Promises and Deals | The Mandalorian

.031

"I wouldn't go near him at first—Kenobi. He had a blue saber, and blue killed everyone. I was just about Yoda's height, probably a bit shorter, at that time, so holding onto him was easy. I-I don't remember what happened next, only getting on board a bright white ship. I remember being so surprised and mesmerized because I had never seen something so pristine before. Turns out, it's Alderaanian specialty." She tilts her head up as if to look at him. "Senator Organa took us in—the last Jedi left."

The Organa name means something to her as she stiffens when she says it. He simply readjusts his arm to pull her closer.

"It was decided that I would train with Master Yoda for a bit in his exile, despite the dangers. Master Kenobi was to keep my lightsabers so that when I was ready, I could use them. We trained until I was about six, Yoda and I. Then, I got too old or I angered him. I never knew for sure why he sent me away—he just did."

Alora clears her throat as she forces herself to relax. Mando can tell the next part isn't pleasing when her shoulder blades dig into his bicep.

"High General Lorn Naftiri took me in. He was second to Senator Organa, head of the military, and hated me with a passion. While he trained me, he never liked doing it. I think it's because his wife died shortly before I was brought to Alderaan. I never meant to be a replacement for his grief, but shit happens."

Mando glances down at her fingers with narrowed eyes. Those bent, cracked fingers haunt his mind. "How'd this happen?" He holds up her hand.

"Well, I grew up with Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan. My purpose in life is—was to protect her no matter what." Her face scrunches up as she adjusts against him uncomfortably. "She loved me like a sister, and we did everything together. Wherever she went, I followed. So, when she was sent to gather information from rebels on the new Death Star, I went with her. We were captured by Darth Vader, and he wanted some information."

She holds her hand away from Mando as if allowing him to search each line and bend. "They blew up Alderaan because we wouldn't break," she whispers so softly he would have missed it if he wasn't waiting. "Leia...she tried to save the planet, but they had already decided. It was, um...it was a hard day to keep everything under control."

As he watches her face, her lip tucked between her teeth, a small tear slips out from under the blindfold, but she wipes it away quickly while taking a deep breath. "I've never really lost control," she says. "When I was younger, sure, but not during the war or when it might have compromised us. I guess I've always been the good little soldier."

"I don't think you're a soldier." Mando lets his head fall back against the pillow as his eyes trail back to their joined hands. "You've never been meant to follow orders. You are Alora Naftiri."

"I had another name, you know," she purses her lips. "Ahsoka said the kid knows it. I don't."

"You don't know your own name?"

She shakes her head. "Lost with the Jedi Order, I suppose. It was safer in case Vader ever knew about me, he wouldn't recognize my new name."

"And Alora Naftirir?"

"I don't know who gave me the name Alora. Naftiri just came from Lorn. It's the name of someone who never said no. Not even when she should have. But it's all I am, really. I am and always will be Alora Naftiri."

"Well, for the record, I think it suits you."

The smile that blooms over her lips makes his heart beat faster. "Really?"

"Yeah."

She bites her lip. "I feel like you know a lot about me, but I don't know much about you."