An impromptu examination

[Petitioner]

She pondered for a moment, shifting her weight from her left foot to her right and back again.

“I'm impressed you've made such good progress in that time. Maybe you have a natural aptitude,” she offered. It seemed more sincere than an attempt to butter him up, but the conversation was clearly hitting that point where two reserved people who are careful not to expose more than necessary find it mutually difficult to progress. But after a brief thought, she interjected again.

“Have you ever flown a transport, Cobra? I imagine you've seen many a Gull's bridge, but perhaps under more rushed circumstances.” Though Sarita hadn't expected to be offering him a tour of her Aspis, it seemed he wasn't averse to establishing friendlier relations, or exchanging knowledge. Might as well capitalize on this.