TLV IC Inbox

[falkeditupagain]

[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!

Comments

[artistinexile]

[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.

[falkeditupagain]

Oh shit, really? Well yeah I wasn't thinking that was that deep of a question but when you put it like that...how about we just say 'pass' when we'd prefer not to answer. Makes it easier, and it sounds a little less aggressive than plain old no. Less awkward in a more public setting.

[To which Hanna will hold his hand out to Thrawn.] deal?

[artistinexile]

[He gives the matter its due consideration, then nods and extends his own hand, shaking Hanna's with finality]

Offer accepted, Hanna Falk Cross.

[falkeditupagain]

Just Hanna is fine. Don't have to be so formal. I just figured you'd appreciate a handshake instead of just a spoken agreement.

[Hanna gives him a good shake anyways, dropping his hand back in his lap once they're done.]

Now how do you feel about nicknames...

[artistinexile]

I understand completely, Hanna. When one is meeting for the first time - or when we seek to establish a new agreement - we typically will say one's full name first, and the given name after.

[does no one understand DRAAAAMA on this ship?]

'Thrawn' is a nickname. A Core name.

My full name is Mitth'raw'nuruodo.

But I have been given many nicknames in my lifetime.

[falkeditupagain]

Oh...uh you probably don't want me trying to repeating that. At least not first try. Maybe later you can text it to me phonetically and I'll practice in private so I don't butcher it.

[He pauses a moment, considering.]

Now how do you feel about Mr. T?

[artistinexile]

You will not succeed. Human tongues are not particularly adept at my species' naming conventions without a good deal of studying.

I suggest you call me Thrawn.

[VERY MUCH SUGGEST IT]

[falkeditupagain]

Well, just sounds like I've got a lot of studying to do. No problemo.

And if you are absolutely sure I can't sell you on Mr. T then fine. Thrawn it is.

[artistinexile]

Thank you.

You should know that even my own species only uses our full names in certain ceremonies and upon meeting one another for the first time.

Incidentally, I understand 'Mr.' to be a civilian title. As you accurately guessed, I have been in the navy for the last thirty-five years.

Do you wish for me to address you with a nickname?

[falkeditupagain]

Oh...yeah that explains a lot. What was your rank then? Must be something impressive for a thirty-five year long career. That's eleven years longer than I've been alive.

Just Hanna is fine, but I am a little curious what kind of nickname you'd come up with.

[artistinexile]

If we were going by my species' names, your 'Core' name to me would be something similar to 'Shannafa'.

Not necessarily - some rise to the level of their ability and no more, while others are hamstrung by political maneuverings. Unfortunate cases.

Before I died, I was fortunate enough to be made a Grand Admiral. I do not know how that translates to Earth navies. Here it means I was in command of my own flagship - the ISD Chimaera - plus nine others of equal size and a host of smaller craft. To give you a sense of scale, the Chimaera alone was capable of hosting 50,000 officers, crew and stormtroopers - ground troops, should a land invasion be deemed necessary.

[he misses his ship. :( he misses his bridge crew]

[falkeditupagain]

Oh...is the S from the last letter? Kind of interesting that it's not like Nafalk or something, which definitely sounds alien to me, but I like Hanna just fine, so. No worries on that.

[He'd settled in to listen, leaning against the counter as he talks about space ships bigger than he's sure the biggest naval vessels could carry on Earth when a word catches him, perking up a little. Stormtroopers.]

Wait, what? Woah woah woah, back up. Are you telling me that you- Do you know what a Jedi is?

[You have a choice Thrawn, he looks way too excited about this. Answer affirmatively or unleash the geek.]

[artistinexile]

In my part of space, family name comes first. So yes - you would have it correct. But I believe most would miss that and pronounce you as 'Nafalkcro'. Very similar to the name of my first officer, actually.

[Though Hanna and Samakro would likely get along way, way worse. The thought amuses Thrawn; if Hanna thought THRAWN was uptight, he had no possible idea.

Thrawn tilts his head and nods. This is....going to be interesting. He likes interesting]

I've met several.

[falkeditupagain]

Huh. I used to hate my middle name cause I thought it sounded weird, but front and center like that it makes it sound cooler.

[The dam has been unleashed, Hanna's eyes wide as he confesses. Now to determine something very important.]

What the fuck, yes!!

So... does the name Skywalker mean anything to you, and if it does...What color is his lightsaber?

[artistinexile]

[a slow blink. Of course]

It does.

[in two respects, actually; one of them hidden]

Are you perhaps referring to the Jedi Anakin Skywalker?

[falkeditupagain]

Yes. A-and Obi-wan? His master?

He ring any bells? I cannot believe... [Ganondorf and a dude who had met Anakin Skywalker? Fucking sweet as hell.] This is so cool...

[artistinexile]

He mentioned no master, but our time together was brief. Perhaps had we met at another time, he would have been able to expand on this.

When I first met him he was General Skywalker, on a mission during the clone wars. He had extraordinary ability, but it was his warrior’s way that impressed me the most. Though we met just the once, I considered him a friend and was able to use our connection to leverage a meeting with Supreme Emperor Palpatine years later.

[falkeditupagain]

[General Skywalker, huh? And Emperor Palpatine. Yeesh. That's an unfortunate time to be alive in that universe. Though he supposed any time that he knew of wasn't exactly great. It was called Star Wars for a reason.]

Yeah? Man... I cannot believe you got to meet him. [He realizes though, focusing on his connection instead of Thrawn himself is kind of fucking rude, so he'll gather his fanboying up and shift back step.]

Anyways, your ship, you should tell me about it! You ever use the enclosure so you can walk through it? That'd be so cool... getting into space is like, really serious stuff where I'm from, not just anyone can do it. So it's totally rad you're just in charge of a whole ass fleet like that.

[artistinexile]

Knowing where I was and who I was with when I died, I should likely think it would be akin to walking through a graveyard.

[this is dour but Thrawn appears not to notice it]

My room here is the same as my officer’s quarters on the Chimaera, however. That will have to be enough for the moment.

Would you be interested in seeing the ship sometime?

[falkeditupagain]

[Hanna frowns, not having meant to bring up something upsetting, but he doesn't seem to be that bothered my it.]

Oh man, did your whole ship go when you died? I'm sorry... I mean, I would, but not if it's going to just depress the hell out of you.

[artistinexile]

My fleet. Yes.

[If Thrawn is upset, he doesn’t show it.]

The Chimaera will always play host to bittersweet memories. I would be pleased to show her to you.

[falkeditupagain]

[Hanna is quiet a moment before he gets off his stool, walking over to closet where there is a large trash bag hanging from the door, reaching into it, he pulls out a paper crane.]

You got a list of crew members in your cabin?

[artistinexile]

[suspicious, watchful eyes follow Hanna, as he brings up his questis - a high-powered datapad]

I have one here. Why do you ask?

[falkeditupagain]

Well, I've got a shit ton of these, I fold them for a friend of mine, and I know I'm not going to fold like...what did you say? 50,000 crew members? But...if I do this-

[Sitting back down on his stool he methodically unfolds the crane and pulls a marker from his pocket.]

I could just write some names down, 50 per crane? Cut it down to 1000? You can string them together...like this- [He pulls his comm out of his other pocket, pulling up the picture of the string of cranes he'd given to Laura recently.]

Then you could still have your crew with you on board, at least until you're able to see them again. Pretty doable, honestly.

[artistinexile]

[Thrawn stares at Hanna in that cold, inscrutable way of his, eyes glowing malevolent red.

Whatever he's thinking, he doesn't share. Instead he picks up one of the cranes, turning it over with his fingertips, focusing his hard stare on this tiny, precious, worthless piece of paper art.]

You seek to commemorate my dead.