#mandalorian kinship

[ranahan]

I made some cleaner images (and installed GIMP, lol). The original image in the post appears to be this one by ZanderSchubert, alternative layout by AnonMoos (CC-attribution-sharealike). Here are mando versions based on it, use however you like.

i keep trying to phrase a post as like a helpful tip for people who like worldbuilding but. i have to be honest with myself. it is not a helpful tip because no one asked for it. i just want to rant about kinship terminologies.

[yes-im-gushing]

Competance

Din Djarin x reader

Rated: T for dirty talk

Din gets turned on when you help cover him in a shoot out.

No smut

----

There was still smoke in the air. Carbon stinging your nose. The skirmish had been fast and explosive. Narrowing down the enemies location and practically pounding down the front door.

The mandalorians had been marginally more stealthy than that but not by much. Something about having so many of them in the same place made them bolder. Din's usually careful demeanor thrown aside for the gunslinger you knew was hidden under his skin far sooner than expected.

They brought something out in each other. A kind of energy that reverberated across this isolated little battlefield. The ghost of what the mandalorians used to be.

Even between just Boba, Din and the Night owls. A group that held little kinship with each other, it was still magnetic.

You were lost in it. The movement of their bodies.

The enemies fell from windows and rooftops and from their feet to puddles of their own blood. Fell under fist and boot.

You couldn't help being pulled into it. Sitting back with your bow, pulling it back until your hand brushed your cheek, catching sight of an enemy raising a blaster towards Din and Boba and loosing an arrow between the two men. The spark of the plasma bolt shining purple as it streaked over Din's armor, throwing your target to the dirt beside another Din had dispatched only a minute before.

His arm raised again to point his blaster up to the ledge above and your eye followed as your arm pulled back in rhythm with his sighting the man kneeled there, ducking to avoid Din's aim. But from your position you had a clear sight and you released another bolt not bothering to wait and watch the body fall.

Eyes back on Din. You Watched the angle of his shoulders, trying to guess which way he'd swing his aim next. Watching the space over his head, the path in front of him. Another enemy appeared, they could have been anyone, they were tucked behind a pillar, unseen. Din was still dealing with the enemy in front of him and you didn't have the time to wait for the enemy to pop their head out. You aimed for the light glinting off their blaster and blew their hand right off.

Din's sight flew to the explosion moving to get the wounded enemy in his sights and blasting a hole through them, a spray or blue blood from the other side the only confirmation you'd needed.

It was over before you knew it, climbing down from your perch to join the others as they cleared the structure. The Nightowls crawling over the brick like sand beetles.

You hold your bow low but don't holster it. Not until the rest of the mandalorians are regrouping and discussing the next move. Din appears at your side a hand unexpectedly firm around your wrist.

There are still bodies and blood on the ground as he leads you away, the whole place reeking of a fight. You struggle not to pinch your nose closed against the smell, unsure why he's even acting like this.

"Din?" you question as you turn down an empty alley between the building and the garage.

You catch sight of his shoulders again, tense even under the armor. His stride faster than it was before.

"Where are we-?" You're cut off as he turns on you so suddenly, gripping your bow where it's strung over your shoulder and using it to drag you to him.

"You told me you could shoot a bow." his voice is accusatory, dark and heavy. "You didn't tell me you could shoot a man's hand off at thirty yards."

You try to laugh it off, the sound of it uncomfortable even to your own ears. "I don't make it a habit of bragging about my marksman skills to Mandalorians, Din be serious."

He is serious, you know it. The line of his shoulders, the ones you'd been observing so carefully before is curved into you now. All of his attention focused only on you.

"What will it take to make you brag?" he demands.

"I don't- understand the question." Where exactly is he going with this?"

"What will it take to make you brag? Taking my kill? Covering my ass? Disarming a man from a sniper's perch?" He shudders, a full bodied thing that runs from his body into yours.

Is this some kind of post battle killing fetish? Would you be a bad person if you decided you could be into that? Would you be a bad partner if you decided you weren't?

"Din, what are you trying to say?"

His hand gripped your bow harder worrying it as he kept you close. "You have skill you used to kill my enemies and avenge my people. If I had armed you sooner-"

Your brows furrow. "Hey, it's ok, plasma bows aren't easy to find. There's only like three systems in the galaxy that even make them, and on of them is Dathomiir. It took some time to find one."

He shakes his head, a breath crackling from the modulator in what sounds like a annoyed grunt. "If I had armed you sooner, I would have known, when we were alone, that you were so competent."

The way he says compentant sounds like an insult. He said it the way you'd heard men say slut. You have to not grimace. He sounds so serious, really digging for his words here. "I'm sorry? did you think I wasn't- uh- competent?"

Done with struggling for his words Din uses his grip on your bow to turn you around, suddenly your back was pressed to his chest, his armor and your bow between in you in a way that wasn't at all comfortable.

Still he crowds around you until your leaning against the wall. "If I had known, I could have fucked you somewhere that wasn't full of bodies and nosey mandalrians with heat vision."

His hands are on your hips now pulling you in until your ass was pressed to one of the few parts of his body that wasn't covered in armor, but it was hard all the same.

"I could pull your fucking pants down and fuck you right here. Make you cum on my cock. Reward you for every clean shot." There's another shudder that goes through both of your bodies.

"Want to smack my cock against that spot on your cheek where you pull your bow back."

It's filthy. Insidious in a way that you know is going to invade your thoughts every time you feel your hand brush against your cheek.

His hands tighten once more around your hips, not grinding you back against him, just holding you there. The pressure no doubt crushing his cock.

"Damn it." He hisses, fingers manually loosening one at a time. He pulls back from your body like your covered in a thick layer of glue, like its a physical struggle.

You could cry. "I- don't. Aren't we-?"

Din's breath crackles hard. "I'm not going to fuck you in a puddle of a strange blood." He hisses. More pissed with himself but it doesn't change the way it makes you shrink.

"But-"

"Come on. I want to finish this."

He won't walk away from you. Won't take more than three steps in any direction your not heading in. He'd glued to your side. Hard in every line of his body. Like he's turned to metal all over.

It's the gunslinger, you realize, watching the line of his arm stay pointed at your hip, always poised to grab, to drag you into him. A permanent target for him to orbit.

[justanotherdinboshipper]

Analysis: Dinbo Parallels between “The Heiress” and “Guns For Hire” also featuring "The Sanctuary"

This analysis marks my initial contribution to the Dinbo fandom, as I simply couldn’t contain my brainrots any longer. Below, I’ve outlined the intriguing parallels I’ve observed between these two episodes, both directed by Bryce Dallas Howard.

(I hope you like reading cause this is a long one but I hope my fellow Dinbo shippers would enjoy this brainrot)

Frog Lady and the Couple from Plazir

In a captivating discussion by @noorhal on this youtube video focusing on Dinbo, parallels between Bo-Katan and the Frog Lady were explored. Both characters share a similarity: they are the last of their family lineages. Bo-Katan herself highlights this fact during her introduction to Din.

In Trask, significant meetings unfold for both the Frog Lady and Bo-Katan. Just as the Frog Lady encounters her husband, laying the foundation for her family’s continuation, Bo-Katan crosses paths with Din. It’s not just the Frog Lady who found her significant other on that fateful day at Trask.

Howard employs another couple in “Guns For Hire” to echo the dynamic between Din and Bo: The Duchess and Captain Bombardier. This married pair rules over a domed city akin to Mandalore, with the Duchess representing royalty while her husband does not share her status. Exactly like Din and Bo; she’s Mandalorian Royalty while he is a Foundling.

And what’s interesting is that, both of these couples-the Frog Lady and Her Husband and the Duchess and her Husband, both looked after Grogu as both Din and Bo went on a mission together. Coincidence? I think not.

The Quarren and Mon Calamari

Another compelling parallel between “The Heiress” and “Guns For Hire” lies in the presence of Quarren and Mon Calamari characters in both episodes. Interestingly, these characters also reflect the evolving dynamic between Din and Bo.

In “The Heiress,” these two species are depicted as siblings. When Bo comes to Din’s rescue aboard the ship and Din pleads for Grogu’s safety, Bo’s reassurance—“Don’t worry, brother, we’ve got this”—underscores their Mandalorian kinship. Their relationship is rooted in camaraderie and mutual respect, devoid of romantic undertones.

However, in “Guns For Hire,” the Quarren and Mon Calamari are portrayed differently; they are not siblings but lovers facing an impending separation. This shift suggests that their relationship has evolved since their initial appearance in “The Heiress.” From the Mandalorian brotherhood dynamic, their bond has transformed into a romantic connection, albeit one that will be constrained by external circumstances.

The Darksaber

The closing moments of the “Guns for Hire” episode resonate with a subtle yet significant exchange between Din and Bo-Katan involving the Darksaber. As Din offers her the legendary weapon, there’s a palpable tension in the air, underscored by the deliberate slowness of their movements. Bo’s slow acceptance of the Darksaber from Din’s outstretched hands, coupled with his nod of acknowledgment, speaks volumes about the unspoken understanding and chemistry between them.

It’s noteworthy how Din, despite his reluctance to possess the Darksaber, diligently safeguards it, like the shifter ball cherished by Grogu, hoping one day to return both of them to their respective owners. He understands the significance of the saber to Bo-Katan. When Paz attempted to claim the Darksaber, Din fiercely defended it.

In “The Heiress,” Din initially shows little interest in Bo-Katan’s quest to reclaim the Darksaber from Moff Gideon. Despite her plea for his assistance, Din remains focused on his own priorities. However, in the closing moments of “Guns for Hire,” Din returns the Darksaber to Bo, fulfilling her long-standing desire and Din playing a huge part in achieving it.

Banter and Eyes

In “The Heiress,” Bo-Katan’s gaze holds a certain intensity when she looks at Din, hinting at intrigue or perhaps even attraction. Despite Din’s affiliation with a sect that she despises, Bo persists in urging him to join their mission to reclaim Mandalore. Her unwavering desire for his involvement suggests a level of fondness or admiration, even before witnessing his combat prowess firsthand.

The banter between Din and Bo-Katan in “The Heiress” crackles with tension, particularly when Bo changes the terms of their agreement. Her mocking delivery of “This is the way” leaves Din momentarily speechless.

In “Guns for Hire,” Bo’s demeanor towards Din retains a hint of the attraction evident in “The Heiress,” albeit with a softer, more tender undertone. Their banter remains, but it’s devoid of the sly mockery present in their earlier encounter.

Regrettably, the episode doesn’t afford us a glimpse into Din’s point of view, leaving us to wonder about his feelings towards Bo. However, the subtle shifts in their dynamic—from playful banter to a more sincere exchanges—suggest a growing connection that transcends mere partnership.

Flashbacks to Being Saved as a Kid

In “The Heiress,” a visual parallel unfolds as Bo rescues Din, their hands interlocking in a gesture reminiscent of a pivotal moment from Din’s childhood. This evocative imagery reinforces the idea of Bo as a savior figure in Din’s life, echoing the past trauma he endured and the subsequent salvation he found in Mandalorian culture.

Similarly, in “Guns for Hire,” another callback to Din’s childhood trauma is subtly woven into the narrative. Bo’s method of dispatching the battle droid mirrors the manner in which a similar droid was neutralized during Din’s rescue as a child.

The scene where Bo assists Din, helping him to his feet, further reinforces their connection. As their hands interlock once more, the camera lingers on the gesture.

The Sanctuary

Now let’s weave the themes of these two episodes to another episode directed by Howard in Season 1-Episode 4, “The Sanctuary”

In that episode, we encounter Omera, a potential love interest for Din. Interestingly, parallels emerge between this episode and “The Heiress.” In both instances, Din is presented with an invitation to stay or join a community, but his responses reveal nuanced differences in his character development.

With Omera, Din’s refusal to stay is resolute, rooted in his belief that he doesn’t belong. However, the episode hints at his underlying desire for connection and love, albeit conflicted by his adherence to the Mandalorian Creed and the dangers of his chosen profession or way of living.

In contrast, Bo’s offer in “The Heiress” carries a different weight. While Din doesn’t immediately accept, his response isn’t a flat rejection either. He acknowledges his current obligations with the Child but leaves the door open for the possibility of joining Bo in her cause in the future. Bo’s willingness to wait for him underscores her respect for his choices and her understanding of his priorities.

This theme of commitment and prioritization continues in subsequent episodes in Season 3. In “The Mines of Mandalore,” Din reiterates his need to fulfill his obligations before going with Bo. “I cannot go with you until I fulfill my obligation.” I don’t think that’s just a reply to Bo’s offer to take him back to his ship in Kalevala. It’s hinting at something more.

By the time “Guns for Hire” rolls around, Din’s presence alongside Bo on their mission to find her fleet speaks volumes. Without explicit confirmation, it’s evident that he has accepted her offer, joining her in her plans to reclaim Mandalore.

The Evolution of Din Djarin’s Priorities and Commitments

Throughout “The Sanctuary,” “The Heiress,” and “Guns for Hire,” Bryce Dallas Howard skillfully illustrates a theme: the evolution of Din Djarin’s priorities and commitments. In Season 1’s “The Sanctuary,” Din’s paramount concern is ensuring the safety of the Child while remaining true to his creed and his job as a bounty hunter. Despite hints of his yearning for love and family, these desires remain secondary to his duties.

As the narrative progresses into “The Heiress” in Season 2, Din’s focus shifts towards reuniting the Child with its own kind, while maintaining his dedication to his creed and his newfound duty as the Child’s guardian. Though the bond between them deepens, Din remains hesitant to fully embrace the idea of the Child becoming his family.

However, “Guns for Hire” marks a significant turning point. Despite the absence of a clear transition scene between The Pirate and this episode, Din’s unwavering support for Bo-Katan’s mission to find her fleet speaks volumes about his evolving priorities. While he was not explicitly tasked with this mission, his decision to accompany Bo demonstrates that her cause has become his own, and his commitment to her is unwavering.

Whether Bo asked for his assistance or he offered it willingly, the underlying truth remains unchanged: Din’s loyalty lies with Bo, and her priorities have become his own. This subtle yet profound shift in allegiance underscores the depth of their bond and Din’s willingness to prioritize their shared goals above all else.

In “Guns for Hire,” subtle yet significant cues suggest a potential shift in Din Djarin’s openness to romance. Through his ongoing training of Grogu and his growing acceptance of the concept of family, Din demonstrates a newfound willingness to embrace deeper connections. The thematic elements of love are reinforced by the planet’s name, “Pleasure,” and the presence of two couples intertwined with the narrative. Additionally, the reminder from the droid that “life is short” displays the fleeting nature of time and the importance of seizing opportunities for connection and companionship. These subtle hints, woven seamlessly into the episode’s fabric, suggest that Din may now be more receptive to exploring romantic possibilities in his life. Beyond mere fan speculation, this narrative development reflects the skillful storytelling of Bryce Dallas Howard and the talented writers behind these three episodes, they are geniuses.

[ranahan]

Mando’a masterpost

Most of my Mando’a linguistic nerdery you should be able to find under the hashtags #mando’a linguistics and #ranah talks mando’a. Specific topics like phonology and etymology are tagged on newer posts but not necessarily on older. I also reblog lots of other people’s fantastic #mando’a stuff, which many of these posts are replies to.

I also post about #mandalorian culture, other #meta: mandalorians and #star wars meta topics, #star wars languages, #conlangs, and #linguistics. I like to reblog well-reasoned and/or interesting takes on Star Wars and Mandalorian politics, but I am not pro or contra fictional characters or organisations, only pro good storytelling. You can use the featured tags to navigate most of these topics. Not Star Wars content tag is #not star wars, although if it’s on this blog, likely it’s tangentially related or at least Mandalorian-coded.

Currently working on an expanded dictionary and an analysis of canon Mando’a. Updates under #mando’a project. Here are my thoughts on using my stuff (tldr: please do). My askbox is open & I’d love to hear which words, roots or other features you want to see dissected next.

#Phonology

Mando’a vowels

Murmured sounds in Mando’a

Ven’, ’ne and ’shya—phonology of Mando’a affixes

#Morphology

Mando’a demonyms: -ad or -ii?

Agent nouns in Mando’a

Reduplication in Mando’a

Verbal conjugation in Ancient Mando’a & derivations in Modern Mando’a

-nn

Adjectival suffixes (this one is skierunner’s theory, but dang it’s good and it’s on my post, so I’m including it) — here’s another great theory (not mine)!

e-, i- (prefix) “-ness”

#Syntax

Middle Mando’a creole hypothesis — Relative tenses — Tense, aspect and mood & creole languages — Copula and zero copula in creole languages — More thoughts about Mando’a TAM particles

Mando’a tense/aspect/mood (headcanons)

Mando’a has no passive

Adjectives as passive voice & other strategies

Colloquial Mando’a

Alienable/inalienable possession — more thoughts

Translating wh-words into Mando’a

#Roots, words & etymology

ad ‘child’—but also many other things

adenn, ‘wrath’

akaan & naak: war & peace

an ‘all’ + a collective suffix & plural collectives

ba’ & bah

*bir-, birikad, birgaan & again

cetar ‘kneel’

cinyc & shiny

gai’ka, ka’gaht, la’mun

jagyc, ori’jagyc & misandry

janad

*ka-, kakovidir & cardinal directions

ke’gyce ‘order, command’

*maan-, manda, gai bal manda, kir’manir, ramaan & kar’am & runi: ‘soul’ & ‘spirit’

*nor- & *she- ‘back’ (+ bonus *resh-)

projor ‘next’

riduurok, riduur, kom’rk, shuk’orok

*sak-, sakagal ‘cross’

*sen- ‘fly’

tapul

urmankalar ‘believe’

*ver- ‘earn’

*ya-, yai, yaim (& flyby mentions of eyayah, eyaytir, gayiyla, gayiylir, aliit)

Dialectal English & slang in Mando’a

#Non-canon words

Mining vocabulary

Non-canon reduplications

Many words for many Mandalorians

What’s the word for “greater mandalorian space”?

Names of Mandalorian planets

Dral’Han & derived words

besal ‘silver, steel grey’

derivhaan

hukad & hukal, ’sheath, scabbard’

*maan-, manda, kar’am & runi: ‘soul’ & ‘spirit’ & derivations

mara/maru, ‘amber-root’

*sen- ‘fly’ derivations

tarisen ‘swoop bike’

*ver- ‘earn’ derivations

#mando’a proverbs

#mando’a idioms

Pragmatics & ethnolinguistics

Middle Mando’a creole hypothesis

History of Mando’a — Loanwords in Mando’a

Mando’a timeline

Mandalorian languages

#mandalorian sign language

Kinship terms

Politeness in Mando’a: gedet’ye & ba’gedet’ye — vor entye, vor’e, n’entye — vor’e etc. again — n’eparavu takisit, ni ceta

Mandalorians and medicine, baar’ur, triage

#Mandalorian colour theory (#mandalorians and color): cin & purity, colour associations & orange, cin, ge’tal, saviin & besal, gemstone symbolism

#Mandalorian nature, Flora and fauna of Manda’yaim

starry road

Concordian dialogue retcon

A short history of the Mandalorian Empire

Mandalorian clans & government headcanons

Mando’a handwriting guide: part 1, part 2, part 3

What I would have done differently if I had constructed Mando’a

FAQ

Can you answer a question about combat medicine? May I direct you to my post about Free tactical medicine learning resources.

Can I use your words/headcanons in my own projects? Short answer: yes please.

Do you do translations? If I happen to be in the mood or your translation question is interesting. Feel free to bomb my inbox, but don’t expect quick answers.

What’s your stance on Satine Kryze and the New Mandalorians? They’re fictional and I don’t have one beyond their narrative being interesting & wishing that fandom would have civil conversations about them without calling each other names.

Why do you portray Mandalorians as multi-racial and gender-agnostic when they’re not that diverse in canon? Because that’s the power of transformative works: to create the kind of representation we want to see in a world where it’s lacking.

LGBTQIA? I don’t stand for any shade of discrimination. If I say something insensitive, rest assured it’s because I temporarily misplaced my other brain cell, not because of malice.

NSFW? No. This is a linguistics blog, so cursing and some explicit vocabulary should be expected—slang is one of my interests, and vulgar language comes with the territory—but no porn here. I don’t believe in nudity or sex in themselves being taboo topics and I was a medic for a good chunk of my life, so frank discussions about sex education/medical/anatomical/trauma topics might also happen. I’ll try to tag if these topics come up, but frankly my own explicitness- and gore-meter is kinda broken after a career in emergency medicine, so things might slip by.

Asks under #ranah answers

P.s. Let me know if the links don’t work or something else is wrong (some items don’t have links, they are articles in my draft folder/queue which I’ve listed here so they don’t get lost—sorry for the tease!). Also please tell me if you need me to tag something I haven’t so you can filter it: this blog is for readers—if I was writing just for myself, I wouldn’t bother to edit and publish—so let me know what I can do to make it work better for you. Thanks!

[ranahan]

I think the whole thing is a mistranslation. Sibling in Mando’a can mean anything from a blood sibling to an adopted sibling to a close comrade. I don’t think it’s much of a stretch to say it could apply to anyone in the same generation in your clan. And therefore nephew/niece is really a general term for a relative who’s approximately one generation younger than you, whether they’re the child of your sibling, adopted sibling, cousin, or best friend. And that’s as specific as Mando’a kinship terms get.

Imma be honest with Korkie Kryze I don’t think he’s a secret Obi-Wan + Satine love child. I don’t think he’s Bo-Katan’s kid either. I don’t think they have a third sibling but like. We know how Mandalorian Clans work & that they aren’t just like your close biological people. I think he’s like a second cousin (like the kid of Satine’s cousin) who is staying with her for politics training and better school or something.

[twinsunsintatooine]

welcome to gay little freak central

hi welcome to my mind castle where all my interests come to party because i have no separate sideblogs for anything ٩(ˊᗜˋ )و !!!!!

i tag my rambles with #sun speaks and asks with #sun answers, and my queued posts tag is #queueton's laws of motion

he/him or they/them are both cool with me !!

my dms + asks are always open come yap to me about anything and everything!!

disclaimer!!! this is an rpf friendly blog and i have better things to do than argue on the internet so block me and move on if thou doth not possess an rpf warrior state of mind

a non-comprehensive list of the fandoms i blog about:

big into sports!!!

NHL - the pittsburgh penguins are my team ever but i also am a big enjoyer of many manyyy other teams ! i blog mainly pens and oilers - my fav special princesses roster features geno, drai and flower

F1 - as an aussie i feel kinship to oscar and will die for him. as a competitive gay freak, i back max verstappen.

european football - hala madrid baby !!!! unfortunately i am not too into football anymore :( sergio ramos is who got me into football, and since he left rm i slowly lost interest in football which makes me sad to say now, but i still linger on the fringes of the beautiful game !!

sidenote: i tag all my posts with players / people's full names, no diacritics and rarely any nicknames [eg. i tag pastaposts with 'david pastrnak' instead of 'david pastrňák']

big into music!!!

bandom - fall out boy always has been, always will be my favourite band, and i am also a mcr, tøp and paramore lover :)

outside of bandom tho, kendrick is my goat

big into other media!!!

tv and movies - 9-1-1, supernatural, ted lasso, dr who, naruto, top gun, arcane, star wars, the mandalorian yada yada yada many many more

comics - DC in particular, i am wally west fan numero uno and am a general justice league enjoyer, particularly clark and hal jordan !

i love dan and phil i think they deserve a category of their own here

i also have 1 trillion hobbies like reading and whatnot so sometimes you will see me blog about that

okay thats it bye have fun dealing with my insanity

[shadowmaat]

username FIC game

Heya, @bluemaskedkarma I see your "choose a song for each letter of your name" and raise you "choose a FIC for each letter of your name." It's still a "get to know me" thing, but with the bonus of boosting other fic writers. SO!

S- Stonebrook by @sl-walker (Bail saves a young Maul from prison and takes him home to Alderaan. Lots of depth to this one. Doesn't shy away from things, though later fics in the series can be funny too.)

H- The House Built on Fresh Snow by @tiend (Jango/Shmi, AU where Shmi is an engineering slave on a ship where Jango is added to the ranks. Neither could predict what happened next. It's interesting to see these two thrown together and how they complement each other.)

A- After the Storm by SpaceWall (post-war AU, everyone is struggling to move on after the war. Cody joins an agricorp mission to Mandalore and tries to cope with putting his General in a coma. Heavy stuff at times, lots of angst, but there's a hopeful ending.)

D- Dawnbreak Accord by AugustArchon (Din/Leia, Leia defends one of the Mandalorian delegates and amid paperwork and political headaches, an unexpected kinship develops. These two really click, and it's wonderful to watch it develop.)

O- Out with Lanterns by Skyebean (AU where Mace is Ahsoka's Master, how that changes things... and what it doesn't. Some fun things, some serious things, and of course O66 still happens. This time Ahsoka is in the middle of it.)

W- Why Not's and How To's by @trixree (unadulterated crack AU where Obi-Wan is a lawyer who sets his sights on emancipating the GAR. Not yet complete. SO much silliness. But also, y'know, someone fighting for Clone Rights, which is always good to see.)

M- Mand'alor Cabur by @nautilicious (slow-burn Bobadin featuring lots of foundlings, growing a family, growing a community, and growing a brain to recognize the clues. Not yet complete. Din is an absolute idiot, but luckily Boba is incredibly, incredibly patient and forgiving.)

A- All Is as the Force Wills It by felurian (Rogue One escapes Scarif by the skin of their teeth and begin the long road to recovery. Distrust and uncertainty lengthen the road, but hope remains. Some good Chirrut/Baze stuff and Bodhi angst. "Everybody lives" doesn't mean things are magically all better.)

A- and your people shall never be destroyed by @bitebackbaby (Palpatine dies. The entire Corrie Guard has disappeared. Cody and some of the other Commanders investigate. One-shot. Cliffhanger. Heavy on the Corrie whump and Commanders guilt. I'm intrigued by the possibilities left out in the open.)

T- The 212th Attack Battalion's Guide to Staging Rescues by antigrav_vector and @quarra (de-aged clones and Obi-Wan get flung into the past to Korda VI and Jaster Mereel's camp. Chaos and mass adoptions ensue. Lots of humor, lots of competence. Gosh dang did I love watching the mini-clones (and Obi-Wan) running around and being amazing.)

This shit's trickier than you think, but anyone who wants to give it a go, consider yourselves tagged!

[burnwater13]

Grogu and Din Djarin standing on top of the Razor Crest. LEGO Kit 75331 The Razor Crest. Image by me.

Model Dad (Part 2 of LEGO My Lightsaber!)

Din Djarin watched Grogu build the kit that his friend Seb had found for him and almost wished that he was a kid again. Or at least felt that childlike zeal to make something that was just for fun. Just to play and imagine and have that satisfaction of having everything under your own control. He’d done that once, but it seemed like a very long time ago now. 

Running around and pretending to be a marshal or a mayor or even the leader of a small group of freedom fighters. He never wanted to be the person who held up the bank or stole the speeder or held the damsel in distress hostage. He thought that was boring and it never made him feel good when his friends whined at him and said he couldn’t always have the good guy role. He had to be the bad guy some of the time. 

Djarin also knew that Grogu wasn’t exactly a kid, although he still called him ‘Kid’ from time to time. Grogu was actually older than him, at least in Galactic years endured. But as IG-11 mentioned to him when they first met the unique person they’d both been chasing on a bounty fob, different species aged at different rates. 

The Mandalorian had given it some thought and considered that Grogu was a lot like the children he had known when he was ten years old. They were talking about what they wanted to do in the Mandalorian Fighting Corps, who they wanted as their leader, and what they liked and didn’t like about their various instructors. They also still put spiders in each others boots, stole food from the slightly more senior members of their group when they could get away with it, and told fantastic lies about adventures they had never taken but really wanted to be a part of. They could fight, aim a weapon, provide first aid, and deliver a technical review on any system or sub-system of a Mandalorian ship they trained on. They weren’t men, but they weren’t babies, no matter how much they whined about ‘lights out’ and morning exercises. 

Grogu had reached the point in the build when he had the main structure of ‘The Wheel’ in place and was adding in features like external docking hooks, lifts, and all sorts of small accessories that the ‘people’ on board the station would use in their day to day activities. It was an impressive model and he had been happy to help Grogu design a mechanism to hold it up and allow the two haves of the model to be open, so the figures that came with the kit could be positioned almost anywhere in the structure. 

The scale and accuracy of details had been impressive and the bounty hunter had wondered what kind of training you had to have in order to translate the real world space station into something that children across the galaxy would recognize and want to play with after going through a fairly arduous build. Grogu had spent the last two days on the project and Djarin was both surprised and gratified that his apprentice had seen the whole thing through without resorting to using the Force to do any part of it. 

He chuckled to himself and realized that the company that made the stuff must be filled with people who were still children at heart. They still liked to play. Still saw the value in it. They also focused on how that value would deliver enough sales and profit to keep them going. It was a serious business even if its focus was play. He almost wished that he’d known about jobs like that when he was a youngling, but Galactic politics had seen to it that his childhood was cut short and redirected in a manner that really hadn’t provided for much other than survival and a deep need to make sure other kids survived as well. Uff. 

The Mandalorian reminded himself that he really needed to talk to Seb Ta’low and find out where he actually got these kits. This was the second one that had been given to Grogu and while he appreciated that Seb had once been a Jedi and felt a kinship to Grogu, he also wondered if something else was going on there as well. Was Seb, who could have been Djarin’s father, reliving his own youth? Children were brought to the Jedi at an early age and based on the stories Grogu had told him about his training and education, it didn’t seem like they had a lot of time to just be kids and play games. Was Seb hoping that Grogu having a way of playing and building made up for that lack of fun? And if he did, did that really matter? It was nice having a person who just appreciated the two of them for who they were and not what they could do for them. After all, as former Jedi, Seb could do pretty much anything for himself and often did. 

Djarin walked over to the preserver and pulled out a container of fruit drink, something Grogu had recently taken a liking to, and then poured himself a cup of caf that had been sitting on the warming plate all morning. The caf was strong and more than a little bitter, but he didn’t mind. He brought the fruit drink over to Grogu who had been working at the ‘do everything’ table. 

“Hey, Buddy. Why not a take a short break and have a drink? Would you like a snack?”

The Mandalorian knew that the easiest way to actually interrupt his son when he was very intent on something he was doing was to offer food. After so many years hiding from the Imps and being on his own, Djarin could only imagine how many meals Grogu had missed. It was clear that the boy was intent on making them all up, although you couldn’t tell by his weight. He’d recently grown a few centimeters and demanded a new coverall, despite the fact that the old still fit, probably a little better than it had before. But the bounty hunter was happy to comply. Such a small thing to do to make his son happy.

Grogu turned away from the model when he heard the word ‘snack’ and chirped at his dad and signed that he would love a gorg on a stick if they had any left. They did. The Mandalorian knew Grogu knew that and was certain that the request for something immediately available that he could eat with one hand had everything to do with getting right back to working on the last details of the model. 

A moment later Grogu was munching on the gorg and Djarin was looking at The Wheel. Grogu had placed a whole series of figures in on of the corridors. One of them very much looked like a miniature version of Grogu, while the other was clearly a young woman with a datapad and an expression that reminded him strongly of Peli Motto. A beat up battle droid with mismatched parts was farther away from the two of them and a male figure was just climbing on a swoop bike with a look of absolute glee covering his tiny face. 

He had been lectured by Grogu, when the kit was first opened, that he, Din Djarin, had to wait to ask questions about the people, who they were and what they were doing. Grogu wanted to have the first chance to meet them and get to know them and he didn’t want a real Mandalorian scaring them away. Realizing that this was a parenting test, Djarin had simply nodded his head and told his son to proceed. He could be patient. After all he was a Mandalorian Bounty Hunter.

Grogu had snorted at that but let the subject drop. It was clear that being able to have control over these ‘people’ and their lives was important to his son and he wasn’t going to spoil that. Now he just had to deal with how much he wanted to know their story and who they were and why they did what they did. He’d have to contact Seb and see if the manufacturer made kits for grown ups who were still kids at heart. They probably did… right?

[merrysithmas]

Why do you think so many take the stance that Leia would never forgive Anakin and essentially hate him forever when in the original EU she named her youngest son after him (Anakin Solo) and said he’d “ be a great Jedi like his grandfather.” ?

I think it's a case of exposure.

Leia, tragically, has had hardly no development in the modern on-screen pop culture. Luke has had endless comics, scenes, EU novels, but more importantly is he has had development in what is popularly consumed by the general audience - the films, and was even resurrected by CGI to continue to have development in our current time period.

Leia (and Shmi) the two female Skywalkers (no surprise) are the most ignored and underdeveloped portion of SW when it comes to on-screen appearances. Unfortunately the great Carrie passed away before we could see any narrative substance from her in the Sequels which was just such a shame. On top of that, Leia got no grand entrance and pomp/circumstance such as Luke saving the Mandalorian - capturing our hearts again. She didn't train Grogu and was mostly, yet again, sidelined in the sequels for Luke's development.

So I think it has less to do with fanon interpretation than real-life sexism and favoritism of the men / male directors making Star Wars content right now.

I think the fandom would very much get behind a Leia story and sympathize with an arc focusing on her rejection/acceptance of her heritage.

For what it's worth Leia's fear of her father/Vader who tortured her is obviously just as powerful as Luke's forgiveness of Anakin. That is a great story there.

Anakin is more like Luke - this is why he was Luke's opponent in the Force. Luke sympathizes with Anakin because he could see himself in Anakin's shoes - falling like he did.

Leia is more like Vader - this is why she was his opponent in the Senate. Leia does not sympathize with Vader because she could see herself in Vader's shoes - ruling as he did with an iron unforgiving fist, even falling as he did.

The great lost opportunity in the twin's story is seeing Leia come to understand Anakin & Luke come to understand the toxic destruction caused by Vader... through their relationship with each other.

Luke could help Leia heal and see their father through the lens of the Force - see her own goodness & not fear her dark side. Leia would help Luke see Vader's evil actions on a galactic scale and thus help him become a better and more compassionate Jedi to the galaxy by understanding why many people may mistrust or hate him despite him trying to do good.

But... pretty bluntly, I'd argue the lack of understanding of Leia's amazing character comes down to sexism in the film industry and a lack of interest by male creators in exploring her complexity.

... which then trickles into the fandom because there is really no well-established narrative for her in the GA's eyes, film-wise.

Even in the Sequels we get hints of it - Leia feared continuing her Jedi training with Luke. She foresaw the death of her son and ran away - feeling like perhaps she would take Vader's path and kill him. But in the world of Star Wars, we know all characters have predetermined destinies - Ben Solo would always die. This suggests Leia abandoned her training which could have saved him - a self-fulfilling prophecy she interpreted incorrectly until the end (when she died saving him with her last breath using her Force abilities).

It has also been suggested in numerous SW media that Leia was even stronger in the Force than Luke - unfortunately we never get to see her explore her fear or learn more on screen.

Leia's hatred of Vader and her fear of Anakin's fate boil down to her fear of the kinship she feels in the general qualities she shares with her father - unfortunately on screen we never get to see her learn the great lesson of Star Wars: that everything has two sides. The qualities of Vader that she fears- unrelenting, dogged, inescapable, great power in the Force ... could be used by someone more clear-minded for good.

That good person is Leia.

[kryzobi-wan]

The Sound of Mandalore

Chapter 13/20: Something Good

Read on AO3

<< Chapter 12

Satine stood out on her private terrace, breathing in the stillness of the night. It had been quiet recently. She was thankful for that. The cityscape loomed before her, twinkling in the way she loved to watch.

Down below, in the palace gardens, the Jedi meandered through rows of flowers and plants, stopping every so often to look closer at one. He was wearing a much different outfit than he usually wore, and Satine wondered how she hadn’t noticed before. Gone were his robes and flowing sleeves. Instead, he wore a dark blue tunic and trousers, along with a cape slung over his shoulders.

Now she was certain he hadn’t been wearing this before. Or if he was, it was underneath his signature outer robe. He looked nice. He looked—Mandalorian.

While Satine puzzled over this development with a pensive look on her face, another figure joined her on the balcony.

“There you are,” Tal Merrik spoke with a toothy smile, resting his elbows on the railing next to her. She could feel the edges of his clothes brush against her upper arm, causing a shiver to creep up her spine.

He followed her line of sight down to the garden and immediately stiffened, his smile almost imperceptibly shifting into something less sincere. “I was hoping we might discuss some changes to our public policy, before I head back to Kalevala.”

Satine made no effort to shift her gaze away from Obi-Wan, so lost in thought she was.

“I’m afraid I’m not in the right state to be discussing politics right now, Senator, you’ll have to forgive me,” she answered.

Merrik nodded, standing back up to his full height and stepping closer, his body turned to face the Duchess.

“That’s alright, Satine. We can discuss… other things instead, if you’d prefer.”

As he spoke, he lifted his hand and brushed his fingertips against her arm, causing her to immediately jolt away. He had at least accomplished one thing: her focus had finally been torn away from Kenobi.

She shot him a nasty glare and exclaimed, “Senator Merrik!”

Despite her negative reaction, he only drew nearer, causing Satine to back away. Her gaze flicked back down to Obi-Wan. He had taken a seat on a bench that she knew offered a wonderful view of the city. What she wouldn’t do to be down there with him instead of up here.

Just when she was about to call on her guards, the tapping of metal on transparisteel announced someone else’s arrival, and both Merrik and Satine turned to see Anakin Skywalker standing in the doorway with his arms crossed.

“Everything alright, Duchess?” he asked, his piercing gaze fixed on Merrik.

Satine shot him a grateful look and responded, “Yes, the Senator was just leaving. He unfortunately must return to Kalevala tonight on urgent business.”

Merrik’s mouth opened and closed, unable to formulate an intelligent response. It seemed not even the Senator was brave enough to challenge one of the most powerful Jedi in existence. At least, he was smart enough not to try.

Anakin stepped closer, making his height advantage quite clear over Merrik. “You’d best be on your way then, Senator,” he said, the threat evident in his voice.

Merrik knew when he was beat. He cleared his throat, looking between the two of them before bowing to Satine and leaving through the open doorway at once.

Once he had gone, Satine sighed in relief. “You have the best timing, Knight Skywalker,” she spoke, leaning back against the railing.

“I sensed I might be needed out here,” he explained with a shrug.

She’d only met the newly knighted Jedi once, the night of the ball, but already she felt a kinship with the man. There were qualities in him that she recognized, little idiosyncrasies that reminded her of the connection he shared with another Jedi she knew.

“I suppose I have you to thank for bringing Obi-Wan back,” she said, straightening into her Duchess persona now that she’d recovered from the uncomfortable situation with Merrik.

Anakin raised his hands and chuckled a bit. “Hey, I’m just the pilot, he hasn’t said anything to me about what happened.”

Satine raised her eyebrows at that. Obi-Wan really kept to himself, didn’t he, if not even his former Padawan knew what was going on in that ridiculous brain of his. She sighed.

“So, there’s really nothing going on between you and the Senator?” Anakin asked suddenly, and Satine turned to give him an incredulous look.

“Merrik? Heavens, no.”

The Knight gave a satisfied nod. “Good. You’re much too independent, I can tell. You need someone that understands that.”

Skywalker would know all about that, wouldn’t he, if what she suspected about the man and that Senator Amidala was true.

She smiled softly. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

They settled back into silence for a few moments, listening to the distant hum of traffic. Anakin’s eyes drifted out over the garden, and Satine’s followed. They both knew who they were looking for.

He was still there, sitting peacefully among the topiaries and fountains, the perfect picture of contentment.

Anakin spoke again, his voice serious, but warm. “Somewhere out there, I think there’s a man like that for you. A man who…” he paused, a wide grin spreading across his face. “A man who will never be on the Jedi Council,” he finished with a laugh.

Satine’s eyes snapped back to Anakin’s as if to judge if he were joking or not. When she saw nothing but complete sincerity and delight, her disbelieving gaze returned to the Jedi below. Her heart was aflutter, and this time she didn’t even try to suppress the hopeful smile that lit up her face.

Anakin gave a knowing look, his smile shifting into one of quiet contentment. “I knew it,” he said in a whisper, whether to himself or to her, she couldn’t say. “I’ll leave you to it, then.” He bowed, an extra bounce in his step as he began to inch his way out the door. “Tell Obi-Wan that if he ever needs anything, just give me a call.”

Before Satine could even find the words to properly thank him, he was gone.

-.-.-

The garden really was a nice escape from the palace. If Obi-Wan was being honest, he hadn’t even considered that Tal Merrik might still be a guest in Sundari when he returned. It made for a less than ideal environment for what he wanted to say to Satine, the words for which he had been rehearsing in his head the entire ride over here.

As he sat on a bench under a lovely flourishing tree, he considered whether he had avoided a big mistake by not telling her how he felt after all. Perhaps it was not meant to be. Force, he wished Qui-Gon had a few wise words for him now. It made so much more sense when he explained everything. Now he was stuck wondering if he’d misinterpreted the Force’s calling.

He was moments away from going to find Anakin when a melodic voice called out, “Hello there,” from behind him. He turned to see Satine standing beneath the tree with a kind smile on her face. “I hoped I might find you here,” she said.

Obi-Wan stood from the bench at once, ever the gentleman. “Did you need something, Duchess?”

“No, no not at all,” Satine waved him off. “Do you mind if I sit?” she asked, nodding to the bench.

The Jedi Master shook his head, gesturing for her to take a seat. Once she was seated, he sat down beside her and waited for her to speak.

“I… wanted to ask you,” Satine began, nervously running a hand through her hair. “Why did you really go back to the Jedi Temple? The truth, this time. And—and why did you return?”

Obi-Wan fixed his gaze on some point far, far away.

“I—I was given this mission by the Council, and I came back to fulfill it,” he explained simply, jaw set firm.

“Yes, you Jedi never do anything by halves,” Satine mused. “Is that all?”

“I did miss the children,” he added after a moment.

Satine’s eyes rested on his face now, watching every imperceptible movement for some sign of what was going on in his deeply complicated mind.

“Only the children?”

Obi-Wan turned suddenly, and she saw a flash of cautious hope behind his eyes as he looked seriously at her. “Why do you ask, Satine?”

The silver-tongued Jedi had turned her own question back on her, and she found herself ill-prepared with a response. Unable to sit still, she stood and began to pace beneath the tree. “Oh, I was only hoping that you’d—perhaps you might—”

“Yes?” His patient voice cut through her ramblings, drawing her back to him. At some point he had stood from his spot and come closer, and now his nearness was beginning to do funny things to her brain.

“Well, nothing was the same when you were away… and it will be all wrong again if you leave… I was just hoping—" Obi-Wan’s gaze met hers, and for the life of her she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. If he would just show some emotion, it would help her immensely. When his eyes flitted away from hers, her heart sank. Maybe it wasn’t as easy as Anakin had made it sound. “Unless, I understand, you are needed back on Coruscant. The Republic needs its General, you have Anakin… I understand if you can’t—the Jedi Council—"

“There won’t be a Jedi Council,” Obi-Wan broke in, in a tone that was so matter of fact that Satine was sure she had heard wrong. “Not for me.”

“No Council? I don’t—"

“Well, I’m preparing to leave the Order, you see.”

The silence that followed, paired with the small half-smile that had broken across his face, nearly swallowed her whole.

“You…” she could barely stand to hope, “You are?” Her eyes desperately searched his, but she found nothing but truth in them.

“Yes,” he said, his soft gaze turning to glance around at their surroundings. He plucked a small white bloom off a low hanging branch of the tree, twirling it between his fingers. “Well, you can’t exactly… be a Jedi,” he mused, “when you’re madly in love with someone…” The space between them grew ever smaller, and he lifted her hand into his own. “Can you?”

Satine shook her head slowly, feeling as if she were in a dream. Surely this couldn’t be happening. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

Obi-Wan leaned in closer, brushing his fingers gently over her chin and up her cheekbone. Tilting his head forward, he rested his forehead against hers, imploring eyes meeting hers from beneath thick eyelashes.

His plea came as a desperate whisper against her lips. “Say the word, Satine.”

She closed her eyes and brought her hand up to cover the one that now cupped her cheek. Her other hand clutched tightly to his, trapped between their beating hearts. One beat. Two beats.

“Stay,” she breathed, the words leaving her lips with a great wave of relief the way she wished they had all those years ago.

And with that, he drew her into a kiss, dropping her hand so he could press her closer to him. His arm wrapped around her lower back, fingers grazing over the fine fabric of her dress, soft and silky beneath his fingertips. Satine rested her hand on his jaw, and she smiled into the kiss at the sensation of his beard under her thumb.

Okay, so maybe she wasn’t as opposed as she’d initially thought to the beard.

When they broke apart, Obi-Wan smiled softly and pulled her close, wrapping her in an embrace. She held him tight, and he nuzzled into her hair. It smelled of lilies, just like he remembered.

Her fingers tangled in the short hair at the back of his neck where once there had been a Padawan braid. So much had changed in the time they’d been apart. But at the same time, so little. Contentment radiated off him, and he didn’t seem likely to let go any time soon.

“Master Yoda always said, when the Force closes a hatch, it opens a viewport,” Obi-Wan mumbled into her shoulder.

Satine pulled him back, her hands framing his bearded face as she smiled up at him fondly. “What else does Master Yoda say?” she asked, amusement lacing her voice.

Despite her teasing tone, he answered back honestly. “He says you must always follow the will of the Force.”

Satine studied his face again. “Is that why you came back? To find the will of the Force?” Obi-Wan nodded, his hands resting on her elbows now to keep her close to him. “And have you found it, Master Jedi?” The softness of her voice sent a pang through his chest.

“I think I have,” he said, “I know I have.”

Tears pooled in Satine’s eyes. Her heart felt as light as a feather, the weight of some past loss now at last lifted. She was free—they both were. Free to say the things they had always wanted to, to speak aloud the words they’d only ever whispered under the cover of night, far away from Qui-Gon’s listening ears.

“I love you, my dear Obi-Wan,” she spoke, pulling him down to her. He bowed his head, allowing her to pepper him with kisses all the way from his jaw, to his cheeks, and up to his forehead.

As far as he was concerned, this was eternal bliss. As she showered him with affection, he leaned into her touch and wondered aloud, “What did I do to deserve this?”

He had been through so much. From a young age, he had seen and experienced things that most children were carefully sheltered from. He had been sent to help, of course—that was his purpose in life—but that didn’t take away the trauma that Obi-Wan was now realizing he had suffered. He would always be grateful for his time with the Jedi, would always look back on it with fondness, but he could no longer say everything they did was inscrutable. This war was enough proof of that.

And Satine. How much had she gone through, being forced away from her home planet by a deadly Civil War? Being chased by bounty hunters and terrorists, only to be thrust into rule at such a young age upon her return? She led an unprecedented Council of Neutral Systems in the heat of a Galactic War the likes of which had never been seen before, all while dealing with dissenters on her own planet as well.

They had both faced impossible circumstances, yet their paths had somehow led them here. And Obi-Wan would thank the Force every day for that beautiful, amazing, unbelievable fact.

Her thoughts seemed to be along the same lines as his. She pressed her head into the crook of his neck, arms tightly wrapped around his shoulders as she basked in the love she felt practically radiating off him.

“We were barely more than children when we met, Obi,” she whispered, entranced by the comforting circles he traced up and down her back.

He smiled, leaning back to listen to her properly. She always liked that, how he truly listened when she talked, possessing a genuine interest in what she had to say. His undivided attention made her feel like nothing else mattered but the two of them, all the rest of the world melting away.

She continued. “Somehow, even through the terror and the misery, something must have gone right, I suppose. For us to end up here together.” Grabbing her hands, he brought them to his lips. “And for you to love me as you do, even if perhaps you shouldn’t,” she finished with a fluttering laugh.

Obi-Wan beamed at her.

“Do you know when I first started loving you?” he asked, looking more free than he ever had before. She awaited his answer with a smile. “That time in the cave when you refused to wear shoes at night and got stung on your foot while you were asleep.”

The Jedi—her Jedi—broke into giggles as he recalled the occasion, his cheeks turning pink beneath that auburn beard of his.

“What?” she exclaimed, laughing with him.

“I had to carry you all the way up the mountain on my back the next day,” he finished, barely able to get the words out. It certainly hadn’t been one of her finer moments, she remembered. She hated admitting when he was right, and this was one of those few times.

“I knew the first time you blew up at me for complaining about the lack of amenities on one of those forsaken planets.” She smiled at the memory fondly. She had been so young back then. Relatively naïve. When they were together, it didn’t take long to push each other to their limits. That was, after all, part of the fun. He didn’t see her as some princess, walking on eggshells around her as others did. He made his opinions known, just as she did in return.

How, how, had they loved each other for so long, and done nothing about it?

“Oh, my dear, I’ve always loved you,” Obi-Wan said, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her face with the gentlest of touches. His eyes shimmered in the dim glow of the city.

Satine smiled up at him and made her own vow. “And I always will.”

Draping her arms around his neck, she brought her lips to his once more, kissing him deeply.

“Obi-Wan,” she whispered into the kiss, “Is there anyone I need to go to to ask permission to marry you? The Jedi Council?”

Obi-Wan pulled back to look into her eyes in surprise and with complete, unrepentant joy.

“Darling, the Council couldn’t stop me from marrying you if they tried,” he said with a grin. “Though perhaps we should ask—”

“The children?” she finished.

He nodded.

“And particularly Korkie,” he said, a knowing—yet content—look in his eye. “I should think he’d like a say in his parents finally tying the knot.”

Satine was momentarily speechless. “You know,” she stated, the slight waver in her voice betraying her nervousness that this secret had evidently come out.

“I had an inkling,” Obi-Wan explained. “But don’t you worry, my dear. There will be plenty of time to discuss later. For now, I’m just so happy, nothing could ever take away from that. And he’s truly a remarkable young man. I am so proud of you both.”

She wrapped her arms around him again, words caught behind a lump in her throat as she adjusted to this new reality where there were no more secrets between them. It was equal parts relieving and guilt-inducing.

“He doesn’t know,” she admitted with a slight frown.

“Then we’ll tell him together,” Obi-Wan promised, his eyes meeting hers with sincerity and an overabundance of love. How he was able to be so gracious to her, she didn’t know. But she was thankful for this, for them.

This was it. The Force had led them to this moment, and Obi-Wan knew in his very soul that it was the right path for him. His heart felt like it might burst with happiness, and Satine—he knew—felt the same.

The night grew cold, and the palace lights slowly flickered out, but they remained there like that for some time, wrapped in each other’s loving embrace.

-.-.-

Anakin watched from the balcony, a smirk plastered on his face as he observed the couple down below in the garden.

His eyebrows lifted, impressed by what he saw. “Not bad, old man,” he muttered, watching as the figures engaged in a passionate kiss.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his comm device and flicked it on, dialing the frequency he knew best. It wasn’t long before she picked up.

“Padmé,” he spoke into the comm. “You owe me 20 credits.”

-.-.-

[pomfiores]

what’s your phone wallpaper : gilbert nightray and raven from a specific artist. beautiful blues. last song you listened to : "happier than ever" currently reading : between 3 books, let's go w/ "I'm glad my mom died" last movie : scream 6 🔪🔪 last show : bluey or mandalorian .. what are you wearing right now : work costume! ✌🏾 piercings / tattoos? : ears. gonna get another two on my left ear. maybe the 🍒. tattoos are my beloved Binx's eyes on my bicep and a Maleficent piece on my wrist tomorrow morning. :) glasses ? contacts? : both. :( last thing you ate? : an apple. ha. favorite color(s) : sage green. cool tone blues. purples. crimson red. black is my love. current obsession: twst..? but I guess didney but that's kind of been forever, maleficent is just a resurfacing love. do you have a crush right now? : I'm not sure..? favorite fictional character : oh boy. gilbert nightray, vil schoenheit, mettaton, maleficent, lan wangji, the queen, malleus & peepaw 🤧 i have a small list. tagged by: @grdnglow if there was someone else I'm so sorry fjsbd tagging: who hasn't done this omg I'm behind. @wendeiwisp, @wishkept, @inkalized, @kinships, @xdcwntherabbithole, @dokitm, @dorakonia, @lachrymosestorm, @neomadivine, @v-iciious, @itorisen, @prsonatm, @jardinae, @astrobomb whoever hasn't tag me fjsbdjdn

[norimtarna]

You know, it would have been far more interesting if Satine had claimed Mandalore a neutral system for the sake of her people and the clones.

Granted, the EU has some?? most?? of the clones despise the Mandalorians for their attack on Kamino or smthg before the Clone Wars, and I don't know the specifics of that.

But Satine is the Duchess of the New Mandalorians - a people with a peaceful way of life. They don't associate with either Jaster Mereel and later Jango Fett's True Mandalorians or Viszla's Death Watch. They're a different sect altogether and you can't tell me Satine Kryze has no empathy or pity to spare.

The clones have no choice but to fight. They've been indoctrinated into the culture of fighting for the Republic. It's all they know. It's all they're taught. And those who decide to act upon they're will and leave - well, you've read the Wookieepedia page on Clone Assassins. Besides that, most seem to dislike the clones because they're synonymous to war and therefore trouble and death.

It doesn't help their case that they're led by Jedi - the very institute that some think lowly of. The Jedi who are further villainized during the Clone Wars. The Jedi who don't realize how beautiful a piece they make for Sidious to play five-dimensional chess with.

The Jedi and clones become synonymous to each other and war and destruction and havoc and chaos and death. Despite their efforts, the galaxy is made to hate them by Palpatine's ever-so-cunning subtle manipulations and displays.

Satine Kryze is not a stranger to hatred. I dare say she's been spat in the face and declared dar'manda before all her people by the Death Watch and the True Mandalorians. Still, that is a mando'ad with a will of pure beskar. And greatest of all is her empathy, her deep instinctual urge to protect and defend and care for her people.

You can't tell me this woman didn't take one look at the clones, who wore armor so like and unlike the True Mandalorians, with the face of the last official Mand'alor deceased Jango Fett, noticed how fiercely united they were to each other and secretive and kept to themselves, and was likely informed of how the Jedi had apparently placed an order for them ten years back which made them practically children, children made into the perfect soldier with all its horrible implications, men with no choice even if they insisted on their loyalty to the Republic to be one of free will, and did not feel some kinship to them.

They aren't exactly Mandalorians, like Mereel and Fett and his men, but like the New Mandalorians, they are tolerated.

But where the New are tolerated for their peace (unlike Death Watch), the clones are tolerated for their role in the galaxy-wide war.

If Satine and New Mandalore were to join the Republic, she would be morally condoning the creation and subservience of clones of the former Mand'alor himself, even if he was not of their sect. If Satine and New Mandalore were to join the Separatist CIS, her hand would be forced against the clones of the former Mand'alor. And peace - peace is what she seeks after above all else. A safe and peaceful Mandalore.

Maybe it's just me as a clone fan, but Satine and Mandalore ought to have somehow shown a connection with the clones in SW:TCW.

[ranahan]

Traviss—whatever you think of her writing and problems therein—repeatedly makes the point that Mandalorians are hard to govern because they’re not big on authority. Leading mandos is all about getting them to choose to work together for a common cause, and getting a leadership position is all about earning the respect of your troops.

I imagine that leadership in a clan works the same way on a smaller scale. Clan leadership is supposed to be a lot of thankless work, “like herding cats”. A hotheaded young warrior might get a band of his fool fellows to follow them, but doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting the majority of a clan to support them for the position of managing their estate and its coffers (there’s a lot more bean-counting and taxes involved than glorious battle). That’s a task that goes to a reliable veteran. Yes, that’s probably someone who can physically put a young whippersnapper into their place, but it’s a lot more about being a survivor of a hundred battles (i.e. someone who’s seen it all and lived to learn the lessons) than it’s about being the strongest warrior.

Tldr: The vibe I always got from Mandalorians is that the ruling “class” (inasmuch as there’s one in any culture) is not warriors, but veterans. Children do have a special place and status in the culture, but when it comes to who gets to make the decisions, it’s not just any guy with a gun, but the old guy with a gun. The ba’buir, if you will. And yes, they garner a lot of respect.

That’s of course the ideal—but as we know, the ideal is not always what happens in reality. So yes, there are clans who have poor leadership because of internal or external politics. Yes, there are leaders who abuse their position. But that’s not supposed to be the norm, in any society really.

I’d also like to refer to this chart about Mandalorian kinship terms I made. And to point out that while there’s no direct equivalent of Mandalorian kinship system in human societies, the closest equivalent is often associated with a clan society where people get to decide which of their parents’ clans they want to belong to. So that’s how I imagine Mandalorian clans: there’s—in a way—a competition for new members. Good warriors, yes, but also in times of waning and diaspora and disarray, just more hands to do the work. You could imagine the Mandalorian society as a microcosm of the galaxy, so in a way the clans are seen as being in a (friendly or unfriendly) competition with each other. In many times over Mandalorian history, people and workers have been in a short supply. So if you don’t like your clan, there are probably at any time (except maybe the civil wars) several others who are like, “wanna join us? we have the best food”. And that competition is also seen as a good and necessary thing that forces the clans to keep changing and adapting and not stagnating.

Tldr: there’s certainly a cultural expectation of loyalty to one’s clan, but in nowhere does is say it’s blind obedience to the clan head. Even if you want to compare the position of a clan head to Mand’alor, I’d like to point out that that’s not a blind obedience kind of a position either: you don’t like the guy who warms the throne? Feel free to challenge him and make him step down. And yes, both positions certainly do come with the potential to abuse their power.

It’s far from a great system of government in objective terms, but I like it in world building terms. It’s interesting! It creates interesting dynamics and conflict! And I also have tons of headcanons about how mando clans work, but I’ll leave them for another time.

I’m still thinking about someone implying that Mandalorian culture is full of harmful ideas of filial piety (or, at least the Western idea of filial piety, as opposed to the idea of it that I’m familiar with as a Southeast Asian) that feeds into and facilitates the Empire’s authoritarian streak. (Yikes!) To talk about just the clan structure part, there isn’t much that I see, or can remember, that promotes such. There is an idea of one’s primary responsibility is to the clan—but that’s a call for everyone. One is called to support their parents, their children, their siblings, their parents’ siblings, their parents’ parents, their cousins, every member of the clan regardless of how they got into it.

The call to support the clan is not a call to respect those in a familial hierarchy no matter what, it’s a call for ALL members of the clan to support each other, implying a much more communally oriented structure.

There’s nothing in Mandalorian culture to suggest that children are socialized into this authoritarian hierarchical structure where obeying the head of the clan is above all. This IS a culture where people can disown their parents, where doing anything that undermines the stability and health of the clan is a massive dishonor. From what I understand of Mandalorian clan culture, it’s meant to be a more communal concept, with multiple generations and extended family and other persons in the clan living together. There certainly is a clan head, but there isn’t anything to indicate they wield an authoritarian power. That concept is entrenched in patriarchal concepts of the nuclear family. In many ways, I think it functions more to what is said about the Mand'alor, they lead but only with the consent of the clans and is expected to listen to the advisement and complaints of ALL the clan heads. The clan head leads but only with the consent of the clan at large and is expected to listen to all of their members.

There is nothing to me to indicates that Mandalorian clans live in an American conception of nuclear family nor the Western stereotypes and misconceptions of types of Asian extended family structures and filial piety. (Even though Asia isn’t culturally monolith and such filial piety concepts aren’t uniquely Asian, but I’m naming a pattern of stereotypical thinking I see in American thought.) I say again, that kind of authoritarian power in a family structure is a result of Western conception of patriarchal nuclear family.

[ranahan]

I remember reading a post you made a while back about mandalorian family dynamics, but I haven’t been able to find it anywhere. I was hoping to use the irl examples it gives to start figuring out what Amavikka family dynamics might look like. Would you happen to know where the post is? I’ve spent like half an hour looking

I’ve written about Mandalorian clans (politics & government headcanons) here, or it could be this post about kinship terminology?

The tags I usually use ought to be #mandalorian clans and #mandalorian family, if you want to keep digging.

[shadowmaat]

Ok, I'll play. I'm all about song titles as Fic titles, so...

fic title: Black Parade, any pairing. thank you!

Bobadin, Old Guard AU

Start it in the Old Republic days with Din, still taken in as an orphan and raised to be a warrior for the Mandalorian Empire. He survives wars, coups, and purges and goes from thinking he's some incarnation of the kara to thinking he's been cursed. Everyone he's ever loved keeps dying. Every cause he's ever fought for fails.

By the time the Prequels era rolls around he's mostly isolated himself, unable to stand the thought of any more death and heartbreak. It still happens, though, as the Empire rises and Mandalorians are all but wiped out.

He finds one covert alive and does his best to guard them because he doesn't want to be the Last Mando Standing. They're extremists who dislike removing their helmets before strangers, but that suits him just fine: he doesn't want anyone to see his face: there's a chance, however remote, that someone might recognize him from old murals and recordings.

Finding Grogu reignites some spark in his badly-scarred heart. He becomes a little more interested in living again, if only to protect this child. It doesn't take long for him to figure out exactly what Grogu is, and at this point Jedi are as rare as Mandalorians, so he feels a certain kinship that makes him more determined to help.

And then he meets Boba and realizes he's been dreaming of him. They're alike in some way, though Boba insists he isn't a Mandalorian. He does recount a tale of his excruciating and far-too-long stay within the stomach acids of the sarlacc, certain he died over and over again, only to be spat out during the creature's death throes to find himself alive and whole.

Din knows what that means. He isn't sure what to do about it yet, but knowing that finally, after centuries of loss, he's finally found someone like him gives him hope for the future.

[burnwater13]

Split Image of a helmet less Din Djarin having bacta sprayed on his head injury by IG-11 (mostly out of frame) and IG-11 leaning forward (second image portion). Image from The Mandalorian, Season 1, Episode 8, Redemption. Calendar from DataWorks. Caption reads: No living thing has seen me without my helmet since I swore the Creed. - The Mandalorian. I'm not a living thing. - IG-11.

Grogu tried to be thoughtful and considerate and patient about the situation. He didn’t want to add to the Mandalorian’s burdens. The poor guy had been through the wringer for him and he knew that. He appreciated that a Mandalorian bounty hunter with no attachments and few friends had taken a huge risk for him. Grogu felt both a kinship and a very deep debt to his fellow foundling. 

But come on! Why did IG-11 get to see the human’s face and not Grogu? That just wasn’t fair! Grogu had saved him from certain death more than once. He had even tried to heal him when he was injured on Arvala-7. Not five minutes ago he’d stopped the stormtrooper with the flame thrower from cooking them all. That should count for something! Instead, Cara Dune carried him away and IG-11 got to stay and help the bounty hunter. Hrumph. 

Grogu had speculated that the Mandalorian was really a droid. He had been pretty sure of it until he watched the human trying to cauterize (ouch) a wound he’d sustained while fighting the Trandoshan bounty hunters on Arvala-7. That’s the injury Grogu had offered to heal but the Mandalorian must have thought that Grogu’s hands were too dirty or that he wanted to cause the bounty hunter more pain or maybe he thought Grogu’s species thought human’s were tasty and didn’t want to give Grogu a chance to check his flavor. Whatever the reason was, it was pretty silly. 

It was clear that this bounty hunter was actually human. Grogu had met, lived with, trained with, and dealt with many humans over the course of his life. Some had been very nice (Master Beq and Master Kenobi), some had been bossy and strict (Master Drallig), some had been mischief incarnate (Ian), and some had been huge a disappointment (you know who you are). This human was just frustrating. Quiet. Brave. Skilled. Determined. Honorable. And surprisingly honest. Grogu liked him… when he wasn’t being an annoying know-it-all/do-it-all. 

Grogu supposed that came with the bounty hunter being so stinking brave and loyal. He had watched the Mandalorian rush right out into danger as IG-11 fought the Imps in the street. The fact that he did that and was subsequently wounded because Grogu appeared to be in harm’s way was a burden Grogu would have to live with the rest of his days. It was Grogu’s fault that the bounty hunter needed to remove his helmet to get aid because Grogu hadn’t been able to explain to him, over all the time they had spent together since they’d first met, that he was more than capable of healing that wound by just touching the Mandalorian. His hand. His neck. For crying out loud, Grogu could have touched the bounty hunter’s bare foot if necessary and healed that wound. But no. IG-11 got to do it. 

Grogu was glad that IG-11 was there, reprogrammed, and capable of delivering the bacta spray to help save his friend and protector. He understood why the Mandalorian said yes… eventually, to the droid. IG’s memory could be wiped. Grogu didn’t think that anyone was going to bother doing that, but the droid was programmed to follow a very strict set of rules and Grogu was certain that providing for patient privacy was among those rules. Kuiil had programmed the droid and there was no better person to do that than the thorough and talented Ugnaught.  

That made Grogu sigh. Thinking of Kuiil and how the Imps had ended him so ruthlessly and then snatched Grogu up so he didn’t even have a chance to try and heal his friend had broken his heart, at least metaphorically speaking. In reality his heart had been pounding and he saw red because he was so angry and just for that one instant he wished he was a Sith because even if he couldn’t heal Kuiil, he could have avenged his friend at that moment. Dank Farrik! He was too good, too balanced to do that. At least at that moment. 

Grogu was completely aware of what his former masters and instructors would have thought and then lectured him about when it came time to save his friends from the flame thrower Imp. He had to admit that a teeny, tiny part of him was happy to avenge Kuiil, just a little. That same little, teeny, tiny part that had done nothing to prevent IG-11 from dealing effectively with the two Imps who had hurt Kuiil to begin with. He just had to make sure that teeny, tiny part stayed that way. Teeny and tiny. He didn’t want to turn full Sith and walk around with yellow or red eyes. Yikes. What a huge giveaway that you were a Sith, bright red eyes gleaming in a face contorted by pain and anger. That is, if your species didn’t normally generate red eyed offspring. In which case, maybe you just gave people a stern look? Grogu didn’t know for certain. 

HE supposed that was another reason why he wanted to see the Mandalorian’s face. As many good qualities as the human obviously had, he also had some qualities that were less than Jedi-like. He was impatient. He was bossy. He worked by himself. He killed people. Lots of people. Lots and lots of people. He cared more about his ‘Creed’ than he did about the people who were right there. That was pretty darn Sith-like if you knew what to look for. 

Grogu had once heard Master Drallig say the only difference between Mandalorians and the Sith was that a Mandalorian who gave you their word would never break it and a Sith would never keep it. Grogu had thought about that a lot. The Mandalorian was willing to risk his life for Grogu, even though Grogu never asked him to do that.  No Sith would ever do that. No Sith would ever tell the others to go on without them. They were selfish, not self-less. 

Grogu sighed again. Well, at least that was settled. The Mandalorian wasn’t a Sith. No one who could do everything he’d actually done for Grogu could be a Sith. It just wasn’t possible, even if Grogu never saw his eyes. 

Image of a helmeted Din Djarin having his helmet touched by IG-11 (mostly out of frame). Image from The Mandalorian, Season 1, Episode 8, Redemption. Calendar from DataWorks. Caption reads: No living thing has seen me without my helmet since I swore the Creed. - The Mandalorian.