"Sometimes a warrior simply knows when to retreat. But in retreat, he prepares for next time, and is sure to achieve victory next time." Leave it to him to slip into tactician speak during this. He would just have to remind Nine of his place next time.

He took his hands off of Nine, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to smooth it back down. "I have kiss no other since the party," Thrawn stated. "It simply came back naturally to me after all these years." Meaning he'd kissed other men in the past the way he'd just kissed Nine.