Broken Soul | Din Djarin

chapter eleven: the intruder

Mando

Mando wakes up to light streaming in from the window of the hut. He's lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling of weaved leaves. For the first time in a very long time, he was able to get a good night's sleep, and it takes him a few moments to blink the sleep from his eyes.

Rustling from the cot beside him makes him look over at the sleeping girl curled up with the Child, both still sound asleep. The kid's head is tucked into the crook of her arm, ears flopped to the side, and a small smile floats over the girl's lips as she sleeps. Mando lets out a sigh as he watches her. He has to leave her here on Endor, and he's not looking forward to it. He had become fond of her company and didn't wish to leave her behind, but he knows that it was the right thing to do... it was the safest thing for her. He watches her for a few more moments, observing her face as she sleeps.

Alora looks so at peace and her small smile warms his heart. Strands of her hair fall over her face, the rest of her hair still up in a bun from yesterday. Her eyelids flutter in her sleep and she snuggles her head closer to the kid.

She's beautiful...

Mando blinks and turns away when he realizes the thought that had just crossed his mind. It's no use to think these things about her, not when he's leaving her soon. But he's unable to help himself and Mando looks back at Alora. She holds the Child with such gentleness and love, and, while she says that she can have no attachment to anyone, it is evident that she has a connection with the kid.

It must be so difficult to restrain yourself from having intimate feelings for others.

He can't imagine being raised in a way of life that refuses people from partaking in natural instinct. Emotional connections are natural - an important part of life - and to fight that urge for a connection must be so difficult and painful.

The heartbreak that she must feel... Being taken from her mother... and I don't even know what happened to her father... and then trained to avoid emotional connection. All she wants is a family. She said so herself.

The chattering of Ewoks outside of the hut pulls his attention away from the sleeping Jedi. Sitting up, Mando turns to look at the cloth door. He's still unsure how the Ewoks feel about him, but he's curious to see what they're doing. He stands and makes his way out of the hut. 

The rising sun reflects off of his armor as he steps into the village. The Ewoks have started to start their mornings, preparing for their daily hunts and gathering supplies. A few stop to glance at him with interest before continuing on with their chores and Mando starts to walk through the village, observing the forest around him. The glistening light of daybreak shines through the leaves of the canopy, highlighting various spaces in the camp.

Alora would love to see this.

Something tugs at his cape and he turns to look, tensing in surprise. The Ewok child from yesterday stares up at him. The kid chitters, tilting his head as he looks up at the Mandalorian.

"Ra."

Mando tilts his head at the kid's sound. "I... I don't understand what you are saying. I don't speak Ewok. Me... me no speak." He waves his hands slightly, trying to demonstrate his inability to understand.

Mando looks back at Alora's hut, wishing she was here to translate. The Ewok shakes his head at Mando's words.

"Ra... Ra." The child turns to point at her hut. "Ra."

Oh... he's trying to say her name.

"Alora?" The bounty hunter crouches down by the Ewok, tilting his head in interest. "Are you trying to say Alora?"