...She thinks she maybe needs to - discuss some of this with someone not in her head... But maybe after some time to sort things, and...

...Uh maybe she'll comm one of her old friends, actually.

Fair enough.

Nod! (Tiny squirm.)

In the morning, perhaps. It's nearly time for bed.

Yeah.

"Goodnight, Elesse."

"Good night, Anakin."

Grin!

And off to get ready for bed (and briefly recenter herself, though she's too tired to really do more than just calming meditation).

She's just as horrid a morning person as normal the next day, and comms her friend before Elesse wakes up. (And still leaves herself time to prepare morning tea for Elesse, of course.)

Very thoughtful. Hopefully her mind is clear for her first day of Jedi training.

She thinks so!

(She's maybe a bit blushy when Elesse first wakes up, but she gets over it quickly.)

Then they will begin.

Okay!

Anakin throws herself into Jedi training with immense eagerness, of course, delighting in most of the new things she encounters, and gamely putting up with the stuff that's boring but necessary.

She's definitely most enthused about anything potential leading up to getting a lightsaber, though.

Acquiring a crystal is usually one of the last things done as an initiate. Elesse arranges their outing to Ilum for a few weeks later.

She's excited!!! And mostly successfully minimizing the bouncing.

What'll she be doing?

Ilum is a largely icy world, home to an extensive series of crystal caverns. Anakin's task will be to delve into one of these and retrieve a focusing crystal for her lightsaber.

"Which will be whichever one feels right in the Force?"

"That is the idea. The crystals we use are kyber crystals, which are unique among inorganic compounds in that they have a Force signature. You will be searching for a crystal with a signature that resonates with your own."

"Okay. Any dangers I should look out for?"

"Mostly the climate. Ilum is very cold, and you will need proper gear. There are occasional wildlife intrusions to the caves as well."

"But more than anything else, your own psyche will challenge you. Your doubts, hopes, fears, dreams, will all be amplified and reflected back at you by the crystals, sometimes in strange ways."

"Visions, then?"

"Usually, yes."

"Okay. I'll be on my guard."

"Knowing your own mind will be the greatest defense."

"We've been doing a lot of work on that lately." Soft smile. "I'll try not to get overconfident, though."

"Good."

They can get Anakin kitted out, and she can spend the flight reviewing information on the local conditions. Elesse leaves the final descent in her hands.

"Be back soon," she says, and then sets out into the caves.