[Garth Wayne]

Garth blushes slightly. "Nah, 's just easier with someone worth payin' attention to."

Deciding to slightly change the conversation before either of them get to embarassed, Garth asked about Tethys's future plans.

"So when d' you get a trainee of y' own?"

[Tethys Carrack]

Tethys follows the shift in topic gratefully. "I don't know, truthfully. It has been less than a standard year since I passed my trials. Now that we're at peace... well, relatively, the Council may not be in a hurry to push padawans out of the temple. Or they may decide it is safer than before. I can't say."

She rubs the back of her neck, looking faintly... sheepish? "It is almost like becoming a parent. I'm not certain I am ready." Quirking an eyebrow at him, she adds playfully, "Are you volunteering?"

[Garth Wayne]

"Would ah have t' call ye mom? That'd be ever so slightly weird." Garth replied with a giant grin as he played of the parental reference.

"Besides, ah thought th' Academy wouldn't have me, an' ah get th' impression you're not really one t' go off book."

[Tethys Carrack]

"By all the stars, please don't," Tethys shakes her head, smiling helplessly.

"Does it seem that way? I navigate by compass more than by book," she says, holding up a wavering hand in imitation of an archaic compass needle. "But it is true, I'm not sure an apprenticeship as we arrange them is what you need. It may be, or you may be able to find your own way. Either has its risks."

[Garth Wayne]

"Yer moral compass ah have no doubts over, but t' go in direct contradiction to th' policies of th' Council?" Garth tilts his head in thought.

"Ah dunno, ah think ye'd have t' have a damn good reason fer it. But if ye wanted someone t' practice advisin' an such, ah'd definitely be interested in yer insights."

[Tethys Carrack]

"To contradict the Council, I would need a very good reason indeed, but... they can't forbid what they are not asked about," Tethys says thoughtfully, displaying the time-honored logic that has caused hundreds of generations of sentient beings across the galaxy to start tearing their hair, feathers, or scales when a Jedi comes into view.

[Garth Wayne]

"Y' ain't suggesting we keep secrets from th' Council?" Garth raises a hand to his mouth in fake shock.

"Ye're settin' a bad example for yer first student there, Master."

[Tethys Carrack]

She laughs softly. "Mmm. Taking a formal student in secret would indeed be suspicious behavior. There is nothing suspect about giving advice to a friend, though." She quirks an eyebrow at him. "Besides, wouldn't it be strange having an apprentice the same age as his master?"

[Garth Wayne]

"Mebbe, but ah think being 'neath the wing of another child of war might offer some insights, age be damned. There's a bond here, 'tween us, even if it is just a sttong friendship."

[Tethys Carrack]

"I agree," she says warmly (for her, at least). "There are no true coincidences. The Force brought us together, and in time we'll figure out why."

[Garth Wayne]

"Ah ain't in no rush." Garth replies with a smile and wink.

"Typical swoop pilot's ain't 'sactly got a long life span, but then ah don't particularly consider mahself typical."

[Tethys Carrack]

"Beings in touch with the living Force tend to live a long span of years. Unless we meet some misadventure first." Her lips quirk wryly. "But you've survived a war. Or most of one."

[Garth Wayne]

"Don' jinx it now!" Garth exclaims with a gentle punch to Tethys's shoulder.

"There's still much t' be done yet. If ah die now, it's all yer fault ya know."

[Tethys Carrack]

She shakes her head slightly, smiling again. "That's one thing to learn. There are no jinxes, no coincidences, just the Force. Get it on your side, and you'll go a long way." She laughs low in her throat. "Also, you would not want me to think all that boasting about your piloting was exaggerated, would you? Let that keep you safe."

[Garth Wayne]

"If th' Force can do all that, do we really have any free will of our own? Any agency over our own lives? If th' Force overrules chance 'n randomness can there truly be any real control by us?" Garth questions out loud.

[Tethys Carrack]

"I believe we do," she says soberly. "Our choices matter. But they are also part of a pattern bigger than we can see."

[Garth Wayne]

Garth mulls over Tethys's words for a few moments before nodding in agreement.

"Then ah'll worry about mah little actions and let the 'verse take care of th' big stuff. As mah old Huttball coach used t' say, play what's in front of you, which means ah should probably start headin' off t' the planning meeting for this attack run t'night."

[Tethys Carrack]

"I suppose you must." Tethys's lips quirk again, and she reaches out to squeeze Garth's shoulder for a moment. "Take care. And may the Force be with you."

[Garth Wayne]

Garth grins and rests his hand atop Tethys's returning the squeeze.

"Guessin' ah ain't got much choice in that, Master Carrack," he teases lightly. "But may it be wi' all of us. Ah think we might need it."

[Tethys Carrack]

"We'll have to talk about terms of address, later," Tethys says wryly. "But for now...go get them."

[Garth Wayne]

Flashing a grin, Garth dashes out towards the door.

"As you wish, Master."

/exit

[Tethys Carrack]

Tethys watches him leave, a curious expression on her face.

What have I gotten myself into?

/scene