The Rhumba and the Trot Hop! [ The Jedi Academy ]

[Kira Talith]

Jedi Academy
Hangar Bay

This was by far likely one of the most curious of classes.

But it was also a social activity test -- okay maybe for some of the professors it was also a betting pool to see who would prove themselves to have the smooth operator moves, but it was also a training class in it of itself.

Dancing.

Yup. That was the class. Dancing.

The masters would round up the padawans and knights for a taste in social etiquette, coordination, teamwork, learning when to lead and how to follow.

And, as fierce eyes of the females would eyeball the males with a bit of wariness, diplomacy.

A snarky snort chuckle would come from Kira, big with child, as she would watch the students gather together. She stood tiny as she could be, looking as if she had a gravball tucked in under her light blue jumper. From the back, one couldn’t tell that she was heavy with child, but once you saw her from the side, that glorious belly was out there!

Her hair was up in a messy ponytail, and she would rest her hands on the top curve of her belly, mischief dancing in the corner of her mouth and devilry glittering in her blue eyes.

Already half were split onto one side for the boys… the other into the girls. There were several masters about pulling chaperone duties, along with some brave souls already talking to others for the class.

Either way, Master [member="Jaxton Ravos"] would be taking point, and Kira was quite excited about this.

After all, who didn’t like to dance? Ballroom dancing or freestyle, Kira certainly enjoyed getting down!


OOC:

This is for the Jedi Academy as a fun social training class. Come show off your moves or mingle. Either way, this is a good way to learn something beyond Force powers and get to know more of your professors and fellow students from the various Houses.

 

[Veino Garn]

This Veino had to see. A bunch of Jedi at a dancing class. Not just any dancing class, but a full awkward formal dancing class where students would have to get into each other's personal space. Especially the padawans. It'd be even more interesting with empathy. The sheer amount of embarrassment would be enough to send him laughing all the way down the highway. Of course, he was awkward at their age too, but one only had to be sliced open with a lightsaber or a very flirty Zygerrian's claws once before dancing stops getting awkward. At least both parties are willingly involved. The incident with the Zygerrian... had been less so. He grimaced at the thought.

But he was here in the hangar in a surprisingly nice outfit. It was the same as the rest of his outfits, minus the stains, tears, repair stitches, and patches. Not to mention pressed flat and actually looking like a professional instead of a space hobo, which in all honesty, that pretty described Veino in a nutshell.

He walked through the guys side, grinning at the nervous padawans. Many blushed and looked away. Ah, the innocence of youth.

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

Jacen had arrived at the academy with the clothes on his back, some food and a few items of value. Apparently this wasn’t an event for padawan robes and he could hardly have turned up in tattered travelling clothes. So the aging mercenary had gone and purchased a shirt. Two shirts in fact. The first had been sent back and a second larger shirt ordered. Turned out the brutal physical regime was having some positive effects.

He could have sworn he’d been hit by a blast of hormone as he walked into the hall. So many tweenage padawans sat in tight knit groups. Oh what the kark am I doing here?

Truth be told he’d been pretty isolated recently. Focussed on his training, decades apart from most of his peers and separated by rank from people his own age. He’d had a few dark days recently and this had seemed a good opportunity to mingle. He was already regretting it.

Back in his youth he’d been a confident – no, arrogant – lad. He’d loved events like this. Perhaps some part of him had imagined the dance classes held in schools halls in evenings across the Galaxy. The kind of places where single middle aged people quite often hooked up.

Perhaps [member="Talon Vosra"] would be about? The Master seemed to have a knack for getting at decent food and drink. Perhaps chaperoning over a few quiet drinks would be possible?

Jacen rubbed his chin and looked across at the lines of teenagers waiting. Perhaps that would be more trouble than it was worth.

There is no passion, there is serenity¸ he silently recited, a sly grin threatening to spread from the corner of his mouth. Noting the rounding figure of the female Jedi Master across the room, he pondered that perhaps the code wasn’t taken quite that literally these days.

 

[Jaxton Ravos]

[member="Kira Talith"] [member="Veino Garn"] [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] [member="Khaleel Malvern"] [member="Taheera Sollo"] [member="Marcello Matteo"] [member="Kana Truden"] [member="Jacen Shadow"] [member="Avalore Eden"] @Anybody else that was interested that I forgot


Jaxton walked into the hanger bay of one Jedi temple, hidden within a wild forest moon in the middle of mandalorian space. Long long ago this was a place of darkness, haunted by Sith spirits, a place of many sacrifices, the location of a prison for mere children, but the New Jedi Order came here anyways. Exorcised Sith Spirits, freed those trapped, and set roots to make a place of teaching. It was fitting perhaps that now Yavin IV was now a 'main academy' for a new network of Jedi teachings, one that welcomed all Jedi and didn't discriminate about where they came from or what they believed. Perhaps the first time in a decade such a thing had happened, before Jedi such as Siobhan Kerrigan left for a more militant lifestyle in the Omegans, the first of many schisms gentle and brutal. And now it seemed Jaxton would be a part of it.

The room was filled with padawans and knights of all ages, but the general trend was younger than twenty among the padawans, with a few older ones here and there. Older chaperone's hovered around the walls and corners of the room, having drinks and silent conversation as they observed the class, Jaxton's first in this academy. Not on lightsaber form or use of the Force or perception of philosophy, but ballroom dancing. He supposed he'd rope in the other stuff eventually. After a short while the traffic of people coming into the class ceased and there were essentially three groups of people. The ladies clumped on the left, gentlemen clumped on the right, and the chaperone's scattered across the edges. Supposing it was time Jaxton walked forward and un-clipped his lightsaber from his belt, notably with a fibercord and external powercell, then held it into the air and ignited it. The snap-hiss would ring throughout the room, and conversation would grow silent as Jaxton turned off his blade and clipped it back onto his belt.

"So, now that I've got everybody attention." Jaxton said with a smile, noticing a mixture of excited smiles and dirty looks from the crowd at his attention grabber. "My name is Jaxton Ravos, and I'll be your instructor today. I can see y'all have already separated, but if anybody wants to the lead instead of the follow or vice versa now is your time to switch." Jaxton said and paused a moment. He didn't expect a ton of movement, but he'd allow it as it came.

"Good. Now get out of your crowds and make a series of lines, about fifteen people deep going sideways, facing the center of the room. You want about two-three feet between yourself and the person at your side, front, or back." The leads and follows would each make three or four lines facing their respective opposites and spacing out accordingly.

"Now ideally before a Jedi is sent out to help someone in some fashion or another a master will prepare them. Just like that I'm going to make sure you guys have an idea of what you're doing before y'all make pairs. First thing we've got to cover is Frame. Feet shoulder-width apart." Jaxton would command as his body demonstrated what he was doing. "Leads you're going to bring your chest out, roll your shoulders back, and your head is going angle slightly to your left. Right arm should come straight from your shoulder blade but might come down a bit depending on your height difference. Hand will come around and cup right about at the lady's shoulder blade. Left arm will come out straight from your shoulder blade and turn upwards and to the left, hand coming forwards as necessary to meet hers when you partner up." Jaxton would look at the guys a minute, fixing the first few fellows frame he came to, before the rest of the guys figured what changes they had to make.

"Follows, you are going to roll your shoulders back, lean backwards and angle your head to the right. Both arms should be even with your shoulders. left hand will come up to rest on the lead's shoulder blade, but if that's too high it can slip down. There should be a muscle that comes right off his shoulder before his bi and tricep that'll fit perfectly between your thumb and index finger. Right hand will come up and your hand will come up to meet his." Jaxton would again demonstrate what they were doing as he went through in the individual instructions.

"Both partners need to hold up their own frame, and both frames need to be firm. When the lead steps forward the follow should feel him moving forward and naturally step backwards in reply. If your frame isn't strong then somebody's arm will just go back and there will toes stepped on and people running into each other." Jaxton said, and looked at the group as a whole.

"Now leads, go find a partner, ask them to dance, and just practice moving around with your frame. Stepping forward, back, right, left, just see what you can do until she can follow where you're going." He smiled.

"Have fun."

 

[Judah Lesan]

Shadow stood in the back of the room being used for this lesson. Funny lesson it was too. The last thing he expected to see on the list of classes padawans would be taking. Was this a lesson he needed, no. Jacen had been a con artist for most of his life. The art of ballroom dancing was one his deceased mother had taught him when he was eleven. Jacen was now twenty-three and quite the masterful dancer. Then why was he here. Simply put, he was new and needed to get to know his classmates. There were other Padawans around the temple he did not know and the only way to get to know them was to be social.

Social, something Jacen didn't like being usually, unless on a con job. The young man was trying to change though. Suddenly losing his adoptive parents because of mistakes made his reevaluate some things in his life. Rather than take from others, he wanted to give. The best way, someone had convinced him, was to give of himself, and who better than the Jedi. Well that's what he was told.

They were supposed to pair off, but so far, there were only men in the room and preganant lady. Prospects were thin, so Jacen was just going to wait until he found someone to ask. The natural born Corellian had no problem approaching ladies.

 

[Taheera Sollo]

After two shifts at the clinic she liked to think she was done dealing with bodily fluids and waste for the rest of her life. It would be wise to sleep but whoever said the clone-healer was wise? Embarrassment tinged her cheeks as she sneaked into the room, catching the end of Jaxton's lesson. The embarrassment wasn't due to the other sex hunkering on one side of the room, or even at the sudden elation that she was seeing JAXTON RAVOS in-person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was her clothes: a clean pair of dark-blue scrubs were the only set of extras that made it in her satchel. And it was the only thing she had time to change into. Fingers absently brushed down the slightly wrinkled front.

With a determined jut of her chin and a silent resolution to leave her fretting behind, she finally left the stubborn wrinkles alone and raised her arms into the proper position. If she could fight on Kashyyyk she could gorram learn how to ballroom dance.

 

[Judah Lesan]

Jacen thought too soon as his blue eyes noticed a woman sneak into the back of the hall on the ladies side of the room. He looked about as the nervous boys looked across to the younger teenage girls. The one which just walked in seemed to be close to his own age though. It would be better to pair up with someone that didn't look as though it would get him arrested on most systems in the galaxy.

The tall scoundrel turned Jedi approaced the brunette quietly. He didn't want to startle her, but he was sure to be seen, again he didn't want to startle her. Catching her gaze Jacen grinned, a nice expression to break the ice. For someone that had been a sucessful con artist, he was finding it awkward being the new person around, not knowing anyone.

"Excuse me," he said as he raised his right fist to his lips as he cleared his throat. "It seems we're supposed to pair off, and well the rest of the girls here are all teenagers which doesn't seem appropriate to me. You wouldn't happen to mind pairing off would you?"

Jacen offered his hand by way of introduction.

"I'm Jason Shadow by the way. I'm new to the academy which is why I thought to take this class. I'm a good dancer actually, and promise I won't step on your toes."

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

 

[Taheera Sollo]

[member="Jacen Shadow"]

She paused in her practice dance as Jacen approached, arms still raised in the air with an imaginary partner. "Jacen Shadow," she lowered her arms quickly, imagining she looked like a marionette. "Taheera Sollo. Are you saying I'm an old hag?"

She deadpanned before breaking into a grin.

"I'll dance with you buuuuut I can't make you the same promise about toes." She put her arms in the correct position, ready to follow his lead. Well, ready to try to follow his lead.

 

[Kian Karr]

A dance class? Kian had been a Jedi for quite some time now....but in all that time he'd never heard of Jedi getting together in order to dance. Kian knew how to dance of course, the Baran Do had balls for the younger members when he was a child, but it had been years since he'd done it. Kian hadn't danced since the day of his wedding, almost twenty years before.

Kian had left the Gnost Dural that day enroute to the dancing lesson. He could use some socializing. It seemed like ages since Kian had a conversation with someone that wasn't encrypted or made up of subtle code-words. He could use a night out. Pulling into one of the hangars, Kian made his way to the designated hangar for the dance lesson. He wore a simple dark grey tunic and pants with a black utility belt wrapped around his waste, his lightsaber dangling at his hip, rather than in his typical spot at the front of his belt.

Arriving into the room, Kian saw that the class was already lining up and their initial lessons were beginning. Kian recognized Jedi Master [member="Jaxton Ravos"] leading the class, though he had never had the pleasure of meeting the Jedi before. Jedi Master [member="Kira Talith"] was at the head of the class as well. There were several Jedi that Kian didn't recognize but when he saw [member="Veino Garn"] had arrived, he let out a sigh, glad that there would be at least one person he knew at the event.

Kian walked along the outside of the group and found a comfortable spot to relax. He leaned back against a series of crates and folded his arms across his chest.

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"] | [member="Jacen Shadow"] | [member="Taheera Sollo"]​

 

[Anastasia Rade]

The only sort of dancing Anastasia had ever learned was the dance of war if that could even be considered a dance. This was something completely different that she had only saw done on holomovies and that one party she went to. Ana had tried to get her now ex to dance with her but he wouldn't and rather prance around the castle which had been fun in it's own right. Though she had always wanted to learn how to dance but never had the courage to actually take a class afraid perhaps that she would make a fool of herself.

A light sigh escaped her lips as she leaned back against the wall. The Knight was here for the sole purpose of chaperoning the Padawans while they learned to dance. There was to be no funny business and they were to actually pay attention as this was to help with their training. Ana could see how learning to prance around and be light on one's feet would be rather helpful in combat. She supposed this was also a good way to meet others and socialize after all they would all be working together in one way or another. When Ana wished to socialize she would go to the cantina and have a pint as that was what Mandalorians did and she had grown accustomed to it. This seemed much too "fluffy" for a Mandalorian to ever consider.

Normally she wore her pink armor but here she felt it best to wear her Jedi robes which she was still getting used to. They were new, very flowy and brown in color. In her opinion they needed a face lift which she did plan to give them as soon as she found the time to make herself some custom new ones.

Ana's eyes glanced about the room to the padawans awkwardly dancing and than to the Masters and Knights chatting amongst themselves on the sidelines. She didn't know many Jedi as she often worked alone so this could perchance also be her opportunity to socialize and meet others. Pulling herself from the wall she decided to walk along the outside until she found [member="Kian Karr"] standing by himself so she decided to stop by and say hello. "This class is quite interesting, don't you think? I have never seen the Jedi put something like this on before."


[member="Taheera Sollo"] [member="Jacen Shadow"] [member="Jaxton Ravos"] [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] [member="Veino Garn"] [member="Kira Talith"]

 

[Kira Talith]

Well things were starting to progress! This would prompt a wider grin from the gloriously pregnant Jedi Master, her hands moving to the front pocket just over her baby bump where she tucked in a packet of dried muja berries.

She was hungry!

The crinkling of the small bag was a bit loud as the instruction would go along, so she gave a sheepish grin of apology when a few heads would turn over to her with a slight frown.

"Sorry!" she would mouth silently, gesturing with her free hand to relay the signed apology as well. A second later, a handful of muja berries would tumble into her palm. Popping them into her mouth, the tiny Lorrdian Jedi master would watch with apt attention, excited to see the progression.

A slight note of melancholy would hit her.

Pity Soliael wasn't here.

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

Jacen could have sworn the instructor had said 'leads choose partners' and yet somehow, without moving his feet he'd been ambushed and was already standing ready to lead. He swallowed and then immediately hoped the gesture wasn't too obvious. He was far too old to have his hand rested on the bare shoulder blade of the skinny nineteen year old. He recognised that age. So confident in having become a "proper grown up" yet too young to realise that you spent your whole life getting schooled by your elders.

She grabbed his shoulder tighter and pulled him a touch close in. "I'm not going to break you know, if you hold me so tentatively we'll just end up falling over each other!"

Oh hell. "'Fraid there's a fair chance of that happening anyway," he replied with a weak smile.

Her brows furrowed. "I've seen you training with the other Padawans, your footwork is better," she replied calmly. "They're all so focused on swinging the blade, but you step carefully, and you watch feet."

He shrugged at that, he hadn't really noticed. The embarrassment of being spanked by kids half his age was usually at the forefront of his mind.

"Don't make me look stupid," she added soothingly. However her expression didn't match the tone, it seemed to suggest she would have growled a threat if she could have.

 

[Ian Milàn]

Ian stopped just short of arguing with her; he respected his Master [member="Rianna be Ar'klim"] too much for that. He did let her know that he had no desire to attend a dance class. Of course she used her inscrutable jedi logic and probably a mind trick or two and he found himself walking towards the large hanger – no grand ball room for this group - where a collection of masters were to teach ball room dance of all things. As new as having a master was to Ian, he knew there had to be more behind this than that. It seemed they always had ulterior motives.

In route he pondered his hesitancy and thought it would be more uncharacteristic of himself if he weren’t full of trepidation. For reasons related to his youth, he had no love of jedi in general, despite where he found himself at this point in his life, and, walking into this class was akin to voluntarily climbing in to a beehive to him. Secondly, dance was not something he had encountered growing up on Mustafar. Later after moving to Corelllia and attending the university, the dancing he observed his classmates engaged in seemed more like a mating ritual than an activity unto itself. Accordingly, he avoided it like the plague.

He chided himself for his hesitancy. He had willingly traipsed about in the Felucian jungle in search of a shaman to help him find a certain root with antiviral properties his former employer wanted to study. Surely he could deal with a room full of somewhat civilized jedi. Somewhat civilized… he wondered why he’d chosen those descriptors but didn’t have time to consider the possibilities as he had reached the door. He opened it slowly…

He stepped inside and moved to the side, taking a moment to study what was in progress. He observed those assembled with his minimal force sight. Many he assumed were master or possibly advanced knights shone brightly. On the other hand there were many somewhat dimmer bulbs – younglings and padawans no doubt. He grinned as he realized he just called himself a dim bulb even if it was all in his mind.

He watched the dancers move about – awkwardly for the most part with a few exceptions - and realized he had no desire to learn how to dance, but, did he really have an option? He couldn’t conceive of the masters having just one dance class and expect no other lessons being necessary. Could you master a dance in one lesson? He really had no idea but many doubts. So, on to the other item on the agenda… meet the others and introduce himself.

Nearby a couple – a Kel Dor Ian assumed was a master based on his force presence and a blonde human female – were chatting quietly in the background. Ian took a deep breath and approached them, bowing slightly when he came within the range of quiet conversation. He said, “Pardon my interruption, I’ve recently arrived at the academy and wanted to take this opportunity to meet all my new colleagues that I may. I am Padawan Ian Milan and I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.”


[member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Kian Karr"] [member="Kira Talith"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian was smiling broadly beneath his mask as he watched the padawans pairing off and beginning to dance. It was the sort of smile that one had when they saw something that caused them a decent amount of nostalgia. Kian's mind was beginning to wander off to days since past when [member="Anastasia Rade"] approached and said hello. Kian recognized Anastasia from a previous meeting. The two had always seemed to meet in passing and he turned to face her, bowing his head to the Jedi.

"I agree. I do not believe I've ever seen a Jedi dance." The Kel Dor said chuckling softly, the sound coming out muffled and deep from the mask. Kian glanced to the side as [member="Ian Milàn"] walked over to the two of them as they spoke. Kian didn't recognize the youth, but bowed in return to the young man.

"Hello Ian, I am Kian Karr and this is Anastasia Rade." Kian said waving his hand to indicate the Mando Jedi beside him. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well Ian. Are you here to learn how to dance?" Kian asked and then couldn't hold back one of his deadpan jokes. "I'm sure Anastasia here would make an excellent dance partner."

 

[Anastasia Rade]

Anastasia bowed back in greeting to Master Karr. Before she could say anything the two were greeted by another and she found herself bowing again. The young woman never really understood the purpose behind the bow though she supposed it was rather like how the Mando's showed respect by placing their hand on their chest. A bow was out of respect for the other person. It was yet another custom that she needed to get used to.

As she rose and smiled the young woman's eyes widen as she heard her being offered up as a dance partner. Ana knew not the first thing about dancing. She had come here to observe from the sidelines not learn how to dance herself. She was liable to make a fool of herself and trip over her feet. Ana was no graceful princess but a battle harden warrior. She was far to stiff for such a thing as dancing besides what would would getting involved in the class look like the the Masters? Ana ought not be prancing about in a class made for Padawan's when she was a knight.

Ana's mouth opened up to protest the idea but than quickly closed for a moment as the young woman thought over her response again. "I'm not well versed in the art of dance myself however if you need a partner I don't see why not. We could learn together." A light smiled played on her lips as her gaze went to those already on the dance floor. It would be a shame if he couldn't participate because she was being stuffy. There was nothing wrong with getting involved.

If she did end up dancing Ana knew a few key people whom would have loved to be a fly on the wall and watch her. She never had gotten drunk enough or loosened up enough to begin dancing on cantina tables. She knew a select few whom would pay for the opportunity.

[member="Ian Milàn"] [member="Kian Karr"]

 

[OriginsoftheJedi]

"Why on Yavin did I agree to come to this?" Mark thought to himself.
He stood near the outskirts of the groups that were mingling and socializing like normal teenagers would, even if they were jedi in training, trying not to be noticed. He'd definitely been apprehensive when his mentor had told him that he should go to this "jedi dance class".
"Oh come on!" Master Avi had said, "It'll be fun!"
Eventually, he finally agreed to his mentor's wishes and dug a button up shirt and a faded, dark green bow tie out from the depths of his drawers. He'd pulled on a black and dark grey patterned frock, and here he was.
And soon, they'd begin calling the padawans into groups to begin. Mark tried to keep his inner tension levels down, so he'd be less likely to be singled out by other members of the group or adults, but he was unsure how well it was working.
Instinctively, he edged a bit farther away from the group, hoping he didn't stick out from everyone else. But, in the corner of his mind, he had a feeling that he did. He hoped that wouldn't make himself a target for others to come to him. Mark wanted to stay as far from the "action" as possible. But, he was sure it was bound to find him somehow.

 

[OriginsoftheJedi]

And suddenly, Master [member="Jaxton Ravos"] was activating a lightsaber, signaling for silence. He introduced himself and gave brief instructions, then allowed the padawans to choose a partner. Mark had a feeling that if he waited it out, nobody would choose him and there would be a lack of partners, thus leaving him out of it.
And so, Mark waited.

[member="Kira Talith"] [member="Jaxton Ravos"] [member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Aiden Zarc]

The room was rather large, as would be expected in a room used for "ballroom dancing". In a corner, away from the main hubbub of activity and people, lay a garbage receptacle container that was stationed slightly away from the wall. Behind the container, a silent burst of white light flashed briefly. Who knew if anyone would notice? Then, Aiden was lying there on the ground. He didn't know where he was; nor did he care. The last place he was in was cold. So cold. He wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. It had taken too long to work up the energy, and he hadn't been at 100% when he jumped. He was tired and would likely become hungry as well.

He didn't move from where he was. He faintly heard the sound of people and then he snoozed off.

[member="Mark Sage"] [member="Anastasia Rade"] [member="Kian Karr"] [member="Ian Milàn"] [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] [member="Kira Talith"] [member="Taheera Sollo"] [member="Jacen Shadow"] [member="Jaxton Ravos"] [member="Veino Garn"]

 

[Ian Milàn]

Was he here to learn to dance?

Ian assumed it would be bad form to start a relationship with a jedi master by lying to him. He knew dancing wasn’t Master Ar’Klim’s primary purpose for sending him. She wanted him to socialize in a gathering of jedi to work on overcoming his normal aversion to jedi in general and she wasn’t opposed to utilizing total immersion therapy when the opportunity arose. What she expected of him was to comply with the expectations of the gathering. In this case, the purpose was to be a dance class; therefore, he had to concede.

“I suppose that I am here to learn to dance,” Ian admitted reluctantly in a subdued voice. Then Master Karr volunteered his companion to be Ian’s dance partner. He turned to her in a near panic; then his dark gaze was caught by the brilliance of her blue eyes and he forgot his argument. He was also relieved to see that she was about the same age as he.

“Miss Rade, I’m sure that dancing with you would be an experience of a lifetime for me; however, I fear, unless you are wearing steel-toed boots, dancing with me would put your toes in imminent peril.” He gave her a sheepish grin and added softly, “I’d say the risk/benefit ratio is skewed highly in my favor. If you are sure you don’t mind, it would be an honor to learn a step or two with you.”




[member="Kian Karr"] [member="Anastasia Rade"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

[member="Taheera Sollo"]

"An old hag!? Oh no... not at all," Jacen was turning a bit pink from embarrasment.

It had not been his intention at all to call anyone an old hag. He simply meant that it might not look appropriate for him to be seen dancing with some of the teenage girls that were about. Taheera simply looked his age, and that's all he meant. Apparently he had put his foot in his mouth, though she did agree to dance, so maybe he hadn't been quite a jerk after all.

"I simply meant you seem to be my age. Honestly you're too pretty to be considered an old hag any way," he said hoping the sincere compliment would help him out a bit. "And don't worry about the toes. If it helps you learn, you could stand on them, but it might be a bit awkward looking."

Jacen smirked at his own attempt of humor. It was dry, but that's who he was. His own hands quickly found their resting place on Taheera's body. His one hand joined together with hers, and the other found the natural resting place on the small of her back just above her waist. Looking into her eyes, Jacen smiled.

"Just look at my eyes, and we will go slow. I'll step forward with my right foot, and you will go back with your left, and so on. We won't go side to side or in circles yet."

Jacen figured he could try some small talk, but if she was concerned about stepping on his toes, then it would be best if he let Taheera concentrate a bit until she got the hang of it. Really it was simple once you got past the mental block of it. Jacen went slow as promised, careful not to step on her toes as he walked her backwards, then as Jaxton had recommended, pulled her back to where they had started.

"See that wasn't so bad, was it?"