The Sands of Jakku

A Whole New World

A week of dinners , mind games, and constant changing of clothes, and Rey was still no closer to finding the lamp. She imagined Finn, Poe, and Obi-Wan were worried sick about her by now, but she also figured they expected her to be at a bit of a disadvantage. Thus far, all she had accomplished was gaining the attention of Kylo's father and Supreme Advisor Snoke.

Rey couldn't say that their interest encouraged her. Tonight's festivities would be yet another awkward dinner where no one ate but her and everyone spoke in riddles to everyone else. The idea of it turned her stomach, but the food was delicious enough for her not to care. Even when Hux glared at her across the table every single time she put something into her mouth.

Though this dinner, she supposed, would be a little different. Over the past week, she had been dining with just Kylo, Hux, and a woman named Phasma. She was apparently the leader of the Palace Guard. Rey wondered why Finn had never spoken of her. Tonight, there would be two more people at the table: the sultan himself and his supreme advisor.

The meeting was apparently a big deal. According to her servant Samara, who had delivered the gown that Kylo expected her to wear to this dinner, this had never happened with any of Kylo's other suitors. Rey had gotten further with him than anyone else, with the exception of Hux.

She didn't honestly know what Kylo could see in her. She was not particularly kind to him, and she was definitely not kind to Hux or Phasma. Every chance she had, she was coy and aloof, and she blew him off whenever he tried to take her on walks through the palace gardens. Though maybe that was the thing— Kylo wanted a challenge. That was something she could definitely offer.

The gown Kylo sent was easily the most gorgeous thing she had ever touched. It was more elegant than any of the gowns and clothing Obi-Wan had sent with her. She had once thought that those would be the best she would ever get.

This gown was floor length and sleeveless, dyed the color of midnight with jewels sewn in to look like stars. It was less conservative than the other gowns she had brought with her, but Rey loved it immediately. Kylo had also provided silver jewel-encrusted combs for her hair, and a pair of impossibly soft full-length black satin gloves.

She knew this was simply a show of wealth and power on his part, but Rey couldn't help the warmth and gratitude that bloomed in her chest. She had never received such a gift.

Immediately she felt foolish at the turn her thoughts had taken. Had she been in this palace so long that she was beginning to grow fond of clothes ? Rey had expected she would grow fond of the plentiful food, the plentiful water, but the clothing? In her life outside of the palace, these gowns meant nothing. She could feed herself or Finn, by selling these gowns. She shouldn't be impressed or sentimental about something so insignificant.

"Princess," one of her maids, Amara, said upon entering. Rey looked up from admiring the gown.

"Amara," Rey said, addressing her by name. The woman tensed, but made no move to correct her. She cast her gaze to the ground, kneeling at the bottom of the four steps that led to where Rey stood next to her enormous plush bed.

"Dinner will be soon, princess. My sister and I are to prepare you."

Since Rey had been there, Amara and Samara had attended to her every whim. They had prepared her for every day, every afternoon, and every evening. Yet they still announced themselves like this.

Amara entered first, as she was the elder, and asked Rey's permission to invite Samara in. Rey couldn't think of anything more counterproductive.

"Honestly, Amara," Rey said walking down the steps and urging her to stand, "I've grown to expect you. You and Samara don't have to announce yourselves every few hours, not with me. I would much rather you two arrive together and set to work without all of this nonsense." Amara looked chastised, but Rey placed a hand on her shoulder and lowered herself so that she could catch Amara's gaze.