- 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦.
For as long as Kasia Torelo can remember, luck and survival have gone hand-in-hand.
Kasia was only seven years old when the Empire attacked her planet. Singled out for their telep...
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Sometime during the speeder ride, Kasia managed to doze off as she leaned against Mando's back, arms slung listlessly around his waist. How she kept from falling off the back of the bike was a mystery in itself, though Kasia didn't necessarily think she was dreaming when she felt the faintest touch on her hands, as if to ensure they stayed locked.
Kas, wake up, Kasia suddenly heard Din's voice in her head.
A soft groan passed her lips as she raised her head from where it rested against Din's back and she squinted against the blazing sunlight.
Bringing the speeder bikes to a halt, Toro and Mando finally powered the bikes down.
"What's going on?" Toro asked from next to them, as he took off the sand goggles.
Kasia raised an inquisitive brow at Mando, wondering the same.
He merely raised a finger and pointed in front of them, "Look. Up ahead."
Shifting her body to see around the Mandalorian and all his armor, Kasia squinted for a moment before realizing what she was supposed to be looking at: two large animals, far off in the distance.
Quickly, Kasia jumped off the back of the speeder, racking her brain to remember which animal species were native to Tattooine.
Banthas perhaps, she thought, remembering the image of the massive beast she had seen once in a smuggler's mind. Then she recalled what the smugglers had told her of such creatures, and her heart dropped. Where there are Banthas, there are sure to be Sand People.
Toro stalked forward, brushing past Kasia as he raised his binocs to get a better look. A moment later, he confirmed Kasia's sinking suspicion.
"Tuskan Raiders," he announced, a hint of disdain in his voice. "I heard the locals talking about this filth."
"Tuskens think they're the locals," Mando informed him coolly, and Kasia glanced at him in surprise, sensing his annoyance. "Everyone else is just trespassing."
At his words, Toro scoffed, and Kasia glared at him as he responded, biting her tongue to keep from saying something she was likely to regret.
"Whatever they call themselves, they best keep their distance."
Suddenly, Kasia felt two new presences creeping upon the three of them, their minds foreign to Kasia in the way that told her she had not yet met one of their species. A smirk tugged on her lips as she glanced from the approaching Tusken Raiders back to a preoccupied Toro Calican.
"Yeah?" Kasia asked, her voice slightly passive-aggressive as she spoke, "Why don't you tell them yourself?"
She chuckled softly as one of the Raiders screamed, causing Toro to jump backward in fright.
Gods, this kid is so green, she thought, bemused.
Kasia glanced at Mando in silent question, and he nodded once.
