"I'll do my best to stay alive."

She turns her face toward Elesse and smiles a little. "You better."

"It's a promise."

Snuggles.

"...I think those're - all the parts that were bothering me immediately."

"Do you feel better about them now?"

"A bit? Some of it - can't really be resolved, I guess? Like the alone me... And it's hard to - feel better about that quickly."

Elesse hums. "Let me know if you need to talk more."

"I will."

Hug.

Eventually they get back to Coruscant, and fall back into their daily routine. Classes, clubs, meditation, exercise. Elesse increases the focus of their lessons on the intricacies of the Force, how to tune in to its subtle ebbs and flows.

And Anakin throws herself into her lessons and research. It helps her restlessness - her helplessness. She needs to be nudged, sometimes, to remember to keep up with friends, but she accepts those nudges gracefully no matter who they come from. (Usually, at least. She does sometimes get into grouchy moods, though she's working on not being a jerk when she does.)

She advances quickly, as she always has.

And Elesse eventually manages to make time to ask Kasu for a spar.

She's free!

"It's been a while, Elesse."

"I figured I'd make up for spending ninety percent of my time as a padawan inside the Temple all at once."

Heh. "You probably haven't made up all of that, yet."

"I intend to be sure Anakin gets out more than I did."

She nods. "She's - energetic."

"A challenge to handle, sometimes."

Smile. "They all are."

"She's been helping Joul out of his shell. And somehow keeping Djedzu entertained."

"Truly, she has within the spark of greatness."

"You've needed someone to keep you on your toes."

Heh.

"Perhaps."

Smirk. "Sparring's good for that, too."

"Ready to see if I've lost my touch?"

"You bet."

And to the fight.

Elesse's style has gotten a little more... spontaneous, over the time since their last match.