Magnet for Trouble

by Virodeil

Instead of vanishing into oblivion, Jango's clones find themselves on the fields belonging to the Fett family after death, fresh as new. Now, what is a pair of farmers to do with the homeless, clueless millions of individuals bearing unnervingly close similarities to their children popping up all over their property? And what if the number increases even more with other people?

47. Reconcilliations, Part 3

Magnet for Trouble
By Rey

Chapter summary: Grudge is familiar. The weight of it is even more so. But when it is loosened up….

47. Reconciliations, Part 3

Assumption is…. It could twist realities. Lessons and trainers in the Journeyman Protector Academy taught Kote amply about that.

Well, apparently, this particular lesson ought to have been taught much earlier, and to not only beginner Protectors but also the general populace or at least clan heads. Because Kote's grieving-child's mind apparently misinterpreted what their parent had said while the grief for their other parent's passing had yet been so raw, while A'bu – their parent and, more importantly in this case, also Head of Clan Eldar – recently thought that Kote was with Death Watch, that Kote had left the Journeyman Protectors to be with Death Watch full-time, and began to get close to it in order to support them.

It has been a fraught conversation with fraught realisations for both sides, held at the outermost fence of the Fett farm with both leaning against the gate at either side but not crossing. It is a ridiculous situation, too, not to mention complicated with the possibility of eavesdroppers – accidental or otherwise – in such an open, unsecured space, but neither care about it at present.

Kote cares much of how A'bu's attention is riveted on the still-sleeping CC-1010 draped over Kote's front, however. And how calm and seemingly unconcerned A'bu is when they notify their flustered, awkward, thoughtful child that their armour's tracking system has noted a pair of long-ranged sniper rifles being trained on them to kill.

Kote wants to speak up, wants to defend themself and their new charges, wants to say that they have ordered the zealous, self-assigned little bodyguards not to do anything against their parent. A part of them wishes to introduce the children to A'bu, as well, and to invite A'bu into the farm, into their life, into whatever that will happen.

But, whatever the reason was and the new clarification has revealed, A'bu is still entangled with Death Watch, and Kote cannot in good conscience open their family to Death Watch.

They already took much risk with Jaster and, subsequently, the latter's faction. And it was as much because they had no say in how Jaster had muscled into their family's recent affairs as their long, abiding friendship and comradeship with that nosy lout.

They simply cannot take more risk. And they can help it, now. Because A'bu let them have that say.

So, half-reluctantly and half-gratefully, they offer their parent to hold CC-1010 for a little while.

But, surprisingly and pleasantly so, A'bu chooses to hold the child and Kote themself. All at once. By leaning over the waist-high-lowered gate and hugging them both, sandwiching CC-1010 between two armour-clad, sturdy bodies.

Kote cannot say that their hearts and steps feel lighter when they leave the gate that has been raised once more, also their parent who will immediately return to Manda'yaim. The revelations are weighing their thoughts and emotions in a different way, replacing the wound that they never realised had weighed them down. But the future surely feels at least a little lighter.