Mandalorian Menace

Chapter 7 - An Accord

Author's Note: I hope y'all like Qui-Gon's POV! First time I've ever written it, if I remember right. :P Also, I do not apologize for the final scene. *evil grin*

PS. There is Mando'a in here, and I put all the translations at the end. Let me know if I missed anything! ^-^

~ Amina Gila

Din knows the old woman who runs the fruit stand. Somewhat at least. Anakin knows her well though, and he likes her. A couple days ago, right before Din left on his longer job, he helped Anakin fix a cooling unit for her. She had been extremely grateful to him. Honestly, he thinks that, if he were so inclined, he could mimic Boba's success in taking over the planet as the daimyo. He doesn't want to do that though. He doesn't want to be a leader over so many people. He's quite content with the life he has already, thanks.

"Jira," Anakin greets her with a grin.

"Ani!" she replies, smiling, "And Mando! It's nice to see you again. You're making quite a name for yourself 'round these parts."

Din huffs out a half-laugh. "That's why I'm not planning to stay here much longer." Hopefully. He wants to be able to move on before he gets too much attention – and enemies. The hazard of being a bounty hunter is that one can never settle down in the same place for too long.

She nods, obviously understanding. "Six pallies, please," Anakin tells her, fishing the coins out of his pocket. They exchange the fruit for the coins, and a strong wind whips through the streets. Din turns towards the horizon, checking for an incoming sandstorm. Sure enough. He's been here long enough to know how to be aware of them.

"You'll like these." Anakin gives one fruit to each of the three off-worlders, before placing one in Grogu's hand. One, Din knows, is for him, but he can't take off his buy'ce in front of strangers. He can eat it once they're back home. It's interesting, Din notes, how well Anakin is hiding whatever anger or negative feelings he might have against the Jetii for what he did – or rather, for what he tried to do.

Jira follows Din's gaze to the horizon, before looking back at Anakin. "Oh, my bones are aching. Storm's coming up, Ani. You better get home quick. You too, Mando. Keep the baby safe."

Din is fully prepared to walk away with his children, leaving the off-worlders behind, but Anakin stops to look at them. "Do you have shelter?" Well, maybe Din's wariness of the Jetii is overcoming common sense and decency, because he didn't even think about that. It makes him feel momentarily guilty.

"We'll head back to our ship," the Jetii assures him, stealing a sideways glance at Din.

"Is it far?" Din questions. He might not like the man, but he won't intentionally let him or his companions come to harm.

"On the outskirts," the teen replies, a strong gust of wind whipping sand and debris through the streets. All around the town, people are closing their shops and hurrying towards their homes, knowing what's coming. They don't have much time. Grogu finishes stuffing the fruit into his mouth, and Din tucks him back into the satchel, pulling his cape around the kid to keep him sheltered. He's lucky to have beskar'gam; it protects him from the worst of it.

"You'll never reach the outskirts in time. Sandstorms are very, very dangerous," Anakin warns, glancing at Din quickly. "Come on. We'll take you to our place."

The Jetii looks as if he wants to protect, but doesn't, obviously deciding to trust the word of the locals. Good. Maybe he isn't totally arrogant. And while Din doesn't really like this arrangement, he isn't cruel enough to leave them in the storm to die. Maybe this will allow him to figure out who these people are and what they're doing here on Tatooine. Jetii don't come this far to the Outer Rim, normally, so he has questions.