Fandom Star Wars: Demesne [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

Eli was willing to give Cora that soundtracks from games and movies had a lot in common with classical music, and he’d certainly be willing to compare music with her. They could see how similar they really were, that way. Though, conversation didn’t linger there, as Cora seemed to assess him right after he said brown. ‘Oh.’ He felt a tint touch his own cheeks as he realized he also had those traits.

Not that he ever forgot, but he didn’t think of it right then.

Great, now she probably thought he was a narcissist.

He wouldn’t get a chance to make any suggestions otherwise, or even change the topic, before Leoline came in, not even waiting for a response that it was okay to enter, and talking about some friend of Cora’s before pausing. Eli couldn’t help but give him a dull stare as Cora panicked.

He wasn’t sure if he ought to be amused at Cora panicking.

They hadn’t been doing anything wrong. They weren’t even under covers, and Eli was plainly sitting on the edge of the bed. Eli didn’t get up under that judgment look, “We were talking,” which was true, and decided the only way to win this was to remain as unbothered by Leoline’s presence as he could, “If there’s something you and Cora need to discuss, I can leave.”

Although he imagined he’d get to stay, this Barnabus thing didn’t sound like it was a state secret for Leoline to start talking with no regard for whether or not Cora was even sleeping. So, he didn’t get up to further his own suggestion of leaving.

Besides, he’d take the direction from Cora – not Leo.

~***~

Mitth’raw’nuruodo was too honest.

It had been obvious, in so many ways, Eira even knew before that point that an infatuation had been growing, no matter any other reason he wanted to see her. She had sensed it there, and knew that was why she should have pushed him away. Alas, she had failed to do that one critical thing to prevent this.

She hadn’t wanted to. A simple, foolish, selfish thing, that led to The Kiss as a movie script would have written it, the act that served as confession. Eira could have changed things there, in the moment of her idiotic surprise, where her eyes widened instead of shut.

She should have changed things and forced Mitth’raw’nuruodo to think he misread every signal.

But, she didn’t. She yielded to her own desire and after the initial shock, relaxed, shut her eyes, and kissed him back; despite the Jedi in her, she had found kissing to be enjoyable enough not to turn her nose up at it when a job called for it.

This wasn’t a job, though, and the kiss was different for it, her other hand freely lifting to his shoulder, around the back of his neck. Eira chased his lips to deepen the kiss, rather than let it be just that gentle press. Still soft – but she wanted something lingering. If she was going to torment herself afterwards, she may as well make it worthwhile.

 

[cleopat]

Cora wanted to murder her brother, who for some forsaken reason decided it would be a bright idea to burst into her room without an answer from her end after his preemptive knock.

Oh how she wanted to strangle him.

Maybe later.

“Exactly what he said, we were talking. And anything dealing with Barnabus can surely wait until morning,” Cora said with firm resolution. She was not in the mood to discuss anything of the sort, which she realized possibly was work related.

“I just wanted to ask-” but Leo didn’t get a chance to finish before Cora walked up to him and began pushing him towards her door.

“Nope, it can wait until the morning. It is getting late and last I checked you have a home to get back to.” She was not having it.

“Then why is he here?” Leo asked, moving towards the door with Cora’s insistence. “He shouldn’t be in here.” Then, he lowered his voice into a stage-whisper, “I don’t like him.”

“And I don’t care,” she said matter-of-factly, before she finally pushed Leo out of her room and shut the door in his face. With a heavy sigh, she turned and leaned against the door, giving Eli a weary smile. “I’m sorry about that. He really doesn’t know boundaries too well.”

~~~

Thrawn shouldn’t have kissed Eira.

Thrawn shouldn’t have closed his eyes and deepened the kiss, as Eira made it obvious she was enjoying the action.

Thrawn shouldn’t have lifted one hand to gently cup her neck, with his thumb softly resting along her jaw.

But he did. He kissed her knowing she was a suspect in his rebel investigation, and he couldn’t find it in himself to regret the action.

And how long had it been since he entertained a kiss with a woman he fancied? Far, far too long.

So he allowed himself this indulgence, for just a moment longer, before he pulled away, but his hand remained on Eira’s neck, as he didn’t think to step or move away in any capacity. Their closeness allowed him to indulge in the moment just a second longer. “I apologize, I didn’t mean to get so ahead of myself.”

But still he didn’t step or move away. So did Thrawn actually regret his actions? Not in the least.

 

[Lucyfer]

Cora pulled herself back together, and rather than let this go, decided it was Leo who had to go and went about escorting him out. Despite the lowering of his voice, it was obvious Eli was still meant to hear as he claimed not to like Eli. ‘Noted.’ He would still try to like Leoline, but next time he’d get to the heart of the issue Leoline had with him.

See if Leoline could really live with his prejudice comfortably called out and challenged.

Besides, he’d clearly won Cora over enough that she didn’t care, right then. Eventually, no doubt, she’d ask for her own details, see if there was any legitimacy to it…Eli didn’t wish to be a permanent issue between her and her family…but right then, he felt vindicated.

And so he smiled when Cora turned back, door shut. “I guess we should have remembered to lock it, anyways,” Eli wouldn’t be upset. Couldn’t be, given Leoline was shown the door and everything was innocent. ‘So now that that’s over….’ He resisted the urge to make a comment about things they could do next.

He was pretty certain now that he’d prefer to wait until they got back.

“I’m sorry to cause all this drama with your family,” he sighed, “not that it’s my fault, but…well, I wish I had a way to just dispel all their doubts and prejudices in an instant.” But he didn’t, so the long, hard way it had to be.

~***~

It was Mitth’raw’nuruodo who broke the action, something Eira should have done herself, far sooner, and with far more insistence. Instead, she was left wanting more than what had been given, though of course, such an act demanded words, explanations – not an apology. ‘Absolutely an apology!’

Though it should come from her, for leading him on.

It should be her finding words to fix this mess so it didn’t happen again, but he hadn’t drifted, and his apology was a lie. It didn’t require the Force to sense that, and so Eira just lowered her hand to his shoulder, before she drew it down his arm, and away.

The other was still against his chest.

Her smile was indulgent, though, “If this was ahead, then what was the step before this, Mitth’raw’nuruodo?” Probably asking, though Eira didn’t leave him to think long about it, “I’m sorry,” she said, “I knew you were infatuated for a while, and I didn’t…want to cause any problems.” She let her gaze stray away, “especially as I started to return those feelings.”

 

[cleopat]

Cora gave him a soft smile as she walked back over to the bed, sitting back in her original spot. “I didn’t think it would have been necessary to begin with. Again, I’m sorry for Leo. He can be a bit...difficult sometimes.” And what he said about Eli still resonated in her head.

She needed to find out what exactly about Eli he didn’t like, and hope to correct it. To make Leo understand Eli better, and to fight and prejudices that may be there.

Her hand grabbed his, and she gently squeezed it. “They will get over themselves eventually.” She just knew it. She knew her family, very well she’d liked to think, and she knew that once they got to know Eli better, those Core prejudices would melt away.

Cora was already certain that her parents were coming around, despite their behavior at dinner.

“But unless you really want to talk about my family right now, I would like to resume talking about each other, and our likes,” she said, entwining her fingers with his.

~~~

Thrawn lingered for a moment longer, even as Eira spoke. Stars forbid Governor Tarkin ever found out about this moment, or, even worse, Eli. He would never hear the end of it.

As if his thoughts would give him a moment’s peace.

“It seems we are both in a bit of a bind then.” The hand cupping her neck lowered to rest on her shoulder. “When did you realize you started to return those feelings?” A curious question, one he didn’t quite know the answer for himself.

When did he start realizing his feelings for Eira? When did he start to enjoy her presence as more than just a friendly outing?

He heard the faint ding of Eira’s datapad.

Upon inspection, Eira would find a message from Lin: Director called for emergency rehearsals. You need to come now.

 

[Lucyfer]

Leo was apparently going to be very difficult. He had set all this up to begin with by telling Cora’s parents, and now he still insisted on making Eli’s life hard by going in to see Cora, no doubt really to see if Eli was there. Eli supposed that may just be paranoia, but his mind wanted to turn against Leo and accuse him of the worst things it could.

For now he’d be glad that Cora had some optimism, and that she had returned to his side and taken his hand once more. He shook his head, “I’m no more interested in talking about them than I was before,” that would likely remain for a bit, though he supposed he’d want an update down the road to make sure he passed all these initial tests.

And to find out where he failed.

“But,” he allowed one last lingering, drawing her hand to hover over his lap and wrapping it up in his other hand, as well, “I do want to thank you for not being shaken by them,” so far, but he wouldn’t add that, “and being willing to deal with it,” it meant she thought he was worth it, and he appreciated that immensely, since it would certainly take a lot for him to introduce a woman he thought his parents wouldn’t like.

Though, they didn’t harbor the same irrational prejudices, so that would probably be pretty hard to find.

~***~

Eira knew what message awaited her on the datapad, but it would seem to strange not to look. Lin’s too-late rescue. With the hand she had freed, Eira took her datapad out of her small purse to glance at it, while giving Mitth’raw’nuruodo his answer.

“Shortly before I became incredibly busy,” a hint that the evasion had been real, and not imagined. That she had recognized her own feelings then and thought to get away from him. It wasn’t entirely true, but it would match everything else.

He didn’t need to know it had been while she was still with Adlai. Nor that the evasion came from the fact he knew he was working with a Sith, more than anything else. ‘I should have found someone else to date.’ Lin might have humored her for a bit, as she chose not to respond to him and instead turned it off to prevent further alerts.

They didn’t much matter in an elevator.

She’d tuck the datapad back into her purse. “We can…disregard this. I know it’s an additional complication you don’t need, that was why I was trying to avoid it to begin with,” among other reasons. “It might be better if we didn’t see each other for a while to let things cool.”

She pulled her hand free of his, but wouldn’t move away, though she didn’t look back up to meet his gaze. It was one thing for the press to consider a scandal, quite another for them to have it. “I promise, it’s not terribly fun to be involved with an actress. Adlai can attest to that.”

 

[cleopat]

Cora was pleased that Eli was not interested in talking about her family as he was before the interruption. Even if Leo did ruin the mood for a bit, she still wanted to talk with Eli, about Eli. Or about them in general. Not about her family. “Good.”

The thought was a bit of a mood killer.

She smiled as she allowed him to move her hand and to wrap his other hand around hers. She enjoyed his warm touch immensely, and it helped her to forget the events that had transpired. “Of course. I know how stubborn my family can be, and I know how wonderful of a guy you are.” She could deal with her family being adverse to him at first.

They were slowly coming around. Leo would take longer, but he, too, would drop the protective older brother act and come around as well, when he saw how happy Eli made Cora.

“I try not to let my family sway me too much in my choices of men.” Especially not over something as trivial as where they were from. If it concerned red flags she should be seeing, then she would listen to them.

But all of their complaints about Eli hadn’t been about red flags, it had all stemmed from where he was from. They were simply being ridiculous.

~~~

Thrawn moved ever so slightly to allow Eira to better grab her datapad and check the message that was on it. Although curious as to what it may be, he remained silent, as it was not his place to inquire further unless she decided to divulge the information with him.

Instead, he focused on when she began to develop feelings for him. Thrawn was not daft. He could analyze her words and come to realize there was a strong correlation between her becoming incredibly busy and her budding feelings for him. So he hadn’t imagined things then.

She had been avoiding him, out of the burgeoning feelings she held. Which only made their day together somewhat bittersweet.

More bitter, as he thought more about his own reasons for needing to learn more about Eira.

“In case you did not know, I have quite the successful history with complicated situations,” Thrawn said with a chuckle. And a complication this was, or would be. He knew he couldn’t pursue her, not if there was that connection with the Coruscant rebel cell.

But some foolish part of him held on to the hope that she was innocent, and for once, Tarkin was led astray.

“It’s not terribly fun to be involved with a grand admiral.” In the best case scenario, if they were to see each other, both would have such involved lives that Thrawn would hardly ever get to see Eira and vice versa. They both knew that.

And yet, Thrawn couldn’t help but to lean down and press his lips against hers once more in a chaste kiss. “Forgive me, but if we are to not see each other for a while after this, I couldn’t help but one more.” Or more. He certainly wouldn’t protest more.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli was grateful that Cora was able to see beyond what her family did, and that she seemed to have an ally in Rose. He did wonder about her other brother, if he would be as harsh. The Empire could go so many ways with attitudes, though he found it was usually, unfortunately, xenophobic – even with the promotion of Thrawn. Things didn’t change that quickly.

“Well, I’m obviously grateful for that,” it was giving Eli a chance to get to know her now, and to fall in love with her, although the latter thought was one he wasn’t prepared to say just yet. It felt like things were moving fast, but he knew some of that was the illusion of meeting her parents so suddenly.

He would let his feelings settle, become more certain, as time went on. Still, it wasn’t hard to imagine a future – but that’s why he was here, wasn’t it?

He was also going to ignore the feeling that something was wrong, and that something was with Thrawn, because now was not the time for that.

“Why don’t you tell me about your favorite places on Anaxes? Since I probably won’t get to stay long enough to see them this time,” he could make notes, and plan a trip that would let him see as many places as possible, for next time.

Though perhaps next time they’d get a hotel so they weren’t reliant on her parents’ generosity…and wouldn’t have them hovering around, ready to enter Cora’s bedroom at any time they liked. A hotel would be better even if it cost a little bit of money, just to avoid that happening again.

Even room service waited for a response!

~***~

Eira was tempted to roll her eyes at Mitth’raw’nuruodo’s declaration of being good with complicated situations. He likely was. Perhaps it would even work. They were both invested in their work… ‘But his work is the problem.’ Eira knew she wouldn’t be able to reconcile it, in the end. She would end up a spy, something she didn’t want to be, or she would end up captured by the Empire – also, something she didn’t want.

So, she could only smile ruefully at his comment, while he acknowledged it wasn’t fun to be involved with a Grand Admiral. Another temptation was to ask just how many people he’d been with since becoming one – it was such a recent thing, what did he know about it? Yet, she stilled her tongue.

This was a break up, not a plea.

He apparently recognized that, yet still leaned in for one more kiss. Chaste. Terribly gentle. Eira wished she could have granted him more, but it wasn’t enough to alter her mind. Although she wanted to be upset with him for it, nothing more than slightly rueful, slightly amused, could taint her expression, “I think it’s—” for the better was how that should have concluded, but the elevator shuddered, cutting her off.

She let herself step back against the wall for balance, and sighed, “At least someone’s working on it.” It would likely be moving soon, enough to get them out, and then they could part ways for a while, until these wretched feelings had cooled.

 

[cleopat]

Again, Cora was relieved that Eli didn’t seem to harbor any grudges from the night. Any grudges that her family may have created and aimed them at her. It would be a petty thing to do...but also, she wouldn’t blame him for feeling some sort of way after the hostility he experienced at the hands of her parents and brother.

At least he was able to look past that for her. At least they were trying to be better.

“My favorite places?” She hummed, the thumb of her free hand gently brushing over Eli’s hand. “Well, there is this enormous park in the middle of the city that I love to frequent. It has trails you can walk, ponds, and it’s just this serene place in the middle of everything.”

She could easily get lost in the sounds of the trees while walking one of the trails, and it was often a place she visited whenever she needed to get away from her family.

“Another place I enjoy is the local art museum. It features mainly artists from Anaxes with a rotating exhibit, so everytime you go, there’s something new to look at.” She wasn’t as fascinated with art like Grand Admiral Thrawn was, but she still had appreciation, especially for the art of her home planet.

~~~

The slight movement of the elevator and the new space between Thrawn and Eira helped him regain some clarity of the situation. He had to find time for her. Needed to. He needed the information from her that would help him to figure her out, and admitting that they needed space would not do.

Even though she started, Eira still hadn’t completely responded to what he said, interrupted by the elevator, which, yes, he was happy someone was finally working on. He didn’t want to spend all evening trapped in such a confined space. But it now meant his time to convince her otherwise, that maybe they should spend more time together, was coming to an end.

“Although I don’t see why we shouldn’t be able to see one another after this,” Thrawn started, carefully assessing his words. He had to be mindful of the words he chose. “Yes, we may have busy schedules, but I have heard that if you truly desire something, you’ll make it work.”

Of course he wouldn’t mention that his busy schedule involved investigating the rebel cell on Coruscant, which in turn involved the suspicions involving Eira. But if they turned out false, she wasn’t bad company to be around.

Thrawn found her entirely pleasant, and he would be lying if he said he still wasn’t thinking about their kiss.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli wasn’t surprised by the mention of the park, given where Cora had ended up in the Empire to start with. He nodded along, trying to imagine it. Even on Core worlds, it was hard to imagine areas of such greenery, and trails. They were always so well cultivated, hardly like what he was more familiar with in Wild Space and the Outer Rim. He wondered if that had surprised her much.

A question he could pose soon, as he’d rather talk about than art. He groaned at hearing it, though it was mostly in good spirits. “How do I find people like you and Thrawn?” He wondered aloud, shaking his head, “Not that I dislike art,” obviously, he just didn’t understand it in that way, nor appreciate it.

‘Do not mention Thrawn, do not mention the feeling you have about Thrawn, if you say one word about Thrawn you can just leave.’

He forced his mind to turn away from Thrawn, which shouldn’t have been as hard a thing as it was with a pretty woman holding his hand. It was easier when he removed the covering hand to let it fall on her leg, a tentative gesture, but a gesture all the same as he bumped his knee against hers, as well.

“Did the nature outside of Anaxes surprise you? I’ve always seen nature trails in Core worlds as being…well…cultivated.” Not actually natural, not truly dangerous, not like those on other planets which maintained some of their wildness.

One of those odd points of prides places like Eriadu and Serenno held.

~***~

Apparently, Eira shouldn’t have let the elevator interrupt her. Mitth’raw’nuruodo seemed to realize the ending of this elevator trip would also be the last they’d see of each other. He had a change of heart, which caused Eira to frown a bit. Her look didn’t alter to anything more pleasant, mind skewed towards the flaws of men she was always warned about, rather than the fact he was literally an Imperial and that should be enough of a red flag.

“You’ve heard,” Eira said the word slowly, “but never found something to prove it before.” And he may be wrong to think she was that thing. In fact, she shook her head in somber denial. She knew that was just a romantic notion, “That’s the kind of thing you’d find in one of my films,” an idealism that wasn’t true, that always ended when the romantic duo got back together after the odds.

It never showed the mundane life and the way many of those couples were probably destined for heartache, once the chaos was over.

But then, she was fairly certain he wasn’t looking for anyone here. Nor was she. Perhaps that separated them from others who would be inclined to stray due to busy schedules. As foolish as it was to consider logically, hope still beat away with every pulse of her heart, just as it had when she’d thought she could convince him to see the error of the Empire’s ways.

If it all went wrong, though, what was really the harm other than a broken heart? ‘Plenty.’ She was a rebel. If it went wrong…. ‘But what if it goes right?’ She bit her bottom lip, hating that she was even thinking of it. Time was ticking away. “Why?” A stupid question, “Okay, that’s stupid – I understand why,” she wasn’t looking for a confidence boost, “I mean…why a relationship at all, why now? You just reached Grand Admiral, Mitth’raw’nuruodo, and as soon as the galaxy knows about this, that will be in jeopardy. You’ve seen how things are, you know how people feel about interracial relationships. This would be a harm now, and things aren’t stable yet for you.”

She wasn’t so concerned about herself. She could retire any day she wanted. “This seems to go against your other desires.”

 

[cleopat]

Cora chuckled as Eli bemoaned about knowing art people. You’re just lucky, I guess. And art wasn’t that terribly uncommon as an interest, she thought. Plenty of people liked art, or could at least appreciate it in some form.

There was some art she couldn’t absolutely stand, and some she wanted to decorate the walls of her future home with.

Did Thrawn have art he disliked?

All thoughts of art faded away as she felt Eli’s hand drop on her leg, the nearness of their bodies not unnoticed by her.

Oh yeah, he asked a question.

“Not really, but also yes,” she responded with a shrug. “I grew up reading about the nature and wildlife on other planets outside of the Core, so I knew what to expect when I left Anaxes, but also, seeing everything for the first time? It was still overwhelming in the best ways.”

And there was still so much for her to read. To explore.

“Is there a lot of nature and wilderness back on your home world?”

~~~

At first, Thrawn believed he may have missed his chance to reclaim that hold on Eira that the kiss had provided and make her see that they could easily see one another in the near future. That would not have bode well for his plans, and the plans set upon him for needing to figure out more about the enigma that was Eira.

But then he saw it.

She hadn’t completely closed off any hope of that future. Instead, she questioned him. Questioned why he wanted to pursue this, and Thrawn saw it as Eira’s attempt to think logically about this, and thus, as a result, potentially be swayed by the right answer.

He had to be mindful of how he answered her.

“Oh, if my previous transgressions during my servitude to the Empire resulted in promotions instead of court martials, then I highly doubt a relationship will jeopardize my position in any way.” Though he shuddered to think of what Governor Tarkin would say about the situation.

You were supposed to learn more about her, not date her.

Though some could argue that a relationship was a great way to learn about someone in ways others would never get to know.

“But if the public’s reaction to an interracial relationship and their perception of me worries you, we could perhaps play it slow.” Nothing too public, mostly meetings in private places where the curious eye couldn’t wonder. “And if it gets burdensome, then we can decide from there how to proceed.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli nodded as Cora indicated that seeing it all for the first time was overwhelming. Even he couldn’t deny that, despite his own background. He may be more accustomed to wild nature, but there were all different kinds of ecosystems and plants and rocks waiting to be seen and overcome! It had been an exciting adventure, early on in his career in the Survey Corps. He had enjoyed it immensely.

Now at the question of nature of his own world, he could only shrug a bit, “It’s not…buildings and cities and structured gardens everywhere, but it’s also not…well, wild,” despite it being in Wild Space. “We’ve had civilization around for thousands of years, we’ve just grown in different ways.” Idly, he let his thumb stroke over the bit of leg it could.

They didn’t have all the access the Core had, but they also had different things in Lysatra that the Core didn’t have, because of their exposure to the technology of Wild Space, which had grown in different ways thanks to the influences out there.

“We do have a few nature trails, and some places that no one’s really cared to tame,” he said, “but it’s nowhere near places like Felucia, It’s more civilized then it is anything else,” at least, he felt that way about it, even after seeing how the Core worlds operated. He’d seen enough of truly wild places to no Lysatra didn’t really compare to them, either.

~***~

Eira didn’t immediately smile at the easy way Mitth’raw’nuruodo was taking this. He had good luck, she supposed. Somehow he’d evaded trouble despite being inhuman, and gotten promotion after promotion. She was glad for that, despite what it meant – that thing she should keep at the forefront of her mind.

But how could she cast away hope entirely?

He was willing to try, and to negotiate as things went along. He was willing even to hide it, something Eira wasn’t accustomed to, since she’d never hidden a relationship. The point to one had been so people knew, and didn’t bother her about other options. Usually, themselves. That would be different, but not far from what they were already doing. Though, thoughts of where they’d seek privacy did make her wonder.

Obviously, a starship and her home would set the rumor mill ablaze.

The brief thought of the private spar came to mind, and was quickly dismissed. ‘There are always ways.’

“I suppose there’s little harm in trying, so long as we remain open to change and communicate,” Eira answered, measuring her own words carefully, not for fear of offense or even a lie, but simply because it was a novel situation and her mind was still working through it.

A smile followed, some relief, some happiness, at settling in to a place where her feelings didn’t need to be avoided, or masked. Well, except in public…and given she hadn’t a plan for what ‘private’ would entail yet, there wouldn’t really be much availability, although she knew that was certainly something to work on with him, later. “I have not tried to have a relationship out of the public eye before. I do not think it will cause me too many problems, but it does mean I am not versed in sneaking around.”

 

[cleopat]

Lysatra was quite different from the Core, as Cora had gathered from Eli’s descriptions, but that hardly surprised her. Wild Space wasn’t the Core. The region had its own culture and history and influences, which one can easily see in how a planet is built up as civilization progresses.

“Well I am eager for you to show me around one day, and see your favorite places to visit.” Unlike their visit to Anaxes, where Cora didn’t have enough time to show Eli some of her favorite places. It was a shame, really, as it would have meant more time alone together

“What are some of your favorite places to visit when you’re back home?” Cora had described to him some of hers, and she wondered at his. What it was back home that he admired and frequented. She hardly believed that a museum would be one of the places, but she did wonder about the nature trails, since it seemed that the wildlife played a larger role on the planet than she was used to.

And of course, there were many other things she had yet to learn about Lysatra, as she knew very little about the planet.

~~~

Thrawn was relieved that Eira didn’t object or fight him in any way against what he suggested. He had honestly expected her to resist at first, given some of her earlier words, but she didn’t, which made things all the easier for him.

“I’m glad that you agreed to this peculiar situation.” Still, he understood he would have to tread carefully going forward, as he did not want to spook Eira too much with this unfamiliar territory for her. For both of them. This wasn’t exactly a scenario that Thrawn was well versed in either.

Not that it was a real relationship, he thought. He wondered.

“I wouldn’t think of it as sneaking around,” he said. “Think of it as keeping your private life just that, private. And should the media ultimately ask you about the nature of our relationship, you can answer that in any way you feel most comfortable.” So, if she didn’t want to lie, she wouldn’t have to, and Thrawn would deal with whatever consequences came his way.

He had dealt with worse before. Dating a suspected rebel to get to know her better and what she may be involved in hardly seemed like something he would be court martialed over.

But he hardly wanted to hear Eli Vanto rant to him about how ridiculous of an idea this way.

 

[Lucyfer]

“Well,” Eli leaned back a moment, looking up at Cora’s ceiling as he tried to think of his favorite places, and not just the places on Lystatra he had frequented. He had frequented the docks plenty, and while those were fun, in their way, calling them a favorite felt wrong. And not, at the same time.

He chuckled as he shook his head, “Most of the places that are actually my favorite are places I did a lot of people watching, and just had…random interactions. The docks on Lystatra,” he offered, “It was easy to sit around outside a nearby cantina and interact with the people coming and going, learn about business, gossip, all kinds of things. And everyone knew me,” and his family, “so it was always nice to catch up with everyone, too.”

Lystatra was an entire planet, but it had felt small.

It had that feel, to Eli, of a small town rather than a giant planet.

“I also used to hang out a lot at the forest near my academy when I was younger. There’s no nature trail to it or anything, it’s one of those places just forgotten about. We had stories about all kinds of things being in it, but we never found anything scarier than a Lyrscat…which is a very small predator,” he chuckled, “bigger than a lothcat, but smaller than a nexu. They like to act as if they’re as bad as nexues, though.”

Which was adorable.

And sometimes a painful lesson.

“Mostly I really just…enjoyed hanging out of cantinas or cafes, and just watching people, or interacting with them,” he gave an apologetic smile, “I guess that’s probably not what you’re looking for – but I do know plenty of more touristy places.”

~***~

‘So, sneaking around.’ Eira didn’t correct Mitth’raw’nuruodo a second time as he tried to explain it in another way. Eira didn’t have a private life. Well, not that he was meant to know about, anyways. He was meant to assume that the public really did know quite a bit about her, or could guess much, based on where they were allowed to see her.

He should assume she was an open book, as well.

“Thank you,” she answered that allowance, for omission or lies, about their relationship. “I…don’t think I’ll lie, but I will try to omit what I can for a bit, to make sure that when it does fall back on you,” it was certainly a ‘when’, not ‘if’, “you’ll be more stable in your position with the Empire. And perhaps more people will be willing to overlook other aspects.”

It was easy for her to overlook, though she’d never been xenophobic. She had no issues at all with aliens.

Of course, the elevator jerked again, and then, seemed to move smoothly. She let out a sigh of relief, even though a stray thought reminded her that meant no more time to kiss him once more, not even goodbye. She tried to ignore that thought, and found it fled completely when they reached their destination.

The elevator mechanics weren’t there.

R.D. Shay was, looking quite displeased.

“Nevan,” she greeted cordially, terse, before, “Grand Admiral Thrawn. I need several words with you.” She didn’t even bother introducing herself.

 

[cleopat]

The places Eli mentioned weren’t any notable places of interest like Cora’s was, but they were places he enjoyed visiting for his own reasons. She liked those reasons, as they told her more about Eli and what he was like.

For example, she had no idea that Eli used to love to people watch. Did he still do that now that he was with the Empire? She couldn’t think of many scenarios where he may be able to do that, unless he loved to watch the other officers in the caf.

“No, no, I’m happy to hear about these places.” It was something new about Eli that Cora got to learn. “It tells me a little more about you, and what you are like, which I think is nice.” Not to mention, the mental image of one of those Lyrscat sounded adorable.

Before Cora could say anything else, a small yawn escaped. “I think it’s nearly time for me to go to sleep.” She didn’t want Eli to go, but he would only be right down the hall, and they would see each other again in the morning.

Then they would get to deal with the aftermath of the dinner with her parents. What joy to be looking forward to.

“But I do want to thank you for coming here this evening. Not just here, to my room, but for coming to Anaxes.” Cora would definitely have to make it up to Eli somehow when they got back, as she knew her parents were not easy to deal with. Or her brother.

~~~

Even if he didn’t care in the end, Thrawn would appreciate that Eira would approach any media about this relationship with tact and caution. This was an area he was not familiar with, but he could imagine how the situation may seem to his officers who pay attention to the media. “I thank you for that.”

Ideally, Thrawn would prefer to keep everything to a low-profile, but he knew how futile that endeavor may end up being, and he resigned to that fact.

The elevator began moving again, which brought some relief to Thrawn. Being confined in a small place was not on the agenda, though it hadn’t been all terrible. Plans were moving forward. He convinced Eira to see him again in the near future.

But maybe he shouldn’t have been happy that they were getting out, for Eira’s manager, as he remembered her briefly from when he and Eira spent time together at the park.

Thrawn also remembered not quite liking her.

“Shay,” he greeted, recalling her name. “I am intrigued as to why you would need to talk with me.” He wasn’t intrigued, really, but he would maintain false pleasantries.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli supposed it was better than trying to lie and impress Cora with places he didn’t care much for. It was true, not many people knew he could be observant – but it was how he’d started early in learning patterns and trends. Numbers. He’d been good at taking in information about the goings-on and using it.

That was how some would look at his activity.

Eli had just enjoyed it.

He was sad to hear the yawn, and the accompanying sentiment, but he wouldn’t press to stay longer. He hummed, nodded in acceptance, “Yeah – probably time for me, as well,” he agreed, rising from where he sat, but not moving away immediately, and keeping her hand in his for a few moments longer.

“You’re welcome,” he was glad it would be over soon. There’d be one last meeting with the parents, “This was one of the better parts of the evening,” he chuckled, but wouldn’t press things further about how arduous a task visiting with her family had been, in general. He could harp on that for far too long. “Should I sleep in a bit?”

It was asked as a bit of a joke, as he brought her hand up and placed a kiss on her knuckles. Her lips would wait until she’d told him if he could sleep in late to avoid some of the awkward morning talk, that was likely going to be all about him. Cora did need to hear that rundown. If only to know what Eli could do to improve – or what he’d done right.

~***~

Shay was not impressed with Mitth’raw’nuruodo’s comment, it was obvious to Eira before the words even left her mouth, “I suppose you would play innocent when video suggests you forced yourself on my client.”

“Shay!” Eira couldn’t keep the scandalized tone out of her voice, that Shay would even dare to consider spinning it that way. Color left her completely. “He didn’t!”

“Shame there’s no audio,” Shay answered the horror drily, eyes not leaving Mitth’raw’nuruodo to consider Eira’s emotions. Eira didn’t concern her so much right then, “Miss Nevan and her affairs are my business, Grand Admiral. That suddenly makes you my business.” This meeting was a longtime coming, Shay had known that.

Still, she had wanted to set the terms better.

Not that blackmailing an audioless video that painted the Grand Admiral in a poor light was against her terms. It was probably the greatest tool she could have been given, since it certainly looked like Eira meant to push him away at first. Cut and edited, it could be his destruction. “Now, shall we adjourn to a well-tinted speeder to discuss things further, or shall I let your fate go to public opinion with no discussion?”

“Why are you doing this?” Eira snapped, and Shay finally looked to her.

“Perhaps you ought to ask the you that dated Darius why I’m doing this.” Color wouldn’t be returning to Eira’s face anytime soon after that comment. “I’m looking out for you, Eira,” what warmth there could be, was shown in the moment, in both Eira’s acceptance of Shay’s pointed comment, and the rueful tone Shay used.

 

[cleopat]

The kiss on the knuckles was a bit of a welcomed surprise, and the subtle flush on her cheeks showed as much. None of the previous people she had dated ever done such a gesture, and now her ridiculous mind will relentlessly think about it all night, even though there was nothing to think about.

“I’m glad you thought it was one of the better parts of the evening, cause I thought so too,” minus her brother barging in, but Cora left that part out. No need to bring him up right then.

She stood up from the bed, not pulling her hand away just yet. “Yes, you can sleep in some,” she chuckled. “I’ll be sure to send you a message when I’m up and ready for the day.” And ready to face her parents again.

“Goodnight, Eli,” she said before she leaned up to press her lips to his in a gentle kiss. She couldn’t just let him leave with a proper good evening, after all.

~~~

Thrawn did not care for Shay when they initially met, but now he had an actual reason for that dislike in the form of blackmail.

He did not take too kindly to being blackmailed.

But, unless he could get his hands on any footage of the elevator, and if Shay didn’t already had a copy, he had to be agreeable to whatever wishes she wanted that concerned him. True, Thrawn may not care about his reputation too much, but this crossed the line.

He had many things he wished to say to Shay, and there was some satisfaction to how Eira reacted to the entire situation, but he remained silent as he cooly stared at her.

“No worries, Eira, I would be delighted to have a discussion with Miss Shay here.” His gaze didn’t waver from Shay. “After all, I am certain that whatever it is she wishes to discuss must be of utmost importance if she decides to engage in blackmail of an imperial officer.”

Oh yes, he was very intrigued as to what it was that Shay possibly wished to talk to him about, and that warranted blackmail to get him.

 

[Lucyfer]

If Cora hadn’t moved first, Eli would have. As it was, he was glad to feel his thoughts were reciprocated in the kiss that Cora offered for their parting. He returned it, knowing he couldn’t go terribly far. This was goodnight, not goodnight. He would be returning to his room, quite soon.

Still, the smile was obvious even before they parted, and he stepped back, “Good night, Cora,” he said, knowing he’d try to take advantage of sleeping in. He wasn’t used to it. He’d probably wake up and just stay in the room for a bit. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he squeezed her hand, and would then release it to head to the door.

He was able to find his way back to his own quarters after leaving her easily enough, given it wasn’t far. He sighed as he stepped into his room, looked for a lock, and locked the door firmly behind him. Last thing he needed was any one of Cora’s family barging into his room on flimsy pretenses. Not that he really thought they would…but just in case.

He would look at his datapad before sleep, only to groan as he saw the messages from Faro about Thrawn. Well, at least his feelings hadn’t been wrong, even if they were ill-timed. Thrawn was making a mess of things, once again.

He didn’t respond, just set the datapad aside, and went to sleep.

~***~

‘This isn’t the first time.’ Shay, naturally, didn’t say that. She didn’t believe she needed to say it, either. Everything she heard, everything she knew, about Thrawn indicated a certain intelligence, though it faltered in some areas. It seemed this was one of those areas. Not that talking to her was a wrong thing, but choosing Eira for his affections was.

And Eira choosing him, though it was harder to be mad at Eira. She wasn’t stupid; she was just too damn hopeful. The world needed that kind of hope, though. It was that kind of hope that would bring the wookiees back to their former place in the galaxy – one day.

“I’m glad you feel that way,” ‘I’d blackmail an Imperial for a corn chip.’ “Follow me, then. Eira, I’d like to meet with you separately.”

This didn’t surprise Eira, though she was loathed to agree. Nonetheless, she did, “All right,” though nothing in her tone sounded agreeable, and she looked back to Thrawn. Apologizing for Shay was pointless, Shay didn’t feel guilty in the least. “I’ll hear from you afterwards?” Perhaps it wouldn’t be a promise he could keep, but it was worth indicating Shay hadn’t immediately changed her perspective.

Shay had been trying for weeks.

Shay didn’t bother to wait, walking on, aware that Thrawn would follow soon enough and reach her at the car. She had little to fear of him not following, given that piece of blackmail, and no fear of being shot in the back, either.

 

[cleopat]

Cora smiled even as they parted, the woefully chaste kiss and the promise of a new day with Eli enough to keep her happy. They bid their goodnights, and she watched as he made his way to her door and parted from her room for the night. She followed after him, if only to make sure the door was locked behind her.

She didn’t need another family member to make an unannounced entrance that night or early in the morning, before Cora was ready to see anyone.

Sleep came easy enough for Cora. She woke up early, though there was already a message waiting for her on her datapad. From her mother, letting her know what time breakfast will be served. It was enough time for her to get ready for the day and to give Eli a bit of a warning. She sent off a message to him, letting him know that she was awake and what time they would be eating breakfast, before she headed off to shower and do her morning rituals.

Even though she knew her parents were coming around with Eli, Cora still dreaded the morning with them. Would they finally back off of Eli? Or was she completely wrong in that regards?

Once she was done with the day, she sat back on her bed with her datapad in hand, looking to see if Eli responded, or if he would even come and knock on her door once he was up.

~~~

With her ease of the entire situation, Thrawn immediately wondered what more there was to this Shay character. If being a manager to Eira was her only pastime, or if she had any kind of sordid past she hasn’t revealed.

Thrawn would make a mental note to research further into Shay when he got back on the Chimaera, or task someone else to do it. It needed to be done, if only for the sole fact of her close relationship with Eira. And, given her tonal change when speaking with Eira, there was a close relationship there.

“Yes, you will hear from me soon,” Thrawn assured Eira. What he couldn’t assure her was exactly how soon that would be. He didn’t know how long this ‘meeting’ with Shay was going to last, and he didn’t know what awaited him back on the Chimaera.

He gave Eira a polite nod before he turned to wordlessly follow behind Shay to the nondescript vehicle where they would have privacy to chat.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli tried to sleep in, but of course, it was futile. His body was too familiar with waking early, and he hadn’t done anything strenuous to keep it asleep. Never mind the stress of meeting Cora’s parents; that apparently wasn’t enough. So, too soon, Eli was up and moving, though he didn’t leave his quarters to go wandering unescorted around the house – tempting as it was.

He checked his messages.

He did a double-take.

“Oh stars,” he palmed his face as he went through the rest of the messages Faro had sent him, and the headache that had abated yesterday returned in full force with the news that was no doubt taking Coruscant by storm: Grand Admiral Thrawn and Eira Nevan. ‘What the fuck, Thrawn? What happened to your investigation?’ Was this some plot of Thrawn’s? No, he didn’t seem the sort to try a honeypot.

Tarkin?

Or had Thrawn genuinely…? No, that didn’t even deserve humoring. ‘No one will like you if she’s a rebel and you find out through a relationship with her.’ Low tactics. Not that Thrawn ever cared, so long as he got results.

Eli just groaned again, and when Cora’s message came through, he noted that he was up and he would be ready for breakfast. He was, technically, already ready, but he wouldn’t head out until much closer to that time. He assumed he was giving Cora time to go chat with her parents by waiting.

He knew where to go – if it was in the same area. Which, he did send a follow-up message to clarify if it would be, before he would wait it out, and try to figure out what the hell he was going to say to Thrawn, or how he was going to understand Thrawn’s newest scheme. And deal with Faro’s angst.

~***~

Shay was not unaware of what her ease suggested, but she would not take it back. She had to gain the upperhand for long enough to deal with the Thrawn situation; the fact that so much focus had come to Coruscant already told her that, too soon, they would have to scatter and spread.

Soon, but not yet.

After she had followed the path that Breha Organa’s attempted kidnapping. After she had taken down whoever was behind it.

Thrawn did not delay, and as soon as he was in the vehicle, Shay gave a gesture to the driver. The driver wouldn’t be able to hear anything, which was why Shay didn’t bother to talk. With the gesture made, she pressed a button to raise the tinted screen – she wouldn’t risk lip reading, either, even if it’d only be Thrawn. Her back was to the driver.

“I’ll cut to the chase – I haven’t really allowed us any warmth for anything other than that,” she knew what she had done, and owned it, “As the manager of Eira’s…shall we say, persona, I do have significant influence on her activities. She has an image to maintain, and is unfortunately terribly naïve in some areas, which is among the reasons every single relationship has failed, and why I’ve told her to take time to not be in a relationship.” The exasperation seeped in. Shay was tired of this.

“Obviously, she didn’t listen – so this is what is certainly going to happen: this will be published overnight. How I frame it will be determined through our conversation, because I can only frame it based on what I know of you.” They would get no privacy. Shay wanted this to break, and she saw making this public as the quickest way to break it. If it survived, well…good for them.

No warmth. Simply business, “I do not expect us to get along, nor do I plan to endear myself to you anytime soon. I’d rather see this end, and yes, I will be telling Eira that, so don’t worry about tattling about my words to her and how I don’t have her best interest at heart.” Shay leaned back, crossed one leg over the other, “So – what is your intention here? Is it lust? Infatuation? Clout? Fame? Infamy? Love of the public? Reputation? Money? I’ll happily buy you off if you name a price.”

 

[cleopat]

As her datapad was already in her hands, Cora responded to Eli’s message almost as soon as she received it. Yes, breakfast would be in the same place, though there would be less people at breakfast than there was at dinner. Both her sister and her brother were back at their own places, or as she imagined, probably getting ready for a business meeting.

Taking the message as a way of saying he’ll meet up with her later, Cora left her room to head to the dining room, where her parents were already there, both indulging in soft conversation with one another with a cup of caf. They both paused and greeted her a good morning, which she reciprocated.

“I trust you slept well?” her father asked.

Cora nodded and hummed. “I did, thank you.”

“We heard that Eli paid you a visit last night,” her mother said with that tone she knew all too well.

Cora groaned. “It’s not like that. Ignore anything Leo may have said to you. I invited him over so that we could talk for a bit, and talking is all that we did.”

“It’s okay, you’re a grown woman now. We don’t care if anything happened last night. That’s all your business.”

She groaned again, giving up on her mother for the time being. She hadn’t even had caf yet!

~~~

Thrawn appreciated those who didn’t flower their words to dance around what they truly wanted, and Shay was, thankfully, quite to the point. Based on what he had observed of her during their little interactions, this wasn’t unusual for her in the least. He could admire that while still disliking the woman in general.

Apparently he and Eira wouldn’t be getting any privacy at the start of their relationship, as they tried to define what was going on and test the waters.

It was a slight setback, but Thrawn could work with it.

Thrawn sat up straight in his seat, hands neatly folded in his lap. “I hardly need half of what you listed. Money is of no interest to me, and I’ve already considered the potential damage my reputation may take.” Not that he cared, but apparently it was something he should care about.

He’ll have to ask Eli about that.

“Call it general interest and intrigue. Eira fascinates me, and I wish to get to know her better. Is that so wrong?” Thrawn knew that answer already, but he also knew his true, deep intentions for the entire relationship. Though, nothing he said was wrong. Eira did intrigue him greatly.

“It appears that you may have misread my intentions with her. There’s no malevolent desire I am hiding from her or from you.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli wouldn’t send any messages to Faro, or to Thrawn. He’d go over a few articles, trying to figure out what he managed to miss, before eventually it drew close to the time he needed to be heading to the dining room. He made sure he looked fine once more, before he headed that way, and found that indeed, Cora and her parents were there.

No brother.

No sister.

He wouldn’t have minded if Rosaline was there, though. Still, he gave a warm smile to the parents, and a softer, but no less warm, smile to Cora, “Good morning,” he greeted the room, assessing how it was set up, and moving to get his own cup of caf, and fix it how he liked. Should he ask how everyone slept?

No.

“Thank you for letting me stay the night,” they could have shipped him off to a hotel. Or put him in worse quarters further away from Cora. They hadn’t done that, “I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to meet you both,” he wouldn’t say it was a pleasure…but he wasn’t lying. He was glad to meet them, and get things started – hopefully, get them to like him, eventually.

~***~

Shay was not surprised that money didn’t appeal, but it was always worth a shot. She had bought plenty of people in her time, after all. Reputation was something dear to most, but she honestly hadn’t expected it from the man who continued to flaunt Imperial regulations. The problem was, he still got the job done. It didn’t endear him to anyone, except perhaps Tarkin, but it worked.

“Ordinarily, no. But you’re who you are,” Shay stated, “so yes, it is wrong,” perhaps a harsh statement since neither of them knew each other. Shay wasn’t opposed to showing her bias against the Empire. Having bias against the Empire didn’t immediately damn her – but she had a stronger bias against non-humans who supported the Empire.

That meant Thrawn.

And it meant he had malevolent intentions, simply by being associated with the Empire. Shay wouldn’t go so far as to call that out, though. It was implied heavily enough, she thought. “Then let’s go over the rule book for dating Eira Nevan,” Shay sighed, “There is an NDA involved, mostly in relation to not being allowed to speak about any upcoming projects Eira has until she herself has spoken to the public about them. This includes but is not limited to music, theater, film, travel and tours, and other such performances, private or public. It also includes agreements not to discuss intimacy.”

‘Not that such should worry you.’ Shay didn’t add that.

“I will forward it to you, to review, when we part ways,” Shay noted, “breach of the NDA comes with severe fines, but if money’s not an issue, I’m sure you won’t care, though it’d simply be better for everyone if you kept silent. Questions on this?” If not, she was willing to breeze through to other parts of the ‘rules’ involved in dating a celebrity.

 

[cleopat]

Eli had joined them after Cora had finally fixed herself a cup of caf - and avoided more awkward questions from her parents.

She loved them dearly, but she couldn’t wait to leave.

“Good morning,” Cora greeted with a soft smile, and her parents echoed the sentiment. They didn’t immediately launch into a tirade about the previous night and how Eli overstepped the line, which Cora saw as a good thing. Now they just needed to make it through breakfast.

“And we’re glad to have you visit us,” Alma said. “I trust that you slept well, and in your own room?”

Cora groaned, “Mom, we’ve already been through this.” They already embarrassed her this morning, they didn’t need to do it to Eli as well.

“I know, I know. I’m just making sure he is being a gentleman, that’s all.”

~~~

Thrawn wasn’t surprised by what Shay said to him. She didn't know him, and he didn’t know her. He would be blind if he wasn’t aware of the reputation of Imperials amongst the people, and even more so of other aliens.

But Thrawn didn’t reach his rank by caring of what others thought of him.

He hummed and leaned back against the seat, crossing his arms over his chest. Shay then went over some ‘rule book’ for dating Eira, which didn’t entirely make sense to him, but he was never one to care about certain regulations and images. Eira had made it clear she did, and these ‘rules’ must help with that.

I do not see any situation where I would need to talk about her projects with anyone other than herself.

He hardly thought that Shay would care if he said that. “Everything you explained is crystal clear.” Easy enough, but not at all what he imagined Shay truly wanted to talk about. Or the end of it. “What else is there?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli resisted the urge to audibly groan, and was glad his back was turned while he made his caf when that question arose. Apparently, Cora had already told them. ‘Well, if you listened to and trusted your daughter….’ Eli also resisted the urge to flat out deny that he slept in his own room and see how they dealt with it.

It’d be a lie. Certainly they all would know that, but it would drive home the point that they were being terribly irrational. Eli turned around, eyes briefly glancing to Cora’s father, before going back to Alma. “The bed in my quarters was quite comfortable,” Eli opted on a roundabout way of confirming.

Cora had already answered.

He wasn’t going to redo her job. “I can see your love of architecture and sense of style, as well as comfort, throughout the home. It’s been enjoyable being housed within here, and not needing to go to a hotel.” He would absolutely have a hotel the next time. “I hope the breakfast is better than any hotel one, too.”

His way of shifting the topic – or trying, anyways. Breakfast and food were far safer conversational topics.

~***~

Well, at least he wasn’t a dunce. Some people had asked her why being silent on projects was important, as if film makers wouldn’t prosecute if leaks occurred. Eira had gotten better at keeping these things to herself, but all the same, she was likely to be inclined to share with a real boyfriend. ‘Stars, do I actually have to do this?’ How difficult would it be to kill Thrawn and make sure his body was never found?

Too difficult.

There were a few other small things to sort out, “Not much, honestly, the NDA is the more important thing, the rest is for the two of you to figure out.” There was plenty Shay wanted to say. “I’m not going to advise you on how to deal with the press. If the Empire hasn’t prepared you for it, that’s your problem. I will suggest you take Eira’s lead and example, and try not to tell a different story.”

No doubt, he planned to let Eira first deal with the press and the situation of going public. She’d have to explain how this happened, how she didn’t cheat on Adlai, and a host of other things. That was Eira’s problem, but she had experience, and Shay wouldn’t leave her completely on her own…tempted as she was.

Lin and a few of her coworkers might also have to be enlisted to at least verify that she and Thrawn hadn’t been dating until very recently. Speak to the reluctance, the “too soon after”, the agonizing that people loved so much.

“With regards to the press, you should ignore half of it in general, or you’re going to become a paranoid mess when they report Eira’s cheating on you with twenty other men over the course of a week,” a bit of an exaggeration, but important nonetheless, “And don’t expect any parental meet and greets. I’m not sure how things are done in your culture, but if that’s a milestone,” as it was for many, “don’t expect it.”

That seemed to summarize things well enough. The NDA would be sent, “Oh, if you do need to renegotiate the NDA before you sign it, I’ll be including the contact information for Eira’s lawyer with it.” At least then he wouldn’t bother her, just Amita.

The car stopped.

Shay gestured out, "I'll just need to get your contact information and I can get everything sent to you." She could get it from Eira, she admittedly already had it, but she'd be polite.

 

[cleopat]

Cora had the urge to turn to her mother and yell at her, told you so. But she was mature. She could resist. Maybe doing that would even drive her mother to think more insistently that they did sleep together.

She kept her mouth shut.

Eli’s slight change in topic distracted Alma from her previous statement, and she gleamed at the compliment he gave concerning their house. “Such a nice young man you are.”

“My mother decorated many of the rooms here,” Cora explained for Eli. At that moment, breakfast was brought out, a much smaller affair than dinner, but still plenty of food for the four of them to eat.

“I did, and anything you find here will be far better than at the nearest hotel.” Alma reached for some bacon after Silas helped himself first. “Please, eat as much as you want. We have plenty of food here.”

~~~

More relationship stuff for them to figure out, Thrawn gathered he could use as an excuse to meet up with Eira one day soon. Though, would he even need an excuse anymore? Now that the public knew of their relationship. The public and the press.

And honestly, he didn’t know much on how to deal with the press except to ignore any rumors, and to make sure the Empire’s image remained positive. For that, he would follow Eira’s example in the story she tells to the press.

Thrawn was curious to know more about the lack of parental meetings. Why wouldn’t it happen? Was their relationship that strained? Or was there something to hide? He made a mental note to delve further into the background of her parents, just to see if there was anything noteworthy there.

Thrawn handed over to Shay his contact information. “Everything sounds crystal clear.” He hardly imagined he would need to renegotiate the NDA with Eira’s lawyer. He had no reason to discuss her future projects with anyone but her. Or maybe with Governor Tarkin, under certain circumstances.

“I trust that will be all?” he asked, moving to step out of the vehicle. Admittedly, he expected more protest to the situation overall, so if that was all, he would be pleased.

 

[Lucyfer]

Eli felt his eye twitch a bit at the ‘nice young man’ comment from Alma, who had been nothing but relentless in her criticisms and suspicions. He didn’t believe she thought that at all, though at least he knew the point to flatter to make her act like she tolerated him, at least a little. So, he kept the genial smile on his lips as things were explained to him.

‘A hotel would still be nicer due to lack of certain presences.’ But Eli didn’t say that, only stepped towards the breakfast table when he was invited, “Thank you, I will. It all looks good!” And he knew it would be, so he wasn’t stingy about portions.

He was heading back to the Chimaera.

He knew he wouldn’t eat as well there, no matter how Thrawn tried to make sure everything was in good order. Imperial food was just nutrition. Fuel. Rarely was it much more than that or considered to be much more than that.

Eli was going to enjoy food that wasn’t Imperial-cooked, and try to keep his mouth shut as much as possible until he could escape. He didn’t want to end this with an inadvertent comment that led to Cora’s parents hating him. And he couldn’t bring up the Thrawn situation in front of them, either.

He’d have to wait until he and Cora were on the ship back.

~***~

Thrawn took everything well, unflappable, even under threat of blackmail. Shay had met many types of Imperials, and she easily understood how Thrawn rose in the ranks even disregarding his military record. Some people, like Director Krennic, would never rise higher because of their attitude. Thrawn had the potential. If there were ranks above he could take without murder, he would.

What Shay didn’t understand, was why Eira liked him.

That was likely to remain a mystery.

“For now,” Shay answered vaguely. There was plenty more she would love to say, or do, but she would leave much of that to the press releases and make Thrawn’s life a living hell as best she could. Even if her skin crawled at the thought of baiting the racists and xenophobes, given she was alien as well. Perhaps someone would try to murder him. Well, Shay could always hope, since she couldn’t currently use her own bounty hunter.

He’d blanch at the idea of harming Eira’s newest boyfriend, even if he was also going to go off on Eira at the next meeting. His father being an Imperial and abandoning his family didn’t give him much respect for Imperials.

She wouldn’t offer a parting threat, either. Only, “Try not to ruin things for yourself, or Eira.”