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Shmi had always been good at observing and learning. It was a valuable trait to have as a Slave. Even after she had gained her freedom she didn't abandon this habit and it turned out to continue being a good thing. It had helped tremendously in her relationship with Jango, as the Bounty hunter had the habit of keeping silent in a lot of Situations. Even then he was still hard to read, but they had managed with time and it had settled into ... into whatever they were right now. They weren't quite Friends any longer, but neither were they lovers. There was no real romance between them. No traditional romance at least.
It was her week for Kitchen duty and 3PO had retired for the evening. She looked over to the Sofa while she was still putting away the dishes. Jango sat there with Boba on his lap, reading to the little boy in hushed voices. His back was turned to her, hiding the smile he probably wore. The kind of smile he only reserved for Boba and had given Anakin on just a few occasions. It was nice, the quiet of it all. The Sound of Boba′s babbling interlaced with the deep rumble of Jango′s own voice filling out the too white Apartment. It created a sense of warmth that she didn't want to miss anymore.
"That′s right Bo'ika. It's a Rancor. Can you say that again? Rancor." ~ "Ranko" ~ "Very good.", Jango praised. Shmi smiled, it reminded her so much of when she had taught Anakin how to speak. Back then she had made sure to mostly talk Basic with him as he had learned Huttese just on his own. Basic, the language she had been taught to read and write by Pi Lippa. The language of freedom. Something dawned on her. Jango was teaching Boba Basic too. Not Mando′a. Not the language of his People. Not the language that the Mandalorian Trainers spoke between each other. Not the harsh and at the same time soft language that was his own. No he taught Boba Basic.
It confused her. Why would he not teach his own son the way to communicate with others of his kind? There were some words the boy knew, obviously, as he was calling Jango Buir, or Bubu more commonly, and had taken to call her Ma'bu after listening to Anakin over one of their holo conversations. But over all, Boba did not speak a lot of his Fathers Mother tongue. Jango in general didn't speak a lot of Mando'a Shmi realised. He cursed in Mando'a, sometimes he would accidentaly call her Shm'ika and he greeted the others with it. But after that he slipped back into Basic again. Seemingly more comfortable with that.
She sighed and put away the last dish. Even though she took care of Boba when Jango was away on a Hunt. Even though he had started to call her Ma didn't mean that she had any right to tell Jango how to raise his son. They weren't lovers, a couple or married for that matter. They were just living together. Still Shmi felt like this had to be addressed. So she made her way over and seated herself besides the two of them. Jango smiled at her and was practically glowing with Pride. Boba was the same.
"Ma'bu look.", he said pointing at the colourful picture on the Datapad, "Nesu" ~ "Really? That′s a Nexu?", she asked and the boy nodded with enthusiasm. Her heart swelled at the pure joy that poured out of him. "You really Learning all the words, I am so proud of you.", she said and brushed a Finger over his red cheek. It was still warm as Boba was not done with teething yet. "Up?", he asked and Shmi pulled him on her own lap. All under the watchful eye of Jango. "I'll go get the Ring from the conservator.", he said and stood up. Nervousness pooled in Shmi's stomach as she started to softly Rock Boba back and forth
Jango returned with the cooled ring and sat back down again. His thigh brushed against her knee. She didn't mind and just Watched as he offered the chewing toy to Boba. Who took it in his mouth and started to chew on it. A satisfied look appeared on his young Features as the cooling Sensation hit him. "Is something on your mind?", Jango asked. Shmi swallowed, they had talked about more difficult things before and she knew that procrastinating would not solve the issue at Hand. So she said quietly: "There is. Why aren't you teaching Boba Mando'a?"
He froze up, crossed his arms and let his face Fall into a expression of indifference. "Jango?", she prodded softly after a while and laid her right Hand on his knee. "I don't", he said but broke off the thought as soon as it had started. Seconds passed that felt like Minutes. He ran a Hand over his face and let it come to Rest in his hair before answering "I can't ... . I don't have the right to teach him, Shmi." ~ "If you don't teach him then who will?", she argued and Jango crossed his arms again. He looked so very tired and Shmi continued: "I taught Anakin how to Speak, read and write Basic so he would be able to connect with the Galaxy once he was free. How is Boba supposed to connect with Manadlore, with your People, if he doesn't even know their language? Many Slave children only learn huttese and because of that are barred off of the rest of the Galaxy. Don't bar Boba off of Mandalore, Jango."
He gently caressed Bobas head before letting his Hand over her own. Boba just continued to look at them both with wide eyes. Oblivious to their conversation. "I don't know how.", he admitted, "I haven't actually spoken Mando'a in over ten years, Shmi. I can still read it a bit but not much else." She nodded in understanding and squeezed his knee. "Then we will learn it together.", she said and smiled reassuringly. "You want to learn too?", he asked, looking at her with wonder. She nodded again and continued: "If you want I can ask the others for help and learning Material." Jango thought about it, gave her Hand a soft squeeze and stood up. "I might have something.", he said before dissappearing in his room.
Shmi wiped away the drool from Bobas cheeks. He looked rather drowsy by now and Shmi decided that it was time for bed. The boy did have a long day after all. Jango was back, sitting on the Sofa again, when she returned. He held a rather old Datapad and looked at it nervously. Shmi seated herself besides him. Their eyes met again and her heart skipped a beat. She couldn't fight the smile that formed on her lips. He let out a sigh, breaking the spell he had made a habit of casting on her. Shmi bumped their shoulders together in encouragement and Jango pressed the Button on the device. It sprang to Life and revealed the waist up Image of a man in black and red armor. Jango drew in a sharp breath. The Mandalorian had a welcoming look on his face and short black hair that had turned grey at the temples. "Olarom verd'ika.", he said, "Ner gai Jaster Mereel, Mand'alor be Haat Mando'ade. Welcome new soldier. I am Jaster Mereel, leader of the True Mandalorians. So you wish to become a Mandalorian? For us the Resol'nare, the six actions dictate our life and because of that our language is of upmost importance for us. This Module will give you a first Impression and a bottom line for you to work off of when it comes to Mando'a. As your Vode, Shieldbrothers, will most certainly be eager to teach you more."
