Arani Jakal was not ready to be stranded on an unfamiliar planet, causing her whole life to change. But in the chaos, a friend or two popped up - seemingly from nowhere - wishing to help. Ari gladly accepted and quickly became part of a small town...
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THE JOURNEY WAS SHORTER than Mando expected. It was because of his guide that he didn't have any hindrance or needed to ask the Tuskens for directions. He hated to say it but in the few short hours he knew the young woman, she'd grown on him. They often found themselves going as fast as their speeders aloud, racing each other until one relented. They made little conversation though the feeling in the air was lighthearted and he found himself enjoying the two-day ride.
At night they stopped at a bolder, and made a fire under the shelter of it. The last time Mando was in Tatooine, Fennec was shot dead and the kid he trusted tried to turn him in to the Guild; he was determined that his plan this time would stay on track.
The two sat, leaning against the rock face, the little creature - that Ari learned was tastefully named 'kid' - was resting next to his guardian, tucked underneath his arm.
"So, Mando, tell me about yourself."
"I'm a Mandalorian, what more is there to tell?"
Arani shrugged. "I'm sure there's a crazy backstory under all that beskar."
Mando hummed. "Not really."
The girl nodded, not prying any longer. "So you're returning the kid to his kind? That's very noble of you."
The bounty hunter glanced down at the creature, who cooed and shuffled about. He didn't answer the girl - he didn't know how.
"You're that rogue Mandalorian that I heard about a few months ago, aren't you? It's okay, I won't try to steal the kid or kill you or anything like that. I haven't a clue on how to fight nor do I have any weapons."
"Seems a bit dangerous to not know."
"Not really. If you can befriend the Tuskens and choose your words wisely, you can get by just fine out here."
Under his helmet, Mando smiled. The girl was bright and her tactics reflected such. He wouldn't have minded someone like her on board but he was a loner, having companions wasn't his forte. The bounty hunter sighed to himself and quickly glanced over to Arani. He hadn't noticed that the kid had left his side and now sat on Ari's lap. A hand moved upwards, pulling at her hair and headscarf, the white silk falling down to rest on her shoulders.
Mando inwardly cringed and went to take back the kid. Not many wore head coverings in Tatooine or anywhere he's been, so it must have been religious or for a protest thing. "Sorry 'bout him."
"Meh, don't be," she handed him back to his guardian along with the scarf.
The kid started to play with it, wrapping it around himself to resemble Arani.
