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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OUT ON THE DOCK, the passenger skirted past the two friends. Mando supported the bruised girl with a hand on her back as they walked. Ari took in the sight of the drenched Razor crest, dark eyes shining though it was grey and cloudy. And even though she just faced death once more, she couldn't control the giddiness of exploring a new planet.
A dock worker came up to them right away. "So, how can I help you?" he asked the Mandalorian.
"Can you fix it?" he said, nodding to the skeletal vessel.
"Fix it? Nah. But I can make it fly."
The bounty hunter looked to Arani, who raised a brow and shrugged. Mando sighed but handed the dock worker some Credits. "Do what you can."
The two followed the passenger through the crowded place, the child trailing them in his pram. The lady called out to her husband in her native tongue, finding it difficult to spot him. They travelled around until a different voice sounded from behind them.
The frog lady gasped and squealed in excitement and relief at the sight, running to him. The couple embraced each other, emanating grins on their faces.
Ari stopped prematurely, a heartbreaking smile on her lips. Sorrow danced in her brown eyes and she fiddled around with her fingers. A greater emotion flashed across her face when the lady showed her husband their children, pride etched in the father's every movement. Deep down, she came to know that she was not ready for something so . . . domestic.
"So that's what a family looks like," she muttered to no one.
"What?" questioned Mando.
Ari took a breath. No more secrets. No more hiding. "I . . . never had a family," she told him slowly. "I mean, at one point, I probably did. But you heard those X-wing pilots, I'm dead." She looked to the frog family, dropping her hands to her sides and walked off - doing what she did so well - acting like nothing was amiss.
Mando did not tell her what he was thinking, though once he looked back on it, he wished he did. He felt the same way, he hadn't a clue about families and their functions. Yet, had he realized at the time, he would have told her that she was part of his. A Part of him and the child.
"Mando? You gonna greet him?" Ari asked, pointing to the passenger's spouse.
The husband pounced on Mando once he joined them. The frog grabbed his hand, patting it and thanking him.
"You're welcome," replied the bounty hunter. "I was told you could lead me to others of my kind."
He nodded and pointed to a building, speaking Frog.
"The inn? Over there?"
The husband picked up the container and led the way, holding his wife's hand through it all.
Ari felt something was amiss. There was one person who was not at her side. She glanced around to find Mando still standing in the same spot, watching something - or someone - with intent.
"Mando?"
The Mandalorian snapped out of his trance and marched to her. "It was nothing." He took her hand in his, trudging on without another word.
The young woman watched as their hands swayed with each step, Mando taking care to not drag her along and instead kept to her comfortable pace. Warmth spread from his gloved hand to hers, up along her arm and to her face. The bounty hunter drew circles on the back of her hand with his thumb, unconsciously. And despite her tan skin, the faintest rouge dusted her cheeks.
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THE INN WAS DARK and dank, full of mostly those who work at the dock on their break. Mando kept a tight grasp of Arani, afraid she'd run away at a moment's notice. The surrounding beings looked at her with varying expressions - some kind, others not so much - it was rare for a woman - a human woman - to be at the inn.
The bounty hunter nodded to the frog couple and left their presence, leading the young woman to a table just as a man told them to sit. They did so, the kid still floating in his pram between the two.
"What can I get ya?" asked the man.
"Nothing for me," said the Mandalorian. "A bowl of chowder for my friends."
Arani shook her head. "Mando-"
"You're eating," he demanded with a bite in his tone.
"I'm not." Ari's upper lip began to twitch, a snarl forming.
"These seats are scarce. Everyone seated needs to eat," said the waiter.
Ari turned to the being, head tilted slightly. "Fine. The kid can have mine then."
Mando cut in before Ari's attitude got them kicked out. "I can buy something else." He slid a few Credits over to the man. "Information. Have you seen others that look like me?"
The being grabbed the money, looking around as he took down a dispenser from the ceiling to fill the kid's bowl. "Others with beskar have been through here."
"Who can take me to them?"
"I know someone who might help." The server walked away to get whomever he spoke of. He went to a nearby table, whispering to another. The being hot up and sat down across from Ari, eyeing her. "You seek others of your kind?"
