To Tend Our Wounds: PART II OF 'TO CURSE THE DARKNESS' (Kylo/OC)

Journey

"Get your gear together, Pryde, we're leaving," Ren shouted at her cabin door.

His demeanor took Ryelle aback but she scrambled to gather her things and emerged from her cabin ready to go. She had packed her duffel carefully, paring down her kit to only what she'd need to survive the environment, and what she was willing to carry with her. Food, water, toiletries, medkit, and one change of clothing. She knew if she didn't pack light, Ren would have something to say about it.

Ryelle met him at the bottom of the emergency hatch. Ren had a black pack over his shoulder as he stood at the ready. Ryelle was covered in heavy cold-weather gear from head to toe, not accustomed to such a frigid environment but prepared to face anything.

"I'm ready, Sir," she said from behind her scarf, the words sounding muffled through the fabric. Ren stalked over to her and ripped the fabric from in front of her face, jerking her forward roughly.

"What?!" he asked sharply.

"I'm ready, Sir," she stammered, trying to sound brave but failing miserably.

"You don't look ready, Pryde, you look like you're going to a fashion show! What is this?" he demanded sharply.

"I'm dressed for the weather, Sir," she tried explaining logically.

"No, you're not, Pryde!" he accused, "you're going to get sweaty in that getup, and then you're going to catch a chill, and then you're going to get sick, and then you're going to be a burden!" his voice rising with each accusation. "Get it together, Pryde, this isn't the Finalizer, this is the field! This is where the real world happens!" and he stalked away, leaving Ryelle to figure out what to do.

Ryelle pared down the layers to just one shirt under her parka, packing the other two away, and stuffing the gloves and scarf in her jacket pockets to save until she really needed them. Ryelle then had to run to meet up with Ren, his long strides carrying him almost a whole klick away by the time she'd gotten herself together.

~~~~~~

Ryelle was exhausted as they approached Dolom Outpost, field marches being a totally foreign experience to her, but she hadn't complained or faltered once. She fell behind several times but would catch up before Ren could scold her, despite the fact that he showed her no leniency. He stopped only once during the entire journey, and then for only about half an hour.

Before arriving at the outpost, Kylo removed his helmet as he didn't want to be recognized and blow their cover. Dressed as anonymous citizens, they should be able to blend in, and Ren sought out accommodations as night began to fall around them.

The buildings were low and stark, the drab adobe walls featuring almost no windows. Night was falling, and the dirt streets were nearly empty as the two travelers stood outside a small hostel on the outskirts of town, the exterior clean but spare. Inside, though, the lodgings were almost palatial. The innkeeper showed the two into a courtyard that was festooned with cold-hardy plants, mostly evergreens like miniature paan and veshok trees, and a bonfire was roaring at its center, a bulwark against the cold. Surrounding the courtyard were snug little doorways leading into the residences.

Ren engaged with the innkeeper, procuring lodgings for the night, but Ryelle was unable to overhear their conversation. The innkeeper handed Ren a key card, and as Ryelle waited for him to hand her one as well, Ren walked into a doorway and the innkeeper walked away.

Oh, no, she thought to herself, he's cheaping out – I'm going to have to share a room with him. Ryelle was not happy about the prospect of possibly having to sleep on the floor after the long hike, but she followed Ren in, unflagging in her commitment to the mission.