Grin.

"Would you be my ally?"

"I'm currently on a mission to help you, so."

"Your public record does indicate dedication to your missions."

"I have heavy expectations to live up to."

"Others' expectations of us don't much matter to who we are."

"Presentation is still important."

"One of the unfortunate truths of politics."

"Of existing in a society in general, really."

"Some can escape expectations easier than others."

"Maybe."

"Being part of Naboo's royal houses brings - extra chains. And even if I had no enemies whatsoever..."

Light shrug.

"I don't want that childhood for my daughter."

Nod.

"But I don't want to leave her to someone else to raise, either. The situation is... Complicated."

A tiny smile. "Hence all my deep and heavy thoughts."

"I'm happy to be a sounding board. Even if I can't help much."

"I'd bet you can help more than you think."

"The Force is often surprisingly useful."

Smile. "I suppose it must be." (She doesn't sound unsure of that at all.) "But we can surprise ourselves, too, and the Force seems unlikely to make up for a lack of ability."

"It's... a powerful supplement."

"Even the greatest weapon needs a wielder."

"The Force is more than a weapon."

"Then it must need even more skill."

Headtilt. "For some things."

Something about her seems faintly amused, almost like the sense Elesse gets off teachers when they're trying to guide her towards a conclusion, when they know something she hasn't realized yet. "What things?"

"With the Force, some things are just- instinctive. The more you try to control it, the less successful you are at influencing it."

"Interesting..." She hums. "Does skill influence that at all?"