Hey, sorry for taking a while to update. I find that a story in the early stages is hard to write for; I still need to get into the swing of the plot and the writing style I've chosen. I would really appreciate some criticism or opinions, the feedback would be great for writing. Well here you are – chapter three x

Chapter 3 – A Lie and A Lightsaber

Kylo Ren awoke, this time fully aware of his situation. He felt refreshed, and filled with a newfound energy. Light streamed into the room, and he could not help himself but to yawn loudly. Kylo for a brief moment, allowed himself to relish in the warmth and comfort of Christine's bed. He had grown accustomed to military wake up calls and strict regime and schedule. It felt somewhat pleasant to indulge in such laziness. He buried his head into the soft pillow, everything about the alien world was new to him, like the pillow that had a strange, yet sweet smell to it. The entire room had a cosy 'lived-in' feel to it, something that Kylo Ren found welcoming. Suddenly a new smell filled the room, Kylo recognised it as some sort of food smell, and at once his stomach rumbled loudly. When was the last time he had ate something? He reluctantly left the comfort of the native girl's bed, making his way down the corridor. The interior of the place was rather strange, and to Kylo felt a little primitive. Very little seemed to be controlled electronically, doors operated on a system of hinges, the walls smooth and made of some form of soft rock, Kylo thought. The ground on his feet was soft also, a kind of fabric. Everything seemed incredibly strange. It was not long before Kylo heard voices interacting with each other, as he walked down a staircase, one he recognised as being Christine's. "Oh Artur it wasn't like that, I had never seen my dad so angry".

"Well can you blame him? Last time my dad caught me with a half-naked man in my room he almost beat me with his belt", a boy's voice answered.

"Very different context", Christine sneered, "And what if it had been, in that way, why would my father try to kill him?"

"Same as why any dad would want to kill his daughter's boyfriend: he's a dad".

"Whatever".

Kylo finally found the native girl, who appeared to be cooking on some kind of stove. Two people who he did not recognise, sat close to her at a table. One of the two – a boy – peered up at him. "Well look at that, Prince Charming's awake", he smirked. Kylo Ren once more felt at loss, these people looked like him, but spoke in a strange manner, which he found very difficult to understand. This boy called him a Prince, was he making reference to his lineage? Being the son of the former princess – General Organa? If so, how could he have known this information? "Leave him alone Artur", Christine snapped, "Don't mind him, please, have a seat, I am sure you should be hungry by now". Kylo Ren did as asked without complaint, the native girl had not been wrong – he was hungry. He sat opposite the boy, Artur, who with his light brown eyes seemed to examine him. "Yeesh put a shirt on Brad Pitt – you're making us flabby people feel bad about skipping gym", he grumbled, overdramatically shielding his eyes as if in horror.

"Save the acting for the stage you pansy", Christine huffed, "You sure know how to make someone feel welcome".

"Well gee I'm sorry I missed last week's issue on 'how to act around an alien' – I'll be sure to look it up after I brush up on 'Finding out my best friend is a witch who almost got me killed'", he snapped. Christine rolled her eyes, "I know you have issues but seriously, it's been a year; let it go and eat your pancakes", she said. Kylo Ren found their interactions with one another even more curious. Their language was very informal – and very sarcastic. It was clear that Artur and Christine were being playful with each other, however the third earth-human, the girl, remained quiet throughout. Christine lay a plate in front of him, along with cutlery. The plate was packed, however Kylo was unsure if it was food. Christine spotted his confusion, and actually found herself laughing "Relax, I guess it's not what you are accustomed to, but I promise its good", she smiled. Kylo Ren devoured the plate's contents, eating every single bite of what he later found out to be what the natives called "a fry-up". He was surprised of the extent of his own hunger, he was ravenous. Christine herself sipped at her coffee, having dined a few hours previously. It had surpassed eight when she herself had awoken, but Christine could not bring herself to wake Kylo, he seemed a lot more peaceful and at ease as he slept, and allowed him to wake at his own pace, being eleven. Christine had searched for him, but knew her father had left last night. She did not fret, her father would often spend weeks or months away from the manor.

She found it almost funny how quickly Kylo had wolfed down his meal, it had appeared that Artur had gotten the same impression. "Wow, he must be alien if he likes your cooking", he smirked.

"Shut up!"

"Girl, when are you taking me to the crash site?" Kylo questioned, the situation was unnerving to him. He was not accustomed to such interactions. He was not use to being around 'friends' in general. "I'm not repeating this again, my name is Christine. Chris-tine. I have a name for a reason". Kylo Ren did not appreciate her scolding him, but in some ways her stubbornness was much similar to his own. "Very well, Christine". "Better", she smirked, "and to answer your first question; whenever you feel ready. Although I was thinking that a new set of clothes would be first priority". Kylo Ren froze, somehow he had managed to forget the fact that he was half naked, his face flushed hot in embarrassment, it was hardly proper. "I agree, tell me, where is the rest of my suit?" he asked as Christine cleared the table. "Oh I threw it in the wash this morning", she said casually, "My brother Astor is a fitness freak – I think you two would be about the same build, I'll fetch something to do you for now".

Kylo Ren found Christine's generous hospitality unnerving. He had grown so accustomed to the harshness of the residents at Starkiller base - Snoke never aspired to be nothing more than a mentor to him, hardly the father figure Kylo Ren secretly wished for in his youth. On this strange planet, the native girl treated him as if he was her kin. Christine left swiftly, leaving the three alone. Artur made quick work of his own breakfast, pushing his plate to the side. "You know", he hummed, "you aren't the worst looking thing I've helped drag through that door". From across the island Zahra scoffed loudly, rolling her jade eyes. "Wow Christine's gone thirty seconds and you're already trying to get him into bed – I think that's a new record". Artur smirked; "What, can't I comment anymore? Besides he's not my type". Kylo grew increasingly uncomfortable as the two bickered playfully before Zahra once more fell silent. She was typing fast on her phone, much rather speaking to Amir than the stranger seated close to her. Kylo Ren studied her. Her hair was a much lighter shade of brown as well as being much shorter; accompanied with vibrant blue streaks. From what he could see of her arms; were inked with colourful tattoos. Her skin lightly tanned, and lips that were pale and cracked. She appeared cold, blunt and withdrawn – qualities which would prove useful to the First Order. Christine returned shortly after, arms weighed down with a light pair of jeans, both a grey t shirt and a checked flannel over shirt, as well as a pair of brown leather boots, underwear and socks. "I hope you guys are the same size", she mumbled, handing him the items. "I had one of the guest rooms prepared this morning – come with me". Christine led him up the stairs once more, to a room right next to her own. Inside the bedroom was huge, and looked very traditional, the rooms that were not occupied by the La Vedette's had been styled the same and decorated accordingly. She pointed towards another door, "bathroom in there, I assume that you use water to bath?" As she left, Christine turned to face him once more – "I hate to rush you, but we are better off going there as quickly as possible to the wreck site – so be quick". Kylo nodded, and followed her instructions.

He undressed from the little clothes he had been wearing and stepped into the shower. It was very similar to those on Starkiller base, as was the bathroom in general. Kylo observed that the planet Earth was very similar to most things from his galaxy, much to his relief. The hot water was in a sense therapeutic, washing away the grime from being confided in the small aircraft. He raked his hands through his hair, savouring the simple luxury. His thoughts focusing on the mission at hand. Retrieving his lightsaber was his first priority. The natives that he encountered appeared friendly – but he could not take the risk. If it had not been for Christine's protection, her father could have succeeded in ending his life. Kylo needed to be armed and ready. Then somehow, he had to find this mysterious energy source. At all costs his mission had to be completed. His thoughts then turned to Christine – she had seemed more than willing to help him, perhaps he could somehow manipulate her to uncover the energy source?

Kylo dressed in the clothing she had provided. To his dismay they were exceedingly bright and casual, he would have much preferred his usual attire. He dressed in them still, however avoided any mirrors. He retraced his steps, finding Christine cleaning in the kitchen. Clearing his throat to get her attention, Kylo stood solemnly next to the island counter. "Oh you're ready", she smiled, "let me finish putting these away".

"Where are the other two?" he asked.

"Oh, they had to go home, they only stayed the night to monitor, I'm afraid it's just us heading to the crash site". Christine cleared the clean plates quickly, releasing her hair from its loose bun and removing the apron. "C'mon then".

Outside, Christine and Kylo Ren walked to her car, a strange silence between the two. Christine burned with so many questions that she could almost radiate heat. She contained herself of course, thinking it rude to exhaust the poor man with her limitless curiosity. "This is your vehicle yes? I remember it vaguely" Kylo muttered. She drove with much less urgency than before, relaxing into the driver's seat. The growing silence was perfectly fine for Kylo, but annoyed Christine greatly, and caused anxiety to stir within the pit of her stomach. "I'm sorry for my father's actions last night", she stated, glancing his way, "he can be a real hardass sometimes".

"That is a bit of an understatement", Kylo glared, "the man tried to kill me".

"Granted, he has a thing about aliens, and strange men", she sighed "he'll calm down eventually – I hope". Silence fell once more, Christine sighing turned to the radio. She skipped a few stations before finding one playing a David Bowie song, she smiled as she sang the words in her head. "This music is strange", Kylo said abruptly.

"Well you are stranger", she jibed, "tell me, how exactly did you come to be here, why are you here?" Kylo gulped, chewing his lower lip. Of course he had to lie, mind tricks were useless against her. Unlike many in allegiance with the darkside, Kylo Ren lacked in the naturally cool charisma and ability to deceive. "I was on a simple relay mission of this galaxy", he answered finally, "to report information of lifeforms in other systems. I flew my craft too close to your planet and was caught in its gravitational pull. Landing here was purely accidental". Kylo looked at the girl – hoping she would buy his story. Christine shrugged, "sounds like a rookie mistake if you ask me", she sneered. Kylo immediately becoming furious at the insult. Staring at him, Christine began to laugh, "I'm kidding!"

"You seem to do that a lot", he growled, changing his attention to the window next to him. Taking in his surroundings as they zoomed passed them. He had to remember the lie he told, knowing that it would most likely not be the last time he would need to recount it. His mind focused on all but two things; a lie and a lightsaber.

Christine parked where she had the night previously, hopping out from her side. Like before the journey there and back would take longer – unless Kylo would be willing to get on her back, which she doubted. She would have to settle at walking in normal human speed. The two walked briskly next to one another, this time Kylo asking questions.

"Can all humans on this planet do the same as you and your father?" he asked, pushing a branch from his path.

"You mean magic? No, well technically I am not human myself – I am a witch. We are beings who are born with the power to manipulate magic".

Kylo Ren began to wonder, that perhaps magic here was a possibly a more advanced form of the force, or that Christine was just entirely a new being on her own. She chuckled to herself without prompt, which Kylo found strange, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing", she laughed once more, "it's just a bit strange. Being a witch is such a closely guarded secret, and telling someone on the first go is weird".

"Why must you hide what you are?" Kylo asked.

Christine could not help to think that Kylo Ren's curiosity might possible match her own, but to her it was unburdening to speak so freely of her kind, knowing it was safe to do so. "Humans, don't really react well to things that they do not understand. My people for thousands of years were brutally hunted down, tortured and murdered for what they were. Eventually we went into hiding, integrated into society and act in secrecy", she answered. "So peculiar", Kylo muttered. After some time of talking with one another, the pair finally reached the wreckage site. In the cold light of day, they were shown the full damage the space craft had caused. Thankfully Kylo must have had held on to control for most of the entry into the Earth's atmosphere, shown by the lack of a crater. However, a significant amount of damage had been done. Many trees had been sliced in half or completely torn away, the area scorched badly with debris scattered in the opening. The space craft was damaged badly as well, half buried in the Earth.

"Come we must search the site", Kylo urged, making his way quickly to the wreckage.

"Go ahead, I need to start clean up", Christine called. She had been thankfully that no one had yet discovered the area in which Kylo Ren had crashed, as she had to remove all evidence of it being here. The discovery of alien life could easily lead to the exposure of witches. Both had to be protected. Christine breathed deeply, willing the power within her. She felt warmth forming in her hands as they glowed brightly, she focused her attention to the large pieces of debris that had broken from the craft. They shimmered a brilliant gold before fading away. The same method of removal was applied to the trees that had been broken or had fallen down entirely. As the area became clearer, she noticed a strange object not very far from where she stood. Intrigued, she walked towards it. Kylo still occupied rummaging through the air craft. The object appeared to be a metallic black cylinder. For a moment Christine thought that it resembled a cross. Her gentle finger tips moved over the object's surface. There seemed to be some kind of button. Too tempted to resist, she pressed gently.

"Christine no!"

A brilliant red light shot forth, and Christine was engulfed in pure agony.