...She didn't have any friends, after she became Elesse's padawan. No one to turn to, no one to rely on, no one to care about except Elesse - she didn't see any of her friends from before ever again, and none of the other children liked her, and they were always on the move, and the Jedi discouraged attachments -

And Anakin was so, so tired of having hostages against her. And some things - many things were too raw, too vulnerable, to talk to Elesse about. Not without processing them first, but... She didn't know how to do that from inside her own head. 

(She made a friend, after her knighting - she's not entirely sure how, actually. Senator Breha Organa is... Quiet, and Anakin wasn't nonverbal yet but was still... Incredibly socially awkward with no idea how making friends works. And she did speak to Breha some, but... For some reason, she felt pressed to keep the friendship secret. Hidden from everyone. And there's - some of the still existing hurts, a bit too raw to poke directly, tied up with exactly how much she trusts and will confide in her friend.) (That thought is a faint tangent, but Elesse can pick up on it.)

Elesse is sorry she neglected Anakin in this way.

...She isn't sure how much that helps. The problem is still - there. 

That's... Probably actually a problem that still exists. Not just a scar. 

It's... something Elesse herself struggles with. She doesn't have many people she's close with.

Yeah. 

Anakin doesn't know how to fix it, especially not - now. 

It's possible they can try to... find some sort of community somewhere. Anakin can use Elesse's face to be a participant...

...Maybe.

And Maz might be able to help. 

She'd probably suggest they join a smuggler's ring.

It'd be a change of pace if nothing else. 

Anakin did just get them this very nicely anonymous ship. Not exactly a freighter, though.

They can see about trading up. 

Elesse feels entirely comfortable trusting Anakin's judgement on what makes a good ship.

Smart of her. 

Don't say she hasn't learned at least one thing.

Anakin hopes she's taught Elesse more than just one thing...

That would be nice to think.

Does she think so? 

Perhaps... A certain approach to life, to finding joy in small things. Something Elesse does not practice as much as she might.

Wiggle!

Cute.

Anakin is! And so is Elesse.

What a pair they make.

The best kind of pair.

Mm. It's... very good to have Anakin back.

Elesse had missed her more than she realized.

...Yeah.

Anakin had missed Elesse like - like everything was gone.