Oh, this was gorgeous. So sad, yet it doesn't wallow in sorrow. Dollops of philosophy without overdoing it. It neatly avoids the pitfalls with the same strength that it takes Ben to navigate through the minefield of his new life. Very true to character, and the present tense makes it immediate and powerful. I love how you took all those little threads I had in the original "story" (if you want to even call it a story), and wove it into a fine cloth, a tapestry of what happened during Ben's exile in your own words. It's full of ache and regret, without even really having to say so--very masterfully done. This is exactly how I see Ben on Tatooine. Bravo.

Thank you.