It should have felt amazing. To be out like this, free for once of the constraints he was often placed under. Padawans had to adhere to strict curfews and even stricter training regiments. Everything he owned was decided by someone else, everything he did and said also.
But here he was now in one of the most vibrant drinking rooms in the district, surrounded by people. He ought to have been overjoyed but instead he found it rather dull. No, not dull per se.
It had been weeks since Obi Wan had left, sent on a mission to a far moon that Anakin was deemed unworthy of.
"Inexperienced," Grand Master Yoda had shaken his head even after Anakin had questioned how he would gain experience remaining behind.
He had ordered himself a drink out of sheer awkwardness of being here alone. He realised however, that many people here seemed to be alone. Well, lonely, in some respect.
He knew that Obi Wan drank, sometimes he could tell when he returned at night but he never stumbled or slurred his words in the way he had seen others doing. Now that Anakin had tasted the blue concoction he was thoroughly put off the idea altogether. All day they were taught to master their emotions and a night it seemed many let themselves run wild. Anakin hated the thought of losing control and so after watching the crowds of people for a while, he left feeling disappointed.
Before returning, however, he stopped to buy a pastry from one of the street vendors and the smell of it reminded him of home. He wasn't sure he liked the idea of growing up if it meant exchanging this taste for that of alcohol.