Blue with Envy

[ubuphaka]

While the affair at a particular senator's estate on a lush green planet had been a demonstration of political power, and there certainly had been a good deal of artwork for Thrawn to look at (all of it picked out to show possession of the planet, ownership, the tendency to collect novel and unique things), there'd also been a few not-so-subtle attempts by the senator in question to convince Eli that he would be better suited working for someone more human. The woman's hands had been on him repeatedly--fixing his collar, fluffing his hair, brushing his sleeve. If humans were capable of scent-marking, Eli would have come home smelling like that woman. As it was, the cloying thick floral perfume she wore lingered on his uniform.

The party's end meant that Eli and Thrawn could retreat to the guest room where they'd be staying the night. They'd so thoughtfully been provided separate beds, one clearly larger and more luxurious, intended for the ranking officer. Eli moves to stand beside the other bed, unfastening his jacket.

"Did...you enjoy the party?"

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[admiralchiss]

Things had been fine at first, with Thrawn being content to look at the artwork and get a reading on their host. Even after the artwork told him that she had a need to own things, to take, to possess, it still caught him off guard when she turned her attention towards Eli. Perhaps it was because Thrawn was used to getting the unwanted attention, thanks to being an alien, while Eli was mostly ignored. Every time she touched him, the only thing saving Thrawn from a potential guffaw was his naturally stoic demeanor. Chiss faces were hard to read, so she likely didn't notice Thrawn's irritation at seeing her get so hands-on with his aide.

Now that they're in private, his eyes remain fixed on Eli. "I was, until I met our host."

There's a coldness in his voice, more so than usual.