Not only Mando and Carl but everyone treated me different after that morning. While Mando and especially Carl grew more protective- if that were possible- the locals actively avoided me. I think they saw me as a threat; a risk to everyone around me. Carl, by contrast, wouldn't leave my side. This worked out as Mando went back to the ship before us; he didn't say why. Carl was tasked with watching over me while he was gone, which Carl did without complaint.
Realizing that this would probably be my last time to take a bath for the foreseeable future, I took the opportunity to clean myself. Carl stationed himself behind a tree, keeping his arms folded and eyes on the village just in case. I'll admit, I felt safer knowing Carl was nearby, though I do wish it was Mando. I still don't know why he went ahead of me.
The Mandalorian wasn't gone for long though. Soon enough he returned, and we loaded up the cart. Once that was done, Carl helped me get onto the cart. He looked at me, then at Mando; they were standing beside each other. "You sure you got nothing to tell me?" Carl asked for the last time. "No," Mando stated simply and to the point; I think he was being cautious about who knew about my bounty. Even our friend Carl… The ex-shock trooper eyed him for a moment then nodded. "Are you sure you don't want an escort?" "I appreciate the offer, but we're going to by past the town and head right to the razor crest." Carl put his bag over his shoulder. "Well then, until our paths cross," he held out his hand for Mando's. The Mandalorian didn't hesitate to take it. "Until our paths cross."
Then Carl looked at him. His lips first curled into a slight, nervous frown before he forced himself to grin. "And you- take care of yourself, ok?" "I will," I smiled back. To my surprise, Carl's smile turned genuine. His hand reached up to touch my cheek; I actually blushed quite frazzled when he caressed it. After a moment, Carl drew back his hand and gave Mando a serious expression; his grin faded once more. "She'd better be in one piece the next time we meet."
Mando and I rode the cart back to the ship. I helped Mando load everything back onboard. I had just carried a box on when Mando approached me from the open door; he stopped just near me and I could sense his eyes on me. "Saoirse." "Yes?" I set the box down and straightened up to face him. "Follow me," he directed before heading further into the ship. I did as I was told- I let the Mandalorian lead me to a small room I'd never noticed before. It wasn't really a room; more like a bed with a door. That's when I noticed that my cot was nowhere to be found.
"This is for you," Mando stood aside, letting me see the bed in the compact chamber. My feet shuffled closer so I could get a good look; my head popped inside curiously. "A bed?" I blinked back at him astonished. "I thought it would be more comfortable than the cot," was his reply. All I could was stare- stare in utter astonishment. He made this…. for me? Just so I would be comfortabler and sleep better? Mando watched my dumbfounded and elated expression, patiently waiting for me to break the silence.
"This is why you came back earlier?" I heard the sound of my own voice seconds later. He nodded softly. My eyes merely glanced back to the bed. This…. is the kindest gesture anyone has ever done for me; well, anyone still alive anyway. I just didn't know what to say… I suddenly felt all light and bubbly inside. Still at a loss for words, a wide, organic smile luminated across my lips as I peered back at the Mandalorian. My fingers reached out to caress the top of the bed's covers. "Thank you; that was so nice of you…. Thank you." Why he did this, I had no explanations, but I was just so grateful. Mando may be the "strong, silent" type, but he shows his kindness in quiet, sincere ways.
"One more thing," the Mandalorian pulled something out from behind his back. Like a flip had been switched, my grin immediately faded once he revealed a blaster; one I'd never seen before. I frowned, gazing up to him now reluctantly. Despite my initial reaction, he still held it out for me. "Keep this on your person at all times," he directed. I folded my arms, hiding my hands under my armpits. "I'm not taking that." "It's just a precaution." "Mando, you know I took a vow against killing anything- even my enemies. I can't use that," I stood my grounds. So did Mando. "You don't have to kill anyone. If someone targets you again, you can shoot them in the hand or the leg." "Mando…." I hesitated. "You'll have an easier time escaping if you do," he wouldn't stop foisting it on me.
Now, I know why he's doing this. The scenario back there must have really alarmed him; it must have hit home to Mando that he won't always be around to protect me. That, and I'm woefully unarmed. Without him or Carl there, I'm practically a sitting duck; I was when he came got me, after all. Yet I already knew that I'd never use that blaster, and I have a feeling Mando also knew that too. But my possessing it would simply make him feel better- though I had a sneaking suspicion that he told himself it was to make me feel better. Heh, men.
Seeing as he wasn't going to let this go, I reluctantly took the gun; it was a lot heavier than I imagined it being. Mando watched me inspect it over; after that, he gave me a quick lesson on how to use it and keep it clean. I thanked him and set it down onto the bed. Seemingly satisfied with that, the Mandalorian went back to the control centre and begun to fly our ship away from the planet. We never returned to Sorgan.