Seducing your boyfriend

[Car’das] had expected Forward Visual to be a crowded, high-tech room. To his surprise, the door opened into something that looked like a compact version of a starliner’s observation gallery. A long, curved couch sat in front of a convex floor-to-ceiling viewport currently showing a spectacular view of the glowing hyperspace sky as it flowed past the ship. The room’s own lights were dimmed, making the display that much more impressive.

“Welcome, Jorj Car’das.”

Car’das looked around. Mitth’raw’nuruodo was seated alone at the far end of the couch, silhouetted against the hyperspace sky. “Commander,” he greeted the other, glancing a question at his guide. The other nodded, stepping back and closing the door on himself and the rest of the escort. Feeling more than a little uneasy, Car’das stepped around the near end of the couch and made his way across the curve.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Mitth’raw’nuruodo commented as Car’das arrived at his side. “Please; be seated.”

“Thank you,” Car’das said, easing himself onto the couch a cautious meter away from the other. “May I ask why you sent for me?”

“To share this view, of course,” Mitth’raw’nuruodo said drily.

~

“I merely wish your company for a time.”

“Why?”

“Partly to learn about your people,” Mitth’raw’nuruodo said. “But primarily so that you may teach me your language.” []

“I see,” Car’das said cautiously. [] “I’ll be happy to teach you Basic, but I’d also like some language lessons myself." []

“I can teach you to understand Cheunh,” Mitth’raw’nuruodo said, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “But I doubt you’ll ever be able to properly speak it. I’ve noticed you don’t even pronounce my name very well. [] However, I believe I could teach you to speak Minnisiat. []”

“That would be wonderful,” Car’das said. “Thank you, Commander Mitth—uh … Commander.” []

“Perhaps it would be easier if you called me by my core name, Thrawn.”

Car’das frowned. “Is that permissible?”

Mitth’raw’nuruodo—Thrawn—shrugged. “It’s questionable,” he conceded. [] “But I believe such rules may be broken when there are good and valid reasons for doing so. In this case, there are.” []

~

[Pin, glitter variant by @enamel_empire]