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[singlespacedad]

This is Mando.

[And then a beep.]

Comments

[singlespacedad]

It tends to do that.

[Mando isn't some wuss-ass Jedi, though, so getting sand in weird places doesn't bother him that much.]

[Riz's block does, in fact, redirect Mando's sword, and Mando makes a soft oofing noise when Riz punches him in the leg. The kid aimed around the beskar, the little brat, so it stings where he connected.]

Has Boober been showing you what we work on? That was a good parry.

[Too bad Mando is going to keep up the heat and keep pushing forward! He's willing to take a few hits when he knows he only has to get Riz once.]

[nightyorb]

Fabian taught me!

[After Riz had obtained his Sword of Shadows, Fabian had insisted on giving him some sword lessons over the summer. Something about how his improper handling was an affront to swordfighters everywhere.

(Personally, Riz thinks it may have had more to do with Fabian needing any sort of distraction after killing his dad, which Riz understood more than anyone.)

On the second parry, Riz's leg gives a twinge, making him stumble ever so slightly. Not enough for Mando to get a hit in, but enough that Riz has to add an awkward dodge roll to the move to fully clear the sword, leaving him pretty unguarded for a follow-up attack.]

[singlespacedad]

He's a good teacher.

[Mando notices how Riz stumbles, and so he doesn't go for a full attack. Instead, he taps Riz in the ribs with his sword, then pulls back, falling into a defensive position.]

How's your leg doing?

[nightyorb]

Just fine.

[Of course, Riz is familiar with the sensation of burning muscles. Just... usually it comes at the end of a long and involved battle. Or hours of sparring. Or even just running across town all day on an investigation. It doesn't come after barely two turns of sparring.]

And don't tell Fabian that. His ego is already so big.

[singlespacedad]

Don't worry, I won't.

[Yeah, yeah, he won't praise your friend, Riz. Not in front of you, at least.]

All right, I won't go easy on you then.

[Lies. He's going exactly easy enough to make it look like he's not going easy on him at all. It's a fine line to walk, and Mando aims another jab at Riz's legs.]

[nightyorb]

[Riz tries to avoid the jab, but this time, his leg buckles underneath him, sending him to one knee.]

Shit!

[There is no avoiding Mando's strike. Best he can do is smack at his arm with his own wooden sword, but considering all the armor, it's probably about as useful as just straight up punching him in the (armoured) face.]

[singlespacedad]

[Riz could try and punch Mando if he wants. It won't do much, but he's welcome to try.]

[Mando lands his jab, but he pulls the strike, really only giving Riz's leg a firm tap rather than an actual strike. Then he stops, knocking Riz's sword away with his arm, and stands there, his own sword dangling at his side.]

You need to stretch more.

[nightyorb]

[Riz puffs out a frustrated breath, trying to ignore the twitching of his calf muscle and force his leg into behaving.]

No. I need to train more. Work through it.

[singlespacedad]

If you keep pushing yourself, you'll hurt it again. And then you'll have to wait even longer to get back to normal.

[Mando bends and offers Riz a hand, to pull him to his feet.]

The more times you hurt it, the more likely you are to do permanent damage. It's not worth it.

[nightyorb]

[Riz allows Mando to lift him to his feet.]

I'm tired of not being able to do any work. It sucks.

[It's difficult when you measure your life and value by what you can do.]

[singlespacedad]

If you need something to do, you should come to work with me tomorrow. There's a tournament for the kids, and I could use a sniper.

[Mando sighs and shakes his head.]

Some of them are getting mouthy and need a lesson.

[nightyorb]

So you need help taking them down a peg, huh? I guess once they see me and my lame leg, they'll definitely feel humbled.

[Riz gestures slightly.]

After its over, of course. They won't be seeing me before that.

[singlespacedad]

Damn straight they won't see you until afterwards. I'll let you up into the rafters to really mess with them.

[Hell, they can even go in a few hours early to let Riz really prowl around and find the best sniping position.]

I know it's tough when you're healing and want to do more. But trust me, you don't want that broken bone to come talking to you every time it rains for the rest of your life.

[nightyorb]

Mando, you couldn't keep me out of the rafters.

[Of course, if Mando gives him access to them, he'll have a bit of an easier time getting up there, but he was always going to go there. It's a good place to snipe from!]

You just sounded like every old person ever.

[singlespacedad]

Of course not. I just figured I'd make it easier by opening the door for you.

Yeah, I know. And trust me, someday you'll think back on this conversation and realise I was telling the truth.

[nightyorb]

God, I hope not. I don't need anyone telling me I told you so.

[singlespacedad]

You would take one of the rare pleasures of old age away from me?

[nightyorb]

[Riz shakes his head a little.]

Sounds like getting old sucks.

[You know, if one of your rare pleasures if telling other people you told 'em so.]

[singlespacedad]

It beats the alternative.

[nightyorb]

Depends on what your afterlife looks like, I guess.

[singlespacedad]

I'm not opposed to joining the manda when it's time. But there are a lot of things I need to do first.

[nightyorb]

[Riz already has plans for his afterlife. He'll just join his dad in the heavenly Taskforce. He's already a consultant there, surely that means he can just join after death.

Unfortunately, however, not something he can talk about.]

Okay, what are the Manda? Are those, like, your gods?

[singlespacedad]

Something like that. It's the divine consciousness that all Mandalorians join after we die.

[nightyorb]

So when you die, you become part of some sort of... soul soup?

[Possibly maybe been hanging around Boober too much.]

[singlespacedad]

[Mando chuckles.]

Yes, that's about it. All our souls join together and become a collective Mandalorian consciousness. We're reunited with our ancestors if we have them, and we can wait for anyone else we know to join us after their deaths.