"It's most certainly not a social call," Altair responded, as though that should be clear even without him needing to say so. Thrawn was, quite possibly, the closest thing he had to a friend in this time, but that did little to change the fact that he was scared of him, and that their relationship was more professional than anything else.

Of course, they'd had a few decent conversations. So who knew how that would change in the future. If it ever did. Altair felt both a push and and a pull when it came to Thrawn, something that definitely showed every once in a while.

Nothing to ponder now, at any rate.

"There are a few things I've been meaning to talk to you about."

That revealed that he'd been putting it off, of course. But he didn't think he actually needed to say that for Thrawn to realize it, once he got to speaking.

"First thing's first though- there is a lie I wish you to tell your people."

Probably not the best way to start and there was probably a better way to put it. But it was part of what had prompted him to come see him in the first place.