Neya lead them outside, the air was cool and breezy. The sky was darkening, clouds still obscuring the sky and sun. The guards outside returned Luke and Ren's lightsaber and packs. "Follow me." Neya turned, and they followed her. There were tented domes everywhere, Rey was trying to remember exactly where they were going so she wouldn't get lost. Thankfully it wasn't too far, she could see the clan mother's huge tent.
"This is yours and Ren's tent here, and next to it is Luke Skywalker's and the pilot?" Neya said the last word as a question, it was foreign for her. Rey moved aside the flap, there were woven and hide blankets and a small brazier for them. It was tall enough for her to stand, and roughly four meters long and three meters wide. Ren had to stoop when he entered. She put her pack down, and looked at Ren. He was looking around and his eyes met hers. They said nothing but she stepped to him and felt his strong arms around her. He kissed her forehead. "Lets go, hopefully we can come back soon after dinner so I can relax. This isn't something that I'm used to" he murmured. He added "You did really well Rey today." Her spirits lifted from the compliment.
They exited the tent, and Luke was waiting with Neya. She seemed uncertain around Luke and Ren, so she looked at Rey as she spoke, even though she was speaking to everyone. "Since you are guests, you will be able to sit closer to our clan Mother. She is probably meeting with the other elders to advise of your presence and your reasoning here."
Rey felt she wanted to make the young woman more at ease. "Neya, thank you for showing us our tents. Do you like to duel? I'm not sure how long we are staying..." The relieved look on Neya's face said it all.
"Yes, we do practice often to defend ourselves. I wouldn't mind if you stay a while Rey. Lana'i said you surprised her. She always felt the spear was superior to the staff but I think you may have changed her mind." Neya said laughing.
"Do you use the Force, Neya?" Rey asked.
Neya nodded "Yes but we are encouraged to not use the Force while fighting other clans. Unless it is the Nightsisters of course. They do not come often though. They wait for people to defect..." She trailed off. "Lets head back. They may be ready for us."
They walked back, and despite the approaching night, the camp was becoming alive. Males were lighting lanterns outside of tents and various pathways. Meats were sizzling on spits and pots held stews that simmered with meat and chunks of vegetables. It all smelled good to Rey. They reached the clan mothers tent, and the sentries let them in. Euouae hadn't moved, but two other females joined, in addition to Lana'i, sitting to the clan mothers right. They also had their hair in braids, and armored similarly to every female in the settlement. Neya sat next to her grandmother's left, and Rey, Ren, and Luke all sat next to her. The males soon brought plates of nerf steaks and goat meat, in addition to some sort of brown root vegetable that had been cooked over a fire. They allowed Euouae the first choice of meat, and then Rey. After they served the rest of the women elders and Neya. Ren and Luke had the last choice of meats and vegetables. The males left.
Euouae lifted up her cup, and said "We share this bounty with you, our guests. May we not give into our emotions and fall. May we seek knowledge without seeking power. May we live in peace and strive for harmony." She took a sip between each sentence, and motioned. Everyone else picked up their cups and sipped. Rey thought it was water since it was clear, but realized after the liquid hit her tounge was very strong liquor. She tried not to wince or cough and swallowed each time. By the end her chest felt warm and her mind slightly lightheaded. She wouldn't drink anymore she told herself. Ren said nothing but his eyes were concerned.
The meats and vegetable were already cut into bite size pieces, and everyone began to eat. The meat was savory, there were some herbs that must have seasoned it. The root vegetable did not have much of a taste, but it was warm and filling. Euouae did not eat much initially, but introduced the fellow leaders of the clan who nodded to their introductions. Shena had warm brown hair and only one braid that she pulled over her shoulder. She smiled easily and her eyes were kind. Twe'niel also had her hair in a multitude of blonde braids, but was pulled back at the top of her head in a leather tie. She had pale blue eyes, and Rey felt she missed no detail. The last was Lana'i herself, with her single black braid. She seemed impartial to the dinner, and was only here as custom dictated. All remembered when Luke Skywalker was last here.
Shena and Twe'niel appeared more comfortable with Luke and Ren sharing their food, but kept their questions to Rey, asking about where she grew up and her interests. Rey replied earnestly. Lana'i said few words during the dinner, while casting Ren and Luke discouraging looks when she thought no one was looking. Rey told them how she trained with the staff, and Lana'i said she would be interested in a rematch. The older women laughed and shared stories of fights long gone.
Rey was hoping to drink something else, after answering questions her mouth was dry. But there was no water at the setting. She didn't want to impact their mission asking for some, so she took a small sip from her cup. The warm feeling returned to her chest. Rey looked, everyone was almost done eating it seemed, and she tried to not think about how thirsty she was. Hopefully they could go soon...
Euouae spoke again, lifting her cup. "We shared this meal in harmony, and we look forward to sharing our time together in harmony, and after." And tilted the cup back to drink all of it. Everyone else was lifting their cup to do the same. Rey lifted her cup and drank the rest of hers in one go. It burned down her throat. She felt ok, but it was only a matter of time. The other women left, leaving the clan mother, Neya, Ren, Rey and Luke.
Euouae looked at Luke "I only advised them that you were to be treated as guests here for the time being. Tomorrow, we will advise them regarding the Nightsisters. We may need to send messengers to other clans and meet on this. It will have to be handled delicately; you are aware that being a outsider, and a male no less will make them skeptical."
"I thank you for your efforts in this." Luke said. Rey's chest felt warm, and she knew it would be soon that the liquor would start to affect her. She had seen few people in her life drunk, Unkar Plutt at times had alcohol to give in exchange for really rare scavenged items on Jakku.
"Very well. We'll speak more tomorrow." Euouae said. All of them started to rise, thankfully Rey still had her balance. "Luke, stay if you will." Rey saw him sit and bowed to her. Neya ushered Rey and Ren out.
"Rey, I'll come by tomorrow morning and show you around." She waved farewell to Rey and turned to head towards her own tent.
Rey and Ren started to walk toward their tent, and Rey barely made it ten paces before she grasped Ren's arm. Everything was swimming in her vision, but somehow, it was funny to her. "Rey, just a little bit further." he murmured. And Rey started to laugh. He gripped under her armpit and partially dragged her to their tent. Rey couldn't stop laughing, he actually was basically towing her along. Finally they got to their tent and Ren forcefully put her inside and closed the flaps. Someone had been by to light the brazier, the tent was cozy and warm. She laid on the carpets laughing just picturing herself. Why was this so funny? Ren's expression to her, mostly disbelief made her laugh even harder. "I'm going to be right back." And he ducked outside. He came back a few moments later with a clay jug and a cup. "Will you drink some water?" She felt herself nod and she grasped the cup from him. He held on to it, and even though she tried to drink it dribbled down her chin and onto her shirt.
"Didn't you drink all of it too Ren? Why aren't you laughing!?" She heard herself ask. It was a voice she never heard herself use before.
"I did, but I have had liquor before and paced myself through the evening. You drank over half of cup worth in one go. I saw! And I couldn't tell or show you during the meal to pace yourself as well!" He was agitated she noticed.
"Ren don't be like this. Come lay next to me..." she pleaded.
Ren sighed. "Drink another cup of water first, and then we'll change. Then I'll lay next to you." He helped her again drink the water, and again it spilled over the cups edge and down her cheek. He helped her disrobe, took the buns out of her hair, and put on warm clothes for sleeping. Ren started to change and she watched him, admiring his body. She liked his shoulders and arms best. He caught her leering at him and his face flushed. "You're unbelievable right now."
"You're all mine." Rey's voice said. Her head was resting on her hand, her brown hair falling to the carpet. She was laying on her side and mentally thought she would be attractive to him right now.
Ren clenched his jaw. "We are not doing that tonight. You can't even drink water or dress yourself right now."
Why did he say that? Didn't he love her? She felt her chin tremble, and said coldly "Very well." And turned away from him. A tear escaped her eye. More silent hot tears followed. She tried to control her breathing to prevent herself sobbing from his cruel words.
She heard him exhale angrily and lay down next to her, and grabbed some blankets and covered themselves. He pulled her around so she faced him. "Rey. I love you. You know that. Right now though, you are drunk and not your normal self." He took his thumb and wiped her cheek. "If you want, we can do this tomorrow." He kissed her forehead. She shifted and kissed his cheek, and he tried to turn away. But she turned his face towards hers with her hand and kissed him. His lips were still for a few moments, then he sighed and kissed her back. He pulled away after a few minutes. "This is it though. Your mouth tastes like liquor". He murmured.
She laughed again and snuggled up next to him, her head cradled on his arm. His hands played with a strand of her hair, it comforted her. She took a deep breath and fell asleep just a few minutes later.