Chapter 3 - Sanctuary (1/2)
Signe was now awake and in the spare seat in the cockpit while the Mandalorian piloted it and the Child sat in the seat on the right of him. Babbling away, watching the empty void of space pass by. Signe wasn't doing much in particular, just looking at the many buttons on the control panel while she zoned her hearing in on the RazorCrest's ambience. It was very soothing and calming, however her eyes drifted over to the small creature when she heard the sound of machinery hissing. The Mandalorian hadn't pressed any buttons so it must've been the kid. The curious creature looked around and watched Din as he pressed a button near him to counteract whatever the baby had done. The creature then moved back to the button, with it turning green and this caused the silent man to speak.
"Stop touching things," Signe arched an eyebrow at the creature when it looked at her, as if telling it off herself silently. She could see he was up to no good when his eyes moved back to the Mandalorian and without looking he slowly leaned back and pressed another button causing the ship to rock. Signe gripped her seat, not liking the sudden turbulence. She watched The Mandalorian press the button he pressed, ceasing the ship's shaking and picked him up. She half expected him to give the kid to her but the Beskar warrior perched the mysterious green child on his lap instead. "Let's see," Din said looking at the map in the console. "Sorgan, looks like there's no star port, no industrial centres, no population density. Real backwater skug hole," he looked back at Signe who looked at him blankly, not really listening to him. "Means it's perfect for us. You ready to lay low and stretch your legs for a couple of months?" he asked both of them. Hearing this, Signe smiled as she stretched.
"Oh finally. You found somewhere,"
"And how about you, you little womp rat?" Din looked down at the kid who stared up at him and cooed.
"I think he likes that idea," Signe said, gently rubbing the creature's head.
"Nobody's gonna find us here,"
"I'll hold you to that if something goes wrong," Din turned to look at her and she knew she was receiving a glare from him but she merely shrugged at him before focusing her gaze at the green planet ahead of them. Signe admired the view, Sorgan was lush with vegetation and large wooded areas. Din found a clearing and set the RazorCrest down nicely.
"Right you two stay here, I'm gonna have a look around," Mando handed the Child to Signe, ignoring her frown, clearly not liking the idea of not going with him. She wanted to explore too. "I'll find us some lodging and I'll come back for the two of you," As Mando climbed down the steps, The Viking and Child shared a look before Signe set him down. The two followed after him, Signe behind him and The Child by his side as he opened the Hull's door. Din saw the kid first then looked back to see Signe, he sighed in annoyance.
"It was his idea," The kid looked at Signe as Din shook his head.
"Oh, what the hell? Come on," he said before trudging down the ramp and Signe grinned at the Child before making her way down the ramp too. She watched the Child waddle after her, the two humans making sure to take their time with the short creature.
They made it to what looked like a restaurant, delicious smells filled Signe's nose and she felt her stomach grumble. She was in need of some good food and this was the place to get it. The Mandalorian looked around warily, probably keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity. The Child cooed at the lively place, looking at all the people who stared and pointed at him, not noticing a strange cat-like creature eyeing him up. It growled at him, making him shriek in terror, Signe seeing this quickly picked the Child up and calming him from his fear which he seemed to appreciate a lot. Cuddling into her shoulder as she rubbed his back soothingly.
Din took note of a lone woman who seemed to have her eyes on him, watching him intently. They approached an empty table and Signe sat the tiny creature on a seat. He giggled, wiggling his ears about. The two bounty hunters sat down as a worker approached them with a friendly smile.
"Welcome, travellers. Can I interest you in anything?"
"Bone broth, for the little one,"
"Oh well, you're in luck. I just took down a grinjer, so there's plenty,"
"I'd like some too please," Signe spoke up, earning a look from Mando. "I'll pay for it," He gave a singular nod as if to say, 'Damn right you will,'
"Can I interest you in a porringer of broth as well?" The woman offered The Mandalorian but he declined bluntly.
"Just the two, but she's paying for hers," Signe rolled her eyes before they drifted around the room, her eyes noticed a black haired woman glaring at her but the ash blonde only stared at her expressionlessly before returning her gaze to Mando's helmet as he asked the worker a question. "That one over there. When did she arrive?" The two women cast their eyes to where the Mandalorian seemed to be looking, definitely not making it blatantly obvious they were talking about the woman across the room, who seemed to shift anxiously under all three of their stares as she turned her head to look elsewhere.
"I've seen her here for the last week or so,"
"What's her business here?"
"Business?" the waitress scoffed slightly. "Oh well there's not much business in Sorgan, so I can't say," Din reached into his pouch, retrieving a few credits and chucking them on the table. "She doesn't strike me as a log runner. Well, thank you, sir," Signe looked at him oddly, unsure if he was attempting to bribe her for more information or paying her for the broth, however she got some credits out her pouch herself before placing them on to the table. "Thank you too, miss. I'll get that broth to you both as soon as possible and I will throw in a flagon of spotchka just for good measure. I will be right back with that," As the woman left, Din noticed the Asian woman had left, he immediately stood up, seeming quite alarmed. Signe's eyes widened in shock at his sudden movement before they narrowed in confusion. He pointed back to her and firmly told her to 'look after the kid,' making the young Viking face twist into one from confusion to disbelief.
"Who does he think I am? His babysitter? And why can't he just sit still for once… always jumping about and onto the next sign of adventure," Signe complained to no one in particular as the Child peered up at her strange mutterings.
Din left the restaurant, and scanned the forest around him. Finding nothing, he turned to his arm bracer and pressed a few buttons to reveal some freshly made footprints. He followed them, eager to find the woman who had left them behind but when he saw that the footprints suddenly stop, he was left confused. As he looked around, he was alerted by a grunt before a force knocked him over, he quickly got up to face his attacker but was met with a punch to the helmet. This didn't really do anything to him but he soon realised it was the glaring female from earlier and he easily began blocking her attacks, making sure to throw a few punches in. During their scuffle, the woman had managed to kick him into some crates that lay outside the restaurant, he fell on his backside and the woman didn't waste a second as she protracted and X-T16 Tyrod blade from her right arm bracer, Din's eyes widened from under his helmet before quickly grabbing onto her wrist to prevent her stabbing the blade into any unprotected areas. He kicked her in the stomach causing her to stumble back as she growled in annoyance. The Mandalorian quickly got up, moving to his left to give himself more room and begin their fight again, watching the women intently as she got herself ready but as her eyes reached to him, her eyes flickered to his left and she froze. Din heard a blaster prime and turned to see the young Viking woman aiming her blaster at the older woman as she casually slurped on her broth. The Child stood beside her sipping a small wooden bowl, gurgling at the stand off between the three adults. Signe lowered her bowl and gave Din's attacker a false smile.
"I suggest you put that blade of yours away or you'll have a bolt to the face," before raising her eyebrows with an expectant look. The woman sneered and glared at the younger female before standing up properly and retracting the blade into the bracer once again. Signe hesitated a few seconds before holstering her blaster before eating the rest of her broth.
"You want some soup?" Din suddenly asked, making the two women look at him with a confused expression, however the mystery woman nodded reluctantly and the four headed back into the restaurant.
Din and Signe listened to the woman's story. They learnt that her name was Vito Tang, an assassin from Alderaan. She joined the Rebellion after learning the Galactic Empire had destroyed her homeworld along with her family, seeking revenge. Signe admired this woman, she seemed very strong, independent. A warrior and a worthy ally. As the Assassin and the Mandalorian spoke, Signe zoned out, taking a better look at this bad tempered woman. The woman wore your average black cargo trousers and a black strapless shirt, with a pair of heavy black boots and fingerless black gloves, however she too had her own set of armour. Grey in colour, she donned light protection, simple arm bracers along with a pair of shoulder protectors and also some greaves that sat nicely on her thighs. To protect her abdomen she wore a black leather bodice. Signe wouldn't lie, she's a very attractive woman and as her wandering eyes slowly looked back up to the Assassin's face, piercing dark eyes were already boring into her, making the Viking shift in her chair uncomfortably as her eyes flickered shamefully away from the older woman. She was attractive but scary. Din's voice cut in, removing Vito's gaze from the Vicingian woman.
"How'd you end up here?"
"I decided it was time for retirement," she said before taking a sip of her broth, then looked at the curious little creature to her left who watched her with interest. The right corner of Vito's mouth twitched up slightly at the sight of the small being. "Look, I knew you two were Guild, I figured you had a FOB on me. That's why I attacked you,"
"Yeah, that's what I figured," Vito smiled curtly, before standing up.
"Well this has been fun… but unless you want to go another round, one of us is gonna have to move on elsewhere, and I was here first," she looked at the two Bounty Hunters smugly before placing the bowl down and leaving. Din and Signe looked at one another, both thinking the same thing. 'Fair enough,' The Mandalorian then turned to the mysterious little baby who looked up at them, waiting to see what was going to happen next.
"Looks like this planet is taken,"
Nighttime had arrived and Din was busy tinkering with the Razorcrest while Signe was killing time by sharpening her weapons. The Child was in the sleeping area, catching some shuteye. Signe enjoyed the silence apart from the clicking on Din's tools but they weren't jarring and ruining the atmosphere too badly. She was focused on the work she was doing, she didn't hear the footsteps cautiously approaching them.
"Excuse me," Signe moved her head up slightly, and watched as two very anxious men walked towards the Beskar warrior.
"Excuse me, sir," the second one called out too and Din reluctantly spoke up. Why couldn't they have spoken to (Y/n), couldn't they see he was busy?
"There something I can help you with?" The Mandalorian asked rather stand offishly before moving round to another part of the Razorcrest, the two men hesitantly followed after him timidly.
"Uh, yeah. We have raiders.. And money,"
"So you think we're some kind of mercenaries?" Signe suddenly spoke up, continuing to sharpen a blade of a hatchet. The two men looked at her, not sure of what to make of this woman in strange clothing.
"He's a Mandalorian though, right?" they looked at each other in confusion. "Either that or he's stolen Mandalorian armour and is pretending to be one,"
"I am Mandalorian," Din immediately interjected.
"See I told him. Sir, I've read a lot about your people… tribe. If half of what you said is true-"
"We have money," the other guy interrupted, seemingly wanting to get to the point. The Mandalorian asked how much and his response was; "Everything we have, sir. Our whole farm was stolen,"
"Krill. We're krill farmers," Signe rolled her eyes as they tried their best to convince Din to help them and their village.
"It's not enough,"
"Are you sure? We haven't even told you what the job is,"
"Ask the Vicingian, she might like to help," Din now dropped Signe in properly and she looked up in disbelief as the two men cast their eyes to her.
"You're Vicingian? I thought they were a myth," Signe could only smile awkwardly and shrug. "I have read so much about your people, although I'm not sure I believe you. You're the only one who I've seen in Vicingian clothing,"
"That's because my people only like to venture about their world rather than outside it,"
"Then why are you here?"
"I have my reasons, ones that I don't need to explain to you," The woman's green eyes bored into the man's causing him to clear his throat nervously.
"Please help us,"
"It's not enough, good luck,"
"This is all we have, we'll give you more after the next harvest," These men were desperate for their help and Signe could sense their panic. She knew that her village too needed desperate help and if she could she'd do all she could to rid them of that torment however she was unable to aid them and that didn't mean she shouldn't help another out. She heard the ramp of the Hull hiss and she got up gathering her belongings before passing the men and walking up the ramp before the Mandalorian. She took note of the men's rant aloud about taking all day getting to them and then only having to go back without a Mandalorian and not only that they had to go back in the dark… unprotected. Din turned to them, asking them where they lived. His response was sass.
"On a farm. Weren't you listening? We're farmers,"
"In the middle of nowhere?"
"Yes," The bolder one said, Signe admired him for having the courage to speak to a Mandalorian with such attitude but she decided it was more like stupidity than courage. She watched as the three conversed a little longer, getting slightly annoyed that it was taking so long but it seemed the Mandalorian had made up his mind to help them and asked them to help them with loading their carrier. It took a few minutes until they had all done while the small creature watched and waited, wondering what was going to happen when they had done. When Signe heard the Mandalorians voice yet again mentioning he needed one more thing, she wondered what this other thing was but she had an idea. The Beskar warrior looked to the Viking as if silently asking for her to come with him, she nodded and followed after him into the woods. It didn't take long to find her, Vito Tang had taken shelter under a tree and slept peacefully as a fire burned not too far from her although it only seemed she was sleeping because as soon as Mando dropped a bag off credits beside her and she immediately lifted an A-180 Blaster Pistol toward them, an unimpressed look crossing her features.
"Ready for round 2?" The question seemed to pique the assassin's interest as she raised a brow at the Mandalorian and Vicingian, who only smirked lazily down at her.
It wasn't long till the three found themselves in the back of the carrier, Din ensured that it was Signe that was next to him. He still didn't trust her fully but he'd rather her than the assassin. The Child sat in her lap watching the bugs flitting around the lanterns that hung off the carrier, no doubt wanting to eat them. He looked to Signe who was just finishing explaining what was happening to Tang and why they asked her to come with them. The Assassin didn't seem too impressed and he couldn't blame her. Signe didn't seem as bothered by the lack of payment like he and Tang were but he supposed every Bounty Hunter was different. He could tell she was definitely there for the thrill of it, more than then money.
"I know the payment isn't the greatest but we could just do this to be decent people," Signe tried to encourage the older woman.
"Bold of you to assume that I'm a decent person," Vito scoffed.
"Well put it this way, if it was your people in trouble you would want someone to help them right?"
"My people are dead," Tang glared darkly at the blonde.
"And if I could've, I would have helped, just like I would help Mandalorians if they needed it. I understand your loss and I can't imagine how hard it is for you but don't let it cloud your judgement and block others out. You can't do everything on your own. Trust me… I've learnt the hard way," judging from what Din had seen, he believed her, not only that. She had a point and Tang seemed to believe her too especially when the younger female glared back as if to challenge her. A brave move on Signe's behalf and it seemed the Vicingian woman had decided that she was done talking as she shuffled in her seat to get comfy before casting her eyes to the sky to watch it slowly move by. The gentle movement of the carrier seemed to drift her off to sleep rather quickly and the Mandalorian began to settle down himself. He stretched his arms out, laying them on a makeshift back rest he was using and let himself fall into a restful sleep.
Signe was the first to wake when morning came, the creatures of Sorgan's call echoed throughout the forest. Just ahead, she could see a clearing as she let her head hang briefly over the edge of the carrier to get a better look, that was when she felt something behind her head and she quickly sat up to see what it was without waking or crushing the sleeping Child in her lap. She froze and looked at him but he continued to sleep and she sighed in relief before twisting her body and head to see what had startled her. She certainly wasn't expecting it to be the Mandalorians right arm and hand, raising a brow at the lifeless limb. She peered at the sleeping man to see him in a rather uncomfortable sleeping position, his head hanging off the edge of the carrier. No doubt he'd get a neck ache after ash blonde turned her head back to the front and couldn't help but feel a strange feeling in her chest however her attention was caught by the small green creature who had awoken from his sleep. He gurgled before crawling closer to the edge of the carrier as they came into the clearing. Signe followed the creature's gaze to the children who ran over laughing and playing, the Child smiling and giggling at them. The Vicingian sensed movement and turned to see her two companions get up to look at the village before them. Signe took the opportunity to hop off now that the carrier had stopped, steadying herself as her body was still waking up. It wasn't long before she found herself and the Child surrounded by the children of the village although their only interest was the kid.
"Well, looks like they're happy to see us,"
"You don't say," Vito said, she seemed somewhat disgruntled by the kids before Signe noticed a very small smile crack onto the woman's features. The young woman felt a tug on her trouser leg and she looked down to see a boy and girl staring up at her.
"Where are you from?"
"Vicingi," the children laughed.
"No you're not,"
Signe crouched to their level and took out her dagger, showing it to them. Their eyes widened at the medium sized dagger, Signe could tell they recognised the design and craftsmanship. "You see this. The blade is made of pure Vicingian Silver and the hilt has been crafted and carved by the older generations of my people. Do you know what the wood is?"
"Fersha wood,"
"Well done, you've been paying attention," the Vicingian woman smiled and patted the boy's head before standing up, only to have her eyes meet Vito's confused ones.
"You're Vicingian,"
"Yes." Signe stated bluntly, why was it so difficult to understand.
"(Y/n)'s not a very Vicingian name,"
"That's what I said but I'm not worthy of knowing her name," Din suddenly spoke up.
"Ugh, that's because I'm not worthy of knowing your name either!" the younger female sighed in annoyance as she grabbed a container and walked further into the village. She stepped on to the porch of a hut and slowly walked through the open door before stopping when noticing a woman who had acknowledged her appearance too. The woman stared at the ash blonde as The Mandalorian came to stand beside her and the woman's gaze exchanged to him instead. She was pretty and Signe found herself staring a bit before casting her eyes toward her Beskar clad companion.
"Please come in," she said as she continued to tie some rope around a makeshift hook. Din stepped around Signe, entering the barn. "I hope this is comfortable for you," she said as the Vicingian made sure the creature was close by, the small thing waddling his way through the door. "Sorry that all we have is a barn,"
"This will do fine," Mando reassured her as he placed a crate down as the woman mentioned something about blankets and the beskar warrior responding in an insanely awkward way. Signe noticed a young girl from earlier creeping to the door but before she could say 'hello', the Mandalorian whirled round instantly, startling all three of the females, especially the girl. The Vicingian gave him a look as the woman approached the girl, pulling her out of her hiding place.
"This is my daughter, Winta. We don't get many visitors around here… she's not used to strangers," The woman explained making eye contact with the two guests or at least tried to with The Mandalorian. He didn't say anything but stare while Signe gave the little girl a wave who gave a shy one back. The woman then looked down at Winta, "These nice people are going to help protect us from the bad ones," she said, easing the girl's nerves slightly. Signe could just make out the small, 'Thank you,' that was slightly muffled by her mothers body however the Vicingian woman smiled and her eyes softened at the shy girl. Din, on the other hand, just gave the girl a simple nod, before his head slightly turned to Signe as if seeing if what he did was the right thing. He only received an eye roll as the Vicingian woman put her crate down. It was obvious he wasn't used to being around children. With that, the woman and child took their leave, making sure to smile to them as a silent goodbye. When they had gone, Signe turned to Din with a look of disbelief, the man only stared at her but she knew she was glaring at her.
"Don't say a word," the ash blonde snorted at his words before shrugging her shoulders and moving to set up an area for herself to sleep.
It was dusk by the time she had done, only fiddling about with a few things in her bags. Din was cleaning his Ambun rifle while The Child happily sat in his new temporary cot. Signe was aware of the approaching footsteps but continued with what she was doing, knowing whoever it was, was most likely wanting a word with The Mandalorian. It wasn't until she heard the familiar voice that she looked up.
"Knock knock," Omera said from the doorway and Mando allowed her in. She appeared with a tray of food, enough for the two bounty hunters. Signe watched the woman as she placed the tray down and then when little Winta came skipping in. She looked at her mother who nodded before the girl looked at Signe then Din.
"Can I feed him?" she asked, nodding towards Sprout, who cooed toward her. Signe was too busy admiring Omera's smile to answer and so Mando filled in for her.
"Sure,"
Winta went over to the little creature and his eyes widened when she saw what was in his hand. She giggled at his excited expression before handing him the food, which he took gratefully. "Can he come out and play?" Winta turned to Signe who was surprised to see that she was suddenly being asked questions. Din seemed to carry on cleaning his rifle but under the helmet, his eyes were focused on the blonde as she stuttered.
"Um, sure I don't see why not," Signe smiled when she saw Winta's face brighten into a large Vicingian stood up and reached into the cot, picking the Sprout's small body up before placing him next to Winta and gently patted his head. The three adults watched as the two children headed out the barn and a caring smile etched Omera's face, happy to see her daughter so happy. Winta ran ahead and Sprout tried to catch up, making small noises as if calling out to Winta to wait for him. Din suddenly seemed worried and went to get him, however Omera stopped him.
"I don't think.."
"They'll be fine," Omera cut him off.
"I don't.."
"Mandalorian, they'll be okay," Signe assured him also and he looked at the two women before backing down. Signe went back to her back to gather some things and listened to the two people behind her.
"I brought you some food. I noticed you two didn't eat out there,"
"We were busy," Din stated, making Omera nod.
"I'll leave it here for when I go," The Vicingian couldn't help but watch the two converse, judging from Omera's body language and graceful smiles, it seemed she was somewhat interested in The Mandalorian. He didn't seem to catch on though. She continued to watch the two out the corner of her eye as she removed her armour. "Do you mind if I ask you something?" The Sorgan woman suddenly asked Mando.
"Go ahead," was the blunt response.
"How long has it been since you've taken that off?" Signe raised an eyebrow at the question , it was awfully personal. She didn't even dare ask The Mandalorian, although she too was curious. Din decided to go with the obvious answer.
"Yesterday,"
"I mean in front of someone else," Omera tested, making Signe look up fully from her seated position. Din turned to look at Omera, his eyes glancing at Signe a brief moment before he pointed to the children playing outside.
"I wasn't much older than them," Signe's gaze hardened on him. It had been that long since another living being had seen his face. The young women found something oddly sad about the idea of that but that was how he was brought up, it was probably very normal to him.
"You haven't shown your face to anyone since you were a kid?"
"No, I was happy they took me in," despite the fact he wasn't even talking to her directly, Signe couldn't help but feel like he was aiming his answers at her. She stared at the visor, sure that those eyes were looking back at her. "My parents were killed and the Mandalorians took care of me," Signe's eyes softened as she heard his story. She was surprised how easy it was for him to tell a stranger, she wondered why he never told her before, but then again, she never asked. She assumed he wouldn't be comfortable telling her because they didn't know each other, turns out all she had to do was ask.
"I'm sorry,"
"This is the way," he replied almost robotically.
"Let us know if there is anything you need," Omera finally acknowledged the Viking again.
"Thank you," the bounty hunters spoke simultaneously and she smiled at them both however she lingered her smile toward Din along with her gaze longer. When she had gone, Signe looked at her Beskar armoured companion and he looked back at her, waiting for her to say something. She moved to where the food was before placing her portion into a clean cloth.
"I need to go make some more Ragweed, I'll let you have your space so you can eat," Din watched as she turned to leave but before she was completely gone, she stopped in the doorway. "Thank you for letting me hear your story, even if it was just a small bit of it," with that the Vicingian stepped out the barn. Din watched her walk off to the Well, gathering some water before walking off somewhere into the woods. She stayed where she was visible to him, facing the dense brush. The Mandalorian took his plate, placing it on the windowsill to his right, and next he removed his helmet, situating it to his left. He let his brown eyes take in the scene before him and indulged the few minutes he could have without having to worry about anyone seeing him.