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

[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."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"In here as I am, there is not much news I am capable of receiving. But there do seem to be populations that are . . . less than pleased with their lot in these years. Most of them are human. Whether they are former Imperial sympathizers, or are worlds where a great many of the Imperial noncoms and support staff deemed not-guilty is -- beyond my purview at this time. I don't have much more to tell, but the rage and frustration seemed like they ought to be someone's concern. It is not, from my collection, a . . . "

He pauses, saying a phrase in Sy Bisti, then a word, then shaking his head.

" . . . fad. I believe that is the word in Aurebesh. Or close to it, at any rate."

[for_everyone]

Hera listens, her eyes steady, no particular expression on her face.

"Why are you telling me this?" It's calm, and even, no hint of surprise or disbelief in her tone.

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"The Empire is dead, and for that I am not sorry."

It's true, particularly now. The past is past, and should be learned from, but not adhered to.

"This Republic is what replaced it, and I should prefer to shore that up rather than see it all fall to chaos again."

[for_everyone]

"All right."

She leans forward, folding her arms over the table.

"And how do you think the Republic should handle dissent?"

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"Ah," Thrawn says after a moment, leaning back in his chair instead of sitting upright.

"I see."

[for_everyone]

Hera doesn't move.

"What do you see?"

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"My past history providing a filter through which my current concerns are being viewed, I suppose. Perhaps not unexpected, but certainly disappointing."

His mouth is pressed into a flat line.

"What you do with what I have tried to tell you is neither my business nor my problem. I simply do not wish your Republic to be surprised by the trouble that's approaching on your flank. Perhaps what concerns drive their anger deserve to be ameliorated. Perhaps not. I have no way to judge from in here."

[for_everyone]

Again, Hera waits, her face impassive.

And then, she says simply -

"I asked because I wanted to hear your perspective."

[grandadmiralartcritic]

"And so you have, I think. Unless there is a particular point I failed to cover."

This is entirely possible, he supposes. His brief description was certainly . . . brief.