o:o:o
Phaelon smirked as the cockpit sealed itself shut and she brought the X-wing up on its repulsors. As much as she hated to admit it, the students had been right: the new teachers were still focused on the wartime goal of survival. They had forgotten how to have fun, but their "class" had reminded them that the Force would not strike them dead if they dared to laugh or act like "normal" beings every once in a while.
She flicked through the weapons settings as she brought the engines online and rocketed towards the space above the Academy. With the help of Jysella and some of the more technically-minded Jedi, they had traded the formidable weapons systems for something akin to paint missiles and lasers. Finally, she reined in the engines and corkscrewed through the clouds for the pure fun of being able to.
Entering the black vastness of space, she reached out with the Force to the students waiting for her. Jysella felt excited, while the others seemed wary as they sensed something other than annoyance from their teacher.
She thumbed the com switch to their frequency. "We're playing a new game today to test your Jedi skills and teach you the workings of your targeting computers. One person will be "it" and attempt to paint the rest with a targeting lock. You're to use your abilities and those of your friends to break that lock, because if you don't by the time the lock is green, they'll fire a paint missile and then you're it." – She tried to explain the rules as clearly as Jysella had explained them to her. – "Any questions?"
Four games of tag later, Phaelon brought the X-wing back to the hangar and carefully lowered it onto its landing struts. She popped the canopy and carefully slid to the ground. A tech appeared out of nowhere to refuel the fighter and stopped abruptly, his eyes widening and a funny look on his face as he surveyed the ship. "A very…unique…paint scheme, Jedi Lei," he muttered.
Phaelon turned towards her ship with a grin. The normally gray fighter was splashed with green, purple, red, and black. "It needed to repainted anyway," she said, turning away to where another small student was running forward.
"Jedi Lei," he said, skidding to a stop in front of her. "Master Skywalker wishes to speak with you as soon as you are able."
With a glance back at the now-strangely painted ship, she followed the student from the hangar.
o:o:o
Luke Skywalker was sitting cross-legged in one of the many meditation chambers when Phaelon found him. "Jedi Lei," he said when she appeared. "I heard the students talking about your class. It seems you may have discovered a new talent."
He continued before she could speak. "I don't need an explanation. In fact, I'm glad you've finally accepted the position – but I also know you'd much rather be doing something away from the Academy. I had hoped that by giving you a teaching position, you would choose a student as an Apprentice."
She shook her head. "Master Skywalker, we've had this discussion before. I don't - "
" – have the patience for a Apprentice," he finished with a frown. "Yes, I know. I'm obliged to tell you that this vehement refusal of yours is the only thing precluding us from making you a Master. Your performance in the war was admirable enough to warrant giving you your Mastery, but there are some on the Council who've argued against the appointment until you've taken an Apprentice." – He smiled – "All I'm asking is that you meditate on it."
"More rock lifting?" she asked, raising her eyebrow.
"I'll leave your method of meditation up to you," he replied, getting to his feet and moving to the door. "But please consider it."
She chewed on her lower lip for a moment before inclining her head. "If it is the will of the Force, than I shall."
With a nod and a smile, he left the room. Phaelon stood in the center of the chamber for a moment, letting the Force swirl around her. Finally, she followed its pull from the chamber, allowing it to guide her movements.
o:o:o