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Hera and Jacen had spent most of the afternoon in the lake outside, with Chopper on the shore, occasionally beeping grumpily when he'd decided they'd ventured too far out. But Jacen had never been in the water before, and they hadn't had time to find a spring or river before leaving Ryloth. The shore had made things easier, so that Jacen could move slowly into the water, rather than diving in as Hera had as a child. And that was probably for the best – Jacen could be extremely curious, but was also shy, and far more cautious than Hera had maybe ever been.

So after they've changed and dried off their lekku, they walk back into the Bar, following Chopper to a table. Hera had promised hot, bitter tea after their time in the water, and Chopper, eager to do something he can participate in again, retrieves two model X-wings from the Bar, and brings them over. For the moment, Hera falls silent, sipping at her tea, and watching as Chopper and Jacen swing the X-wings through the air, making wooshing and blaster noises.

She doesn't smile as she watches, but follows their movements with her eyes.

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"Certainly he can't be the product of yourself and the Jedi. So a war orphan, then?"

He makes no move to leave.

"Is this still your curiosity about my trajectory?"

Her voice isn't quite as steady as she might like.

"In part," Thrawn allows.

"Though if you keep his existence hidden outside of here, perhaps your current enemies do not already know all about him. I am unsure whether it would be wise to bet on that, however."

"So you just have my interest at heart."

That she does doubt.

"Oh, not at all."

He doesn't laugh.

"Merely my own curiosity."

"And I really have no reason to resolve your curiosity."

"Not even to keep me from resolving it on my own? Interesting."

If Hera thinks he is not going to follow up on this incredibly interesting thread, she is very much mistaken.

Hera doesn't stiffen, or still. Or least, no more so than she already has.

"And what do you think you can do?"

"Ask questions," Thrawn says simply. "Be seen to be asking questions. I certainly won't be the only one who takes an interest after that."

It may have been years, but his reputation precedes him. He is fairly sure that will have remained true.

At that, Hera does fall silent. She glances, briefly, down to her cup.

But she only answers, "There's nothing that can stop you from doing that now."

"Nothing but insuring that I do not need to ask, I suppose."

His thin lips curve in a very unamused smile.

"Elsewhere, that is."

"And then you could just give answers."

That alternative gives her no comfort.

"I have no intention of returning to the Empire. My work there is done, if not done well."

Sadly, he accomplished almost none of his goals for being there.

"I doubt the Ascendancy will be pleased, but doubtless they have other work that needs doing."

"So you're only threatening a child out of spite."

Somehow, this still doesn't make her feel better.

Thrawn appears to consider this for a moment, red eyes narrowing.

"Perhaps. I would have defined it as a particularly edged curiosity, myself, but to each their own."

"I'm sure there were plenty of things you redefined to ease your conscience."

She's not going to help him with it.

Edited 2018-05-21 00:21 (UTC)

"I find myself surprised you believe I have one."

Flabbergasted is far too dramatic a term, and still --

Not particularly moved by this -

"You're certainly testing that theory now."

"Every theory should be tested, rigorously."

Again that thin smile passes across his lips.

"Occasionally to destruction. Though not, I think, this time. I am merely curious, General. You never struck me as particularly maternal, regardless of the comparative youth of your crew. Though I suppose time changes us all, no? And circumstance, of course."

Evenly once again, "Maybe you didn't have me as figured out as you thought you did."

"Perhaps not, but is that truly the pertinent part of this conversation?"

And if it is, to her, that's another data point, is it not?

She lowers her hands, spreading them over the table.

"Then here's what is. I don't trust you, and I'm not going to let you threaten me into answering your questions. Do whatever you want, there's nothing I can do to stop you."

Hera pauses, for a few seconds, willing herself to leave it at that. And yet -

"But if I do find some threat to him from what you've done, I'll make sure you die with the Empire."

Maybe it's a data point she should have kept to herself. But she doesn't let herself think any more on it.

"Perish the thought, General," Thrawn says, shaking his head.

"If the Imperial remnant doesn't know about him already, they don't deserve to find anything out."

"Again, thank you for the advice."

But she's still not budging.

"I rest assured that you will take it to heart."

His voice is very, very dry.