Learned Behavior

[Sayl Bane]

*Nine years in the past*​

Just a little closer, one more stretch, carefully, carefully, now just slide the knife underneath the credit pouch and catch the chits in your own. There. Bump into them to create a distraction, mutter an apology, walk away. Good, it’s done. All there’s left to do is part from the crowd unnoticed, and no one will be the wiser. If only there was - “Hey, Little Blue!” Great, just great. That was the last thing she needed, drawing attention to herself just after a more or less successful pass. Casting a casual glance back into the crowd she quickened her pace, changing direction to convene with the group.

Once having arrived at the small clearing in the bustling crowd where the small group of other adolescents were loitering she quickly pushed the other four of them into a nearby alleyway, eyes flashing momentarily red in due part to the rising frustration at them having possibly blown her cover. That was the only telltale sign of her Chiss blood, when her eyes flickered crimson here and there whenever she was overcome with emotion. This same thing also chanced to earn her the nickname Little Blue among the ragtag group she survived with.

After making sure that the five of them were alone she spoke, her voice low, eyes having returned to their usual dark brown. “How many times have I told you not to draw attention to us? We aren’t exactly on the top of the food chain, in case you haven’t noticed.” Here she gestured to the surrounding area that made up the slums of Nal Hutta that they called home. Only thirteen, and they’d already learned the finer points of what surviving under the feet of a careless society entailed. “It’s all we can do to find enough credits to survive, out here. There’s enough karking idiots that make life difficult for us as it is.” The expletive she spoke would have shocked anyone of a higher society, but this was one of the seediest planets in the galaxy, where it was rare to find someone with common courtesy, even mere teenagers such as them.

*Present day*​

​

Dark eyes flashed crimson, the cool of the wall she leaned up against bringing her back and firmly grounding her in what was now reality. Despite being on the same Nal Hutta streets that had once been home for years, her situation was far different from what it had been. Instead of being nothing more than another street rat who stole for a living she had more of a purpose, a drive, or at least something to keep her going in the grand scheme of things. That, however, didn't mean she was certain of what it was. But it was a spark of vibrancy, and it brought color to what had once been a dismal life that she had lived out in the hopes of someday seeing her twin again, preferably alive and well. And that much had been successful, as the two had reunited and trained under the Jedi for a time. But just as quickly that life was shattered, her brother Sith, once more leaving her alone.

It was that Sayl was still at odds with, not consistently having her brother by her side. The two had been nigh inseparable up until his being sold into slavery, and had been reunited thanks to the word that traveled these same streets. Just weeks ago they had met once more on the same planet, their interactions much more volatile between the pair. It was one of many divides that had risen between the siblings, and they had impacted her far more than him, or so it seemed to be the case on the surface. While he had been off on Coruscant training and honing his talents, she had settled to wandering the galaxy, finding credits through whatever means she could and otherwise surviving however and wherever possible. It wasn't the most profitable existence, but it sufficed.

On this particular day nothing was spectacularly different, and she was merely scanning the crowds for any opportunities to make herself a few credits richer. Pickpocketing wasn't the most legal or orthodox way to go about making money, but it had served her well in the past and would continue to so. As long as she was never caught, there wasn't a real reason to stop. Certainly there had been minor incidences in the past where she had been given a talking to, but nothing that warranted her actual genuine concern. It took more than a stern warning to really get to her in any constructive way, something most were slow to learn and even slower to implement. It was live and let live, in her mind. She wasn't caught, no one ever really complained, and what was done was done.

There was, however, a strikingly light presence that stuck out to her amongst the common, troubled rabble that littered the streets of the rock of a world. A presence she recognized not for the individual, but rather how they affiliated themselves. Since when do the Jedi actually care? She'd never put much stock into the galactic peacekeepers herself, as they hadn't been useful at any point in her life, let alone at this moment. They weren't her concern, and she wouldn't bother herself either with trying to conceal her presence or seeking them out. It wasn't her problem, and she wouldn't go out of her way to find trouble. It was the last thing she needed, and they were the last company she wanted.

[member="Judah Lesan"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Crime, petty crime, was something Judah usually did not concern himself with. Only one time could he even remember interfering with a theft, and that was after the fact, nor did he make the girl pay the man for the meal. Judah took care of that himself. The one time he had gotten involved it led to the, then magenta haired, teen becoming his padawan, something which did not last for long. Sasha Voss had been her person from the beginning, restless, and Judah had not been able to give her the adventure her restless feet needed to keep her interested. The family man had been very devoted to ensuring his own son was mentored well, which led to the decision for Cambria Zadira to take Sasha while Judah finished JJ's training.

All of that had started nine years ago already. The Jedi, who was now in his mid forties, couldn't believe how quickly life had passed by. Corellia was broken, Naboo was his new home, and the Jedi had become a wanderer. While not officially tied down with any one Jedi organization, Judah spent a lot of time with the Silvers. Cambria had found her way back to them, and the sibling like bond the two shared never kept one far behind the other.

Nal Hutta was not a place Judah really wanted to be, but something in his gut told him to be there. That was so funny about the force, after years of learning its ways, sometimes it really just came down to a feeling in the gut. The shadow did what he did best, he tracked, followed, stayed in the shadow of things. There was a distinct aura he was tracking. She was conflicted on the inside, at odds with someone, something, or maybe it was herself. Either way, Judah was being his usual fixer self. There wasn't a problem Judah couldn't fix given time, or so he would tell his wife. Katara seemed to always remind him he hadn't figured out a fix for her strong will, to which Judah simply reminded her a fix wasn't necessary. Judah did wonder what he'd be encountering this time around though... was there a solution?

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

There were certain skills one obtained after years of living on the streets, one of the most prominent and useful being the ability to detect whenever someone happened to be watching said individual, whether physically or through other means. It was the watcher Sayl was intrigued by and yet wary about, perfectly aware of the dangers that came with being someone like her having someone interested in who she was. Sure, this person felt like a Jedi, but she knew that her strength hardly lay in manipulation of the Force. However much the thought of this all worried her, she found a bit of irritation in things as well. Already she had enough to worry about when it came to her family and simple survival. The last thing she needed was another variable in the equation, and most definitely not one that would add more to all that she already had to concern herself with.

But the presence was difficult to ignore, if not just due to its inherent spark of clarity, but its prominence and tendency to intrude on her subconscious when she was simply trying to get on with her life and ignore whomever was so interested her, at least outwardly. Mentally she had already calculated what escape routes would be the most valuable to employ should this turn to a less favorable outcome. That wasn't to say she was inherently expecting this stranger to try anything, but it was always better to be safe rather than sorry, especially on a planet like this. There was little way to tell when it came to how volatile any one individual would be, even if they did seem to be a Jedi. From her scant dealings with those that claimed the label, she couldn't exactly say she trusted them completely, or much at all.

There wasn't much that could be done to dissuade her pursuer without revealing herself in turn, so she had to settle for this little game of cat-and-mouse for the moment. Settling didn't mean exactly going along with things, and she wasn't about to forfeit. But it was difficult to locate the one you were so intent on finding when all you had to help was an energy field that was less than reliable and your own five senses. Sure, she knew she wasn't average, but there wasn't anything special about her either. Whatever the Jedi following her thought, she would be quick to put an end to his assumptions about whatever ability she had. She might have been Force sensitive, but after seeing all that happened to her brother she wouldn't jump at the chance to join any Order or live by any dogma. Enough of her life had been distorted by that mentality already.

So she only continued walking, picking credits from pockets and other less than secure makeshift storage here and there. Sooner or later she knew a confrontation would be necessary unless he decided to reveal himself first. For the moment she would do her best to ignore the feeling of someone watching her while continuing on with life as it had been for years previous. Wonder what Sage would do if he were here now. Try and kill this guy, probably. As long as he doesn't try anything... Sighing quietly while wondering idly why people couldn't just leave her be and live out their own lives for once she ducked into a nearby alley, deciding that if he really wanted to talk he would follow after her to do so. Otherwise she would continue walking through the alley and continue on with her own life.

[member="Judah Lesan"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Judah followed her into the alleyway. He had been going at a safe distance to not be detected, but she certainly behaved as if there was something going. The move into the alley itself tipped the Jedi off that she knew she was being followed. Was it because she could sense him? Certainly it was. This was going to be interesting. How often had Judah run into a street urchin and actually approached them? This had only happened once before. The man was very much reminded of when he confronted [member="Sasha Voss"] after not paying for a meal. The mind trick had been impressive. How Judah found himself here again, it was interesting.

"So how long have you known I was following," he asked once it was clear no one else was around.

He waited for the answer. Arms crossed, and leaning against the duracrete wall of the building closest to him, he pulled out his pipe, lit it, and began to smoke. It was a dirty habit, he knew, but Kat wasn't here to kick him out of the house and threaten to not kiss him. She had a way of deterring him from his pipe, but when she wasn't around, he typically indulged.

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

Crimson sparks flickered in otherwise dark eyes as Sayl turned to regard her would-be pursuer, a number of creative insults already on her lips. But she remained silent, studying him for a long moment, habitually determining what risk the man would pose in a fight and what her own advantages would be. It was instinctual, as in her childhood and teenage years being cornered in an environment such as this meant some kind of attack or threat was imminent. And she was smart enough to not allow herself to get stuck in such a simple and basic trap. But she had to remind herself that this was a Jedi she was dealing with, and that nine times out of ten they preferred diplomacy over any real action.

Ignoring the inquiry posed she leaned against the opposite wall as if mimicking him, pulling a spare cigarette from her pocket and lighting it and blowing smoke from the corner of her mouth. That thoughtful silence hung in the air between them for a long moment as she simply watched him, her gaze impassive and untelling of what thoughts were currently processing behind that steady gaze. "After you've been following me I'm not sure you're in the position to be asking questions, Jeedai." Huttese was spoken just as easily as Basic, for her. After living on Nal Hutta for the majority of her life, it came as a second native tongue. "But I've known for about ten, fifteen minutes, give or take."

Why did he care, anyway? It seemed that lately she had been tossed between Force using sects, never quite committing herself to one. First it had been the Ession Jedi, then something of a rogue Sith had approached her, and now there was whatever this man decided to call himself. Apparently even the Jedi didn't understand the concept of peace and just wanting to be left alone. "What do you want, anyway? There's thousands of other Force sensitives just on this planet, trust me. I'm not going to pledge myself to the defense of the galaxy, thanks." She had enough to worry about without factoring in the issues of every other sentient that called this galaxy home.

Smoke drifted from between her lips as she spoke, and she took the cigarette between index and middle finger, returning to her analysis of the stranger. It was obvious before he was Force sensitive, and it seemed he'd determined her to be as well. And he was correct, unsurprisingly. Unlike her brother she had never openly embraced her gift, choosing to keep it under wraps, only revealing it directly to those she believed deserved to know. It wasn't something she considered made her spectacularly different from anyone else, and she didn't allow it to set her apart, for good or bad. It just was, and so was she. There wasn't anything else to it.

"My brother's already a Sith. I don't need any more of that drama in my life." The big reveal had to happen sooner or later, and she would have much rather it been sooner. Maybe he would leave her alone, or at least reconsider whatever had interested him in her in the first place. What she didn't mention to herself, or him for that matter, was that she wouldn't mind having some kind of cause to dedicate herself to. It had to be better than simply living in the moment and wondering what the next day would bring with no real certainty to her lifestyle. But for the moment she didn't communicate these thoughts, remaining stubborn as she always was.

[member="Judah Lesan"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Stubborn women, Judah's life seemed to be filled with stubborn women, though, Judah learned early on never to utter that word to his wife. The redheaded Corellisi was fiery, strong-willed, determined, could set her mind on something, but she was not stubborn. Judah returned the silence with his own. The puffs from his pipe were the only sound he made, until the tobacco was sufficiently burned away. He lifted his left foot and padded the pipe against the sole of his boot to knock out the residue of the burnt substance. Inserting the pipe back into the pocket it had come from, just inside his cloak, Judah grinned.

"Yet, you answered my question."

A light chuckle escaped his mouth before the man in his mid forties pushed off the wall, and slowly closed some of the distance between them.

I've been watching your lifts, pretty impressive, but I saw each one. You're going to get caught eventually, especially if I could see what you were doing, and then what? You'll be working for the Hutts, and they'll be skimming off the top of whatever you take? If that's the case, they'll put daily quota's on you that you can't possibly meet, and in the end, you'll have a bounty on your head so high, you'll be the target. Sounds like living to me."

Judah said nothing about her brother being a Sith, ignored her comments about not wanting to be part of any force group. Been there done that, Judah had heard it before. Judah had said it before. That's why he wasn't really part of anything. Yes the Silvers got his attention, but so did any Jedi group that needed help. The thing was Judah belonged to an ideal, not some group trying to make an ideal happen. Crazy? Maybe. Regardless, Judah would rather not be tied down by those who would try, when try only led to failure.

"You know... I don't think I've defended the galaxy once. It seems to go a good job of that itself. People on the other hand, I've helped people. My way, I help them my way. Jedi, I've gone by that, but mostly, I'm just Judah. I own a vineyard, have a wife and son, an adopted daughter of sorts, who would think this conversation sounds rather familiar right about now. I simply followed because I was curious. Clearly you can use the force, and I just want to know one thing... How's life been treating you lately... honestly?"

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

Honesty. He'd only just met her, and he wanted honesty. If this Judah had been anyone else Sayl would have laughed and walked away, but something about him had her curious. How had life been treating her? There wasn't any one word explanation that would brush it all off, and she knew he wouldn't settle for 'fine' anyhow. Not if he was anything like her, which she was beginning to suspect was the case. No, he would want at least a vaguely detailed explanation, one that she wasn't quite ready to deliver. There weren't any words to say that were straightforward that wouldn't give him a reason to involve himself further with her life. And she knew better than to attempt to lie to another sensitive.

Stubborn she was, a facet of her personality that was rather easily admitted in contrast to the less favorable sides. It was that obstinance that had kept her alive and well for this long. Being one to follow through with things only if she agreed with and saw the sense in them first, she had resisted against many a stubborn deal and even an attempted kidnapping or two before others had learned that it would be in their best interests to avoid her, at least if their intent was malicious, if they valued their good health and their lives. That volatile attitude had earned her the nickname Sixer, something she still hadn't determined the origin or meaning of. But it served to keep everyone off her back, and for that reputation she was thankful.

It was her first instinct to move backwards as he stepped forward, but quickly she realized that there was a literal wall in the way of that. So she merely straightened in retaliation, exhaling another cloud of smoke, not dropping her cigarette just yet. It was a sign of measured defiance. Whatever he was hoping to spark in her, fear, respect or otherwise, she wouldn't allow herself to be daunted so easily. It wasn't in her capacity to be so easily swayed by an obvious display, and she remained unfazed and unimpressed. Her cigarette found its way to the corner of her mouth again, the minute shifts of her position the only outward signs of her general anxiety at his close proximity.

"I can't exactly afford the luxury of planning ahead. I used to be able to, before my brothers dropped off the face of the galaxy." She used to be able to do a lot of things, back when she had contacted family more or less regularly and established a life of her own on the planet of Antecedent. That had been when her elder half-sibling had still been present in her life, when he had promised to help her through things while she attempted to determine just what her place in the larger galaxy would be. That had all come to a screeching halt months previous, and she was left with nothing more but her own wits to help her survive. It wasn't living, sure, but sometimes survival was all she could ask for.

"Honestly? Nothing's been good for chit lately. My twin's...something else, my half-brother apparently forgot what it means to have this thing called family, and I'm back on the streets again with nothing else to do other than survive. Go ahead and put two and two together, because I think you're smart enough for that. But I don't want your sympathy or pity either, so don't look at me like another charity case. I'm my own person with my own life. Don't use me to make you feel better about yourself, because trust me, I'll just do my best to make you regret it if you do." There were other skills she had as well, contacts that still remained on the streets, contacts that were very good at what they did. Not that he had to know that.

[member="Judah Lesan"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Charity case! Not gonna happen. I've only ever invited one into my home and it was because what the force wanted. I followed you because the force gave that nudge, you know the one, like something is important."

Judah paused and waited. What he wanted to see was if she actually knew the feeling. He was determined to leave the planet with her as his new padawan, but she didn't need to know that. His philosophy was unique. Judah was light, but he wasn't one to blindly follow the Jedi Code either. His career had seen him do several things one might say was unJedi like, but that was Judah. He walked a fine line, but one he could because of the commitment he had to being light. He got a similar sense about this one. She could commit, and walk a fine line because of it.

"You know, there is a lot you actually have the potential for. Your skills on the street give you a unique foundation that actually could make what I teach easier. I'm a shadow, which means I work alone, I hide, infiltrate, when I have to, I steal. Most of what I do doesn't rely on the force as much as some think, but I'm trained because I still run into Sith all over, or others that want me dead. I promise those skills have put a better roof over my head than what you've got. I eat better too! I'm really here to collect a man's debts, ones he won't pay to a wife he left with three kids. I'm about to do it my way. If you're curious enough you'll follow."

He was counting on her being curious about what his way was. Turning back out of the alley, he headed toward the Sabaac Den two blocks to the west. Judah had a game he was about the be late for. Still he pressed to the girls mind.

"You ever tried winning a Sabaac Tournament with your skill set?"

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

Shadow. Moments after he departed the alley and began walking Sayl had narrowed down his destination, the words whispered into her mind a confirmation of that. It was a building she had never entered personally, preferring other ways of lining her pockets with credits necessary enough to survive. Card games and venues similar had always seemed too public for her, leaving her too easy to be discovered. Of course, that was nearly laughable, given that her own methods oftentimes left her more open than any others. But at this point she was set in her ways, and was hard-pressed to change them. But something about the way he phrased things, the very thought of a Jedi playing sabacc, was enough to intrigue her. So she followed.

"Sabacc? I've never been one for card games. They're too predictable. It gets boring." She was the sort of person that not only thrived in but required some kind of variety to keep life interesting, lest she become tired of living the same routine day in and day out. It was the reason why, despite the hardships and troubles that accompanied life on the streets, it was ultimately something she preferred. The constant risk kept her on her toes, alert, each day a reminder that she was alive. Some might have called her reckless, citing it all to an abandon of her own safety in the face of having enough fun to keep her entertained. If there was one thing that was certain, she would make quite the handful of an apprentice. Perhaps he didn't know what he was getting into, perhaps he didn't care.

Instead of following him directly she took her own route, ducking through back alleys and sometimes briefly using the rooftops to her advantage, dropping down beside him and continuing to walk as if her sudden appearance was nothing out of the ordinary. She hadn't bothered to even attempt to conceal her presence through the Force, knowing she was less than a novice in that field. But her stealth on the physical plane was something she enjoyed taking advantage of. It was a skill that required her constant improvement, unless she wished to be caught. And it seemed, for once, that particular set of skills would come in handy with this new path that was slowly unraveling before her. Perhaps it was something she was suited to, after all.

"You know, where I come from, when somebody doesn't pay their debt they get shot, and the killer takes the money for themselves anyway. That's an everyday thing on Nal Hutta. What makes this time so special?" More times than not she had witnessed the impromptu death she mentioned nonchalantly. It had grown to be a fact of life, and she accepted it as easily as she did anything else. "So you want to take me in because I happen to be a good pickpocket? I don't buy it for a second. I know that gut feeling you're talking about, because it's kept me alive for this long. Since when does the Force care about someone that's just another street rat?" She was skeptical about just what he wanted, but perhaps she could grow to like him. Maybe.

[member="Judah Lesan"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Too true, but I wasn't sent here to track down someone that is from where you come from. Instead I am about to do far worse and publicly humiliate him. Good father's don't abandon their kids, and even if the marriage ends, they certainly don't neglect financial support. He needs to be taught a lesson that killing him wont teach. The point is to get him to pay regular payments after this, and how does a dead man do that?"

There was much to learn. Certain situations required certain measures be taken. Yes gangs operated in a certain way, but when one had the force to do as they wanted, they needed to operate in a way that produced the best result. Had Judah taken a life before, many times, but only when that was clearly the best option available to him.

"And don't sell yourself short. The force picks on random people regardless of background. Who you are is not always who you have the potential to be. In fact rarely is anyone currently living at their potential. You have potential to be so much more than you are, you know it. I'm just offering a more non-traditional route to getting it. Am I a Jedi, yes, but I'm not the kind of Jedi that sits by and debates things while people go hungry and the galaxy blows itself up. Hide and run all you want, but we both know that people will keep coming and bothering you until you make a choice. Choosing to not choose isn't an option."

Judah entered the den and took a seat at the table after buying in. There would be plenty of conversation as he went about the tournament.

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

"You don't have to tell me about the father side of things." With her own dad having abandoned she and her twin shortly after their birth, only sticking around long enough to deny his parentage, Sayl was all too familiar with how scenarios such as this played out. Despite the best efforts by other parties rarely did men like this recognize their faults, and even if they were roped into paying some kind of support, that often dropped off in a few months to a year later, the father in question disappearing shortly after without a trace. It was a common tale, and one she had seen transpire time and time again. There wasn't any good reason to believe that this time around, even when she was on the outside looking in, would be any different. After all, places like Nal Hutta were where people like this came to escape.

Without comment she sat down next to him, ignoring the looks that the other patrons were giving her. It wasn't often someone like her or her companion entered places like this without good reason, and she knew there were already questions arising among the small crowds scattered about. For the moment she was content to simply watch and wait, scanning the others as they milled about and walked past, trying to pick out their mark. And, well, it wouldn't be too difficult for her to have her own idea of fun in the process. After all, most people in places like this were either too preoccupied with their game or otherwise inebriated to pay much attention to some kid that happened to wander just a bit too close. And she was one of the best at going unnoticed. It was her specialty.

Briefly she considered all that he had to say about his place in the galaxy as a Jedi and his comments in regards to the Force choosing her. It was true that she was far from a passive individual, and the general idea of actually working to change the galaxy appealed to her in some sense. Working to make a difference was always better than sitting by and waiting for something to change for the better, or making empty promises while things continued to tear themselves apart. Choosing was something she would have to do eventually, that much she knew. And the way he had described her, as someone having the potential to make a change for the better. It was something she wanted to harness eventually, an opportunity that was quite literally sitting right next to her.

"What happens when I want to do something about it? Let's say I take your offer to make a difference. What happens then?" She knew that their way of training would be far different than what had been experienced those months ago on Ession. There would be no temple, she had a feeling, no orthodox methods or strict rules to follow. It would simply be the two of them, fighting against whatever evils populated the galaxy. Certainly there would be restrictions put in place, but they would be lax, something told her, with ways to skirt around things that neither of them would entirely mind. Maybe there was a home for her among the Jedi. It just wasn't one of the traditional sort.

[member="Judah Lesan"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Then we win this tournament to put credits in our pockets, and we get out of here."

It was vague, but she'd learn that simply meant Judah went where the wind, or force, carried him. Judah went where he was needed, most of the time it was home to Naboo to be with his wife [member="Katara Starkos"], and help with the winery. It would be a great cover for the girl anyway. She would learn a skill that could be a trade for her later, and how as Jedi Shadow, she needed to know how to not behave like a Jedi. Though Judah was pretty convinced she already knew that part.

"We will likely go to my winery on Naboo, so I can assess how advanced you in the force."

Judah smiled, and collected the cards for the tournament after buying in. The only real question was whether or not the girl was in, or if she was going to walk off.

[member="Sayl Bane"]

 

[Sayl Bane]

A brief moment of hesitation passed before Sayl dug in her pockets for a handful of credits, buying into the game herself and gathering her hand, studying the cards before her. It was her own way of giving herself time to respond, acknowledging his statements but not quite responding to them. It seemed that their agenda had changed just a bit with her agreeing to his offer. Whatever she was in the galaxy, now an addition had been bestowed: Jedi. It was a strange thing to consider, her taking up the moniker of what most considered a peacekeeper at best. That her brother was Sith added to the irony. The two of them would likely clash on some battlefield or another. Where and when were the only variables.

Her eyes raised to study him with a slight smile. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm not capable of much beyond a few tricks with telekinesis and sensing presences. I'm a bit behind in comparison to others." To say the least. If she would make any kind of Jedi, it would be an unconventional one, with far from orthodox methods of going about any and everything. This was a strange sort of partnership they had formed, and she supposed in some vague sense she was his apprentice. But she wouldn't be the most obedient one to say the least, nor would she abide clearly by any standards and boundaries. No, she would do what she believed was right above all else, which was what made her both suited and unfit for this position.

Naboo. That was a planet she had never been to. In comparison to those she had frequented in the past it was far more respectable, inhabited with far less criminals and thugs and, in some light, individuals like Judah himself. People that just wanted to get by in the galaxy through any decent methods possible, people who would help others without asking for favors in return, or so she expected. People that were nearly the opposite of every ideology she had stood for and practiced in her life. But she would attempt to change, to become better, to stand for the good in the galaxy rather than just be another that couldn't have cared less about anyone other than themselves. Like him, she would help people. And through that, she would help herself.

Briefly she studied the faces of those others seated around the table, sighing quietly. "Naboo, huh? Can't say I've ever been. The furthest I've traveled is Ession, but even that was awhile ago. Not much of a traditional enclave there." Her smile then was a bit more taunting in nature. The last thing she wanted was any sort of traditional training grounds. That was an environment that would only suffocate her. "So I'm going to stay with you in your winery while we train together, then. Y'know, I've got a boyfriend who's a Jedi. Maybe you could meet him sometime." Not that it would change anything, but it would be interesting to see how the two of them got along.

[member="Judah Lesan"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Boyfriends!? Great! It wasn't enough he had to keep track of his son while [member="Sasha Voss"] had been living with them, now he was inviting a student to join him that had a boyfriend. There was going to have to be rules because seriously, Judah wasn't going to have any hanky panky in his house, unless it was him and his wife of course.

"Maybe at somepoint we can meet, but for now, you'll train. Can't have you running around the Galaxy with a limited skill set. Especially since there is so much tech out there these days."

The tournament was about to begin, and Judah motioned for Sayl to take her place. Whether she was going to watch or play, it was time to buy in and get going. Credits were to be earned, paid back to a woman who needed them, and the rest to be Judah's fuel cost to get back to Naboo. Yeah being a Jedi of your own kind meant fees sometimes, but Judah was okay with this. It wasn't like the order was paying him a stipend anymore.

"The tournament will be a great way for you to show me what you got. I'll be observing."

[member="Sayl Bane"]