(So it was this Jedi that broke the Naboo plan. Interesting. Sidious may owe her a debt of gratitude, then.)

Elesse remembers that time well. In many ways, it set the stage for the years since.

She also has a passing interest in archaeology. It's possible that she helped fund some of the expeditions Anakin has aided.

She knows most of the grant programs the ones with Senate funding were using, so she can compare notes. 

Anakin is rapidly proving herself to be an exceptionally well put-together young woman.

She giggles. "I've got a good memory. And I'm pretty sure knowing too much about something is actually just impossible."

"A fine attitude, and one I share, to the extent my time permits."

Nod. "It's a pity you can't spend as much time on that as you want... Having the opportunity to spend my time learning is - it's really nice."

"One of the perils of adulthood and having a career, I am afraid."

"Some careers are more friendly to learning than others, though."

"True. Though alas, more than those are necessary for a functional society."

"One of the great tragedies of the galaxy," she teases. 

"Perhaps. Though the work is necessary."

Serious nod. "It is. And it's good you're doing it." Then, teasingly again: "Though I'm pretty sure the point of us young and bright students is enabling you to retire someday."

"I would not be opposed, in the fullness of time. Though it was my understanding Jedi do not dabble directly in politics."

Giggle. "Surely there's some young bright Alderaanian students out there, though."

"Oh yes, my office hosts interns every summer. I make them attend the budget committee's organizational meetings, and tell them they will be taking those notes for the first five years of their careers. It is a quite effective way to determine which of them are worth our investment."

Even more giggle. "Lily has me do a lot of the grunt work for investigations and research and all," she says. "It's not that bad."

She reaches over and ruffles Anakin's hair. "Possibly I need to make you deal with other people fighting about incredibly stupid ways to spend money more often, if you still think that." 

She sticks her tongue out at her teacher. 

"Oh, no, the organizational meetings are worse than that. People fighting about incredibly stupid ways to fight about incredibly stupid ways to spend more money."

"A good learning experience, then."

"Indeed."

"You're both sadists."

"Call it the weight of our worldly experience."

"The older you get, the more you realize the great joy of tormenting your students?"

"Preparing the bright young things to better enable our retirement."