"Oh! Nemo be careful!"
Nemo grunted and frowned to himself in annoyance as his overprotective father watched him spar with Claire, gasping, hissing, and cringing every few seconds in worry and fear he'd take a hit. While he tried to be understanding of his father's concern, he couldn't help but feel he was being a little ridiculous. They were using sticks today, meaning he was in no real danger of injury.
Marlin, the older Mon Calamari and Nemo's father, looked just like his son, only he had two long fleshy tendrils on his upper lip and a barbel on his chin showing his advanced age. Nemo's father had never left their home of Daac. But when offered a chance to see his one and only son he'd accepted, braving the stars before arriving on Punjam Hy Loo to see him.
Marlin's worrywart tendencies had not at all faded since Nemo's absence and Jedi training.
Nemo couldn't help but be irked by that.
His sparring match with Claire ended, prompting Marlin to rush up to Nemo and hug him before checking him over for injuries. Nemo suppressed a groan in embarrassment.
"I'm fine dad," Nemo said to assure his father while trying to keep the annoyance from leaking into his voice.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes dad, she didn't even hit me," Nemo insisted.
After that Nemo led Marlin to his room so they could speak and catch up.
"Are you eating ok?" Marlin asked.
"Yes dad."
"Are you sleeping enough?"
"Yes dad."
"Are you making friends?"
"Yes dad."
"Are they nice?"
"Yes dad."
"Do they bully you?"
"No dad."
"Are you sure you don't want to come back home?"
"Yes dad," Nemo said as he tried not to roll his eyes. They made it to Nemo's room where they each took a seat on a cushion. They spoke, Nemo filling in his father on what he'd been up to. He showcased his Force telekinetic abilities and spoke about his mission off world.
He regretted that.
Marlin gasped dramatically, immediately asking Nemo if he was ok. Nemo stared blankly at his father, as if his presence wasn't enough of an indicator that he'd come out of the ordeal in one piece.
"Yes dad."
The next few minutes consisted of Nemo's father asking him more questions, mainly about his health and well being, to which Nemo would confirm that he was fine.
Nemo felt his patience dwindling. Luckily he was given a reprieve.
"Nemo! Yahoo!" Lan Wu said as she peeked into the room.
"Lan Wu, come meet my dad!" Nemo said, glad for the distraction. Lan Wu entered the room, coming to sit beside Nemo. "Dad, this is Lan Wu. She's my closest friend here," Nemo said as he gestured to her. "She's a Gungan."
"Hello dere," Lan Wu said as she extended a hand. Marlin smiled as he extended his hand and shook hers. He introduced himself.
"I'm going to get some drinks," Nemo chimed in as he left the room. He just needed a moment from his dad. He quickly got some cups, a small tray, and some fruit juice. He made his way back to his room, not wanting to leave his closest friend with his father for too long.
Nemo paused just outside his room, peeking in and staring as Lan Wu had a casual conversation with his father. He smiled, glad to see the two of them getting along. He entered, taking a seat by Lan Wu and offering her and his father the drinks. Lan Wu smiled and took a cup. Marlin did the same. Nemo reached for his cup, wrapping his metal fingers around it before lifting it off the tray.
Then suddenly it slipped. With lightning fast reflexes Lan Wu caught it. Marlin and Lan Wu looked to Nemo as he stared at his metal hand. Both Lan Wu and Marling could hear it whirring and creaking as he attempted to curl his fist. Nemo frowned at his hand.
Marlin was about to stand up and help Nemo make some adjustments to his hand like he always used to when to his surprise Lan Wu extended a hand. From a corner of the room a small container floated over to them. Marlin recognized it as Lan Wu set it in her lap and opened it, revealing an assortment of small tools. Nemo extended his arm, setting in down on Lan Wu's lap and letting her unwrap it. Once she had removed the bandages she removed the cover and began fine tuning it, making minor adjustments, making the robotic fingers twitch and curl.
Marlin watched on in shock. Nemo had always been touchy about his hand, barely tolerating Marlin adjusting it. But he just sat calmly by as Lan Wu cleaned out the interior and and continued making the adjustments.
"Haven't fine tuned it in a while. Master Hiccup said he was going to get me a new one eventually," Nemo told his father. He nodded, eyes still wide.
Eventually Lan Wu finished her work. She rewrapped Nemo's hand. He curled and uncurled his fingers with a smile.
"Thanks Lan Wu," he told her genuinely. Ever since Hiccup's advice he'd taught her the basic components of maintaining his hand. Another person doing it for him was easier than him doing it himself.
The rest of Marlin's visit consisted of more conversation, this time however Marlin did keep asking questions about his well being, health, and safety.
Eventually it was time for Marlin to go. Nemo joined his father outside the temple as a rebel ship remained by the temple in preparation to take him back home.
"Ok Nemo. Well be good," Marlin said.
"Yes dad," Nemo said with a nod.
"And, well...good luck with training son," Marlin said with a smile. Nemo smiled and nodded at him. Father and son gave each other one last hug, Marlin rubbed his son's head fondly. No parent wanted to let their child go, but at least could go knowing his son was ok. Surrounded by friends and people who cared about him.
"Bye son," he said before releasing him and turning to enter the rebel transport.
Nemo sighed, but smiled as he watched his dad fly off. His dad may have been a worrywart...but it just meant he cared.
