AU where Thrawn gets captured

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Being a prisoner who has not tried to escape in at least a decade does give one several . . . . privileges. At least they are sold as privileges, and Thrawn supposes he will take that.

They've opened up access to additional files on his datapad, which gives him things to think about.

He is allowed to put holos of art on his walls, which also gives him things to ponder.

It's something. He does not, however, receive many visitors.

And Thrawn does not have it in himself to mourn that. So.

Comments

[for_everyone]

There's a loud, slow knock on the metal door.

Hera doesn't have to do this. But she always does.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

The fact that she always does is not unwelcome. It also means that Thrawn has a greater idea than usual of who, precisely, is at his door.

So he raises his voice to be heard through the partition (but not quite loud enough to make those tasked with monitoring him wince at the noise through their comms).

"General Syndulla, is it? Come in, if you like."

[for_everyone]

Hera waits a moment, before pressing her hand to the biometric scanner next to the door. It hisses open.

What's most immediately noticeable is that she's not wearing her Republic uniform. Instead, she's dressed much like she used to in the early days of the Rebellion - pilot's cap and simple coveralls.

The door closes behind her. "It's not 'General' anymore."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn raises one eyebrow, even as he stands to greet Hera.

"Another promotion, then? Or have you retired?"

The change in clothing suggests the latter, but with this current Republic, one can never be quite sure.

[for_everyone]

"I resigned my commission."

Before she thinks to stop herself, Hera waves for him to sit down.

"The Republic doesn't need as many of us anymore."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn's smile is the barest curve of his mouth, though he does sit back down as Hera indicates.

"What will you be doing with yourself, then? Surely not staying anywhere near this system."

Will he miss her, when there is no reason for duty to bring her here anymore?

Perhaps, after a fashion.

[for_everyone]

"It's a big galaxy."

Hera watches him sit, and then walks over to sit across from him.

"I'm sure I'll find something to do."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"Oh, I have little doubt of that."

He folds his hands together, resting them on the tabletop, just to the side of his datapad.

"Though I do wonder what brings you here today, given that news."

[for_everyone]

Hera glances away, apparently thinking this over.

"I guess I still feel responsible."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Again his mouth presses into a faint curve.

"I suspect, in that case, that you will not accept abrogation of your responsibility from me."

[for_everyone]

"Is that your way of saying you'd rather I didn't come here?"

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"Hardly that."

His smile has not yet faded.

"Only that I would hate to discommode you in future, as your duty no longer carries you in this direction."

[for_everyone]

Hera isn't smiling. She only gives this comment another thoughtful pause.

"My duty doesn't come only from my rank."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn inclines his head.

"And that, Hera, is why I doubt I can excuse you from your sense of responsibility, in this case."

[for_everyone]

This time, Hera shakes her head.

"I wasn't hoping that you would."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"No?"

Interesting. Not unexpected, precisely, but still --

"Well, then."

[for_everyone]

Hera waits another moment. Then -

"How are you?"

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"Well enough. They've let me keep an art collection for some small time. One of the pilots brought me back some new holos recently. From Bothawui."

Bothans, so fierce, so arrogant, so terrible at cooperation. It all shows up in the art -- the angles, the lines, the composition --

[for_everyone]

"That was thoughtful of them."

The collection of art holos doesn't bother her. But at the same time, she doubts she would ever feel comfortable adding to it.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn's smile this time is thin and humorless.

"They do seem to enjoy my 'party trick', as they call it."

[for_everyone]

Hera still doesn't smile.

"I never found it amusing."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"No."

Thrawn inclines his head in acknowledgment.

"But then, you were there."

[for_everyone]

She leans back, eyes glancing as though considering him.

"That does seem to be how it works," she agrees, quietly.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

Thrawn merely quirks an eyebrow.

"I have also received some holos of recent sculptures from a few human-occupied worlds in the Outer Rim. The media tends to be stone or wood, often covered in sharp edges and jagged curves."

He shifts the position of his hands, folding left over right as opposed to what it was before.

"They are very . . . angry."

[for_everyone]

Hera takes a deep breath.

"If there's something you want me to know, you may have to come out and say it."