A soft grunt emitted from the man, who turned his head away, his eyes seeking the helmet that sat beside him.
"You know, it won't burn if you put it back on."
"Yes, but I have broken my creed. I've forfeited my right to wear it."
She sat in silence, moving her own helmet so she could look at it. The blue and white tattoos across the surface of the metal glistened in the lights of the comms panel, making the black eye slits look almost luminescent. "One of the things I learned as a child was that Mandalorians are unique. We celebrate foundlings as much as those born to our own blood. We accept the differences, as much as we live by the creeds we swear to."
She looked sidelong at Din, a little smile playing on her lips, as an idea occurred to her. "You know, if you have broken the creed of the Children of the Watch, that doesn't make you less Mandalorian. It just means you are growing as a man."
He met her gaze, but in his mind could hear the voice of the enigmatic matriarch of the Tribe. "How can one be a coward if one chooses this way of life?"
"If you say there is more than One Way then so help me, we'll see who really owns this dank farrik laser sword!" He rose to his feet, walking beyond Bo-Katan, leaving his helmet where it sat.
"Din Djarin, of clan Mudhorn, listen to me." Setting her own helmet down beside his with a thud, she stood to face him, eyes flashing as she spoke. "Under Mandalorian creed, as scion of house Kryze and leader of the Nite Owls, hear me."
The silence on the bridge was palpable, as all eyes turned. Koska Reeves fingered her rifle, contemplating putting her helmet on, because if this was going to kick off, it could become dangerous.
He slowly turned, hand sliding towards the blaster at his hip, as one clan leader regarded the other. Tension rose in the air, as the firey glint of Bo-Katan's eyes met the dark brown gaze of Din Djarin, every muscle tense, every sense heightened.
"For your service to Mandalore, for your bravery, for your honor, I recognise Clan Mudhorn as part of house Kryze. I recognise Din Djarin as a warrior in our house, as an honoured member of our company. Do you accept my invitation to join houses and clans?"
Djarin stared. This was not what he expected! This, of all things. His eyes tightened in pain, as if this were a final betrayal of those who rescued him as a child. He bit his lip, as emotion played across his face. Usually none would see the emotion, none would see the doubt, the fear, the longing, but his helmet was no longer in place. He lowered his gaze and in that moment surrendered, cutting the tension in the room.
"Will you join the Nite Owls, Din?" she asked, her tone more hushed.
He had nothing else to live for right now, he had nothing to drive him, and she knew it. But what she offered was further meaning to his life. And he knew that.
Raising his mailed fist to his chest, he bowed a little. "As the head of Clan Mudhorn, I swear fealty to house Kryze. I give you my life, my strength and honor."
"This is OUR way." she said, a smile playing on her lips.
"This is our way" responded Reeves, as she watched in wonder.
Djarin smiled a little, reaching for the Darksaber. "In honor of the great battle Clan Kryze and Clan Mudhorn has just won, I pledge this blade for the greater glory of Mandalore."
"You came here as Din Djarin, foundling and house-less. We leave here as House Kryze, one house, several clans. Fighting for Mandalore and all Mandalorians."
"Then let's go free our home. Together."