[member="Anastasia Rade"]
Ice smirked at her initial question.
"His name...it's an acronym actually. It stands for Recon, Infiltration, and Covert Ops. He's basically just doing his job and is scouting ahead to find us a possible camp site. We should have a good spot before long."
Her next words on the condition of Mando space and it's leadership caused his spirits to darken some. War between the Mandalorians and Sith would not be something that would bode well for him. But honestly, it was probably inevitable. Like the Sith fighting the Jedi inevitable. He gave a simple nod in understanding. At least war was only talk for now. It allowed him time to get more organized for the fight he knew was coming.
"I've talked with Azreal in the past. We had most the groundwork set up for an alliance between the mandos and a group I was with. Unfortunately that group has fallen apart, and with it the treaty. Sad too. I was hoping to create a buffer zone for mando space with them. But anyway, good to hear Azreal is the new Mandalore. He's a good man."
The final question that landed on his ears caused him to raise an eyebrow and look at her curiously. He wasn't overly used to people asking about his past, and it tended to be a subject he shyed away from. Then again, had he not been asking questions of his own? Considering the two were going to be out here for a few days at least, he supposed he should get used to it. Then again, taking into account her easy demeanor, he wondered if it would really be so bad opening up to someone. Well maybe on some things anyway. Not all...at least not now.
"At first I left because I just wanted to see more of the galaxy. I became a freighter captain. Did that for a lot of years. But then I fell into a couple groups that have not exactly won me any friends with people outside of them. I'm afraid I wouldn't be very welcome back in Mando space I suspect." He paused for a moment, and then an almost saddened soft laugh escaped his lips.
"But yes. I miss it."
It was at that point his dog pinged him a message on his datapad through his internal comm system. Ice's more traditional good natured grin soon appeared again.
"Come this way. I'm pretty sure I can safely say Rico has found our new home for the next few days." Checking the tracking program he had, he gestured to a direction ahead of them. Ice was excited to arrive at the destination Rico had found. A picture was nice. But there was always something to be said about seeing things for oneself. And Ana would soon find him leading at a rather quick step.
The sound of water crashing over rocks was very evident to the pair before long, but so far the plant life had concealed the spot from view. Ice made sure to keep a few paces in front of Ana as he hurriedly made his way to were hid dog was now waiting. A few minutes later, Ice suddenly slowed down. He could just see it through the branches. Having technically seen the spot already, the location had been sort of a lost surprise for him. But not so for Ana. Turning on his heals, he grinned playfully at her.
"Ok, you have to close your eyes. We're here, but we want it to be a surprise. I'll lead you the rest of the way." With that he held out his hand for her to take and waited for her to comply. If she would, he'd take her hand and lead her the last few steps.
Branches were cleared away so she didn't plow into them. When the last shrub was passed, she no doubt noticed the ground beneath he feet had become softer. More than likely sandy. The sun was now able to break through and cast its warm rays gently onto her face. There was a very light mist that floated on the breeze and occasionally brushed up against them as well. Moving beside her he whispered in her ear.
"And...open."