“The edge is where I do my best work.” “Yes,” Avar agreed. “It is. Knowing that about you inspires me, El. Makes me better. You thrive when you can push and drag us with you to new places. You find the light in those edges.”

“I’m glad you’re helping.” Avar bit into her bun and leaned her shoulder against his. “I couldn’t let you go back across that Stormwall without a piece of me along with you.” She nearly inhaled nut bun at the dedication in his simple words.

“You’re not going to ignore that, Avar– That’s not you. You are just upset about Stellan, and–” “ Upset? I’m a Master of the Jedi Order, Elzar Mann. I do not get upset.”

It started with a pulse. A quiet echoing rhythm. The first breath before a song, then: a hum. She remembered her name and the Force, and then the bright tone of her own melody. Someone was holding her hand.

And then she saw him. Elzar. He was there, too, standing by the window, his back to her. She watched him for a moment. She could see he was trembling. He turned. Their eyes met. She stared at him, unable to look away.

He was sitting across the table from her, and caught her eye. Nothing more than the tiniest glance, but she knew exactly what he was thinking, even without Force-related assistance. She offered Elzar a tiny shrug.

If Jedi Knight Elzar Mann could help out a struggling assembly droid with a little push from the Force, why not? What was the harm? He knew Avar agreed, even if she’d never admit it. The little smile told him everything he needed to know.

Elzar winked at her. Avar rolled her eyes, but the side of her mouth lifted up in a little smile. She couldn’t help it.