Let the Light In

Chapter 56: Hearten

Well, that went better than expected, Rey thought bemusedly, watching the odd, elderly Selkath who had saved her bustle about his little apartment and pull random goods together.

Rey had landed on Manaan not even an hour and a half earlier, and despite her caution, the two pilots had spotted her leaving the transport. At least they'd be able to corroborate Ben's story...

[I have commed the Resistance, sentient,] the Selkath said, poking his head out from what Rey assumed to be his kitchen, [Your friends are on their way. Even the General. You are in luck that they were still on Dxun, and will arrive in no time at all.]

Rey smiled at the amphibious being appreciatively before he ducked back to his business, and the smile turned wry as she added 'Selkatha' to the list of languages she seemed to be able to understand by means of the Force. However, Rey really did have the Force to thank for this Selkath. If not for him stalling the two pilots with antics Rey could only describe as eccentric, she would surely have been caught again or else have to defend herself which would have brought unnecessary attention from the unwaveringly strict Ahto High Court. They were very paranoid about their neutrality, and any rioting was a severely punished offence.

Imagine her surprise when the Selkath caught up to her after she bolted and pulled her off into a residential area, mumbling about 'young Jedi', and 'no idea of how to hide themselves'. Rey had only just managed to choke out past her surprise that she needed to contact the Resistance, before the Selkath had burst into peals of laughter, and shushed her. As he pulled her along, he explained that he was a member of the unofficial embassy, charged with assisting First Order refugees, and aspiring soldiers alike...Amongst other things. Gaelas, he said his name was, was a trained Force User. A member of the Order of Shasa, a somewhat underground group who leant their aid to any they felt worthy, and strove to protect Manaan.

He had been drawn to the hangar due to her Force Presence, and immediately recognised her from the First Order's old missive for bounty.

[Rey Kenobi,] he chortled, sitting down opposite her and offering her a platter of fruits and bread, which Rey took from gratefully, [It had been a long time since any adept Force User has come to Manaan, bar our own. And on a First Order vessel no less.]

Rey shrugged, finding that she felt comfortable in the presence of the old Selkath, "I don't think the First Order allows their prisoners to charter their escape routes, I'm just thankful you were there to help me."

[Not at all, not at all,] Gaelas laughed, handing her a large cup of water, [As I told you, our ilk aid those in need. Who could be more in need than a stray Jedi running from a regime built on the bones of slain Force Users?]

The sadness in his tone hit her unusually hard. It was the tone of someone who'd suffered unimaginable loss. Gaelas got up then, muttering something about fetching them some sweet treats, and it took Rey more than a minute to process the glint that she'd seen when his outer robe parted.

Holy Force. A lightsaber?

"You are a Jedi?" she asked softly when he sat down again, adding a tray of Corellian chocolates next to the one of fruit and gesturing for her to eat.

He snorted, [You could say that. I was, long ago. Was being the important word, Sentient. I left before the Clone Wars began, and returned to the Order here on Manaan. A great idea to live, a terrible one to watch your friends die.]

"I'm sorry for asking, it's just," Rey faltered, "There really aren't many left in the Galaxy. I've only met-"

[You've only met those whose path's you've crossed. There are plenty, we're all just very well hidden. Imagine if I weren't so good at getting lost, where would you be now, hmm?]