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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QUICKLY NIGHT HAD FALLEN and the stars dimly shone, with a lantern Ahsoka had, they lit the forest, providing Din and Arani light to watch the Jedi and child. The two adults were a few meters away, letting Ahsoka read the child's mind, this Ari understood but Din did not. He was pacing back and forth, visibly nervous and asking her questions from time to time - questions she didn't have the answers to.
Ari leaned back so she was laying on the rock she sat upon. She watched the trees sway in the light breeze and the stars twinkle. From the corner of her eye, Din moved once more, this time towards the woman.
Huffing, Ari turned to him. "Din, relax. She's just trying to understand him."
"But I understand him."
The brunette raised a brow. "Half the time you don't know what he's going to do or say. Well, he can't speak yet, but that's one of the issues. I've known Ahsoka for years, she's one of the greatest Jedi, trust me."
"I do trust you, it's her that still has to earn it."
Swinging her legs over the side and jumping down, she made the short distance over to Mando. She grabbed his hand, causing the man to look directly at her, it also helped to stop his pacing. Ari didn't say anything, one glance into her eyes and Din was calm. Under his helmet he smiled and took her other hand, pulling them closer.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"For what?"
"Being here . . . with me."
Ari studied their entwined hands, his gloved ones in contrast to her dark skin. She couldn't help but briefly wonder if he looked the same. "Always." She was about to continue when the coos of the child tore her attention from Din.
Ahsoka picked up the child and fixed his clothes before looking over at the two. Din dropped a hand but still held on to one, gripping it tightly. With lantern in tow, Ahsoka came to Ari and Din, the look on her face impassive. It alarmed Ari.
"Is he speaking?" asked Din. "Do you understand him?"
"In a way. Grogu and I can feel each other's thoughts."
Din glanced at Ari, who watched the kid with slight astonishment. "Grogu?"
The kid cooed and looked up at Din, his eyes wide and waiting. Ari quietly gasped at the sight and wrapped a hand around Din's arm, taking a step closer to the green creature. Ari, with questioning eyes as big as the kid's, looked at her old friend. "Is that his name?"
"Yes."
Din matched Ari and took a tentative step forward. "Grogu," he said again, testing the name out.
