Ask Mandalore A Pilgrimage for Answers

[Roland Rook]

THEME​

The Mandalorian stood at the base of a mountain range. The branches of the dark wood were thin and wave in the flurry filled breeze. The cross visored helmet looked up at the natural formation. Deeper into the mountains there was a place he he planned to make a trek to reach. It was rumored to be a difficult climb that few dare to even attempt these days. But Mandalore is not the hub of activity that it had been in times long past.

Turning away from the mountain range, his cloak moved enough with the wind to make fluttering sound. "Hope you brought a coat." He said with a gravely voice and walked back up the loading ramp to the Cobalt Viper. He made sure that he grabbed a flame projector from his weapons locker with a singular reload and a long yet plain cold weather coat which he put on over his armor. Coming back out to meet Thalia again. Roland's armor would keep him warm enough to survive most likely, at least he hoped so but having an extra layer with the coat would be better than needing it and not having it. The Ranger knew he was tough but that did not mean he needed to suffer discomfort if he was prepared.

Roland did not have a speeder bike or any other kind of vehicle that could reach the mountain peek where notable Black Keep stood. The Mandalorian knew what he wanted was there then he would have to climb the mountain like his ancestors had. Part of the way up any speeder would likely begin to fail or it would become too narrow to use safely. It was a path meant for foot travel and while the Ranger wouldn't say no to an easy start he also knew they would have to probably abandon a speeder even if they had brought one.

Accompanying him was Thalia Windraider. She was a fellow Sector Ranger and the two had met on several occasions. "This isn't goin to be some nature walk." He warned and made sure his ship was locked down until he returned.

@GABA

 

[Thalia Windraider]

It felt like it had been ages since she had been on an adventure, though she knew this one compared to her history was not about tomb raiding. At first she was reluctant to even come, finding the Mandalorian coming to her to attend this with him out of the ordinary. However, she guessed she had made a greater impression on him than she had realized, but the more tried to get information on this place the more she felt excited, but also worried that she may have gotten herself in over her head. Thalia did after all, go with the Mandalorian to seek out this place on his homeworld.

She never thought she would ever set foot on the world belonging to the Mandalorians. It seemed like a forbidden corner to the rest of the galaxy and she couldn't help to think about Byron and how excited he would be to hear about her journey with Roland. Knowing they would be in the mountains, she spent some of her savings on gear for the trek, uncertain how this was going to go, she did not have too much experience going up a mountain, but she did have a natural sense of direction and that seemed to help her many times. Even as she gazed up to the mountain's peak hidden in the mist and fog, there was an underlying confidence that she will be fine.

Roland asked her about her coat and warned about it not being a nature walk and Thalia gave a coy grin. She had supplies packed in backpack and fixed the hood of her coat which could withstand the cold probably better than the mandalorian's armor, or so she would like to think. "Well, if we see nature, does it still count as a nature walk?" she asked flatly with a hint of sarcasm and followed Roland.

"Hey, so, you said you'll answer some questions I may have, and well...you're like what? Forty something? So you'll know how this works, like guys, how guys think, right?" Thalia awkwardly asked the Mandalorian.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

He gave a slight grunt at her snarky remark. It was expected. What she asked next made him glance over her shoulder. Underneath his helmet his brow was furrowed as if he had been insulted. "I'm not even thirty." His boots crunched against the cold and hard ground as he headed up the somewhat open path ahead.

"Why do you ask anyways? Some perp got a two in one shampoo you can't seem to track down?" He teased her not knowing if she was serious about her question. It sounded almost uncharacteristic of her which is why the Mandalorian probably hadn't registered it.

Every once in awhile, Roland would stop and check with his macrobinoculars and personav that they were on the right track. His hands squeezed around the grip of the flame thrower as the man subconsciously tried to keep blood flow going at maximum efficiency and delay the side affects of being in the cold. This close to the base of the mountain though, it would seem there weren't a lot of dangers. Maybe the stories had been exaggerate and it was just a matter of inclement weather. "I know how some guys think but that don't mean I know what your....suspect...thinks." It was his ways of trying to say he couldn't guarantee he had the best advice but his body language said he was open to hearing her explain if she wanted to.

@GABA

 

[Thalia Windraider]

He wasn't even thirty? Thalia gave him a puzzle look as she starred at the back of his helmet, pulling up the hood of coat to protect her head from the chilling winds. Perhaps Mandalorians had a different age scale instead of the galactic standard and decided to bookmark the thought to ask Byron about it later. However, Roland entertained her question, uncertain if he was taking her seriously or not, but she guessed she could divulge more information as she followed him up the mountain path.

She was silent for a moment as he took out his macrobinoculars, scanning the area prior to moving forward on the path. Thalia though stood silently for a moment, her own senses reaching outward to feel the world around her; something felt off, but she followed anyways.

"What about guys you like, such as if a gal likes a guy, how do guys typically act when they like them back?" she asked, her steps slowed for another moment, her senses felt uneasy once more, "What type of dangers does this mountain have?" Thalia turned slowly, her eyes scanning the area for anything amiss.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

His helmet continued to occasionally look up at the daunting mountain ahead. Roland looked down as he heard Thalia's question and thought back to younger days or if he recalled how Mandalorian kids flirted. But the woman would not have an understanding for that so she probably was more keen on hearing about average galactic citizens and their methods of courting. "Well if you like someone..." The Ranger was trying to think of the best way to put his point of view into words. "...they may or may not know that you like them in the first place. Usually that means one of you needs to ask the other out."

A particular biting breeze swept past them causing Roland to just flex again and make sure all his extremities were staying warm. "Well Mandalore is home to a lot of dangers. The mountains specifically....let's see..." He was thinking about other winter experiences on different planets and remembering the natural risks. "rock slides, extreme temperatures, oxygen deprivation...." A single shriek hawk flew in the distance as it was probably searching for some food to eat. "Oh, and jai'galaar....shriek-hawks." They wouldn't bother the two most likely so long as they didn't get close to one of their nests. Then again, they were probably going to be walking through the exact terrain where they made their homes. "They've got big talons the size of vibro-blades and just as sharp. They like to attack from blind spots but at least we'll probably hear them if we get close to one of their nests." His tone was optimistic as if he was expecting to see a rare bird rather than worry about getting slashed at by one of Mandalore's most dangerous predators.

@GABA

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Thalia's eyes narrowed in thought as he explained what she needed to do in order to press into a relationship with a guy. She was silent for a moment and then laughed, playfully scoffing at his matter-of-fact suggestion. That just seemed too simple, maybe even too pushy to some, though Thalia wasn't sure, "Tst, just ask them out? I think its a little more complicated than that." she laugh to herself, shaking her head.

Her attention turned to the terrain as he explained what they could come across, things did not seem too bad yet, but they were still in lower altitude compared to their destination. However, the screech of a creature that flew overhead certainly caught her attention as well as the Mando's. She watched as it left them be, seeking its nest, "Jai'galaar, eh?" she repeated what he had initially called the animal. His tone was rather chipper in explaining its deadly features and she quirked an eyebrow.

"We probably won't hear them if they want to make us food." she said in a low grumble, uneasy about something so large sneaking up on them. Thalia felt her senses extend outward, now more cautious of being caught off-guard. "What other animals are there besides the flying shredder?"

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Roland shook his head as she dismissed his answer so easily. It was followed by a shrug to himself and the ways of Mandalore. Well you asked he thought to himself and rolled his eyes a little without even realizing it.

"One of us might hear them." His comment grim, insuinuating that one of them might die and alert the other of only momentarily delayed death. "Yeah no we're totally fine. Walk....in the park." This was dangerous territory and the Ranger was not going to lie, his guard was up considering some of the other dangers that actually awaited them.

A moment later Thalia asked him a about something related. "Well not a lot at the elevation we're at. Usually it's the climate and terrain that are the dangers and obstacles to overcome on a regular basis for any animal I imagine. The Jai'galaar are just that mandokar." There was a pause before he spoke again. "There are other dangers, for outsiders I mean. Not all Mandalorians are welcome to anybody other than other Mandalorians. If we meet people, just follow my lead.". He was looking for some particularly ferocious warriors.

@GABA

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Thalia's eyes narrowed as she caught his hint of sarcasm as he described their journey. So far it seemed like a walk in the park, but that seemed misleading. She paused to adjust her pack, feeling some of the weight unevenly on one shoulder and then quickly caught up with the Mandalorian. It seemed like a bad idea to allow herself to fall behind or to wander off in such a place especially since he started to explain a new danger that she was not aware of prior as he spoke about other Mandalorian inhabitants.

She was certainly an outside, probably more so than Roland as he was adorned in the Mandalorian armor, and herself, well...she looked like a dweeb compared to him and wasn't wearing the armor like he was. In fact she probably was a liability for the Mandalorian and internally she sighed as he described what she needed to do if they did come across others.

"Am I going to have to fight them?" she asked with a worrisome look, "I hear that's like how Mandalorians greet one another, they fight each other and then eat a lot of food afterwards. Even though it would be a lot easier to just say hello and then eat some food." Thalia was quiet for a moment, now wondering if what she felt earlier was other Mandalorian inhabitants. Her thoughts drifted to Byron and how he would have loved something like this. He always seemed more interested in them than she was.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

He wondered if she was going to be a liability and make this whole thing more difficult. Mainly because Roland just worried that Thalia was rebelious and proud at times. Both weren't bad qualities as a person, but as someone he wanted watching his back it was a concern. Still, he had asked her to accompany him on this journey all the same.

Some of his skepticism was quieted as he looked over his shoulder. Just the fact that she was taking head of his warning about the local wildlife and keeping close were good indicator she understood the situation.

Her question didn't cause an answer to come forth right away. Roland thought about how best to phrase it and give Thalia an idea of her situation. "If a Mandalorian tries to fight you, expect they're trying to kill you." A few more steps would pass as some rough ice cracked over some stone steps. "...But you're not wrong. Sometimes we greet one another rather roughly..." A small smirk came across his face remembering how he used to rough house with his own friends and family. It had been years since those times. A feeling of melancholy overcame him. "But restraint isn't really called for with outsiders." If you get into a fight, they won't hold back. "At least you're not a Jedi or a Sith." He added at the end.

Already, Roland could begin feeling how the cold air was also thinning the further they climbed, added with the fact they were walking up steps. "This is going to suck..." He mumbled. The trek ahead and the time afterwards was what was going to to be more tiresome than anything. The ranger was remembering he could have pushed himself a little bit more with leg day in the past few weeks. Now he was going to be a little sore and maybe not operating at his best.

@GABA

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Thalia felt her stomach sink on the mention that at least she was not Jedi or Sith, however, she was neither and yet had the Force. She wondered if that made a difference, however, she did not think it was critical to wave around her Force abilities. There still a level of skepticism on who she was personally and Roland's reassurance did not ease any of her thoughts about being beat up by other Mandalorians. Though a part of her wondered how much of an outsider Roland was to the clans that still existed. He was a Ranger and she wondered if he had his own internal struggle with who he was just as much as she did.

A shiver from the cold brought her thoughts back to their path, the air certainly had changed and suddenly it did not feel like the clothing she had was enough as she felt the cold seep into her bones. Their steps certainly slowed and Thalia was finding she was falling behind, but kept pushing herself to keep up with Roland. Part of her did not want him to think she was burden or not up to this task (though there might have been some truth to that), a bit of pride that pushed her to prove to him she was worth his company on this journey.

"This cold is not like any cold I've felt before." she said between breaths, "Space has a different chill, and the asteroid mines was also an odd cold, but this...I cannot find the words." Thalia paused turning slightly to look back down the mountain to see how far they had come, "Like it comes from your own bones directly." she explained and then paused, catching her breath, really hoping the only trouble will be the elements and nothing else.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

The emotionless helmet of the Mandalorian continued to crane upwards at the incline of the mountain. There was a path but it became less paved and walked. Parts of it gave way to flat rock and sometimes there were spaces no wider than a single person. Roland would go first though with their backpacks and gear it was still managable.

Before replying to Thalia's observation he took a deep breath. It seemed like he needed to do that if he was going to at least say anything above normal volume. The oxygen was definitely thinning. "I know what you mean. Tatooine gets really cold if you aren't under one of their two suns." It was his first time to the mountains on Mandalore. There were other mountains he had traveled but never to this degree.

"If I might offer a bit of advice. Or an opinion, maybe an observation really..." He stopped for a bit while they were out of the wind. Some sun peaked through the clouds and provided direct sunlight on them and at least seemed to warm the surface of his cloak. It was best to take a rest for a moment and not over extend themselves. "Life of a Ranger doesn't really make relationships easy. Not the romantic kind at least." The Mandalorian had some friends and people he knew. But a girl friend, he hadn't actually had any relationship last longer than two months since he was an adult by normal galactic standards. Still, plenty of other Rangers had divorces and office talk about their once-romantic relationships turn into something unpleasant. Pulling out his personav, he double checked their elevation and tried to see how far away they were from the Black Keep.

@GABA

 

[Thalia Windraider]

The path was becoming less apparent and Thalia wondered how well Roland knew his way, she would hate to think if they lost their way on a world neither of them assumed to know too well. However, he seemed to have a good grasp of what could come, the dangers included, but for Thalia she was still uncertain of what she should be looking out for as she continued along the path with him. He paused, taking a moment for them to break from the harsh winds and to catch their breath. Thalia sat down on a rock, readjusting her gear to shift the weight around until it was tolerable.

Roland spoke up again, speaking from either personal experience or just what he has observed over the years, it still made him sound like he was a senior citizen to Thalia. He warned about relationships and Thalia gave him a funny look, then a look of somewhat believable interest. However, hearing it from him, on the inside, Thalia suddenly felt something else, and it was doubt in her own feelings. Though she would give him a coy grin, "Nothing is supposed to be easy." she passed off his advice, but deep down, it was something that bothered her that he would say such a thing.

Rubbing her face to feel some warmth in her cheeks, she fell quiet once more and then looked at Roland, "How much further you think there is?" she asked.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Double checking their coordinates, Roland had an answer for Thalia. "Not too much longer. It's the more temperate season I think so the fast paths are safe enough to travel." Pocketing the device he pushed off from the resting point and resumed heading up. Talking to Thalia, ever since they had met, never seemed to last longer than a few minutes anyways. Not for a lack of trying.

Plenty of time would pass between them. Few words were exchanged but there was plenty to look at and think about as they came close to their destination. "They're already watching us, most likely." His helmet looked towards the various rocky outcroppings. But he didn't stop moving despite the thought of a heavy long-blaster trained on his helmet.

A few minutes would pass before they actually saw the first hint of Mandalorians. Roland switched his visor to infrared and his eyes widdened for a moment. "Yeah, there's a few of them." Four Mandalorians stood in front of the Black Keep with unique designs and weapons. Those were just the ones that had revealed themselves. "Udesii..." He spoke in Mando'a to the leading warrior.

The Jaig Eyed warrior waved for Roland to approach while the others kept their blasters at the ready. A few minutes of talking in mando'a amidst the mountain wind air led to eventually two of the four warriors would turn and head back to whereever their post had been. The leader and one other turned back around and headed into the Black Keep, opening the doors for Roland and Thalia to enter. The Sector Ranger's shoulders relaxed a moment at the progress. Looking over his shoulder he would beckon for her to not dawdle.

@GABA

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Safe enough.

Thalia was uncertain why that did not reassure her that the path was safe, so far this journey seemed a bit too simple, though perhaps someone was looking out for them. Either luck, or in Thalia's case, the Force, though she was not going to say that to Roland since as part Mando, she did not want to spoke him with her Force abilities.

As they would continue, the trek to the Black Keep was starting to wear on Thalia, she was not necessarily out of shape, but it was more like she had not ventured too much into mountain climbing and made a note she should do more. Though maybe not on a mountain where she could possibly be ambushed by warrior clans. Her senses would perk as they neared his destination; Roland mentioned the Mandalorians most likely had their eyes locked on them. They did have the advantage of the High Ground, literally and possibly had been watching them since they had arrived on this world.

Thalia stayed silent, though a bit more wary of who else could be on this mountain; there was not very little daylight for her to see physically, but Roland was able to see through the sensors on his visor. Thalia made sure not to see too much through her senses.

"A few?" she was uncertain of what that meant in reality: a few in like four or so, or a few as in 100 or so. Thalia frowned, her pace slowing with Roland's until they stopped and he spoke up through his native tongue. Thalia's attention fell on what they could have been possibly been speaking about, curiosity and awe over seeing a clan of Mandalorians. The corner of her lip slightly curled as she thought about Byron's reaction to seeing this many Mandalorians.

She watched as Roland begun his way inside the Mandalorian temple and followed, keeping close by and feeling the warning not to wander by his silent look. "Hey..." she whispered, "Fill me in on what's happening..." she asked, trying to keep focus on their goal, and not too distracted by the warrior architecture.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

The questions were inevitable. Roland knew because sometimes he had been the one that didn't have the answers. But he also knew it sucked not knowing. Trying to not let his body language show his concern. "Yup, just a dozen, at least the ones I can see." He had heard of scatterweave and if any of the Mandalorians were wearing that, he wouldn't be able to see them at all against the cold rocky backdrop of the mountainside. There could be twice as many Mandalorians depending on what clan and warriors were inhabiting the Black Keep these days.

As they made their way inside there was another question from the woman. The air was immediately warmer, dusting off the loose snow and chill off the brim of their cloths immediately. "I'm looking for family. You're helping. They're keeping an eye on you." He tried to make it as clear cut and to the point he could be as he said it in a low enough voice so that nobody else could hear as they made their way deeper inside. It was the truth though. Roland was here looking for other members of the Rook clan.

The serpent on the cloak he wore everywhere settled as the two entered an open entrance area. The ranger took in a breath as he saw a dozen armored mandalorians sitting around fully armored in positions of relative relaxation. Some sat around a brazier on their haunches, a few leaning up against walls with their weapons in hand as their conversation was likely associated. Not all of them appeared human either though many had shades of white, grey and black armor colors. But nearly all of them looked towards Roland and Thalia as they came into view. Some stared visibly with their visors center on the two rangers. One Mandalorian stood up from tweaking a gonk droid as she turned to face fully towards the duo. She took a few paced steps forward, looking them up and down and cocking her head to one side. The others returned to what they were doing but likely were still looking at them from the corners of their eyes if Roland's own tendencies were any indication. "You're pretty bold...serpent." The female Mandalorian looked towards Thalia. "Need I even ask?" Her tone making it an obvious rhetorical question.

@GABA

 

[Thalia Windraider]

He was brief, but it was more than enough to satisify her curiosity as to what was happening. He spoke of finding his family and Thalia was both struck with curiosity and resentment that he had a family to find unlike her own situation. However, her unease had to be caused by the fortress they were in, it wasn't in the least bit comforting to her tastes. A bit too dark and a bit too solemn for some place that was claimed by a legendary warrior class. She kept her senses tuned to her surroundings, feeling the focus on her as he lead, following the Mandalorian leader who has allowed them to enter.

On the bright side, the wind no long nipped at them and she noted the insignia on the back of his cloak, her head cocking to the side some as she made out what it was supposed to represent. Though there seemed to be a Mandalorian who took notice of the two and approached them, the silence budded for a moment before the rest of the warriors went back to their business.

Thalia tried to interpret what the Mandalorian woman was going at, and her brow furrowed with a moment of puzzlement, and then glanced at the unmoving Roland and back at the Mandalorian woman. First, she wondered if they ever saw each other without their helmets but then an eyebrow quirked as she thought about the interaction.

"Look, no, we're not dating, so you two," Thalia gestured with her fingers as though they were magnetically pulled together, "You two would be perfect." The girl paused, glancing between the Mandolorian woman and Roland, "Unless...like, you failed to mention you know her...and that's your ex?" she said from behind her teeth in an awkward grimace.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Roland's visor stared daggers at Thalia knowing she was trying to provoke some sort of response. "HA!" The armored woman laughed singularly at the spunk the outsider showed. "Don't you know girl? Badgers eat snakes." It was obvious she was grinning underneath the helmet. Her shoulders rolled, brandishing the badger sigil of clan Solus. They tended to fight just about anything, to an extreme even by Mandalorian standards sometimes.

"You seen any of my clan lately?" Roland's tone was firm and waited to see if the Solus Mandalorian was going to deck one or both of them. She must have found it an odd enough question because she relaxed slightly and hooked her thumbs on her belt. "You know his kind is considered a couple of fancy lads. Their armor all nice and pretty." She spoke to Thalia knowing that she was likely ignorant of the inner workings of the Mandalorian community. "Me..." She rapped her knuckles across a piece of her chestplate. The paint there was worn and much more chipped than Roland's. "...I don't mind getting roughed up every once in awhile."

<"You seen them or not, sister?"> This was getting nowhere fast. "There were some that came through here, brother." She added the final word with mock sincerity. The Solus mandalorian took a few lazy steps back as she let them know she was backing off, having lost interest. "Watch yourself Aruetii. Rooks might have shiny scales but they're full of venom." Chuckling followed as she returned to the electronic work she had been doing earlier. Some of the Mandalorians present, still watching, knew that the Badger mando was the type to spark a confrontation. For now things seemed quiet, but Roland felt more tense than before for some reason.

@GABA

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Thalia could feel Roland's glare through his visor and she had to chew the inside of her lip to keep from grinning widely from her mischievous nature. She could feel the different emotions rise from each of them, the badger, the serpent, and all the others in the room who either amused in the encounter or were annoyed. The rival Mandalorian did seem to find good humor out of it, though if Thalia was honest with herself, she was not looking forward to needing to defend her honor in a fight or anything, not at least after climbing a mountain for a day. However, Roland was focused, inquiring again about his family, but the badger warrior hummed away his question by comparing their armor.

The Ranger quirked an eyebrow, trying to understand the significance, however, as he spoke again in his native tongue, she seemed more receptive to the question, explaining what she had seen before returning to the droid she was working on prior to their arrival. A part of Thalia wanted to reach into the Force and give the droid's circuits a turn, shortening out and pushing back the progress she had made so far, but the Ranger passed on the idea and instead when she felt Roland grow tense.

She leaned in, "Maybe you should buy her a drink to loosen her tongue...serpents can be tricksters...not just venom." she whispered and glanced at the Solus warrior.

@Darasuum

 

[Roland Rook]

Roland was glad that Thalia didn't push the hot blooded Mandalorian any more. At least he didn't have to worry about trying to stop a fight between the two of them or worry about getting in trouble later for explaining related injuries. "Maybe" He replied, towards buying the Solus a drink some days. It wouldn't be the first time he made good relations with people he had butted heads with before. But Roland wasn't sure what to make of the trickster part of the comment. Did Thalia think he was a trickster?

"She said she saw some." He said, letting Thalia know what the Badger had confirmed in Mando'a. "There aren't a lot of Rooks these days from what I know. It sounds like she's seen members of my clan or else she wouldn't have made the remark about the armor I think too." He believed that other Rook clan members had been through the Black Keep recently.

There were more Mandalorians they went in. There were a large set of doors that led to a vaultd room. Inside there was a single Mandalorian kneeling and facing a singular flame. It was the eternal flame and symbol for the Mandalorian people dating back millenia. Roland approached inside the room only a few steps but stopped himself from going any further. He had no idea what he would pray for. The kneeling Mandalorian stood up and turned to face Roland and Thalia. "You're hunting aren't you?"

Roland looked over his shoulder at Thalia. He didn't recognize the warrior but he could see that he had some scraps and trophies on his belt. "Pardon?" The warrior looked to have portions of armor removed and a design that was one he had yet to see. But it was also clear some of his plates were even scavenged from more common plastoid armors that maybe was from storm trooper variant. That told Roland that he was probably just a step about foundling and new to the Mandalorian way of life. "Every Mandalorians a hunter. Some for answers, some for a bounty, what are you hunting?"

"Looking for my family. Clan Rook. I'm Roland, this is my friend." He turned to show a similar snake symbol that was on his shoulder as it was on his cloak to show the man his clan sigil in the hopes he had seen something similar recently. "And you brought help. Ranger." The helmet of the warrior looked at Thalia and gave it a nod of acknowledgement. "Not many venture to the Black Keep and even fewer are not Mandalorians." It sounded like it bordered on a warning. But he took an audible sharp intake of breath before she could respond and clapped his gloved hands together. "I did see some finely armored warriors a week or two ago. Sporting some purple snakes right? Made it seem like they were coming back though. You two planning on staying?" He said more to Thalia than Roland.

@GABA

 

[Thalia Windraider]

Thalia wouldn't lie to herself, she certainly was feeling out of place, possibly even more so than Roland the further inside they went until they stopped in a room with a flame. They would not be alone as the figure rose with his mismatched pieces of armor and spoke to Roland. This one seemed more level headed though her feelings told her he was still suspicious of the Ranger who clearly did not belong. Regardless, Thalia listened with intention, her eyes not wandering from the speaker for very long. Though there was something he said that piqued her interest, and it was a common descriptor used by the other Mandalorian as well. As she tried to piece what she heard, the Mandalorian inquired of their plans, more so how long they were staying.

Thalia ignored the timeline request for now.

"Finely armored? The Badger Gal back there said something similar," she pointed behind her with her thumb, glancing between the Mandalorians with a quirked eyebrow, "Is that usual to be in one's best wears, I would think it would only be ceremonial to wear one's fancy armor." Thalia was digging for more information, feeling as though she were missing the connection. Though if she could get more from either of them, she hoped it would help Roland in finding other members of his own clan.

@Darasuum