[ hiding the child's presence here is, unfortunately, not a sustainable plan. he's been cautious as he can be, but most who have met him in person knows he travels with companion.

it didn't register to him until brought up that the human replicas could have seen his face. the alarm that floods his body is not spared by the softening of IG-11's assurances. even if there is a loophole, the notion that droids are not living, it is not one he will ever be comfortable with. it is not the way.

but most of all- ]

I'm not uneasy around droids. I don't like them. That's all.

[ droids are everywhere, even in the most backwater of planets. he can't avoid them, but he is free to voice his distaste to anyone who tries to force them upon him.

the child whines quietly from below, lifting its arms up. it wants the book. he sighs. ]

I can't hide the child's presence from people here. There's no safe place I can leave him by himself unattended. Not everyone here knows of him, but in time they may.

I've accepted this. The best I can do now is protect him from harm.

[ and this he will. he has already made his creed and his choice. he traded in the secrecy of his tribe and all the mandalorians in it to protect this one child. there is no turning back from duty now. ]