"Nothing in life is ever free, and anything worth having is worth risking a little pain for."

"I want things to stay - simple, though."

"That is a choice you can make. But keeping things simple in the long term is hard work."

"I once encountered a remote temple on a backwater world, hidden in a mountain valley. The monks of the temple watched the clouds pass by and the stars wheel overhead, but never ventured beyond the rim of their horizon. They lived happily there, farming and singing and contemplating abstract matters of philosophy, for many generations off into the distant mists of history. Until a groundquake cracked a glacier damming the head of the valley and the lake beyond rushed in. I was in charge of the expedition that excavated the temple from under almost ten meters of silt."

"Groundquakes can be predicted and tracked, levees and canals can be constructed, but first one must know to ask the question- And more importantly, act on the information discovered."

"...Part of it's how I know I act, though."

"And if I ask her if she'll share, and she says no, then I'm not going to react the way I want to, and I'll make everything worse. And that doesn't happen so long as she doesn't say no to my face. And I'd rather never ask than be in the world where I asked, got the predictable answer, and had the predictable response."

"I understand."

"Yeah."

"Dunno if there's another solution, though..."

"...Could you talk to her? Or - someone else in your group? And just. Tell me what she says."

"Yes, if you would like, I could arrange that."

"I would."

"Then so it shall be."

"Thanks." Some tension drains out of her. 

"You are quite welcome, dear."

Grin.

"I'm glad you guys came here, you know."

"As am I."

Grin.

"Can I eat dinner with you guys? I wanted to meet Ani and Anakin, too..."

"Of course."

"Awesome!"

She's as cheerful and bubbly as usual throughout - but she's also clearly watching Occlus and Ani's interactions. Not with anything longing, but - analytically. Evaluating. 

There will be a sufficient array of normal (by their standards) behavior on display.

Something seems to satisfy her, at least.

She enjoys talking to Ani, once she gets over the initial awkwardness, and to Anakin (she gravitates towards Anakin more, though).

Good.

After dinner, while the younger people are occupied in their own conversation, Occlus fills Ani in on what she and Amajina spoke of.

Hum.

"Do you want me to talk to Elieyha, then?"

"She may take better to you than I."

"And I can provide a perspective you can't, I believe," she teases.

"I knew I kept you around for a reason."

Kiss! "Because I'm the most useful person you've ever met, Mistress."

"Yes you are, my dear."