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Fennec was waiting on the landing pad as Boba brought the Slave 1 in on Tatooine’s surface. He’d sent a message as soon as he came out of hyperspace, but she was still giving him that look that meant he’d failed to properly keep her up to date on something important.
Though it could be whatever was happening with the Pykes.
Boba came down the gangway in full armor, Grogu standing on his right shoulder, gripping his range finder for balance.
“Kid.” To Boba, Fennec just raised an eyebrow.
“Pykes?” Boba asked dryly.
“We’ll visit town tomorrow, make it clear you’re back. Mando?”
Boba grinned under his helmet. “Mando?” he called back up the gangway. “Come on. It’s just Fennec.” He turned back to Fennec. “You’re not going to believe this.”
A rumbling grumble echoed out of the ship.
“Believe what? That you brought the rancor a friend?” Fennec said dryly.
“Not exactly.” Boba chuckled, then yelled, “Come on, Mando. Get it over with.”
:I could just stay in here.:
But even with the protest, Mando slowly slunk into view, his horned head leading the way.
For a long second, Fennec’s jaw dropped. But she recovered and plastered on an unimpressed look. “Cute.”
“Well, I think so, but my taste has long been considered warped,” Boba said, letting his fondness bleed into his voice. “I do hope you got those extra banthas. Keeping both of them fed has been a challenge.”
“Boba, this really isn’t the time for jokes. Where’s Mando?”
Oh, Fennec had crossed her arms.
“No joke. Apparently the sacred waters of Mandalore can have side effects.”
She continued to look unimpressed. Safe to say she didn’t believe him. Even with the whole of Mando now standing on the sands, looking about as though looking for snipers. As he always did.
Boba sighed. “Mando, maybe you can convince her.”
Mando sighed. :Can’t you just—:
Boba shook his head.
Grumbling, Mando rolled onto his back, looking very wary and uncomfortable doing so. And he signed. “It’s me, Sarlacc Steps. Shines in Sunlight. Sarlacc Bait is right. The sacred waters did this.”
Fennec blinked. She was still looking unimpressed, but Boba could tell she was frozen with shock. It happened very rarely, but he had seen it before.
He also hoped she never got enough Tusken to realize exactly what they had named her. Though, really, it was a lot more complimentary than his name.
“Mando?” she finally whispered.
Rolling back onto his feet, Mando nodded his huge head.
Finally, Fennec rubbed her hand over her face and pressed her forehead into her palm. “Right. You officially don’t pay me enough for this kark.” And then, because she really was the best, she added, “You know he’s not going to fit in the rooms we’d prepared. He won’t even fit in the hall.”
“He’d fit,” Boba said, considering how Din had fit in the ship, but Fennec had a point. “But it wouldn’t be pleasant. Did we ever clean out the old slug’s rooms?” They’d done a lot of basic maintenance and scrubbing in those first weeks.
“Eh,” Fennec said, thinking hard. “First pass only. Doubt anyone’s dusted since. I’ll get maintenance on that right now.”
“Appreciate that. I’ll go show my face and let everyone start getting used to Mando while that’s done.” It was time to get back out of the suns, certainly. They were approaching the heat of the day and most everyone with sense was headed somewhere coolish for a nap. It would be a good time to settle into the throne room.
Fenned grunted. “Kid, you ever need a break from these two, come find me.”
The kid, who’d been quietly watching this whole time, let out a cooing trill before launching himself from Boba’s shoulder. He landed perfectly on Mando’s back and settled in with a pat to his buir’s (parent’s) skin.
“Huh.”
“Tell me about it,” Boba said to Fennec’s mutter. “I almost shot him to protect the kid when I first spotted them.”
Something settled in Fennec’s stance. “What the kark is he, anyway?”
“Mythosaur.” Boba tapped the symbol on his pauldron. “Sacred to the Mandalorians. Long since extinct.”
“Huh.” And with one more long look, Fennec wandered off.
***
Boba stuck with the wider, taller halls on the way into the Palace. It wasn’t his norm. He was happy taking back paths and servants’ tunnels normally. But he was trying to make Mando more comfortable. The big halls were all Hutt sized.
Most of the staff was tucked away for the heat or on duty (guard duty went all day and all night), but every guard or staff they passed stared in shock. Boba figured his street cred was going to skyrocket for a bit. Especially if anyone figured out Din was a Mythosaur and that those were extinct.
The first to actually approach was Drash, the nominal leader of the Mods. They spent a fair amount of time in the city, but Boba could understand why they might come back to the Palace if the Pykes were nosing about.
“Good to see you back, boss.” Her gaze was decidedly on Mando and the kid.
“Good to be back. Anything I need an update on?” Boba stood straight, ignoring her distraction.
Snarky brat, she raised her eyebrow and countered, “Anything I need an update on?”
Boba chuckled. “Nothing much. Just went to get Mando and the kid on Mandalore.”
Looking past his shoulder, Drash said, “Looks like you came back with a bit more.”
Glancing over his shoulder, Boba was glad his smile was hidden by his helmet. “Nope. Well, there is a few tons of sand in my cargo bay. Actually, could you get someone to shift that into the slug’s old room once it’s cleaned?”
Drash blinked once or twice, then muttered something under her breath about crazy old guys. “Yeah, sure. Good to see you again, kid.”
:You’re messing with your people?:
Boba patted Din on the shoulder. “Come on, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You know my sense of humor.” He’d made enough clone jokes since they met.
A mythosaur apparently could look disbelieving. So could a little green troll.
Boba shrugged and continued on to the throne room. There he found the usual slackers drinking his booze and hiding from the sun. They ignored him, at first, and then started watching as they processed Mando’s presence. Then as Boba settled into his throne and Mando circled to find a good spot to settle, they stared.
Kark, this was going to be fun.
Boba ignored the stares just as he ignored Mando’s mumbles of complaint about the sand and the hard stone and that there was no spot really big enough for him.
Finally, if only to keep from laughing, Boba turned to the yet again shifting mythosaur and said, “Do I need to move the throne enough for you to have a place to settle down? Or I could introduce you to the rancor and you could settle down under the floor.” He made sure his voice was loud enough to draw attention.
Mando gave Boba a dark glare. :The last time we met, your rancor tried to bite my head off.:
“Yes, well, it had been a difficult day,” Boba replied. “And I should have introduced you before the battle.”
Huffing, Mando leaned into the side of the throne until the great stone mass slid to the left several feet, setting Boba off center on the dais.
“Fennec is going to get huffy about that.” It would change all her sight lines from her usual perches. Still, she’d laugh eventually.
:She’ll adjust.: And Mando dismissed the matter, curling up on the patch of stone that was now big enough for him, barely.
Once Mando was settled, the kid finally left his buir’s shoulders and launched himself to the arm of the throne.
“Come to help me with court?” Boba asked, reaching out to tweak the kid’s ear.
“Patoo.”
:He says your people look suspicious.:
Boba nodded in thanks for the translation, though he’d had a hunch the kid was trending that thought path from the way his little eyes were slitted and scanning the room. “I’d think you’d be used to suspicious types, places you travel with your buir.”
“Ah."
Mando’s head came up fast, and half the people in the room jumped. :It’s not your responsibility to take care of me. : He went nose to nose with the kid.
Boba rubbed Mando’s jaw line as it came into reach “You’re not alone in that goal anymore,” he said. “We’ll both work on taking better care of your buir.”
“Ba,” the kid said with a serious nod of his head.
:I’m capable of taking care of myself,: Mando whined even as he leaned into Boba’s touch.
Boba chuckled lowly. “Yes, I’ve seen how you take care of yourself.” He’d seen the bruises and broken bones on the light cruiser and after the fight with the Pykes, many of which could have been avoided if someone didn’t insist that running out into pouring blaster fire was a legitimate battle tactic.
Well, it was, but it wasn’t the only tactic. Mando had gotten cocky with all that pure beskar.
Mando yanked his head back and gave Boba another glare before setting back down. Still, Boba noted the angle of Mando’s head now was carefully chosen to give him the best view of the people in the room.
It was a pity, actually. Before that, Mando had forgotten to go on full alert. Somewhere on Mandalore, he’d actually relaxed. Probably for the first time in decades.
Oh well. Boba’s palace, unfortunately, was no place to relax your guard.
***
Court kicked in eventually, someone daring to come close with a request or notice or question. Lots of questions. And as many times as Boba just referred back to Mando, no one seemed to believe it. He had a feeling there’d be some crazy rumors in town by sunset. Well, if the Pykes thought he was slipping, they’d regret that assumption.
“Daimyo,” proclaimed yet another obsequious little shit bowing before the throne. This one didn’t even give Din a second look.
Boba gave a bare cock of his head, waiting for something more.
“I have a proposal for you. A new business line.” The shit was smirking like he could make gold come out his ass. Boba had a bad feeling.
“My business lines are doing quite well,” Boba said flatly.
“Ah, but you still have room to expand.”
“I don’t trade in slaves.” He hadn’t snuffed out the slave trade on Tatooine. It was too ingrained into the culture and the region, but he was working on it all the same. And he certainly wasn’t going to do anything to encourage the flesh trade.
“Oh, no. I am well aware of the great Daimyo’s fine goals regarding slavery.”
Well, that was slathering on the flattery a bit thick. Boba glanced at the kid, who was frowning.
“I would not dare to make such a suggestion. However, I do have connections that might serve you well in another business line.”
There weren’t many lines of business that people wouldn’t be explicit with him on. “Spice?” Boba suggested, guessing the most obvious after slaves.
“The great Daimyo of Tatooine is as wise as he is handsome.”
The kid definitely giggled then, and Mando huffed.
“My contacts have a new—”
“Not interested.”
The shit broke off, expression of shock a bit overblown. “I assure you, the quality is incomparable.”
“Get out,” Boba snarled. He’d made his stance on spice even clearer than his stance on slavery, and still people tested him. He moved his hand toward the button that would trigger the floor to drop from under the shit’s feet, and that got the fool moving.
Boba turned to the kid. “What do you think?” He’d been getting second opinions from the kid mostly because it made his people watch with curiosity. Well, and he was trying to impress Mando.
The kid wrinkled his nose and spat, “Patoo.”
Mando’s head came up again. :Grogu thinks this one will shoot you as soon as he can. :
Interesting. Boba hadn’t liked the look of this one, but wasn’t one to shoot first and ask questions later. Usually. Confirmation from another source, however…
Before the shit left the throne room, Boba pulled his blaster and put a hole in the back of their head.
“Now we just have to decide whether we feed them to Copika or dump them in the sands.”
Mando rolled his eyes, but to Boba’s surprise, the kid focused on the corpse. Before Boba could summon a guard to collect the body, it half floated, half dragged back toward the throne. To the kid.
Leaning over the arm of the throne, the kid sniffed at the corpse.
“There is no way that is edible for you, ad’ika.”
The kid sneezed. And sneezed. And the corpse went flying back across the room until it slammed into the far wall with a harsh crunch.
And still the kid sneezed.
Snarling, Mando rose to his feet and stomped to the corpse. :Spice. He reeks of it.:
“I’m not feeding that to Copika,” Boba said, recoiling in horror at the thought. He waved for a servant to bring a cup of water for the kid as Mando scooped the corpse onto his horns and started up the stairs.
“Oh for…” Boba rolled his eyes and started wiping down the kid’s face with a corner of his robe. “Someone tell the guards to let Mando out to dump that body, and not to shoot him.”
Once he had the water, Boba started mopping with that and the kid finally stopped sneezing.
“Feeling better?”
The kid grumbled and whuffled and eventually gave his head a big shake and shuffled away from Boba’s hands.
“Why is Mando dropping corpses on the front path?” Fennec demanded as she appeared at Boba’s left.
“Because it was so soaked in spice I couldn’t feed it to Copika,” Boba said, turning and noting how Fennec was frowning over the change in sight lines. “How did that idiot even get in here?”
Fennec shrugged and shifted her position on the chair arm forward three inches. “I suspect someone decided to test that you weren’t getting soft.”
Boba snorted. “Figure it out and assign them to clean up.” He waved a hand at the new layer of probably spice laden dust on the floor.
“Hmm. Room’s ready.” She watched as Mando came back into the room and sauntered up to sprawl next to the throne.
***
Boba waited until he’d finished meeting with everyone who’d showed up, which trailed on rather longer than usual as people heard he was back. Only then did he escort Mando and the kid to their new room.
“Not bad.” It was a complete understatement. The old wallow was full of clean sand as well as topped with a wide collection of pillows and blankets. There was a second wallow for sand bathing which was also refilled with fresh sand, and the third depression for water bathing looked ready to use.
There were a few tapestries on the walls bringing some color into the room. No windows, but the slug had needed a moist atmosphere at least some of the time. That function on the air system had been disabled right away. No need to waste water. And Din didn’t need it re-enabled.
“There’s a side room where the slug kept a servant or two.” Fennec walked over and triggered a door. “We can set it up for you or the kid.”
Smart woman. Boba didn’t feel like leaving the two alone now that he had them here, and that wasn’t just his hormones talking. He glanced at Din, who looked away with that twist of his lips that seemed to indicate he was blushing.
“Kid likes hammocks and frogs,” Boba suggested. He could already see a pile of his favorite blankets and pillows on top of the crates of Mandalorian sand. That would make cuddling with Din even better.
Fennec caught Boba’s eye and glanced to the door. Pointedly.
“You two check things out. I’ll be right back.” Boba would have left right away, but Din all but blocked his path with two very sharp horns.
:You swear?: Din sounded oddly panicked.
Boba rubbed Din’s chin, stepping between the horns without a concern, knowing Fennec was watching every twitch. “I just need to touch base with Fennec. I’ll be right back and we can share late meal.” Boba added a curl of his fingers he knew Din would recognize.
Din responded with a definitely aroused rumble, then stepped out of the way.
***
Fennec led the way to an office Bibb used to use for something when he served Jabba. They’d swept it for useful data and otherwise left it alone. It looked like Fennec had made some more adjustments recently.
“Seriously, Boba?” Fennec began with.
Boba cocked his head.
“You’re fucking him? Or at least you want to.” It wasn’t normal for Fennec to hedge, but he supposed under the circumstances she might doubt her assessment.
“Right the first time,” Boba admitted. “It’s completely mutual.”
“I knew you had a thing before he left, but—”
“So did he, turns out.” Boba shrugged. “Jedi we consulted said go with his instincts, and his instincts went full horndog.” He couldn’t keep the grin off his face. Didn’t really try. “He’s settled down a bit, but we’re still enjoying ourselves and I don’t—”
Fennec held up her hands. “I do not get it, but I don’t give a kark if it’s mutual. Kid’s okay with it?”
“We tried to keep it to when he was sleeping. Might ask for a baby sitter from time to time.”
She winced, but nodded.
“But the spare room might be perfect.” Boba had to hand her that one.
“I”ll get your bed transferred and a hammock put up, so there are options.” Fennec frowned. “What happened to the armor? No one spotted it in the Firespray. Or said they didn’t.”
Boba laughed. “No one lied. He says he’s still wearing it.”
“What?” Fennec was honestly surprised. Still, she recovered fast. “The darksaber?”
“That too.”
“Huh… That’s gonna be fun.” Fennec got a decidedly amused expression.
“I’m almost looking forward to a visit from Kryze.”
Fennec shook her head. “Until the blaster bolts start flying. All right. I’ll finish getting this sorted and have late meal sent up.” She started for the door, but turned back and gave him a serious look. “You’re sure it’s mutual?”
Boba nodded. “Swear. We’ve had several long talks, including before.” He signed as he spoke.
She sighed. “Right.”
***
The kid about ate his weight in bantha. Din did eat at least a quarter of one himself. Boba could just watch in awe from the table and chairs that had been moved into the room while he talked with Fennec.
“Eat your meal,” Din chidded as he cleaned the blood from his chin in the sand bath.
“I’m not your ad,” Boba protested, but did finally dig in instead of watching.
By the time the bones were removed, the ones Din didn’t eat, the kid was all but asleep in his chair.
“Time for bed, ad’ika.” Boba scooped the little guy up. They’d developed a little ritual while on the ship. Boba took the kid to his buir for one last nuzzle, then tucked the kid into bed. Then the kid glared sleepily at Boba until he promised to take good care of Din.
It didn’t take the kid long to fall asleep. Boba would have to remember the feeding into a coma trick. Though it only worked on planet when he had easy access to more food. He’d have run out of food halfway home from Mandalore if he’d tried that aboard ship.
But the kid was asleep and now Boba was free to return to Din. Who was munching on some sand. Boba still didn’t know what to make of that.
Though, really, there was a lot he didn’t know what to make of right now, so what was a bit of sand relative to turning into a mythosaur.
“Kid’s asleep,” Boba called softly.
DIn raised his head and did this chin down, eyes low thing that Boba had come to realize was an attempt at a sultry stare.
“You want a night to yourself?” Boba said, teasing. “Fennec had a good size bed put in there.” He pointed back at the room he’d just left the kid in.
A growl echoed from the mythosaur’s long neck, and Boba barely had time to consider his next ripost before Din was wrapping around him. Neck and tail overlapped to trap Boba in the circle of Din’s body. :I want you right here. With me.:
“What if I’m tired?” Boba was still teasing. He was already at half mast. He slid a hand along Din’s neck.
Din sniffed at Boba. :We can just sleep… But I’d rather you kriff me first.:
A shiver went through Boba’s body and his blood rushed south. “Here, or on the sand bed?”
:Better leverage on stone,: Din quipped.
“Oh, you are asking for it.” Fortunately, Boba had shed his armor before dinner. He only had to open his robe and drop his trousers, which took as long as it took for Din to roll over on his back and show off his proud erection.
“Kark. You really do it for me,” he muttered, running his hands up and down Din’s cock and feeling his own jerk with desire. “What do you want tonight? We finally have time and space. Long and slow?” It was tempting, and yet Boba really just wanted—
:Just kriff me. Hard and fast. Please.:
Din sounded desperate already, looked as frantic as he had their first time.
:I need you inside me.:
Boba straddled Din’s tail and bottomed out in Din’s depths in a moment. He didn’t understand how this could be enough. Din was so big, could take Boba’s whole arm and Din’s tail. But Din always seemed to want Boba’s cock. Every little thrust shook Din’s whole body, even when Boba just held onto Din’s hips and not his cock.
It took far too short a time for Boba to come. He held position, buried in Din’s depths, even after his body finished emptying itself.
Din wasn’t quite there yet.
“I wonder how you’d take a toy,” Boba said, rubbing his hands up and down Din’s cock. “Something big enough to plug you up, keep my cum inside you. Keep your tail down and no one would know you wore it. I could take it out just to kark you again, keep you stuffed full—”
Din came hard, cock exploding, depths clenching tight. Boba kept touching, first to tease, then to sooth.
Finally, once Din seemed calm and coherent, Boba asked, “So, was that real want or just fantasy want?”
Din cocked his head in the same way he had his helmet, question visible in every line.
“Fantasy want gets you off, but isn’t something you want in real life. Real want is… well, It might take a few tries to get the right size, but I know some people who make good quality toys in Mos Espa.”
Question turned to complete embarrassment, and Boba had to laugh. “Think about it. No rush to decide.” Even though Boba was finding the idea quite appealing. Still, Din’s body, DIn’s choice.
:I’ve never… toys aren’t…:
“Never used toys?” Well, they were an expense and Boba had gotten a clear impression that much of Din’s life had been hand to mouth with every spare credit going back to the covert. “Well, I’m Daimyo. I can certainly afford a few treats for my lover.”
Boba had the distinct impression Din was trying to blush.
“For now, bath or wipe down? And do you want me to bed down out here?” Enough blankets and the sand wallow would be quite cozy, and more comfortable than several positions Boba had fallen asleep in of late.
:Wipe down and… I always prefer you by my side.:
Impossibly soppy Mando. When he actually used his words…
Boba brushed a bit of damp from his cheek and went to find a towel.
***
Fennec took one look at Mando and the kid following Boba out front of the Palace and sighed. Still, ten minutes later she had one of Jabba’s old speeders out front with enough room for everyone.
“Impressed this old hunk of junk works,” Boba commented once they were on their way.
Fennec shot him an unimpressed look. “Had the Mods checking the Hutt sized gear all night.”
And that’s why Boba kept Fennec around. She was always two steps ahead.
“You do realize there’s a chance someone is going to shoot at us today?”
Mando snorted at Fennec’s dry tone.
“Kid’s a jedi, and Mando’s armor plated. I think we’re good.” Boba patted Din’s cheek.
“Still armor plated? I know you said the armor went with, but—”
“Mythosaurs were known for being all but impossible to kill,” Boba assured her. “He might be smaller, but the blaster resistance is still there.” Okay, now he was talking out his ass, but he had to have some faith.
:She can stand behind me when the blasters go off.: Mando’s dry mental voice drew a chuckle out of Boba.
Fennec shot them a questioning look. Boba might not have admitted to the direct communication, but it wasn’t going to take her long to guess.
Good thing he trusted her.
***
Mos Espa noticed them faster than usual, the faces on the outskirts turning to spot them and staying focused their way. It might have been the sound of the speeder, larger and louder than the usual smaller vehicles and only usually heard around larger species like the Hutts, but it was definitely Mando that kept their attention. Boba turned up audio sensors when they disembarked, and caught a lot of curious commentary about the great beast the Daimyo had brought to town.
:Half of them expect me to eat them,: Mando said with a fair amount of disgust.
“They’ll settle,” Boba promised. “Still convincing them I’m not going to feed them to Copikla for no reason. And here I am with another dangerous looking critter.”
: I’m not an animal.:
Boba smiled under his buy’ce. “I know that. They’ll learn. Come on. Let’s show off a bit, then we can check out the toy stores.”
***
The streets were busy. Lots of staring eyes. Less bowing than usual. The latter had Fennec glaring, but Boba was just as happy to save his back.
Still, it was tenser than it had been in some time. Everyone was quite obviously waiting to see why Boba had a mythosaur following him around. It might have gotten unpleasant, but they reached the merchant district and little Leia Whitesun came running out with her usual basket of pallie fruit.
She proudly presented it to him, a broad grin on her little features. She had her long brown hair in a braid crown today. Boba wondered yet again at the similarities to the Alderaani princess she was named for.
“Hello, little Leia. How are the pallie’s growing?” Boba knelt and took one fruit in hand, slipping a coin into the basket even as he looked the fruit over. Good growth, nice and juicy. Looked like it got plenty of water while growing.
“Very well, Lord Fett,” she said, her lisp continuing to fade since the surgery. “Mamma says…” She paused a moment, brow furrowing as she fought the words. “We’ll get a thecond harvest.”
“Wonderful.” Boba tossed the fruit in hand to Fennec, who caught it and took a bite.
“Sweet.” Fennec gave a pleased nod.
A questioning chirp from the kid caught Leia’s attention. Mando was keeping his distance, Grogu on his shoulders, but the kid was definitely eyeing the fruit with interest.
“You like pallie fruit, kid?” Boba held up another fruit in offering.
“‘S that, Lord Fett?”
“He,” Boba corrected firmly, “is Mando’s son. You remember Mando, Leia?” Mando had still been at the Palace being all shiny when Boba first found out about Leia and her parents’ struggling effort to grow a commercial crop in town.
“Shiny,” Leia said, nodding. “‘S cute.”
“He is, and he knows it, don’t you, kid?” After a slight nod from Mando, Boba tossed the fruit toward the kid, and it quickly zipped right to his hands.
Leia gasped, eyes wide. “How’d that… Magic?”
“Kid was raised by Jedi once,” Boba said, tone mysterious, much to Leia’s delight. “He can talk to my rancor.”
Grogu managed to pop the whole paliei in his mouth, chew twice, and looked utterly delighted as another pallie rose from Leia’s basket.
Boba caught it. “Ah, ah.” He waved a finger at Grogu. “Ask, and do not steal. We support the people of Mos Espa.” He suspected Mando was also giving the kid an earful? Brainfull? Eh. The kid was hunching in a little, not that there was far to go when you’re that small.
“Have another?” The kid carefully signed with big gestures and Mando let out a soft huff that was definitely a chuckle.
“Well,” Boba turned to Leia, “can he have another?”
Leia nodded eagerly and held up the whole basket as she walked toward Grogu. It looked for a moment like the whole basket would float up, but Mando must have put his metaphorical foot in and just one fruit floated up to land in Grogu’s hands.
“Gotta be careful with him,” Boba said in a conspiratorial whisper. “He’s a bit of a glutton.”
The kid huffed and gulped down his pallie, which made Leia giggle. It gave Boba plenty of time to slip a few more coins in the basket for Leia’s parents to find later.
Boba rose back to his feet and realized he still had a pallie in one hand, the one Grogu had tried to steal. He didn’t particularly care for the fruit himself, not fresh. In baked goods or alcohol he was all for it, but he wasn’t going to eat this one, and Fennec insisted on a limit of one per visit.
Kid could have it. Or…
“Want to try?” He held it out toward Mando’s head.
:I’m rather carnivorous right now.:
Give or take the sand, but Boba just shrugged. “Just a thought.”
“Who’s tha’, Lord Fett?” Leia was now looking closely at Mando, shuffling behind Boba’s leg.
“That’s Mando. You remember Mando.”
Leia frowned and pouted up at Boba. “”has no’ Mando. Too big.”
Boba chuckled. “He is big, isn’t he? Had a little accident, and woops.” He waved his hands in a big circle like an explosion. “But it’s still Mando.”
Brave little thing, Leia sauntered up to Mando’s face. He dropped his nose down into reach and whuffled as she petted his nose, her tiny body framed by his horns. The whole street was watching, and possibly more. The Whitesuns were in their doorway at this point, watching with worried eyes.
Boba did his best to look confident and unworried, projecting a smile through his bucket.
Leia then upped the ante, offering Mando a pallie in one little hand. Mando ever so carefully used his tongue to catch up the fruit and bring it to his mouth without letting her hand anywhere near his teeth.
Leia giggled the whole time.
Mando chewed a few times and swallowed. :Not bad. Not quite to my tastes though.:
“You like pallies, Mr. Mando?”
With a careful arch of his back, Mando raised one paw to sign yes without having to roll over.
It gave Boba an idea. He could remember a fair bit of the sign the clones had used in battle, and it was exclusively one handed and tight motions given the situations it was used in. Not a very complex vocabulary, but it would be enough to give Mando the ability to join in on the conversation without baring his belly.
Not that Boba minded translating.
“He says yes,” Boba said in his Lord Fett voice, repeating the gesture when Leia glanced back over at him.
“This means yes?” She mangled the gesture, but she was a smart little thing to get it.
“It does. Mando can’t talk like this, but he still communicates.”
Leia gave Mando a sad look. “Mr. Threecrecent’s master took his voice. Did your master take yours?”
Mando gave Boba a look he couldn’t quite interpret, and said nothing that Boba could hear. Then Mando lowered his head to Leia’s level and shook it before, ever so gently, pressing his forehead to hers.
Boba went over and knelt at Leia’s side. “Mando lost his voice when he changed. But it wasn’t stolen. It’ll come back when the time is right. And we can understand him, just like you understand Mr. Threecrecents.”
“Leia.”
A call from her parents saved Boba and Mando further explanations. She patted Mando again on the chin and gave Boba a bob of the head before running off. He heard her calling to her parents, “Did you see? Mr. Mando likes pallie’s.”
Boba chuckled and patted Mando’s chin himself. “That girl.”
“She’s something.:
Still holding the pallie fruit, still not wanting to eat it, Boba sighed. Well, it wasn’t like he hadn’t slipped Leia enough coin for the whole basket. He held it out to Mando, who shook his head.
“Kid?” Boba turned and held out fruit. A moment later it zipped to the kid and down the eager gullet.
***
Leia, bless her, broke the tension. Word of her actions spread faster than people traveled, and the streets calmed around them. People were whispering questions out of earshot instead of staring in fear. The bowing was back, but Boba could work with that.
The next stop was The Sanctuary. The shell of the club was still being rebuilt and refurnished, but Garsa Fwip had taken Boba’s money and opened a tent outside with as many luxuries as she could manage the moment she’d recovered enough from her injuries.
She quickly came over once Boba came in view, his presence harder to miss on the street. Though Mando might be a factor in the even faster than usual notice.
“Daimyo Fett. Still no litter?” She sauntered up with all the grace and elegance she’d had the first time they met. The scars that made up much of her skin in no way detracted from her presence, and the prosthetic lekku that replaced the portions destroyed in the explosions were stunning. Though the Mods were disappointed she’d chosen to cover the gears and pistons with etched and gilded lapping scales, she’d made the prosthetics a part of her aesthetic.
“Not my style,” Boba said, peeling up his bucket as he and Fennec stepped under the tent. He pressed a kiss to her hand, the sensitive skin now protected with an embroidered glove. “How goes the construction?”
“Well,” she said, with an honest smile, contently speaking for several minutes about the progress and the upgrades she was including. “All thanks to your generosity.”
“You pay for protection, and I failed you,” Boba replied honestly. He was still beyond displeased that her business had been targeted by the Pykes. Her survival had been a miracle, and he’d gladly used his bacta tank to ensure her continued health. That she wanted to rebuild was still a surprise. Given all she’d lost…. But Garsa was stubborn. “This is the least owed to you.” And he was using some of the Pyke funds to pay for the repairs.
Garsa gave a crooked little smile. “So kind, our new daimyo. Cares for his people. And beloved of animals.” She gave a glance over Boba’s shoulder to where Mando was standing outside the tent, the kid still perched on his shoulders. Really, Boba was impressed she’d taken this long to comment.
“Copikla is my darling, it is true, but this is a special case.” Boba waved Mando closer, stepping back himself to the edge of the shade.
“I confess this one might worry people less if you came riding into town than the rancor, but it truly looks no less fearsome.”
Boba chuckled and Fennec snorted.
“He and the rancor do not get along,” Fennec drawled.
“They just need a proper introduction,” Boba countered.
:No we don’t.:
“But no, no riding. And I doubt Mando will get much bigger.” At least he hoped Mando wouldn’t. “Garsa Fwip, this is Mando and his son. You’ll have heard of them from stories about the battle with the Pykes.”
Garsa gave him a considering look. “Small and green, perhaps, but I remember no stories of such a…” She gave an expansive wave. “Dramatic figure.”
“Ah, he’s undergone a bit of a transformation of late. This is the Mandalorian who assisted in the battle.”
“Quite a transformation,” Garsa said with a questioning look.
“Tell me about it,” Fennec said with dry sarcasm.
“Jedi magic,” Boba said with a shrug.
:Not Jedi.:
“The Jedi we consulted said it’ll wear off. But I wanted to make sure you knew Mando as my representative.”
“And not to worry he was coming to bite people’s heads off,” Fennec muttered. Well, it might have been a mutter, but it was quite audible. Though it was a point well worth making to both Garsa and the patrons of her sanctuary.
“I… see.” Garsa managed another formal bow. “It is an honor to meet you at last, Mando.” Oh yeah, she was humoring him.
Mando rose to press his chest out, tapping one paw to the center in a Mandalorian salute. It was doubly adorable as the kid imitated his buir from Mando’s back.
Garsa looked impressed, but still unconvinced. Well, give her time.
***
Leaving Garsa’s Sanctuary was one of the riskiest spots in the city. Boba always stopped by, and everyone knew that. It was an easy spot for an ambush, and more than a few enemies had targeted him right there. So of course Boba and Fennec were both on high guard as they sauntered down the street.
It meant they both looked up the moment six figures stood from behind the parapets of six different roofs, all pointing high power blasters into the street. Not strong enough to get past beskar (probably), but enough to do a lot of damage if aimed right.
Boba ducked low and aimed his blaster up as the first shots came down.
And had nothing to aim at. All six, as one, rose into the air and fell into a pile in the middle of the street.
Boba spun, looking to Mando and the kid. The kid’s hand was raised, a look of concentration on his little features. And Mando was charging. The assassins weren’t well armored and crushed quickly under Mando’s feet, shredded further by Mando’s claws. The sands were stained red before Boba made it to Mando’s side.
“Efficient,” he commended dryly, kicking a now loose head to the side.
:Sorry?:
“Don’t be.” Boba raised his arms for the kid, who jumped down and started patting at Boba’s currass. “Thank you, Grogu. Your quick action saved lives.” With only one volley of blaster shot, there was little chance anyone else on the street had been hit. Still, Boba glanced around to confirm.
The blast shields Boba had had installed at great expense were glimmering around the tent at Garsa’s Sanctuary, keeping the proprietress and her customers safe from anything short of an AT-ST. People were cowering in the street, but no one looked hurt.
And Fennec was nowhere in sight. Boba clicked his comms, just a request for confirmation and not an interruption. She clicked back. Hunting something then.
:You did very good, ad’ika.: Mando nudged Boba’s side and whuffled around him. :You are uninjured?:
“Not even a bruise,” Boba promised, letting Mando encircle him in his bulk. “Hang in there. Soon as Fennec clears the scene we’ll move on.”
:You were just attacked.: Mando sounded both affronted and worried. The kid was still poking at Boba’s armor and checking the bits of flack jacket in reach.
“Not the first time, won’t be the last,” Boba said with a shrug. “And they definitely didn’t expect the two of you.”
The kid let out a pleased chirp.
“Sniper in the tower neutralized,” Fennec called over the comms.
Boba stood tall and spotted the tower beyond Mando’s bulk. Well, then, having Mando with them had been doubly useful.
“Pykes?” Boba asked, since this lot weren’t available to interrogate.
“Affirmative. Back in two.”
Well then, she wasn’t keeping anyone alive. Boba patted Mando on the shoulder, nudging and pushing until he unwound and Boba could get free. “All clear. Come on. Fennec will catch up.”
:We should head back to the palace.: Mando tried to herd Boba back down the street, but Boba just went around him, nudging the kid up onto his shoulder.
“Nah. No injuries. Might as well finish the tour. Want to get a few things for the two of you.”
And it wouldn’t hurt Boba’s image to have Mando leaving bloody footprints for a few blocks.
***
Fennec caught up with them as Boba came to the alley he’d been looking for. The shop he wanted wasn’t on a main street, and the alley wasn’t really a place for the kid.
He turned to the kid, now on his shoulder. “I want to take your buir this way to get a present for him, but it’s not really a place for kids. Can I convince you to hang out with Aunty Fennec for a couple minutes?”
The kid frowned at him before signing, “Where he goes, I go.” From the laughter from Mando, Boba got the distinct impression there was a story there.
“I swear I will never hold you back in a fight,” Boba said solemnly. “This is not just ‘adult stuff’, this is private stuff. You’re not gonna be interested for a few more decades easy. You’ll have more fun with Fennec.” And he really didn’t think Mando would be able to face this store with the kid along.
The kid looked like he was considering. Boba decided to sweeten the pot.
“After this we’ll go to my favorite weaponsmith. I was thinking you could use a little knife to hide up your sleeve.”
The kid perked up, ears all but vibrating, even as Mando protested.
“And then there’s a cart near the weaponsmith that sells soft toys. Maybe we could commission you a little frog.”
The kid huffed but nodded, and all but flew to Fennec. She caught him with a startled look.
“You two stay out here, keep an eye on things,” Boba directed.
Fennec eyed the alley, and probably the ladies and gentlemen of the evening peering back. “I do not want to know. Come on, kid. I’ll tell you about my favorite rifle.”
:A knife? He’s so small.:
Boba patted Mando’s shoulder and nudged him into the narrow alley. “He’s a Mandalorian. He needs a weapon. Something more than his teeth next time someone inappropriate tries picking him up.”
:He can strangle people with his mind.:
“Really? I thought only dar’jetii did that.”
:What?:
Boba didn’t answer, stepping into a narrow doorway he’d been looking for and eyeing the shop beyond. Yep, right where he remembered it being.
“To what do I owe the honor of having the Daimyo of the Fett Gotra in my store?” the store owner said, coming from behind the counter with a slight bow. It was countered by the smug smile on the Weeque’s face. Sol had known Boba since he was far too young to be buying sex toys.
“I have a very special commission for you.” Boba gestured out the door to Mando.
Sol’s jaw dropped as he took in Mando in all his magnificence. One might think he was completely overwhelmed, but Boba knew Sol had managed to keep Gardula as a steady customer for decades.
“I don’t make animal toys,” Sol said, turning back to Boba with a glare.
Boba sniffed. “Mandois as sentient as you or I.”
Sol gave Boba a questioning look, but Boba just looked out the door.
Mando raised a forepaw to gesture, “What’s this?”
Sol blinked.
“Mando, this is Sol, best maker of adult toys in the Outer Rim. Sol, this is my good friend Mando, who has never played with an adult toy in his life.”
“Well, that can’t be allowed to stand,” Sol said firmly without further delay. “Everyone should have the opportunity. What are we looking for?”
“Plugs and dildos,” Boba said. “I can give you some estimates on size and shape.”
:Boba. Really, I don’t need this.:
“But you’ll enjoy it. Trust me. Give it a try.” Boba replied silently knowing how embarrassed Mando would be to have the conversation aloud.
“Anal, I assume.” Sol craned his head to the side consideringly, probably trying to get a glimpse.
“Anal and vaginal,” Boba corrected. “You’re not gonna see a thing. He’s got armor plates that shift to cover everything when he’s not in the mood.” Not that Boba had cottoned on to that for a bit, since Mando had always been in the mood at first.
:What if I don’t like it?:
“Then we tossed them. Let me treat the one dearest to my hearts.”
“A fascinating species. You said you could give me estimates.” Sol finally turned back to Boba, who nudged him further into the shop, leaving Mando to peer in the doorway.
***
They met back up with Fennec and the kid on the main street. Fennec was explaining the advantages and disadvantages of various knife shapes.
Fennec gave him a questioning look as the kid jumped back into Boba’s arms and began looking him over for packages.
“Custom work takes time, ad’ika. We just put in the order. As we probably will with the weaponsmith. Gotta make sure everything is built for your size.” The kid huffed but settled. He went back to looking around but stayed in Boba’s arms.
“Where next?” Fennec asked.
“Gregory’s. Kid needs a blade.”
Fennec snorted. “Kid’s deadly enough without a blade.”
“No one is deadly enough,” Boba countered, catching Mando signing an agreement. “One would think you’d agree with that.”
“Hmm.”
***
The walk to Gregory’s wasn’t far, but Boba noted a shift in their observers since he and Mando had come back out of the alley. There was something different in the bowing. People’s gazes were on Mando and the kid more than Boba, but it wasn’t fear or uncertainty in their expressions. Not even with the blood still visible on Mando’s claws.
Boba would have to help him with that later.
Still, something was shifting.
“Daimyo Fett.” Gregory greeted them with a formal bow, all the more dramatic as his crown of horns cut through the air before him. “I heard you’ve been away. What did you break?”
Boba puffed up in indignant protest. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?” The towering Zabrak looked unconvinced.
“Nothing. I’m here with a commission, not a repair.” Boba held out the kid. “This is a Mandalorian foundling.”
The kid waved, ears flapping with excitement.
“He needs a knife.”
Gregory stared, first at the kid, then at Boba. Then he took a step to the side and looked out the door, probably taking in Mando and Fennec.
“Thought you insisted you’re not a Mandalorian.” Gregory gingerly took the kid and set him on the counter.
“I”m not.”
:You are.:
Boba huffed but ignored Mando.
:I’m Mand’alor. I say you’re a Mandalorian.:
Oh, Boba wanted to argue. But he needed to focus on Gregory. And really, if the Mand’alor who was a mythosaur of all karking things insisted he was Mandalorian, it was awfully hard to argue.
Boba swung around, pointed at Mando, and said, “Kryze is gonna contest that.”
:She can try after she wins the darksaber.:
Yeah, that was gonna be tricky for a while. Chuckling, Boba turned back to Gregory, who was staring at him with a touch of concern.
“It’s complicated.” He gestured back toward Mando. “He’s the Mandalorian. I’m just helping out. But the kid still needs a blade.”
“Patoo.” The kid waved eagerly, trying to regain the attention he deserved.
“Giant Mandalorians without armor and foundlngs the size of my foot. What is the galaxy coming to?” Gregory muttered. He gently took the kid’s hand and studied it. “Gonna be hard to get something to balance in this hand that’ll actually do some damage. Be better off with a sword or a pike.”
Oh, that was an intriguing idea. “I’d like him to have something that he can hide on himself, but what about a small staff as well? Something with a hidden blade?”
Gregory looked intrigued and pulled something from behind the counter. It looked like a small stick or handle. “Actually, I could also see a knife like this.”
Boba didn’t see what Gregory did, but suddenly there was a blade almost as long as the stick protruding from the end. It was narrow, smaller around than the handle, and relatively thick with three edges and a wicked sharp point.
“Won’t do much damage.”
“A surprise stab at a joint or sensitive spot when he’s not expecting it can do more than a plasma thrower.” Boba took the knife from Gregory and considered it. The handle was a dark wood and he could feel the little release catch. “How do you put it back?”
“Press it against a safe surface and hold the release switch. I prefer a bit of wood to minimize the chance of damaging the blade, or yourself.” Gregory had pulled out his measuring tools and was again considering the kid’s hand. Good. He’d gotten intrigued.
Boba held the catch and pressed the tip of the blade against the wood counter, lowering the handle until the metal vanished. Recessed, only the very tip of the blade extended from the handle. He triggered the release and felt the spring inside force the blade up until it locked in the extended position. “I like it. Maybe the same with a staff. People would think it’s just a toy.”
“Until he gutted them with it.” Gregory considered the kid’s height. “I could probably go a foot and a half. Can he handle the weight? The balance is going to be forward with the blade extended. Unless I put a counterweight of metal in the back end, but then it’ll be off balance when it’s sheathed.”
The kid straightened proudly and dropped into what had to be a Jedi kata of some kind, clearly imitating holding a blade.
“If he can’t now he’ll manage once we train him. A gaderffii has an imbalance. I know how to train for that.” Boba nodded proudly at the kid. “Not to mention he’s got some Jedi training. But we want options other than magic.”
Gregory grunted his approval. “Nothing more certain and more honest than good steel in your hand. Can we strap a blade to his arm?” He nudged the little robe sleeve up, and froze.
“Mandalorian foundling,” Boba reiterated. He’d seen the beskar chainmail before, but it still impressed him.
“This is the work of a master,” Gregory breathed.
:She would be honored to be recognized as such:
“It is. I’ve never seen a finer goran.” Mando’s armor was a work of art unlike anything Boba had seen in his years in the galaxy.
“I studied with a Mandalorian goran for a time… This was beyond anything they could produce. And from beskar.”
:She used the spear.:
Boba had wondered where that had gotten too. It had been handy and dramatic.
“Can you manage beskar?” A beskar blade would be lighter and stronger than durasteel.
“I can, for small projects. Armor is beyond my skills.” Gregory studied Boba. “Do you have any?”
:No. Beskar is for armor, not for weapons.: Mando trumpeted as he spoke and all but rushed the door before backing away again.
That was an unexpected reaction. Boba went to the door and drew his lover’s head into his hands. “Why?”
Mando was shaking. :Beskar weapons can pierce beskar armor. Armor must be able to defend us.:
Something his goran had said then. “Normally, I’d let you take the point, since this is important to you.” Unless he could find a good counter argument, and he’d be working on one for next time. “But this is for the kid. What if he needs that knife against Kryze and her ilk?”
The next noise out of Mando was pained and low and he pressed his forehead against Boba.
“Let me. Just the knife. For the kid.”
Mando all but pushed Boba over, then suddenly backed up, hunched in on himself. But he nodded. :Just the knife.: “Thank you.” Boba pressed his fist to his kar’ta beskar before heading back into the store. “I’ll provide you with enough beskar for the knife only. Durasteel for the staff. And I’d like to talk to you about a blaster.”
:A blaster?:
“For the kid? Even Jawa’s have bigger hands.”
“Anzellan’s don’t.” Not that Boba had ever seen one of the little mechanics with a blaster. But he needed to properly encourage Gregory.
Gregory huffed. “I’ll try.”
“Smaller mag is acceptable. But it needs a stun setting.”
“Boba!” Gregory protested.
Boba patted the Zabrak on the shoulder. “It’s nice to have a challenge.”
***
:Don’t worry, Grogu. We’ll come back for your weapons when Goran Gregory says they’re ready. Proper tools are worth waiting for.:
Still, the kid was pouting at having to leave the shop without a single thing. He’d retreated to Fennec’s shoulder and was snubbing both his buir and Boba. Fennec was amused and subtly encouraging the kid.
“Give him time, cyare.” Boba patted his love on the shoulder and led the way. “Besides, I know how to get back in his good graces,” he added in a whisper.
As they made their way to their last stop, Boba definitely saw a difference in their audience. People were bowing, but they weren’t always looking at Boba as they did so. No, they were watching Mando and the kid. And upping his audio sensitivity caught whispers and mutters including the word ‘Jedi.’
Interesting.
They reached Boba’s destination before he reached an opinion on the crowd’s reaction.
It was just a cart. There wasn’t enough business even now for toys to take up an entire store. But the cart was filled with shelves of model sets, carved stone and plastic ships and speeders, and soft toys.
As Boba walked up, he glanced back and saw the kid looking curiously.
:Toys. So many toys.: Mando sounded as awed as Boba had expected the kid to be.
Boba wondered how many toys had been available in the fighting corps and whether Mando had ever had a plushy of his own.
Though given his size, nothing on the cart would suit now. Maybe a giant krayt dragon, big enough to cuddle with.
“Daimyo Fett.” The proprietor was a small woman who never gave her name. Boba had to assume she was human, but with all the layered veils hiding her almost as well as a Tusken’s wraps, he couldn’t be sure. “Surely there have been no complaints?”
He’d paid her to provide a toy of choice to every orphan in Mos Espa, which had admittedly taken some time since there were quite a few orphans and only her making the toys. But there had certainly been no complaints from the ad’ike.
“Madam toymaker, I have a special customer for you.” Boba waved to the kid. “This child is over fifty years old and has been far too long without a proper toy. He likes frogs and shiny things.”
Mando snorted. Impressively, the toymaker barely gave him a look despite his size and ferocious appearance.
“Come, child, come look at my wares.” The toymaker waved at her cart, and did not flinch when the kid jumped from Fennec’s arms to the ledge holding the bottom layer of toys.
“Ba. Batoo?” His ears flapped and his head twisted from side to side as he considered everything in front of him.
:Two stuffed toys.; Mando was edging closer, looking over the offerings himself.
“Three stuffed toys and one spaceship,” Boba countered, selecting a stuffed gorg that was about the size of the kid, robes and all. “This one is the Tatooine equivalent of a frog.”
The kid yanked the gorg from Boba’s hands with his magic and glomped on.
:Yes, you can have it. And two others.:
“What is his favorite ship?” the toymaker asked even as she held a stuffed bantha before the child. Grogu considered it, but went back to looking around without grabbing it.
“If you have a razor crest…” Boba had a feeling the kid would love a model of his old ship. “Or a Naboo starfighter.” Which reminded him he needed to task someone to bring Mando’s ship back. Probably no one would trip over it on Mandalore, but no reason to risk that beauty. Of course, he needed to choose someone trustworthy.
“Hmm, I don’t get requests for those very often.” She plucked a small canyon krayt from the depths of the shelves, setting it before the kid before ducking down to dig through the cabinet built above the wheels.
The kid cooed at the canyon krayt and started petting its head. It was just small enough to be a good size for the kid’s hands.
:Yes, it’s like the one I killed for Freetown. But this is the little cousin of the greater krayt. Maybe Boba and I can take you out to see a canyon krayt sometime.:
Were it anyone other than Mando making such a suggestion, Boba would be horrified. But it was Mando, and a canyon krayt would find a Mandalorian hard to swallow, let alone a mythosaur.
“Ah, yes, there was an odd interest in Naboo starfighters some years back. I still have one, though it hasn’t been painted.” The toymaker set a silver Naboo starfighter on the counter next to the canyon krayt, and the kid’s eyes just about doubled in size.
***
They arrived back at the palace with a Naboo starfighter circling over their heads. The kid was still insisting on Fennec carrying him, but he’d allowed Boba to carry his gorg. Though that probably added to the odd look Drash gave him when she came across them in the palace halls.
“We holding court this afternoon, boss?”
Boba nodded. They’d made it back before the worst of the heat, so there was time for a meal and a short nap, at least for the kid, before he settled into his throne.
Drash nodded back and continued down the hall. After passing Din, she called over her shoulder, “Mando, you’ve got intestine in your back claws.”
Mando flinched and tried to look back at his rear feet without rolling over.
Boba patted his lover’s shoulder. “Come on. We’ll give you a good scrubbing before midmeal.”
:I’ve been walking all over Mos Espa.:
“That’s a town that has seen far worse.”
***
After a thorough soap and water wash and a sand scrub and a bit of an alcohol wash, Mando finally let Boba eat. But he was still poking at and chewing on his paw when they settled in the throne room.
“It’s clean.” Boba swatted at Mando’s nose. “Or it was before you went walking around again.” Stars only knew what was on the throne room floor. Boba did not need a mythosaur tripping on spice dust in the palace.
Mando huffed, but he finally left his feet alone and curled up to watch the various folks arriving as the throne room filled. And filled. And filled.
Boba wasn’t sure he’d ever had this many in a single audience.
And none of them were coming to talk to him. He just sat there, waiting. But they were all clustered around the edges, watching.
“Fennec?” Boba finally asked after even the kid had gotten bored staring back at the crowd.
“Not positive…”
Oh boy.
“But I think they’re here to see the new celebrities.” It was hard to see in her helmet, but she sounded like she was smirking.
:You’ve been here for months.: Mando raised his head to look over, and the hiss of whispering voices wrapped around the room.
“Not me, Mando. You.” Boba said it half aware, busy mulling over how he could take advantage of this new interest in his cyare.
The kid grumbled and made an impossible leap onto his buir’s back, disappearing into some nook
Repetitions of the word “Jedi” became audible even on the throne.
“And the kid,” Boba added. If he twisted this right, he might just shove the Hutts off a few more planets. Or at least bring a few other independents into the fold. After all, he had a mythical creature and a Jedi (might as well be two mythical creatures) guarding him.
Mando grumbled and shifted, hiding the kid all the better.
Boba chucked Mando under the chin. “Be at ease, cyare. Aliit comes first.” He straightened in the chair and bellowed, “If you’re not here to see me, piss off.”