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Djarin left the day prior.
They had been here all of two days and he left already.
Didn’t say where he was going—just that he’d be back in a few days.
Cobb didn’t seem to care. Shouldn’t he care?
Either way. It meant Cobb was alone. He based on how much Paz had seen him wandering around, he was bored.
The Armorer subtly, or perhaps maybe not so subtly, suggested that Paz have conversation with the man.
Really Paz just thinks she wants to know why this man is of such significance to Djarin.
He never took her for a gossip. But considering how long it has been just the two of them down here…
“Well hello, Paz.”
Kriff.
Paz turns his head toward the voice and there’s that smile again.
How can a man, basically trapped under Glavis Ringworld still be so…cheerful?
And better yet how was a man like that with Djarin?
“Marshal.”
Cobb chuckles, with a shake of his head.
“Not a marshal anymore. Just call me Cobb. Or Vanth if you’d rather. Seems like first names aren’t really your thing.”
Paz is this close to jumping off this platform…
“Is there something I can do for you?” Armorer suggestion be damned, I’m not ready for this.
The Marshal—no, Cobb—simply shrugs his shoulders, tucking his hands into his pockets and thumbs into his belt loops.
Paz forces his head back out toward the open space before them.
“With Din off doing his thing, not exactly much else for me to do. Seems we’re going to be…close for a while. Thought I’d do the friendly thing and, well I dunno, get to know you I suppose.”
That tears it, I’m jumping…
“What do you want to know?” Or I’m going to continue to stand here and make an ass out of myself.
“Are you a foundling like Din?”
“No. I am the descendant of other Mandalorians.”
“But you’re part of the same…” Paz sees the way Cobb’s eyebrows scrunch as if he’s trying to find the right term.
“We are of the same tribe. We both follow the same Creed.”
“I see.”
Cobb goes quiet. A quick glance shows he too is now looking out at the empty space in front of them.
And Paz can’t help but notice…
“You look as though you’ve never seen space before.”
That simple sentence draws another kriffing smile from the man.
Paz you glorious idiot.
“That’s because I haven’t. I’ve never left Tatooine. Not until now.”
“Why?” Stop talking, you idiot.
That draws a chuckle from Cobb. Whether it was at the almost abruptness of Paz’s response or whatever is turning over in his head, he’ll never know.
“Never had the chance. I was a slave. I got out. Became the marshal of what was then Mos Pelgo. Did what I could to keep the people safe.”
“How?”
Cobb looks toward Paz—which is the only reason Paz realizes he’s still looking at him—and Cobb looks almost sheepish.
“Bought some old Mandalorian armor off some Jawas. That’s how Man—how Din found me. Was trying to track more of you all down to help him get the kid back to his people.”
Well, parts of the story are now making sense. But that still doesn’t—
“Where is the foundling now?”
“All Din told me was that he found a Jedi. That Grogu, the kid, is with him. He came back to Freetown shortly after. And now—well here we are.”
“So you just left with him?”
Cobb laughs, a real laugh this time.
Kriff. Kriff. Kriff.
“When you put it like that it seems a little silly.”
Before either man can speak again, there are footsteps from nearby. Both men turn toward the sound to find The Armorer approaching them.
“Paz Vizsla, I need your assistance.”
Paz nods once and she turns to go back the way she came without another word. He doesn’t turn back toward Cobb until he feels a pat on his shoulder.
His head turns so fast it’s amazing his neck didn’t snap.
Cobb is smiling at Paz, hand still resting on his shoulder.
“We can chat more later.”
Paz doesn’t get a chance to say anything before Cobb walks off in the opposite direction.
And he can’t take his eyes off his retreating form as he does…
I am so monumentally screwed