Terminal Spires - Coruscant
The Spires is a somewhat classy club, but it caters to all the types that frequent spaceports. The elegant look the designer strove for has been subdued with a more rustic look. The long bar on the main floor is made of heavy wood and barstools with backrests line three sides of it. Dozens of tables are strewn across the main floor, except for the small stage area set up to the left of the bar. Two sets of stairs to either side of the main entrance lead up to the second level, which has windows that look out over the spaceport concourse on one side, and the city on the other. Another smaller bar is located upstairs with a smaller selection of drink mixes.
Seated at a table not too far from the stage is Ashton, dressed in his civilian clothing. His attention is on the small group performing. A tall glass of green liquid is on the table in front of him.
Moira, looking distinctly less rumpled than last night, wanders in accompanied by Kastanje. The blonde girl looks pretty upbeat, not that she's often other than cheerful. Blue-green eyes scan the club, almost passing over Ashton before something tugs at the edge of her mind. Instead, they pause, and she spots him. "Hey, Kas...it's Ashton." Nodding with her head to the Knight, to indicate him, she stops there. After all, they did come with the idea of talking amongst themselves, and Ashton's there alone. So she's not sure if they should interrupt him. For now, she just points him out, though in the future the girl might make her way over.
Kastanje doesn't see the Jedi Knight immediately among the other club patrons, but she hears Moira pointing him out to her, and so automatically flashes a smile in the direction the Padawan nods and calls over "Hello Ashton!" It's only after that that she notices he's by the bandstand on not even paying attention. The captain's ears redden slightly in embarrassment. "Well, shall we grab a table somewhere Moira? Worry about drinks if we need them later."
Ashton turns in his seat as the voice carries across the room. He smiles and waves at both Moira and Kastanje as the band plays on. Luckily, the group isn't very loud or he probably wouldn't be sitting within spitting distance of the stage. He lifts his own glass and takes a drink with one hand, beckoning them over with his free hand.
"Why not join him?" the Padawan suggests. Then, making her way through tables a bit more gracefully than she makes her way through the streets, the girl moves over towards the table Ashton's at, turning back occasionally to make sure Kas is following. Once at the table, she smiles and nods in greeting. "Evening, Ashton. How're you?"
Kastanje nods an affirmative that Moira probably misses as she heads towards Ashton. She peers at his drink for a moment, trying to match the green color to what she knows of the menu here. "You all have the evening off from training?" She surmises, glancing between the two Jedi good-naturedly as she pulls out a seat.
Ashton offers a smile to both ladies as they join him, rising from his seat until both are seated. At the Temple, Moira may be a student, but out here in public he affords her the respect due a woman. "Evening Moira," he says as she takes a seat, and then his smile widens just a bit at Kastanje. "Hello Captain. It's good to see you..." After both are seated, he waggles a finger at one of the cocktail waitresses.
Well, that's surprising. However, Moira takes it in stride- if she reacted to everything that slightly surprised her, she'd be a wreck. She waits for Kas to take a seat, and then does so herself. The girl does, however, take a pause at the thought of having to get a drink. Not a whole lot of good experiences with the whole 'beverage' thing. It'll have to be water, most likely.
Kastanje inclines her head to Ashton as he rises from the table, matching his wide smile with a friendly one of her own. Whatever surprises Moira is completely missed by the Captain. "How'd your evening go the other night, Ashton?" She asks conversationally, and then notices something about Moira's expression. Probably whatever shocked her, but she takes it to refer to Ashton's summoning of a waitress. "I can help you find something non-alcoholic, if you're worried about that Moira?"
The Twi'lek waitress approaches the table. "Another of these... wait, make it two." Ashton says as he turns to Moira. He slides his glass over to her. "Take a sip. It's a cold tea made from a leaf on my planet. It's called Tralusian Leaf tea. No alcohol. See if you like it - it's a pretty good alternative to drinking if you like it." He turns to Kastanje, gesturing towards the waitress, as if she should feel free to order what she wanted, and he answers her question. "Not a bad night... was kind of fun getting out and seeing a few of my old friends for a night..." he lies calmly.
Moira accepts the proffered tea gratefully, taking one tentative sip. Nodding appreciatively, she places it on the table before her. "Thank you," the girl says with a smile.
"A Rodian Orange Twist please?" Kastanje asks of the Twi'lek waitress with a pleasant smile, and then turns her attention back to the two Jedi at the table. "Old friends, Ashton? That's always nice to hear. I was starting to get the impression not many of you Jedi left your complex to socialize..."
Ashton nods the waitress away and offers Kastanje a small smile. "You really think we're that anti-social?" He shakes his head and the smile lessens. "Yeah, I guess it would seem that way." Shrugging, he looks back and forth between both Moira and Kastanje. "Well, see I was discovered when I was about two years old. I was born on Tralus. Since the Master who found me lived on Coruscant, he brought me here. Unlike many of the padawan," he says, gesturing to Moira, "I wasn't raised on Ossus. I grew up here in the Temple. As Moira can tell you, there aren't as many restrictions placed on padawan here, so I was able to get out a bit more than most padawan did." He clams up as the waitress returns with the drinks.
Moira nods in agreement. "That's certainly true. Back on Ossus, I wouldn't be wandering around like this- not without having told someone where I was going, and with whom. Not to mention when I'd be back." The girl smiles slightly, looking down into her drink. "However, the Master who spent the most time looking after me was a little protective." Moira also turns to look at Kas, thinking for a moment. "I don't mean to be a shut in, though. It's just, there's a lot to do, what with trying to learn and all."
Kastanje listens with an appropriately attentive expression on her face, and then offers a somewhat apologetic smile. "I didn't mean to imply anything about Jedi social habits, Ashton. I'm still learning what's normal compared to my own frame of reference." She inclines her head to Moira in understanding. "Ithor was a bit like that for me when I was in their medical school. Very strict. But for the most part I've been used to just going wherever and talking to whomever strikes me as interesting." She accepts the alarmingly orange-hued drink as the waitress brings it, smiling her thanks as fingers wrapping around the tall, thin glass.
Ashton flashes a grin at Kastanje, lifting his hand as if to wave it off. "Oh don't worry... your assumptions are pretty on target." His eyes linger for just a moment, and then he shrugs. "I think I'm more the exception to the rule. Which is why I am a bit more lenient with these guys than most Knights would be." A small, humor-filled smirk crosses his face. "But some of them grow quite a bit from making their own mistakes. Such as..." and he gestures not only to Tai Jinn as he enters, but waving the padawan over as well. "And become better students, too..." he says, a bit quietly.
Stepping in from the outside, Tai instantly finds himself being beckoned towards by the table he would have joined at any rate. Smiling, he proceeds to the group and stands there amongst them. "Good evening... I thought I'd take an opportunity to get out now while I have the chance." He doesn't elaborate much but just offers a look to Ashton, expecting the knight to know and understand to some degree what he's talking about.
Kastanje bobs her head silently in acceptance of Ashton's words, her mouth occupied for the moment with taking a sip of her drink. Lips pucker slightly at the sour tang to the orange twist as she peers in the direction of the Knight's gesture, not seeing Tai until he's nearly to the table. A welcoming smile is offered the young man, and she gestures to an empty chair. "While you have a chance?" Tanya repeats, sounding curious. She flashes a quick grin over at Ashton as she says, "I guess some of your teachers aren't so lenient about skipping out on training to socialize, Tai."
Ashton gestures with his free hand toward the only remaining chair at the table. "Have a seat..." At Kastanje's question, he kind of smiles. Yes, he knew what the future held for the padawan. And he knew it wasn't going to be easy, but Tai would persevere and emerge triumphant, he was sure of that. Of course, Moira was coming right along too. And pretty soon, she too would be studying and socializing less... and strengthening her Force powers a bit more. "Want something to drink?" Ashton asks, waving the waitress over. "Corellian Sunrise or something?"
As Tai sits down, he shoots a look at Ashton with a quirked eyebrow. "I believe I'll pass on the sunrise... the last two times I've had them have been less than... what I expected." As in first he, then Moira got drunk. Speaking of Moira, he glances at her and smiles to the woman before returning his attention to Kas's question. "Well, sort of... I have some tests coming up soon that I will be spending time with." Of course, he won't elaborate, as it would be a bit out of place for him to do so.
Moira nods to Kas's comment about studies, looking up as well as Tai comes in. The girl smiles at him, waving as well. She expects him to sense the group, but just in case, a visual won't hurt. She occasionally sips the tea before her- thank goodness, finally something that will leave her able to walk home. "How're you tonight, Tai?" The girl asks by way of greeting."
"Ithorian sunrise, if you want the better one," Kastanje corrects good-naturedly, happily oblivious to the futures of her friends and concerned merely with the here and now. "No wonder you've been having issues with them. The Corellian variety is mildly alcoholic, and doesn't take the effort to strain the Jeyra juice either." She wrinkles her nose up as if this were an insult to the plant that bore the fruit. "Tests?" An eyebrow arches, the medic woman still as curious as ever. She takes another sip of her drink, grimacing even more at the sourness this time, but her eyes twinkling with enjoyment of the drink.
Ashton doesn't say anything as Kastanje asks about the tests. Tai was dropping hints at it and as much as he might think he knows, the Knight is pretty sure the padawan has no clue what is about to happen to him next. Shooting a sidelong glance at Moira, he nods. "Aside from the half-year I spent out near Corellia, I never drank. Got kind of used to the lum for a while, but prefer tea over alcohol."
Smiling at Moira, Tai nods a bit. "I am doing quite well, you?" he inquires to her even as he turns to look to Kas once again. "I'm not sure what particularly they consist of, but I do know I was told to rest up and make sure I am prepared for the next couple of days." Being as he's the only one without a drink, he flags down a waitress, requesting the same type of tea that Moira has.
Moira nods, in reply to Ashton's statement. "I've only done so once. Not something I want to repeat. I like to be able to walk." She too falls silent, though, as Tai talks of tests. She doesn't even claim to know what they'll be like, and the girl actually refuses to worry about it at this time. Too much to be done, in relation to training to think that far ahead. She does, however, reply to the inquiry about her well-being. "I'm actually alright. Thank you." This is said in a cheerful tone, though the volume is kept down.
Kastanje chuckles softly at the various comments regarding alcohol. "You do realize that if you drink small amounts of it regularly, you won't react nearly so strongly to it?" That should be common sense, but it's possible these Padawan are as ignorant of the ways of alcohol as they are of relationships, so the Captain mentions it all the same. "I don't like being drunk myself - the loss of control just isn't fun for me - but I *also* don't want someone to be able to pour a little liquor into my drink and have it affect me so much." She shrugs absently. "A little bit of a drink helps me relax sometimes, too." But then that topic is discarded in favor of these intriguing tests no one seems to be able to tell her about. "Will wishing you luck help any, Tai? Sounds to me like they've got something rather impressive planned if you've been warned to stay rested."
Shrugging mildly to Kas, Tai nods his gratitude to the waitress as his glass of tea is placed in front of him. Sipping it, he doesn't make a face, already knowing what to expect even though he's never had it before. Eyes locking up Moira for a moment, a small frown creases his face, "Moi... how can you drink this stuff and enjoy it is beyond me." Finally having moisture in his throat he is once again able to talk with Kas. "I really don't think luck will have much to do with it, but thank you for the gesture at any rate."
"It's not that bad," is Moira's reply. "Though it's certainly okay for you to not like it." She pauses, debating whether or not it's okay to ask her next question. Then, she shrugs it off and does so anyway. It's Tai's perogative to not answer. "When does it all start, Tai?" 'It' meaning the whole test process.
Mouth working to try and clear some of the lingering drink-sourness enough to talk properly, Kastanje flashes a grin over at Tai. "Some people have odd tastes, Tai - Besides, I think Ashton was the one who originally ordered the tea." She listens for more information on these tests in response to Moira's question, a hand reaching up to push a few stray hairs behind her ears.
"It's actually an acquired taste," Ashton says to Tai as he lifts his own glass of tea and finishes it off, "It's a tea made from a leaf grown only on Tralus, my home planet." He grins at Tai for a moment, "but no offense taken..." Setting the glass down on the table, he begins to rise from his seat. "Now, if you all will excuse me, I think I'd better get back to the Temple. I need to speak to the Headmaster about something." He inclines his head to all three. He glances back and forth between Moira and Tai. "I'll cover for you for an hour or so. Don't stay out too late or Master Phanton will not be happy." This last directed at Tai in a friendly way. He smiles as Kastanje. "Have a nice evening, Captain. It was a pleasure seeing you again." Stepping away from the table, he finds his way through the growing crowd at the late-night establishment.
Tai nods to Ashton, not showing embarrassment at having insulted something from his home world. There is no embarrassment after all. As the Knight excuses himself, Tai offers yet another nod of thanks for being allowed to stay out for a period of time longer. Looking to Moira, he speaks quietly to her. "I believe they are to begin tomorrow... there is a strong chance I will be out of contact for several days, perhaps a week or longer depending upon the tasks I undergo." Hesitating, he adds with a smile to her. "It's something I'll be undertaking completely by myself with perhaps a Master to supervise." So Tai'll be away for a while.
Moira blinks- stay out too late? How late was it now? "Thank you, Ashton," she says to the Knight as he wanders off. Then, to Tai, she nods. "Alright. That explains needing rest." Moira's not particularly worried about the news- she just takes it in stride. After all, it's just another stage in training. She doesn't wish him luck, for she fully expects him to do well. So what's he need luck for?
"Makes sense," Kastanje voices, unable to keep from overhearing and commenting on the additional information Tai volunteers. "After all, you are the one being tested. It's a good plan to do something like that without the influence of other people." She wrinkles her nose, "Military could probably learn something from it, but we don't have the personnel to supervise individual testing for everything." Another sip of her drink is taken and then she decides to add with a friendly smile, "I'll miss your company in the meantime, Tai."
"I know Kas." Tai says quietly smiling to the woman, "I'll miss your company as well. I hadn't realize how attached I've grown to having you around, perhaps this is part of the training in itself, separation from friends." As he speaks, there is a quiet underlying of something more though, probably concerning Moira that he doesn't want to speak in a loud bar with others about. "I guess this means though you'll have to stay out of trouble until I'm able to return to my normal type training."
The girl, currently sitting quietly at the table, turns to look at Kastanje. It's that gaze that makes her look several years younger than she actually is. Then, she smiles. "Don't worry about it, Tai. I'll keep an eye on her, if she'll do the same for me." Moira means this in an "I'll watch your back if you'll watch mine" kind of way, not in an "I'll save you, my Princess" kind of way. Hopefully, this comes across in her tone, for the words could easily be taken as the latter. "You shouldn't worry about things irrelevant to what's going on. Not during something so important." Did Moira just call herself and Kastanje irrelevant? Well, yes, but when it comes to his training, they are.
Kastanje wrinkles her nose up at those instructions, though she looks over rather fondly at Tai for his comment. "You know I don't really have control over the trouble I get into," she points out, and then tips her glass up to finish off the last of the drink, and then inclines her head to Moira's 'we'll keep an eye on each other for you' comment. "Yep, don't worry about us Tai. Believe it or not, us females can actually protect ourselves," she winks over at the Padawan in a joking manner, apparently understanding what Moira said but making a joke on the potential misunderstanding.
Tai's look is dry but the corners of his lips are tugging in a smile. "You two protecting each other is what has me concerned the most... I don't know how well associating between you two will further my own sanity. The person I share everything with... and the person I share everything else with. If the two of you really collaborated, you'd know everything about me." Sipping the tea, he looks over the rim of the glass at the two women, suddenly realizing the error of his statements.
Moira Brennan stares for a minute, and then cracks a grin. Never put ideas in her head. She holds the look for a moment, and then it fades to a more reserved smile. "Would you like us to not discuss you?" This is said just sweetly enough that it's obvious she now fully intends to do so. Unless, of course, he asks her not to. She's pretty good about honoring requests.
Kastanje gets a positively mischievous expression on her face; eyes alight with an impish gleam, and all for Tai's benefit. The past has already proven her quite willing to talk about her friends with other friends, and Tai is hardly immune. But yes, after that comment, she'll most definitely have to compare notes with Moira... After all, wouldn't want to be caught knowing less than everything about Tai by the time he returns. "And would that really be so bad?" She queries innocently.
Still looking over the edge of his cup, Tai finally sets it down on the table and looks at the two women. "Would it truly be that bad? I don't know..." Pausing, he smiles very thinly. "I think between the both of you, interesting conversations are going to pop up... perhaps Kas will hear things about me she doesn't want to." Quirking an eyebrow at Moira he speaks again. "And maybe Moira will find out some things she doesn't expect to... who knows. I'm not going to interfere between women gossiping though."
Moira can't help it, she laughs. "Poor Tai. Don't worry; my good opinion of you is permanently fixed. I just think having a 'gossip session' could be...educational. Which reminds me." The Padawan girl turns to look at Kastanje, an expression of realization on her face. "We never got to talking about medicine. May I come visit you, in the future, so I can talk to you about it?"
Kastanje grins in a much less worrisome manner over to Tai. "I'd figure it all out eventually on my own Tai," she claims with a wink. "Don't worry about it." Moira receives an agreeable nod, and then the Captain pushes her chair away from the table and stands up. "Oh, certainly! Feel free to seek me out if you have any questions before I run into you next, Moira." The empty glass is set on the table, and then Kas raises a hand in a bit of a wave to the two. "I think I'll leave gossip and medicine for another time though... High time for me to get home for the evening. I've got a number of reports I have to go over before tomorrow," she explains, looking rather dismayed. "You two enjoy yourselves though!"
Tai glances at a chrono nearby and recognizes the time as Kas mentions it. Frowning slightly, he chuckles and shakes his head, "It appears the evening draws to a close for me as well... I shouldn't be out this late at all, especially since things are going to be happening that will require my fullest attention." Looking to Kas, he smiles warmly at the woman. "Until I see you next Kas, do take care, ok?" And naturally, Kas receives a hug from Tai, of course he's just too lazy to physically do it, so he does it in his special way.
"Thank you," Moira says. "Have a good night. I'll certainly come bother you- make it a reason to 'get out more,' so to speak." She smiles cheerfully at the other woman, as she makes her way towards the door, then looks to Tai. "You know, we'd better get back to the complex before someone starts to worry. Plus, I can't in good conscience keep you up, when you've got a lot to do tomorrow." Of course, Tai just said as much himself. Moira's just making her own opinion known.
END OF LOG