Alethea was quiet as her companion spoke, moving to sit across from him when he gestured for her to do so. He explained how his master had said he was a bit of a recluse and hadn't thought such a role was meant for him, so she had begun to teach him diplomacy. That made sense, considering that diplomacy was a very important skill for a Jedi to learn. Throughout time Jedi had often been diplomats, seeking to keep peace and even, when necessary, solve conflicts. Learning to use the Force and fight with a lightsaber were also important, but many would argue that diplomacy was among one of the most important skills in a Jedi's repertoire.<br/><br/>She smiled lightly as he continued, saying that his master believed that he had a true ability for such things, and she also thought he was too modest. She chuckled a bit at the latter, "I can't speak for your diplomatic abilities, but I think she's at least right about the latter," she replied, the same small smile lingering on her lips. It was strange, if not unwelcome, for her to smile so much. She wasn't quite sure if it was because she often lacked a reason to smile, or because she generally simply didn't feel that it was necessary, but outside of rare occasions, or with certain people, she didn't smile too often.<br/><br/>In general, she had a calm, nonchalant air about her. It wasn't cold or anything like that, but most people didn't find it incredibly inviting, either Most people were drawn to those with bright smiles and unending charisma, something she often wished she had. Perhaps she had it in her to be that person, but she found it difficult when she so often felt as though she were blocking everyone out because she didn't want to deal with the never-ending bombardment of their thoughts and memories. Her gift certainly had an exceedingly vast number of uses and benefits, but it was certainly not without its drawbacks.<br/><br/>He spoke again, adding that he supposed they must all learn things outside of lightsaber combat and using the Force. To the latter, she gave a nod. "He did. Diplomacy was among the first skills he attempted to teach me. He would always say that diplomacy is just as important a skill for a Jedi as wielding a lightsaber," she explained. "You might be surprised to know that diplomacy came rather naturally to me. I guess it helps that I can read people a great deal better than most," she shrugged at the latter. "I suppose you could say that it isn't talking to people in general that's the problem for me. Speaking, mediating, those things are easy. It's trying to have an actual conversation that I have problems with. Perhaps because in a social situation, there isn't a clear objective in mind. There isn't anything in particular that I have to convey. At least, not in the same sense. Does that make sense?" she asked, unsure if it did or not.<br/><br/>"I suppose you could say that I'm good at communicating when it comes to impersonal matters. When it comes to personal matters... Trying to actually get to know someone, or talk about myself, I just don't know where to begin. Those are skills I've never really had to use." she admitted somewhat bashfully. "My master always tried to get me to learn more about others without using the Force. My response, naturally, was to hone my powers of perception and observation, separate from the Force. He then clarified that he had intended for me to go out and make some friends among the other padawans, but I never really took that advice. I tried a couple of times, but I always felt like I made a fool of myself, so I just kind of stopped trying. I guess that was foolish of me," she admitted with a self-deprecating smile, leaning back and looking toward the ceiling.<br/><br/>"Well... Enough about me," she spoke again, feeling a bit nervous in the silence. Her gaze returning to him. "We're quite the pair, aren't we?" she asked in a joking manner while her mind tried to answer the question of how one began trying to get to know another person. Thus far, she'd come up with nothing of any real value. She'd already dismissed every possible idea she'd come up with. Her options seemed to be running dangerously low, so she thought she would have to think of something soon. Or perhaps she didn't? Perhaps just talking like this was enough to at least get to know a little about one another. Maybe she didn't need to think about it so much.