[IC CONTACT]

[photophobic]

You should know where to find me.
But if you leave a message here, I will see it.

Comments

[photophobic]

[ Interesting. Kylo doesn't often bother with video, but as Thrawn had... ]

And if you had, I might have assured you that I don't consider you in my debt, considering my own interest in Eli's well-being.

Would you like to try again?

[art_of_war]

[ It's a new discovery for Thrawn. Not as good as a reading of musculature and stance in person might be but conversely, his would also be masked. ]

The cost would now outweigh any potential for gain. So no.

[photophobic]

[ Unfortunately, as a man quite freshly out of a mask, Kylo's facial expressions don't quite track to convention- and his body language is stiff and overly controlled.

It is, however, possible that he might be... amused? ]

I meant, would you like to try thanking me again.

1/2

[art_of_war]

[ Did…did Ren just make a smartass comment? Ren just made a smartass comment. ]

2/2

[art_of_war]

Generally one has to do something worth being thanked for first. Considering you say that Vanto is under your 'protection' and yet came to harm anyway, I will not be thanking you.

[photophobic]

[ That is probably the worst attempt at offering thanks Kylo has ever seen. His eyebrows raise slightly. ]

Eli is under my protection in that anyone causing him harm will find they regret it. I am not his bodyguard or his caretaker, and as I consider him more than capable of managing his own affairs I do not, generally, interfere unless asked.

I'm almost disappointed. I had heard you were considered a tactical genius by some, but all I see is another self-important officer too proud to extend a simple courtesy. Perhaps your emotional involvement has impaired your judgement. I'm willing to hear an apology.

[art_of_war]

[ That actually brings him up short. He has never been accused of 'emotional involvement' on anything. And never had that problem to worry about because he's never had any form of emotional attachment. It's so foreign, in fact, that his behavior has been changed significantly without him really noticing. Until Kylo has pointed out that his judgment has been impaired. Which then leads to the natural conclusion that this wasn't whatever nameless emotional hinterland that existed between them.

It was love.

All of this realization happens behind an expressionless mask, however. Whatever Thrawn was realizing about himself that was a smartass remark and Ren is not getting the satisfaction of a response to it. The mask is back in place when Thrawn does speak again. ]

I will admit that I have been somewhat...distracted. If you need thanks, then you may have it. If you feel as if you need an apology, please have that as well.

I am concerned, though. This bracelet suppresses sensation, but if it is the memory that was initially caused by Woden, will that not be addressed?

[photophobic]

If I feel I have a need? Perhaps when you feel less distracted you can ask Eli how to offer gratitude and apologies. It's quite simple. The words are short and easy to remember.

I have done what was necessary to address the immediate problem and I'm not willing to risk damaging Eli's mind in an attempt to rip out specific memories. We all have unpleasant experiences in our pasts. Trauma. Pain. Failures and mistakes. Eli is just as capable as any of us of dealing with these things.

If you have further concerns, I suggest you take them up with Woden yourself, as you clearly have no further need of my assistance or guidance. You might want to discuss what exactly it was that made him so susceptible in the first place.

[art_of_war]

Perhaps it is time that I do that after all.

[ And lets hope you are right about Eli being able to handle mistakes. Even if they aren't his. ]