Author's Note: I had not originally intended to add to this story, but I wrote this spur of the moment today and thought it would fit in nicely with the theme.
It was much later than he had intended to retire, and once he knew no one else would cross his path, Thrawn allowed his shoulders to droop a little. It had been a long week filled with the mundane and the routine. On top of everything was the growing sense that a significant shift was about to take place, and a cloud of melancholy had settled itself over him.
He paused for a moment at the door to the observation deck, his fingers hovering over the release panel. One small part of his mind told him that he should just return to his quarters and settle in to sleep, and the weariness that pulled on him seemed to grow just that much heavier. But no, he needed time to unwind first, somewhere quiet where he would not be disturbed, where he could think and relax.
Stepping into the room, he realized instantly that the room was not empty as he had thought it would be. Eli had slipped away nearly an hour ago, and Thrawn had assumed that he was going to collapse into bed himself, given the evidence of exhaustion around his eyes and in the way he dragged his feet. But then, his step had perked up as he walked away. Thrawn had thought nothing of it at the time. Now, however, he understood why the young commander had been so eager to end his shift.
Eli's shadowed form sat near one of the large viewports, hunched forward slightly at the edge of the couch. The lights in the room were on very low. He cradled something in his arms, something that Thrawn could not see from where he stood.
But he could hear it.
Silently, not wishing to disturb him, Thrawn approached Eli, listening with increasing curiosity and interest. Soft, resonating music flowed from the plucked strings of the wooden instrument resting in Eli's lap, his fingers gripping its neck and shifting expertly as the melody progressed. Eli alternately hummed and sang softly as he played, sometimes gazing out at the stars, other times staring down at his hands as he faltered to find the right note or chord.
It was beautiful, and Thrawn felt his chest contract with a twinge of sadness.
Eli must have felt his eyes on him, for he suddenly spun around, gasping and nearly dropping the instrument when he saw Thrawn standing there. "S-sir! I didn't know you were there."
"I apologize for interrupting you, Commander," Thrawn said quietly, with a slight tip of his head. "Please do not stop on my account."
"Oh, well..." Eli's voice trailed off, colored with embarrassment. "It's been years since I've played. I'm rather out of practice."
"Is this the source of your excitement upon your return from Judonna?" Thrawn asked, the corner of his mouth curling upward in a knowing smile.
Eli couldn't help smiling back, although he ducked his head shyly. "Yeah," he admitted. "I saw one of the vendors' stalls filled with guitars and couldn't help splurging, I guess." His fingers moved, and with a graceful motion he strummed several chords in a row, the action automatic and familiar.
"A guitar?" Thrawn repeated, his eyes drawn to the style and design of the instrument in Eli's arms.
"Yeah." Eli held it away from his body as if to admire it as well. "We have these on Lysatra. They're pretty popular. Easily transportable, capable of different styles of music, not too hard to learn." He smiled tightly. "My brother taught me how to play," he said, his voice dropping as a brief wave of emotion passed over his face. "But it seems I haven't quite forgotten everything," he added a moment later in a more upbeat tone. "It's nice to be able to play again."
Thrawn watched Eli as he spoke, observing every expression and turn of his voice. He smiled gently when Eli looked back at him. "Would it be too distracting if I joined you?"
"No, no," Eli said, although he shifted nervously. "But it really has been a while since I last played. It might not be as relaxing as it should be." He chuckled awkwardly.
"I thought it sounded wonderful," Thrawn said softly.
Even in the dim lighting of the room, Thrawn could see the color rise in Eli's cheeks. "Well, that's kind of you to say, sir."
Thrawn could tell that Eli did not believe him. "It is not my habit to exaggerate, Commander."
"I know." Eli bowed his head, pretending to focus on adjusting his grip on the guitar, reaching up to tweak the knobs at the top of the neck. "Well, if you're sure."
In reply, Thrawn lowered himself near Eli, turning to face the starscape above them. After a moment of hesitation, the music began again. Despite Eli's objections to his own skill, he certainly knew what he was doing. Thrawn closed his eyes, allowing the music to wash over him as the tension of the day—of the week—slowly drained away.
He was going to miss moments like these.