"I want to thank you again for joining me."
"It's no trouble," Pellaeon responded as he glanced over his shoulder. Thrawn stood in the small kitchenette area of his quarters and quietly stirred two cups of tea. "Thank you for inviting me."
Thrawn dropped the spoon in the sink and picked up a cup in each hand as he turned around. "That too was no trouble." He smiled a little when he saw Pellaeon watching him and walked over to the couch. He handed Pellaeon a cup and then sat down next to him, crossing his feet at the ankles as he stretched out. "It's been a while since I've been able to find a reasonable excuse to make tea. It's a process, you know? I suppose I'm using you as a bit of an excuse to do so."
"Well, I guess that I don't mind being the scapegoat just this once," Pellaeon said with a grin and he raised his cup in a toast before taking a sip.
The flavor wasn't like anything Pellaeon had tasted before. It was warm, floral, but with a delicate heat that made the inside of his mouth tingle pleasantly. Pellaeon hummed as he swallowed the liquid. "That's good. What's in it?"
"It's something of a family recipe."
"Ah. Can't share the secret then, hm?"
He meant it as a joke, but Thrawn didn't respond. He glanced over at the alien, intending to ask if he had said something wrong but Thrawn wasn't even looking at him.
He stared down at his own mug as he twisted it in his hands. "My brother used to make this for us every evening when we were young adults. We'd sit around the fireplace and talk about our day while drinking it. I haven't made it since—" He cut himself off as his face darkened. "I haven't made it in a long time."
Pellaeon got the impression that he had just stumbled upon something very personal, and that it would be best to tread very lightly. He took another sip as he thought of what to say, and watched the bits of dried leaves float around the bottom of the cup.
"I wouldn't mind coming back if it's alright with you. If you ever get the urge to have some again." Thrawn looked over at him and Pellaeon gave him a reassuring smile. "Some things just feel better if they're shared with someone. Your tea sounds like one of them."
Thrawn gave him a small smile in return and nodded. "I think I would like that, Pellaeon."