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*:･ﾟ✧
"Were you aware that he could do that?"
"He?" Mando questions, offering Gaia a hand. She immediately takes it and extracts herself from the muddy ground. Both of them, from top to bottom, are drenched in the mixture.
Gaia motions to the shaded pod. "I reckon it's a 'he', but I'm definitely not fact checking."
Mando can feel laughter of a relieved nature bubble up in his throat, getting slightly flustered soon after when Gaia tips forward and rests her forehead on his armored shoulder. Silence ensues for a while as the duo catches their breath. It's eventually broken by Gaia who raises her head, musing, "A little green creature who can levitate Mudhorns — no wonder the Empire wants their hands on him. . . Why did he save us?"
"I don't know," Mando tells her in earnest.
"Good thing I'm saving him."
"What?"
"From the Empire," Gaia clarifies while she breaks away from the Mandalorian. She wanders over to The Child's sheltered pod, mentally noting him to be unscathed and safe. "It doesn't matter what purpose they want him to serve, I'm not letting them touch a single hair on his head. My job is not only to destroy, but save, and I'm saving this one."
Mando cannot say he would disagree with her intentions, because he doesn't want to. He feels no need to. If he were to be entirely honest, he would agree. After witnessing The Child waddle around and observe him act as he has until now, it's clear just how neutral he is: he's no murderer, no criminal on the run from the Guild; he's a child — a literal kid who has done no harm. However, explicitly saying so, would be the end for him as a bounty hunter. The Child is a vital part of an ongoing commission and if he were to regard it as otherwise, he would be breaking the Guild Code and be on the receiving end of expulsion. It would endanger many, if that.
Those types of rational thoughts are racing through his head, although he's still hesitant with handing The Child over to the Empire.
"Interfering with the Guild," Mando starts bluntly, "might mean the end of your career."
". . .I know." She glimpses Mando with determination and defiance in her eyes, stating lastly, "but it would be worth it."
▲▽▲
Gaia and Mando have been gone for a few hours now, on a quest for the egg of a Mudhorn which the Jawas kept aggravatingly chorusing. It's the stipulation for their bargain as well as Gaia's ticket in regaining Dawnbringer. Kuiil stayed behind with the small scavengers and their Sandcrawler, while the Mandalorian, the Crenata, and The Child went to fulfill the negotiation. They have sadly not returned as of yet, and the Jawas are losing their patience. The matter has been dragged on for too long in their opinion, suspecting the trio to have failed.
