Why you care about ME?

"I appreciate your willingness to share," Thrawn said. "One may learn a great deal about a people by the stories they tell of others."

"And?" Vanto said. *The wrinkles return. His head turns slightly to his right*

"I do not understand."

"I ask what you have leaned about humans," Vanto said. *His eyes narrow slightly*.

"I misspoke. Apologies. I meant to say I could learn about a person, YOU, from the stories you choose to tell."

"And what have you learned about me?" Vanto asked. *His eyes return to normal size. His vocal tone lowers in pitch*.

"Thar you do not wish to be here. [...] You wish to return to your numbers and inventory lists," Thrawn said. "That is where your talents lie, and where your desire your path to lead."

"Fascinating," Vanto said. *His tone takes a new, rumbling texture. The corners of his lips tighten briefly. [...]

"Is what you wish?" Thrawn asked.

"Absolutely," Vanto said. *The fuller tone partially fades from his voice* "What I don't know is why you care."

"Why I care about what?"

"Why you care about ME," Vanto said. [...]

"You are my translator. You hold my words in your hand, and their meaning." [...]

"Krayt spit" Vanto said. *He makes a snorting sound though his nose*.

"Forgive me?"

"I call krayt spit," Vanto said. "You've picked up a lot of Basic in the past couple of days. You speak it as well I do. Probably better - you don't have a Wild Space accent people can make fun of. The last thing you need is a translator."

[...]

"What is meant by krayt spit?"

"It's a slang term for nonsense," Vanto said. *The left corner of his lips twists upward*. "Especially nonsense that the speaker knows is nonsense."

"I see. Krayt spit. I will remember that."

~

These two.

Adorable way beyond words.

[So, I did this thing, and I ordered an Eli and Thrawn ring, beautifully done by Caitlynminimalist.

You can judge me now.]