"Indeed we are," Thrawn replied, swirling his drink idly. Thrawn had the Chiss of the Hand, but it wasn't the same. If any of them had romantic feelings for him, then they kept it to themselves. Besides, he had more to gain by having a close relationship with Nine.

"I have not forgotten your offer from before. The one you made after I made a show of kissing you." Namely that Nine was up for practice kissing.