Pedro Pascal Character Imagines

One Jump Ahead (Din Djarin)

Summary: Jade is a thief and accidentally steals something very important to Din.

Jade walked along the crowded streets of Kyrschk, the biggest city on the planet of Jhenor. The streets were packed with people and aliens alike, so it was easy for her small hands to dart into their pockets without them noticing.

Jade had been a thief for as long as she could remember. Her parents disappeared one day (as people often did in Kyrschk) and never came back so she had to learn how to fend for herself.

Jade paid for some dinner with some stolen credits. On her way back to her meager living situation, she spotted a shiny Mandalorian. An idea struck her. If she could get a piece of his armor, she'd be richer than her wildest dreams. Jade observed him for a while as he spoke to the street vendors, showing them a bounty hunting puck.

As a bounty hunter, he should have plenty of credits on him. There was bag hanging next to his hip.

Jade walked over to him and pretended to browse the wares at the stall. The bag was tucked into his side, so there was no way she could just pull it off him. She finally pulled out a knife and slashed at the strap. The bag hit the ground and Jade snatched it up.

"Hey!" the Mandalorian yelled.

Jade took off running, the Mandalorian following closely behind. She spotted a speeder and jumped on, tucking the bag into her stomach.

"Stop her!" the owner of the speeder yelled.

Jade sped through traffic, glancing back to see if the Mandalorian was still following her. She couldn't see him, so she simply enjoyed the neon lights shining down on her. As much as Jade loved Kyrschk, she dreamed of the day she'd be more than just a common criminal.

Jade abandoned the speeder about a mile from her home. She clutched the bag to her chest as she walked up the steps. As soon as she was safe inside her apartment, she opened the bag. Two black eyes were looking back at her.

"Shit."

Stealing was one thing, but kidnapping?

The creature cooed at her.

"I'm sorry, little thing. I thought you were..."

It wiggled its ears at her.

"I'll take you back first thing tomorrow. I promise."

Jade walked down the streets of Kyrschk the next day, looking for the shiny Mandalorian. The creature was tucked in her bag, since she had damaged the other one.

"Excuse me, but have you seen a Mandalorian?" she asked one of the street vendors.

"Yeah. He's parked in sector 5."

"Thank you." She paid for a piece of fruit and handed it the creature on her back. She came to sector 5 and saw a large gunship.

It was obviously very old going off the outside. Jade was surprised it was still operational. She'd never seen this model before.

Jade walked up to a door and knocked.

The door opened after a few minutes.

"You!" the Mandalorian yelled. He grabbed her by the throat. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you now."

"I brought it back! I'm sorry!" She reached back and pulled the creature out.

The Mandalorian let go of her as he took the creature from her. The creature cooed and smiled at the Mandalorian. The Mandalorian gently stroked the creature's forehead.

"Why?" he asked.

"Why what?" Jade asked him.

"Why did you bring him back?"

"I may be a thief, but I'm not a kidnapper."

The Mandalorian cocked his head at her. "You could have sold him for money."

"I...I couldn't. I don't know what they'd do to him. He's so sweet and innocent. I'm sorry for taking him, but if you still want to kill me I'll understand."

The Mandalorian considered her for a moment. "Do you like it here?"

"Excuse me?"

"Do you like living here?"

Jade shook her head.

"I can offer you a job. Taking care of the kid. In return for passage off this planet."

Jade's mouth dropped open. She'd kidnapped his tiny companion and he wanted to offer her a job?

"You'll be cared for. You wouldn't have to steal to survive anymore."

Jade thought about it for a moment. She'd love to not have to worry about where her next meal was going to come from. "You promise?"

The Mandalorian nodded.

"Okay."

"Good." He handed her the kid and said, "I'll be back in a few hours." He stalked off towards the city and Jade looked down at the creature in her arms.

"I guess it's just me and you again, huh?"