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[When she was younger, Leia had no such troubles with expressing emotions. She knew how to behave in public, but that didn't matter when she could discuss whatever was bothering her with her parents. But when Alderaan was destroyed, so was the way she used to behave. Now, it's a defense mechanism.]

And how would you suggest that?

Nothing that we aren't doing right now.

[But there's a piece missing. Yes, they've been talking and sharing and addressing their multitude of issues over the past several months, but it's been superficial so far. They have to take the next step: unrooting the turmoil deep inside and bringing it into the open.]

I don't mean to trivialize our talks, but we need to take them further.

[He pauses and shifts in his seat. Sure, Qui-Gon is as placid as ever on the surface, but the idea of breaking through the surface and going deeper makes him uncomfortable, himself, on some level.]

So, tell me, what is the first thing that comes to your mind now that I've said that?

That I've already made my thoughts on Jedi training clear.

[Because from the way he's talking, the only thing that comes to mind, with Leia, is the Force. And the Force is something she still doesn't want to let in to her life in any significant sense beyond checking on those she cares for.]

You have. Which is why I am not suggesting that.

[Have some faith in him, Leia!!! Gosh!!!!]

What I am suggesting is taking the time to look deeper into your own emotions and verbalizing them. Preferably to someone else you can trust.

For what it's worth, that person does not have to be me.

I have that with Han.

[But Han isn't here anymore and that's part of the problem, isn't it.]

And should Han return, I'm sure you will exercise that.

[In other words: yes, that is very much the problem.]

But until then?

That's easier said than done, you realize.

[For some people, maybe not. But for Leia, it took several years and a broken hyperdrive for her to even think about opening up to people.]

My own problems are less of a concern than what others here are dealing with, and with the issues this world itself are facing.

You’re trivializing your problems—that’s different than having a healthy perspective.

One could argue that the people of Verens and Empatheias as a whole have strifes bigger than any one of us. And that is correct.

However, to see that we are fit ourselves to contest with these problems means a certain level of accurate self-assessment. We need to be at top form if we’re going to give all we have to those who need it.

[In other words, drink some almond milk and practice some self-care, Leia!!!]

[Sure that's fair, but also consider her idea of self-care is overthrowing tyrannical governments.]

People leave here daily. My problems are no different from anyone else's here.

Is this the response you would give to someone who is grieving over one of those departures?

[Because GIRL.]

Likely not. But it might depend on what the person needed to hear at the moment.

[But really the answer is most likely no.]

I'm not grieving.

You're not allowing yourself to grieve. You're not allowing yourself much of anything.

[Qui-Gon is doing a pretty good job at keeping his frustration at bay, even with the emphasis in his words.]

It isn't an act of selfishness or putting your problems before others' to give yourself that chance.

[Anyone else would likely agree with Qui-Gon, because he's not wrong, and if Han and Luke and her father were still here, they'd all probably say the same. But it's not how Leia sees it, and there's so much wrapped up in why that even as comfortable as she is using her words, she can't or doesn't want to vocalize it all.

So instead--]

Have you allowed yourself to grieve for what will happen in the future?

[She means the fate of the Jedi. That's just a nicer way to say it, her tone gentle as she asks. Because she's got a point with this.]

[Maybe it's a sign that all of those important people in Leia's life would say!!! The same!!! Thing!!!!!!!]

[Regardless, her question hits home and Qui-Gon ruminates on it with a quiet sigh. He gets what she means, and he has to be honest with her. It's only fair.]

I have.

[Every reminder shoots familiar twinges of pain into his chest, but it's the kind of dull ache that someone gets used to over time. Like the ache in an old man's bones before the rain, or a heavy slump of the shoulders after a long day of work.]

It was difficult, but I have.

[maybe she's just got too much skywalker stubborn to listen!!!! (well that's not the whole problem here, exactly, but it does get her set in her ways.)

She's silent, waiting patiently for Qui-Gon to gather his thoughts and actually compose an answer. She knows it's just as sensitive a subject for him as this is for her, so she doesn't want to be pushy or harsh in her response.]

Then you'll understand why I'm not there yet. I can't, yet.

[Well she's not sure if she'll ever be there, but that's a different issue. Any troubles of missing people who left here from Verens is nothing compared to what she's already conditioned herself to accept as her reality.]

[There's silence while Qui-Gon considers Leia's words.]

[He can understand her reluctance and how it isn't exactly something she's willingly holding to herself.]

I understand.

But I also understand the benefits that mourning has provided.

I won't push you further [...not that there's much he can do to push her even further like damn, Qui-Gon].

Does that mean you'll be cleaning up your mess here?

[Because after the end of a serious chat about subjects more personal than space politics, she can't help but want to diffuse things, to make it back to normal so she won't have to think about those issues anymore. And also she's not fond of her sofa becoming the new Jedi Temple, except for only one old space hippie.]

I thought it added character to the place.

[Says the resident smartass.]

[But he catches her drift, and he'll count this as headway.]

However, I'll be sure to leave it as it was.

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