Chapter Text
Leaves flew as a bright red bike flew down a dirt lane, carrying a boy and a sack of newspaper bouncing on it’s side as he drove over bumps. The lane seemed to darken considerably the further he went on, the trees and underbrush becoming thicker and more wild. The wind began to blow low and menacingly, making the trees whisper and sway. Undeterred, the boy pressed on until he screeched to a stop before a locked ancient iron gate. Beyond that, was a massive mansion. The boy kicked down the bike stand and dismounted; walking over to the gate to peer through the gate to gaze at the building. The house was run down, dark, and seemingly abandoned. But it still retained the former grandeur and beauty of it’s past; the pillars stood proudly and intact, giving the feel of a grecian temple. Before the mansion lay a large pond, the water was like dark glass, eerie and unsettling as it cast the house’s reflection, not even a ripple disturbing the surface.
Instead of appreciating the architecture, the child shivered and looked around uneasily, noticing how the air was strangely still and heavy. The trees stood still and silent. Reaching quickly into his sack, he threw a tied newspaper over the gate and turned to leave. Suddenly, a vicious and violent wind burst from the gates, an eerie screeching suddenly sounding as the boy was knocked forward. Scrambling on all fours, he abandoned his sack on the ground as he mounted his bike and pedaled away furiously. Behind the gate, a dark figure shrouded by shadow behind the gate watched the child fearfully swerve all over the road to get away. A small smirk formed, then stilled as they picked up the newspaper and returned to the shadows.
“I told you Poe, it’s a beautiful weekend to go to the lake. You promised us this,” Rey crossed her arms and stared at the man before her. Her real estate partner, Poe Dameron, was an easy-going, albeit work-obsessed friend of hers. He ran a hand through his dark hair, sighing. His had a look of boredom as he regarded her.
“Yes, yes, I promised- but how about I stay behind to finalize the sale on the Branberry House?” He started as Rey rolled her eyes.
“Absolutely not. After ‘forgetting’ Bea’s birthday party, your own daughter, you owe her, and all of us, big time for all the things you’ve missed.” She interrupted, eyeing him with a look that said the decision was final. He huffed and turned back to his computer, grumbling as he began typing furiously. She looked to her other work partner, Finn, and gestured silently to Poe, once again rolling her eyes. He shrugged back to her, shaking his head, looking exasperated as she did. Suddenly the phone began ringing in the office, interrupting the moment.
“I’ve got it,” Finn said, beginning to get up from his chair. Rey put her hand up to stop him.
“Don’t worry about it, I’m standing closer,” She said as she quickly walked to the desk and picked up the receiver.
“Thank you for calling Resistance Real Estate, this is Rey Niima speaking how may I help you today?” She mustered, trying to sound professional as possible, already fiddling with her hair as she does when she gets nervous.
“Ah yes, I am inquiring about the business of selling a house. It is an old home, Miss Niima, and my employer is anxious to move on. Would it be possible for you to come alone to discuss the situation?” An aged and dry voice replied.
“I’m sorry, but I always work as a team with my partners, Finn and Poe,” She explained kindly.
“The master usually does not take visitors. However, from your photograph, he thought you to have a trustworthy face. About your partners, he felt differently.” Rey raised her eyebrows at that, glancing over at Finn and Poe who had their backs turned to her. She lowered her voice.
“Ah, you saw our ad in the paper...” She answered, twisting the phone cord. She smoothed her skirt and considered what to do in this situation of a potential client who seemed to be a hermit.
Poe sat at his desk answering emails as snippets of Rey’s conversation began to catch his attention. He heard her ask for the address and scribble down something on a notepad. Suddenly jumping up, he practically sprinted to where she was.
“The master had wished to see you tomorrow evening,” the man on the phone answered crisply.
“Oh I’m so sorry, I’ll be out of town for a weekend trip you see….” She began to reply when Poe appeared.
“Who is that?” he whispered to her. She shot him a look and waved him away. He stood there and tried to look over her shoulder at her notepad.
“Please excuse me a moment…” She lowered the phone. “What, Poe?” She hissed.
“Who is it?” He asked.
“Just someone calling about selling a house,” She answered.
“Well what’s the address?” Wordlessly she handed the notepad with the address to him. Slowly his dark eyes grew large as walnuts. Rey looked at him with a raised eyebrow until he could speak.
“Rey, this is huge. These properties are multi-million estates! This place is basically the biggest remaining historical home in this area!” He burst, causing Rey to wince.
“Let’s just set an appointment for after the weekend,” She said, going to pick up the phone again when he stopped her.
“This is too big to possibly let other realtors to catch wind of! We’ve got to check it out.” He sounded like an excited boy, to which Rey couldn’t help to quirk a smile. But she quickly reminded him of their plans.
“Bea was looking forward to this for ages. Are you really gonna let her down?” Poe looked crestfallen for a moment as he took a moment to think.
“It’ll be a detour. It’ll be twenty minutes, no more no less, I promise.” He practically begged her, his brown eyes taking on the likeness of a puppy. Rey considered him for a moment and sighed.
“You promise only twenty minutes?” She asked, giving in.
“Yes!” Poe practically cheered. Finn popped his head through the door of the office, watching Poe do a little celebratory dance. Rey picked up the phone and confirmed a time for the appointment, then hung up.
“What’s all the excitement?” Finn asked. Poe turned to him with a gleam in his eye.
“The Skywalker Mansion”. Finn’s jaw practically dropped to the floor.