"It's a very fine mode of dress, I'm sure," This part is quip, but then, quite unconscious of his effect, Obi-Wan smiles in a way that is warm and whole, "You look lovely tonight, Bethany."

She does, after all. Bethany is a lovely person, and if that's more to do with who she is than what she looks like, then it's no backhanded compliment-- rather, she is beautiful as well. But he is capable of sincere appreciation without attachment; one might easily think Bethany's charm were effortless, after all.

"I feel I might be obligated to tell you now, about how things are so much more civilized in the Republic," He begins, high-minded tone and lifted chin spoiled in the next minute by a chuckle, "But I'm afraid it's just the nature of politics that it's almost always something surprisingly petty and underhanded. Darkspawn might be simpler, at least."