Chapter 31
Rypo gazed at the man who had taught her everything she knew about the First Order and knighthood. Master Kylo had outgrown them, just like that, when he found someone who loved him and he loved in return. The feelings that had awakened in her since she poked around Rey's head told her it was funny, in a way, to see him give up everything so simply, but she was too practiced with concealing her feelings to smile or laugh. She could only watch and wonder what Teva thought of all this. After all, Teva had been the one to point the possibility that love was the reason for everything. With all the excuses Teva found to touch her lately, she wondered if he might not also be inspired by love. The thought warmed and scared her.
"It is not your right!" Hama-Ki exclaimed, disrupting Rypo's thoughts. "You have betrayed the First Order and our late Supreme Leader Snoke. You have no right to choose who replaces you."
"That's right," Jun-Pon pitched in. "You have no say in this, Kylo Ren. You intend to leave us anyway, so be gone already."
They were being ridiculous. Choosing anyone other than Master Kylo would cause chaos, the very thing they stood against. Rypo glared at Jun-Pon a moment and then looked to Hama-Ki. "And whose right is it, if not Master Kylo's?"
Banto said, "Perhaps mine, as the one who has led you this last week in his absence?"
Rypo struggled not to roll her eyes. Of course Banto would jump for the opportunity to lead. She and Teva suspected the man had long been after Kylo Ren's position as Master of the Knights of Ren, but he had a point that they followed him this last week.
Teva chuckled next to her and patted her thigh gently under the table. Rypo quickly captured it in her hand, appreciating his support and wondering what more it might mean. "No thanks, Banto," Teva said. "You led us a few days in a time of peace under Master Kylo's direction. That's hardly justification for you to pick his replacement. I support Rypo's claim that Master Kylo Ren should choose his own replacement."
"I do too," Nighwitch said. That wasn't very surprising. Nighwitch had always supported Master Kylo. Rypo wondered at times why the young woman was so devoted to Master Kylo.
"As do I," Hama-Ki chimed in. Rypo offered the older woman a surprised glance and saw that the others also found this unexpected. Hama-Ki had opposed him just seconds ago. "Yes, I had originally opposed him, but it's clear from the others that his voice is still the most respected one of our group, despite recent events, and therefore his will provide the most order. Kylo Ren, do you have someone in mind?"
Rypo quietly sighed. With Hama-Ki, Nighwitch, Teva, and herself supporting Kylo Ren's right to choose a replacement, Banto and Jun-Pon could hardly oppose. Teva squeezed her hand and smiled at her gently when she glanced at him. She smirked at him, then returned her attention to the proceedings.
Kylo Ren gazed at them. "I do not have someone in mind. I will need some time to reacquaint myself with each of you before I decide. It has been too long since I was with the knights regularly. Rey will assist me in assessing each of you. Treat her with the respect and courtesy due your Supreme Leader while we remain here."
They bowed accordingly, though it was clear that Banto and Jun-Pon were reluctant to. Rypo narrowed her eyes at them. She doubted they would go down quietly if not chosen, but she had no idea what they might do.
"Now that we have settled the question of who gets the final decision, I am adjourning this meeting. It is late in the cycle here. Eat, rest, and think on what qualities you would value most in a leader, and who best matches those qualities. Rey and I will seek each of you out in turn. Dismissed," Master Kylo said, and he stood and exited the room with Rey at his side.
The knights looked at each other, and in a heartbeat, Banto stood and stomped out of the room with Jun-Pon close on his tail. Hama-Ki followed shortly after.
Nighwitch looked to Rypo and Teva. "I like her, you know. I can't quite describe why, but I do. It's not just that Master Kylo found her worthy, but something else in the way she holds herself."
Teva laughed. "You mean the way she was willing to face all of us single-handedly to defend Master Kylo? Yes, Rey definitely has spirit. I enjoyed seeing her reaction to kidnapped friend too. She came charging in with Master Kylo's lightsaber in hand, fully ready to take both of us on for her friend's sake. If Rypo hadn't been holding a lightsaber to the girl's neck, I might have feared for our lives."
Nighwitch smiled serenely, and Rypo realized the young woman was quite beautiful. "Rey does seem impressive. I am glad you see the value in Master Kylo too. I had feared that… well, I am glad. How long have you two been together?"
Rypo glanced in confused horror at Teva. Teva sputtered, "We're, we're not… umm..."
"I'm sorry for misunderstanding. I only saw that you two were holding hands under the table."
"That was visible?" Rypo asked.
"I don't think anyone across from you could have seen, but it was quite visible to me at the end. Rey and Master Kylo would have been able to notice too," Nighwitch explained. "Anyway, I was only curious. Good night."
Teva and Rypo watched Nighwitch leave the room and then turned to each other. Teva raised his eyebrows at Rypo. "Well, I would like it," he said, gazing at her.
Rypo narrowed her eyes. "Like what?"
Teva shrugged and buried his hands into his robe's pockets. "Being together with you."
Rypo's heart shuddered, and she gazed at him as her thoughts swam. "You realize I haven't considered being with anyone for years."
Teva quirked his head to the side. "I know, and I know you're the only person I've considered being with for years. You don't have to decide right away. Take your time. I just wanted you to know. I'll keep holding your hand when you're scared regardless."
Rypo scoffed. "I was not scared!"
Teva smiled at her. "Of course not. Meet at the usual time for dinner?"
Rypo glared at him and felt a thrill at the sensation that made her smile. "Of course."
Teva pointed to the exit. "I'll be heading on then. See you there." He took a step around her, and Rypo grabbed his arm. "What?" he asked.
Rypo frowned, wondering if she was mad to take this step. "I'm thinking," she said.
"You're holding onto my arm to think."
"I'm thinking I accept," Rypo said. She took a deep breath and exhaled. "I accept being together with you."
Teva grinned broadly. "Good. I won't let you regret it. See you for dinner," he said and walked on out.
Rypo watched him leave her with frustration. That was it? He confessed to having desired her for years and then just walked out when she agreed to be with him?
Teva burst back in the room. "Sorry, I forgot something." He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "There. See you for dinner."
Rypo touched her forehead in a daze and shook her head, smiling.
For the record, I started writing this chapter in Kylo's perspective, then Banto's, then I went to writing the reaction and thoughts of all 8 people in the room to each new thing said, etc. before I found my rhythm with Rypo for the rest of the chapter. Ended up being around 3.5k words, of which I kept about a third. Well, that's writing for you.
Hope you like it and please review. :)
