Author's Note: I don't own Star Wars or any characters.
/
Back on Din's starfighter, Din loaded Grogu into the old astromech socket ontop of the ship and gave him his ball. "Sorry about all that," Din said. "We shouldn't have come here." Grogu made a few indiscernible shrieks that Din was sure meant 'I don't know what you mean.' Din sighed. "Where did she even go?" He asked, knowing he wouldn't get a response. "Why did she just leave like that?"
Grogu blew a large bubble with his spit that he appeared to be very proud of. "Gross," Din told him. Then Grogu's stomach made a gurgling noise. Din sighed, "okay, food first, then we leave." Din lifted him back out of the Astromech. He didn't understand how something so little could eat so much. Out of curiosity, on his walk around the space port, he purposely walked around the long way, to the spot where he was certain he left the Razor Crest in. But it was gone.
He stopped someone walking by. "Excuse me, do you know where the Razor Crest went?" But the person shrugged him off and kept walking. Din ran over to the port manager. "The Razor Crest, that was just here, where did it go?" When he wasn't met with an immediate response, he took out a handful of credits and gave them over.
"I was told it was heading to Mos Espa," he said.
"Tatooine? Again? Why?!" Din cussed under his breathe.
The port manager raised his arms, "look I don't know, I just do the permits and take coin for passage."
Din sighed, "No, I know, sorry. Thank you."
Mos Espa? He thought. What game are you playing at Vissna?
/
With a happy Grogu, who now had a full tummy, Din was back on the chase. She had done this on purpose. She was tormenting him again. He felt like he had started all over again. Like it was all a dream and he had just now been given orders to collect this woman for Bo. Din clenched his jaw, but back to Mos Espa they went.
/
Din knew their unexpected visit would both confuse and delight Pelli, but he had no time or patience for formalities. As soon as he landed on her dock, he jumped out asking questions, "where's the Razor Crest?"
Pelli glared at him, "now hold on a minute, you just got here! You sure do visit a lot. I'm not complaining of course, you're a great customer and I get to see this little guy!" Pelli said as she pulled Grogu out of the ship to love on him.
"The Razor Crest, where is it?" He said again.
"I thought you liked your starfighter? I told you I don't have a Razor Crest for you." She said playing with Grogu's big green ears.
"No, I mean, I do like it. That's not what I'm asking. A Razor Crest was bound for Mos Espa. I need to know where it docked." He said.
"Another bounty of yours?" She asked but Din didn't answer. "Okay, keep your secrets. When should it have arrived? I'll ask around."
"Today, about now." He said shortly.
"Your ship could fly circles around some old Razor Crest. Maybe it isn't even here yet! Why don't you guys stay here for dinner. We can have a barbecue! Yes we can, yes we can," she said, nuzzling Grogu, "who's the cutest little stinker!"
"I don't have time, I have to find her before she leaves again!" He said, louder than he meant to.
Pelli gave him a knowing look that he didn't at all appreciate, "ahhhh so it's a girl."
"No," he said.
"You said it not me!" Pelli shrugged.
"No," he said again, this time pointing a finger at her.
"Okay, alright," Pelli said defensively, "So, what did you guys fly here together? Let me guess, her 'communicator's' broken? Because I hate to be the one to tell you Mando, but she's not into you."
"She's not my girlfriend," he said through clenched teeth.
"And she probably won't ever be," Pelli added.
Din sighed. "Please, ask your friends about the Razor Crest."
"Alright, Alright! Hey! Droids! Go around the docks and ask about a Razor Crest. Oh and bring something to eat for the little guy will ya! Come on, come on now, don't take all day about it!" Pelli shooed the droid's away.
"Thank you," Din said.
"You're welcome," Pelli replied, "Oh and, that informations gonna cost ya."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he replied.
/
Din had to admit, he really liked it on Mos Espa. Since Fett had taken over as Daimyo, the streets were much more pleasant. There was of course the occasional destroyed building, but the renovations were coming along nicely. He bet there would be a school here soon too and that Fett would fund it himself. He was a great person like that.
Din really wanted to wait for Pelli's news, but it was taking such a long time. And he was always welcome at Fett's Palace. He had said as much himself. So he got back into his ship with the kid on his lap.
"Hey wait! Where ya going!" Pelli yelled.
"We will have the barbecue another time, there's someone I want to see." He called out.
"Well leave me the kid at least! He wants to have his time with ol' Pelli." She said holding her arms out to take him.
"Fine," he said, holding the kid out for her.
She turned to one of her droids, "and he forgot to pay his docking fee," but just as she had said it she'd turned to find a pouch of credits on her toolbox, and smiled. "That womp rat."
/
Din flew into Fett's underground hanger, he was met with a few newer faces, people he recognized from Freetown. He was glad to see some of them stuck around. Being in Fett's palace didn't quite feel like home, he hadn't had that feeling since he'd lost his Razor Crest, but he did feel tremendously more relaxed.
"Anyone know if Boba's home?" He asked around.
"He's in the throne room," one of them answered.
The throne room it was.
/
