"Congratulations, Commander." Eli saluted the newly promoted Chiss. He bit back his disappointment – again, he'd been passed over for promotion.
"Thank you." Thrawn must have sensed his trouble, because he frowned a little. "It troubles me that you have not received one as well."
Eli, of course, knew exactly why he'd been passed again. The answer was looking him in the face, with glowing red eyes. He shook his head, "I'm sure it will happen when they think I'm ready, sir."
Thrawn didn't respond as they started down the hallway. "It seems we will be here for some time. They expect repairs to the ship to take four weeks."
He was about to reply, when a familiar purple-haired woman caught his eye. "Is that Riyo Chuchi?" She was standing across the hallway, chatting with a fellow senator. "It is! We should go say hello, we haven't seen her in ages."
He strode across the hallway to her quickly – she cracked a smile when she noticed him.
"Senator Chuchi, I'm sorry to interrupt, I thought we should say a quick hello."
Where did Thrawn go? He wasn't at his side, like he was moments ago.
"Eli Vanto, it's lovely to see you again."
"How are you?"
"I'm doing very well." Her attention turned a little, "Captain Thr… Oh. It looks like you've been promoted." Her smile widened. "Congratulations, Commander."
Thrawn, who was lagging behind for some reason, had finally joined them.
He nodded, "Thank you, Senator."
"It has been awhile since I've seen either of you," she said. "I've heard tales trickle back here of your successes. Admittedly, I smile a little to myself when I hear someone speaking of a mysterious, brilliant Pantoran naval officer."
Thrawn lingered after Eli dismissed himself.
"I assume it was not a lucky coincidence that you happened to be at the end of the hallway just as my promotion ceremony dismissed?"
"I would be disappointed had you not realized." When she heard news of them returning, she told herself to just ignore it. It was one night, over a year ago, and it meant nothing.
But then, there's something about him that interests her.
"I assume you'll have some social event you're required to attend this evening?"
He hesitated. "I do."
Riyo shook her head quickly, "I wasn't asking for an invite, I was…"
"It occurred to me that it might be much more enjoyable if you did accompany me."
She looked at him for a moment. If she could ever just read an expression…
"It was simply a thought that occurred to me, Senator. I'm not fond of such public displays, and I do think it would be unwise for both of us. "
"I appreciate the thought." She did, really. "I'm sorry this can't be…"
"There is no need to apologize."
She could feel her face growing hot again as she spoke, quietly: "I'm staying on the 350th floor of the same complex as last time. Room 20. You're welcome to visit after your celebration."
She realized, with some small sense of regret, that she would never be able to rent this apartment again. She always rented this one, a nice corner unit with a pleasant view of the city and a beautiful garden on the deck.
She'd never be able to use it again because of this chair. She regularly had guests visit her apartment when she was on Coruscant, for drinks and light business-related conversation. Now, she didn't know if she could bear to see anyone else sitting in it.
It was the way he looked, as she sat in the chair, Thrawn on his knees before her with his bare, wide shoulders draped over her lap, his arms hugging around her waist keeping her close, nibbling gently at the skin around her waist.
She had intended for them to make it to the bedroom. He apparently had other plans.
She ran her fingers through his hair, brushing it back enough to see his face. He let out a low humming noise, something between a growl and a wine, like he was begging for more.
"We could move to the bedroom."
He turned slightly, his eye barely open as he looked up at her. His eyes… in the dark room, lit only by the streetlights from outside the window, the almost appeared to glow. Maybe they did. Or maybe it was just that they were such a striking color.
"This isn't sufficient for you?"
She wondered if there was a translation problem.
He smirked in a devious, knowing way and pulled her off the chair, onto the floor. Onto him.