May the Force be Ever in Your Favor

}« Thirteen »{

⊱⋇⊰⊱⊛⊰⊱⋇⊰

"Can you believe that two weeks ago, I asked you four to call me Lieutenant Colonel Ree?" Ciena asked as the group all ate their last breakfast in silence.

Kendy opened her mouth- and promptly closed it.

Berisse raised her eyebrows, and said what they were all thinking- "Well, that was random."

"She's trying to distract you from your incessant stress." Thane said sarcastically, not lifting his gaze from his breakfast.

Rey rolled her eyes.

"And actually, the only reason I stopped was because of Thane." She continued.

Rey lifted her gaze and made eye contact with Jude. The two shared a look.

Rey considered it. Ciena had stopped immediately after Thane told her it was ridiculous. But why was she bringing it up now?

Thane's eyes popped up from his meal. "I didn't think you were speaking to me."

"I'm not speaking to you. I'm speaking about you." Ciena corrected.

"Mmm, looks like you just spoke to me." Thane smirked.

"Am I not allowed to reminisce?" Ciena countered.

"If you were anyone but you, you could. Besides, we both know that isn't what this is about. What are you saying, Ciena?"

"I'm not saying anything."

"You haven't talked to me in two days and now you passively thank me for telling you to lighten up?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Oh, come on. I know you better than that. Out with it, Ciena, now that you have an audience."

Rey could feel herself flush and knew the others felt just as embarrassed for listening in to whatever was happening before them.

Ciena cleared her throat. "Well, I guess- this- this is me forgiving you, Thane. You shouldn't have brought up politics at dinner, but I shouldn't have reacted so harshly. And-" She hesitated, like the words were stuck in her throat- "I'm sorry."

Thane shook his head and smiled. "There we go. That was hard for you, wasn't it?"

"A little." She admitted.

"Aww." Thane teased. "It's a good thing you can't stay mad at me, though." He added, and winked at her from across the table.

Rey sighed in relief. It wasn't even her business, but knowing the two had made up lifted a weight off her shoulders she hadn't even known existed.

"Anyway, now that that's settled-" Thane started-

"This isn't about us, though." Ciena pointed out, interrupting him. "No point in beating around the bush anymore. Our charges are going into the Games today."

"Yeah, any last minute advice?" Kendy asked- which Rey had a feeling she'd been trying to ask since they'd all sat down. "Because finally, you guys made up, so now maybe you can mentor us a little?"

"Well, uh." Thane pretended to think about it. "Don't die."

Berisse rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Thane. Anything else?"

"Run fast and in a zigzag pattern if being chased. It makes you harder to hit by blaster fire." Ciena instructed.

"Nobody's going to hit us," Kendy bragged, "because I'm a sharpshooting expert. Bang bang, bitch, they'll be dead before they can even load their gun on me."