Much of the rest of the dinner was uneventful. Casual conversation about mundane subjects occurred between the Wrens and the others in the group. The topic of art had come up at one point. Alrich shared his knowledge of the historical paintings in Sundari City on Mandalore, and then vented about how he wasn't allowed to see them, particularly throughout his time as a political hostage during the civil war.

Kia did mention that she had contacted her friend, Senator Leia Organa Solo, who wished to speak with the Mand'alor about the possibility of trading, in addition to assisting them in forming an alliance with the New Republic. While the prospect was an interesting one; but the truth is, their newly formed clan had little to offer in the way of trade. Since Din was doing his best to go avoid speaking at all costs, Kia didn't push the subject any further. But by the end of the evening, she felt things had gone pretty smoothly, especially when she hadn't lost her mind from the stress.

Now back at their own designated rooms in the guest wing, Din sat on one of the decorative couches as he contemplated the night's events. Each guest room had a queen size bed, two single couches embellished with golden floral patterns, a round coffee table made of wood, a small fireplace, and a large refresher with a stand up shower. None of these rooms had windows, but were brightly laminated by tall lamps and numerous candles.

After Kia had stopped to check on the kids, she walked in to their room to see Din has not taken off his armor yet and had put his helmet back on. He was just sitting in the corner, head down and didn't
acknowledge her presence. She enters the room, locks the door behind her, then walks over towards the opposite corner to began stripping off her armor, piece by piece.

"I'm proud of you, ya know," she tells him after about a minute of silence, as she removes her chest plate before moving to take off her shoulder pouldrons. "I know that wasn't easy for you to do."

The title of Mand'alor had taken a toll on Din, and he hasn't said a single word in hours. After meeting the Wrens, this whole ordeal has been pestering him as he wished to forget about his right to the throne. As Kia walks towards him, Din still hasn't spoken. He has yet to look up at her as she continues to speak to him in an attempt to try to soothe him.

No Force-empathy was needed. Kia knew Din was troubled. His lack of awareness to his surroundings, how he has continued to keep his head down, as well as with his racing heart, was enough for her to understand his unsettling emotions. Now stripped of her armor and wearing only her black flight suit, she steps up to Din and kneels on the ground between his knees.

"Come on, Din. It'll be okay," she whispered as she placed her hands on his knees, but he still hasn't acknowledged her. "How about a nice blow job to help you relax?" She smiles as she slowly glides her hands up his thighs, but something was wrong. This isn't like him. She knew something was about to happen, it was like a boiling pressure that was about to be released.

***

Closing his eyes under his helmet, his head fell back against the chair and he instantly regretted the entire night. Even though Kia is trying to arouse him, he struggled to calm his mind. He's trying to keep his brain free of all thoughts and memories of his past when he first swore the Creed. But the image of his buir, who had taught him everything, wouldn't go away. He sighed heavily while fighting the urge to want to smash his fists into the nearest hard surface. He had put his faith second. But was his way the right way?

He still felt like a pretender. Aside from his newly acquired weapon and the title it comes with, he had no connection to the planet Mandalore. As the news continues to spread, he knows more Mandalorians will come to challenge him in a duel for ownership of the saber. If only he could go back to the Guild. He could get lost in the time-consuming, fast-paced work of hunting down his targets. Bounty hunting was familiar to him and it paid well. He wished he could forget the day he battled with Moff Gideon, but he would do it all over again if it meant saving Grogu or those he cares about.

Everyone was looking at him to make a decision, and were expecting him to lead. What if he makes a choice that costs the lives of innocent people? It would all be his fault! He never wanted this type of responsibility. Each time he took off his helmet in private, the fresh air had felt like a blessing. Now, it felt like a curse. How in the hell could he rule Mandalore with a broken Creed? He is not meant for this life. He is a killer and had been raised to be hardened and cruel, to act selfishly for his own personal needs and survival.

Even though the dinner went better than he thought it would, yet he was still agitated and angry at himself. He scowled as he thought about this cursed black blade attached to his belt. How many more are out there who don't follow the same Creed as he did? This made his anger intensity even further. He thought of how his previous clan had chosen to keep specific information from him. There was a sting that hurt even now, and he is reminded that there was not much he knew about Mandalorian history.

When he reopened his eyes, he frustratedly shoved Kia back and he pushed himself up. Once he stood up, he remained silent for a moment, his stare focused on the wall in front on him.

"Din, where are you going?" Kia's soft voice is heard, full of concern and worry. As she sat on the floor, her sparkling blue eyes looking up at him, but his mind was elsewhere.

"Out," he says shortly as he heads for the door. He needed air. He couldn't be around her or anyone else right now. It felt like everything was closing in around him, and it was suffocating. He abruptly exits without another word as Kia was left alone, but she felt his anxiety and the torment of his emotions. Even though Din is not usually an emotional person, yet at times he certainly brooded loudly.

Kia sat there on the floor for a moment, puzzled by how to react to his sudden departure. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, knowing that running after him may only further his frustrations. Instead, she concentrated on the Force. She could sense his presence, even when he's already halfway on the other side of the stronghold. There's an anger in him, anger directed at himself as he storms out into the icy tundra.

***

Din didn't know what he wanted and, even if he did, he felt it wouldn't matter anyway. He still feels like a traitor. His whole life had been a lie. As he followed the same route towards the main entrance of the fortress, he couldn't help but feel guilty for how he's been acting. Especially towards Kia. He wished he could relax. He wished he could have let her relieve this tension he has. He is losing his fucking mind!

"Good evening, sir," Fenn Rau says to him, interrupting his journey to exit the building. Din is stopped in his tracks as the man continued. "No matter how you feel about it, but I have to agree with Ursa. I am truly grateful that the saber is back with a Mandalorian and not with the Empire."

Din hummed in response but didn't speak as he nodded his head and continued walking. Once outside, Din heads down the stone path towards the south side of the stronghold. He rounds a corner, then walks down and out into the open lawn where he is now surrounded by the forest. The lake before him was considerably smaller than he originally thought. Solid ice, white pillowy snow, lush white-covered woodlands, and thick grey clouds blotted out the sky. The air was crisp and quiet, no sounds of wildlife or water flowing, apart from a gentle breeze that brushed through the branches and leaves.

He leaned against a thick tree trunk with his arms crossed, and resting his head back on the bark. He focused his gaze on the evergreens that encircled him. When he closed his eyes under his helmet, he began to think about his prior experiences. Before the Darksaber, he felt he had the best life suited to his skills. It was the best way for him to provide for his old tribe, and to ensure that the foundlings were being taken care of. Bounty hunting was important to him and he had never wanted or expected anything different.

A loud puff of air and rustling of branches stirred him from his thoughts. Din's eyes flew open as he looked straight ahead to find an enormous, pure white elk with large, furry bleached antlers. The animal was probably ten feet tall as it stood between trees across the frozen lagoon. Wide pink eyes stared back at him; its body was motionless as it chewed on some leaves.

As Din stared at this extremely rare albino elk, he began to miss the wisdom and support of the Armorer; he even missed swapping insults and sparring with Paz, along with their brief conversations afterwards while patching up their wounds. His parents' faces flashed before his eyes, and he wondered what they would say about him today.

He had not been the most caring or thoughtful man. He was a hunter, a ruthless and merciless one. He had murdered many people, victims he believed had deserved their fate. But now he's responsible for the protection and leadership of all Mandalorians, and he fucking hated how his life had changed so suddenly. He blinked the unsettling images away, his gaze returned back at the white elk as it slowly trotted away and vanished into the woods.

He then unsheathed the Darksaber from his belt and holds the weapon in his hand. Although he doesn't want this role, yet he'd rather die in battle than yield in a duel. If only he could somehow — get rid of this saber — he may be able to restart some semblance of normalcy in his life. He could return to bounty hunting to provide for Grogu, as well as Kia and this new clan of his.

He stared at the frozen lake in front of him, wondering how thin the ice is and how deep the water may be. He shifted his weight forward onto his feet and off of the tree trunk, his gaze moved down onto the beskar hilt of the weapon in his hand. A sudden surge of rage crawled up his spine and through his veins as he stared at the ancient saber. In an uncontrollable way, he lets out a yell as his hand winds back behind his head to toss the weapon.

The next moment felt like a blur. His vision refocused on his empty hand outstretched before him. The sound of the saber clanking down onto the thick, solid ice of the lake woke him from his trance. As his hand moved back to his side, he stood there in silence for a few seconds. At first he felt relief, but then a sudden urge to recover the saber fills his senses.

He sighed heavily, "Dank ferrik!" He cursed under his breath as he began to step forward.

***

After Kia had gone into the ship to pack an overnight bag, she returned to her room for a nice hot shower to calm her nerves. She knew Din was angry and restless. She felt his emotions as powerful as ever. All she can do is give him his space. She steps out of the shower and dries herself off, then brushes her hair before getting dressed in a long sleeve shirt, brown sleep pants, and thick black socks to help keep her warm.

The fortress was surprisingly comfortable, despite the frigid temperatures outside. As Kia exits her suite, she heads to the children's room for a mediation session before bed. Once inside their room, she sees Grogu and Alina sitting on a large, round rug with toys scattered throughout.

"Alright, time for your first lesson, Alina," she tells the girl as she sits down in between the two children. "I would like to teach you how to meditate. This is how Jedi become one with the Force. Would you like that?"

Alina nodded but she is unsure of herself. It was to be expected, of course. A young Force-sensitive with no prior training or knowledge of her abilities. "The first is to close your eyes and clear your mind."

Alina tried to do what she was told, but her mind was distracted by unnecessary thoughts. The girl scowled and fidgeted in her seat.

"I can sense your irritation, young padawan. This is why we meditate. Do you want to learn?" Kia asked Alina after a few minutes, the girl's eyes glanced down towards her lap in response.

"I'm trying," she says softly. "It's hard."

"It becomes easier with time," Kia assured as she looked at Alina. "This is a major part of the training. Without mastering your mind, you cannot master of the Force. Now let's try again. Close your eyes," Kia commanded. Once Alina complied with her instructions, she moved on. "Now, sit up straight."

Alina shifted her body slightly, trying to follow orders. Once she was in the correct position, Kia continued. "You need to breath deep," she explained. "Each time you exhale, it should feel like you're letting out all of the negative emotions that stop you from connecting with the Force."

Once again, the girl was not able to empty her brain. So Kia gave her a suggestion, "How about you watch us. Listen to our thoughts as we empty our minds."

"How are you able to do it so easily?" Alina asked with frustration in her voice.

"I've had years of practice," Kia says as she closed her eyes. "Are you ready, Grogu? Let's show her how it's done."

Kia felt Alina's curiosity as they began their mediation session. The girl was impatient yet motivated to learn. After about ten minutes, Grogu and Kia open their eyes as their brief session ended.

"If you want to improve your meditation, I can teach you," Kia offered. "But the first thing you need to learn is how to clear your mind. Once you can do that, the next steps become a little easier. It may seem boring, but this is an important part of becoming a powerful Force user."

Just then, Din enters the room with the saber clenched tightly in his hand as he leans back onto the wall.

"Well, it's getting late. If you truly want to be a Jedi, then you will need to learn how to control your thoughts and emotions," Kia says as she stands up. "Alright, Grogu. Bedtime!"

"Na!" Grogu complained.

"No back talking. Come on, up up up!" Kia ordered.

"You too, ad'ika," Mia's voice is suddenly heard as she roughly storms in. "These two have become inseparable."

"Oh yes, indeed they have," Kia chuckled as she picked up the baby and tucked him into his hovering crib with blankets and the metal shift knob.

"I'm sorry for how I've behaved," Din finally spoke, his deep modulated voice boomed throughout the room. Kia and Mia both look up at him with shock, this was the first time he had said anything more than one word all night.

"You don't need to apologize," Kia reassured him.

"I do," Din says as he steps up to her. "I haven't been myself lately, but I want you to teach me how to use this saber."

"Of course, Din. I can tomorrow. Right now, let's get some rest. It's been a long day."

Din nodded as they all say good night before going into their own rooms.