Nar Shaddaa

The Root was a more upscale date spot in in the Red Light District. It offered dinner, drinks, and a live band with a dance floor. It wasn't horribly large, and reservations were expected, but still fairly easy to get. The music was classic, and very easy to dance to. It also gave the place a certain romantic ambiance.

Z arrived, with Aphr on his arm, and approached the host, informing the man of their reservation. "So what do you think?" He asked to Aphr as he turned his eyes towards her.

Aphr hadn't dressed up for going out like this before. She was wearing the dress Zane had bought for her, and the beautiful necklace that he had given her. She seemed to have another pendant on a longer and less fancy chain that was tucked into the top of the dress. She had found a handbag that matched the dress, and carried it on the arm that wasn't holding onto his. She smiled as he addressed him, looking at the dance floor.

"Absolutely terrifying" she said half-seriously, turning to look up at him "but not even close to what has scared me recently, so it's an improvement."

"It's not that bad." He said with a chuckle, as they moved towards their table. He'd pull out Aphr's chair for her as they arrived, seeing her seated before moving around to the other side of the table. "Just remember, you have no reason at all to be nervous. You belong here."

No I don't she thought to herself as she took the seat, smiling and nodding "I'll bear that in mind, and try to be convincing" she chuckled gently "so, now what? What should a lady that belongs here do now?"

If she said it out loud he would disagree, but he merely watched her and offered a smile. "We start with chit-chat, small questions to get to know each other better, to try to predict how the night will go. It's a bit of a game really, but it can be quite entertaining. Don't worry too much, I'll lead the way."

"Would you care for some wine?" He asked his eyes on Aphr, and his demeanor changed slightly. Less like a teacher and more like a date.

Aphr laughed. "Well, I'll try this I guess" she leaned on her hand, watching Aphr as he changed. "I would love some wine, what kind is it?" She asked, curious.

"I was thinking a white, something on the sweeter side less dry." He replied causally his eyes never leaving her as they chatted. "Though I'm open to suggestion should you desire something else."

"I had a...really terrible red recently" Aphr chuckled "so a nice white would be lovely. I entirely trust your choices on our drinks" she smiled at him, a little shyly as Zane was an expert here and she was entirely a novice "I do love a sweet drink."

"All that was available? Or does someone just have a poor taste in wines?" He asked with a smirk, still carefully watching her. "I know, and maybe we'll get dessert as well. After a bit of dancing of course."

He called the waiter over and placed the order for wine, picking up the menu. "I generally try for something the matches my drink. In all honesty though, you can pick whatever you like." The dishes it seemed were mainly pasta. Of various sorts

"I don't have a taste in wine" Aphr laughed, accepting the menu. She looked over the many pastas, marvelling in the idea that such a simple dish can be done so many ways...too many ways!

"I don't know what to have" she said quietly, looking to him for a moment "anything you would recommend avoiding?"

He chuckled. "Well I can teach you a few things about wine if you like. Hopefully you'll like the one I picked."

"A few." He pointed out a few to her. "These likely won't go to well with the wine." He looked over the menu a few moments longer before pointing out a few others containing her least favorite foods. "Is avoid these as well, you probably won't like them."

"We'll soon find out" Aphr said with a smile, before focusing on what was in front of her. She noted the ones that Zane recommended against, and a few more that she wouldn't like. Eventually, she decided on a simple pasta with vegetables and no meat - a safe option, she thought.

"Good choice." He offered with a smile, the waiter coming over with the wine and to take their orders. After glasses were poured, Zane picked his up and looked at Aphr.

"A toast?" He asked as much as said. "To new memories?"

"A toast to new memories" Aphr agreed, bringing her glass up, chinking against his before taking a sip.

"That's...really nice!" she said after a moment of enjoying the taste "how did you learn so much about wine?"

"Practice." He replied with a chuckle. "Hours and hours of practice."

"A man does not learn to drink in a day after all." He grinned. "You don't even want to know how much practice there was..."

"We haven't got into the liquors and cocktail yet after all."

"Practice?" Aphr laughed "that sounds like a lot of headaches and painful nights to learn about the many different kinds. I'll have to try and benefit from your vast expertise then. What is your favourite drink?"

"It was, but most things take that level of work. If you really want to use them in your life at least." He smiled softly. "Ill teach you what I can though, while I have the time."

"As for my favorite drink... Two fingers of whiskey with four rocks, fill the rest of the glass with water."

"While you have time sounds very final" Aphr said quietly, a look of concern on her features "how long do you have left before you leave?"

"A couple days." He offered simply after a brief pause. "Won't be back for a long time after that as well. There will be far too many eyes looking in my direction."

He looked at her and smiled softly, his hand reaching half way across the table. She could chose to hold it or not at her leisure. "I wish I could be here to help you Aphr, but I can't. All I can do is offer you a bunk on my ship if you want to get away from things."

Aphr reached the rest of the way, her hand resting on his. "I understand, and thank you. I have my own situation to face, after this. A vision of what me and Galen are going to suffer. However..." she sighed, and shook her head "even if I come out of that, my path is set already. To learn and understand the Force. To become stronger, so I can protect those I care for. I've stood aside, being no more than a voice, for long enough."

"So this will be out parting." He replied with a soft chuckle. "I suppose we should make it a memorable one then." His eyes moved towards hers, a question behind them. "Could I ask who it is you will be training with?" It was important he know, was it the jedi? The sith?

"I'll be honest."

She paused for a few moments, before shaking her head and saying "I have no idea. Rather embarrassing, huh? Two days until I leave and I don't even know where I'm going."

"No, in a way that's fine, we dont need a destination after all, just a path." He offered her a warm smile. "I'd prefer your path lead you towards the jedi, or the witches on the world below."

"I know those aren't your only options though, and while I pray you don't choose the sith. I know it's a possibility."

"My experiences with the Jedi have been really quite bad. I think I mentioned the meal to you?" She asked

"You have." He offered with a small smile. "I wish I could say all jedi masters weren't like her, but it seems like more then a few have their character flaws."

He watched her closely. "Have your interaction with the sith been that much better?"