Unknowing where to head first, Mando flew the Crest discreetly putting it in autopilot because today was a special day and he hoped Osa had awakened. Mando went to the children's sleeping quarters to find Osa still unconscious while the child smiled at Mando's sight. Happy to see the child in good spirits but disappointed Osa was incoherent, Mando sat on the edge of the bed contemplating, and would celebrate with her no matter what.
Since the child was now apart of their clan it was not forbidden for him to see either Din or Osa helmetless. With a simple click Din removed his helmet and then gently removed Osa's, "Happy Date of Existence Mi Pequeno," Din said through a smile while placing his hand upon her cheek.
He glared down at his daughter in such pride tears glistened over his eyes because Din was so happy they had found each other. All Din could do was stare at her, but upset she wasn't recuperating faster when Osa began to stir.
Her hands curled making a strenuous fist, her face scrunched up in fear, and her eyelids fluttered from the rapid movement her eyes made behind. Din knew preciously what she was going through, it was the same from when she was a child, the horrid nightmares had returned.
A moan of panic escaped her throat along with a single tear, Din could see his daughter was trapped and had to help her escape like he did for her fifteen years ago.
"Osa, it's okay, Papi's here. Fight them, fight them off. Papi will always protect you," Din placed his head beside his daughters pressing his lips close to her ear. He inhaled a breath and began to hum a soft tune his mother use to sing to him as a child.
The melody always brought him at ease by his mother's gentle tone and believed his version, for Osa, did the same for her. Din held her close, still feeling his daughter stir from panic and whimper from fear, but he would chase the nightmares away and bring her solace.
The serene tune was coming to an end and so was her horrific dream, her body relaxed and her breathing returned to normal. Din rose happy she was at peace but baffled why she wasn't waking up. Did healing him take that much out of her? She recovered fast after healing Karga, but the child had also participated. Was it because she absorbed years from his life and her body couldn't process the rapid change?
Upset with himself, Din stroked the white (that use to color the sides of his head) in Osa's hair wishing he could, somehow, take back what she had done. He felt guilty, tormented even, that on this day she was only suppose to turn eighteen, not older.
Feeling lost Din just closed his eyes and kept his head low. Sensing his pain, the child knew what to do and placed its tiny hand on Osa's chest also closing his eyes, mimicking its father.
Without much effort the child undid what she obtained, absorbing the years himself since they wouldn't affect him in the least compared to a humanoid; every year counted for them.
Din didn't care how long it would take Osa to wake up, he would stay by her side, just like how she was always at his. Din raised his head and opened his eyes to memorize his daughter's face when something caught his attention. Ever so slowly the white that colored the sides of her hair was fading and returning to her natural brown color.
Amazed by this phenomenon, Din glared at Osa to try and figure out how she was achieving this feat, when he noticed the child performing the miracle. Once the task was complete the child sat, with a hint of exhaustion, and stared up at Din with a small smile on its face.
With joy, Din smiled back and cradled the child's face in his hand, truly thanking his son. The child cooed, basking in Din's affection when she spoke the word he would never tire of hearing, "Papi."
"Osa," Din said ecstatic, cupping her face in his hands.
"How did I get down here and you up there, wasn't it the other way around?" Osa pointed out.
"Yeah, it was," Din replied in a chuckle when Osa's demeanor changed, "What's wrong Mi Pequeno?"
"I saw it," Osa said almost in tears but Din didn't need an explanation of what she witnessed, because he knew.
"And," he wasn't sure how to proceed.
Osa rose to a sitting position and stroked the child's long ear with her finger, "Him and I, we're connected due to Gideon's experimentations. That's why I can't control my abilities, it's because I wasn't born with them; I was infused. This is where my nightmares manifest, they are from when I was at the facility. Him and I were both there, Gideon took what ever is inside of this child and infused it with me. Why would my mother allow me to be experimented on? Did she finally feel guilty and that's why she gave me to you, so I could be your burden."
"You are not a burden Osa," Din said forcefully when she changed the subject.
"Do you have doubts that I am biologically your daughter?" Osa had to find out.
"Anara never gave me the chance to find out, but if the math is done correctly, your conception lines up, but when I received you your appearance wasn't what it is now, unfortunately making me question," Din reveled.
"Tell me, tell me about today fifteen years ago," Osa figured out that her actual date of existence wasn't based off of her birth, her father based it off on the day he received her.
Din knew he couldn't get out of this, she had the memory but just wanted to hear the story come from him. Deep down Din knew he should have told her but he wanted Osa to have a normal life, one without worry of who she was or what those scientists did to her. His hands were tied so he took her back reliving the worst and yet best day of his life.
"I had just finished a solo mission, turning in a bounty, when I received a transmission from the personal comm I gave to your mother," Din began.
"You gave her a twin comm, secret communications only you two could receive, wow Papi you fell for her hard," Osa tried to embarrass her father when his cheeks flushed a hint of red.
"Do you want me to tell the story?"
"Sorry, sorry, but wait when did you give the comm to her? Was it when you both were held up for the night on the mission with Ran's crew? Oh geez, it's clear to me now when you broke the Code," she tried to get the image out of her mind.
"Osa, please focus."
"Yeah, let's move past that part, so you got a personal transmission, what did she say?" when Mando dove into the past.
I had not seen Anara in almost four years and didn't know what to think. The message was brief, she seemed worried, in a panic, but urgent for me to meet her on Tolarian. She gave me specific instructions when and where, basically knowing I would show. Without hesitation I navigated the Crest towards Tolarian and landed on the outskirts as she made it clear to stay discrete. I tried to blend in with the locals and took extra precaution by cloaking myself in robes to hide my armor. I followed her instructions, waited in the back alley of the building she described but she didn't show.
In my gut I knew something went wrong, Anara was always punctual, never missed her mark, when I turned down a vacant street to surveillance the area but never got the chance. Suddenly a massive explosion blew me off my feet when I heard blaster fire. Coming to, I peered down the alley noticing the building to the left had a hole blown out of it, where dead Stormtroopers were sprinkled within the debris.
I got to my feet, blaster drawn, ready to high tail it out of there, when I saw her emerge from the chaos. Her red hair acted like the fire causing the billowing smoke coiling from the explosion, her green eyes shimmered like a jaded jewel, and her pale skin almost camouflaged her within the haze. She fought vigorously, blasting whomever came into her scope when she glanced over and saw me. Her panicked stricken face faded upon my presence, her vigorous melted to softness, like hope had been restored to her.
I shouted for Anara and moved in her direction, but she raised a hand for me to seize. Baffled, I didn't know what her next move was when an older woman (carrying a small being covered head to toe in laboratory garments) emerged from the wreckage and approached Anara. All she did was direct the woman towards me not wasting a single opportunity. The woman did not hesitate and changed her course when a reign of blaster fire encircled Anara.
I wanted to go after her, rescue her, but she wouldn't allow it. With her final breath Anara mouthed three words to me, but I couldn't make them out when she was shot down in cold blood by Gideon. I wanted to cradle her in my arms, feel her warmth one last time, but the woman rammed me down a dead end not allowing me to grieve.
My blood was boiling, my head swam with vengeful thoughts, and I wanted to take everyone down. Nothing seemed more important than getting justice for Anara when all that halted as the woman got my attention.
"You are the Mandalorian Anara trusts?" the woman said out of breath.
My head was spinning, unable to register what was happening around me when she repeated her question.
"You are Mando?"
Finally my brain caught up and I began a conversation with her, "Why wouldn't Anara let me help her?"
"You don't understand the severity we are in," the woman alluded.
"Yes I do, we will be executed by the Empire," when I looked down and noticed blood staining the length of the woman's leg.
"No, Anara's sacrifice will not be in vain, she died to protect your secret and I will parish in order to give you both more time," the woman grabbed a detonator off my belt and activated it, "This child is the only one who survived, and Moff Gideon will do everything to get the asset back, you must hide and protect it at all costs. Teach this child the Mandalorian ways, do you promise to protect it?"
A child, I didn't know what to do or say, I wasn't a protector, I was a bounty hunter, a tracker of individuals, someone who didn't hesitate to pull the trigger, I wasn't a nurturer, but something inside screamed at me to say yes, and it wasn't because the woman held onto a live explosive.
"Do you bind your promise to this child, to Anara?" the woman stressed.
I stared at the woman and then at the little being she carried in her arms, you. I was conflicted, for once in my life I wasn't sure what was to be done, but everything became clear once you reached for me to take you. You didn't display fear at my sight, we glared at each other as if we could see the other's face. It actually terrified me feeling so exposed, but also calming as I only shared that experience once before, with your mother. All paranoia seized when I said "yes."
Immediately the woman shoved you into my arms and then ran down the alley taking out the approaching troopers. Not wasting my opportunity I used the smoke to secure our escape and headed straight for the Crest, declaring that would be my final visit to Tolarian.
"So that's how you obtained me?" young Mando chimed in bringing her father back to the present.
"Yes and I would do it all over again."
"What happened after? All I can remember is our home on Lah'mu. Where did we go after we left Tolarian?"
"It was clear that I wouldn't return to the Mandalore covert, it was prudent not to put any heat on them. So I had to find sanctuary on a planet the Empire didn't occupy, so the Outer Rim was the best choice. Several planets became options but eventually I settled on Veeno. It was habitable with lush forests and scattered cities, no humanoids occupied the planet only the Veenoinians; creatures with blue textured skin, four arms, and kept to themselves. Perfect for anyone trying to stay hidden."
"How long did we stay there?"
"Only a few months, but it was those few months that I'm thankful for because he saved you."
"Saved me, you saved me, Papi," young Mando reminded.
"I took you away from the…horrid experimentations, but the doctor, he saved your life," Mando said in gratitude.
"How? I don't remember being sick."
"You weren't sick, you were dying. I blame myself for allowing you to go for as long as you did because I never assessed your situation. Your identity was masked, I was going to remove your facial coverings but I was so drilled in the Mandalorian ways I didn't think otherwise, but that was my fault because I didn't see the signs until it was almost to late. In our weeks there I had befriended a dealer named Wildaldro, who's father, luckily, was a doctor, I had to take you to him because you collapsed in my arms and became unresponsive," Din turned his head, sick by the memory of almost losing Osa when he remembered the event as if it was yesterday.
There was no hesitation, Din scooped up the tiny child and raced towards the city, hoping the only creature he knew on the planet would help him. Operating hours were about to close but Din stormed in with the child limply in his arms.
"Wildaldro please I need to see a doctor," Din pleaded.
"Whoa you didn't tell me you had a kid, granted I still don't know your real name, Mando," Wildaldro winked knowing Din had given a pseudo.
"Please, is there a doctor with discretion?" Din commanded.
Wildaldro realizing the severity in Mando's voice he took them to his father's home.
"What is the meaning of this, do you know what time it is Wil?" his father (the doctor) scrutinized.
"Dad please I wouldn't be here if it wasn't an emergency," Wildaldro clarified while clearing the dining room table.
Din was at such a high alert he didn't even think to surveillance the home, he was too worried about the child.
"Please sir, I don't know what's wrong," Din stated while placing the little one on the table.
"What is this, why is the child covered head to toe, is this some part of your religion?" the doctor asked.
"Somewhat," Din replied.
"Well I don't mean no disrespect but I will have to remove most of the garments if to analyze the patient, do you agree?" the doctor said.
At first Din wasn't sure on what to do, but knew this would come down to life or death and he wanted the child to live.
"This is the way," Din stated.
"What does that mean, is it a yes or no?"
"Yes."
"Wil grab my emergency kit," the doctor noticed zippers within the child's sleeves and immediately unzipped them.
Upon sight, Din felt sick to his stomach witnessing the horrors that had been done to the little one, as there were all sorts of markings on the child's arms, proof of experimentation.
"Should I be concerned of the child's safety?" the doctor spoke with a bit of hostility.
"No, because the child is in my protection now," Din said in certainty.
"Good."
Wildaldro returned with his father's supplies when the doctor started performing medical exams while stabilizing his patient.
"Since I see you do not remove your helmet may I remove the child's?" the doctor asked.
"Do what you must for its survival," Din concluded.
Technically Din was curious on the gender, if it was a boy or a girl and this would be the revel. Upon removal a large amount of curly, multi colored hair billowed out of the head garments showcasing soft features of a sleeping little girl.
It was odd because she seemed to be a modge podge of multiple species. Her hair was splotched of red, blue, brown, black, green, like the strands couldn't decide. Her skin was muted, almost changing colors within different lighting, plus there appeared to be multiple textures formed over her skin, ranging from scales to unusual tattoo like markings.
Din didn't know how to feel or what to think, he felt numb. What had been done to this child? Why would Anara allow this and for how long has this little one been tormented? Slowly anger began to inflict his blood, his fists curled into balls wishing to strike anything in his path. Din had to set things right for her, he had to make her feel safe, just like when the Mandalorians took him in. Now it was his turn to pay it forward.
Din glared at the little girl watching her chest barely rise up and down, the doctor immediately placed her on oxygen in order to help her breath better. After a few hours Wil's father told him to get some sleep, the doctor could sense the less individuals around the more information he would receive from this stranger.
"Wake me if you need me dad, oh and Mando no worries your daughter is in the best care," Wil reassured Din.
"Daughter?" Din thought to himself uncertain.
Finally the two were alone when the doctor laid everything out on the table getting Mando's attention.
"Listen I don't care what lies you told my son, but here and now I need the truth if I'm to save this child. Who are you and is the Empire going to come knocking on my or Wil's door?"
"You must understand I have to keep certain discretions about myself, what I can reveal to you is that I am a Mandalorian, this child was given to me to be protected from the Empire, I wasn't given any information myself. Plus the less you know the better no one can interrogate you," Din ended.
"Fair enough, but the real problem is I know what's killing her, she needs a blood transfusion," the doctor informed.
"Money won't be an issue, I can pay you," Din addressed.
"You believe the reason why I'm not performing the procedure is because I'm waiting for you to pay, no you idiot, do you see any humanoids on Veeno? Even if we were at my clinic I don't keep a supply of human blood."
"Take mine," Din stated without thought.
"Did you not hear me, I need humanoid blood," the doctor reminded not knowing what species Mandalorians were.
"I am human," Din reassured and was about to remove his glove when he hesitated.
Naturally he wasn't removing his helmet and breaking the Code like he had in the past, but each piece of the Mandalore armor was an extension of oneself, it was still violating the Code. A debate ran through him but knew the logical answer, Din removed his gauntlet, then pulled each digit from his glove, and what had been years since another living being had laid eyes upon his flesh, Din removed his glove exposing his hand.
Unable to fathom the longevity of the Mandalorian's actions, the doctor quickly rolled up Mando's sleeve exposing more than just his hand. The doctor shoved Mando into a chair and then rested Din's arm on the table while searching for a vein.
"My apologies, I don't work on humanoids practically at all so it might take me a few tries," and with that he was accurate, Din had been poked and prodded several times before the doctor found a suitable vein.
The doctor ran the tube hooked up from Din to the child where the doctor watched in anticipation.
"We must do this slowly otherwise you could also die," the doctor informed.
Ten minutes had passed with no change, the doctor drew a new blood sample from the child when he said he would be back in a few minutes.
Din gazed around the room absorbing any necessary information he needed about the doctor when suddenly he felt (for the first time in almost four years) skin-to-skin touch, where a tiny hand clasped onto his. He turned his head and saw a pair of tired green eyes glare at him in gratitude.
He couldn't help and lose himself in the little girl's eyes, hypnotizing just like Anara's was. Could this be? Could this be Anara's child, but then who was the father? Suddenly a wave of nausea inflicted Din's stomach when his heart began to palpate as sweat started to bead on his forehead. Of all people why entrust this child with him, but could it be, but how, the child looked nothing like him? At the moment Din didn't know what to think when suddenly (it was as if a hologram was playing out before him) past events began to be reenacted in that very room.
Din was being shown personal dinners that Wil and the doctor had with their family, certain celebrations of holidays were being played out from all different stages of that families life, it was as if the past had left an impression and he was some how able to view these intimate moments. He waited to see if there was more when the present returned and the child unclasped her hand from his and fell back to sleep.
Unable to register what he had just experienced, Din believed he had just hallucinated but was even unsure of that. Fifteen more minutes passed and Din noticed the girl's breathing becoming normal, her skin tone went from pale to receiving a slight pink in her cheeks, while her groans became silent.
"You need to eat," the doctor walked in with food high in sugar and protein.
"I will be alright," Din stated.
"You will be passed out on the floor in another five minutes, now eat!" the doctor commanded, "Wil will be asleep for another few hours and I will step out for some air, you can have your solitude," the doctor reassured while finishing up another inspection of the child, "She is thriving, it appears you are the perfect match for her as your blood is healing her. I have very high hopes, you should feel proud, she is your kin," the doctor clarified before he left.
His kin, so was she truly his, could the doctor tell? Technically his blood did flow in her now so by law she was his. So many rapid thoughts began to run through his brain and Din wasn't sure if this was because he was hallucinating from lose of blood or if something had indeed changed internally.
Analyzing his situation, Din removed his helmet so he could replenish his body, he would do what he must to save the child, no, his child.
Night had turned to day when Wildaldro returned downstairs thrilled that the child was alive and getting better. The doctor separated the transfusion believing it had worked successfully and took one last sample to analyze, the doctor was about to give Din a full inspection but knew better.
"The child is in good hands, get some rest, you will need to be fully recovered for your journey home," the doctor said.
Seeing this as not a bad idea, Din wobbly stood from the chair and laid down in the next room. What felt like minutes, hours had passed by when Din awoke in a stir, in the background he could hear faint murmurs and couldn't believe he left his guard down. He took precaution, peering over the couch with his blaster drawn, but realized he could put it away as the doctor and Wildaldro were examining the child who also appeared to be awake.
She sat up on the table, feet dangling over the edge when Wil had his hand on her back incase she felt weak while the doctor gave her a full examination.
"Humans are so odd, what with their hair and only two appendages, how do they function?" Wil said to his father when they both noticed Mando approaching.
"Oh hey, hope you got some zzz's," Wil said.
"How is she?" Din asked concerned.
"Honestly amazing. I have never seen a patient come back so easily from death. She is indeed special," the doctor said to Din, "A close eye though should still be kept on her."
Din scooted his way in between the two and peered down at his child, he looked into her large green eyes and noticed something that clearly wasn't there before. A faint hint of brown circled around her pupils, this intrigued Din because he didn't notice that before.
"Hey little one, are you feeling better?" Din questioned when she gazed up into his helmet as if she could see his face, just like she did back in the alley on Tolarian.
Din immediately felt exposed but yet in some way at ease. Just like before, his little girl reached for him to cradle her in his arms when Din didn't hesitate and scooped her up. He reached into one of his pouches and grabbed a hand full of credits. Wil instinctively went to collect them but the good doctor refused.
"Please, I have nothing else to offer," Din said.
"As I request nothing, saving a life is payment, if anything else should happen do not hesitant to come back, and no worries I understand discretion and will destroy all evidence," the doctor reassured.
"Thank you," Din replied when he collected his daughter's garments and wrapped her up minus the mask.
Wildaldro escorted them back to his shop and saw them off, "Don't be a stranger now Mando," Wil said in all seriousness where all Din replied with was a nod and a sincere thanks.
The two made their way to his ship when something felt different, like a weight had been lifted and Din could finally breathe. He set his daughter on a cot and unwrapped her headdress when something unusual caught him off guard. Her hair had started to change into a solid color, from the tips of her roots to the edge of her scalp a fluid brown was overtaking the multi colors. Flabbergasted, Din examined her eyes and noticed the brown was absorbing more of the green as well.
"Hey there my little Changeling, what's going on with you," Din said more to himself because it seemed his daughter did not know how to talk. Affectionately, Din ticked her evolving nose when she giggled by his actions as she displayed a smile he had only expressed under his helmet. That was his smile, those were his eyes, that was his hair color, she was changing and adapting his features.
It was a slow process but soon enough her eyes had fully been taken over with brown, her nose had slightly widened, her face rounded, and when Din finally got her to sit still long enough he had to cut out whatever color remained from the ends of her hair.
He couldn't believe it, but yet maybe he knew more then he thought, because Anara was part Changeling and Din was sure his daughter was part too. Maybe that was the reason why she was able to survive for so long with the experimentations, her body was able to adapt easier, change, morph, a reasonable explanation on why her appearance looked the way it did.
Din knew he couldn't get angry, she was safe now but those were just his assumptions, Din needed the doctor's expertise on this matter but mostly maybe the doctor could discover the function of her abilities.
Days had passed but one in particular stood out in his mind, Din had been working on some projects when he heard his daughter begin to make noises of discomfort. Quickly Din rushed in seeing her hunched on the floor hugging her mid-section, she wasn't thrashing around as if in pain, she was more acting like she was holding something in.
Din was just about to reach her when an unseen blast erupted from her core, blowing Din off his feet and anything else that was in her path. Her tiny body couldn't handle the extinguished energy and so laid down in exhaustion.
Din had never seen anything like this before, it seemed almost surreal and he needed answers. One night he took his daughter to see the doctor without Wildaldro's knowledge.
"So you've come back, is she alright?" the doctor asked in concern fearing his procedure did not work for his patient.
"Yes, she is fine it's just I can't explain her appearance and she…," Din wasn't sure if he should reveal the episode she experienced, but knew he had to help her in any way possible, "she harbors certain abilities," Din carefully said wondering if the doctor would believe him.
"I guess I wasn't sure how she would react to the treatment or to your blood, her body was a mess, so much toxicity was pumped into her bloodstream. I'm shocked she lived for as long as she did," the doctor removed her head wrap and noticed the changes, "Well this certainly paints a picture, I assume you also have brown hair and eyes?" the doctor stated. Din kept quiet but that summed up the answer for the doctor.
"Are you able to determine how old she is?" Din needed to know certainties.
"For specifics I would have to collect a bone sample but guesstimating, no older than three, why?" the doctor's interest peaked.
"Just wondering if my assumptions are correct," Din kept vague but the tone in his voice gave him away.
"You are not certain if she truly is yours?" the doctor asked boldly.
"I don't want to have my doubts but I do. I was hoping you could tell me."
"Well since I destroyed all the samples I took from before, I will need to take one from each of you to get a real understanding."
The doctor wasted no time and filled up two syringes with each of his patient's blood and began his tests.
"In all the species I have studied, examined, diagnosed, I have never seen a case like this. If she wasn't yours before she definitely is now, you both match identically, she is your flesh and blood. That is why her features changed, her entire DNA changed, but there is something else that has bonded with her cells, what it is I am unfamiliar with. At the moment they appear to be dormant and I'm sure once awakened that is what causes her abilities you were mentioning," the doctor pondered for a while almost keeping information to himself.
"Is she in danger to herself?" Din questioned with a hint of panic.
"No, just needs a proper mentor, and who better than her father," the doctor ended.
That word "father" Din never believed he would become one, he was to invested with his work, plus intimacy was too personal, he found out the hard way by being scorned before. Bounty hunting was also a dangerous trade with enemies lining around the corner. He couldn't lose anyone else, but with her there was one clear answer, she was his.
Din cradled his daughter within his embrace when he felt a bit lost, he didn't know the first thing about raising a child, but like most of his life he figured it out, because "This is the way."
"She doesn't talk," Din said in concern.
"There are many ways to communicate without the use of words, body language, sign language, or drawing therapy. Allow her to choose on how to express herself, eventually she will mimic you, a child almost always idolizes their parent, give her time," the doctor escorted them out, but before they left he had one final question, "Have you given her a proper identity?"
"Not yet, but one comes to mind," Din said heading back to the Crest and leaving the doctor without an answer.
The two sat in silence when Din placed his daughter on the cot and removed her head wrap. In a loving manner Din brushed her hair away from her face so he could get a good look at her when an image of his late mother took him by surprise.
War and droids were the reason for his parents and Anara's death and this made him furious, but her tiny face brought him peace as his mother's name rolled off his tongue with ease.
"Osa, your name is Osa Djarin."
Several normal days flew by while Din kept himself busy by rearranging the Crest so it could be habitable for two, plus Osa was becoming a handful, getting into everything, playing with anything, when he took the doctor's advice to see if she would communicate through a picture.
Din picked Osa up and placed her at the temporary kitchen table and gave her a piece of paper and a small stick of black chalk. Osa just stared into Din's helmet perplexed and unknowing what to do.
"Do you know how to draw a picture?" Din horribly drew a rectangle and then a circle, realizing this wasn't drawing he turned to spelling, "How about I write your name," he spelled out Osa at the top of the paper when she turned, tapped Din and then tapped next to her name signaling who he was.
"Right, I've never told you who I am," Din became hesitant but he knew he shouldn't because he had not revealed his real self in decades, but now was as any good of time, "My name is Din Djarin, I am your father or you can call me Papi," Din wrote the Spanish term next to Osa's name which translated to Daddy, "Have fun," he paused and then gave her an endearing nickname, "Mi Pequeno," he handed her the chalk and then grazed her cheek with his thumb leaving her so he could finish some work.
About an hour passed by when he walked back in as Osa excitedly hopped off her chair to present her masterpiece to Din. She waved the piece of paper for him to take and so he did. In shock Osa drew two figures underneath each name, she drew herself and then Din without his helmet.
Granted these representations of themselves were practically stick figures but the point was there. Din knelt down to Osa's level when she placed her tiny hands on the sides of his helmet but made no movement, she wanted Din to willingly remove his helmet with her. A surge of panic inflicted him but remembered the Code, Osa was his kin, she was his flesh and blood, they could see each others identities and so Din removed his helmet – for the second time around another being since he was sworn into the Creed.
Osa enthusiastically smiled seeing her saviors face for the first time, her joy was contagious when Din smiled the exact smile right back at his daughter. Finally realizing the resemblances, Osa lunged herself into Din's embrace, burying her face into the crook of his neck. With her action Din's heart swelled and held her tight, he didn't want this moment to end. He dragged it out for as long as he could when he heard her small voice whisper her first word he never wanted to stop hearing, "Papi."
"So that's the story, that's what you have been keeping from me?" Osa stated.
"Yes, I'm sorry I can't provide you with more. I tired to give you the best and normal life as possible…" when he was cut off.
"Papi you don't have to justify yourself, I wouldn't have my life any other way, actually I have you to thank for my life because who knows where I would be," Osa looked away almost ashamed that she was only seen as an experiment and not as a person when in the Empire's care.
"I wish I knew, I would have stopped Anara from…" again he was cut off.
"Papi, don't. We will never know her reasons for handing me over to the Empire, but I do have to give her some credit for making the right decision in the end and getting me to my father," Osa smiled big.
Din just smiled sadly still contemplating, which he knew he shouldn't.
"Do you still have doubts?" Osa could sense his inner struggle, a struggle he knew he shouldn't have, "Don't, you know why because I heard the three words Anara yelled at you."
Din glared at his daughter in awe and in terror.
"She said, 'Protect our child,'" Osa grinned wide as tears began to fill her eyes.
Din wasted no time and scooped Osa into the tightest hug he had ever given her, as both slightly whimpered within each other's embrace.
It was true, his doubts were for nothing, years of stupid torment he put himself through because Osa was his, she had always been his.
