Fandom Star Wars: Demesne [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

The momentary pressure reassured Eli that the tease had been in good humor. He hadn’t truly suspected much else…but confirmation was welcome all the same. He returned that pressure, briefly, and listened to her speak of her siblings.

He could only shake his head.

“No. I have cousins that I am close with, but no siblings – and most are younger than me,” he admitted. “I have three nieces, triplets, all around 5 that I haven’t seen in a while, but I get updates on them. They were a…happy accident,” he smiled. A mistake, really, his aunt apparently thought she was going through menopause and got lax, “and then I have two nieces and one nephew closer in age.” He was surrounded by women.

Not a bad thing – and the other two nieces had both been as inclined to roughhousing and running about as any man. There hadn’t been much difference between them, when they’d run around Lysatra together. “Are your brothers a part of the military forces? Or did they go into the survey corps?”

He wasn’t familiar with the surname Suvan off-hand, but that wasn’t saying much.

~***~

Tarkin allowed a tight smile to touch his lips at Thrawn’s deduction of what was polite and impolite. Even Tarkin had to bow to social conventions most of the time. The Emperor would hardly approve of what he truly wanted to do at these events.

At least, not currently.

And it was good to have his own skillset and continue to sharpen his claws, as it were, on the fools who thought to spar with him on any arena. Thrawn was not one of his targets. They were hardly in competition; Thrawn seemed to recognize that better than plenty of other, even lesser, officers.

It was one point to his favor. “Oh yes,” Tarkin couldn’t hide the bitter amusement in his tone, and did not want to, “A trained liar is another word for those skilled in the performing arts. Better than your Governor Pryce.” He noted. If he knew what had occurred, or just spoke of her because of their closeness, he didn’t make it clear. “With plenty of friends who dislike the Empire, and plenty who work within it. Curious, isn’t it?”

It left one to wonder where her loyalties were. She was no spy of Yularen.

 

[cleopat]

Cora intently listened to Eli talk about his cousins. She had the impression that he was really close to his family, cousins and all. She smiled as he spoke. “They all sound so lovely.” Eli didn’t really give her much information on them besides their ages and gender, but the way he spoke indicated familial fondness.

“My eldest brother is currently working with my father in learning about our family business. The other one is with the Army Engineering Corps. I can’t remember where he is stationed right now, but he’s made it pretty far within the ranks, and he pretty much gets to visit home whenever he wishes.” Unlike her.

But Cora didn’t mind. Work distracted her from thoughts of seeing her family again.

A question popped in her mind that she couldn’t help but to ask in the moment. “Aside from your family, do you have any special woman in your life waiting for you back home?” She hardly wanted to wake up to threatening messages on her datapad from an unknown woman she unknowingly pissed off.

~~

Thrawn raised an eyebrow at the noted bitterness in Tarkin’s tone, but did not comment on it. A trained liar? He could see that being a moniker for actors in general, but as far as he could tell, Eira hadn’t been one. He hadn’t detected a lie from her lips yet.

Maybe some information had been withheld, but that was hardly lying.

He also didn’t comment on Tarkin’s reference to Governor Pryce. Thrawn tolerated the woman, but nothing more. She was of the cruel, ambitious sort, willing to lie to her superiors to save her own hide. He only tolerated her for now, because she has proven useful to him.

One day her usefulness would wear out, and he would be free to act as he pleased.

“It is a curious situation, is it not, Governor?” One with such loyalties on either side presented an interested case for potential neutrality. But he didn’t believe in that. No one could truly be completely neutral.

So which side did she lean towards?

“I hope to talk to her further at the museum gallery next Saturday. Maybe I will be able to further gauge her character and loyalties.” He still owed her a glass of wine and a dance. But Tarkin didn’t need to know that.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli had been unaware of the Suvan’s having a family business. Then again, he only really knew about Tagge – because Tagge owned practically everything. There were a few other names he’d recognize, if only because they were used often enough that he forgot they were actually names of people, like Sienar.

He wanted to ask about the family business, but was startled from doing so by her follow-up question. “What? No –no,” he answered, the first no seeming to come too quickly, so he added a second. Was that too much? “Where did that come from?”

And there he did pause in the dance, bewildered by the inquiry about his love life all of a sudden. Was she checking to see if he was single?

Wait, did she want him to be single?

He wasn’t sure if it was a small mercy or not when the musical set actually ended on that note, and Eira would rejoin Thrawn for a bit. He wasn’t looking to that activity, more bewildered by the question than the fact the music came to a brief halt.

~***~

Thrawn understood enough of what Tarkin was trying to get at. Not that he’d been terribly subtle. Thrawn understood some hints, but Tarkin knew there remained not quite a language barrier, but more of a cultural one. Thrawn wasn’t in the same culture as politicians, and Tarkin could use that kind of language with him.

Thrawn was a soldier.

Soldiers were more direct, than that. They needed to know what to hit. And, in Thrawn’s case, why.

“You ought to take some time before you do that to observe a holofilm or two. You may learn to better understand her capabilities that way – you’ll see her lying through an entire film, after all.” Living a fake name, playing a fake life, and doing it convincingly enough that people loved it, as they did with so many other holostars. The fact she could also pull it off on the stage was more testament to her ability.

Tarkin had a feeling Thrawn underestimated it.

It was another language that Thrawn didn’t quite speak. He could read body language, but how did that work when someone else was aware of what they were portraying – trained in that art?

“And do try the toniray when you’re there. Alderaan makes quite a delicious one,” and it was a beautiful blue color. He knew there would be some. He intended to take a look at things himself, though not when Breha was there. He’d wait until Bail was.

Bail was the one that always seemed more likely to slip.

 

[cleopat]

They paused in their dancing, and Cora wondered if she overstepped a boundary and embarrassed or insulted Eli somehow. Was it wrong for her to ask about such a matter?

He had answered in the negative, which elated her to some degree she refused to acknowledge. She had only been curious because of the marital status of many other officers in the Empire. That was all.

“I know many officers our age, or near our age, are married with families back on their home worlds, and I was just curious to learn more about your family.” The music settled, and Cora took that moment to step away.

Already she missed his grip.

“I apologize if the question was unexpected.” Cora took one step back. Had she already messed up with someone she had hoped to talk to again?

~~

Thrawn considered Tarkin’s suggestions. He hadn’t seen many holofilms before, and delving into some of Eira’s works seemed like a perfect starting point to learn about a new form of cultural art. See how she moves, how her faces twitches, when she lies.

“I will consider that. After all, it is another form of art I need to experience, isn’t it, Governor?” Something else to help him understand more about humans and their body language. Eli may know something about her films; he could help him translate the body language of Eira’s performances.

There was also Faro, who was quite obviously a fan with the way she danced with the actress.

“Toniray, you say?” A specialty of Alderaan. And a drink he hadn’t had the pleasure of tasting before, though he certainly had heard of it. “Another suggestion of yours I shall take into consideration.” Even though his metabolism was faster than a human’s, and thus he was able to consume more alcohol, he rarely did so, save for special occasions.

One sip could spell the difference between winning a battle and having the enemy gain an advantage over him.

 

[Lucyfer]

Right.

Of course.

Simple curiosity – Cora wasn’t wrong, there were many their age or younger with families already started, and he felt a fool as he let her slip out of his grip and apologize. “No, in this case I’m sorry,” he said, “I’d forgotten how many officers in the Empire have started families and created lives for themselves. I’ve been so focused on the job I haven’t had much time to do that.”

Even though the Empire clearly encouraged it. There were generous leave periods and pay for such things. What would Thrawn do if he ended up starting a family and taking a leave?

Well, he might find out, one day. He wondered if the Empire would ever let Thrawn go home to do a similar thing, or if Thrawn would end up like Tarkin and dedicate his entire life just to this. Would he expect that of his officers, too? Of his crew?

Eli didn’t know. He’d never asked or considered that before, in truth. “But it is just me, my parents, my cousins, and my aunts and uncles,” he said, “Maybe one day I’ll get enough of a break to actually consider a family or, something more.”

He’d like it. He knew he would. Was he already that behind? Stars, it suddenly felt like it.

He spotted Faro rising from their table, apparently watching Eira move to join Thrawn, and he chuckled. “We should probably get back to the table before Faro abandons all the food we left.”

~***~

Tarkin idly wondered if he ought to suggest a film or two, but thought better of it. This was where he had to let Thrawn do his work, and what he so often did best. Would he research the director? The writer? The producer? Would he be able to find the cultural symbolism of it all, or the meanings to the films, and so, to Eira?

Tarkin would be curious about the method, when all was said and done.

“I will look forward to any information you care to pass along, to myself, or to Colonel Yularen,” it would reach him from there. Their mutual friend – and indeed, he was one of the few people Tarkin might even consider calling that – knew how to keep his own position and would know to pass it along to him.

“There’s no need to make this official, or cause a fuss just yet over it. The public can be unforgiving,” to them, unfortunately, if they looked to one of their beloved stars with anything like suspicion. “And she may have much to teach you about other art styles, which will only further your capabilities and usefulness to the Empire. Take advantage of all that you can.”

It was a rare opportunity to gain insight into things.

 

[cleopat]

Eli had offer his own apology, but Cora still felt some embarrassment at the situation, even if Eli’s reaction had been a bit over-the-top.

He’s not from the Core Worlds. Imperials from the Core wouldn’t have balked at the question, but he did. He’s from Wild Space. It’s not something they concerned themselves with as much.

They were different. They were from two very different places with different expectations of them.

She forced a smile to hide from the discomfort of her own thoughts. “In the meantime, it sounds like you already have enough family to worry about.” Several cousins, and siblings of his parents. What were they all like? Did they look like Eli? Did they share a similar personality? You’ll never find out.

At the mention that Faro had left their table, Cora glimpsed at where the officer strolled off to. “Maybe we should. It seems that your friend as her mind set on something else.” Or someone else.

Cora entertained the brief thought of excusing herself from Eli’s side, prompted by her earlier thoughts. She shouldn’t be socializing with him the way she had been, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave. Who would she talk to? I could just sneak back to my room.

But she didn’t. Cora accompanied Eli back to their table.

~~

Tarkin was right to wonder in how Thrawn would approach Eira’s films. He had begun thinking about the process himself. He would first seek out the advice of Commander Eli Vanto, and maybe Lieutenant-Commander Faro as well, as he recalled the enamored look on his offcer’s face, before he proceeded to pick apart the films for anything he could learn.

The decision of whether or not to share his information collected to Governor Tarkin or Colonel Yularen was yet to be seen. Perhaps if something of great interest was discovered. Something that hinted at the secrets of those she associated with.

“If she has much to teach me about other art styles, I will be sure to take advantage of the opportunity. I’m sure you know more than others how much I enjoy learning about art.” Many in the Empire still teased Thrawn’s hobby, but it proved useful in anticipating his enemies and their next moves.

Cultures studied battle tactics through stories passed down through the generations. If other officers were so keen to study art as he was, then maybe the other officers would have a similarity high rate of success as Thrawn.

“Should I learn something of importance, I will inform you.” He would define what he would deem important. That has remained to be seen.

 

[Lucyfer]

Faro hadn’t quite left the table when they arrived, watching from afar as Eira and Thrawn continued to speak, walking the length of the room together. “Well? Aren’t you going to go ask her?” Eli teased.

“There’s no music,” Faro said, noticing the two had returned. That had to be why they returned. “But I will.”

Eli wasn’t sure if they’d see it, but he nodded. “She doesn’t look mean.” Though, that didn’t say much. He’d heard horror stories of holostars being absolute nightmares behind the curtain, making outrageous demands of those they were with. “We’ll watch your food and drink,” he noted.

Faro smiled a little at that, and took another sip from her flute of some sort of bubbling liquor. “What is that?” Eli asked.

“The Chandrilan raava. Apparently, Grand Mof—Governor Tarkin requested it in particular.” He had a strange habit of ordering drink from worlds that housed dissidents to the Empire. Faro couldn’t fathom why. Did the places with rebellious thoughts have better drinks?

Maybe that explained their tendencies. They were all too drunk to see how good the Empire was.

And then the moment came, and Faro set the flute down a bit too hastily, as she moved off.

~***~

Tarkin was more than aware of how Thrawn managed many of his victories. Tarkin was not inclined to mock him for it, where others were. It was, perhaps, not Tarkin’s strategy – he preferred to study the individual, over the culture, and he excelled at that, learning how they reacted in all sorts of environments. What herds they kept to. What they hunted.

What they might betray their pack for.

He’d played many into such things, even wild animals. That was all sentients were, at the end of the day. And he just had to learn what their primal drive was; what they’d kill for. What they’d die for.

So Tarkin gave a simple nod to Thrawn’s statement. He would, indeed, speak if there was anything to be said, and he wouldn’t waste Tarkin’s time with anything irrelevant. “Until then, Grand Admiral, enjoy your party,” he had his moment to give him the desired task. He could dismiss him on that note, and go speak to some others who were in attendance. Make a brief note with Yularen about the matter.

 

[cleopat]

She doesn’t look mean. That was such an innocent thought. Cora knew better. She knew of the dual persona people of their status could put on, and she imagined that a well-known holostar would have it easier to fake nicety.

“Chandrilan raava?” Cora repeated, glancing at the flute in Faro’s grip. The enticing liquor practically demanded for her to grab her own flute. Maybe then I can finally relax.

She could understand Tarkin’s obsession with drink from worlds that tended to take pity on dissidents. It was like a note of forbidden fruit. Something they shouldn’t enjoy, yet that taboo made it so much sweeter.

Faro had set her flute down and rushed off to not waste her window of opportunity with Eira. Cora blinked, and she focused her attention back on Eli. “Do you want to try it? I’m quite curious myself.” Her gaze shifted to look around the banquet table to see where she could find the flutes.

Yes, I do really need a drink right now.

~~

Thrawn nodded at Tarkin. “I hope you enjoy the party as well.” He may have been more comfortable with parties such as this one, while Thrawn continued to feel like an alien on a strange planet. Because you are.

He enjoyed a few minutes to himself. A few people stopped him and congratulated him, though many were insincere in their words. He noticed. The tension in their hands. The tightening of their smiles. How some avoided making direct contact, instead opting for a random spot on his forehead.

Finally, Thrawn managed to reach the selection of alcohol offered to the partygoers. While he normally would turn such a thing down, the increased socialization and false niceties required just one drink. And only one.

But he encountered a sight problem he had not anticipated. He didn’t know which drink to pick. Which one he would enjoy the most. Did he dare make a blind guess?

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli supposed he ought to try the drink. He gave a nod, “Yeah,” and glanced around. The location for alcohol wasn’t as obvious as it usually was, which Eli found a bit strange. He frowned a bit. He didn’t see any waiter walking around with that particular beverage, either. “Okay, you hold down the fort, I’ll get us some drinks.” He said.

He half-expected that she would be gone.

Well, if so, Faro might need another drink.

He moved on, casting his glance to Faro as it seemed her request was granted. He smiled to himself, able to see Faro’s nervousness even from here – and Thrawn, watching. ‘Well you should have asked her, you dolt.’ He wouldn’t say that to Thrawn, later.

He ended up wandering a bit longer than should have been necessary. Well, that, and he got caught in a few conversations on his way that weren’t the easiest to get out of, but eventually, he found his way to the bar – and to Thrawn, somehow. Thrawn seemed to be assessing the options, while a bartender stared at him, waiting for the order.

Eli stepped in, “Three Chandrilan raava, please,” one would go to Thrawn, he decided. “It seems to be the drink of the night,” he told Thrawn, with a small joke, “They couldn’t get anything from where you’re from.” Obviously.

~***~

Faro made her way back to the table, heart still racing in her chest as she reached her flute, and downed the remainder. She knew her face was flush, but it had nothing to do with the liquor. She barely registered that Cora was there, at first.

She’d gotten to dance with Eira Nevan!

Never in her wildest dreams had she considered that could happen. The raava tasted like water compared to that, and she kept a foolish grin on her face as Eira rejoined the band at the piano, then realized she wasn’t alone at the table. “Oh! You did stay. Eli didn’t,” she noticed, and the smile bubbled on her lips again, “I can’t believe it.”

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn approached the bar, and he stumbled over what to choose. There were so many options, and none in particular sounded familiar. How did humans ever manage to choose? Or not die from alcohol poisoning?

Their metabolisms were so much slower. Surely all this alcohol would destroy them?

Or maybe they continued to mystify him.

In the midst of assessing the options, he was pulled from his thoughts when Eli spoke at his side. The corners of his mouth tilted upward at the one safe, familiar face of the evening. “Of course not. We don’t export any alcohol.” A joke. Though not an untrue one either.

Eli had ordered three of the Chandrilan raava. One, he surmised, for himself, one for Thrawn, and given their friendship, he suspected that Eli also ordered one for Faro. “I’m sure our Lieutenant-Commander would appreciate a drink after what I witnessed.”

Thrawn never realized that Eli and Cora had been talking at lengths that evening, nor that they were still technically doing so, even if he was at the bar with the Grand Admiral.

~~

Cora agreed to stay at the table. After Eli left for the drinks, the thought did cross her mind to leave. It would be a perfect opportunity to sneak back to your room.

Then he mind decided to conjure up an image of Eli returning to the table, two glasses in hand, and his face falling once he noticed she had gone. She couldn’t do that. Even as the minutes tick by, and Cora remained alone at the table, left to mindlessly pick at the fruit still on her plate.

She wasn’t aware of how much time passed before someone sat down at her table. She expected the other person to be Eli, but when she looked up, slight disappointment settled over her. Disappointment she tried to ignore.

Faro’s action prompted a small smile from Cora. “I think he’s attempting to still get us some drinks.” She hoped. She couldn’t see him anywhere from her angle. “I noticed that you actually followed through and danced with Eira. How was it?”

 

[Lucyfer]

‘You don’t export anything.’ Still, Eli knew it was humor, and he returned the smile, even if a part of him also wanted to roll his eyes at it. “Faro? She already has a drink. She gave me the idea for these,” he offered, “I’ve never had it before, so if it’s bad, blame Faro.” He said, as the drinks were brought over to them, bubbly.

He took two, “One of these is for Cora.” Another lieutenant-commander, but one who hadn’t been witnessed doing anything terribly noteworthy yet. “You should join us for a bit,” he invited, “I’m sure you’ve done enough schmoozing with the others for a night, haven’t you?”

Maybe there was someone else he’d neglected to speak with. Eli honestly didn’t know, which he knew was strange. He’d gotten caught up in dancing that he hadn’t paid too much attention to who Thrawn went to speak with.

Still, he saw him with Tarkin and Savit earlier. That should be close to enough.

~***~

Faro didn’t notice the disappointment, too caught up in her own high as she looked to Cora sitting down and just picking at her fruit. “Ah, okay,” drinks made sense. He probably wouldn’t have one for her. She’d have to go get another. Still, she could keep Suvan company until then.

Her grin widened again at the mention of the dance. “I said I would,” as if she shouldn’t be doubted. “I’m just surprised she agreed to it,” still, surprised, and that she hadn’t seemed upset or bothered by Faro’s own lack of talent. She’d just taken over without questioning it. “But it was amazing!” She’d likely be thinking of it for a while.

And she’d never see Eira again. Oh well.

She took a seat then. “How was the dance with Vanto?” she asked, curious indeed, since Suvan was hanging around and not off mingling with other officers or anything of the sort.

She was just waiting…for drinks.

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn rose an eyebrow with Eli’s comment. If the drink wasn’t for Faro, then who else would it be for? He hadn’t suspected his aide to be an alcoholic. He knew Eli wasn’t. “I’ll be sure to blame Lieutenant-Commander Faro if I dislike the beverage.” He wouldn’t, really.

It was just easier for him to make light comments around someone he was more comfortable with.

Eli explained that the third glass was for Lieutenant-Commander Suvan. That was a bit surprising. She nor Vanto had communicated much before in the past, and he never once saw anything that suggested a friendship. But things changed at the party.

And so he considered Eli’s offer for him to join them. It would be a better chance to gauge Suvan in a more relaxed environment. How she felt about an alien as their Grand Admiral. “I suppose I will join you. You’re right in assuming I have, what was the word you used? Schmoozed enough for the evening.” The unfamiliar word was easy enough for him to guess the meaning of based on the context surrounding the question.

He hoped he guessed correctly, at least. “But I suppose I’m required to stay longer regardless.”

~~

Faro seemed enamored with what had transpired between her and Eira. Cora wished she could have seen Faro’s expression as the actress agreed to the dance. Did she completely freeze up?

“Maybe she saw you as a breath of fresh air from all of the men attempting to get her attention.” Namely the older officers who could still be weak over a pretty face. And Eira was certainly that. “But I’m glad it was a great time for you. Not many can say they danced with Eira.”

Cora smiled at Faro. They may not have known each other well, and Cora may have denied the slight preconceptions of Far from her own upbringing, but seeing the woman happy was infectious.

“The dance with Vanto was...pleasant.” She didn’t know how else to describe it. Eli proved to be a bit awkward, but he had improved after the first few steps, and they held a decent conversation of a few different topics.

Until she had to ruin the moment with questioning him about a lover back home. “He seems like a nice guy.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Thrawn had yet to bumble a word in Basic, but Eli still got some small enjoyment from hearing him attempt new words, all the same. He still approached it with a confident hesitance. He didn’t have the word for it, but he definitely made an effort once he thought he had the right of it. And so, Eli nodded. He’d used it effectively.

He probably would in the future. “I wouldn’t use that around Governor Tarkin or the others. It’s a big slang,” he added, just to make sure that Thrawn wouldn’t embarrass himself with it. “But yeah, I think you’re more or less required to stay until the stated end time.” And even then, perhaps to linger a little longer as people began to leave.

Which meant Eli would stay that long.

Thrawn wouldn’t have to walk back alone.

“Follow me,” he said, once he had his two flutes in hand, and one was set before Thrawn. He could take Thrawn back to the table.

~***~

No, not many could. Faro had bragging rights for life, no doubt. No picture, but bragging rights. She knew it happened. And there were witnesses among those she wanted to impress, so it might help her. It might hurt her. She wasn’t sure yet, but she knew at the moment she didn’t care much about those considerations.

She tried to focus more on Suvan, though, and her dance with Vanto. It was ‘pleasant’. Vanto was ‘nice’.

She’d seen Vanto not be rude…but pretty close to it. She wouldn’t have called him ‘nice’. He was…but it somehow wasn’t the right word.

“There’s a reason he and Thrawn work so well together, you know.” Eli was competent. He was protective. He was loyal. He was all those things and more, but Faro wouldn’t wax poetic on his virtues. “Do you know Thrawn yet?” She obviously worked under Thrawn, but she wondered how much Suvan knew, or how much she’d just heard.

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn felt a sense of personal pride when Eli confirmed he had used the new word correctly. “Thank you for the warning.” So he filed the word away as another Basic slang. He had the feeling it was just that, but a confirmation was appreciated.

He didn’t want to endure any mockery from saying it around anyone else besides Eli Vanto. And maybe Karyn Faro.

Staying until the end of the party didn’t sit well with him. He sighed, and grabbed the flute as it was set in front of him. “These parties do allow me the opportunity to further study the other officers.” In which he meant officers such as Governor Tarkin, Director Krennic, Grand Admiral Savit, and those he wouldn’t typically interact with.

After a drink or two, some people opened themselves up so obviously to him.

“Lead the way,” he nodded. Thrawn rose from the bar, flute still clutched in his grip, and he followed Eli to the table.

~~

Cora wondered why Faro mentioned Eli and Thrawn worked well together. She knew this. Well, she heard other people talking of their work relationship. They complimented one another quite well. She never thought of the reason why.

“I admit, I don’t know much about Grand Admiral Thrawn.” Faro mentioned his name so casually, without the new title. Cora didn’t feel right in doing the same. Even if he wasn’t there to overhear them, she still felt as if she had to respect the title of any superior officer.

Was Thrawn so casual with Faro and Vanto?

“I had only interacted with him a handful of times since I was stationed on the Chimaera. What is it like working with him?” Her question came from a place of curiosity, and Cora wanted to see for herself if the other officers spoke of him with xenophobia, or if there was any truths to their petty words.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli sometimes wanted to ask Thrawn if it benefited him to study the officers. He knew that it must, to help him reach these high places. He had to know what was wanted of him. Still, they weren’t his enemies.

Technically.

He wouldn’t ask, though. Not now. Another day, maybe, even if the answer seemed obvious to Eli. It was about advancement, no doubt.

Eli did indeed lead the way back to the table, finding that both Faro and Cora had stayed – or rather, Faro had returned, and she still looked happy. He imagined that meant Eira had stayed true to her kind portrayal, as if the dance hadn’t shown enough of that.



“Frustrating,” that was the first word Faro used to describe working with Thrawn, “Exasperating.” The second. They wouldn’t sound like traditionally good words to use for a superior officer, and the third clarified them both, in a way, “Challenging.”

And it was all positive, really.

“I’ve never met anyone more intelligent than him,” she confessed, “the way he figures things out about people by what they keep around themselves, where they’re from, and how he can figure battle strategies from things as simple as that, is stunning. It’s also exasperating. He likes to quiz myself and Vanto on things he’s already figured out – but it helps. I’m nowhere near able to understand things like he is, but I’m starting to understand it."

She would never put things together as well as he did, but every step forward, made her a more competent leader. He never left her hanging. He did explain things, and prodded her towards the answer as well.

“But you can find out for yourself; the Grand Admiral’s here,” she sat up straighter in her seat as she saw Eli and Thrawn approaching their table. She gave them both a smile, “Vanto, Grand Admiral,” she was more formal with him present. “No drink for me?”

Eli sat one drink by Cora, “You had one,” which was now empty.

 

[cleopat]

Not much was exchanged between Eli and Thrawn on their way back to the table. Some small talk, but nothing of substance.

But the air between them wasn’t awkward. Nothing had to be said.

They approached the table. He cocked one eyebrow as he considered the two women at the table. Faro looked very pleased. No doubt the side effects of dancing with Eira. Some jealousy brewed in the back of mind. He was quick to push it down.

That was impossible. He wouldn’t get jealous over a woman he had just met. Over a dance with someone else Eira had just met.

~~

Faro’s words echoed the same sentiment as others she overheard concerning Thrawn. But unlike the other officers, Faro’s tone hinted at admiration for his seemingly troublesome attributes.

“He sounds like someone who would be great to learn from.” And Cora meant her words. Faro described an officer that the Empire would be lucky to have. And they did. And they often underestimated him because of his species and his origins.

She nibbled on her lip. Then why be so prejudice against someone so worthy of his rank?

Faro interrupted her thoughts, and Cora’s head shot up. She stood to her feet as the Grand Admiral approached, even though Faro remained sitting.

“Grand Admiral Thrawn,” she greeted. Eli set the drink down in front of her, and she wanted to immediately down its entire contents, but she maintained her stiff military posture in the presence of the Grand Admiral.

The Chiss was amused with Cora’s response to his arrival. He didn’t smile or otherwise suggest his amusement, but he did xay, “You may sit down, Lieutenant-Commander. This is a party. There’s no need for such stuff formalities tonight.”

Cora tilted her head in acknowledgement before relaxing and sitting back down. Would it be appropriate to chug this alcohol right now?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Faro masked a smile as Cora stood up immediately to greet the Grand Admiral. No, she really didn’t know him well at all. Thrawn was quick to let her return to ease, as Eli took his own seat besides Cora. ‘Good.’ Faro took that to mean the dance had gone as well as Faro hoped, and she hadn’t misread things earlier.

Eli finally took a drink from his own flute, and seemed to test it on his tongue a moment, before shaking his head, “I’m never going to get used to bubbly alcohol. I keep expecting it to be sweeter than it is,” but it never was. He always thought of soda when he thought of bubbly things. Sweet.

Not strangely acidic and dry – which alcohol should not be dry.

“Have you been enjoying the party, Grand Admiral?” Faro asked, “Schmoozed enough with the Grand Moff?”

Eli rolled his eyes, but did not hide the smile at the fact Faro echoed the word he’d used only a minute or two ago. Thrawn didn’t care much for such a thing, and they both knew it, so he suspected that Faro was only lightly teasing Thrawn about the party.

Or perhaps fishing for information on what he’d enjoyed so far, if anything. Either way, Eli didn’t add anything.

 

[cleopat]

Cora flashed a smile in Eli’s direction when he sat next to her. He eased her anxiety when he chose a seat next to her, and she waved it off as the simple fact he was the only one of the three she had spoken at lengths with. And danced with.

Thrawn surmised that Cora was nervous in his presence. He didn’t detect hostility from her, like he would of others, but rather intimidation from rank. Maybe from rumors that preceded him. And there was curiosity. Curiosity was an ideal trait for an officer of the Survey Corps, but many only held that curiosity for other planets. Not for other people, or other species.

But she did.

He felt a hint of pride when Faro used the same Basic slang Eli had used just a few minutes ago. There was no hesitation in translating the sentence in his mind. “A few minutes is more than enough time with the Governor for an evening.”

Not that there was dislike...but this kind of socializing could be exhausting. Governor Tarkin seemed to understand that better than others of their position.

Cora took a sip of her drink. It was pleasant. Something that seemed familiar, but different enough that she could tell it was something new to her tastebuds.

She took another sip.

Faro had already described what Eira was like, and Cora desired to know Thrawn’s thoughts. “Grand Admiral, if I may, what is Eira like?”

Thrawn was not surprised that Cora asked him a question. Her curiosity was proven. “Why? Another fan, are we?” She only shrugged, and he continued. “She’s pleasant, and we seem to have much in common, despite the difference in types of art we prefer.”

 

[Lucyfer]

No one doubted what Thrawn had to say about Tarkin. The man was known for being intimidating, and his skull-face didn’t help matters. He may seem a skeleton, but his reputation and power preceded him everywhere he went. Faro had little desire to spend much time around him, herself.

Even if he was a great ally, as confirmed by Thrawn’s ties to him.

But she didn’t get the answer she wanted. Cora was the one to speak more bluntly on the matter, and she managed not to pass a small smile her way. Even if she did appreciate a little more information on the woman she'd danced with. Even if it might prove theories of competition - she didn't have a chance anyways. Just a memory.

It was somehow no surprise that Eira was pleasant to him, of course, though Eli’s unmasked groan almost startled her. “Please tell me you’re not going to try learning an instrument, Grand Admiral,” Eli said, clearly imagining the horrors of Thrawn attempting to play music as a novice.

That caused Faro’s brows to come together. She’d not really gotten to examine Thrawn at his work before, but, “Wait, do you practice art, too?” Did he paint? Sculpt? She hadn’t seen evidence of it, but Eli’s comment made her wonder how he went about his studies. “And are you sure Eira doesn’t like the same art that you do?”

 

[cleopat]

In Thrawn’s mind, Eli’s question was unnecessary. He hadn’t practiced any of the art he studied, so why would he take up an instrument to attempt to study music as well?

Faro blurted out her own question concerning that same matter, before Thrawn had a chance to respond. He looked amused at their line of questions, as if it was merely a joke for him. Which it was.

“No, I do not intend to learn an instrument anytime soon, nor do I practice art. I merely study and learn from it.” Attempting to learn anything more, like actually how to practice certain art techniques, would take more of his time than he actually had.

Plus it sounded messy.

Cora merely sipped on her flute, savoring the bubbles, as Thrawn continued, “I will know of your other question this Saturday, when I meet Eira at an art exhibit. There are probably some common interests regarding the fine arts.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Thrawn didn’t practice art. Eli hadn’t thought he did, but it wouldn’t have surprised him. If anything, it actually tempted him to look into whether or not there were any art classes on Coruscant, or elsewhere, that he could drag Thrawn to. Watching him spin a clay pot would likely be entertaining.

Or get wine-drunk with Coruscant’s elite while painting something stationary.

Coruscant was still weird to Eli, but he’d heard of these things when people talked about Thrawn’s interests.

Faro’s expression fell for a moment, and then, became excited, “You have a date with Eira Nevan?”

Eli’s own eyes widened. He hadn’t gotten that from Thrawn’s statement, and he considered restating it – that Thrawn was just meeting her at an exhibit, but he decided to let Thrawn deal with that instead. He was morbidly curious if Thrawn might be embarrassed to even be asked, the way he had been so embarrassed to be asked about his love life.

He’d never really considered it. He didn’t think Thrawn put much thought into it, either. Otherwise he might have already tried to get leave to return Csilla and pursue such things.

Eli leaned towards Cora to whisper, “Hey, is wine and painting a thing?” Because he needed to find this out, before he decided if he wanted to try and drag Thrawn to that kind of thing. At least Faro should have him momentarily busy.

 

[cleopat]

Faro had dared to suggest Thrawn had a date with Eira. He has learned the customs of human courtship, as well as terminology as ‘dating,’ and he brushed off Faro’s ridiculous suggestion with a wave of a hand.

“No, it is not. We are simply two individuals who will happen to see each other at this exhibit opening. Nothing more, nothing less.” If he understand their dating conventions, then Thrawn would be picking Eira up and escorting her through the exhibit for their entire date. And he was not.

They would simply run into each other.

In the midst of Thrawn’s and Faro’s conversation, Eli leaned to asked Cora a question. She shot him a smile, “Why, thinking of taking up a new hobby? Yes, it’s definitely a thing. A very popular fad in the Core,” she whispered back.

She could hardly imagine Eli getting wine drunk and attempting to paint at the same time, but that was why she wanted to see it happen even more. “My sister has dragged me to one of these places one too many times whenever I have the chance to visit her.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Faro knew she shouldn’t judge the way Thrawn described things too much; he was often, very literal. In cases like this, his description, however, “You sound evasive.” She knew it was just a quirk of his understanding the language, but she did wish to pull it apart or try and tease him, even if he was being honest.

Perhaps she was slightly jealous.

Eli did chime in, “She’s right – you explained too much.” Eli said, so Thrawn knew what convention he’d screwed up in explaining his plans.

She could probably show up herself and meet Eira once again, but now that Thrawn was going? Somehow that didn’t seem like a good idea. It’d be too obvious.

“What’s this exhibit about?” Obviously art, but Faro considered it must be something a bit more than that for Thrawn to be interested, and not there for Eira. “What culture?” That was the better question.


Despite being able to chime in on the conversation, Eli was still paying attention to Cora, and he’d smiled at her comment of taking up a new hobby, before he shook his head a bit, “No, but I realized it’s kind of strange how much Thrawn learns from art, without practicing it. I thought it might help him if he actually did a bit of art, and in the, uh, culture of the Empire, at that.”

Where else but Coruscant? “Do you have a place you’d recommend?”

 

[cleopat]

Thrawn was unamused with both Faro and Eli. It seemed, at least, Cora had the decency to remain quiet, though her reason was the result of fear of insulting a superior officer. She still didn’t know what to make of him, but she didn’t outright dismiss his capabilities based on his species.

From what he observed of her, tonight and before, she was curious to know more.

“I thought my explanation would better prove my own point,” he defended. Didn’t humans enjoy explanations? Or did they only wish for explanations when it benefitted them?

Probably the latter. They are so fickle.

“The exhibit is on the Alderaan culture, and it is to premiere on Coruscant. As I have never closely studied their art, I thought this would be an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.”




Cora couldn’t hold back the small grin at the entire exchange. In hindsight, it would seem ridiculous, to engage in such a discussion with their Grand Admiral. And yet, here she was, discussing with Vanto and Faro Thrawn’s love life.

While Thrawn seemed distracted by explaining to Faro why he would be meeting with Eira, she turned back to Eli. “That sounds like a great idea. I know of several places on Coruscant that may be of interest for him. I can send you the names later?”

Or I can show you one she wanted to say. They were already planning on meeting for hobby discussions a day very soon, why not those drink and paint places? Because it will be inappropriate. He’s not interested in them. Just interested in telling the Grand Admiral about them.

 

[Lucyfer]

Faro just shook her head as Thrawn tried to defend his explanation. Obviously, it proved what he was doing, but the excessive detail and the phrasing had made it impossible not to imagine he was being evasive. Eli could teach him later, though.

“Oh! I’ve always wanted to see Alderaan – I’ve heard it’s gorgeous,” Faro noted, “I imagine their art will be, too.” She’d seen pictures of Alderaan. They still had royalty there, and much of the architecture she’d seen seemed less practical and more aesthetically pleasing than anything.

Of course, they were a peaceful world.

It only made sense that they had the luxury, being in the Core, for things to be more for pleasure than anything else. She wondered how Thrawn would view that, and she found herself asking, “Do you actually like art for art’s sake, or is it just a tool to learn about people?” She did recall what Eira said about dancing – dancing for dancing’s sake, in a way. Could Thrawn see things that way?



Eli nodded, happy that she had a few ideas in mind. “I’d appreciate it!” He was a bit distracted by Faro’s question. ‘Oh no.’ Here we go again. Not that this was ‘again’ for Faro. She was on the crew for a while, but she hardly knew how seriously Thrawn took art.

They were doomed to a lecture, Eli was sure of it.