Arani Jakal was not prepared 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 tow...
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A GENTLE BREEZE BLEW and the grass twitched and the branches swayed. The air was more than freeing, the ambient climate comfortable. The sound of creatures could be heard scurrying along the forest floor where Arani stood, feet away from the tree line. Everything about Plazir's natural creation was comforting - it made the weight of the Darksaber even more unbearable.
Footsteps could be heard behind her, mixing with the whispers of Mandalorians packing away their camp, readying the fleet for the journey ahead. The person stopped a few feet away and she didn't turn away from the forest, knowing there was only one person who would hunt her down.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said, glancing up at the clear sky. "Makes you wish you could stay here . . . forever. I thought we would be on Nevarro by now, enjoying the land Greef gave to us. I thought we would be finally able to create a home together. But of course, the Maker had other plans," she scoffed and shook her head.
"Cyra'ika . . ." Din breathed and wrapped his hand around hers. "I understand, I do."
Ari glanced at their entwined hand and nodded. She knew he did, not long ago he, too, had been given the same unwanted task. A wave of emotion suddenly hit her and Ari let out a sob. Din pulled her to him and wrapped her in a loving embrace. "It's just that it's all too much. We're constantly being pulled in every direction, it seems there is no end in sight."
A silence fell over the two and Ari tried to keep her thoughts grounded, focusing on Din's heartbeat and the shapes he drew on her back.
"For the longest time, I felt that way. I was simply a gun for hire. My days blended into one. Then I found Grogu and my world became a bit bigger. And then I met you, and my world grew to be a galaxy. My entire life I've fought to belong. I was a child when my planet was attacked by Separatist battle droids. I lost my parents, but I was rescued by the covert. The majority of my life I've never stayed in one place long enough, Ari. But I had people, those who cared enough to stay. We don't need a house to be a family. You are my home, Ari, let me be yours."
She held him tight, her head resting on his chest and a tear splashed on his pristine armour. "You are mine, Din." She pulled back and wiped the escaped tears away. "Thank you . . . for telling me, the droid situation makes sense now."
"We'll figure this out together as we always do, yeah?"
Ari nodded. "Together."
"So, what was this thing a foundling told you?" Din asked, voice light.
The woman snorted. "I can't believe you actually remembered that."
"Of course, I did. I remember most of what you tell me."
