Mandalorians, young and old, crowded the ramp of the ship. They shouted out greetings to their king, as the children ran around the Mand'alor's feet, nearly tripping the man as they went.

Poe wasn't entirely himself after Tatooine. He hadn't moved from the co-pilot's seat when they arrived on Mand'alor, staring blankly at his data-pad, even though it lay shut down in his lap.

The clanging of boots on steel didn't cause the pilot to look up, though the hand on his shoulder did.

"Why don't we take a walk?" The armorer spoke quietly, her reassuring hand squeezing lightly as she tilted her head.

-

"I just... I don't understand it here." Poe kicked at the desert ground, sand drifting into the air. "I don't even know your names."

The armorer was quiet for a few moments as they walked alone in silence. "Names are sacred to some of us, known to only to those in our tribe."

"The masked mandalorians, you mean?" The pilot stopped walking, turning to look at his new friend.

"Often times, yes, though it entirely depends on the individual. You can be unmasked yet remain anonymous, or masked and introduce yourself to the next person you meet." She explained, shifting slightly under the other's analytical gaze.

"Can I know?" Poe asked, his eyes filled with the innocence of the curious. "...Your name, that is."

There was a small laugh filtered through the golden helmet as the armorer looked at him. "We're tribe, are we not?"

Poe nodded his head, a small smile on his face.

"Iva." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "My name is Iva Stagon."

"Iva," The pilot tested the name on his tongue, before meeting her visor. "Thank you, Iva."

"Of course, Poe." The smile could be heard in her voice. She began to walk again, Poe quickly following suit.

"Can I ask another question?"

Iva laughed at the pilot's eagerness, before nodding her head. "You may." She granted.

"Do they take their helmets off for anyone but themselves?" Poe rushed out as he walked alongside her. "The masked mandalorians." He supplied.

"Have you not seen the Mand'alor's face?" Iva stopped abruptly, turning around to face Poe with the tilt of her helmet.

"W—" Poe looked down for moment before beginning again. "Well, no. Is that a bad thing?" He furrowed his brow.

The armorer didn't explain as they continued their walk. She was silent for some time though in reality is was only a few moments.

"Those that are masked usually show their face to those in their clan. Spouses, children." Iva explained.

"He hasn't even told me his name yet." Poe spoke up, confusion evident in his voice.

The mandalorian hummed in thought. "I've no place to pass any judgements, though I'm guessing it's due to this not being a traditional marriage."

Poe merely nodded his head, assuming that it was the end of it. He hadn't entirely trusted the man with personal information, himself. If he wouldn't tell him his name, Poe would just have to get creative.

"He may just need a moment to lay his trust in you." Iva suggested helpfully.

Poe let out a small scoff. "Yeah, no offense Iva, but your leader is kind of an asshole."

The armorer laughed at that. "Well, your stay on Mandalore may change your view."

Yeah, right. Poe would change the way he saw the Mand'alor as soon as he'd admit that the other man was handsome.

Which would be never.

-

The Mand'alor's estate wasn't as extravagant as Poe had imagined. The house looked the same as the rest, no discernible quality to set it apart.

The inside was just as similar. Poe kept multiple posters up at his quarters on base, though the mandalorian's house was virtually barren, leaving only the necessities in view.

There wasn't much to do, though Poe had found entertainment from the endless amounts of gift baskets addressed to 'Alor Riduur Poe', which he assumed was intended for him.

He was told the Mand'alor was preoccupied with certain government matters, and that he would be with Poe momentarily. The pilot was fine with that, he'd prefer if the king stayed away as often as he could.

After sorting through the gifts, most of which were foods or sweets Poe had never heard of before, there was a harsh knock at the door.

Mandalorians were never gentle, were they?

"Good evening, Alor Riduur." A young unmasked mandalorian greeted him, bowing her head in greeting.

Poe merely nodded his head, unsure of the proper etiquette on the desert planet.

"The Armorer was called on business. She has asked that you care for Grogu until either her or the Mand'alor's return." She instructed, thrusting a satchel in his hand. The green child was fast asleep, large ears poking out from the bag's opening.

"Wh— Is she sure?" The pilot held the satchel up, shaking his head slightly in protest.

"Mhm." The girl affirmed, turning to leave. She only took a step away before she stopped in her tracks, flipping back around. "I clean forgot. I made this for you."

A shy hand stretched towards the man, a single earring held in it.

Poe studied it once he picked it up, turning it over in his fingers. It was a dark, nearly black, metal cut out into the silhouette of a mudhorn.

The young girl's cheeks burned when he looked up at her.

"Thank you." He spoke up, a kind smile on his face as he put it in his right ear lobe with practiced ease. "It's beautiful."

The girl shuffled her feet before she looked back up at him. "I'm Xoso by the way." She mumbled quietly, Poe could barely catch what she had said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Xoso."

Her cheeks burned again as she took a few steps back. "Well, I have to go. It was nice meeting you too, Alor Riduur." Xoso took off, kicking sand up as she ran.

"Call me Poe!" The pilot shouted after her.