falkeditupagain | TLV IC Inbox

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[It seems someone has decided to change his voicemail following graduation. Hes trying so hard to sound professional, business like, but Hanna's usual enthusiasm bleeds through easily.]

You have reached the mailbox of Hanna Cross. If you don't have an appointment, my secretary will follow up with a return message shortly. [a short pause.] meaning me. I'll get back to you, don't worry.

And if this is an emergency what are you doing on the phone? Cardio is your friend. byyyye!

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Many times.

In the past, I have sought to mitigate this trait of mine with the help of other people. Those I trust, who can smooth tempers and calm those I unexpectedly irritate with my...shall we say, lack of social skills.

Yeah, well. Being where we are, a PR guy sounds like a great way to cut through your uh...rough delivery, but maybe start thinking about doing that yourself.

Also, come on, be honest with yourself. Is it really 'unexpected' if you know you need a guy to smooth it out when it inevitably happens?

You're smart, I'm sure learning how to communicate your master plans without pushing everyone away from you before you're done is within your capabilities.

Clearly you've yet to meet most of me.

[he's dry. Calm, soft, but very dry]

My warden is working a plan out with me while we speak. I believe he had much the same points as you to make.

In the meantime, should I stop engaging with others here in matters of improvement?

I work with quite a few massive assholes back home, you've yet to get so mad your face starts melting off, so I think you're doing fine, just gotta get at the edges with the fine grit, you know?

[He is being entirely serious, dude. He believes in you even if he doesn't like you. Look at that face, there is no bullshit here.]

He sounds like he's got the right track. And no, that'd be dumb. Every new conversation is an opportunity to practice, so make the most of it, right? Honestly, being up front about it and asking for pointers, which parts were off putting after you're done might be helpful, don't you think?

Not everyone is going to, or be nice about it but that's free assessments all around.

Edited 2024-09-12 15:26 (UTC)

Better than you and Florian have tried to get me to understand. I have attempted. I find it all...slow, deceitful, and repulsive.

Worse, the rules are constantly shifting and I have to divert my attention entirely to it, leaving worthier projects by the wayside.

Edited 2024-09-12 15:34 (UTC)

Slow is relative. We're on immortal, magical being time here, and apparently your time at home? Ain't moving.

It might feel like a slog, but it's better than being dead, at least I think so. And can't you multi-task? Focus where you think you'll be most heard, find someone who can peak past the curtain of- [He gestures to all of Thrawn] this and see the intention, and maybe get someone to help you on...personable sensitivity training.

You're a plan guy, obviously, but maybe looking at it too closely is the problem. You're killing yourself with detail, zoom out a bit. It might be less frustrating that way.

No.

[Hanna raises an eyebrow at him, crossing his arms.]

Now what were you saying about people not taking your advice into consideration?

I'm just offering free thoughts but an immediate shut down like that sounds like something that would piss you off if you were on the receiving end.

No, it is not less frustrating in that way.

Understand that I have been this way, reluctantly, since I was old enough to understand who I was.

There have been many attempts to change this part of myself. Do you not think I find it frustrating that I, too, cannot see you as anything more than an ally to be placed on the wide board?

You are an asset. I understand you have thoughts and feelings and desires, but to lean on them when not on a field of battle is to throw a stone into a mist and hope to hit anything.

It is a handicap.

[Hanna is thinking that was the most long winded way of saying 'I don't need friends, they disappoint me.']

So, did you ever find yourself not on a pipeline from military school to where ever you ended up because I'm finding it hard to believe you weren't and I barely know you.

If we are going to have discussions concerning my past, I wish to be invited inside your room.

[Hanna looks back into his cabin, not a mess, but not the nicest place to hang out.

He shrugs, pushing the door more open with his foot and gestures him inside.]

You don't have to talk about it, but sure. Not trying to lay you out like a book for everyone to read in the middle of the hallway.

Come on in.

Thank you.

[He walks inside Hanna's cabin, arms crossed over his chest]

[Hanna's apartment is small, the plaster is peeling off the wall in places and there is a singular light bulb hanging from the ceiling to light up the room.

His new bedframe, assorted other pieces of furniture fill the room enough that it looks less pathetic than it had, Hanna grabbing a seat at the tiny kitchen island that doubled as a table, the kitchenette across from it basically gutted.

He gestures to the second stool if he wants to sit.]

I think I've got some soda kicking around if you'd like some, but anything else I'd have to go get hot water for.

[maybe he should ask his warden for an electric kettle...some more hot cocoa depending on how the next port went if he couldn't get it himself.]

[At Hanna's invitation, Thrawn walks over to seat himself on the second stool. He looks around the whole of the apartment, silent and observing. Thrawn tends to get wrapped up in his head upon entering a new place, so he doesn't answer to say yes or no to soda.

The answer is likely going to be no, regardless]

There's just the one exit, I don't think even I could fit through that window. [He points out, nodding to the tiny, useless window that's too high up for him to even see out of without a step stool.

A Dick Tracy poster is tacked up on the wall, his N64 pulled out and obviously paused in the middle of a Banjo Kazooie playthrough, the menu screen music gently playing in the background.]

You expecting anything different?

Uh, so. See anything

[he blinks, turning back to Hanna, eyes refocusing on him]

I was not expecting anything.

This is your apartment back in your world.

Not a lot of scenery to take in. Half this shits new, so it's never looked better honestly.

You ever been to Earth? I was thinking obviously alien, but that doesn't mean you've never been.

Indeed.

No. There is no Earth in my galaxy that I'm aware of. I understand most humans here are from that planet.

Gotcha. Well, it sure is a planet. Got a lot of shit wrong with it, but most regular people don't really get much a say in how that goes, we just live it.

But, I'm thinking that's not how you're used to operating. What's it like where you come from?

As it happens, that tends to be the case with most people.

[Thrawn falls silent, musing]

...Forgive me. Sometimes the simplest questions are the most difficult to answer.

[Hanna shrugs, not bothered by it.] I get it.

You could also just tell me to fuck off and talk to me instead, I don't have to ask questions. You got anything you think is relevant? Makes me understand better, have at it. I'm here to listen and learn.

[Thrawn considers this. Florian did say he wanted him to reach out to others who didn't have what he wanted. Did Hanna count? Difficult to say; Thrawn wants him to not turn the ship upside down ever again. Would that be a practical desire?]

You asked me about my military career. I have had two. And you asked about where I was from; I spent the first half of my life in one sector of my galaxy and the other half in another, albeit with interstellar travel, 'in one sector' can mean a vast territory with hundreds of worlds.

I still hold many secrets about both that only Florian knows, due to him having my file. I will try to answer your questions and establish common ground, because he seems to believe friendship is key to my graduation.

All I ask is that you respect when I say no. Understand that I do it in order to protect others.

Edited 2024-09-12 18:47 (UTC)

[Not that it would be penance to be someone's friend, but it was obvious they were very different people, Hanna doesn't mind attempting it so long as Thrawn was on board with it. That and he isnt sure this was going to be all that normal even with the thought that he was being asked to do this rather than wanted to be.]

Oh! So Florian is your Warden, you could have just said that. His magic is interesting. But I can do that. If I push, just give me a flick, I get too excited sometimes, forget my manners. And- [He supposes he can at least admit it here, give him something for his trouble.] I don't like talking about me either, so I get it. Some shit you just want to keep to yourself.

Edited 2024-09-12 19:17 (UTC)

[blink. blink]

I do not mind speaking about myself. The difficulty comes in when you ask questions such as where I came from. I could point my home planet out on a starmap, and thus reveal secrets of my people we have kept for thousands of years. Hardly ideal conversation.

If you do not wish to be asked questions in turn, I will respect your choices.

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