Ask Let is Snow!

[Ilias Veren]

It was roughly a week before Life Day. Ilias had planned to be home for the holidays. Drunk off rum-nog and maybe even sparing with a few clansmen. Instead, he was trapped on Ando Prime. Apparently the gods thought it amusing to unleash a blizzard spanning over nearly a third of the planet while he stopped to refuel for the final push home.

The Veren warrior didn't mind the snow, in fact he usually enjoyed it. This however, this a Hoth level of cold and misery that he was not exactly prepared for. So, while his loyal droid was manning the ship. Ilias was relaxing in the local Cantina. Sitting next to the wood stove, drinking a stout beer thinker than his hair.

As always in public, he wore his armor. However, unlike many of his clan, he choose the take his helmet off. Resting it on his knee as he enjoyed his room departure beer.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

Once again, it had been the dangerous combination of a few days off, her unbound curiosity and just the right rumors about a dark sided nexus that had recently been destroyed that had drawn the Half-Deucalian to Ando Prime.

The planet was frosty, usually unforgivingly cold, but while Freyja thrived in the very climate she had grown up with on Sverend, the blizzard had crossed her plans a little.

She was somewhat stranded and her plans of expeditions had once again been postponed, so that instead of learning and exploring, the acolyte finally reached the cantina and had to catch her breath inside for a moment.

The light fur that was draped across her armor had provided some protection, but the snow and ice crystals in her face and hair still had to melt at first before a pleasantly subtle warmth set in.

She approached the counter a moment later, her lightsaber carefully concealed but her vibro-axes on full display. She immediately met the bartender's gaze, mustering a polite smile even if the blizzard had dampened her spirits a little, but she knew a good strong drink would lighten her mood soon enough.

"The stout ale, please". She let out a quiet sigh, her fingers drumming against the counter as she waited for her drink of choice. She let her gaze drift across the room and the fully armored Mandalorian surely drew her attention for a moment, before the beer was slid across the counter.

@Taz

 

[Ilias Veren]

Ilias' eyes were pulled from the dancing embers in the vents of the old stove. As cold air blew in from the outside, the frozen gears of the cantina's door protesting to the will of it's sensors. Another patron.

Keeping the new comer in his peripheral, he kept his head toward the stove. Feigning carelessness. In truth, he was practicing his situational awareness. Taking in the details, the furs of her armor, the fact she had on armor. The very fact she was wearing armor. Her hands and demeanor, the axe at her back.

"Deucalian?" her whispered to himself. "Perfect." growling. Hearing her request for a drink, Ilias returned his attention toward his own glass. Taking a long pull from it, nearly finishing it. Then stood, and made his way to the bar. "Make it two." he requested in a low voice as he placed his helmet on the bar.

 

[Freyja]

While Freyja still contemplated simply leaving and finding her way through the blizzard to stay on schedule, she still figured it was rather foolish and simply not a promising aspect. Even if the Force would keep her warm, too, the violent, frosty powers of nature would only mess with her perception.

She didn't miss how the tall, muscular, armored frame approached in her periphery while she kept her gaze trained ahead, in the direction of the bartender, before she had her drink. Her gaze immediately flicked over to meet his gaze, before it followed down to the helmet.

While she knew Beskar was lightsaber resistant, she had never tried it, but she found herself intrigued by the thought still. She discarded the thought right away and instead, slightly tilted her head to the side while a soft smirk crossed her lips. "A Mandalorian without wearing a helmet?", she pointed out curiously, wondering whether the other traveler wad down for a chat.

@Taz

 

[Ilias Veren]

As all warriors do, his instinct was to watch for her hand or sudden movements to the waistline. However as the two of them locked eyes, the warm green gold of her color seemed to match the fiery amber of his own. Predators both, he mused. Matching her smirk.

He looked down then at the helmet as she made the comment. The T-Visor trademark of his people. The cold transparent steel looking back at him, reminding him or what it took for him to earn it. As much as he loved his armor, his clan. It was the one part of the code Ilias just could not adhere to. If he wasn't on a hunt or being hunted, why the fuck did he need an extra five pounds strapped to his head.

"I just can't bring myself to drink a beer through a straw." He replied sarcastically. The beers finally arrived and Ilias took his glass. <Cheers> He said in Mando, lifting the glass before taking a pull. Then putting the glass back down. "So, what brings you to this frozen hell scape." He asked, returning to basic.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

Obviously such armored company sparked more than just a little curiosity in the acolyte. Not only was his stuff worth a lot, but he was certainly even more valuable in his armor...perhaps she could continue her endeavor after all?

She quickly discarded the thought, reminding herself of how she was not in a rush at all and thus focused back on the presence. Their drinks arrived and she immediately lifted the glass with him, a playful smiek tugging at her lips before she threw it back.

His answer drew a soft chuckle from her before she playfully tilted her head to the side. "The nice weather", she replied, equally sarcastically as she leaned back. "It's rather lovely this time of the year", she added jokingly, holding his gaze. "I thought you Mandos follow some kind of a strict code". Perhaps he'd enlighten her some more.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Not for the first time since being back on the scene in he wide open verse, Covax was being mistaken for a mando. In truth he shouldn't have been that surprised. After all, his ability with a blaster was likely on par with some of their more note worthy.

The more amusing part to the imposing human was that more recently, it had been ravishingly pretty and likely equally deadly woman sharing in this confusion. In any case, the former Vanguard was not about to look a gifted blaster in the barrel.

They clinked their glasses, and like the younger woman he shot his back. Then gave the bartender the sign for two more. He then snort laughed at her weather jab. "If by lovely you mean the snow is already up to the wing tips of my ship, sure." he said with a half smile. Reached for the fresh drinks then, the imposing looking human, no longer seeming to be in mando armor, handed the woman her drink and clinked again. "Name's Covax." He introduced.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

His answer let the smirk on her lips widen. He didn't know Snow was her natural and preferred terrain, but he didn't seem to amused about it of she was being honest. She still knew that blizzards weren't fun and dangerous and she knew not to underestimate them, hence she was still throwing back shots with a stranger instead of being back out there.

"But if it weren't here, you'd be out there instead of enjoying some drinks right now", she pointed out rather playfully, adding a little shrug. She didn't complain about the new round and after the next click, she downed the next. Covax...he didn't ask for hers, but it was obvious he expected something in return.

"A pleasure. I'm Elli", it was a name she had adapted when she was out engaging with strangers outside the Order and it had served her well so far. "What brought you to cold though? This planet isn't really known for tourists", the way she was pronouncing the last part implied that she was certain he wasn't here for the nice views after all, and, given his armor, there was surely some business behind his stay here.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax did not miss the amused smirk on her face of the young woman. It would likely take some by surprise, but he could in fact be charming when he wanted to be. Still, he had to be careful. While the woman was easy on the eyes, she was also likely at least half his age if he had to guess. Sure he was no saint, not even close. But even he had limits.

"As would you" He quipped. "Perhaps it's the force." He said with a rye grin. The words more sarcastic then anything. He knew the power of the force sure. But not it's destiny, not after his experience.

"Elli, that's cute." He said warmly enough about the name. It felt off however. Perhaps it was her armor, maybe her whole demeanor. But Elli didn't hit right. It wasn't important in the moment. Truthfully, they were likely just two ships passing in the void and he wouldn't see her again so what did it matter.

His mind moved on, As Elli asked him the question of his appearance on the planet. "The same thing that makes most travelers stop on remote worlds in the rim, refuel and repair." He said truthfully. True, he was in full battle rattle. However it wasn't because of a job. Rather, it was paranoia. He would never allow himself to be caught off guard and under prepared like he was when captured all those years ago. Next time, it would be freedom, or death. "You seem to be in your element however." playfully continued.

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

His answer drew a chuckle from her. It was sarcastic enough, yet who knew, he could have been force sensitive as well and thus she reminded herself to carefully keep her presence hidden. Cute though? Fair enough. Her lips curled into a warm, sweet smile that seemed genuine, yet was deceptive.

She raised a brow at his next reply, obviously, he simply wasn't dressed for the occasion. "Oh is that so? Seems like you're one of the careful kind then", she wasn't going to fully poke the bear, but she couldn't certainly nudge into certain directions as she was looking the armo up and down. "I do enjoy the cold, it's usually so wonderfully calm outside then", she added rather lightheartedly, before she signaled the bartender for a third round.

"My plan was to head out there soon though...I'm not a full blown scavenger, but I heard certain rumors about a point of interest that I might waht to check out. I'd ask you to tag along, firepower could come in handy...but if you're just here for a pit stop, I won't bother you with it", she shrugged casually as the drinks were being slid across the counter

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax gave a genuine smile back as the woman chuckled, seemingly amused by the quip. There was a quick little shift after his comment on her name. "Smooth, old man." He teased himself in his mind, realizing his error. However, the woman's smile never really faded. In fact, it seemed suddenly more sweet and innocent?

The conversation quickly turned to his gear, and unsurprisingly, she didn't seem to buy the answer of just cause. Which was only ironic because perhaps for the very first time, it really was just because. "Hows that saying go? Once bitten, twice shy." He mused, continuing. "The last time I stopped at a bar without all my toy I ended up spending far to much time with a Hutt."

He didn't miss the eye fucking she was doing before mention her joy of the cold. Perhaps just taking it all in, or maybe looking for a weakness. She had to much gear on to be a thief, but not enough to be a real threat if it was the latter. "Apparently you haven't been to Hoth." He chimed in. "Not much calm there."

He took the offered glass as round three came, listening to the rather sudden sales pitch. It wasn't very smooth, Especially the attempted shot at his ego toward the end there. At first, he was on the fence about the woman. Now he was tracking. He knew pirates were in the area. But frankly she looked to clean and to young to be one.

Covax sighed with a grin of amusement at what was now by his mind, clearly a honey pot. "Elli, what kinda guy would turn down an offer like that." He said warmly. Taking the last shot offered, then tapping the glass on the bar. "I'm ready if you are. I'll settle the tab, you lead the way."

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

"Now that's a story that sounds like it's worth sharing...", she pointed out, genuinely curious about what exactly had gone down back then and even more intrigued by the man across from her. Was he a bounty hunter? A mercenary? Perhaps a valuable future asset to the Order? She needed to know a bit more.

"Nope...", she admitted, but Hoth was not on her list anyway, but a moment later her trap was sprung and she had his actual interest. "Oh perfect". She wasn't surprised, her prhasing had been obvious, but it was good she had the fire power now. "Now that's a deal I can live with", she finally replied with a sweet smile before she slid down from the seat and waited for him to follow.

She didn't doubt the man was dangerous, hence she remained on her guard and waited for him to fall into step next to her once they headed out. It was storming still and the air was freezing, but Freyja just casually stepped out and her steps soon crunched on the fresh snow.

"I bet you expect payment. Are you fine with splitting possible rewards?", he hadn't asked just yet, but she wanted to settle this before she walked into possible traps.

@Taz

 

[Covax]

Covax sipped at his drink now, thinking for moment if it was really worth sharing. He was not normally one for caution, especially with his words, but in this moment the young woman gave him pause to so. "I took part in a meeting with a very power slug and a very powerful but strangely ignorant Sith Lord. In the end, the Sith died by his own incompetence, and I spent more than a few years as a statue on a wall." He said and finished the drink. "It's not an experience I plan to repeat."

The conversation went on from there. About the cold, and her rather sudden plan to look for some "salvage" at some point of interest she could hardly articulate. To Covax it felt like a poorly executed trap, but decided he wanted to play along for the moment. Mostly because he was bored and had nothing better to do before Life Day.

Elli, agreed to the offer. With it, he stood and left a handful of credits on the table. Likely enough to buy the whole cantina a round in a back water planet like this. The imposing human put his helmet on then. To encase himself in armor for what he assumed was coming, and to keep the snow out of his face.

Once the two of them were out of the little dive bar, they were alone. Not another soul, local or otherwise, wanted to be in this storm. Before the young and far less experienced female could acted. Covax had pistol drawn and at the hip line, ready to double tap her if she moved suddenly. "You can drop the act now. It was cute in there but we both know this is a trap, so lets cut the shit hmm?"

@LadyRen

 

[Freyja]

While Freyja's raised brow appeared to be a testament for her unbound curiosity, the young woman internally felt cautioned. So he dealt with Hutts and Sith? As if his apparel hadn't been proof enough though - now, she however had full certainty about how this man wasn't just interesting, potentially valuable, but also dangerous.

"Let's skip this statue on the wall thing then", she added with an amused smirk before the two decided to head out. Was it foolish to even ask him along? Or was this still cautious man her new life insurance out there? He'd come in handy...he'd make himself useful, but what if she ended up on a wall?

She walked carefully, keeping a little distance and her senses on full awareness, however the tingling she suddenly felt tugging at the back of her mind didn't come fast enough - just after a few meters while the icy, gusting wind ruffled through the fur of her cloak, she found herself being held at gunpoint by the stranger.

She slowly, but defensively raised her hands as she locked eyes with him. She appeared calm and genuine, as what she was about to tell him was nothing but the truth. "This is no trap. I've heard rumors, I want to go investigate. What the kriff should I even do to you?".

Was he truly afraid of the short girl? Or that other mad souls were hiding in this frosty hell to ambush him? Azar had taught her how to keep level-headed conversations, negotiations even, so she felt a bit reassured. "I'm being honest with you: I have no clue about what exactly we will find in the cave I've heard about, but I was hoping those guns of yours could come in useful. I'm more of a melee fighter", her gaze shifted down to were one of her axes was dangling. She eyed him carefully, the Force preventively coiled around her, but unless he attacked, she had zero intentions of fighting him.

@Taz