Chapter 63: Trouble in Paradise

Cleaning up and giving official statements took all the way till noon, at which point both Rey and Poe felt dead inside. After this came the hours of press conferences that had the Jedi ready to bang her head into a wall. Then came the congratulations from all of the portions, at which point the woman was beginning to consider the Dark Side if it meant she could escape from such torture. Her soulless body was escorted back to her room when night fell, and she was finally allowed to rest.

Rey listlessly sat next to Fama and robotically told her about her day, though the child had gotten bored once the fighting was over. The girl told her Master she wanted to go train a bit more and tactically escaped back to her room. The Jedi didn't even mind and managed to take a shower before collapsing on her bed.

She felt rested when she woke the next day, but Rey had not fully mentally recovered from yesterday's trauma. Her assignment that day did not help as although she got to participate in an actual Hearing, it was only on the legality of Hyperspace Lane Taxation. This was an evil method used by the Corporate Alliance to force anyone who used a specific Hyperspace lane to pay them, and everyone hated the practice. However, delegate after delegate came forward to argue, having no doubt been bribed. The Hearing lasted 7 hours just for the vote to end in a tie, at which point the Jedi finally understood how the Galactic Republic could have been destroyed so easily: bureaucracy.

That day, there were no attacks by the Dark Apostles, but in the end, after a crash landing, several of their members, including Cronos and Luca, managed to escape. Rey had wanted to try to hunt them, but she now had very serious political obligations, and even Primidian had said it would likely be impossible to track them. She resigned herself to the Security Force, doing the best job she could and performing her role as best she could. That night, all she wanted to do was collapse on her bed and pass out; however, just as she and Fama ended, some light sparing a knock came from the door.

Rey wasn't expecting anyone and called, "Who is it?"

A familiar and young voice responded, "It's Walter and friends, Master Skywalker."

The Jedi wanted to run and hide, but Fama became Excited and called, "Come in."

The troop of four adolescents invaded the room looking excited, and Elise blurted energetically, "Tell us everything. How you found them, the fight, everything." As an afterthought, she added sweetly, "Please."

Walter thwarted her on the head and scowled, "You should be more respectful when you address our grandmaster."

Rey held her forehead with a hand and addressed the group, "I'm sorry, I'm really tired from the Concord. Can we do this some other time?" She thought about the padawans' situation and added, "I'm sure Finn has heard all the details already; you can ask him."

The children froze up, and Damion broke the silence with a grumble, "Actually, about that."

The eldest padawan sighed as the Jedi eyed them and explained, "Master Finn has, eh, banished us."

Rey blinked at this and felt her migraine growing; she pinched the bridge of her nose and asked, "And why is that."

Walter opened his mouth, but Elise crossed her arms and blurted, "He said we should keep training in Forum Six, but we said you told us not to."

Rey nodded at this and said, "That's all."

The girl then shrugged and went on, "He got upset and said if we only wanted to listen to you, we should just come be your padawans then."

The Jedi didn't see what was so wrong and inquired, "I don't see what's so wrong with that."

Damion spoke over his fellow padawan, who glared at him, "Well, at that point, some of his dinner guests started asking about why he went on the raid on the Dark Apostles base." The boy shrugged as well, "Elise blabbed that it was because he was on house arrest and only allowed to follow Marcus as security."

The girl pushed the boy who had been speaking and retorted, "Yeah, but that wasn't as bad as Esher saying he learned things better from Master Skywalker."

The youngest padawan, who had just been called out, stammered, "I didn't mean to; he was shouting, and I didn't understand."

Walter pinched all three of his peers and smiled a bit awkwardly as he tried to mitigate, "It was more of a wrong place, wrong time thing. Master Finn had been drinking a bit too much and had worries regarding the peace talks on his mind."

Rey was now rubbing her eyes as she groaned and asked, "You couldn't have just stayed in your rooms."

Damion snorted and grumbled, "He made us leave."

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Elice nodded and added, "With his lightsaber."

Esher shivered and remarked, "It was scary."

Walters' smile was barely maintained at this point as he offered, "It wasn't threatening."

Rey's entire being was gripped with anger as she seriously considered stripping her friend of his rank of Knight till he could better control his behavior and emotions. She recognized he was feeling upset and betrayed, but she had also been through a lot and had not chased Fama out with her lightsaber. The Jedi Master put on a forced smile and addressed the group, "I'll talk with Finn tomorrow." trying to elevate this negative experience, she added, "Think how good of a story this will make when you have padawans of your own someday."

Walter nodded quickly and nudged his comrades, "Right, well, all look back and have a good laugh once we're all Jedi Knights."

The group laughed at this weakly while Fama grumbled, "They can't have my room."

The little Mirialan glared at the other padawans, of which Walter remained focused on Rey. Esher looked away, and the remaining two stared back fiercely. Rey let out a sigh and ordered, "Walter, you can have the couch in the sitting room. Damion can have the couch in the study. Esher will have the big chair in the main room. And Elsie, you can share Fama's bed." The green-skinned girl opened her mouth to complain, but her Master released a glare that caused all the youth present to shiver. Rey rubbed her head and asked, "Do you guys need food or showers."

Walter nodded to the group and said, "We tend to stay up late training. We planned to have a lesson with Master Finn before eating, but our plans have since changed."

Rey nodded gloomily and pointed to the two bedrooms, "Showerers are that way. Start oldest to youngest, and don't waste time." She sighed while moving to a comlink and added, "I'll get you guys some food."

The four youths obeyed and were all squeaky clean in less than 10 minutes. They ate dinner as a group, and Rey couldn't help but feel rather content. Finn's padawans might not be perfect, but they had heart and were dedicated. She could almost imagine a future where they all worked together to restore the Jedi Order to what it used to be. The Jedi begrudgingly recounted the story of her investigation to help calm their nerves. She had to leave out some details, but what she did disclose, the children listened to avidly. After this, they all went to their sleeping areas, and Rey passed out constantly on her bed, not even worrying herself with the nasty glares Fama and Elise were exchanging as they entered the same room.

Luckily for Rey, the next day, she was allowed to sleep late as her Hearing began at noon and ran into the evening. When she did wake, she found her room had become a training ground full of lightsabers. Walter spared with Damion while Esher worked with a floating spherical droid and a blast helmet. Elise and Fama, beyond all odds, were gigging together as they read one of the Jedi texts. Rey had to rub her eyes and close her gaping jaw as they all looked up to see her. They smiled and, almost in unison, called, "Good Morning, Master Skywalker." Aside from Esher, who was a second late.

Elise glared at him and snapped, "You dogfish, we practiced four times."

The boy lost his focus and got hit by a weekend stun bolt, causing him to yelp and whine, "I got nerves."

Rey shook her head at this and laughed to herself before inspecting them. The youths became a bit nervous, but for the most part, her criticisms were small. Once done, she smiled, feeling much better, and remarked, "As scary as this may sound, you may all make very fine Jedi someday."

The children all grew excited, though at this moment, a knock came from the door. Esher shivered and muttered, "It's Master Finn."

His fellow padawans also shivered at this, and Rey glanced at the youth curiously. If she wasn't injured, she could have achieved such a perception easily; however, even Fama, who was younger and had more formal training, still had a difficult time identifying different people's auras. She took note of this and went to the door, opening it a crack before looking out and asking, "Can I help you."

Finn looked and smelt hungover and incredibly guilt-ridden; he couldn't even meet her eyes as he got out, "I messed up."

Rey nodded and responded, "When the Concord is over, we will be having a talk." Her eyes and voice grew serious as she reinforced this, "A long talk."

The man winced at this and clenched a fist before getting out, "Rey, have you ever considered you might be on the wrong side." He looked up, his eyes bloodshot, and stammered, "We only have one shot at this. How can you know what you're doing is right."

Rey could see the fear in her friend's eyes, and for a moment, even her faith was shaken. The moment passed, and she let out a sigh, "I don't; I can only fight for what I feel is right."

He clearly didn't accept this answer, but after a moment, he released his fist and asked, "Are the kids okay?"

Rey nodded, "There, fine; I don't think we're looking at another Kylo Ren this time."

Finn let out a relieved breath, though his expression became full of shame and sadness, "Can I see them."

Rey looked back to the children, and although Walter was fine, the others were still timid. She looked back and, for both their sake, spoke quietly, "Give them some time, clean yourself up, and come by later."

He didn't seem to understand her good intentions with this but nodded and responded, "Right, of course, they need time."

Rey nodded once more and added, "I need to go get ready. I'll see you tomorrow at the Closing Ball."

Finn nodded back and responded, "Sure, see you then."

Rey smiled and closed the door, turned to the kids, and spoke sweatily, "Finn will be by later to check in on you; he's a bit busy right now but says he's very sorry." This didn't seem to trick anyone, not even Fama, though it did take Eser a few seconds to catch on. Rey's smile wavered as she added, "He's just as new to being a Jedi as you guys are. He's doing his best, and he really does care about you."

This statement lightened the mood, at which point Walter spoke up, "Come on now, Master Skywalker, you have to go bring peace to the Galaxy. Back to training all of you."

The other children obeyed, and Rey gave the older boy an appreciative smile; he nodded abc and returned to sparring with Damion. Not too long later, Emi arrived and gazed at the crowd with her usual monotone expression, though she asked Rey, "Do you plan to build your temple here? You may not be able to afford the monthly rate."

Rey rolled her eyes, pulling her aid out of the room, and grumbled, "Just a sleepover, let go."

Emi did not reveal any surprise but remarked, "Now, this is unusual; shall I call a doctor."

Rey growled back, "You'll need a doctor if you keep teasing me."

Emi shrugged and shot back, "You wouldn't dare till the Concord is finished."

The Jedi felt completely defeated and drowned, "Enough, we have work to do."

Emi's expression did not change, though she somehow seemed very pleased and responded, "Of course."