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Chapter 20

ochka – Yoda speak for "child"

~X~

"Peace is not my profession, it is yours. War is my profession. Should you fail at your job, I will not fail at mine."

~Mandalorian saying~

Koda led them down a number of hallways, several of which had them stooping over again in order to pass through, but eventually they came to another large room…one filled with sounds of laughter. Upon entering, they were greeted with the sight of at least a dozen versions of the kid, in all different sizes. Some appeared older than him, a few the same age, and quite a few who were younger still. Zax was there as well, racing around and yipping playfully as the little ones chased after him. The female who'd taken him from them at the meeting was sitting off to the side with other adults and gave them a nod of welcome when they arrived.

"Wait here with the kid, you should," Koda explained. "Find my kin I will and come back for you." Then ushering them inside, he exited and disappeared.

At first, all eyes turned to stare at the two intruders, but when there came a squeal of joy from the group, and the kid began waddling over to them excitedly, everyone settled down. He came up to Din, wrapping his stubby arms around his leg and jabbered on about something in a happy tone.

"Having fun, I see," he told the kid, reaching down and scooping him up. "Did that nice lady give you a frog to eat?"

"If she did, I hope it's all gone and he didn't stuff some leftovers in his pocket for later," Ravana whispered with a look of disgust, the three of them heading over to some benches against the wall. Once they were seated, Din set the little one back on the floor, whereupon he scurried over to where the other children were still playing with Zax.

"He looks content," Din commented, sounding both happy and sad at the same time.

"He's with his own kind," Ravana nodded, her tone matching his. "This is what we wanted…right?"

"I wanted him to be back with his parents," he corrected. "These may be his people, but does he have any true family left?"

"I know, I'd been hoping to find his mother or father waiting for him as well," she sighed. "Yet, apparently they gave their lives to protect him. It proves that he was loved a great deal."

"Their deaths will still scar him though, and he will carry that pain for the rest of his life," Din's words were solemn, speaking from experience. "I lost my family the same way. It will haunt him."

"Still…you came out all right," Ravana told him, trying her best to sound optimistic. "I mean, yeah, it turned you into an emotionaly-constipated recluse who hides behind a helmet and never laughs or has fun…but other than that, you're great!"

This caused Din to turn and stare at her, attempting to figure out if she was actually being serious or not.

"I'm kidding!" she laughed, slapping at his arm playfully. "Can't a Mandalorian take a joke?"

"When I hear one, I'll let you know," he huffed, swiveling his head back to watch the kid.

"Ha ha, very funny," Ravana said sarcastically. "I just thought things were getting a bit too serious, and right now I'm not sure I can handle any more of that. I think I'd rather look on the bright side and leave any thoughts of what's to come for later. All right?"

"Sounds good to me," Din agreed. They were quiet for a bit, just watching the children play, when he nudged her gently, pointing to where a group of females sat talking and watching their little ones. "Look over there, that third one on the left seems to have her kid in that pouch thing Koda spoke about."

Ravana did indeed see what he meant, for the dress she wore had a flap over her belly, and every now and then she could see a small head peeking out from under it. As she continued to watch, it stuck its little hand out and tried to grab hold of his mother's long hair that had come too close to its grasp. Ravana couldn't help but chuckle when it gave the lock a hard pull, causing the mother to look frustrated and gently attempt to dislodge it from the small offender.

"How they care for their young for over fifty years still amazes me," she said with a shake of her head.

"To them it's normal…I'm sure they don't give it a second thought," Din pointed out.

"True, but I'm nominating each one of these women for mother of the year! That's for sure," Ravana stated respectfully.

"Are you starting with that again?" Din questioned with a sigh.

"Don't worry…you're still in the running for father of the year," she assured him, patting his knee with a grin.

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They sat there for quite a bit longer, both of them enjoying the antics of the kid and his playmates. Ravana couldn't help but imagine that one day, far, far in the future, the little String-bean might actually grow up and marry one of the little girls he was now running around with. If his species was as small in number as Koda hinted at, it could very well happen.

Of course, that idea made her sad again, for there was a very good chance that she wouldn't be around to see that day. Either due to the fact that his people took him back, and they never saw him again…or if both she and Din had grown old and died by that time. No, this was not what she wanted to think about! Yet, in the next second, something happened that drove all of this from her mind, giving Ravana something new to worry about.

The kid had been playing with a group about his own size, the little tikes tossing colorful balls around and kicking them back and forth. When suddenly, with a squeal of glee, the String-bean raised his hands in the air and all the toys rose from the floor and began floating just above their heads. Every adult in the room gave an audible gasp, and a few even screamed. While the children were stunned by what they saw, some backing away from him in fear as others actually began to cry.

Immediately, the kid froze, his look of joy turning to one of panic as he dropped his hands, the balls falling to the floor as well. Din was on his feet in seconds, rushing over to where he stood, picking him up and offering comfort.

"Hey, it's all right," the Mandalorian told him softly, seeing that his big dark eyes were now welling up with tears of confusion. "You didn't do anything wrong. Everything's fine."

Ravana was at his side, rubbing the child's back soothingly as she smiled and spoke encouragingly to him as well. Even Zax had raced over, rising on his hind legs with his paws on Din's pants, trying to get as close to his friend as possible.

"Apologize, we do," the same female who had originally taken the child to the playroom said in a kind voice, having walked up without them noticing. "Frighten the youngling, we didn't mean to. Unexpected it simply was."

"We understand," Ravana assured her. "It's not anyone's fault, least of all his, but we realize it can be a bit startling."

"Still, perhaps its best if we keep him with us," Din suggested, not wanting the kid to feel afraid or different. Yet, he was different…there was no way to deny it, and he'd just made that abundantly clear to everyone in the room.

"No. Play he should," the female alien insisted, gesturing for a few of the other little ones to come over to her. "Explain I will, show them not to fear. Special this child is, not bad."

"No, he's not bad," Ravana agreed wholeheartedly, giving Din a pleading look. "Let him play if he wants to. Don't make him think he did something wrong."

"Come, ochka {child}," the woman said, holding out her hands to take him from the Mandalorian. "Make it all better, we will."

And though he seemed a bit hesitant, the kid did indeed go with the lady, while both Din and Ravana watched on anxiously. Yet, in no time, the String-bean was laughing and playing again, as more and more of the children chose to join him.

"He seems all right now…don't you think?" Ravana whispered, the two of them returning to their previous seats.

"Seems to be," Din answered, though not very confidently. "Though it's bound to happen again."

"He can't help it," Ravana said, sounding sad. "He has these powers, but no way to control them…not really."

"I know," he sighed. "And that's what worries me."

Just then, the door to the room opened and in came Koda, looking rather pleased with himself. Heading over to where they sat, he placed his hand on Din's shoulder.

"Found my kin, I have," he announced. "Invited me, as well as you three to stay with them, my cousin has." Koda then looked around, spotting the kid among the group of children. "Accepted, the little one has been?"

"Something like that," Ravana answers carefully, wishing that was the whole truth. "And that's very kind of your cousin, but we can easily stay on the Razor Crest."

"Offended my cousin would be if no you said," he insisted. "Big dinner she is making, honored guest you will be." He then headed for the door, gesturing for them to follow. "Come. The child you shall bring, follow me you must."

Ravana and Din shared a look…or as close to one as they could manage with his helmet obstructing things, and then did as they were told. Ravana retrieved the kid and Zax, thanking the kind woman again for her help, before taking their leave.

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Once more they were led this way and that, stooping over to get down one hallway, while able to walk upright in others, until they reached a small door. Koda didn't hesitate and pushed it open, ushering the three of them inside with Zax in tow. Thankfully, the room was tall enough so they could stand, though just barely, and more than once Din struck his helmet on the ceiling before he got the hang of things. It was a homey looking place though, one that Ravana could imagine the kid having lived in before he'd been taken.

"Nilla, this is. My mother's sister's child. And Moda, her mate," he introduced, the two smiling aliens appearing very welcoming. "Told them of you, I have, and how the child you've cared for."

"Admirable it is, for you to do so," Moda stated, gesturing for them to take a seat. "Welcome you are."

"Thank you," Ravana responded, knowing that Mando was not exactly the chatty kind. "You really don't need to go to any trouble for us."

"Trouble, it is not," Nilla insisted, bringing a large platter of food over to the table. "Honored to have you, we are. Eat, hungry you must be."

Ravana looked down at the meal their hosts had provided, her eyes growing wide at the odd, and still wiggling, items before her. The kid in her arms squealed with glee, his little hands reaching for the food, but she could only stare at it as dread washed over her. She would have to eat this, or hurt their feelings, wouldn't she?

"Your helmet remove, eat you must," Moda insisted, gesturing to Din's head covering.

"Please do not think me rude, but I cannot," he informed them with a respectful nod. "It's forbidden for those of my clan to do so in the presence of others."

"Oh," was all Nilla said, before turning to Ravana. "Eat for two then you must, much food there is."

"You're too kind," she said, swallowing the lump in her throat as she attempted to smile. She then looked up at Din, knowing that he was more than likely grinning under his helmet, proud of how he was able to avoid eating the creepy crawlers set before them. She would make him pay later, that was for darn sure.

In the meantime, Ravana chose to picture Din with the head of a Gungen, big eyed, big eared, and altogether goofy looking. It was childish, perhaps, but it made her feel better. If they weren't in mixed company, she would have taken a moment to make a face at him, but instead she squared her shoulders and picked up the least disgusting looking thing on the plate and popped it into her mouth, chewing quickly and swallowing it in one big gulp. She'd prepared herself to be gracious even if it killed her, but she was suddenly surprised that she didn't have to.

"That was delicious!" she announced, not even attempting to mask her astonishment. "What is it?" But then she thought better of it and added. "No…wait, don't tell me. Let it be a mystery." Turning to look at Mando, she helped herself to another item from the plate, giving him a look of utter satisfaction.

The rest of the meal went well, with much talk and laughter between Koda and his family. The kid was passed around, with Nilla monopolizing him most of the night. It turned out that she and Moda had known String-bean's parents and had grieved greatly when they had perished.

"Truly missed, Midda and Losho have been," Nilla told them sadly as she rocked the kid to sleep in her arms. "As are the others who in the raid were killed."

"We're very sorry to hear of their passing," Ravana offered in consolation. "But could you tell us, what they named him? We've been in a quandary about what to call him."

"Sorry, I am," Nilla answered. "Naming ceremony there has not been for him yet. No name written in scrolls. Until that day, all younglings known only as ochka, meaning child."

Ravana gave a heavy sigh and sat back in her chair. There went her last hope of attaching a true name to the kid. It felt so impersonal to continue to refer to him by the names they'd been using, but it would seem they had no choice. 'The kid' he would remain, at least while he was in their care…which, depending on how the council decided, might not be for much longer.

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When the hour grew late, Nilla and Moda showed them to where they would sleep, which, because they were presumably married, turned out to be a single room…with only one bed. Well, it wasn't exactly a bed, but instead a soft pallet on the floor with several warm blankets thrown on top. They apologized for not having a formal sleeping place for ones their size, yet Ravana was quick to assure them that what they provided was perfect, not wanting to seem ungracious. There was also a small bassinette in the corner for the kid, which Nilla placed him in before bidding them all good night.

"Leave some food, I will," Moda told Din, placing a bowl of colorful morsels on a nearby table. "Starve, we don't want you to."

Ravana maintained a pleasant smile the whole time they bid them goodnight, once more thanking them for their hospitality. However, the moment the door was shut, a look of panic quickly crossed her face.

"Ummm," she began, her eyes going from Din to the bed and then back again nervously.

"You take the bed," he announced, solving the issue. "I'll be fine over here against the wall."

On one hand she was relieved over his offer, but on the other, Ravana felt that was stupid. They were both adults, and friends, thus they could certainly share a bed without letting it throw them into a tizzy…right?

"Certainly not," she stated firmly. "It's a very large…sleeping pad. You can have that side, and I'll take this one. Simple as that." Ravana hoped her voice sounded more convincing to him than it did to her, and she waited anxiously for what he would say.

"Very well," was his calm response, acting more like she'd just suggested they share a meal than a bed.

Well, fine…if he could be so nonchalant about it, then so could she. However, that left her without any idea what to do next. Should they go right to bed…or talk a bit longer? Was there a protocol for situations like this, and if so, Ravana did not know what it was. So, to stall for time, she walked over to where the kid was sleeping, looking down into the bassinet with a fond smile.

Zax had jumped up inside as well, quite used to sleeping with his little playmate. It made her feel happy and safe, knowing that Zax would alert them to any danger that might befall the kid during the night. She could only imagine the sadness her zaktan would experience when it came time to part with their little green friend.

Of course that brought Ravana right back to thinking about having to leave the kid behind, something she'd managed to push from her mind for the past several hours. However, now back in full force, she found she couldn't hold back the tears any longer, the pain she knew she would feel already tearing at her heart like the claws of a vicious danker. It wasn't fair…no, not fair at all.

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Din had checked the door to make sure they were safe for the night, and just finished removing his gloves and cuirass, when he heard the first sob coming from Ravana. Turning, he saw that she was standing beside the kid's bed, and her shoulders were shaking. Hurrying to her side, he looked into the crib, thankful to see that nothing was wrong with the sleeping pair, but that left him at a loss of what had upset his companion.

"Ravana?" he questioned, placing a cautious hand on her shoulder. He truly hoped she wasn't crying about him not insisting on sleeping elsewhere. It had been her idea to share the bed, not his. Though, to be honest, he hadn't exactly fought to get his way in the matter…in fact he was actually looking forward to it. "What's wrong?"

He'd expected her to answer, to offer some explanation, but instead, she whipped around and threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his middle and burying her face against his chest, her sobs only growing in strength.

"It's not fair!" she said out loud. "It's not fair that his parents died. Not fair that he was taken from them and tossed out into the galaxy. And it's not fair that we'll have to give him up if he's ever to have a normal life."

Ahhh, so that's what this was all about. And Din couldn't blame her one bit. Normally, emotional women unnerved him, but this he understood…this grief he shared. So, reaching out, he wrapped his own arms around her shoulder and held her to him in a comforting embrace. However, words were never his strong suit, and now was no different, so instead, he began to stroke the back of her head with one hand.

Shutting his own eyes, he relished the feel of her tresses as they came undone from the pins that held them in place, allowing it to fall loose down her back. Once more his wicked mind began to conjure up visions of the two of them engaged in activities he should not be entertaining. Yet, she felt so good in his arms, so comfortable and right.

"Why does life have to be like this, Din?" she asked, pulling him from his errant thoughts. "Why?"

"I don't know," was all he could say. "I've asked myself that a million times after losing my own parents. Just as I'm sure you did when yours died. It's just how things are. But maybe…just maybe, the kid fell into our hands because we'd lived through the same thing he has, and we understand what he's going through."

"Do…do you really think so?" she asked, her sobs having dwindled down to sniffles.

"I'd like to think so," he told her, pulling back until he was able to look directly into her lovely green eyes. "Because if not, then why would an adorable kid, a beautiful woman, a protective zaktan, and one emotionally-constipated Mandalorian have been thrown together?"

This had the desired effect, and Ravana couldn't help but laugh at his jest.

"Thank you, Din," she smiled, wiping at her tears. "You might not say much, but when you do…it's always just what I need to hear."

"You're welcome," he said, happy that for once he had been able to say the right thing.

Hip-hip-hooray! Din FINALLY said something right!

And how did you like all the little Yoda-roos playing in the room? What a bunch of adorableness!

Me personaly, I would WANT a friend who could move objects with his mind...it would come in handy when I needed a soda from the frig and didn't want to get up out of my chair in front of the TV. ha ha.

Well, looks like Mando and Ravana are sharing a bed tonight...what WILL happen? Tune in Monday and find out.

Guest Reviews:

Elizabethpage Guest: Well, if one needs to have an obsession, a story sounds like a very harmless one. ha ha. Thanks, I appreciate you saying so! T.O.W.G.

Baby Yoda Lover: Yep, I'm working hard to stay at several chapters ahead of you all. I too would like to post them all at times, anxious for you to see what's happening where I'm currently writing, but I'm afraid then you would have to wait for me to write fast and I don't do well under pressure. ha ha. You can have a crush on Mando all you want. I do too...I would have to in order to devote all this time writing about him, wouldn't I? Yep, the very Wookie he sounded like when talking to the Jawas. ha ha. And I give you full permission to write whomever you want that works on the Mandalorian about my story, especially if you are somehow related to one of the producers! ha ha. You say you are not a Star Wars geek, well, I guess you would say I used to be...back when the first three movies came out. I even joined the Star Wars fan club and still remember my "Force Number" by heart...how's that for geeky? ha ha. I'm glad you are enjoying my story and yes, we all have been limited on who we can talk to these days. Sucks, huh? Thanks again and see you on Monday. T.O.W.G.

Lilais: Yeah...it's always great when a new chapter arrives, but sad when you get to the end of it. I hear ya! And like I told Elizabethpage above, if one needs an adiction, a story is a very safe thing to be addicted to. So read on! I'll make more! Thanks! T.O.W.G.

Phantom Guest: I'm glad you are enjoying my crazy ideas about the Yoda species. You like my little Yoda-roos? And of course they are still finding out how to navigate their new marriage, which IS totally real...they are just refusing to see it that way. But for all intents and purpouses, they ARE MARRIED. I too was sad to write that his family is dead, but I just didn't see any other way around it. Thankfully, we never knew them, so the hurt is a little less. Thanks for the wonderful review as always! T.O.W.G.