Obi-Wan stands at the edge of the ramp, his arm resting against the support bar of the ship, as he looks out at the little camp Fett had made. A calm fire burning, the large cargo ship still looming behind it, blending in with the night sky.
He could see Boba and Fett talking, sitting next to each other, though just barely.
"I didn't realize the Manda'lore had an heir," Satine's voice says from behind. Looking back up the ramp, he sees her walking down, her arms crossed and a light smile on her face.
His eyes take her in softly, her beauty unwavering in this cold, no doubt because of the regal coat she's wearing. Obi-Wan looks back at the duo in the distance, shaking his head.
"He doesn't, not yet, though it is only a matter of time," He says, his arm wrapping around her waist, and her head laying on his shoulder. He pulls her in closer, tighter, grounding himself in reality with a breath.
"It's not going to go well if Fett sees us like this," Satine says quietly, her presence in the Force wrapping around him gently, dancing along his sense. Obi-Wan smiles though, his head pressing against hers.
"He's too far, and quite honestly, seems a little too busy at the moment," He whispers, his free hand moving from the ramp and grasping her own. Her hand squeezes his, as she looks up at the stars.
"Must we go and talk to him?" Satine asks, already knowing the answer as her eyes leave the sky and look into his own. He nods his head, unable to look away.
"He won't stay for long, he'll be gone by the morning, tonight is going to be our only chance," He says, pulling away from her, and staking a step off the ramp. Satine smiles at him, then crosses her arms, following down.
"We can pick this back up once he's gone my dear," She says leading the way across the sandy ground, the wind forcing the grains to rush by, her cloak lightly billowing, trying to follow.
"What are you planning on saying?" Obi-Wan asks as they get closer, his hands clasped behind his back. Satine sighs, and shakes her head.
"I have no idea," She says, her slight frown turning to a little smile when Boba's voice starts to become clear.
"And then he lifted me in the air, and he was…" Obi-Wan heard, making him laugh softly.
"It sounds like you two had fun," Satine whispers, making sure not to draw Boba's attention away from his story. Ben shrugs a little, his stride slowing as they finally get close, standing at the edge of their camp.
He could see Jango lying on his side, his eyes flickering towards them, but he doesn't say anything, just nodding his head as he eats more of his meal, listening to Boba's story.
"And then I got shot, but he grabbed me and he flew us into the ship!" Boba continued grinning wide, his hands gesturing wildly as he leans against a boulder, his own meal sitting next to him.
Fett's keen eye looks towards Boba's shoulder again, before looking into Ben's eyes, a bit of anger leaking into his stare. Ben could sense it, the loathing, the anger at the Jedi, the mistrust, and the need for revenge. But he could also feel the gratitude, the thanks for freedom.
"Hello there," Obi-Wan says, smiling at Boba as he quickly sits up and turns. The boy tries to get up quickly, but with a little wave of his hand, Obi-Wan gently pushes him back down.
"Slow down Boba, you need to heal, and you need to eat," He says gently, Fett chuckling a little, making them look at him, confused.
"I've been telling him to do so for the past twenty minutes, but he wants to tell his story," Fett says, Boba nodding along quickly. He picks up his bowl, and takes a few large bites, trying to sit still as he does.
Obi-Wan smiles at him, nodding his head in understanding. Anakin used to do the same thing, Ashoka as well.
"May we sit," Satine asks Fett, with a polite, but forced smile on her face. Obi-Wan could sense Fett's restrained anger, and already felt Satine's strained frustration at the situation that they've found themselves in.
At Fett's nod, Satine and Obi-Wan take a seat across from him, Satine has to take a moment to get comfortable on the sand-ridden stone, unlike Ben, who sat right at home. A moment of silence between them all, everyone sizing each other up, the only things that can be heard are the wind and Boba eating.
"So, Duchess, I assume you sent the Jet'ii to free me? Something you need?" Fett asks calmly, letting his spoon fall back into his bowl, resting his eyes on hers fully now.
"We need the Manda'lore," Satine says simply, "Mandalore is under constant attack, the people are rioting, our nation is split in half, and theirs only so much I can do with my position," She continues, looking down at her lap for a second before she straightens again, more determined.
"Mandalore needs a leader," She says desperately, her eyes pleading in the same way her words do. Fett though, looks down at the ground, a frown marring his young face. The heavy silence from before returns as he thinks.
He could sense Satine's nervousness, her growing hope that she could finally help her people. He could sense Fett's anger, and his grief, but also growing happiness. His eyes move towards Boba for a second before focusing back.
"I am not the Manda'lore," Fett says quietly, "I haven't been for a… a long time," He finishes, shaking his head, looking back at them.
"But you are the Manda'lore, the right is yours by centuries of law," Satine says firmly, "You swore by the Resol'nare, in the same way, that every Mandalorian does," She continues, anger lacing her voice.
"I betrayed that oath long ago Duchess, my soul is already gone," He says quickly, sitting up, a scowl on his face. Satine's eyes harden on his, not allowing him to feel anything but her burning stare.
"You claim to not be of Mandalore then?" She asks quietly. Fett lets a low growl out, returning her glare.
"I will always be Mandalorian," He says looking down at the ground again, his hand gripping his knee tightly.
"Not by right, law, or death, if what you say is true," She says firmly, the wind rushing past her, her hair blowing in the breeze. Boba, still sitting next to the boulder, has his legs tucked up into his chest, and his arms wrapped around his knee.
"What does she mean Jango?" Boba asks quietly, his fear palpable in the Force. Obi-Wan gives him a smile of reassurance and sends small waves of comfort to the boy. Fett doesn't answer, his eyes glued to the floor.
"It means that he's not a part of Mandalore anymore Boba, that he can't claim any titles, he can't lead anyone, or in general terms, help anyone," Obi-Wan says with a sigh. Boba's eyes dart between all of them, his confusion still so strong in the Force.
"But, what did he do wrong?" Boba asks, looking to Obi-Wan for more answers, Ben shakes his head though, and leans forward.
"It seems that he doesn't want to come back, and if he doesn't, it would mean he's running away," Obi-Wan says slowly, "And that's not the way of Mandalore," Ben says.
"But why does he have to come back at all? Didn't you guys say that a lot of people are running? Why can't someone else lead?" Boba asks quickly, leaning forward to match Ben. Satine shakes her head, looking out towards the horizon.
"Yes Boba, a lot of people are running, but they aren't the leaders of Mandalore, Jango is, and the only way he'd be able to pass the title on, would be to die or lose the title in single combat," Obi-Wan says.
"You've never lost a fight?" Boba asks turning to Jango, who laughs bitterly, still looking at the ground.
"I've lost fights Boba, just never in single combat, not to anyone who could be considered a Mandalorian at least," Fett says, finally lifting his head and smiling at Boba, just a little. Ben could sense his thoughts though, his feelings, and they felt very much like his own.
"But then why aren't you going to help them?" Boba asks, looking at Satine, then at Jango.
"He's scared," Ben says, nodding, speaking to Satine and Jango, as much as he is the boy. Satine looks back to the group, her frown of dashed hopes still on her lips.
"Being a leader isn't easy, you have to make impossible decisions, decisions that can hurt people, get them killed, and sometimes, you just can't live with that," Ben says softly.
Boba looks at all of them, Ben, Jango, Satine, all of them sitting in silence.
"He's right, it isn't easy, but it is necessary," Satine finally says, "And the only one who can do this is you," She continues, staring into Jango's eyes. He shakes his head, standing up, with Satine and Obi-Wan quickly following, Boba only a second later.
"I don't know how," Jango says. He turns around and starts walking away, the three left behind all watching as he goes.
"I can help you," Obi-Wan calls out to him. Satine and Boba both look at him with curiosity, one of disbelief, and the other excitement respectfully.
"And how can you help me Jet'ii?" Jango asks, still walking.
"I can teach you how to lead," He says, taking a step forward a moment after Jango pauses. He could hear the small sigh coming from the younger man.
"That's not something you can teach," Jango says, shaking his head, and looking up towards the sky.
"I've had a lot of practice, teaching… And being a leader," Ben says softly, "I can guide you, show you how to make smarter choices, how to evolve, adapt, learn the battlefield of diplomacy and compassion," He offers, his voice filled with kindness and a surety.
"You've been a leader Jet'ii? A leader to your people?" Jango asks, slowly turning around, "Have you ever had to watch those people burn Jet'ii?" Jango growls eyes narrowed.
"Have you had to watch everyone your supposed to lead die by your orders, your failures?" He questions, stalking forward until he's only a foot in front of the Jedi. Ben stands firm, his hands held softly behind his back.
"Yes," Ben says softly, "My entire life, since I was boy, I've fought in hundreds of battles, killed and saved so many, I've lead armies, and defeated them," he continues, his eyes swimming in memories of times long ago.
I have loved so many people, lost so many, and I have been alone for so long that I sometimes wonder if I'm not dreaming," He finishes quietly, the crackling fire and the wind the only things to accompany his words.
"Yes, I can teach you, if you'd like me to," Obi-Wan says, giving him a small sad smile. They both stand there, in silence, one thinking, and another hoping.
"Why should I trust you Jet'ii?" He asks quietly.
"Because you already do," Ben says just as quietly, turning to Satine and walking over to her with a smile. Boba quickly walks over to Jango, playing with his hands, nervousness still flowing from him.
"And worst comes to worst, you can always run again," He calls over his shoulder as he and Satine walk back towards their ship. Jango and Boba watch as they go.
"What are you gonna do?" Boba asks looking up at the Mandalorian, the curiosity burning through him. Jango looks down at the boy, and stares for a moment, before smiling.
"We, are going to bed," He says putting a hand on his shoulder, and walking over to the fire. Boba walks over to their leftover food, storing it in a few containers.
Jango starts kicking sand onto the fire, putting it out for the night, but his eyes keep straying back to where the Jet'ii had gone, his mind a mess of thoughts on what he should do.