Inbox

[artistinexile]

You have reached the inbox of the former Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera and the Seventh Fleet, also formerly known as Senior Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo of the Springhawk.

I will return your message promptly.

[The message repeats in six different languages]

Comments

[artistinexile]

Ah.

Yes. I enjoy examining why we do things the way we do them, deciding on how best to address problems or blockages my people were having, and working to uncover solutions we could practice implementing.

[whatthefudge]

Not everybody can see the big picture like that. It sounds like you could help a lot of people.

[artistinexile]

Perhaps.

My struggles are with understanding people. I often have no idea how I must phrase myself, or how to have more patience for the stubborn, the reticent, and the disrespectful. I find that more often than not, I either make matters worse or waste valuable time when it could be better spent elsewhere.

[whatthefudge]

Oh-

My brother has that problem. Or, well. It'd be a problem if he...cared about it.

[artistinexile]

Truly?

[tell me more!]

[whatthefudge]

Yeah. Norm is...a lot of people think he's rude or disrespectful, but he's just honest. He doesn't say the polite thing if he doesn't believe it, he doesn't really try to spare other people's feelings. Add in that he's really smart, and he notices the small stuff, and...well, I think maybe he makes other people feel less smart, sometimes.

[artistinexile]

[oh no it's him]

Insightful.

Fortunate he has you to interpret for him.

[This might be a dig from others. From Thrawn it's a genuine compliment]

[whatthefudge]

[Lucy laughs again, softly.]

Oh, I do not do that! I don't even think he'd want me to. But I've known him his whole life, so...I know where he's coming from. We trust each other.

[artistinexile]

He is a fortunate man indeed to have a sibling who understands him.

[whatthefudge]

Thank you.

Did you - have anybody like that? People who understood you?

[artistinexile]

At times, yes.

[Never two together, and never for long enough]

Their insights were invaluable. I admit to some...well-placed nostalgia now when I think of them.

But the gulf of time and space is challenging to cross.

[whatthefudge]

I'm sorry, Thrawn. I hope you can make friends here too.

[artistinexile]

Thank you. I have some potentials in the works.

[whatthefudge]

That's super! Now you can add one more.

[artistinexile]

You wish to be friends.

[whatthefudge]

Yep!

[artistinexile]

Hmmn.

I am honored to accept.