Warrior ◊ Star Wars

chapter four; meeting people and hitting them repeatedly

"Don't give up hope, he still might show up." Rey said to comfort BB-8, dropping him from the net for him to finally have solid ground under him after the long ride," Whoever you're waiting for."

Much to Mara's delight, Rey had found a fondness for the droid. The most likely explanation was that he had endeared himself to her when the two scavenged a nearby ruin while the other woman slept. BB-8 had explained his situation to Rey about how he hadn't always been alone and was waiting for his owner to show up. Of course, she had asked why his master had separated from the astromech, but the answer was always the same whenever he was asked the question.

Classified

"Classified, eh? Expected." Rey murmured, grabbing her staff off the speeder as her friend looked over the outpost to scout out what good had been brought that day. One of the Rhodians had half of a broken A-wing hyperdrive, probably worth thirty portions, but no one else had anything worth noting. No unknown faces in the crowd searching for lost droids.

"I know all about waiting." Rey continued on, slinging her staff around her shoulders. She glanced at Mara, who just shrugged, a sign that nothing big had come through the outpost yet. Both nodded.

For what? The astromech beeped. He rolled around, tilting his head up to fully see her through his sensors.

"For her sense of humor to develop." Mara joked, earning the fifth eye roll her companion had done that day. The blonde didn't seem fazed by Rey's distaste in her little laugh," It's true."

Rey sighed, ever amazed by her friend's antics. She looked back at the droid to form a smile she had to reassure herself was genuine, "For my family. They'll be back, one day. C'mon."

And Mara decided to not harp on her careless joke anymore. She fell in step beside the younger woman, already feeling a twinge of guilt for taking a laugh out of Rey's explanation for why she was still on this sand-covered badlands of a planet. The girl seemed unaffected by it and kept stride towards the camp to try and find free washing stations.

The first rush of the morning crowd passed before two work areas became available. The monotonous routine they never deviated from commenced. While they scrubbed at the rusted parts, BB-8 observed their actions before perking up to ask what each piece was and how much it should be worth. Where was it found? What did it belong to? Mara's demeanor brightened at the small display and she didn't miss Rey's genuine marvel at the astromech's curiosity.

It took less than an hour to clean all five of their items and even longer to near the front of the line once they joined it.

"Not bad time today." Mara checked the sun, noting the hour of day before going back to survey the array of tents for any newcomers. Rey made a point to cross her arms while the bonded looked around. Her companion continued to stare at her and Mara finally posed a question.

"What?"

"You know what." The scavenger tipped her chin up. The woman was completely lost for a second until a knowing look crossed her face.

"I promised, so I won't push it today. You do that thing where you stay quiet the whole time and just let him cheat us out and we continue to starve." She gave a huge, pearly smile, only slightly hinting at her distaste in not being able to do her daily ranting.

Rey just nodded, brushing off the sarcastic part of comment as if it never existed, "Good."

The scenario almost played out to her prediction.

When they approached the fenced barrier, Unkar put his monstrously huge hands onto their findings with his price already set before he even examined them. He took a deep breath as if to stall to see what Mara would try to barter today. The blonde's lips didn't even move.