Chapter 33.

(Before the Events at Cinnon'Ra)

The journey was long, almost too long. The closer they grew to the city, and the farther they flew from home, made Rey feel more anxious than ever. She tried to meditate, and found it to be too difficult to sit still, her mind racing with different outcomes and possibilities for their plan.

In the end, Rey decided to tinker with the tracking device that was to be carried with BB-8, making sure that the signal would be able to last farther than expected, and remain mute throughout their time in the city.

From the cockpit, Chewie roared loud enough to fill every corner of the Falcon, alerting the team that they have arrived and landed on the docking station hidden behind a waterfall, just as Flora and Kai instructed.

Rey's stomach clenched as she walked towards the lounge area where Flora and Kai were sorting through their disguises, tossing Rey's to her.

"I suggest you get changed now. The sooner we leave, the better." Flora mumbled as she unstrapped her boot and kicked it off.

Rey unfolded the outfit that was tossed to her, struggling to swallow over the giant lump in her throat as she looked over the sheer skirt, wondering where the rest of the pieces were.

"Don't worry about it, we'll be blending in. In fact, we might even be wearing too much clothes." Kai said, winking to Rey. Rey inhaled sharply, resisting the urge to grab her lightsaber and tear through the city herself.

'Remember the plan.' a voice whispered to her. Rey quickly turned around, looking for the source but only coming face to face with the rusted wall of the kitchenette.

'That sounded like...' Rey's thought trailed off as Kai came up to her, holding a large silver necklace up to her neck, inspecting it against Rey's skin.

"Take this one. It'll distract from the eyes." Kai said, shoving the piece into Rey's hand that was still gripping the outfit.

Rey blinked a few times, and turned around again. "Did either of you hear anything? I could have sworn..." Again, Rey was cut off by BB-8 rolling around the corner of the hall and right up to her.

The unit whistled and beeped to her, letting her know that it did not detect any life sources around the area.

Rey 's attention snapped back to the task at hand, sighing as she winced at the garment, deciding to suck it up and change, knowing that there was no way around this, and it was far too late to turn back now.

( X )

Nearly four hours later, the team stood together at the end of an underground tunnel that they traveled through to get into the middle of the city, undetected by any resident.

Once they came above ground, Chewie said his farewell, having done his part and escorted them through the tunnels. There was no way they would be able to get to the theater the feast was being held at with Chewie standing out. So, it was decided that he would be skipping out until later.

As for BB-8, he was currently traveling with the trio, hidden beneath Rey's large, black cloak. It made walking rather awkward, but the girls huddled together so they wouldn't raise any suspicion.

The three women made their way through the crowds of Cinnon'Ra, the streets filled busy bodies, every face showing a scowl or scar, most times both. Rey had to be constantly reminded to keep her head down, and make sure her face was shielded by the sheer veil, yet at times, she could not resist the urge to glance up.

There were vendors parked at every empty spot of the dirt roads, offering all types of illegal services and arms, some offering food and basic needs. It seemed that every person that was awake, was smoking some type of cigar or cigarette, the stench in the air mixed with the sweat and alcohol made their noses tingle.

Rey noticed a few kids jumping into a muddy puddle of to the side, and as she began to smile at the pure innocence that was seemed to be so scarce in the city, her smile washed away as she watched the same kids run up to a group of people and pickpocket them.

Rey's face fell, remembering a time not too long ago when she had to do the same, in hopes that she'd have a meal for the first time that week.

It was a game of survival.

In this galaxy, it always was.

( X )

'There! To the left!' Kai said excitedly to her both her sister and Rey's minds. Rey glanced to her, and Kai nodded into the direction that the theater was at.

It was hidden rather well in the mix of giant, green trees, the only thing in the city that showed any sign of life. She refused to count the stealing and arms trading as life, things she had witnessed on their long walk from the Falcon.

The women shuffled off from their path and up the stone walkway, choosing to go through the exit door off to the side of the building. From the outside, Rey could already hear the yelling and joyous singing from the big crowd inside, the audience spilling out onto the balcony that had a giant docking station, no doubt for the Challengers.

As they made their way inside, the serving staff rushed by them in bundles, eager to get the next batch of food and drinks to the proper tables and guests, paying no mind to the three women that had just entered.

Flora turned back to Rey, who nodded towards a door down the hall that cast no shadow of light in the creases.

'There. It must be empty.' she said to their minds.

Slowly, they made their way into the room, Kai turning the light on as soon as Rey had waddled inside. She closed the door, her back pressed against it as she yanked the sheer veil down beneath her chin and deeply inhaled.

A chunk of tension left the three of them as BB-8 rolled out from the cloak, a soft series of beeps escaping to show his own sign of relief.

Flora stretched her arms, letting the aches of anxiety roll away from her as Rey and Kai rolled their necks around.

"There," Kai sighed, a soft smile creeping across her face. "We made it!" She exclaimed, louder that she intended.

Rey's eyes widened as the music outside transitioned to another song, the moment of silence taking place as Kai spoke. The following moment, a loud bang hit the door, making Rey jump. BB-8 quickly rolled beneath a table in the corner of the room, Flora and Kai's hands flying to their weapons placed on the inside of their skirts.

Rey's hand shot up to let them know to be quiet and hold fire, channeling the force to get a feel for the atmosphere the stranger brought. She squared her shoulders and placed the veil back on her face, turning the doorknob to open the door and opening it only an inch.

A tall man towered over on the other side of the door, his face painted with all sorts of ink. "Who are you? This is my dressing room!" He bellowed.

For a moment, Rey froze and her instincts begged to be let loose, yet she refrained. Instead, she smiled as she spoke softly. "We just needed to get dressed. Be out shortly."

The man's big hand shot out to hold the door from closing, irritating Rey instantly.

"I said this is MY dressing room. Guards-" He began to yell behind him, but Rey placed a soft hand on his forearm, making him freeze. He turned to meet her eyes, suddenly lost and without purpose.