You sit back, relaxing in the bathtub. However, the word bathtub hardly does the magnificent hot tub-sized pool that you are currently in.

There's a bathroom adjoining your room. When you first entered and saw the in-ground hot tub provided for bathing, you had thought it excessive. Now that you were actually in it, you could see the appeal.

You sink lower into the pool, ready to submerge yourself completely when Mira bursts through the door.

"He's here," she hisses.

You jump in surprise, splashing water on the floor.

"Who's here?"

Mira looks over her shoulder, then answers in an even lower voice. "Thrawn. He's here to see you."

"But I can't see him now, you protest. I'm naked and soaking wet."

"I need to tell him something," says Mira insistently.

"Ask what he needs," you tell Mira.

She nods, then rushes out the door. Mira returns a few moments later, flushed with excitement.

"He's wondering if you'll go out with him," she gasps.

You blink. "Go out where?"

"You know, go out with him," she says.

"Wait, you mean he…"

"He wants to go on a date with you!" Mira practically squeals. "Though he phrased it a little differently. Something about accompanying him on a tour around the city, but he was definitely asking you out!"

"Go tell him yes!" you hiss at Mira.

She rushes out of the room, and you hear muted voices on the other side of the door. A minute later, Mira slips back into the room. "He's gone. I told him you said yes. He'll come to pick you up at 01800."

You card your fingers through your hair. "What am I going to wear?"

Mira smiles cheekily at you. "I think I have just the thing."

A few minutes before Thrawn is supposed to pick you up, you stand in the middle of your temporary room, surveying yourself in the mirror.

"It's very… revealing."

"Thrawn will fall head over heels for you when he sees you in that," says Mira proudly.

You take another look at yourself in the mirror. You were wearing a tight red crop top with just one strap. The skirt is red like the shirt and ends just above your knees. You feel… exposed. You're used to wearing clothing that is much more modest in public. You had noticed several women dressed like this, including the princess, so you knew that it was a fairly common and modern fashion for this planet. Which made it a little better, but only a little.

You sigh, turning away from the mirror and meeting Mira's gaze. "You're sure I look ok?"

"I'm the one who picked your outfit and did your hair, so of course you look ok. Just be sure to bite your lip every once in a while. Maybe play with your hair a little."

You roll your eyes at her. "Bite my lip? Really?"

"I'm telling you. Men can't resist a playful little lip-bite."

"On my lips or theirs?"

Mira cocked her head to the side thoughtfully. "You know, either one works…"

You suck in a breath of air, ready to tell Mira what you think of her flirting advice when you hear two knocks on your door.

You meet Mira's eyes. She shoos you towards the door as she rushes out of the room.

You take a steadying breath, then walk purposefully towards the door and press a button to the side of the door. The door slides open with a hiss.

Thrawn is standing in the doorway, looking much like he always does, white Grand Admiral's uniform contrasting perfectly with his blue skin, dark blue hair combed back from his face.

Thrawn's red eyes widen slightly when he sees you, and you notice him tense ever so slightly. His eyes survey your form, and it's somehow different from his normal study of you, more searching. His piercing eyes come up to meet yours.

"You are looking quite stunning this evening," he says by way of greetings.

You feel your cheeks flush. "Thanks, I wanted to try out the local fashion."

"I do believe you have succeeded, the clothing looks entirely authentic for the region," remarks Thrawn. "It suits you quite well."

You smile, looking down at your feet.

"Shall we depart?" asks Thrawn, holding out his arm for you to take.

You nod as you take the proffered arm.

The capital city of Sosa is a bustling city, filled with interesting sights and sounds. The smell of spices fills the air, and there are mosaics set into many of the walls in the nicer section of town. The center of the town serves as a marketplace. There are vendors at stalls selling food, clothing, droids, local art, spare parts, and everything else you could imagine.

You and Thrawn wander the streets of the capital city, looking at what all the different vendors are selling. Thrawn seems very drawn to the art, stopping and explaining what it tells you about the artist. Or rather, what it tells him about the artist. You can't seem to see what he does, and he needs to explain each piece to you.

You notice several vendors seem unnerved by Thrawn's assessment of the art they're selling.

Currently, you and Thrawn are standing at a stall that sells pottery.

"Observe the lines in the clay," says Thrawn. "The line's shape, as well as the contrasting colors chosen. The artist was conflicted when making this piece, possibly recovering from losing someone close, whether that be from their death or simply the ending of a friendship."

The young man selling the pottery glances at Thrawn, looking slightly taken aback, and more than a little nervous.

"And see this one. The more subtle colors indicate that it was done during a less turbulent time, the artist was reflecting as they sculpted this pot."

Now the young man looks downright scared, glancing up at you and Thrawn every few moments. You tug on Thrawn's arm, guiding him away.

"Come on, let's go get something to eat, I'm starving."

Thrawn looks up from studying the pots, expression blank for a moment before he realizes what you asked.

"Very well," he says, and allows you to tug him over to a stall selling round cooked dough balls stuffed with meat. They're a little too spicy for your taste but good all the same. The vendor called them 'hukababayo'.

Next, you and Thrawn go listen to a band, mingling with the crowd gathered around the small stage. You enjoy the exotic music, swaying to the odd, pulsing beat as you finish your hukababayos.

Thrawn seems to have done a little bit of research and is able to lead you to a series of interesting places. First a small cactus garden, you didn't even know that there were purple cactuses, and you fawn over the interesting plants. Next, you go to a statue of one of the local gods, lit by a few candles in the dimming light of evening. Next, he takes you to a vantage ideal to see the setting sun of Sosa, then you return to the main marketplace, looking at more vendor's stalls, the streets lit by the light of a thousand candles.

You stop at a jewelry stall and marvel at the beautiful pendants, bracelets, and earrings. There's one necklace that catches your eye, a sun freely hanging inside of a beautifully detailed crescent moon. You gaze at it longingly, but you hadn't thought to bring any money, so you reluctantly leave the necklace behind as you move on to look at a street performer juggling knives.

The moon is rising as you and Thrawn walk slowly back to the palace. A guard at the palace door lets you back in, and you walk through the beautifully decorated hallways back to your room, your arm linked with Thrawn's.

You think back on how Thrawn had seemed somehow more present. He would brush your hand lightly, offer his arm as you walked together, he had even put an arm around your waist as the two of you had watched the sunset. You thought that maybe you had been wrong about the way he had looked at Princess Suri.

To your surprise, Thrawn didn't take you back to you room. Instead, he led you up a spiral staircase, out onto a balcony looking over the city.

You gasped, taking in the beautiful sight of the city spread out below you, and the night sky above you, filled with thousands of twinkling stars.

"This is one of the highest towers in the palace," says Thrawn softly. "I heard the view was remarkable."

"It certainly is," you breathe. After a few moments of silence you turn to Thrawn."Thank you for bringing me to see."

Thrawn looks down slightly to meet your eyes. "My pleasure."

You feel Thrawn's hand brush yours, then he lifted you hand to place a light kiss on the back of your knuckles.

You can feel your cheeks heating, glad for the darkness to conceal your blush.

You move a little closer, Thrawn's hand still entwined with yours. You look into his glowing red eyes, then close your eyes, tilting your head up ever so slightly in invitation.

You feel Thrawn's hand come up to brush your cheek lightly, then you feel his lips on yours, feather soft. He seemed almost shy, in sharp contrast to the normally self assured Grand Admiral.

Thrawn's kisses are gentle, almost loving. You let out a content sigh as he move his hands to your waist, brushing small circles into the skin there. You feel as if you are melting in his hands, content to stay here for an eternity with Thrawn, under an endless sky of stars.

Later as you lay in your bed, you think back to Thrawn's soft touches and for the first time since leaving your home planet, you feel content.