He didn't mind, or at least, he didn't mind enough that he had answered her. Aletra sat back, and took a deep breath. Her heat was pounding from the sudden rush of nerves that she had felt at that moment. Sometimes, her mouth ended up running faster than her brain, and getting her in trouble. Aletra glanced up at Zik, and smiled shyly at him. Give and take was only fair

"I've never been with anyone."

Aletra glanced back down at her lap shyly. She was never good at conversations, and always had prefered to let her fists and blade do the talking

Aletra shifted a little in her seat. She wasn't norammly quite so shy, but Zik was different then most of the interactions she'd had among her own people

"It just, well, in my village, everyone was either an Elder, a child, or someone I had defeated in the ring. I never really had anyone I could consider an equal. And after I lost my arms..."

Aletra was a little surprised that she didn't feel a spike of pain again when she mentioned her arms

*A human male in his late twenties walked - sauntered, really - around the corner, whistling a rather rude Corellian tune and tapping a staccato beat against the plastic strap of his duffel bag. He did neither very well; his sense of rhythm was abominable, and it was painfully clear he'd had no formal voice coaching. When he spotted the two Jedi, he stopped, looking embarrassed, then indicated the sign that read "The Dividing Line."*

I... Uh, I was going to go to the reception and, well, got lost. This place is very big, have you noticed that? It's brilliant. Spacious, you know?

*He looked around at the rows of weapons, the forge and the work benches. Looking excited, the Jedi hopeful strode forward and offered his hand to Zik, a broad, awkward smile on his face.*

Soren Kai, at your service. You must be Altus Diux. I was told to go find you, to get tested I mean. For the Force, not, ah, anything else. I was going to see if I had any aptitude for the whole "laser monk" thing. Da said I did, but he was a baker and he thought everyone could be a Jedi, and I'm rambling, aren't I?

Aletra smiled at Zik, hoping she wasn't reading too much into his comments. The connection between emotion and duty was always a fragile one. She offered out a hand slowly, making still slightly unsure of herself. With her smiled still in place, she offered a compromise, that in her mind, cemented the bond between them without introducing any scary emotions or requirements into the mix

"But for right now, I'd settle for friendship."

Aletra started when the other man appeared around the corner, rising halfway to her feet, hand flashing to the hilt of her sword. Realising that the man posed no threat, she sank back into her chair. Her heart was hammering wildly in her chest as she slowly forced her fingers to uncurl from their deathgrip on her hilt.

*As the young Zabrak reached for her blade, Soren dropped his hand and reached for something on his belt, a sharp yell rising in his throat and his surprise echoing painfully through the Force. In a way it was understandable; he'd just walked into a weapons shop on an alien world only to see a demonic-looking laser monk with mechanical arms try to draw a sword on him. For a stranger - particularly one with trained combat reflexes - that was an unpleasant surprise.*

*Fortunately, as his adrenaline faded, Soren got a good look at the girl and noticed that first, she was uncurling her metallic fingers from around her blade, and second, she was kind of cute. He flashed her an open honest smile, pulling the object from his belt and waggling it between his fingers. It was a hydrospanner.*

Left my blaster on the ship, and I wasn't there when they were handing out lightsabers. Who are you?

*The man's green eyes widened at the revelation that this was not, in fact, Altus Dux. He stepped forward into the light, making him more visible, and bent his head to the master. Zik could sense potential there - like a quiet fire burning inside the man's soul. He'd met people with brighter fires, like the great crackling furnaces that helped him forge his vibroblades, and he could easily associate those Force auras with those who held powerful talents. Soren's soul fire wasn't as strong; it was like a campfire, capable of nurturing and providing comfort. It could warm the cold, give light in the darkness, protection in times of trouble, but Zik sensed that it would never burn continents to ash, or light up the galaxy. Soren lacked that potential.*

I've seen things. Shadows, warnings before danger. Little hints, sometimes. Sometimes it's stronger, sometimes weaker. My da always said that that was the mark of a Jedi, but I never gave much thought of it, until...

*His face - a slender, honest face with a broad nose and strong jaw - flushed as he caught himself before he said anything more.*

Personal things happened. Sorry. I'll go, if you want me to.

*With training and discipline, Zik sensed Soren would make a fine Jedi.*

*Soren's face froze, as if he couldn't believe it. Then a broad smile crept across his face, despite all his efforts to contain it. Zik got the impression that the ex-CorSec officer had just experienced the greatest joy he'd ever felt in his life.*

I... I've got that? I mean, I thought I did, but I always thought it was wishful thinking...

*He clapped his hands over his mouth, composed himself, then looked back at the younger man.*

Can I... Can I train here?

*He caught the commlink easily, looked at it, then stuffed it in his pocket. The older man nodded, trying to order his thoughts in his mind. It was difficult to think when he was excited; it always had been, even when he'd been training back at CorSec Academy.*

Yeah. I'll go for a walk, try to think about what I'm - what I'm going to do. This is a big decision. A really awesome decision, but it's big, and I need to try to see if I can wrap my brain around it before I leap. I'll keep this on me. Thank you. Thank you very much.

*Soren looked around, at the quiet padawan in the corner, back at the master, then finally lost his composure and punched at the air, letting out a small cry of triumph. He then sprinted out of the armory and into the grounds.*

Aletra laughed softly when Soren broke down and celebrated his acceptance into the order. He seemed very excited to be here, especially compared to her, in her own mind, far more reasonable expectations. Aletra waited as Zik reseated himself and tapped away on his datapad for a few moments. She returned his smile, which became a little more warm when he asked about what she needed.

"I ate on my way here. But it has been a long day. Some rest would be very welcome."

*The Sword Saint steps inside The Dividing Line to found himself in a Weapons Emporium, and inwardly he smiles at its clever naming - the 'dividing line' - of course. How often was a blade the dividing line between so many things? But he was not here today to buy a blade; not with the great Murasame already strapped to his back. He was here to meet a man - a Jedi named Zik - and hopefully....here for a job.

Xuan approaches the counter and with a warm smile addresses the person behind it, making no assumptions as to their station or function*

"Greetings sir. I am Xuan. I was directed here by Major Cody of LANsec, regarding my application for employment. I believe I am to speak to a Master Zik, if he is available?"