesn't want to let go anymore then I do

After she helped him up, they made their way to the bay doors, and the woman that had been outside came up the ramp once it had been let down for her.

Rey was standing by the side of the opening, having been the one to have let down the ramp. Ben meanwhile had decided on standing right behind her, his free arm resting on the wall just above her, both because he needed the support and he wanted to take full advantage of the fact that he was taller then her to try and at least look a little intimidating. While he trusted Rey, the same could not be said for the mysterious woman.

But does Ben even know how to be intimidating or was that just Kylo Ren

/

"Hello dears." The woman smiled at them as she reached the top of the ramp, a warm smile on her face as she pulled her hood down. The women's face was almost feline in nature, the sides of her face tinted a yellow color, with black spots running along its length. "We saw you come in and I thought you could use some food." She moved the basket off her arm as she spoke, handing it out to Rey.

"Why would you do that?" Ben asked from above her. Rey glanced up at him, seeing where he had placed his arm, feeling his tension. She knew why he was doing it, knew that he was trying to make himself seem as big as possible, in case the woman had thought to try anything. It was endearing, in a strange sort of way.

"Not many of the refugees who make their way here have much," The woman began, "so I've taken it upon myself to bring over some of the basic needs. There's food, water and some extra bandages. The two of you look like you will get good use out of the last item though," she gave the two of them a look over, taking in Ben's heavily bandaged form, "it's a special salve that we make in the village. It's healing abilities are quite popular."

"Thank you, we appreciate it." Rey said, taking the offered basket, and in the action noticing that the women's fingers were clawed at the end. "What did you mean about other refugees? This planet seemed pretty abandoned from when we came in." She squeezed Ben's hand lightly, trying to provide as much reassurance as she could, while at the same time keeping him from acting on his less then helpful thoughts.

"Oh that! Ever since the Empire left all those years ago, we encouraged the forest to overtake the buildings for that very reason. It wasn't very enjoyable being occupied last time, so we decided to do our best to seem as deserted as possible. That way we can remain at peace, and stay out of any other conflicts that may arise. That way we are free to help any wandering soul that comes our way."

"...and you're just going to give all this to us?" Ben asked cautiously. "What do you get in return?"

"Ben-"

"It's quite alright dear," the woman waved it off, stopping Rey's protest, "I quite understand. War isn't kind to people, and I can understand why your companion is wary. I do mean it though when I say that it's just a friendly gesture. You are always welcome in the village," she began, turning to start making her way back down the ramp, "if you decide that you would like to stay somewhere other than here."

"Thank you, we'll certainly think about it. But what shall we call you?" Rey asked before the woman could get too far.

"Oh! Please forgive me, where are my manners? You may call me Eir." Eir paused briefly in her steps, giving a small apologetic bow. "If I may, what shall I call the two of you in return?"

"I'm Rey and this is Ben."

"Rey and Ben, it's certainly been a pleasure meeting you." Eir gave another small bow before she continued down the ramp, but once she was at the bottom, she looked back at them before calling back up, "Please do think about my offer to come to the village. It's not every day I get to talk to Dyads!" With that, she was gone with a wave.

/

She knows

"I knew she was up to something!" Ben growled, watching Eir until the woman was out of sight. "She knows and will use that to her advantage to get whatever it is that she wants. We should - "

She knows too much

Kill her

Kill them all

Ben gulped, pushing the thought back down before continuing, "we should leave before she does something about it."

Rey sighed, shaking her head and moving over to the small, circular table, letting go of his hand in the act. "Not everyone is out to get you, Ben."

Her back was to him as she spoke, so he couldn't see her face, but he could tell she wasn't happy, a certain disdain coming from her as she took out the contents of the basket and placed them on the table.

"Then what would you have me expect? It's not just anyone who has the ability to know about us," He spoke as he leaned against the wall of the ship, arms crossed, "that's just one step away from knowing exactly who we are."

For as much as he had hoped it would be, getting rid of all of the negative tendencies wasn't as easy as simply throwing Kylo Ren's lightsaber into the sea. He didn't have the same knack for sensing people like Rey did; he had spent too long in the dark to just trust people on a feeling.

Even if Eir didn't have any ill intentions now, he was sure that would change when the woman inevitably figured out who they were. Who he was, what he was responsible for.

They'll lock you up and throw away the key

Ben it's ok, it's going to be alright

He looked up at Rey sharply then, finding her watching him, an unfamiliar look on her face. It was then that he realized that he had actually been broadcasting his thoughts for her to hear. He glanced away from her, feeling his cheeks start to grow uncomfortably warm.

Why did I do that? I hadn't meant to do that

He used to be in complete control over what he let over their bond, when had he start slipping?

/

Ben it's ok, it's going to be alright

When Rey had noticed Ben slipping down a dangerous train of thought, she had tried to send him something a bit more comforting in return. She knew it wouldn't be easy for him to throw away years of conditioning, and she had decided that she would be there for him every step of the way.

"Why don't we sit down and eat something?" She suggested, breaking the silence that had fallen between them.

Ben gave a small nod after a moment, pushing himself off the wall and moving over to sit at the table. "What did that woman end up giving us?"

"It's exactly as she told us," Rey sat down across from Ben, moving the basket's contents so that they were more viable, "there's bread, dried meats, water, bandages, and the bottle of salve that she mentioned. We should probably use those last two tonight." She added, motioning to the aforementioned medical supplies.

A comfortable silence fell over them as they ate, only broken by small bits of banter here and there. It was quiet, peaceful. She enjoyed every second of it, wishing that there was a way she could take this moment and make it last forever. If the rest of her days were spent like this, just the two of them getting to know the other better without a war or being on opposing sides getting in the way – then she knew she would be content. And yet

You know they'll come looking for you

nothing lasts forever. She knew it was only a matter of time before they were found, when she would be back to being The Scavenger, the hope of the universe. And Ben – Ben would go back to being seen as what he had had been, would have to answer for his crimes.

How do you explain that Kylo Ren is dead and yet the man wearing his face is a different person

She sighed, feeling more tired then she could ever remember being before.

"What's the matter?" Ben's voice cut through her thoughts and she looked up to find him watching her carefully.

"Hmm?"

"Something's bothering you, I know it. What is it?"

She shook her head. What was she so worried about it for? Ekair was closer to the outer rim, and looked abandoned from the outside. They had plenty of time to figure things out before anyone got close to them. "It's nothing, we're fine."

He stared at her, trying to pester for more of an answer. She refused and decided to change the subject instead. He didn't need to know that she had been worrying about something similar to what he had been not too long ago.

"If you're up for it, tomorrow I was thinking about going to the village Eir mentioned."

"…What are we going to do about her?" Ben asked, tentatively bringing up the subject from before.

"I want to talk to her more. She reminds me of Maz, in the way that she seems to know the force without actually being a Jedi. She might know something that can help us."

"Help? With what?" He looked skeptical at best, one of his eyebrows raising slightly.

"I've been thinking about how we can keep what happened to us from happening to anyone else."


And that's chapter 2! Next time we'll get into the village, and hear more from Eir.

-Xire