#because so are the True Mandalorians! They. Are. All. Human.

[lockea]

One thing I love about fanfiction and fandom is the way that fans take what is implied by canon but otherwise ignored and stretch it out to become explicitly part of the narrative.

I've seen this across multiple fandoms, but the one that I was reflecting on recently was the Mandalorians in Star Wars. No, not just the show The Mandalorian, but the whole cultural group.

In Star Wars, there are a few canon sources for Mandalorian culture. In Legends, the big one is the Republic Commando novels by Karen Traviss, and in the new Disney canon, that's whatever we got from Clone Wars and The Mandalorian. For the most part, these two sources seem to agree with each other*.

*(we'll ignore whatever the hell is going on with the Kryze clan in Disney canon that I just straight up don't understand)

In RC, we get our first Mando'a glossary and our first explicit explanation of the Mandalorian culture and creed. The Gai bal Manda (adoption oath) comes from the RC novels. In fact, here is what we are canonically told about Mandalorians in the RC novels:

Mandalorians are a collection of different species and races, a cultural group that thrives by adoption and love of children. They take raising children very seriously, whether it's their own or adopted.

Mandalorians do not ascribe to gender roles and do not see same-sex partnerships as any different from hetero-sex ones.

DESPITE what is stated in 1 and 2, Mandalorian women are often the first teachers of their children, and male children are still more preferred than female children. A Mandalorian mother will try to have a male child first. if she succeeds, she will wait until the boy begins training before having another child. If she does not (has a girl instead), she will keep trying for a boy right away.

If you're an avid reader of Star Wars fics about Mandalorians, that third bullet probably came as a surprise to you if you haven't read Karen Traviss's notes on Mandalorian culture or the RC novels (congrats, I envy you). That's because fandom in large saw points one and two and decided that point three was absolute bullshit that did not match points one and two and so disregarded it.

The other part of Mandalorian culture I want to point out, is that canonically, there are only TWO explicitly non-human/near-human Mandalorians across both Legends and Disney canon. This is despite the fact that modern Mandalorians with long clan lineages like the Fetts, Mereels, Vizlas, and Kryzes can trace their ancestry back to the decidedly non-human Taung.

I'm seriously not kidding about this either -- I dug through Wookiepedia to try and find as many EXPLICITLY non-human Mandalorians as I could (they had to have names or a visual appearance) and I found TWO.

One is a Twi'lek bartender from Coruscant who marries into the Skirata clan during the clone wars (she has a name but Wookiepedia is failing me right now and you can't pay me enough to reread the RC novels).

The other is Grogu. As in Din Djarin's ward. Baby Yoda. That one.

Again, if you read a lot of fanfiction about Mandalorians (like I do), this will probably be a surprise. After all, in fanfiction, the Mandalorians are an extremely diverse group of different species and genders.

Canon told us that Mandalorians are diverse, that they hold to no species, that they adopt to fill out their clans and value the act of being a parent and a member of the community. Canon told us that Mandalorians don't ascribe weight to a person's gender or sexual orientation. Yet when canon failed to deliver on what it told us, fanfiction stepped up.

And I think that's beautiful.

(Which means Disney really should consider canonizing several other members of the Children of the Watch as non-human while they're at it)

[blackat-t7t]

The first Mandalorians were the Taung species, and the Taung were originally native to Coruscant

I think that could be a fun jumping-off point for an Eldritch Coruscant Guard story

Something to do with an Old God of War, maybe, and spilt blood that finally, finally drips low enough to touch the barren earth, far below the layers of glass and steel and concrete that stack on top of one another, like layers of rock hiding fossils from different ages

Taung blood. Impure, because there are no pure Taung anymore; yet Taung nevertheless, for some of the genes persist within populations in Mandalorian space, hiding in people that are otherwise Human (also called Zhell, the other species native to Coruscant)

A God of Change Through War, whose eternal adversary is a God of Sloth, Consumption, and Stagnation. And what else would such a war god see in corrupt, complacent senators?

The Force is clouded on Coruscant, smothered by the Sith darkness spreading like plague over the planet. Even the Jedi, who are called "the Force make physical", can't fully sense it though the fog. But gods are contained within the Force, as all things are, and they aren't so easily obstructed. The struggle between light and dark is a war too, neverending. The war god may care only for battle and bloodshed, may not care which side is victorious, but the Force tilts everything towards balance, and the Sith Lord has pressed it too far.

Old ghosts of Taung Mandalorians long gone- the Dha Werda Verda themselves- prowl the surface of the planet, far below the vaunted skyscrapers. They appear to other warriors- other Taung- other Mandalorians, linked to them by the universal soul of the Manda- and whisper to them of glorious battle: kote, darasuum kote.

The words are a chant that all clones know, like they know the beating of their hearts: one of the few pieces of Mandalorian culture Fett deigned to share with them. One of only a handful of songs given in its original form, in Mando'a, without the words twisted out of true to fit the clones' service to the Republic. The clones of the Guard never learned the true Dha Werda Verda chant. That was a privilege reserved for the Nulls and Alphas, and the commandos favored by Mandalorian trainers. But they heard it, in passing; heard the beat, even if they couldn't make out the words. And now when they wake from dreams with those words ringing in their heads- Dha Werda Verda a'den tratu, Manda'yaim kandosii adu- they know the meaning in their bones.

The god, the ghosts- they're reaching up from the planet's surface, though the levels of construction piled like layers of stone, like ages of time; feeding on blood and blaster smoke and all the traces of war. They're wrapping their claws around the only beings they can touch and urging them to fulfil their destiny: to go to war.

[brujitaadinbo]

I'm posting again after a while; I was watching The Mandalorian, all seasons, again (sorry, I can't help it)

And I think I can answer some of the questions that "haters" of season 3 or the series have tried to bring up about "why if Bo Katan regrets her behavior before, she doesn't cry or they don't talk about Satine ??

For a start; I feel that in this season 3 the time of the series format passed very quickly, too quickly, to the other past seasons. This absolutely did not help the plot much, which was somewhat lost. BUT….

First, Bo has definitely been shown in very sensitive ways this season 3, it is not necessary for her to cry too much to realize that she appears sad, disappointed in herself and tired.

IT IS OBVIOUS that the pain of her past, her sister and her entire career are shown through symbolism, the Kryze castle, the throne, when they destroy said castle, all that, everything bad that she did or that she step, he leaves with the fire, with the destruction of those icons and symbols of his past.

The destruction of the saber that separates the Mandalorians and causes Bo Katan to lose herself in her power, Guideon himself talks about those talismans, all those symbols of power and empowerment that they show us must be destroyed because Bo Katan is a brave, confident woman. , formidable, just as Din Djarin tells her, she doesn't need any of that to stand out and she's going to prove it.

Although we are strong women, we also have our weaknesses, but true power, the empowerment that enriches us, is what makes us strong through our loved ones, our people, acting correctly and that makes us feel satisfied.

When he decides to walk with Din and Grogu it is because although they have not done things correctly, they are also looking for a way to fix the disasters and do it as best as possible. Din started this job and knows that Bo Katan is the one for Mandalore. she resurfaces, she is the daughter born of this place, she has sacrificed everything, she is the one who most deserves this opportunity. It bothers me a lot when they only pigeonhole their relationship as “somewhat forced”, “meaningless” or not “romantic” at all, sorry but… it doesn't have to be romantic, on the contrary, it is appreciated that it is. because their connection is emotional, their connection goes beyond something physical or superficial and they have worked on it to create a pure bond, a bond that takes them to something beyond if they want to give themselves the opportunity, they are partners. , they go hand in hand together, not at the wrong time, not as a competition, but as a journey for both of them, so in Plazir 15 that is the message they want to give us from these two Mandalorians.

Love in SW doesn't have to be shown with flowers or silly romantic quotes or stuffed animals. Love is demonstrated in subtle acts such as caring, saving, protecting, guiding, advising, consoling, something very human but that can also happen in any other galaxy and is real.

And I'm sure that the path of these Mandalorians will unite again, without the need for bombastic scenes, weddings or silly things. Love blossoms in them and we will know how to see it.

The fact that this green child has crossed their paths as a new hope, it is obvious that love seeks to stay in this new nucleus.

It also bothers me when they talk about Bo being pigeonholed as a mother or wife and that is misogynistic. Let's see the panorama clearly, at no time is there talk of "maternal instinct" because that would be pigeonholing us women and here in The Mandalorian 3 it never happened. That since season 2, both Din and Bo can be seen and notice that parental sense, the impulse or parental instinct to protect the child, is logical and normal because we all have developed that instinct, adult humans, taking care of the little ones, for love, affection, affection, responsibility, etc. Between brothers, cousins, family, father, mother or children, even with our pets, because we are sensitive, empathetic and sociable beings and it is scientifically proven.

That Bo becomes attached or has affection for the child is because Grogu is nice, he has earned his place in Bo's heart and because the two have a connection, it does not affect anything in the story or characters, on the contrary it contributes. And that's not why she is pigeonholed as a mother, there is nothing wrong with motherhood because it exists because it is okay if you want to live it or not and Bo Katan can do it if she wants to or not, it is her decision. But she can be a mother figure, she can be a figure of respect for Grogu, affection and appreciation, a guide and an important part of his life. She can serve something else and not just war and combat. He can do so many things and his knowledge of war should not limit him.

I really appreciate that they gave this interaction to the main characters. No matter what happens, I take away the best messages from the series and this season.

I hope the rumors about "it's the last of The Mandalorian" "Bo Katan will no longer appear in the movie or he will die" "There will be no more Din and Grogu material"

be that, just false rumors I await you with much love to Din, Bo and Grogu.

this is the way.

[sirfrogsworth]

Today in, "Conservatives keep making me side with Disney"...

So, Gina Carano is suing Disney. And Elon Musk is paying for her lawyers. And they released the complaint document.

It's... a doozy.

I can't decide if her lawyers are not taking this seriously at all or if they are taking it super duper extra seriously.

Like, that's a real thing that a lawyer wrote.

As you know, judges are famous for enjoying levity in official court documents. I think in law school you are encouraged to add comedy bits. True facts.

Gina wants money for emotional damages. But she also wants to be rehired, which sounds like another funny comedy bit. They scrapped an entire show because of her nonsense.

Most are saying this will get thrown out with haste due to the fact that Gina wasn't actually fired. She had already done her contracted work. Disney decided not to hire her for any *new* work. So I guess she wants them to honor an imaginary contract that was in her head.

The entire document is just as ridiculous as the opening crawl. It starts out by listing Gina's show biz bona fides. Her myriad accomplishments in Hollywood were listed one by one in a section titled...

Well, I'm intrigued.

Let's take a look at this illustrious career, according to this document.

"Carano is the first-ever female star in mixed martial arts cage fighting to successfully transition to a career in movies, breaking down substantial barriers for women in the sport."

Off to an interesting start.

All the cage fighting gals can act in movies now and they all have Gina to thank for barrier busting.

"Carano received roles in Hollywood and independent film productions such as Haywire, Fast & Furious 6, Heist, Deadpool, Almost Human, Extraction, Daughter of the Wolf, and Madness in the Method."

I've heard of several of those things! And I think I almost remember her in Deadpool! Very impressive.

Oh wait, they're not done...

"On May 13, 2008, “Gina Carano” was the fastest rising search on Google and third most searched person on Yahoo! while being ranked no. 5 on Yahoo!’s “Top Ten Influential Women of 2008” list."

In 2008 she was popular on Yahoo for a bit. Got it.

Has she won any awards?

"In 2012, Carano was the first recipient of the ActionFest Film Festival’s Chuck Norris Award for Best Female Action Star.

In 2017, Carano received the Artemis Action Warrior Award.

In 2019, Carano received The Rising Star award at Ischia Film Festival."

Very prestigious. I'm sure Chuck Norris has a lovely basement where that ceremony was almost certainly held.

You know what, why don't we just skip to The Mandalorian?

"Although her character instantly became one of the most recognized and popular characters in the series..."

Gina, no... that was the little green puppet.

You were the one who couldn't act very well but you made up for it by punching things good.

"Carano was again instrumental in the success of Season 2 of The Mandalorian."

Nope, still the puppet.

End of "accomplishments."

The next section is titled

For some reason they left out "bigoted" before speech. Weird.

In most of it, it legit sounds like they are making a case *against* her. They show that everyone at Disney and Lucasfilm tried very hard to give her chance after chance. They did everything but point blank tell her, "Either learn and relieve yourself of this ignorance or stop posting shit online."

She totally had the option to keep her shitty views to herself and shut the heck up for the duration and enjoy the money and success a Star Wars show can bring. It's like swatting away a lottery ticket.

I'm all for free speech. And if the government tried to arrest her for saying dumb shit, I'd be against that. But that freedom to speak does not mean there are never consequences. People are also free to not like what you have to say.

The entire last section of the document is just tweets that Gina screencapped. Like, her lawyers didn't even redo them so they had consistent formatting or pixel dimensions. They were literally just off Gina's phone.

She thought she was collecting receipts but it was mostly just her co-stars standing up for marginalized groups.

Based Pedro Pascal posted this...

And the document commented...

"Pascal was not disciplined, required to review documentaries on any of these topics or speak to individuals with contrary points of view, or pressured to apologize for any of his posts. His employment was not terminated, and Defendants made no public statements about his social media posts, much less refer to them as “abhorrent.”"

Yes, why wasn't Pedro forced to listen to MAGA dipshits tell him why they hate his sister? Why wasn't he told to watch a Dinesh D'Souza documentary? Why wasn't he told to apologize for posting cool ass muppet memes?

The most telling part of the document for me... the part that really showed her ignorance... was when she compared one of her tweets to one of Carl Weathers'.

First, her infamous tweet comparing the holocaust to conservatives being moderated on social media for spreading misinformation...

And then Carl posted this in response to conservatives banning books...

And the document says...

"Even Carano’s male co-star, the late Carl Weathers posted the exact same message, but no action was taken against him. Nor was Weathers accused by Defendants of denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identity."

THE EXACT SAME MESSAGE

THE. EXACT. SAME. MESSAGE.

[lux-ishii]

We and the Mandalorians were wrong about the Darksaber.

The legends of this sword talk about how it's meant to unite all Mandalorians. For some, it's just a lightsaber, heirloom, fancy tool, or symbol of power. But in reality, it's something created with the use of the Force. Force is important here. If you watch Star Wars you know it exists no matter how much some characters will say they don't believe it is.

The Darksaber was never meant to be the symbol of power. It belonged to the first Mandalorian Jedi. Someone who unites two worlds that fought each other for centuries. It was the ancient Mandalorians who gave this saber a different meaning, but it was its creator and the Force that gave the Darksaber purpose.

All the bad/hating comments you can see about the Darksaber plot being useless, or wasted potential are blind to those facts. I will say it just in case, I'm not a fan of how the Darksaber ownership was carried, BUT I do see the bigger picture here.

Favroni didn't want the Darksaber to carry the brutal legacy of ruthless Mandalorians, they wanted to show the true purpose of the Darksaber, the peaceful, uniting one. And the truth is, if not for the Darksaber, all of season 3 wouldn't take place.

Let's say, Bo fights Gideon, and she gets the Darksaber. Din and her telling each other goodbye, he goes to Boba, etc, and wants to be redeemed. What now? Hypothetically:

He drowned in the Living Waters or died because of that Borg creature.

There was a war between Gideon and Bo's forces that weren't that successful because she herself never reached the full potential in that scenario.

Several members of the covert get eaten daily.

Nevarro is occupied by pirates.

Ang so on…

The Darksaber was in Din's hands for a reason, but it wasn't the reason to make him the next Mand'alor, because that is what was adopted over the years when Mandalorians tried to define their own rules of what it means to be a Mandalorian. Din got it for its real reason to unite himself and the others. To put him on a path with his fellow, lost Mandalorian Princess.

Bo and Din lived different lives. Yet, they both are Mandalorians. It is often mentioned how the two groups hate each other. We can even see the hostility on screen. There are constantly reminding us how Mandalore fell because of their own divisions. New Mandalorians, Death Watch, Maulorians, Resistance Warriors, Children of The Watch… Shattered like stars in the galaxy.

Bo-Katan was the first one to break the circle of the constant battle over the power of the Darksaber. We now know she didn't want to challenge Din Djarin for the saber, even if she knew at the stake was everything she worked for. Bo saw beyond the brutal nature of the Darksaber's legacy, beyond the tool that in its signature brought death and power. She saw a human behind it.

With that, the Darksaber lost value for her. She said herself, that she was not sure if that blade will be enough to unite them all. Bo lost all the glorification she had for that weapon. Back in season 2, she was confident that with the Darksaber she will restore Mandalore to its former glory, but now she knows the Darksaber is not special when it comes to power. Because it's people that matter.

Her refusal to take the blade, or challenge Din was a catalyst for restoring the actual way of Mandalorians. The way of unification. From now on, her and Din's life was bound by the Darksaber. Just like the first owner Tarre Vizsla was bound with Mandalorians and Jedi.

The Force will find its way, always. Even if they don't believe in it. But the blade itself rejected Din, on purpose. He never wanted it and it was not his destiny. However, because he got the blade, it triggered a chain of events that resulted in his and Bo's lives crossing together, this time for good.

At the point when it didn't matter to both Din and Bo, the Darksaber was nothing, yet it was everything. As time passed Din and Bo grew to know each other, respect, and understand. They, Mandalorians of two opposite ends, working together, spending time together, being a great team, being stronger together.

They both learn from each other what it truly means to be Mandalorian. And it's not bloody fights every night, it's not killing your own people over differences. It's the care for family, for their tradition, their legacy. It has always been the care about Mandalore and its people.

The blade united Bo and Din, which brings us to a bigger picture here.

The blade won't unite all Mandalorians. But it united Din and Bo, who now are examples for everyone else to see that despite their differences they can work together. It is the relationship that they both developed with each other that is an example for others. Their actions, and what they represent. Both of them see beyond the Darksaber, they see the value of the people behind them. They ditched the fighting nature the old way and restored the blade's true purpose, making Din and Bo the contrast of reason against years of wars that led them to this point.

TLDR; The Darksaber is now uniting Mandalorians not through power, but through real noble values that should be the core of the new age for the Mandalorians. Its (Darksaber's) conflict united two opposite souls that are now the fundament for the future of Mandalore. The weapon was never about power or death, and Bo and Din restored its former purpose even if they aren't aware of it.

[adragonsfriend]

Love putting Jedi and Amavikka cultures in conversation, because they’re the central focuses of two rather different stories, and they are both pretty unassailable within those stories:

The Jedi are the greatest force for good against the Sith, always. The Amavikkans are the greatest force for good against slavery, always.

I say unassailable, but not because I want to assail either of them. I want to see them interact. I want to smash them together like dolls to make them kiss, and the only way to do that is through putting Anakin in situations.

The thesis behind Biting His Own Tale—apart from *fanfic brain go whooooo*—is “what if you take Anakin who has embraced Amavikka culture to the fullest degree and shove him back to a time where he,

(a) is surrounded by Jedi

(b) is forced to spend time with Palpatine still in his kindly grandfather phase

(c) has both the freedom and decisiveness to go do what he wanted to do as a kid: free slaves

Putting an Anakin who has actually cobbled together a moral code (thru Ekkreth stories), the decisiveness to act on it (thru losing everything and then deciding to care anyway), and a beautifully reluctant respect for other people’s agency in risking their own lives (thru Kadee and Leia) in this situation leaves him suddenly open to so much reexamination of his life and beliefs, as well as so much opportunity for deeply healing badassery.

The trap I have to be most careful with in all of this is saying “oh yeah so it turns out both cultures are ultimately saying the exact same thing all along,” like people often do with Jedi and Mandalorians. First, because it’s not true: Jedi and Amavikka are people coping with very different situations. And second because just going “yeah all human cultures are ultimately the same with only aesthetic differences” tends to ultimately result in conclusions that favor dominant, hegemonic cultures that are seen as the norm. (This is not to say either Jedi or Amavikka cultures are dominant or hegemonic in their own universe or in the real world. they are distinctly not that) This is part of why I like doing "comparing Jedi and Amavikka cultures" posts; they help me keep my head on straight.

Anyway this is me:

[moontheoretist]

Why I have to suffer like this?

I just wanted to google "Why Sith Warrior has only one apprentice". I didn't want to see bad takes about how "Ashara's development is ass because she doesn't "have "persona" or "doesn't even fall to the Dark Side". EXCUSE YOU. That's HER DEVELOPMENT. She doesn't fall because she is not the type of Jedi prone to that. She is a Jedi who QUESTIONS the Jedi teachings and who doesn't understand why emotions are considered to be bad to the Jedi. THAT'S WHY SHE DOESN'T FALL. People who follow the teachings of the Jedi without any questions (with obedience like Jaesa) or who question but are denied bare human emotions (like Anakin) are usually more prone to falling because they were deprived of skills they need. Because Jedi Order is teaching them that emotions are bad they don't learn how to cope with emotions and when you don't know how to cope, you just fall like a fucking rock to the bottom of the pit. There is no control, no rails to catch yourself on. Coping allows you to descend down rather than fall, it helps you to control your investment in the Dark Side. See Lana Beniko and her amazing not a mad woman persona. She is not acting like a typical psycho because she has skills to manage her own emotions. Siths are about using emotions for battle. Managing your emotions is the most improtant skill they may have. Uncontrollable falling into the Dark Side, or chosing corruption and becoming a mad driven lunatic is the worst thing that Sith can do. That's. the. point.

I will not judge or riddicule people who pushed Jaesa to the Dark Side but I will definitely make a fucking problem from people who lack the ability to UNDERSTAND the world they're playing in and its nuances. Ashara is fine. Her development is not worse than Ahsoka's - hell, she actually keeps to her views about the Jedi Order while Ahsoka, even though she actively rebelled against the Order, turns around later in life and still doesn't get why her Master had fallen. (If anybody here is badly developed it's Ahsoka in Mandalorian and Ahsoka TV shows. Her portrayal in Clone Wars animation showed that she had the greatest potential to understand all the wrongs of the Jedi Order, but no, Filoni was like "oh attachments make you vulnerable to fear". Shut the fuck up. The contradictions you are creating drives me mad!) Is Ashara's story a bit bland? Yes. But so is every other companions' in this game. After their recruitment you never get anything more meaningful so saying that "Xalek had a persona while Ashara didn't" is bullshit. The only true statement in this bad take is that Xalek deserved more than what he got. He is very interesting character and I hate it that he is just relegated to the "alien apprentice" whose name you are not allowed to respect. He sounds very dedicated and loyal when you speak to him, and I think he could be treated with much more care than he is. And the same is true for other companions too. Every single one of them deserved better, but Xalek specifically was treated like a decoration.

Ashara not having a persona. Seriously!? I constantly keep talking with her about the Force and stuff, and I saw how she behaved in the quest when we were recruiting her. I liked her approach and the way she was thinking about the Force and how she asked questions and rebelled against Jedi's bullshit. She has a personality of a Jedi rebel. That's it! Her not falling to the Dark Side is the feature not a mistake, dammit! It's very clear to me that someone mistook blodthirstiness for persona.

[oceansssblue]

100 CELEBRATION — PROMPT 17. PRINCE&SERVANT AU

REX/F READER 💖💔

WARNINGS: servant/slavery themes, social gap, mentions of war, soulbonds, first crush, fantasy aspects.

Note: Here we have a really fluffy timid sweet one for a servant!rex and princess!femalereader !! It will start in their childhood and skip through time. Switches between 1st pov and 3rd pov. Hope you like it! Xx, Blue.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The citizens of Bahr were also known as "water spirits" because of their surprising affinity with water creatures. The humanoid species could survive both underwater and in land; which made Bahr's cities beautifully diverse. Some towns were completely built under the ocean; others were constructed besides lakes and rivers. The Outer Rim planet had joined the Republic Alliance not so long ago; also enthraced by the idea of bidirectional protection and the reputation of the GAR. The Kaminoans had created clones of a mandalorian warrior that they later trained for different purposes; sold in batches all around the Republic for both servitude and personal army.

For the birth of Bahr's princess –the first descendant of King Fraland and Queen Altea– a new order of clones was sent to Kamino; and the kaminoans produced new batches of CT's and CC's and trained them for their new life. Some would end up serving in the palace or any of the Crown's properties; others would add to Bahr's already impressive army.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

You had grown up with all the commodities of the world; from endless food on the table to the prettiest of dresses. As the only princess of Bahr, your education had been impecable as well; closely monitored by the planet's best academics and literates. You had a small flock of servants personally encharged of you; from nannies that looked after you during the day or night, to other female bahrises who were tasked to help you dress or join you in any of your multiple hobbies. Not all servants in the palace were natives; but yours were.

You had always been curious about the others, the humans; the clones. They were young too –almost as young as yourself– and from a different species; and they were boys. It was inevitable to want to find more about them. However, both the Queen and your nanies had always scolded you whenever you had tried to interact with one; so you had eventually given up on being friends with them. You still curiously observed them in the distance.

It was only at eight years old when you had your first conversation with a clone. With three clones, to be precise. They were arguing about going out on an adventure; and that had instantly caught your attention. Life in palace was –though you knew you were incredibly lucky– often boring. The oportunity of going outside was too tempting to ignore.

You remained hidden behind one of the numerous statues that were placed on both sides of the corridors –old Kings and Queens of Bahr, your ancestors–; attention tunned in in the conversation between the three boys. They weren't speaking in your native language; but your teachers had already taught you a handful of others, mando'a being one of them.

"We're not going to be able to see them properly, Fives" one of the boys said, voice a mix of exasperation and resignation. "They only come up to the surface when two true soulmates are on their own there".

Your curiosity deepens; they're talking about the Lake of the Soulmates; were small water dragons live in harmony until a couple of soulmates call them. Only in pairs they will respond; only when genuine, sincere emotions came into play. It was a sacred tradition on Bahr; though some often used it as a proof of a partner's intentions or honesty. It was a beautiful idea, the fact that soulmates existed, that someone was made specifically for you; you had always dreamed of visiting it.

"Yeah, I know" the boy named Fives whispered. "But won't seing them even under the surface be worth it? Please, Echo. I'm so tired of being trapped in here".

Something softened in Echo's face; the boy glancing at the third clone of the group with reluctant acceptance. This last one had short blond hair; a trait you hadn't seen in the rest of his brothers. It was a beautiful contrast with the bronze of his skin.

"If we get caught we could be punished or even decomissioned" he wasn't fully convinced either, though it was clear he wanted to go as well. "I don't know if we should risk it".

This was the perfect chance for you to step in.

You left the secrecy of your hideout; quietly walking towards them.

"You wouldn't be if you kindly allowed me to join you".

The three clones showed various levels of surprise and fear; jumping at the unexpected sound of your voice. Their eyes widenned.

"P-princess!" Fives stuttered, back in your native language.

Echo and the clone with the blond hair straightened inmediately.

"I desire to visit the Soulmate Lake as well" you continued, undisturbed. "I've always felt curious about them. If you allow me to tag along, and the guards find us, you may even tell them I asked you to follow me there; since I wasn't keen on going on my own. Do we have an agreement?"

Fives grinned; the other two looked unsure. Upon the first's incesant pleadings, they finally gave in, nodding in silence. The blond one turned towards you, speaking to you with a timid politeness.

"Your majesty, you may want to change to a less delicate shoe choice" he pointed out, carefully, and your eyes travelled down to your cristal sparkling sandals.

"Oh!" You blushed softly. "You are right, of course. I'll retire and switch to a more comfortable pair. I will see the three of you in the North Door in ten".

You gave them a firm nod and walked away. You were going to see the water dragons for the first time ever.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

At first, Fives, Echo and Rex were incredibly wary and tense around the princess. They had grown up learning about her; about how important she was and the responsabilities she was destined to carry. They were taught how to behave around royals; how they were not the same. It was shocking, the fact that she had even talked to them. The way she phrased things was a bit unusual, and perhaps so were some of her gestures and manerisms; but in all honestly, for a princess, she looked pretty normal.

The small trip to the Lake of the Soulmates was filled with Fives animated story-telling; Rex and Echo having long learnt how to filter him out, while the princess looked almost engrossed in his tale. All words extinguished when they finally arrived, though; the beauty of the scene that powerfull. The water looked almost like a mirror of the sky above; the trees painted in vibrant greens and oranges. There was a sort of magical peace that could almost be breathed in.

"Woah" Fives looked and wandered around almost in a trance.

Echo grabbed his shoulder and tugged him back before his brother could accidentally dip a feet on the lake's water.

The three clones and the princess made their way to the edge of it and kneeled on the grass, carefully pushing their bodies forward to inspect it; trying to get a peak of the creatures swimming beneath. But the creatures stayed hidden –as Echo had predicted–; and soon the adrenaline and excitement of the adventure extinguished.

Rex discovered himself observing the princess instead. Her hair was pinned up in an intricate updo; and a small sparkly tiara was perfectly positioned on top of her head. She had what looked like diamond earings too; and she was wearing a –expensive, he was sure– violet dress with some more accesories around her wrists and neck. Under all of that, Rex noticed her big expressive eyes and the warmth of her smile. He had always thought royalty as cold and distant –no matter how well they governed–; but perhaps he had been wrong all along. The princess chuckled at something Fives said; and Rex's eyes couldn't stop staring at her.

A splash and a gasp finally called his attention; wonder and excitement shining again in all of their faces. There was a water dragon close to the surface; it was a blurred mix of blues, cyan on it's head and turning progressively darker towards the blue indigo of the tail. The creature seemed to be curious about them as well; as it swam close to the four kids for a few minutes before dissapearing into the depths of the lake again.

They all glanced at each other in shock before chuckling and smiling happily. They stayed for what felt like another hour there, with mainly Fives and Echo bickering and Rex and the princess quietly observing. It was peaceful; freeing. Rex tenderly saved the memory in his mind.

The grins were still painted on their faces with their return to the palace.

"I had a wonderful time" the princess aknowledged them before they had to part ways. "Thank you for your company".

Fives grinned, showing a silly thumbs up.

"Yeah, cool shit, princess".

Echo rolled his eyes at his brother's choice of words and lack of proper decorum; and smacked the back of his head.

Fives shot a glance at him, pouting and catching up on Echo's silent complaint inmediately.

"Hey! I said princess!"

Luckily for all of them, the royal only watched them in amusement.

"We enjoyed your company as well, your majesty" Rex tried to spare them, nodding politely, golden brown eyes making contact with the princess's. "We wish you a good rest of your evening".

She smiled genuineningly; then courtsied in a last goodbye, walking away timidly, a small happy skip to her step.

Fives and Echo bickered at his back. Rex only wished their escapade to remain a secret –for their safety–; and to have shown the princess –she'd be their queen, someday– that clones weren't that bad.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Weeks pass after that evening with the clone boys; but thoughts about them haven't yet left your mind. You don't have much contact with people your age –or any at all, for that fact–; and you somehow find yourself yearning for more. You had enjoyed the afternoon with them; void of responsabilities and the pressure of being a princess. A royal. There was no-one to watch you with a critic at the tip of their tongue; no one to tell you how to talk or move, to punish you for things that weren't considered lady like. The memory of that tiny bit of freedom, of life, had stayed roaming around in your mind.

You had carefully asked around; tried to find more information about them. They worked in the kitchens; and though there were a few complaints about them being a bit of trouble, you generally only heard good things about the three clones. They were only two years –one, in Rex's case– younger than you; though a maid had –tried to– explain to you that with the clone's accelerated aging they'd look progressively older very soon.

Temptatively, you had tried to interact with them in the few months that followed the first escapade. They reacted exactly the same way as the first time; first with cautious wariness, and then slowly easing into a quiet, gentle friendship. Fives was the main source of trouble; Echo being the one to often reel him in and cut his crazyness short. He still joined him in few ocassions, though, and then it was Rex's turn to be the voice of reason. He was not boring by any chance –in fact, you find him very intriguing–; he just seemed more mature. Rex was observant, and surprisingly firm for someone as young as him; but he knew how to relax too. You felt warm each time you caught sight of his gentle smile.

You're on a quest to personally ask the palace's main cook to bake your favorite pie when you caught sight of them again; though not in a pleasant situation. Fives, Echo and Rex are all standing up in front of a –very obviously– angry chef; heads lowered down in a sign of repentance while the man screams inches away of their face. A quick glance around is enough to know what this is all about. The kitchen is a mess; almost as if there had been a fight –or an explosion– of flour all around. You understand the need to reprimand them if this has been the case; but the way the cook is spitting ill-words so close to their faces rubs you the wrong way.

"Useless clones, genetically engineered for what? You can't even behave in a kitchen! It's a relief you can't roam around through Bahr!"

Different degrees of hurt and anger crosses the boys faces. It grows like a flame inside of you as well.

"We understand your point, sir" Rex grits out, eyes still on the floor but posture firm. "It won't happen again".

"Of course it won't!" The cook suddenly invades his personal space and takes a violent hold of his face, nails digging into the skin of both cheeks to obligue Rex to look at him. "Because if you do, i'll make sure you're all sent back to Kamino and never see a ray of sunglight ever again!"

Something inside of you fiercely wakes up and shakes. A wave of ire and an overwhelming need to protect spreads through your veins; and you take a step into the kitchen and clear your throat, eyes settling on the cook in a heated stare.

"Princess!" The man exclaims, releasing the boy's face and taking a step back in utter surprise.

The three clones inmediately look at you. You want to comfort them, but it is a priority to get them away from this man first.

"Let this be the last time you dare to treat anyone this way" your voice holds an authority that doesn't really come from being a royal, but of a fierce heart that won't let any other option exist. "You will request a transfer to any other of the Crown's properties and leave inmediately".

The man is so shocked he almost sputters in his place.

"B-but princess..." his eyes flicker over your smaller form in a desperate way to find something to convince you with. "I'm the only one who knows how to bake your favorite Jhogan pie!"

Your expresion turns to one of disgust. The fact that this man...

"My favorite dessert can't be more irrelevant as opposed to the safety of other's lifes. I have given you the option to continue working elsewhere as a courtsey for all the years you've been working for us; but if you insist, I can make sure you won't find a job anywhere in Bahr".

The clear warning is enough to shut all of the cook's complaints down; and he turns around to send a hatefull glance to the three clones as if they have been the ones to dig his way out.

"Leave" you almost hiss then, years of trained patience coming to an end.

The man nods tersely, huffs, and walks away.

You breathe a sigh of relief when you're left alone in the kitchen with the other three boys. Their posture relax too; inmediately aproaching each other and mutually making sure they are all safe and good. The need extends to you.

"Are you alright?" You ask them, slowly aproaching them.

Fives and Echo look at you. Rex, for some reason, keeps staring at the floor.

"Yeah" Echo eventually answers. "Thank you for the save, princess. It was a kind gesture of you".

To your surprise, Fives steps forward and envelops you in a big, sudden hug.

"It was awesome! Did you see his face?" He laughs, and you chuckle as he releases you and takes a step back.

"It looked like his head was going to explode from holding all his anger back" you confirm with a tiny smile.

Your eyes travel back to Rex; who is still painfully silent, expresion closed off as if he were thinking of something deeply emotional and delicate.

"Hey" you carefully squeeze his shoulder and he breaks off of his trance, golden eyes locking on yours. "Are you okay?"

His eyes flicker over your face. He nods without saying a thing.

Your hand moves up and your fingertips carefully graze the skin of his redenned cheek. They won't be hurt like that ever again.

"You should get that checked by the doctor" you advise gently, lowering your traitorous hand to it's rightfull place. "Some marks have managed to break the skin and they might scar if you don't tend to them".

His golden eyes continue staring at you; creating a mess of contradicting and confusing emotions and thoughts you're too young to descipher yet.

"I will" Rex finally says.

When you leave the kitchen two minutes later, you murmur a soft and quiet "keep an eye on him" to Fives. The clone nods and grins.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

It has been a long day for Rex and his brothers. Their working conditions are vastly different from those of two years ago; from when the princess had faced off the main palace cook and sent the monster away. When she had protected them. The memory is still vivid and clear in Rex's memory. She had been so small, so young; and yet her voice had held such a fierce authority. She clearly cared for them; and in a world where clones –where he– meant nothing, that had touched Rex's heart.

Not having a dickhead for a boss doesn't make the hours and hours of baking any less demanding, though; and Rex can feel the ache on his muscles begging for a rest. He's on his way to the servant's floor when he hears music floating down the stairs; it's such a beautiful melody that the curious clone is already following it with quiet steps. He recognises the sound of the clarinas; small air instruments native from Bahr. But there's someone singing as well; and Rex's instincts are pushing him towards it, for some misterious reason he has no time –or desire– to analise.

He comes to a stop in front of the music salon; and takes a quiet peak inside to scan the room. At first, his eyes widen in surprise; then, he's left staring enthraced, hipnotized. He didn't know she could sing like that. The princess's voice is sweet and delicate; her range gently dancing over the notes in a peaceful melody. The song has a hint of melancholy; like a bird who sees the beauty of the outside world and feels awed and warmed by it, but can't quite hold enough strength on his wings to fly in it.

Rex golden eyes are absort on her face for the few minutes he stays listening; until a maid passing by the corridor softly reprimands him and he flushes in silence, straigthening back up guiltily.

"Don't just stand there all day, young boy. Go on" the woman tuts with a knowing smile on her face, and Rex fights down his blush and walks away.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

When you almost run into Rex in one of your late afternoon walks through the gardens, you can't help but gasp and stare at him in surprise. And not just because of the unexpected, clumsy encounter; but because of how different he looks. His growth has sprinted in this last four years. While you're looking your age –fourteen, now–, Rex –his brothers too– appear to be seventeen or so; the physical signs and changes of their teenage years dissapearing in a blink and quickly transitioning into his current appearence. He's tall, really tall now; slightly towering above you when you had once been of the same height. His facial features have changed too; shaped into firm, sharp lines. Gone is the kid Rex once was; he's certainly turning into a young man.

"Your majesty" he gives you a small courtsey and you smile at him with warmth. No matter how many little interactions you've both had over the years, Rex has never dropped certain formalities around you. It's endearing, really. "Enjoying a bit of fresh air before dinner is served?"

You nod without dropping your smile.

"Yes, indeed. The gardens are beautiful this time of the year, and a break from the noise of the palace is always welcomed" you pause and study him briefly. "Would you like to join me?"

Surprise fills his expresion; an sort of timid hesitance following.

"If you're sure, princess. I wouldn't want to disturb your moment of peace...".

You chuckle and tilt your head in a carefree grin.

"I wouldn't have offered if I found your presence disturbing, Rex" you tease him in good humour, gently linking your hand around his arm and tugging forward carefully. "It will be a short stroll, don't worry".

He doesn't say a thing. His golden eyes travel down to your hand anchored on his –surprisingly defined– bycep; then back to your face. It almost looks like he's thinking what the kriff you're doing with him. Ah, you suppose this tiptoes the line of being a royal, taking a walk with a –male– servant; but you can't help yourself. You enjoy his presence; always have, and right now a relaxing stroll between friends sounds nice.

Trying not to dwell on the fact that your bodies are touching –and the tingling sensation derived from it– you fill the –perhaps initially akward– silence with curiosities and stories about the plants you pass by; wether it's just their medical use or a particularity of a flower, or some other tradition that is rumoured in Bahr. He listens attentively, quietly; only intervening here and there. It's only after a while when you grow self-conscious; realising you're perhaps talking a bit too much.

"Forgive me" you smile guiltily, hand dropping from where you had been pointing at the petals of yet another flower. "You probably don't find all of this rants about flora interesting. You might not even like flowers for all I know..."

To your honest surprise, Rex carefully tugs said hand forward and holds it in his, gently squeezing.

"I do" he replies calmly, soothing your worries, voice deeper than it had been just a year ago. He glances at the green jade flowers and back at you. "It's the colour of your eyes, princess".

It's such an unexpected comment –and more so coming from him– that you can't control the flustered blush that inmediatelly spreads through your cheeks and down your neck. You shyly tuck a strand of hair behind your ear with your other hand; warmth spreading from where you hold him with the other one –as if some sort of energy were flowing between the two of you–.

Rex doesn't retract his comment; temptitavely caressing the dorso of your hand with his thumb, and a peacefull, almost pensive expresion on his face. You fall equally enthraced by him; gaze lost in the tenderness of his warm, golden eyes, on this new feeling sparkling between the two of you.

You had just started to see boys in another way; and Rex... Rex is beautiful. The sunset does wonders on his bronze skin, brings the gold out of his gentle brown eyes, he is undeniably handsome and his physicall appearence has nothing to envy the...

"Princess! Your majesty!" the urgent voice of your maid breaks the moment rather abruptly, tearing you out of your trance cruelly. "The King and Queen have been waiting for you in the Grand Comedor for almost ten minutes now!"

The woman continues to rant from far away, and you turn to look back at Rex with an amused chuckle –cheeks still redenned and already missing the warmth of his hand in yours–.

"I shall better go before they send a flock of angry maids to find me" you joke, still a hint of shyness on your voice and face.

Rex nods and takes a polite step back. You ignore how much your heart complains about that.

"Of course" he agrees, eyes still fixed on yours. "Have a good night, princess".

Your smile is as soft as melting butter.

"You as well, Rex".

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The next day, upon numerous innapropiate whispers of maids and servants all around the palace that reaches the rulers ears, three clones are sent away to be trained in Bahrs army. When a week later the princess's personal maids finally ask the royal sucessor the reason for her late melancholy, she brushes it aside and conjures an empty smile. She's a bird; but she has no wings.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Seven years later, life has not changed much. At least for you. At 21, you have more responsabilities as the Crown's succesor, and take a participant role in Bahr's important decisions; but that aside, life around you moves like it always has. Slow and boring; though comfortable and coveted. Diplomatic travels have become part of your favorite rutine At least that way you're able to explore Bahr's diverse cities, though you're not completely free to roam around as you'd like, but tied to long dinners and debates.

Your father has subtly questioned you about wether if you feel connected to any of Bahr's important houses heirs. Your answer has always been short and clipped. It's not that you hate all of them; some are not pretentious and fairly good company –hadsome, even–, but none make your heart skip a bit. You'll settle for someone eventually; but for now, you'll still hold onto the hope that someone who can will appear.

You're lost in thoughts when the sound of someone arriving at the Lake of the Soulmates –you had taken to visit it sort of regularly lately– pulls you out of your mind. You glance back at the new comer; a gasp inmediately abandoning your lips, face shifting with shock and surprise.

"R-rex?"

You stand up from the blanket you've placed on the grass, carefully making your way towards him. He looks just as shocked; stunned. It has been seven years since you last saw each other. He's so... He's a man, now. His eyes, though... His golden eyes hold the same gentleness.

"Princess..." he takes two slow steps towards you as well –until you're both standing in front of each other, your chin tilting up so you can see his face–. "Long time no see".

You shoot him a fond smile.

"Yes" your eyes flicker over every inch of his face. His brow is more pronounced, his jaw sharper. His lips... pouty. "You've changed".

Age has done nothing but make him look more atractive. The white and blue armour he's currently wearing –clinging to his strong muscles– only make the picture prettier.

"You as well, princess. You look..." he stops himself, cheeks tinged in red.

You can feel your heart trying to beat it's way out of your chest. You're nervous, but excited; you encourage him to finish the sentence with bright eyes and a tempting smile.

"I look?"

At first, Rex seems to hesitate; then, the soldier squares his shoulders and fixes his eyes on yours.

"You look more beautiful than ever, princess".

He tells you this tenderly but firmly; like there's no option to disagree, like it's an universal truth. The quiet passion swirling in his golden eyes makes your heart clench; tugging the corner of your lips into a radiant smile.

You close the small distance between each other with another tiny step; your body almost grazing his.

Years and years of lessons on politeness and decency, on how a royal should behave, sprints through your mind; though they are quickly shut down in favor of the fire that burns bright in your heart. Rex... Rex makes your heart skip a bit. Perhaps he always has –even when in your young age you couldn't see it as clearly as now–.

"You do too, Rex" you whisper fervently, looking up at him. "Beautiful".

Rex releases a deep breath; almost as if he had been afraid of you reacting badly to his compliment. He closes the eyes for a few seconds; as if saving the moment in his memory.

You gather your courage and swallow your own insecurities down; temptitavely caressing his hand with the very tip of your fingers –a sort of cautious invitation to do more about it–.

Rex opens his eyes and glances at you in surprise.

"Is this... okay?" you ask him timidly, hand almost trembling with your nervousness.

Rex looks to be lost in your eyes; he barely reacts, not moving a single inch.

"Y-yes, yes. If you want to, princess..."

The carefull caress turns into proper holding hands. You smile at how right such a simple thing feels.

"Will you ever call me by my name?" You tease him in good humour, a little amused chuckle escaping your lips.

Rex's eyes travel around as if you have put him in a four way crossroad.

"I shouldn't..."

Perhaps years and years of lessons on how not to behave around and with royals are flickering through his mind too.

The fire inside of you burns stronger. You end the distance between your bodies, softly anchoring yourself to him and gently wrapping your hands around his shoulders. He freezes, eyes fixed on your face, now so close to his.

"But I want you too" you reply, fervently.

Rex swallows; and you can almost feel his throat move.

"It might take some time for me to get used to it. But I can try... meshla".

You release all your tension and nervousness with a long, happy sigh; closing your eyes and pressing your forehead against his plated chest, breathing the warmth feeling he provoques in you in. Rex hands tentatively takes place in your back and caresses you gently. His tension deflates as well in the tender embrace.

Splashing water sounds force you to break apart; you both glance at the lake, but upon finding everything as usual, quickly return to search into each other's gaze. You already miss his arms around you –yours around him–; though there's still minimum space between you.

"How have you been all this time, Rex?" You ask him fondly. "You've been working for the army, have you not?"

"Just got promoted to Captain, yes" he confirms, and your eyes fly down to quickly study the pauldron on his shoulder and his blue kama, armour touches and upgrades you know well. "It has been..."

He hesitates, and you encourage him to continue with a soft smile.

"Go on. You can be frank with me".

Rex sighs and confesses.

"It's better than staying in the palace all day, every day. It makes me feel more usefull, valuable. I'm protecting people. Doing good things" he takes a breath in and quietly admits, a troubled expresion on his face. "It's not an easy task, though. I've seen... Men and woman die, lost friends. I never realised just how many brothers I had in Bahr until I started to feel like I was losing them".

His words and emotions are so honest and raw it brings tears to your eyes; though you don't allow a single one to fall.

You hold his hands in yours.

"I'm sorry, Rex. That Fives, Echo and you all felt trapped in the palace and then forced to walk away. Every native servant has decided to be there; but you clones never had the oportunity to choose. I'm sorry you've lost family as well. I hope one day you'd be able to forgive me, Rex..."

He shows you a fond smile and gentle squeezes your hand with one hand; the other coming up to cup your face.

"It's not like you had any say in our creation, meshla, or what we came to be. You were just a child as well. And honestly, the King treats us much better than other clones in other parts of the galaxy. I'm happy with where I am now; Fives and Echo as well".

"How are they, Echo and Fives?" You curiously ask him, wanting to know about the other two boys –now men– as well.

Rex smile can only be defined as proud.

"They're doing well. Both got promoted to ARC's at the same time, which is why we're all in the Capital now. There's going to be a small ceremony in the palace for all new ARC's, Commanders and Captains".

You blink in surprise.

"Oh, I wasn't aware of this".

Rex shrugs.

"I don't believe the royal family attends this" he explains "just some other high ranks from the army and the war council. It's a small thing".

You tilt up your chin and make up a quick decision.

"It's a big thing for you. I'll be there"

"You don't have to, prin... meshla..."

You smile and squeeze his hand.

"I know. I'll still try".

Rex nods, innerly touched and gratefull; and you're both left in silence for a few seconds, studying each other's hands and eyes.

"I thought of doing this a lot when we were kids" you confess, voice quiet.

Rex shoots you a surprised look.

"Holding hands?" He asks, a timid expresion on his face too.

"Among other things" you admit with a blush.

Rex is shocked by your confession; but his eyes only fill with tenderness and warmth.

"Why didn't you?"

You shrug.

"I was reprimanded a lot, told to not interact with the three of you. I was also afraid of you only accepting because you'd be afraid to say no and... And I was shy and just a child. I didn't truly understand what I was feeling and what to do about it" you glance to the say and chuckle, cheeks painted in an embarassed red. "You were my first boy crush".

Rex can't believe at first the words that are coming out of your mouth. But he sees the honesty in your eyes, the vulnerability, the tenderness and the desire; and he knows it's the beautiful truth.

He smiles and caresses your cheek with his thumb. He decides to confess as well.

"I would have accepted anything from you, princess, and not out of obligation".

Warmth spreads inside of you; this time the title sounding more of a sweet, personal pet name on his lips than a polite status reference.

Rex decides to risk it all. His other hand also travels up to cup your face in his palms; softly tilting it up towards him so he can study and caress every inch of your skin with his golden eyes.

"And now, meshla? Now that we aren't kids?"

"I..." you want him. You love him. He's the one. "I want the same things".

Rex's relieved breath flickers over your face; and barely a second later, he dips down to catch your lips in a tender, heartfelt kiss. You make a small, pleased sound in your throat and surrender to him; body melting in his embrace and kissing him back with the same softness and hunger, both mixed into perfect bliss.

When you're forced to breathe, Rex rests his forehead against you in what you know is a Keldabe kiss; taking each other in.

"I've told myself a million times iver the years that this couldn't be. That you were just a dream, an illusion I would never reach".

Your heart aches. Perhaps true, honest love is just like that; so raw and powerfull it heals as much as it aches.

You nuzzle your nose against his and answer him softly.

"I know there's responsabilities to both and that we'll face more than one public judgement. We will need to be carefull. But I've always felt curious about you, Rex. We're both older now. Perhaps things won't work out, and that's okay; but I feel very strongly towards you and I'd like to have the chance to see where this goes now".

Rex smiles and pecks your lips again. Oh, you'll soon grow addicted to it.

"Like I said, princess, I'll take whatever you're willing to give" he grins, and you're so happy you can't help but laugh against his lips.

There's a louder splash coming from the water again; and this time, a quick, initially uninterested glance turns to be an overwhelming shock. You both watch, stunned, how two blue water dragons repetitively jump up and down the surface of the lake, clearly playing with each other and having fun, oblivious to the two of you.

You stare at Rex in shock.

"Are those... Did we... Are we..." you can't seem to form the words, too overwhelmed and nervous about the possible implications of this.

Rex stares back at the small creatures.

"If we were... We should be able to call them towards us, right?" He cautiously asks.

You nod, heart pounding. The two water dragons stop playing and hover over the surface of the lake, as if suddenly realising they were being watched and looking back at you curiously.

You take a deep, centering breath and close your eyes; focusing on trying to conect with any of them. To tug at some sort of invisible connection.

You gasp at the feeling of something wet and slippery pressing against the skin of your neck; opening your eyes in wonder, staring at the almost magical female water dragon that is nuzzling against you and chirping happily.

"T-try it" you tell Rex, hands shaking to caress the legendary creature, the animal playfully nipping at your fingertips.

Rex imitates you; closing his eyes and trying to find his own connection with the other water dragon. He frowns, and nothing happens at first; but then, the creature –darker in colour but with also more white streaks in it's tail– shyly aproaches him and spins around his forearm, then moving to hover in front of him.

Rex looks at his dragon in awe and then turns towards you.

"We're soulmates" he voices, love and wonder shining in his golden eyes.

You smile and close the distance to kiss him.

"I guess that explains why I have always felt drawn to you. Yes, we are".

Rex swallows your happy chuckles and you smile against his lips. The two water dragons play around your entwinned shape, chirping happily.

THE END.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Author note:

I love Rex so much godddddd...

Ps. With this one we only have one more prompt left for the 100blueceleb. It's a short story of a demon!echo / angel!ofc ; I have already planned it through and am in the process of writing it. It's gonna be a blast, mark my words! I'm so excited to share it with y'all. Stay tunned!

Xx, Blue.

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[indignantlemur]

hello, I have a bit of an odd question. For each species culture in Star Trek do you think would fit in Star wars? I think the andorians and Klingons fit with the mandalorians. What do you think?

Have a nice day.

Hello! This is a fun question!

I'm gonna narrow the scope a little, because if I did every Star Trek species we'd be here forever, but I'll try to hit all the main ones.

Andorians: I could see Andorians fitting neatly into the realm of Pantoran or Chiss characters pretty easily, and what little we know about the Chiss feels a lot like it could parallel Andorians in their earlier, more isolationist histories. I particularly feel like the rigid social structures of the Chiss and their military philosophies would fit quite nicely with Andorian values. Likewise, Pantorans share some similarities with Andorians, like exceptional hearing and coloration. Additionally, the tradition of garnering tattoos to indicate family and allegiance amongst Pantorans does feel similar to Andorian chitin patterns.

Humans: Humans across all universes are pretty much the same, let's be honest. If you take an average Star Trek Human civilian and plonk them down on an average Core World in the 'Wars universe, they'll do just fine.

Vulcans: Of all the species, I feel like Vulcans prove to be excellent candidates for Jedi recruitment, but that's not actually a species, so: Kel Dor. Hear me out: they have sages, they're largely mysterious, they are on the whole very force sensitive (psychically powerful) and they keep much of their culture and traditions to themselves. It's a stretch, admittedly, but I think it kind of works.

Trill: Phydolons feel like a good match. They're a symbiotic species which form a kind of gestalt consciousness between a mammalian host and a fungal symbiote, who value wisdom and spirituality.

Klingons: The Noghri might not feel like the most immediate option to come to mind, but bear with me. Noghri are skilled warriors who utilise technology and an array of natural weapons and defenses, place high value on honour, and function societies built upon familial clans. It's not as much of a stretch as you might think, looking at that. Just as the Klingons are honed for war, the Noghri are uniquely suited for combat - though the Noghri are most well known for being assassins, rather than front-line warriors.

Orions: The Falleen, hands down. Green skin, dark hair, known to use powerful pheromones to influence others, regularly associated with major crime syndicates... it's hard not to see the parallels. It's tempting to say Twi'leks here, but honestly I feel the Falleen are a much better match.

Ferengi: Muun in general, and the Banking Clan in particular. Muun are extremely intelligent and naturally gifted at mathematics, and while the Banking Clan gives them something of a negative reputation, most Muun are pretty decent folks. Sounds familiar? Wildly different physiologies aside, I think the Ferengi and the Muun have a surprising amount in common.

Tellarites: It would be incredibly lazy to say Gamorreans here, so I won't. Truthfully, with the minimal lore on Tellarites that we have to work with, finding an equivalent for them in the Star Wars universe is a bit tricky. I'd be inclined to say the Gran, perhaps, for their colonial tendencies and agricultural leanings, but even that feels very weak to me.

Mandalorians: Mandalorians are not a species but diverse individuals who follow a shared creed, and therefore I don't feel it sensible to include it with any of the above options which are based on species. Additionally, there are at least four kinds of Mandalorians, which further complicates the issue: Death Watch, the Children of the Watch, the True Mandalorians, and the New Mandalorians. Your choices narrow down to child-abducting-hyper-militant-terrorist group, weirdly-genetically-homogenous/militant-pacifist group, militant-but-mostly-reasonable-and-kinda-culty group, and a virtually non-existent faction of militant golden-age-Mandos-cut-down-before-their-time. With all of these, your mileage may vary wildly. I could see Vulcans being attracted to the New Mandalorian philosophies, I suppose, and Andorians would probably be all over the True Mandalorian option, but it's hard to say more beyond that outside of individual circumstance.

Thanks for the ask!

[kedsandtubesocks]

Jedi Master!Gojo x Mandalorian!Reader for the wonderful jjk star wars au collab, thank you my dear starlight @strawberrystepmom for crafting up this galaxy of a dream collab 🩶

:･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.: :･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.: :･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･.:

The ancient Jedi texts and archives painted the mandalorians as brute callous monsters. Though the Jedi respect their skills as warriors and trained fighters, mandalorians were seen as the oldest enemy of his kind for a reason.

The Jedi prided themselves in elegant finesse and civility that sanctified them as the elite protectors of the galaxy. It’s why, in comparison, Mandalorians were seen as wild reckless horrifying fighters and why the Jedi looked down upon them.

It was all bantha shit to him though.

Satoru is so thankful he doesn’t care much about what dusty old weak past Jedi or even current his current Jedi comrades had to say.

You’re all the tangible proof Satoru needs to shove those histories and perceptions up the council’s ass.

You’re elegant in your own way. Clad in your people’s ancient armor, you walk with a grace knowing you wear it.

“It’s a sacred honor,” you once told him and he sees that sacred holiness residing in you.

The beskar forged by your people, by your ancestors, carves you into a warrior. But you are not a monster in beskar the text painted your kind to be.

“Must be sad, to not know someone or see their face.” Shoko had once mused with a quiet sadness over a comlink chat on evening.

“Nah… not really,” was the answer Satoru had told his oldest friend.

He’s heard your giggle through the moderated helmet you wear. He knows when you roll your eyes at him by the way your helmet tilts in annoyance. The way your voice fluctuates so easily, how brightly it can feel just hearing it, how fervent you sound when talking about something you care deeply about, Satoru sees you, knows you.

But he wishes to still see you in a way that is too dangerous even for him.

He vowed to forgo all attachments, the one true honor he tries living within the code. But it’s so hard when you’ve become like a magnet pulling him in.

His mind is infested by you.

Questions rage in his head like wild rancors. What is your most precious childhood memory? What haunts you most? Do you have a favorite creature? He takes you as a lover of loth cats.

He wants to know you, wants to keep your secrets and your unarmored soul safe within his grasp. It dangerously dances the line of possession, of wanting to possess and love you in a way that’s damning not just to him, but to you.

You and your loyal beautiful heart.

You and your shining honor gilded existence.

“Well,” he grins bright and so alive that the force pulsates through his chest with a rapid wildness. “Good morning to you, shiny!”

The planet of Geonosis is a wasteland, an actual stretch of deserted danger. Yet under the warm amber glow of the planet’s sun you gleam. You shine brighter than anything in this whole damn galaxy as you emerge from the ship.

Through your helmet he knows you’re scowling at him because the exhausted sigh leaving you holds a prickly annoyance.

“Let’s get this damn day over with, di’kut.” You huff out already so exhausted with him and he grins wide.

Your nickname for him is way less cuter than the one has for you. But, he adores it.

The term literally translates to ‘one who forgot to put their pants on.’ Colloquially it's slang for an idiot, a useless fool.

He sees it as your very own beskar slice reminding him of how human he is. Strongest Jedi or not, you’re unimpressed by him. You maybe see through him more than anyone else has.

“Aw, come on. Let’s start today off on a good foot, yeah verd’ika?”

He calls you little warrior, another cute nickname he adores using for you. Your shoulders stiffen and your fist clench. Satoru still loves that he can pull this reaction out of you even though you know he understands and even lightly speaks mando’a.

“Shut up.” You snap out swift and already storm off from him to head into the ghastly trek among the jagged mountains. Satoru follows you without hesitation.

Recently more than ever he thinks about why his kind and yours are fated enemies. Now Satoru believes he understands why mandalorians are seen as such a danger to the Jedi. You’re a pure beautiful beskar spear piercing through even his strongest barrier, launched right through his heart and leaving him raw. No one but you has ever done that.

Because even as the strongest Jedi Master, the savior of the Galaxy and consecration of the Jedi prophecy, he is weakened by you.

Now Satoru truly wonders if he will be strong enough to win against you - his strong little mandalorian warrior, the one who might truly be his downfall.

And he finds he’s not upset over that possibility at all.

[cienie-isengardu]

I have already complained about the lack of sources and character development for Jaster Mereel, the supposed important figure in Mandalorian modern history. At the same time, I’m genuinely fascinated by how he was seen by Dooku, Jango Fett and Tor Vizsla. Which is not really that they have some drastically different opinions that exclude each other but rather what those characters identify with Jaster.

Let’s start with Count Dooku. The man did a great research about Jango Fett’s past before he hired the Mandalorian to become a DNA donor for the clone army. As he said to Darth Sidious, Dooku "interrogated a number of his former associates"

So, obviously, Dooku's opinion is by no means objective, literally colored by what he learned from Jaster/Jango’s allies and followers. Surprisingly there is no mention about honor that tie-in materials like to bring in regard to Jaster Mereel even though this should be the logical conclusion as the difference between True Mandalorians and barbaric Death Watch. For Dooku alone, Jaster Mereel was “reformed murderer” who "held that the Mandalorians were merely highly-paid soldiers" [JF:OS#1]

Then we have Jango who knew Jaster personally, saw him as family and held in great respect. Whale reading the Death Watch Manifesto that at some point he had in his possession, Fett wrote this:

These are lies. Jaster sought true honor, not the right to ignore laws and moral codes. Vizsla's Death Watch was nothing but a license for murder [Jango]

Jaster was an important person for Jango - so much he wanted his unalerted clone to carry on Mereel’s legacy and without doubt Jango idealized the man.

At the same time, Jango’s opinion doesn’t exactly tell us what kind of person Jaster was, more what was his goal and what he represents for Fett and other True Mandalorians.

And then we have Tor Vizsla and look, the Manifesto was written years after Jaster’s death and some time after the destruction of the True Mandalorians on Galidraan. Tor could write anything, literally any lie and slander that comes to his mind, because there were not many people around anymore who knew Jaster and even if they were remains of True Mandalorians, the book wasn’t intended to fall into their hands anyway. And what of all possible things Tor identified with Jaster? Passion.

And yes, this is very subjective point of view and opinion about Jaster - albeit I would argue Tor’s words aren’t detached from reality that much because it easily ties up with Dooku’s statement “merely high-paid soldiers” and let's be real here, no matter how much Jango or other True Mandalorians (sources) will bring honor into discussion, honor itself is not synonymous with being morally right. But I’m gonna leave mandalorian morality for another time. 

I’m furious that Tor didn't elaborate what Jaster was so passionate about - the order and laws? Work ethics? Religion? - that he couldn’t contain passions in himself and tried to “eliminate them in everyone else”. At the same time it amazes me, because this short paragraph may imply that Tor knew Jaster from a different, maybe much more personal side. And I won’t lie, Jaster being a passionate man speaks to me, an introvert, on a very specific level (as in: not showing that side to every person around you), especially since he doesn’t appear like that in comics? For the little we could observe him through two issues, he was rather cool-headed and down to earth type of person? Being sympathetic to Jango and showing anger only once, at Montross (whom he still personally rescued despite Montross openly disobeying his orders). Passion is not something I would call comics!Mereel and in a way Tor’s words, for me, brings more humanity to Jaster than Dooku’s understanding and Jango’s glorification did.

This does not mean that Jango didn’t know Mereel well but Fett understandably idolized his mentor, especially since he was still pretty young (~14) when Jaster died and this “nostalgia” definitely affected how he remembered Mereel in his adult life. In a way I feel Jango’s opinion is for what Mereel strived (virtues) while Tor’s present humanity (flaws).

And let's not forget the History of the Mandalorians - the supposedly objective article - describes Jaster Mereel as a “deeply pious human”.

The oxford and cambridge online dictionaries say pious means “deeply religious” what I find very intrigued yet another overlooked detail. And hey, a person wouldn't fight tooth-and-nail to become reigning Mandalore without being passionate and devoted to his ideals, right? So I like to think that Jango and Tor opinions about Jaster don't contradict each other but simply present Mereel from different angles that add more depth to his otherwise not exploited character.

[hastalavistabyebye]

🖊 especially for any Tusken or Mando OCs if you have them? 👀

I don't have a Tusken oc yet (even if I want to make a Jedi Tusken one day) but I do have a Mando !

Her name is Kestia Cassava and I share her with @workingchemistry <3

She's a pantoran Mandalorian and has two wives, Korin and Ciri (who's also the owner of 79's). All of them are kickass women who takes no shit and are always ready to help where they can, and they adopt two Corrie Shinies who entered the bar to hide, when one of them got injured by natborns. Then they adopted the entire Guard, and the GAR after that xD

Kestia is short but compact, a true ambulant armory. And she looks even shorter next to her Twi'lek and Kiffar wives. She has a heart of gold, cares immensely about the people she loves. But will, of course, never back down from a fight and always have the back of her family.

She also has a complicated relationship with her culture, in part because she married two non-mandalorians (who didn't completely adopt the culture nor the Resol'nare, even after saying the riduurok), in part because she doesn't agree with the political mayhem that is Mandalor for the past decades. And with her being pantoran, she doesn't exactly take well to the human-centrist/more-than-borderline specist politic of the New Mandalorians. She also does absolutely not appreciate Jango Fett more, especially not after learning how he treated the clones. So now, she lives on Coruscant with her wives. Does it mean she appreciate more the Republic ? Abso-fucking-lutely not. She has quite a few choices of words for the Senate that very, very far from politically correct. (All three of the Cassavas are pretty jaded on that regard. All of them have seen and lived through a lot of shit, they only care about the people they know and not about the grand scheme of things if they can help it. Of course adopting the clones ends up with them snooping in the Republic's business. Nobody is going to hurt their kids on their watch, thank you.)

Here's a picrew of her. The markings aren't necessarily really accurate, I've just made do (and we haven't fixed what they look like yet either)

And here are her wives :

Ciri :

And Korin (same thing for the tattoo) :

I adore them <3

[brujitaadinbo]

It causes me a lot of noise when they talk just to talk about The Madalorian and the relationship that has developed between Din and Bo Katan.

They say that he "would have preferred to stay with Omera and lead a quiet, simple life without attracting attention"

Clear; because from the first moment, he accepts that he does not belong there, sends Omera straight to the bench and decides by all means to be with Grogu, to follow the Mandalorian path and his lifestyle.

He longs for a settled life of course, but not on that planet, nor with Omera.

He knows that his path is still long and that is why everything that happens throughout these seasons happens.

Choose a path where Grogu is, where it is not at all a simple, quiet life and much less hidden from everyone's sight, on the contrary, it is more likely to be a target shot.

And this is where the armorer's words echo: he who takes the path of Mandalore cannot let himself be carried away by fear. You are prey as well as hunter.

That's when all your enemies and your allies, your friends and closest people come in; Like Bo Katan.

She also has the opportunity to leave the hideout at any time in season 3 and it is more than obvious that she does not do so. Because in the end; Being Mandalore does not take away your right to surround yourself with others, to have someone around who can make you see life differently, like Din Djarin does, all the time.

Because having a command position is something that you can carry alone or you can carry in the company of others, knowing that someone gives you support and backing and will not leave you alone.

This is where the difference is made and she knows it. Because true empowerment is not that she does everything alone, it is that she is surrounded by people who appreciate her for her character, her abilities, for her feelings, not just for her position or position. Reducing Bo Katan to "just being Mandalore" and unable to let go of her responsibility is making the mistake that everyone who turned their back on her made.

Just seeing her as that and not as the person and human she is.

If you took the time to look for information about the Mandalorians, read about them and understand that The Mandalorians have a very different way of living from other cultures but, indeed, united they are stronger.

This is the way…

By the way, this photo is of the cosplayers from Argentina Mando Argento and Jess Herlein

They are on Instagram and you should follow them on all their networks; because they are perfect.

[tinky-dinky]

About Jango Fett

So I've been having a lot of thoughts and feelings about Jango recently, and I want to talk about him.

Fair warning: This is almost entirely my own headcanons. It is based on canon, but is not canon and should not be taken as canon. Having said that, though, if you want to borrow my ideas for your own headcanons or fanfics, go ahead. Just credit me, please.

Let's talk Jango Fett.

It's difficult to reconcile the two halves of Jango. The loving father from a culture that puts heavy emphasis on protecting children and the cold man who allowed innocent children to be enslaved, tortured, abused and killed.

I think there are multiple ways we can explain this dichotomy. The obvious reasoning is that Jango simply doesn't view the clones as human, as anything more than meat droids. He compartmentalised them in his mind so they didn't come under the Mandalorian cultural protection of children. Boba, under this rationalisation, doesn't count as a clone because he's unaltered.

I don't particularly like this explanation, as it makes Jango an asshole. It's probably the most likely answer, but it's the least interesting.

I think Jango is a very broken man. He grew up in a civil war, watched his bio parents be murdered in front of him when he was 8 years old, then watched his adopted father be betrayed and killed when he was 14. It's worth pointing out that by this time he was already fighting in battles.

By the time he was 15, Jango had lived through a war and watched three parents be murdered. Then he's put in charge of his people, when he's way too young to handle that kind of pressure, and only manages to lead them for seven years.

Then Galidraan happens. His people are slaughtered, and it's partially his fault. The bulk of blame is on the Governer and Death Watch for setting the trap and the Jedi for being easily manipulated, failing to do any kind of research or investigation and actually being the ones who carried out the slaughter.

But Jango did fire first. It was technically him that started the violence, although given the Jedi approached with drawn lightsabers, one could argue some kind of violence was inevitable regardless of what Jango did.

This is all made worse by Jango's inability to grieve or process the loss of his people, because he was sold into slavery. I cannot imagine an unhealthier way to recover from trauma.

It's interesting that Jango never seems to have sought out any remaining True Mandalorians after he escapes slavery. Some must have survived; it's very unlikely that every single one of them went to Galidraan. In Legends canon, at least, there was one other survivor of Galidraan, a Mando named Silas. Dooku captures and tortures him for information on Jango.

So why did Jango never seek out any of his people? It could be that he felt they blamed him for the slaughter at Galidraan and wouldn't want him around, or may even injure or kill him. It could be that he didn't want anyone around him, was afraid to get close to people again, because everyone he's cared about has died. His parents, his sister, Jaster, all of his people, they all died. It could be that Jango thinks his people might want him to be their leader again and he doesn't trust himself to lead again. He fired first at Galidraan, and it got his people massacred.

I think it was probably some combination of all three.

I also think the second reason, the fear of getting close to people in case they die, is part of the reason why he doesn't acknowledge the clones. He's desperate not to lose more people he cares about, and he knows the clones are made to die.

But, then, what about Boba? Why did he insist on having Boba?

Legacy. But not his. I think he was thinking about Jaster's legacy when he decided to have Boba. Jaster was a good man, a reformer with the desire to make Mandalore a better place and a beloved leader. Certainly a better leader than Jango believes himself to have been.

Between Death Watch and the New Mandalorians, Jaster, his reforms and his people have been largely forgotten. Pretty much everyone who knew Jaster is dead, the True Mandalorians are almost all gone and his reforms have been ignored.

Jango wants someone to know about Jaster. To remember him and his legacy. And deep down somewhere, in a part of him he's repressing, he longs for family too.

He's fiercely protective of Boba, because he's desperate not to lose anyone else.

This brings us back to the clones. Why would Jango agree to make them? Especially when the man who recruited him is the same man who led the slaughter of his people?

I'm unsure if it's ever confirmed that Jango knew that the man he was working for was Dooku before Geonosis. I don't think it's likely he did. Again, why would he ever agree to work with him? No, I think Jango found out he had been working with Dooku when he arrived on Geonosis.

Maybe that's why he decided to go for Mace Windu, head of the Jedi order, of all the Jedi on Geonosis. Maybe he realised he'd spent a decade doing the bidding of the man who slaughtered his people. Maybe that led to other realisations, about how awfully he'd treated the clones, what he'd allowed to happen to them. Maybe he wanted to die.

All in all, I don't think Jango was a terrible person. He wasn't an especially good person, but he also wasn't an especially bad person either. Just a very broken man, struggling with a heavy amount of trauma in a galaxy that clearly lacks any kind of mental health support or treatment.

[burnwater13]

Grogu standing on rock in a stream while Ahsoka Tano and Luke Skywalker look on from the stream banks. Image from The Book of Boba Fett, Episode 6, From the Desert Comes a Stranger. Calendar by DateWorks.

Ahsoka Tano had never spoken truer words. “Sometimes the student guides the master.” Grogu agreed whole heartedly. Luke wasn’t his ideal student. For one, he was too tall. For another, he was too old. Not that he was actually old, but as a student, the young human male was much older than Grogu was when he first started training as a Jedi. 

Grogu had agreed to take up Luke’s training because he’d been worried about what the young Force worker had said to the Mandalorian. “Something, something, permission, blah, blah, strong with the Force, yada, yada, talent without training…” It was a complete mishmash of  words that had no meaning. Luke had known Grogu for all of twelve seconds and he was already making dire predictions. That was not the way. The Jedi way at least. 

Luke needed to go back to basics and learn to really feel the Force. Not think with it. Feel it. Let it become part of him. Lift him up and show him that his eyes could deceive him, but his heart would always be true. You learned that stuff at the Jedi temple if you were a good student. Grogu had been an excellent student. From a certain point of view.

Yes, Grogu had been lectured a few times for doing things with the Force that were atypical. And he’d covered for his friend Ian a bunch of times for helping Ian do things that some people forgot had been part of the Jedi’s original mission (Coruscant had a lot of poor, unhoused people, if you knew where to find them). But all in all, he was an ideal Jedi. He was in touch with the Force at a deep level and it grounded his thoughts and instructed his actions. 

Like that time he went around the whole Jedi enclave and collected all of Master Kenobi’s capes and lightsabers and brought them back to him. Yes, he’s been speaking to the Jedi Council at the time and was trying to get them to change their mind about something and having Grogu show up with the proof that this particular master was kind of rash and a bit forgetful wasn’t perfectly perfect from Master Kenobi’s perspective, but then he followed his heart, which said that Obi-Wan needed to slow down and take stock. In the end it worked out fine. Sometimes you needed to bring to spare lightsabers with you on a secret mission to a watery planet filled with strange creatures and lies.

Or that time he’d been in the library, carefully avoiding the librarian that tried to pinch his cheeks, and instead of staying hidden, popped out of the data card towers and told Master Windu that Master Yoda had left the library just a few minutes earlier. Sure, Master Windu had cut down two data towers with his lightsaber, he was so surprised to see Grogu, but in the end, Grogu was sure that the skillful Jedi was grateful for the information, even thought he’d had to put up with a long lecture from the librarian who pinched Grogu’s cheeks. Grogu had escaped unscathed and was grateful to the Master for his help in doing that.

And in both of those cases it was absolutely clear that Masters Kenobi and Windu had’t controlled their emotions even one tiny bit initially. They had needed Grogu’s instruction to help them develop a more satisfying connection with the Force. Patience. Thoughtfulness. Consideration. Just plain old paying attention to where they were and what they were doing. Those were just a few of the ways he had helped the masters learn. It had been deeply satisfying.

He’d realized right away that Luke needed the same gentle hand guiding him. He had thought Grogu could be treated like a Kowakian performing monkey-lizard. Run! Jump! Dodge! Do a triple somersault with a half twist while vaulting over some sort of water ox. Those demands were so predictable. And pointless. How was Grogu performing those actions going to teach Luke anything about the Force? 

Nope. They weren’t. But… Grogu realized that if he purposefully took things slowly. Pretending that he didn’t know how any of it worked, then Luke would have to slow down and really consider each step and that would give Grogu the opening he was looking for. Yes, he was going to push his student through that opening like Greef Karga pushed his luck with the Mandalorian, but look how that turned out! They were all friends again and Nevarro was finally free of Imps and just had pirates and scoundrels to address. Which was another important lesson for his padawan to learn. You couldn’t fix Coruscant in a day. Things told you when they needed to be fixed and who needed to fix them, if you listened carefully enough through the Force. 

Grogu knew he could only do so much for Luke, but he was determined to do his best with the small amount of time they had together. Sleep Away Camp could only last for so long before he’d have to bid Luke farewell and return to his dad. Din Djarin still had a lot of lessons to learn and Grogu wasn’t going to neglect his education. The Force wouldn’t let him.

[evaarade]

There's this idea that Satine had something to do with why Mandalore was so human and white and that she must have surely done something Horrible because Mandalore was so diverse before...

...but that's fanon.

Yeah, I'm finally approaching this topic people.

I will keep it short people: Mandalore wasn't that diverse.

The whole idea that it was is from Fanon.

The only time Mandalore was diverse was during the Legends Old Republic Games and new material from Disney, otherwise? Majority was White and Human.

"Oh but Jango is a Mandalorian-!" He was one of the few people of colour in Legends - and wasn't considered a Mandalorian until Jaster adopted him, btw, following what Travis said - And was later made a Mandalorian again by Disney. In Lucas Canon, meanwhile, he wasn't BECAUSE George Lucas himself didn't consider him a Mandalorian, he just saw him as a guy who gained the armour Somehow, it was like assuming someone with a T-Shirt with the USA flag was USAmerican.

Is it shitty of him and Travis to make it so that Jango wasn't a Mandalorian at all/wasn't a Mandalorian before he was adopted (even when he was born in Mandalorian Space)? 100%, but you have to remind yourself that if the creator won't acknowledge something or has a different idea, then their creation will follow what they decide, hence why Almec said Jango wasn't a Mandalorian, hence why until Disney acknowledge it no one that was Mandalorian could call Jango a Mandalorian.

If you want a in-universe excuse, then think maybe that Jango lost his citizenship because Mandalore didn't want to be pulled into the war between the Republic and the Separatists, and having the dude who while having been the base to the clone army of the Republic, had ended up siding and dying for the Separatists (we know he didn't for them, but the Separatists would 100% turn it that way) which makes it so that both sides have a reason to possibly consider Mandalore as an enemy. So Jango had to go

It sucks, yeah, but Satine has Nothing to do with it, Mandalore from the TCW was merely a victim of this idiot decisions + GL wanting to have 'nordic people' + low budgets + whitewashing already happening in the show (points at the clones).

Oh and before anyone brings up the True Mandalorians, they were also white and human when they appeared in Legends.

"Jango was whitewashed in those comics-" and he and his clones were also whitewashed in the TCW, if you are going to forgive the True Mandalorians and headcanon them to be very diverse simply because Jango was whitewashed in those, then you Have to do the same with the New Mandalorians who were in the show with the whitewashed Jango clones and racist caricatures of species.

Either the whitewashing of the New Mandos can be excused because Jango himself was also white washed just like in Open Seasons thus Mandalorians are very diverse in both sides, or Jango stays whitewashed in both versions and both the New Mandos and True Mandos stay white and human.

You can't chose to apply rules only to some people, you have to be fair about it.

TL;DR: The New Mandalorians are whitewashed but not because Satine did something but because of the creators decision; you either redesign them to be more diverse following what y'all do with the True Mandos (who were white and human in their canon) or all Mandalorians, including True Mandalorians, are white and human.