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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ALL MORNING, the frogs had watched her every movement. She often rose from the table to pace the room, and when she got too close to the door, the husband would jump up and croak at her. The first few times, it had scared her but by the fifth or sixth time, she wasn't bothered. She was so bored out of her mind that at one point she purposely got so close to the exit that the couple flipped.
And that is how she got stuck sitting at the kitchen table, tied up, and watching frog eggs slosh through the water in their container. She didn't think the creatures would have such nerve, but they did, even after her mental breakdown.
They fought to get her in the chair for a good twenty minutes. Ari had accidentally punched the husband in the face, that had made him snap and go feral, and that was what got Ari to settle down.
The lady had placed a bowl of food in front of the brunette and lifted a utensil to her, refusing to untie the girl so she could eat. The two women stared at each other, pushing the other to break first. Finally, Ari relented as frogs could go on without blinking for at least an hour. So Ari ended up eating her breakfast like a toddler - utterly humiliating. Had Mando been there, Ari bet he'd have doubled over with laughter.
Ari huffed and looked at all the eggs one by one. She came across a peculiar one, the outer shell was slowly pealing off so much that Ari could see an eye peer at her.
"Um, hey, Lady? Your kid is doing something weird."
She came over to check out what was wrong. When she saw the eyes of her child she smiled and jumped, calling for her husband. The guy came out of their bedroom with just as much excitement. He was carrying the child and placed him on the table, grabbing a bowl.
The rest of the shell slipped off and a small tadpole swam about, kicking its tiny legs but not getting very far.
The father fished him out and placed him in the bowl. The kid waddled over and peered at it, cocking his head. The lady sat next to him, keeping a hand on his back so he wouldn't fall.
Ari smiled at the sight. The kid was too cute for his own good.
But her smile disappeared when the door hissed open and Mando walked in. He seemed tired and, if she wasn't mistaken, a bit guilty. He stopped in his tracks once he notice his friend's situation.
"What happened here?" he asked.
Ari shrugged. "Oh, you know, the usual. I was pacing around the room, worrying for my only friend, and I got too close to the door. They freaked. I freaked. I punched him in the face. Here I am."
"And you're alright?"
"Define 'alright,' because physically, I'm fine. Mentally and emotionally, however . . ."
"Ari-"
"No, really, I'm fine. It's not like my friend doesn't trust me or that he kept major information from me. It's not like for the past two hours I've been plotting his murder because he tricked me into thinking I was allowed to go on a suicide mission with him. So, go ahead, Mando, ask me one more time if I'm alright, 'cause I assure you I'm just great."
The Mandalorian was silent, his head slightly bowed and his arms crossed.
Ari smirked. Bingo, he was feeling guilty. The girl sighed and decided to give him a break. "You gonna untie me or what?"
Mando pulled a knife from his belt and freed her.
Ari blinked. "I said untie not cut me."
The bounty hunter's shoulders were ridged as he place his weapon back and grabbed the kid. "Thank you for watching him. Okay, kid. Come on. It's time to go." The child whined and squirmed as Mando took him back.
"Let go. Come on, Kid." He looked at the lady and gave her his congrats as Ari chuckled at the green creature. Ari followed him out, the kid still screaming to go back.
"No, I have enough pets."
Ari raised a brow. "Pets? That's what the kid is to you? A disposable pet." She stormed off, not waiting for him.
When she got back to the Razor Crest, she flew past the repair man and went up the open ramp. The guy called out after her but she ignored him and went to the cockpit so she could be alone for a few.
Mando joined her a few minutes later, setting the kid in his seat and then going to the console. He flipped some switches, turning the ship on, preparing it for flight. "Unbelievable," he muttered. The engines sounded worse than they did before. "I finally know where I'm taking you," he told the kid. "But it's gonna be a bumpy ride."
The child cooed in response.
Once they left the atmosphere, Mando put the ship into hyperspace and set it on autopilot. He turned his chair to face Ari, his arms placed on his knees as he figured out the right way to go about what he needed to say. "Ari," he murmured, trying to get he to look at him but she wouldn't budge. "Okay, if you won't look at me, at least listen. I care for you, a lot. If anything were to happen to you, I'd never forgive myself. Every day, I worry about the 'what-ifs' so much that they control every decision I make. It's never my intention to sideline you, I'm just scared of losing you as well."
Ari's gaze slid upwards to meet the visor of his helm. "I get it. Sometimes your whole world can end up being just one person, and you'll do everything in your power to keep it that way," she paused, readying herself for what she'd confess. "I really did mean what I said earlier. I love you, Mando. Without me noticing, you have become my whole world; and no matter how many times you sideline me, I will always understand." She placed a hand on his leg, much like how he did back on the boat.
He gripped her hand and did something he never thought he'd do in a million years. "Din." He was terrified of how she would react, but she didn't respond - she looked perplexed.
"Din Djarin," he said again, and this time she understood.
"Oh, that's your name."
Mando nodded.
"Can I use your real name?"
Din smiled under his helmet. "Yes, but only in private."
She grinned at him, shifting in her seat so she was closer to him, their legs interlocking. "Din," she said, testing it out. "I like it."
And he liked hearing his name come from her lips, yet he kept that to himself. Too much, too soon would cause her to pull back and they'd be at square one again.
A giggle brought him back and his head tilted at the sound. "What?"
"You're not such an enigma for me now, are you?"
"Hum, guess not. I really am sorry about today."
Ari placed her other hand on the side of his helm. "I know, and I forgive you. I just hope you can forgive me."
"I do, just - no more secrets."
"If I remember something, I'll tell you when the moment allows."
"Okay. And no more empty promises, I'll give you the truth straight. I prom-"
"-How about no more promises at all?"
Din nodded and leaned down, placing his forehead on hers. "No more, unless we truly know the outcome."
The two sat like that for a few minutes, taking in one another until Ari spoke up. "Thank you, Din . . . for everything."
"No. I should thank you. You've shown me a different way. Someone can truly become your whole world."
