fandomhigh | Flight Club [after classes]

It was a lot quieter outside the flight shed today than it had been last Monday, and whether that was a good thing or a bad one, Tahiri was withholding judgment on the question.

"Hey, everyone," she said, fiddling with her comlink just for the sake of something to do with her hands. "So . . . end of the semester already, huh? After last night, and with more finals to go for a lot of us, it seems like today should be a pretty easygoing day. Like Warren said a couple of weeks ago, this point in the semester ought to be for fun. Of course, some of us --" she gave Ben an amused but pointed look -- "have different ideas of what counts as fun. So we've got a few different choices for you today, to blow off some of that finals stress steam."

Ben's eyes twinkled back at her. "For the space option, we're going to let you get back into a snubfighter--but this time it's the A-Wing, which is a lot zippier than the X-Wing. I know this makes me a traitor to the family and stuff, but it's totally astral for flying through asteroid fields."

Ben had a strange sense of fun. "So that's what you'll be doing. Try not to get smushed."

Tahiri was so not surprised about his strange sense of fun. "And for your atmospheric option today, have an XCOR EZ-Rocket experimental plane, and see how fast you can get those twin rocket engines to go."

Ben smiled at everyone. "And there's pizza and ice cream, as well. Don't take it too near the sims."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

By screaming "I HATE YOU!" from beside a pit of lava?

"Normally by saying 'you're wrong,' but not in front of people," Anakin declared.

Beat.

"Most of the time there weren't people. Does the Council count as people?"

"I don't know," Leia said, trying not to laugh, "would the senate count as people if I stood up and told the Emperor he was wrong in front of them?"

"That would be an incredibly stupid thing to do," Anakin said. Diplomatically.

"Which is why I'm here instead of taking my father's seat right away," Leia sighed.

Anakin nodded. "Give the Emperor a little time to cool down," he counseled.

Not that it would help all that much...

"My feelings on slavery and genocide are already well-known," Leia pointed out. "He's not liable to forget that no matter how long I'm gone."

"Well, yes," Anakin admitted, "but it's very likely that someone else will do something irritating before you return and he can take his wrath on them instead."

"That's not very comforting," Leia said. "I'd never want someone to suffer in my place."

"They're suffering in their own place," Anakin said. "The Emperor's a sadistic bastard."

Not that you're supposed to know personally, Anakin.

"Which is all the more reason he has to be stopped," Leia said, then sighed in frustration. "And I'm here and unable to help."

"You're here and able to learn things the Emperor can't even imagine," Anakin said. "You'll help. Be patient."

"I don't want to go insane wondering about what's going on," Leia said. "But I feel helpless."

"I know the feeling well," Anakin said, mind casting about for a project to give Leia so she wouldn't drive herself crazy. "We could work on your flying while you're here too?"

"That would certainly help keep me occupied," Leia said, nodding. "I barely made it from Kashyyyk to Alderaan by myself." Thanks mainly to autopilot and Artoo.

"That will never do," Anakin declared. "We Skywalkers have a reputation for superior piloting to maintain."

"Flying wasn't exactly part of the curriculum at the Alderaan Select Academy for Young Ladies," Leia said. "I'd love for you to teach me more."

"There hasn't been a ship built that I can't fly," Anakin said, "and Luke has the same gift. No reason to assume you don't as well."

"Ben seemed surprised that I didn't know how to when I first showed up for Flight Club," Leia said. "So I think that's a good assumption. And I'm a faster learner."

"Of course you are," Anakin said with a proud grin. "Your mother was queen at thirteen. Being brilliant is in your blood."

"And humility as well," Leia teased.

"We're galactically renowned for our humility," Anakin lied, grinning.

"Are there any other qualities I should be aware of?" Leia said, grinning back.

No, not whining. She didn't get that gene.

The bad parenting, then?

"We're very strong in the Force, too," Anakin replied.

"That part I knew," Leia said. "I was Vader's apprentice for a few days, much as I wish I could forget that." The thought of it still made her skin crawl.

"But at least being stuck with those memories helps me appreciate how tempting the Dark Side can be," she went on. "I just don't want to ever end up in the same situation she did."

"I won't allow it," Anakin said firmly. "I'd kill him first."

And what a fun little paradox that would set up.

Re: Talk to Anakin [4/19]

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