Even a Mandalorian Gets Sick

Din Djarin, the infamous bounty hunter and protector of the Child, felt a strange sensation in his throat. It started as a tickle, but quickly escalated into a burning pain that made it hard to swallow. He tried to brush it off as a minor irritation, but as the day wore on, his body ached all over, and his usually sharp instincts were dulled by a creeping fatigue. As he navigated his ship, the Razorcrest, through the busy space lanes of Nevarro, Din couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong. He'd faced down countless blaster-wielding thugs, navigated treacherous asteroid fields, and survived in a harsh environment that would break a lesser being. But this...this was different. Din made a beeline for Tatooine, a planet he'd grown to appreciate for its harsh beauty and familiar rhythms. He knew he could find refuge in the Jundland Wastes, or perhaps in the bustling spaceport of Mos Espa. As he set down in a dusty landing field on the outskirts of the settlement, Din radioed Peli Motto, his old friend and fellow shipwright. "Peli, it's Din. I need a favor. I've come down with something, and I need someone to watch over Grogu while I...take care of myself." Peli's gruff response came through the comms system. "What's wrong with you, Mandalorian? You sound like you've been through a sarlacc pit." Din coughed, wincing at the pain in his chest. "Just a bit of a bug, I think. I'll be fine. I just need someone to keep an eye on the kid." Peli grunted. "Fine. Bring him on over. I'll take care of him. But you're going to have to let me take care of you too, Din. You sound like you could use a bit of TLC." Din hesitated, but Peli's no-nonsense attitude was reassuring. He made his way to Peli's hangar, Grogu secure in his carrier, and handed him over to Peli's capable hands. As Peli took Grogu from him, Din felt a pang of worry. He'd never left the Child in anyone's care before, but Peli was an old friend, and he trusted her implicitly. "Thanks, Peli," Din said, his voice weak. "I'll be fine. Just need to rest." Peli's expression softened, and she nodded. "You're going to need more than rest, Din. You're coming with me. My cousin, a local moisture farmer, has some...remedies that might help you out." Din protested, but Peli was insistent. She helped him into her speeder, and they set off into the twin suns of Tatooine. As they drove, Din couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. What kind of "remedies" did Peli have in mind? And how much of his usual Mandalorian stoicism would he have to sacrifice in order to get better? As they arrived at Peli's cousin's homestead, Din was surprised to see a well-appointed dwelling, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers. It was a far cry from the harsh environment he was used to. Peli's cousin, a kind-eyed Twi'lek named Kaelara, greeted them warmly and ushered Din into a cozy bedroom. She set to work preparing a series of steaming concoctions, which Peli administered to Din with a firm hand. At first, Din was skeptical, but as the remedies took effect, he began to feel a subtle shift in his body. His aches and pains began to recede, and his energy began to return. As he drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the gentle hum of the homestead's machinery and the soft murmur of Peli's voice, Din realized that sometimes, even a Mandalorian needs a little help. But what kind of help was Peli's cousin providing, and what would it cost him in the long run?