Getting into the Groove

[Riamah]

For a few moments more he continued to dance like he was a stiff, old man. Ailuros tried to hide her small smile, but gave up on it and almost grinned at him. His voice was quiet that only the two of them could hear it above the music. Not that she was worried about the same thing he was.

"I've been dancing since I was a kitten. It is practically in my blood, my people are all about arts and tradition. Someday maybe you can visit Trian and see."

Though she highly doubted he ever would, she knew her home wasn't too far from here. While they were out of the loop when it came to the goings on of the galaxy they had visitors once in a while.

The fact he may or may not openly speak honestly didn't matter to Ailuros. She never was one to keep her thoughts, emotions or even impressions secret. Her people weren't a deceiving kind and it was not something she had ever learned.

Going with the flow of the music and the dance, Ailuros noticed he was starting to move more natural. What he may not know was that there really was no right or wrong in dance.

"You don't need to know what to do, Kal. Really. I mean you could stand there and nod your head. As long as it was SOMETHING."

[member="Kal Visna"]

 

[Kal Visna]

"Wish I knew that before..." He said then immediately corrected himself "Not that there is any problem with dancing with you..."

"I just want it to end, that's all..." At least it was a full sentence in his mind. While the whole thing went on, he finally gave up and went with whatever moves came to him while trying to distance himself from what was happening "Kitten, huh? It feels like I could call you folks 'cats' and no anti-racist crusade would be called on me." Making conversation was the best way to do it, keeping his mind busy was another, it was curious how these people seemed to consider themselves close to actual cats "Is this ehh... In your culture or something? You seem to be somehow thinking you are cats in some way... Or that may just be figurative speech... Wait, are there even normal cats on your planet? I mean animals." That would be pretty confusing, Would these people even hide their own-... No no, that's too far, it's unlikely and irrelevant, he can't bring himself to forget but certainly does not want to think about it.

[member="Ailuros"]

 

[Riamah]

Ailuros looked at him curiously for a moment before giving him a little bit of a smile and speaking. It was with a rather soft voice and maybe a bit of sympathy.

"Is this your first dance?"

If she had to guess, she would think it was. He was so serious and had a bit of a distracted look, like he had something else on his mind totally than what was going on around him. She wondered what would make him more comfortable.

As the music went on and she knew it was coming to an end soon, he apparently let go of whatever was distracting him. She could tell in how he moved, it was more natural, though awkward in the sense this might be the first time he attempted to dance.

What he said next came as a bit of a surprise, but she understood why. Her people were a mystery and not known, so his questions were fair ones.

"We are like cats, but bigger and intelligent. We have our own language. To be truthfully honest," she looked down at the floor for a moment before admitting this small truth. "I didn't do so well in history." Looking back up, she met Kal's eyes again, "if we're not from actual cats, how are we so much like them?"

The music started to wind down and the dancers slowed to the time of it. Giving him an almost formal bow with her nose pointing to the floor, Ailuros stood up straight again. "No, we have no pet cats as such."

[member="Kal Visna"]

 

[Kal Visna]

"Ah, I see." He answered bluntly as the song ceased and they stopped dancing. She gave him a bow so he did the same, at least this small thing he'd get right, he briefly looked around but saw nothing out of ordinary, it was undoubtedly fun to talk to this stranger, while dancing is not his thing, he can't deny the fact that it is not something he would change should he can... However time was not on his side... There was work to be done, he was a jedi and which is more, he was Kal Visna, both duty and his nature demanded what was to come.

"This was fun and all... but now I really have to go." He begun unsure, Kal did not know how to phrase this, but perhaps the old saying would still stand in a situation like this "It's jedi business." Well... That wasn't entirely true, but nor entirely false... Most jedi wouldn't rob, even if it's about a hutt, but then it was true he needed to return to the silver jedi, so maybe this is a half lie?

[member="Ailuros"]

 

[Riamah]

It almost seemed to appear he didn't like her answer to his question and Ailuros looked at him a little quizzically. It changed into a smile when he returned her bow though, at least he knew how to do that. The song being over, she applauded the band for the music and turned her attention back to her dance partner.

He said he needed to go and she looked disappointed at it, her whiskers and ears drooped a little. When Kal mentioned it was Jedi business though, she perked up a little. Having been with them for a short period, maybe she could somehow lend him a hand.

"I was with the Rangers there for a little while. The mission I was given by my people though requested I go explore and learn about the galaxy, so I left them. Good people they are."

Looking away for a moment and placing one hand behind her back, she thought about how to say her next part. Meeting his eyes again, "maybe I could help, if you want that is."

[member="Kal Visna"]

 

[Kal Visna]

Kal blinked staring at the lowered ears, there was no way to begin expressing how cat-like that looked. His face remained unfazed while listening and carefully analyzing her behavior, the padawan knew better than to trust strangers easily and could only find it unusual, but then she mentioned she was with the rangers... That in itself was giving her a point. But the proposal he did not expect, she wanted to help? Could she fight? Sure, she was with the rangers but... She doesn't really seem like someone who's been in war, people who have are usually... People like him. However, this girl, has she even killed? If she didn't, is he supposed to be the one changing that?

No, he could not think about this, it was stupid, he only saw a fraction of this girl's personality, he cannot make a judgement just yet, maybe she was in the same mess as any other scarred soldier... And if she wasn't... Well, to that he was unable to answer as of yet, though one of the things he needed... Did not involve killing. "I don't know... Are you good at piloting? Or do you have any particular skill?"

[member="Ailuros"]

 

[Riamah]

Kal blinked at her when her whiskers and ears drooped at saying he had to leave. He also didn't give a reaction when Ailuros mentioned she had been with the Rangers. Even with her own people she was a trained ranger. He asked if she was a good pilot and she considered how best to answer that in addition to his second question.

"I am a decent pilots, but not a fighter really. Of course, I can pilot a fighter, but my ship is built more as a long distance carrier or shuttle. Can hold supplies for six people for two years."

As for particular skills, "hum, well I can dance and play music. I'm also well versed in hand to hand combat and can use some short range weapons. Why do you ask?"

In thinking about other skills she may have, the cat waited on his answer before speaking again.

"I can climb trees and am quite nimble and quick."

There were others she was sure, but decided to keep it simple for now.

[member="Kal Visna"]

 

[Kal Visna]

A slight smirk appeared on Kal's face as he thought, if she could fly a ship, that would have to be enough, "Alright, you're in... I don't know if the rangers or other jedi would be in need of you... But I am." He then glanced around to make sure nobody is listening, he whispered to her more serious than before "This may not be exactly what a jedi would do and likely not what anyone enforcing peace would do... Though I wouldn't say it's something bad, we get money for it and it is for the greater good."

Kal would first wait to see if what she thought, if she would have any objection... Because he couldn't reveal his plans to someone he didn't think would commit fully to what was about to happen. A pilot was what he would need for if he was right i8n his suspicions, this misadventure had the potential to end badly, but with Ailuros, he might just be prepared for that. Her ship was also something he would need, ship and pilot, that is indeed a lucky encounter.

[member="Ailuros"]

 

[Riamah]

With what appeared to the first sign of any happiness, Kal smirked at her slighty before before speaking. He explained that maybe a Jedi won't normally do what he had planned and that got her curiosity up even more.

His tone changed when he said that and whatever he planned was for the greater good. Ailuros nodded before speaking.

"It'll give me that chance to learn a different aspect of the galaxy. Thank you for giving me a chance here. Like the dance."

If she could have spun in excitement she would have, but it would be out of place at the moment. There wasn't any music going, no need to dance and it would draw attention to them again.

"What do you need from me?"

[member="Kal Visna"]

 

[Kal Visna]

Kal motioned for her to follow once she asked, a place that is not yours was a place at risk, it was better to move on and settle this in a more safe setting "On short, I need you to be my pilot, but I'll tell you more once we cannot be heard, call me paranoid, but I like being sure I'm not watched." This was supposed to be the last piece of the puzzle, for he has made sure to hire all the necessary people. Of course, Kal was not yet sure this was the right thing... But then it was the right thing in many ways while it may be bad in others... It's not like jedi never compromise to protect, or anybody else for that matter and regarding the idea of breaking the law... Let's be honest, there were no laws to break on Nar Shaddaa.

[member="Ailuros"]