Among Mando'ade

[Livgardist]

"I accept."

The words came before Gutterson himself had even realized he was saying it. He was surprised. The offer was something he had not expected; He had prepared for the worst, execution or life in a Mandalorian prison camp. But as the Mandalorian spoke of his offer, Gutterson was overcome with a realization that finally, he had found a cause - his cause, not the cause of some well-paying politician or military leader, to fight for. No, more than a cause. A chance for something he'd never before had, perhaps - a home. A true family. What he had always wanted for the Carrion Crows. Brotherhood.

It was obvious that the Mandalorian's passionate words had affected the scarred mercenary. He had stopped somewhere along the line to regard the man as an enemy, and started to see him as an interesting individual, perhaps even somebody he could respect. Now, he looked at him as something else entirely. What, he wasn't sure. But the offer the man had made him was genuine, and very generous.

The Carrion Crows had always fought for other people's causes. Maybe it was time he fought for one of his own. Maybe it was time he became what he now felt he had always been meant to be, though never quite become. A Mandalorian. A true warrior.

"I'm not big on ceremony or fancy oaths, but, if you will have me as one of yours, then I will fight for you until the day I die. You have my word." Gutterson said. He tossed the unlit cigarette aside and offered an almost unnoticeable, but polite bow. "They say a clean slate is the greatest gift a man can receive. I truly appreciate the meaning of that saying today. Thank you."

 

[Sisk_Renelo]

Sisk nodded, a slight smile creasing his features. This was what he had been hoping for. He needed warriors who could think for themselves, who could find solutions outside the box. After all, thinking inside the box meant that you were more than likely thinking the same way your enemy was. This mercenary would do well, bringing his own unique brand of strategy to the Clan. His lips twitched slightly, uttering a phrase that was ingrained so deep with within the Mandalorian psyche that it had helped define their people for millenia. "Aliit ori'shya tal'din." It was a true statement. So many of the Mandalorians had come in from the outside, including Sisk himself, and so many of them had taken to the Mandalorian way of life with such ferocity and speed it was almost frightening.

"Clan Renelo will welcome you with open arms, Gutterson. From here on out, you are a brother, with all the privileges and rights that come with the title. Having seen your service record, and the state that we found you in, I don't believe a verd'goten is necessary, since you have been through things that our young ones could only dream of." His right hand reached out, and grasped Gutterson's at the elbow, an age old tradition in a meeting between two warriors.

"You're going to need a gai. While I respect the fact that you have grown with yours, to further unity and ease transition into your new home, you need something to be known as among the men." Sisk looked him up and down, and a genuine smile lit up his eyes. "Galaar. It means hawk in Mando'a. And I think it suits you, and your true self. A hawk among prey. Galaar Renelo."

 

[Livgardist]

"Thank you, Aliit'alor." Gutterson said, touched by the man's words, despite his usually so cynical nature. "You honor me, and I shall wear the name Galaar Renelo with pride and honor."

He took a deep breath. A mixture of relief and joy was coursing through him, though he did not show it. The last few weeks had been weeks of turmoil, personal trauma and emotional pain. Heck, the last few years had been of strife and conflict of a kind Gutterson had rarely seen before the Imperium-Alliance War. With the fall of the Alliance, and the subsequent destruction of the Crows, he had been without place. But now, he had not just found a place for himself again. He'd found something far more important. A home. A family. And one he would risk his life to defend, as a verde of Clan Renelo. As a Mandalorian.

As Galaar Renelo.