Ren woke up first for once, but understandably since Rey was intoxicated last night. Rey was still sleeping next to him, her mouth puckered. He was furious last night with not being able to tell her to pace herself with the strong liquor, but now it had faded to amusement. Ren felt smug knowing that she liked looking at him, catching her untactful leering. He chuckled quietly but the movements caused Rey to stirr.
She opened her eyes a crack then closed them, groaning. She covered her eyes with her hand. The tent was dim, but it was obvious the sun had risen outside.
"Rey, we're going to have to get up soon. Neya is going to come by. I think she likes you." He said quietly to her.
"My mouth tastes bad and my eyes hurt." She complained. She opened her hands, her eyes squinting through them.
"Do you remember anything last night? You were... out of control." Rey's cheeks darkened and she covered her face. Ren could only laugh and got up and poured her a cup of water. He held it next to her, she didn't move. "You wouldn't stop laughing, and you were staring at me as I got ready for bed. You weren't even subtle about it. Then you tried to seduce me..." She turned face down into the carpet with her eyes covered.
"I hate you." she mumbled into the carpet. Ren could only grin.
"I know, I'm despicable." He rubbed her back with his free hand. "Drink some water and we'll find some breakfast to eat." She turned to him and sat up, and drank the cold water and looked at him.
"I really don't hate you. I'm sorry you had to put up with me last night." She blushed at her admission. He pulled her close and kissed her head.
They got dressed and Ren ate one of their rations they packed. With him and Luke getting less than a fair share, he needed the supplement. They exited, the bright sun was beaming down from above the horizon. The morning air was chilly, but Ren felt as the day progressed it'd be warmer than the prior day. Rey winced and tried to shield her eyes from the sun. Neya was already here waiting, and a male stood patiently with a small basket. Chewie was also here; he whined and hugged Rey and Ren.
"Chewie, when did you get here? And where is Luke?" Rey asked, squinting. The wookie yelped and whined, he got here late in the night. They let the Falcon land ten minutes south of the settlement. And he had no idea where Luke was, he never came to the tent last night.
Neya waited for Chewie to finish, unaware of what he said. "Luke Skywalker is with my grandmother. I brought some smoked nerf and cheese for breakfast." Everyone ate quickly, the meat was peppered, and the cheese was mild. She dismissed the male and they started their way around. She showed them where men and young boys tended the herd animals and supplied the settlement with everything they needed. The ended walking near the riverbank where the goats and nerfs were grazing before returning to the central gathering area for the settlement. Rey and Neya decided they'd sparr, and Ren watched passively with Chewbacca next to him. Ren wanted to practice too but had a feeling that they wouldn't let him. He sighed, laid back and stared up into the blue sky.
Rey was exhausted, her muscles ached. Sweat from the exertion and the sun's warmth soaked her clothes. Neya and her were almost equal in skill. Rey tried learning with the spear from her, and figured a few new moves to do with her lightstaff. Judging by the sun's position in the sky, and the hunger gnawing within her, it was actually almost time for dinner. They had sparred the whole afternoon. "Neya, where does the clan clean themselves?" Rey asked. She was pretty sure she already knew...
"We bathe upstream, the males downstream. I can get some soap for you and meet you there." Neya went off to her tent, and Rey went over to Ren. He was watching them lazily then sat up when he noticed that she was heading his way.
"Ren, we're all done. And... the clan bathes in the river. I'm not sure if you want to bathe as well, but you have to bathe downstream." She started to dislike how unequal it was, and hated having to tell him. Rey frowned.
"I understand. I'll come with. " He stood up and looked down at her. She wanted to be affectionate with him right then, and knowing she couldn't made her want it more. He seemed to know what she was thinking. "Lets head to our tent and grab clothes shall we?"
Chewie said he'd wait for them or Luke. Luke must have been meeting with Euouae all day. "Luke never came out?" Rey inquired.
Quietly Ren responded to her as they passed patrols and various men doing chores and errands. "No, and seeing how everything is run here, these things may take time. And even more so since we are foreign. You bring up a good point though, Luke hasn't been seen since last night. If we do not see him for dinner, you will have to inquire what is going on." Ren's voice became pensive at the end.
They got into their tent and she turned to him. He knew, his hands pulled her waist close and he leaned down. He kissed her passionately leaving her breathless. "I don't like how they're treating you here, even if it is better than other males."
"I don't care for it either. I wish I could have practiced with you today. Hopefully we can find out some information and leave. At least, I can be myself here, with you." he shared a rare smile with her.
They grabbed a change of clothes and headed to the river. Neya was waiting near by, the sun lengthening her shadow. The sun would be setting in an hour or two. "Here Rey... Ren" She said Ren's name quickly and gave him his soap.
"Thank you Neya. I'll see both of you after." Rey was surprised he spoke, but then again he was addressed. Neya stared. Rey smiled at her and patted her shoulder and they walked to the river, and stripped down. At first Rey worried about the indecency, but other women were bathing and paid their nakedness no mind. The water was cool but after she dipped in she got used to the temperature. The river was deep as well, and came up to her shoulders thankfully.
"Is Ren a good person Rey?" Neya asked, almost a whisper.
"He is a good person. He struggles... you know. But I think he liked it when you talked to him. You should ask him questions if you want to." Rey whispered back carefully. She wanted Neya to get over her mindset, and including Ren in conversations would make him feel better too.
Neya looked pensive but nodded "I think my grandmother wanted me to have experience so I can be wise like her one day."
Rey remembered the question she wanted to ask earlier. "Neya, I wanted to ask - how old are you, and how old is your grandmother?"
Neya splashed water on herself, the suds floating down the stream. "I am twenty five years old. My grandmother is one hundred and sixty-three. She told me this morning to expect that question, she saw your puzzled looks last night. She said we live long lives here. I was surprised when she told me Luke is roughly fifty years old." Neya laughed at Rey's bewildered face.
"I'm shocked too. Do you know what Luke and your grandmother talked about last night?" Rey started to rinse the suds out of her hair. The soap was infused with herbs, it smelled fresh to Rey. With the water being cold, she was going to have to rinse a few more times.
"I'm not sure if they talked about much" Neya coyly smiled. Rey felt shocked with the revelation, and her cheeks felt afire. Neya expression turned curious "Luke didn't tell you? Grandmother wanted him to stay with her all those years ago- as an equal. That is unheard of! But perhaps because he is a Jedi it could have been argued for. He felt he had a mission to do though, and they left their separate ways. No other female is allowed to approach him. Well... It's not a law but everyone knows and respects my grandmother."
"No, he did not tell us that. Neya, she didn't have any children did she?" Rey felt that would be a very big issue, she would have to tell Ren. She wouldn't hide something like that from him. She didn't even know what his response would be.
"No. She respected Luke's wishes on the matter." Neya looked around, other females were looking downriver. Neya faced the direction they were looking at, and then appeared abashed. Rey turned to see; Ren was bathing. His back was to them. Rey felt conflicted, she liked watching him bathe himself, but she wanted to watch him alone. "He is bound and belongs to Rey, our guest." Neya said semi-loudly.
An blonde woman, well figured, cackled and said "He may belong to her, but my eyes can view what they please." And other older woman laughed with her. Rey's face felt hot. Neya nodded and they got out and changed into their clothes. They walked back to the common area, fires were already alight outside domed tents. Neya insisted on braiding Rey's hair, and she agreed to one braid.
"Neya, you and your grandmother have said bound, referring to as something different than belonging. What do you mean by that?" Rey asked quietly.
Neya moved closer to her ear as fingers deftly continued the intricate braid and whispered "We live mostly monogamously, so women will bind their male to themselves. Since you asked, it means you do not do this. When we lay with them, we enter their mind. From there we will always know their state of health and their feelings. It is a true connection." Neya paused. "We do care and love men. We just do not have them in power. They are prone to anger and recklessness. It is better to have carefully deliberated decisions then unnecessary bloodshed." Rey mentally disagreed and said nothing.
By the time they were done, Ren and Luke both returned.
Luke addressed them "We'll be eating just us tonight, by our tent. Euouae has sent some males to prepare a soup for us there. Neya... you're welcome to eat with us if you wish. Your grandmother said you can also eat with her if you want."
"I'll come eat with you." Rey squeezed her hand and gave her a smile, and got a smile in return.
Between their tents, was the perfect size area for all of them to sit. A fire crackled, smoke and sparks drifted up to the sky above. The sun had set, and a lone red moon had graced the sky with the stars. The soup was warm, full vegetables and meat, and Luke told them what happened with their meeting.
"The clan mother is discussing with their council regarding summoning the other two nearby clans to have a meet with them and form an alliance regarding the Nightsisters. They see the dangers of allowing them offworld, and feel that the Nightsisters are their responsibility to bring to justice. They are also reviewing some other things that I suggested in confidence to Euouae, and I'm sure we'll have an answer on that tomorrow." Rey's mind couldn't help imagining Luke speaking to Euouae alone and her face felt hot again. She took a drink of her water but was sure Ren noticed. A look in his eye promised that he would ask her later.
Ren spoke "Neya, how did it come to be that there are many Force users on Dathomir?" The dying flames reflected off of his dark eyes.
Neya swallowed and focused on him "It's a long tale but I can summarize it to you." Ren nodded, his expression serious. Rey turned to listen to Neya, and Luke closed his eyes. "Around six hundred years ago, a Jedi named Allya came here. She said she was outcast from the Order, and had to live the rest of her life here. She impressed us with her dexterity with the Force, and her wisdom. Our clans back then were wild and fought each other often. But, she taught us the ways of the Force, and inscribed for us the Book of Law which we hold dear." Neya took a breath and recited for them. "Those who suffer emotion will never enjoy peace. Those who choose ignorance will never know their own greatness. Those who yield to passion will fail to dominate. Those who fear death will never achieve pure power. Never forget that your magic must always be used wisely. Never concede to evil, lest you be consumed by it. She said it was not unlike her Jedi code. It started a new age for us, with all of our clans following her Law. She also had many children while she was alive, and encouraged Force sensitive women to have children. We do at times raid other clans for goats or men, but never bloodshed. Years later we have had those leave and join the Nightsisters. They mostly live by themselves. They at times do come to steal men, but we try our best to protect them. Not even a male deserves to be with their vile ways."
Luke spoke "Finding Force sensitive people in the galaxy is rare. Of course there are those who do not know they have the ability, but also the Jedi had forbidden love and relationships during their time." Rey was starting to see the repercussions of such an order, the winnowing of Force sensitive people in the galaxy. Ren looked thoughtful. The fire had been reduced to embers when they retired for the evening.