The Mandalorian: Beskar and Bone

Chapter 13.5: The Doll

This one shot is for plot development that I forgot to add earlier. The doll in the chapter is not the same doll as Omega's, but it was all Google had to offer.

~~~~~

Mando tapped a few buttons on the controls of the Crest. He and the kids were on their way to Tython, which was incredibly far from Corvus. The kids now were playing in the hull, giving Mando time to think. Ahsoka had said to go to an ancient Jedi Temple, where a seeing stone was. If he placed the Child–Grogu, he was still getting used to that– another Jedi might sense him through the Force. But Ahsoka had said that Elaine was not Jedi or even Force sensitive. She had said that if they found another Jedi maybe they would train her to control her powers.

Mando was unsure of what to do. He had been instructed to deliver the kids to their kind, but Elaine's people were dead, and she was no Jedi. A sudden beeping brought him out of his thoughts. He had to refuel soon. Another detour, he thought exasperated. But maybe this was a blessing in disguise. He had to say goodbye to Grogu and Elaine soon and this would delay it. Mando brought up a star map for the nearest planets. He would only need to refuel and maybe get some rations. For being so tiny, the kids could really pack it in. The nearest planet was Ackron, so Mando rerouted and made the jump to hyperspace. He walked over to the ladder and climbed down.

As he expected, the kids were playing together. Elaine was trying to catch the silver sphere that Grogu was tossing to her with the Force. But, the little guy aimed to high, forcing Elaine to jump to get it. The girl was trying to climb on to a crate now. It seemed that Grogu had put the ball on there and for whatever reason couldn't get it down. Elaine wriggled her way up to the top, standing and grabbing the ball. "Got it!" She proclaimed proudly. But the crate began to wobble and Elaine began to lose her balance. "Whoa," She muttered nervously as she waved her arms in an attempt to steady herself. But gravity got the best of everyone and the girl fell forward.

Mando darted to her and caught her just in time. Elaine gave him a sheepish smile. "I got it." She held the ball up to show him.

Mando let out a sigh. "That's enough for now."

"Aww." Elaine said with a frown. She tried to wiggle out of his grasp, but Mando just held her tighter. "Lemme go." She had a small smile despite her words.

Mando smiled under his helmet. "And why should I do that?"

Elaine huffed. "Because," This was going to be the start of a long, nonsensical explanation. "If I can't get down, then Grogu won't be able to get his ball, and then the ship will crash!"

Mando chuckled. "And why would the ship crash?"

Elaine sighed like Mando wasn't understanding the simplest things. "Because, Grogu would use his powers to crash us!"

Mando decided to humor her. "Oh, well when you say it like that..." He set her down and she ran over to Grogu to give him the ball. He sat down on one of the lower crates, his boots hitting the floor with a thud. The difference between the kids was like night and day. Grogu was usually the same around all people, but Elaine only showed her true colors to him and Mando, maybe Cara. Around others, she was quiet, shy, and stuck to Mando's side, but in the ship she was loud and ran every which way.

"We're gonna have to make a pit stop before we get to Tython." Mando explained. "We're running low on fuel and rations."

Elaine looked at Grogu. The two seemed to have developed their own secret language. It gave Mando a bit of comfort that they would at least be together when they left him. Elaine ran up to Mando, grabbed his knees. "Can we get the cookies again?"

Mando smiled under his helmet. He didn't have long with them and wanted to make them as happy as possible. "Sure, Sarad'ika. We can get some cookies."

Elaine's face broke into a wide grin. She turned back to Grogu who cooed in excitement. Mando would miss them, no doubt about it.

~~~~~

The gangplank of the Crest lowered to the surface of Ackron. Mando, with Grogu in the satchel, walked with Elaine through the spaceport. "Remember, we're only getting essentials." Mando reminded them.

"And cookies." Elaine said. She grabbed Mando's hand as he led them to the market. They walked through at an easy pace, since Mando had already paid the men in the port to fuel the Crest. All they really needed was rations, but Elaine's attention was grabbed by many things. One of which, halted Mando in his tracks. He stopped his walk to look down at her, then following her gaze.

She was staring at a small doll on a vendor's rack. It was white and looked to be from the Clone Wars. The vendor, an old woman, smiled down at Elaine. "Do you like that doll, dear?"

Elaine shrunk back into her shell, pursing her lips. But the woman was kind. "Maybe if you ask nicely your father will buy it for you." She smiled at Mando, but Elaine kept her gaze on her feet. She didn't want to ask Mando. After all, he was already getting them cookies.

Mando looked at the old woman. He didn't have enough credits for the doll, even though he wanted to buy it. "No thank you, ma'am." He said respectfully. He gave her a short nod before taking Elaine's hand in his and walking off.

They went to the baker's stall where the smell of cookies and cakes temped Mando to take off his helmet they smelled so good. The picked up Grogu and gave him to Elaine. "Go on, pick which ones you want." He handed Elaine a few credits, enough to buy a reasonable amount of cookies. She took them gingerly and looked to the treats with Grogu.

Mando wanted them to learn to make their own choices, and he didn't want to look if the baker had his favorite kind of cookie. If that happened he wouldn't be able to resist taking off his helmet and eating it immediately.

Mando watched the kids with a small smile, but a nagging thought dug at the back of his head. Elaine really wanted that doll. It wasn't unreasonable, after all, she didn't have any play things or toys at all. Grogu had his little ball, but Elaine didn't have anything. Mando found himself walking towards the old woman's stall. He scrounged around for credits, but he didn't have enough.

"Changed your mind, have you?" The woman asked.

"Yes, but–" Mando stopped when she took the doll and put it in his hands, closing them around it.

"Take it." She said with a smile. "I have no need for it. All my children have grown, but yours are still young." She gave his hands a light squeeze before pulling away. "Cherish this time. It won't be long before their fully grown and have their own lives." She glanced behind Mando and smiled at the kids. "It's obvious she adores you. You must be a wonderful father."

Mando took the doll and tucked it in his pouch. "Thank you." He walked back to the kids. "Ready to go?"

Elaine nodded, her mouth already full of cookie along with Grogu. Mando shook his head as he placed Grogu in the satchel. "You couldn't have waited until we got to the ship?"

Elaine just stared up at him, her face smeared with crumbs. Mando held his hand out for her to take, and the three walked back to the Crest.

~~~~~

Mando climbed down the ladder to check on the kids. Maybe it was a mistake to give them sweets, because the trouble makers seemed to be on a sugar high. Elaine squealed as she ran back and forth across the hull. Grogu sat on a crate, reaching his little arms for her. Mando could hear the meltdown to come and shuddered at the thought. He realized he still needed to give Elaine her doll. "Elaine,"

The girl halted mid stride to look at him. He bent down to her level and took out the doll. Elaine gave a surprised gasp.

"This is for you." Mando said. He handed it to her and she took it like it might break any second. "I noticed you didn't have any toys, so–" He was cut off by Elaine throwing her arms around him.

"Thank you!" She said.

Mando closed his eyes and held her close, quietly enjoying the embrace. "You're welcome, Cyar'ika."

At first Mando hesitated to give it to her, for fear if the Jedi didn't allow personal belongings. But then he remembered the old woman's words. They were his kids, and until he gave them to a Jedi, his they would be.