Notes:
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English is not my first language.
I hope you will enjoy this new chapter.
Dame Iris
Chapter 4: Her tragedy.
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"So you decided to rent a hangar room to a ship that has no registered owner and no recent navigation history?"
Cara inquired, sighing heavily as she sat at her desk. The building's owner, who had just spoken about his business's respectability a few hours before, was now confronted with his own contradictions.
" Marshall, we have to live. We can't be as cautious as we used to be in these tough times."
"Maybe," she responded, unsure.
The man was preoccupied when he asked.
"And now, Marshall, what's going to happen to the ship? Nobody is going to pay me anymore and she's taking up space."
"If I were you, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. She'll leave as soon as I do some research and obtain authorization. Times are tough, as you said.
The New Republic, too, is in need of funds."
"There will be an auction, Marshall?"
Cara confirmed, "Likely."
The man's face lit up as he realized this might be a good deal. He took a data storage key from one of his pockets and placed it on the desk.
"Exactly as you requested."
Cara thanked her visitor and he walked away. She inserts the key into her computer's data pad.
The man had told it like it was. The most up-to-date information was recorded ten years ago. They seem to have done an excellent job of keeping her hidden!
The ship was now the property of the New Republic, since it had no legitimate owner. She was going to be sold as soon as she got a new ID.
Unless I can persuade them otherwise...
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She was still sitting at her desk when her little visitor arrived, having just finished sending a request. The nimble mongoose climbed up the desk with ease.
He walked, destroying everything in his way. Finally, he came to a halt in front of Cara, his rubies eyes fixed on her.
The Marshall reached into her drawer and took out the treats that had been waiting for the little animal. Small clawed paws caught meat slices as she opened her hand. The mongoose lifted its head abruptly. He leaped from his desk and vanished. Behind her back, she heard a familiar metallic clattering.
"Oh, no! You've just frightened him away!"
Din stood with his arms crossed and his shoulder pushed against the door frame.
"Can you tell me what you're talking about?"
"My mongoose of lava. He didn't even have time to finish his meal because you frightened him away!
Poor thing!" She said, dismayed, as she stuffed the last of the food into the bag.
"Are you ready?" Din inquired, unconcerned about the "poor thing."
Cara simply nodded.
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It was dusk when they went out. Cara inquired as they began walking down the main street.
"So, what was Greef's request?"
"A favor. The same kind of favor that pushed you to flee the Rebel Alliance in the first place "Din replied, sighing.
His disinterest in the part he had played was palpable.
"It's not very fun," she admitted. "But, between the two of us, he's getting on in years.
Put yourself in his shoes for a moment. For once, he has someone who can do the job properly, and he enjoys it."
Cara noticed her friend slowing down as they approached an alley. He turned his head a few times, but in the same direction, as if he didn't want to lose sight of someone or something. She soon realized that the sewer entrance was two alleys down on their right. For her friend, no other location on Nevaro was more significant.
Din couldn't go back there because because it was charged with so many emotions.
She had to persuade him to forget this idea. She took the initiative and stopped him, calmly and firmly taking his shoulder.
"Din, stop. I know what you're thinking, but it's not a good idea. Not tonight."
Despite the fact that she couldn't see his face, his silence was enough to confirm her suspicions.
"I'll accompany you tomorrow."
He hesitated at first, then nodded.
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They heard Essie's door open as they reached the hallway leading to Cara's apartment. Cara received a wrapped dish from the old lady who appeared on her doorstep.
"This is the dessert I mentioned earlier. Din is also present tonight, so he could enjoy it too ."
Cara didn't admit she could barely remember what her neighbor was talking about. She simply expressed her gratitude for the gift.
Cara couldn't help herself and gave her friend a mischievous grin as soon as they entered the apartment.
"It's incredible how much she adores you!"
Din shook his head and rolled his shoulders.
"She really doesn't have someone to speak to."
"I know that. Nonetheless, she has a thing for you" said her friend when taking off her gauntlets and gloves. Seeing that Din shrugged again without any idea of what to say, she did not insist.
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Cara was sitting in her armchair, preparing to ask her friend if he liked Essie's dessert, when she heard a strange noise. She dashed inside as soon as she realized it was the Darksaber.
Am I that stupid! I should've known!
She scolded herself for not anticipating her friend's idea. She was afraid that seeing the weapon would only add to his distress and confusion. She calmly asked Din to put the weapon away after knocking twice on the bedroom door and receiving no answer. She didn't inquire this time, instead warning him.
"Din, put it away or I'll come".
She didn't even take a minute to walk into the room. Din sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the Darksaber he carried in his lap, in the half-light, pierced by a spike of pale light.
His eyes glistened with tears as he mirrored the light of the crystals. Cara approached the bed calmly and slowly.
She softly raised her hand to the metallic pommel and whispered while she was next to her friend.
"Din, please hand it over to me. Let's put it away, it's the best thing to do."
First, the gloved fist of her friend stayed clenched. Then the gloved fingers loosened enough for her to take the lightsaber as she covered them with her hand.
She returned the blade to the metallic box where it had been placed until it had been turned off.
Din clasped his hands together, interlacing his fingers as though he were being watched. He was tired, his hands on his thighs, his head bowed, his eyes fixed on the thin strip of light running along the floor from the half-open door to his feet. He had been bearing the shame of breaking an oath made to his own clan since the day before, as well as the pain of losing a loved one and preparing to lead his people in a battle.
When he considered the Darksaber blade, he knew he'd have to let go of a piece of himself. He knew that the only way for his once glorious and conquering people to survive was to put an end to the mutual mistrust and disdain that was tearing him apart. The children of Mandalore were now left with only one option: to agree to certain sacrifices based on each clan's beliefs.
And though he was afraid, he was able to embrace it. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts that he had forgotten about Cara's presence.
He just stared at her as she softly pushed her hand on his shoulder. Despite the fact that her face was obscured by the darkness, he could tell she was smiling kindly and sharing her deep sorrow to him.
Din felt bad because she was so devoted to him. He had nothing to give her in return, and he could feel his debt increasing as time went by, but he couldn't find the strength to deny her help.
"If you want, Din, we can talk about it. However, you should first remove your armor in order to sleep."
With a slightly hoarse voice, he responded to his friend's whisper.
"All right."
"Good," she said as she walked out of the room, "don't forget to put everything that might destroy my apartment in the box."
She patiently untied the braids in her hair after she had finished removing her armor. She made the same gesture every evening as if it were a routine.
Braids served as a reminder of her heritage, as well as her tragedy. It was the joy of her origins that she felt by binding them in the morning, and the pain that she felt by untying them in the evening. Her raven black hair was a harmonious mixture of wavy and smooth strands when she finished. She changed into a light outfit because Nevaro's nights were always warm, and returned to the living room.
She sat on the couch to enjoy some alone time. A gentle breeze caressed her bare arms and legs through the open glass doors.
Before returning to Din, Cara closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind. Her friend's anguish remained an challenge. She had also experienced a long and traumatic period following the loss of her world. But by joining the Rebellion, she had found the courage to resolve her difficulties. She had been rescued by fighting.
How should she use her previous experience in order to help Din? She had no idea. Things were different. He was going to fight in a battle that would decide the fate of his country, but he was compelled to do so only by his sense of honor, unlike her. He did so, unlike her, at the expense of a part of his personality and values.
A heavy metallic slamming of a box lid could be heard. At the very least, she felt relieved, assuming that all of her friend's arms were now in a secure location.
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Cara found her friend lying down near the middle of the bed as she entered the bedroom, illuminated only by the light coming through the half-open door. Before the serious talk, she wanted some peace and quiet. She said this while lying under the sheet.
"I'd like to discuss an idea, or rather an opportunity, with you."
" What exactly is it?
"It's a ship. Din, I believe you should get a new one. You shouldn't depend entirely on your new allies.
I can see how they'll get on your nerves easily," she said, trying to persuade him.
"Perhaps, perhaps not."
"It's certain! Come on, Bo-Katan and her bestie! You'll never be able to put up with these two for more than a month!
Listen, I'm hoping to get the answer I'm looking for tomorrow then we'll talk about it. Okay ?"
Din was hesitant at first, but eventually agreed.
"What were you thinking when you took it?"
"I'm not sure."
"Did you think about them again? Your parents, I mean."
He nodded.
"I don't know for the Darksaber thing, but I think I do for your parents. Losing Grogu or them makes no difference in your mind. The kid is alive but the pain of being separated is the same.
You can't change it, but the pain will lessen and you'll feel better sooner or later. I'll be there in the meantime."
There was a long pause in the conversation.
Din inquired.
"You?"
"What about me?" Cara inquired.
"Forget about it."
When Cara realized what he was trying to learn, she said.
"I lost everything I loved all at once. So to speak, I was luckier than you. I was spared because I wasn't there.
The most difficult aspect, I believe, was that we were still not reconciled at the time."
"What happened?"
"Let's just say that two years before, I had rebelled against them. As a result..."
She took a breath and needed some time to come up with the right words.
"You may find it difficult to believe, but the life I now have was unimaginable for my family. None of the girls would ever consider carrying and using guns.
To put it simply, my father, like his father before him, was a member of the King's council. It had been a family tradition for a long time.
My parents went to great lengths to ensure that I received an excellent education. We were looked after by a governess, along with my two older brothers.
She had been... Let's just say that when I grew older, I couldn't bear her any longer. Worst of all, I had to wait until I was seventeen years old to be free of her.
I learned early in my childhood that I was not made for the life planned for me. My mother was docile. She and I had little in common.
Her main concern was her appearance. She had been taught since childhood to always try to fulfill the needs of others.
She didn't have any authority; it was my father who was in charge. So I just saw a pretty bird held in a golden cage when I saw her in her fancy dresses.
I despised seeing her like this and would have felt sorry for her if she had been hurt. She'd been too well-trained, though.
My training didn't work out, lucky for me."
Din was amused as he pondered.
That's the least we can say
"Finally, I tried to talk to my parents after hearing my father say my name and "marriage" in the same sentence.
As you can guess, it was a complete disaster. I didn't even wait a week to smuggle out with enough cash to board a ship bound for a distant world.
I boarded under a fake name two years before the Imperials bastards... You can guess what happened next."
She hesitated before adding, her voice tinged with anger.
"I joined the Rebellion out of vengeance and hate for those who had taken everything from me."
"I see."
Cara sighed deeply as she admitted.
"I've had memories since I've been here. It's probably because Essie reminds me of my grandmother Artemisia."
"Really?"
" She had the same kindness, the same attention for others. With that she was uncompromising on her principles, even was worse than my parents. It was her only fault. She annoyed me, we often quarreled. We were however very attached to each other.
Her voice started to tremble a little.
"I know she would have been the first to forgive me if I had returned."
Cara went completely quiet. She became enraged at herself when she felt tears in her eyes. Why did I feel the need to bring up the past?
I'm either dumb or weak to risk being overwhelmed when Din is right next to me!
He needed my support, not to support me.
On her bare arm, she felt the warmth of a hand. Her friend was moved by her sadness and tried to console her.
Of course, in silence. Din isn't very good at communicating, she thought, and she was deeply moved.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," she said softly, taking his hand in hers and gently caressing it.
Din felt so relieved to be touched in that way, and he hoped his friend felt the same way.
She finally got up and went to the bathroom. She wiped her cheeks, sponged her face, and then switched off the light without even looking in the mirror.
She didn't want to look at her tired, pale face.
She entered the room. Din's face was visible for the second time, and the room was dimly lit. Even though he had a tired and depressed expression on his face, he was still handsome. After discovering she found him attractive, she mused, "Wow, that's weird."
Din was gently looking at her as she was lying down with her long hair covering the pillow.
Is that how he really looks at me?
She wondered aloud to herself.
Din murmured.
"Your hair, it's..."
It was ridiculous!
Cara erupted in laughter.
"Din, are you serious? I can't believe it! We're going to discuss my hair."
" I never noticed it was so long. That's just all I wanted to say. Sorry." he replied, mistaking her sarcasm for reproach.
Cara paused in her laughter to reassure him.
"There's no need to apologize," she said. "It's been a long time since we met on Sorgan. Didn't we have a nice time over there?"
"It's true."
Cara smiled sarcastically at her pal.
"And we never finished our combat. It's a shame because I was on the verge of winning."
"Are you serious?"
"It's true. Din Djarin, you didn't stand a chance this day!"
Cara saw her friend smiling. A beautiful smile. It was the first time she had seen him like that, and she was both surprised and pleased.
" You are too confident of yourself, Cara Dune!"
" I can show you now." she said as she sat bent over him.
Din raised his arms as if preparing to ward off a possible attack.
" Another time."
" Coward" Cara responded, provoking him with a friendly pat on the chest.
Din grabbed her wrists, but she freed herself of his grip with the agility and speed of a wildcat. Both let themselves be carried away in this friendly fight. It turned to Cara's advantage. Din eventually ended on his back with his arms stretched over his head. He had no chance of escaping Cara's grasp because it was too strong. He had no choice but to accept his defeat.
But, rather than exuding triumph, his friend faded and abruptly stepped away to free him, much to his surprise.
" You are bleeding."
Due to the bleeding from his nose hurt during their fight, his T-shirt was stained by droplets.
"Stay here. I'll get what's needed "Cara said and she went out of bed.
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Din nodded toward his helmet as he applied the compress she had brought to him.
" It's a little ironic..."
"It was just stupid of me," she said, "it shouldn't have happened."
"It's all right, Cara."
She suggested that her friend change the stained shirt by pointing to it.
" Remove it and I'll see what I can do."
Din was not comfortable about being bare chest in front of someone. He finally did it as Cara was reaching out impatiently.
When she came back, she threw him a black T-shirt .
" It's the largest I found."
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Later as they laid in bed, Cara made her friend promise to wake her if he needed to. He gave her his word, but something felt wrong. So she did not fell asleep peacefully this night.
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