The Jedi would only give a cheeky grin in response, for a moment, before speaking. "Yeah, yeah, I'm a tease, I've heard it all before" He cracked, nudging her playfully. "I mean, I could go be Selena Halcyon levels of grumpy if you want" He would joke with a casual shrug. "I can do that" He would add as he would make the grumpiest looking face he could. Actually, it sort of resembled Selena Halcyon. "Sochi, you're late for the warmongers meeting, report for Grandbootying immediately!" He would crack, doing his best Serena Halcyon voice. They were both active in the Order while the "Grandbooty" was in charge, he couldn't help but make a joke when he knew the both of them would likely make a joke about it. Even in a serious situation, the Jedi Master hadn't lost his sense of humor. Some people might find it childish or immature, but for him, he saw it as a positive. Cracking jokes on the battlefield tended to boost morale and keep teammates happy, he found, and despite the situation, Sochi could be considered a teammate right now. Of course, even with his jokes, his guard wasn't anywhere near down. While he conveyed it, and was as laid-back as he usually was, he would strike the moment Sochi might even seem to be about to try anything.
As for being an apparent heartthrob... To be quite honest, the Jedi Master didn't even know about that, at all. If she'd bring any of it up, he wouldn't have any clue what she was talking about. Nobody had ever actually informed him. As far as he was concerned, the teasing, the playful flirting, it was fun for everyone and hilarious to do, and didn't hurt anyone. To him, it was all in good fun. As far as he knew, nobody had actually taken it serious, nor actually acted on it.
Of course, whatever ends up happening... Happens, really. He was cool with that. He'd roll with it. Of course, even with all that, it was actually funny that he was the opposite of what his jokingly flirty personality conveyed. He was the kind of guy who preferred a long-term, committed relationship. He wasn't one for casual flings or casual sex with strangers. He was the kind of guy who deep down wanted to be a family man at some point. But his lifestyle, and the people he knew... Well, that didn't make it exactly easy.
Regardless, he was curious about why the plant life and vegetation had lasted long after the planet itself had wilted away. There was some force, some kind of magic, keeping them alive... And only now were they beginning to die. "That's a good question" He spoke quietly toward her. "It's clear there was a magic at work, but now it seems to be fading away... Is it a natural expiration... Or is there something causing it to prematurely die?"
A chill could be felt down his spine, it felt like something was crying out... Not physically, not in a way that could be heard to the regular ears, but through the Force... It felt like something was crying out in pain. That made him think that perhaps... The latter was the case. And then... Just like that... The jungle was still. Still... Quiet as death. It unnerved him. But as he would begin to move toward Sochi to mention it, he would realize he hadn't been paying attention to Sochi's movements, and hadn't realized she had gotten rather close. With his accident, it went from a slight touch to almost full blown touching face to face, and that wasn't something he planned on doing with someone he couldn't trust to not stick a lightsaber in his gut. But he did let the position linger for a moment, looking her dead in the eyes, before his eyes motioned to the fact their noses near touched and her hand was on his shoulder. "Geez, at least try dinner and a movie first" The Jedi would whisper as he moved a little to regain the position that Sochi had before he had moved without realizing the position. Back to slight touch, though he knew the reason. He had the same mindset as her on why, and would add in a whisper....
"I can hear it. But what could be happening?"
He knew that alerting what could potentially be stalking them could be dangerous.... Though his hand visibly lurked where his lightsaber was. Both in case it jumped out, or in case Sochi did.
[member="Sochi Ru"]