Chapter Text
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. And a farm, of course. Since the war’s end, many of the young gentlemen of the galaxy were returning home, their pockets lined with coins and credits. Years of prosperity were expected for the planets of the New Republic and farming was a noble profession again, not soldiering. So an outsider settling on Tatooine was all the talk on the small planet.
“Did you hear?” Rose asked excitedly at dinner. “The Darklighter Farm has been let at last!”
Her father groaned, as one of the most prominent citizens of Tatooine, he knew what that meant. “Must I meet someone new?”
She laughed brightly, he had been in high dudgeon since Uncle Antilles had moved to Coruscant. She found it hard to believe but her father swore he once wanted nothing more than to explore the galaxy at her age. He was set to do so, that war had been in desperate need of men at that time but the mysterious deaths of his aunt and uncle had forced her father to stay and take over the management of the Lars Homestead. Now it was near impossible to make him leave his home let alone the planet.
“The assembly is soon Papa and you have two unmarried daughters! It is in your best interest to meet him. At least he is close to us and not on the other side of the planet.”
Her father looked at her, teasing glint in his eye. “Then I guess this new man is all Rose’s, you’ll never settle down,” he declared. “Adopting Rose was completely in my best interest after all, Rey never has to leave if I can just marry off my extra child.”
Rose rolled her eyes, she had joined the family as a small child, she was far too accustomed to his teasing ways. As he had been orphaned he felt it was his duty to take in the small girl. That it had become fashionable to adopt children during the war had never entered his mind. “When you say things like that Papa, is it any wonder I want to marry and move away?”
“Be careful Papa, I might just move away with her,” she teased back. “I can teach her 10 children to pilot their speeders recklessly.”
“You have said countless times you shall never marry, I know you shall remain with me until the end of my days Rey,” he groaned. “I still don’t want to meet him but I shall do as I must for Rose’s sake.”
Luke Skywalker might complain constantly, but both his daughters knew he would never do anything to jeopardize their happiness. She might not be a romantic, she was too much like her father but Rose certainly was, and eligible bachelors were rare on their home world. The gossip was rampant, descriptions of Finn Trooper ranging widely. Rumours of him being everything from minor royalty to a wealthy tradesman, short to tall and having a party of 12 to being completely alone were heard. Her father refused to say much, only that the man in question would be at the ball and was closer in age to them than himself.
Their first real intelligence came from their good friend Kaydel Connix, she at least had the opportunity to see him when he called on her father. “He is handsome to be sure and with an excellent fortune. I see no problem other than his wish to settle here. He is only letting, perhaps if he chooses a wife, he could be convinced to move to a better planet.”
Kay had always wished to leave their home and while her family was by no means poor they were quite large. They rarely traveled off world so she was well aware her best chance of leaving was through marriage. The three speculated on what could happen for the remaining days, neither of their father’s felt the need to tell them what to expect.
When the night arrived, both her and Rose spend hours getting ready, settling on their newest gowns. They didn’t get to see their so called uncle much, his shipping business keeping him busy but he would send his nieces presents from the core often. Tatooine might not be exciting but at least there was some entertainment to be had, and the monthly assemblies were their favourite. The Skywalker sisters were known to be the best dressed at such events. While they both preferred to defy convention and wear pants on most days, an assembly required the proper dress. She preferred comfort to fashion but she would not dare hurt her sister’s chances should Mister Trooper be agreeable. The former gang lord’s palace had been repurposed as a meeting place, the surrounding area already filled with ships and speeders by the time they arrived. It was rarely this busy, the most prominent citizens all seemed to be here, their new arrival the most likely cause.
The gossip mongers were already hovering when they entered the ballroom, the lack of unfamiliar faces must be the reason. She could admit to herself she was curious, as much as she loved her family and her farm, the excitement was catching. The ball would begin on time, their new arrival would of course chose to be fashionably late. She could see the disappointment on her sister’s face, Rose was meant for so much more than fixing vaporators.
It was approaching the hour when a hush fell upon the crowd. She turned to look, wondering what the reason could be. She stood on her tiptoes, glancing over her sister’s shoulder. The three were definitely strangers, but she lost them in the influx of welcomers. Neither of the men seemed to be very tall but the woman with them was easily visible. It did not bode well, she carried a look of distain as she glanced at her surroundings. Kay rushed to pull them both aside.
“Did you see them?” her sister asked excitedly.
“A little,” she replied.
Kay pointed to the gathered crowd near the entrance. “The one in blue is Mister Trooper, he’s very handsome don’t you think?”
“And very rich,” she laughed. “I give you leave to like him Rose, unless he turns out to be very foolish.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not that desperate.”
The crowd shifted slightly, finally giving her a look at the second man. Mister Trooper was handsome to be sure but the other newcomer made her gasp. She’d seen plenty of attractive men, she might not travel often but she hadn’t been trapped on Tatooine her whole life. This man was strangely beautiful, his curly hair looked soft, making want to run her fingers through the locks. “And his friends?” she hinted, hoping she sounded normal.
They didn’t seem to notice anything strange in her tone, thankfully. “My father said the lady is Mister Trooper’s sister, Miss Phasma. As for the gentleman, he’s the son of a wealthy farmer from Yavin. He’s apparently Mister Trooper’s best friend,” Kaydel explained. “Meet the reason for your koyo fruit obsession, his name is Mister Dameron. He is reported to even more wealthy than Mister Trooper.”
She didn’t get to question Kaydel further, her father walked over to join them. “Did you three get a good look?” he teased. “I’m sure your mother will be wanting you Miss Connix, the mad dash will begin. Did you both pick separate ones or are you needing to go outside and settle this with a duel first?”
“We haven’t even spoken to them,” she huffed. “They could be complete bores.”
“Yes,” Rose piped in. “You need to do your fatherly duty and introduce us, then we can decide if we need to fight to the death. They might not be worth it.”
He father groaned but relented. They made their way closer to the entrance but luck seemed to be on their side. Mister Trooper noticed their approach, eyes lighting up when he saw her father. He must have made his goodbyes and headed right for them. “Mister Skywalker, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” he said as he shook her father’s hand. “These must be your daughters, I’ve heard so much about them already.”
“It’s all lies,” she said as she stepped forward. “We aren’t nearly as bad as they say.”
He looked confused for a moment, then a slow grin appeared. “You must be Miss Rey,” he said with a slight bow. He turned towards her sister, bowing again. “That would make you Miss Rose, I assume.”
Her sister blushed profusely. “Yes,” she replied quietly. Well her sister was definitely smitten. She looked over at her father, he just looked amused.
“Well I hope I can ask you for the opening set?” he said with a smile. Well that certainly didn’t take long. “And Miss Rey of course, might I have the next? Perhaps you could dance with my friend? Dameron!”
She could feel herself blushing, she wasn’t normally like this. She refused to look over at her father, he would tease her mercilessly if he noticed. The man in question walked over, even more attractive as he approached. “Ladies, please meet my dearest friend, Mister Dameron.”
They both did the prerequisite curtsy, her eyes never leaving him. He gave a short bow, before turning to his friend. “Dameron, these are Mister Skywalker’s daughters, Miss Rose and Miss Rey. Perhaps you might dance with Miss Rey while I dance with her sister,” he suggested.
His handsome face was marred with the look of annoyance. “I have no intention of dancing tonight, I’ve already explained my reasons before we left,” he said with a bored tone.
It was a shame, of course the rich, handsome man had to be rude. She let herself have a moment of disappointment before smiling brightly. “It is of no matter, Mister Trooper, I look forward to our dance,” she said with false cheer.
Her father snorted, walking closer. “Well, I suppose I shall have the good fortune of having a dance with you my dear,” he said as he held out his arm to her.
She held her head high, ignoring the arrogant man while smiling at his friend. She would never let some man get the best of her. They walked towards the set, Rose smiling shyly at her partner. “So my dear, what do you think?” her father asked while they waited for the music to begin.
“I shall have to wait until we’ve danced, he is handsome and friendly but we have yet to have a conversation. One can learn all sorts of things about a man when you dance with him,” she replied with a grin.
The teasing glint was back. “And our neighbour’s friend?”
She rolled her eyes. “I can safely say I’ll never have reason to dance with Mister Dameron. He’s the typical rich man, arrogant to a fault.”