All this time...
Fennec had been watching Spar's conversation with Jango Fett's son from the main bar in the center of the cantina. It had taken considerable effort to locate him, and now hopefully Boba would join their cause.
From what he could observe from his position, the discussion appeared... intense and complicated. When Spar abruptly left the booth and walked out of the cantina, it was clear that Boba wouldn't be joining them immediately.
That was understandable—the young man probably had other matters to process besides their recent proposal. Who knew when he might return to his people? At least Spar had made initial contact.
Sighing, Fennec leaned back against the bar, his eyes scanning the establishment. Dax and Tobi were beside him, drinking and chatting casually while he continued observing the various patrons.
Nothing but scum and villainy, as expected.
However... something seemed out of place in this environment. He soon identified the source when he spotted a particularly unusual individual.
She sat alone with perfect posture, hands resting formally on her knees as she surveyed the cantina with obvious curiosity. Her distinctive green outfit stood out dramatically among the rough crowd.
She radiated a... purity that was completely incongruous in this setting, yet utterly captivating.
Most striking of all were her eyes. Her large, expressive eyes made her seemingly innocent nature even more apparent.
Who was this woman?
Fennec's curiosity about the young stranger grew, and he briefly glanced at his Mandalorian brothers, finding them absorbed in their own conversations.
He stood from his seat and approached the mysterious woman, who was gently swaying her head while humming quietly to herself.
Fennec cleared his throat, causing her to look up at him with interest. "Excuse me, miss. Is this seat available?"
"Oh, absolutely! Please, sit down," she said with a warm smile that made him feel surprisingly self-conscious.
Fennec nodded and settled into the chair across from her.
"I'm Fennec," he introduced himself. "Fennec Rau."
"Mantis," she replied cheerfully. "It's wonderful to meet you."
"Likewise," Fennec said. "So, what brings someone like you to a place like this?"
"Oh, I'm just waiting for some friends of mine," Mantis explained.
"Really?"
"Yes, we arrived here recently."
"Where did you travel from?"
"I cannot say."
Wondering if she was concealing something, Fennec continued, "What are you and your friends doing on Tatooine?"
"Looking for someone."
"Who?"
"I'm not entirely sure," she said honestly. "We only know they're connected to a friend of ours, and we're trying to reunite them."
"How intriguing."
"Before this, we were simply seeking work wherever we could find it."
"What type of work?"
"Bounty hunting, primarily."
"You don't seem like someone who would pursue that profession."
"That's exactly what Rocket said," Mantis replied. "But you might be surprised—I'm quite capable in combat now."
Her slightly defensive posture was endearing to this experienced warrior. Who was this Rocket? Presumably one of her companions.
"So you're a bounty hunter."
"Yes!" Mantis nodded enthusiastically. "Though we also take various other contracts. Bounty hunting just happens to be the most straightforward work for us to complete."
Fennec wondered if she was simply inexperienced. She certainly seemed to be.
"Which guild are you affiliated with?"
"Guardians of the Galaxy," Mantis said with obvious pride.
He wasn't certain he'd heard correctly. "Guardians... of the Galaxy?"
She nodded happily. "Yes! Quill used to be a Ravager, but not anymore."
"Right... Ravagers." Fennec was clearly missing some context here.
He studied her silently for an extended moment. Mantis tilted her head and regarded him with curious eyes.
"Is something wrong?" Mantis asked, interrupting Fennec's contemplation.
"What?"
It took him a moment to realize he had been staring at her without speaking.
"Oh, forgive me. I was just thinking about something."
"About what?" she asked.
"Um..." He wasn't sure how to respond. "About... how remarkably beautiful your eyes are."
"Smooth move, Fennec," he thought to himself. "You know you can do better than that."
"Do you really think they're beautiful?"
Fennec was caught off guard by the innocent question. He looked at her as she seemed to await his answer.
"Yes, absolutely," Fennec said quickly. "Quite beautiful, actually."
"Truly?" Mantis's mouth opened slightly as her lips curved upward. "I always thought they were hideous."
Fennec found himself frowning at this revelation. "Well, I don't know who told you that, but they're completely wrong."
"Oh, thank you!" Mantis gave him a radiant smile, and he couldn't deny that it made her even more beautiful.
"Who put such foolish ideas in your head?"
"My friend Drax. Another friend explained that Drax was trying to... what's the expression? Put me down because he wasn't interested."
"That sounds like an extremely poor approach."
Mantis simply shrugged. "He's very direct."
Fennec stared at this peculiar woman. "Well, to be completely honest, I think you're beautiful."
Mantis just gazed at him, her eyes widening slightly, before she reached forward and leaned closer. Fennec blinked in confusion and shifted slightly, but she remained close, placing her soft hand against his cheek. When she closed her eyes, a gentle glow emanated from the tips of her antennae, and his own eyes widened in surprise.
"You... you genuinely believe that," Mantis whispered in wonder.
He felt... when she touched him, he was suddenly overwhelmed with joy. He didn't understand the source, but the swelling feeling in his chest had to come from somewhere.
When she pulled her hand back, the lingering sensation was replaced by pure confusion.
"What—what was that?" Fennec asked, staring at the now slightly bashful alien.
"When I touch someone, I can sense their emotions," Mantis explained.
This was certainly an unexpected revelation.
"You can feel my emotions?" Fennec asked, and Mantis nodded.
After a moment, her cheeks showed a hint of color as she displayed a shy smile. "No one has ever called me beautiful before."
Fennec blinked, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Well, I'm honored," he declared. "Because from now on, whenever I think of you, that's the only word I'll use to describe you."
The blush on her cheeks deepened as her bright smile expanded and she clasped her hands together.
"Really?"
"Actually, that's not the only word I'd use," Fennec said after a moment, with a gentler expression. "I have quite a list of—"
"Mantis, there you are."
They both looked up to see a human male wearing a maroon leather jacket and brown hair approaching.
"Hello, Peter. Are you finished already?"
"Just barely. Everyone's gathering back at the ship to prepare for departure."
"Wonderful," Mantis said.
Peter studied the Mandalorian. "And who's your new friend?"
"Fennec Rau," the Mandalorian introduced himself. "I hope you don't mind me keeping your friend company."
"Peter Quill. As long as you weren't trying anything inappropriate..."
"Oh no, he's been very kind," Mantis interjected with a determined smile. "He's been wonderful. He told me I was beautiful!"
Fennec lowered his head slightly, a small smile on his face.
Peter raised an eyebrow at her statement, then looked at the Mandalorian. "You thought some sweet words might convince her to—"
"Hey," Fennec stood from his seat. "Don't let your mind go there. I'm not that type of person."
Quill raised his hands defensively. "Alright, alright, easy there. I'm just looking out for my friend. I don't want to deal with Drax if something happened to Mantis."
Fennec frowned. "Is that the same Drax who told her she wasn't beautiful?"
"You told him about that?"
Mantis smiled and nodded.
Star-Lord chuckled softly. "Well, you made her day today. I suppose I should thank you for that. This place being what it is..."
"I understand," Fennec waved dismissively. "We are on Tatooine, after all. There aren't many friendly people around here."
With a nod, Star-Lord turned to leave, nodding to Fennec as a farewell, and Fennec responded in kind.
"Goodbye, Fennec," Mantis said, approaching him. "I hope we can meet again."
Fennec blinked, then gave her a gentle smile. "The feeling is mutual, Mantis. Try not to get into too much trouble."
She smiled at him and walked past the Mandalorian to catch up with Star-Lord, and the two departed the cantina moments later.
He found himself genuinely hoping to see her again.
"I should find a way to contact her."
"So, who was that? Your new girlfriend?"
Fennec turned to see Dax grinning at him mischievously.
"She's not."
"Didn't look that way to me."
"Is there any chance you'll see her again?"
Fennec wanted to protest but sighed instead. "No, but I hope so eventually."
Dax patted him on the back supportively.