There's tape in there. And I figured we could use the lamp and stuff. We'd probably lose the security deposit if we started putting nails in the ceiling.
[Riz's attention isn't on the ceiling. Instead, he's furiously working on getting the lights untangled, his tongue poking out from behind his teeth. It isn't too dissimilar to getting his yarn untangled.]
Yeah, but you know how landlords get sometimes. They've got a second sense for finding something to keep the security deposit over.
[Besides his ships, of course, and it had hurt like hell finding the shattered remains of the Razor Crest. But an actual home? Nah, not since the Empire barrelled into his small town and he became a Mandalorian.]
If Grogu was here... I don't know. I don't know how long I could stay here with him.
Even if my mom and all my friends were here, I wouldn't wanna stay here. This world... it's just too weird.
[He hates that he cannot be a goblin, that so much of what he has always considered normal and expected is just completely gone here. The pokemon are nice enough little creatures, but not enough for him to want to stay.]
[It makes sense, on some level. If Mando had to be an Ugnaut or something in this world, he's not too sure how much he'd like it either.]
I miss my ship. And my guns.
[And obviously Grogu, but he already mentioned him.]
But it wouldn't be a bad place to raise a kid. It's peaceful enough, and I wouldn't have to worry about every former Empire goon trying to grab him all the time.
[Riz thinks that over for a moment. Safety is nice and all but--]
Yeah, but, he wouldn't be able to be himself, right?
[From how Mando had described him, his kid had sounded... goblin-esque. Who knows, maybe he is too young to care about that sort of stuff, but Riz wouldn't want to give up being who he is just to be safe.
(he also doesn't trust that this place is really safe anyway)]
He'd be turned into a human, yeah. But... that might be easier for him?
[It's hard to describe.]
He's the only one of his race in the entire galaxy, as far as anyone knows. He'll always be different, his entire life. That won't stop him from becoming a Jedi, or a Mandalorian, but...
[Mando shrugs.]
He'll always be on the outside because he's different. Here, he could just be a kid.
I know. And if he wanted to go home, I'd try to find a way to take him home.
[As opposed to how Mando has pretty much given up on trying to get home and is just vibing in Pokemon world these days. It's much easier to be here and not have to think about uniting Mandalore or whatever it is he's supposed to do with that damn lightsaber. Assuming, of course, Boba Fett doesn't get them both killed over a scrap of a town on a shitty planet.]
But I'd like him to have the option. And for him to get a chance to make that choice.
[Riz's hands tighten on the strings of light, his voice edged with a hiss.
Unlike Mando, Riz still desperately wants to go home. He's looked into every vague rumour he heard about going home, but unfortunately none had panned out. More likely than not, he needs to wait until Adaine and the others break him free from this place, and it rankles that he just cannot take care of things himself.]
[Note to self, by Mando: get Riz a giant American-sized travel mug for the next holiday that calls for giving gifts.]
Thanks.
[Mando takes the lights and his own much smaller mug out into the hallway. With some stretching--and maybe standing on a box--he's tall enough to start taping lights to the ceiling.]
Do we have batteries for these? Or do I need to find a plug for them?
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The lights on trees look nice. But if you think Boober would rather have them up on the ceiling, we can do it that way.
[We meaning mostly Mando, since there's no way Riz can reach the ceiling. Mando sits down across from Riz and picks up a strand to start working on.]
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I think so yeah. I mean, you saw how tiny he is normally. Fraggles couldn't move a whole tree even if they wanted to.
[Maybe they could decorate a branch or something?]
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Did you get any nails or anything to hang these?
[Or does he need to make another run to the store?]
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I could fix any holes we put up there.
[But no, Riz has tape. There's no need to start a half-cocked mini-construction project. Besides, they don't have that long until Boober gets home.]
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Yeah, but you know how landlords get sometimes. They've got a second sense for finding something to keep the security deposit over.
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[Mando turns his attention back to the lights.]
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I don't wanna stay here long enough to start needing our own place.
[Renting is fine, but actually owning real estate feels too permanent. Like he has given up on going home.]
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[Besides his ships, of course, and it had hurt like hell finding the shattered remains of the Razor Crest. But an actual home? Nah, not since the Empire barrelled into his small town and he became a Mandalorian.]
If Grogu was here... I don't know. I don't know how long I could stay here with him.
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[He hates that he cannot be a goblin, that so much of what he has always considered normal and expected is just completely gone here. The pokemon are nice enough little creatures, but not enough for him to want to stay.]
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[It makes sense, on some level. If Mando had to be an Ugnaut or something in this world, he's not too sure how much he'd like it either.]
I miss my ship. And my guns.
[And obviously Grogu, but he already mentioned him.]
But it wouldn't be a bad place to raise a kid. It's peaceful enough, and I wouldn't have to worry about every former Empire goon trying to grab him all the time.
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Yeah, but, he wouldn't be able to be himself, right?
[From how Mando had described him, his kid had sounded... goblin-esque. Who knows, maybe he is too young to care about that sort of stuff, but Riz wouldn't want to give up being who he is just to be safe.
(he also doesn't trust that this place is really safe anyway)]
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[It's hard to describe.]
He's the only one of his race in the entire galaxy, as far as anyone knows. He'll always be different, his entire life. That won't stop him from becoming a Jedi, or a Mandalorian, but...
[Mando shrugs.]
He'll always be on the outside because he's different. Here, he could just be a kid.
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That should be his decision though. Other people shouldn't get to decide for you what might make your life easier.
[He looks up at Mando.]
Not saying that's what you are doing, but that's what would happen if he'd live here.
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[As opposed to how Mando has pretty much given up on trying to get home and is just vibing in Pokemon world these days. It's much easier to be here and not have to think about uniting Mandalore or whatever it is he's supposed to do with that damn lightsaber. Assuming, of course, Boba Fett doesn't get them both killed over a scrap of a town on a shitty planet.]
But I'd like him to have the option. And for him to get a chance to make that choice.
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[Riz's hands tighten on the strings of light, his voice edged with a hiss.
Unlike Mando, Riz still desperately wants to go home. He's looked into every vague rumour he heard about going home, but unfortunately none had panned out. More likely than not, he needs to wait until Adaine and the others break him free from this place, and it rankles that he just cannot take care of things himself.]
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[But Mando knows that having that choice taken away is a lot easier for some people than others.]
[He stays quiet for a few minutes, just untangling wires and laying them aside, before pushing back from the table and standing up.]
I'm making some coffee. What size mug do you want?
[Because come on, it's not like Riz doesn't want any.]
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[The biggest one they've got, of course.]
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[So yeah, while the coffee is brewing, Mando will rescue Riz's enormous, chipped mug from the bottom of the sink and give it a quick wash.]
Once you've got a string untangled, I can go get started in the hallway.
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Riz sets aside one coil of lights, carefully arranging them in such a way that they won't tangle again.]
These are good to go. Do you need help? I could get up on your shoulders.
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Thanks.
[With coffee delivered, and his own cup outfitted with his drinking straw, Mando picks up the coil.]
I can handle this first set. And you're not getting on my shoulders until you're done with your coffee.
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What, scared I'd spill it down your neck?
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[Hot liquid caught under beskar armour = not fun]
If you put it in a travel mug, we can talk.
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Pass. We don't have a travel mug big enough to hold all of this.
[He waves Mando away.]
Go, get started. I'll untangle the rest of these first.
another tag where I'm delightfully reminded that Mando actually isn't very tall for a dude
American-sizedtravel mug for the next holiday that calls for giving gifts.]Thanks.
[Mando takes the lights and his own much smaller mug out into the hallway. With some stretching--and maybe standing on a box--he's tall enough to start taping lights to the ceiling.]
Do we have batteries for these? Or do I need to find a plug for them?
THIS IS A SHORT HOUSEHOLD
we stan short kings in this house
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