#gemini writes

“Grand frère!‘‘ Eli nearly jumped at the sound of his sister’s voice. During his time at the Academy, he often spoke to his sister (though in private), and nowhere she was running at full speed towards him. He almost didn’t react in time his catch his sister. 

“Hey, there sweet pea.’‘ He hugged his sister tight. Ever since they found his adopted sister wandering around town a few years ago. Eli’s father decided to take her in and make her a Vanto.  His little sister snuggled against him, much to his embarrassment,. 

“I am so proud of Eli! Maman and Papa should be here in a few minutes. They said they we might go out to eat! I cannot wait to see Coruscant.’‘ His sister climbed off him. Eli couldn’t help but smile. She was always so bubbly. The holos that she sent from home were always with her and gaggle of friends. 

“I don’t know about that Giselle. You know how Mom and Dad feel about being here.’‘ Eli said putting her down. Her black hair was done in a loose ponytail… and… was that a tiara she was wearing? How the hell did she get that? The Vanto family was well-off, but not that well off. 

“Elle, sweetie! Are you with your brother?’‘ Eli heard the voice of his mother calling out. Giselle turned around, “Maman je suis là! Je suis avec Eli!*‘‘ She called in her native tongue. Eli watched as his parents walked over to where and his little sister was.  

“We talked about this Giselle. You know we can’t understand you when you talk that in that nonsense.’‘ Eli’s mother said. His father, not too far from his wife, walked up and hugged his son. 

“Congratulations son. We’re proud of you.’‘ He said releasing his son from his hug.  Giselle hugged her brother and held tight to his arm. His parents stood awkwardly as the silence set in. His, usually talkative sister stood quietly too. 

‘‘So…’‘ His mother began, ‘‘Is it true?’‘ Eli winced. He had hoped that wouldn’t come up. Eli had hoped that his family would tell him how proud they were and then get out. 

‘‘Yeah, it’s true.’‘ His parents visibly flinched at the thought of their eldest son being an aide to an alien officer. The Vantos held a standard in the Outer Rim, and it was already being talked about with their friends.  Giselle in her usually naive manner turned with wide eyes. 

“About Monsieur Thrawn? You have talked about him before.’’ Giselle said innocently. Her innocence was something that people found charming. Her wide-eyed view of the world. Innocence was something found in short of supply in the Empire. Like Eli, that innocence would soon fade, but if his mother had anything to with it his sister would remain as naive as a newborn until she died. 

“You know about him, Elle?’‘ His father asked with wide eyes. Eli bit his, lip. He shouldn’t have told her about Thrawn. But then again who could he complain to without his parents knowing. Giselle nodded, she looked up and saw a familiar face. It was Thrawn, and his sister was already running towards him. Panic immediately weld up in Eli. This was one of her flaws. She was way too friendly. On some days she was caught talking to stormtroopers on the occasion. Protective instincts rose up in Eli as he watched her interact with the Chiss. 

“Monsieur Thrawn! Je suis Giselle! Je suis la souer d’ Eli. S’il vous plaît rencountrer mes parents.’’  Thrawn watched as a young girl around eighteen come barling towards him. He had his name mixed with the language he did not recognize. She stopped in her tracks. He watched as an air of friendliness came from the girl. Looking at the girl he noticed the rosy cheeks and wide smile that graced her faced. Her gown and tiara gave away her staus of someone of high social standing. Though her dress was that of the not of the usual fashion of Coruscant. He looked down at the girl, and like a light bulb, he recognized her. It was Eli’s younger sister. He couldn’t remember her name… Elle was it? 

‘‘I’m sorry, but I do not understand you,’‘ Thrawn said bowing his head slightly. The girl giggled. It was obvious that she didn’t care to talk to a non-human. She tucked a stray hair behind her hair. 

“I am sorry,’‘ She said switching to Basic. Her accent was not like Eli’s where one could see that he came from Wild Space, but his sister talked with an accent Thrawn had not heard before. Her native tongue was free-flowing, carefree and passionate. Her accent was thick and he almost could not understand it himself. It sounded like she had only just started to learn Basic a year or so ago. Her voice high and windy, chime-like. 

“It is not a problem, are you Eli’s sister? I recognized your voice.’‘ The girl smiled and nodded. Without any hesitation, she grabbed his hand and started to drag him over to where Eli and his family were standing. A look of embarrassment over Eli’s face, his parents, Thrawn noticed stiffened at the sight of their daughter practically dragging the alien to them. 

 I swear Giselle’s friendliness is going to bite in the back you one day. Eli thought bitterly. He watched as his sister dragged Thrawn over to his family. Her face in a full-blown smile. Thrawn didn’t seem to mind at all much to Eli’s surprise. Though his parents… he watched as their faces go from surprise to shock. 

‘‘ My name is Giselle, I am Eli’s little sister. The Vantos took me in a couple of years ago.’‘ She said proudly. Eli and his father unconsciously stepped closer to the youngest member of the family. Eli’s mother stiffened and placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. 

“Yes, we adopted her a couple of years ago. Her parents were friends of ours, unfortunately, they passed away. We took in her in.’‘ It was a story they had rehearsed many times. Thrawn nodded, and much to Eli’s chagrin he knew that Thrawn could spot a lie from a million miles away. He nodded as if he accepted the story. Thrawn noticed this protectiveness. It was something only natural, Thrawn had noticed. Many of the young ladies of Coruscant often had companions chaperoning them. Eli had to explain it was a way of preserving their honor. Thrawn gave a small bow gave a smiled. 

‘‘You are extremely kind to take her in. Your kindness has extended to Eli he has been gracious in my learning here at the Academy.’‘ He said smoothly. He watched as Eli’s mother puff up a little with pride. His father gave a nod towards him. Eli watched Giselle as she slipped from his grasp. 

‘‘They have been very kind to me. I cannot repay their kindness.’‘ Giselle said. Her boldness caught Thrawn of guard by taking his hand. It was a gesture he was not used to. It not usually among the Chiss for public displays of affection, that was usually held in private it was only something done between partners, never with complete strangers. 

‘‘Eli told me how everything. I know how it feels to be alone in a strange world. When the Vantos found me I had no idea where I was. The only thing I knew was that name is Giselle. My memories came back in time.’’ The young lady explained. It was rare that he was offered sympathy for his ‘‘plight’‘. Often times when people were told of his ‘‘rescue’‘ it was met with awe and often fake sympathy. It was a rare find indeed.  The expression of compassion on her face was genuine. Uncharaceristly, Thrawn gave her hand small squeeze before letting go. He could also see how naive she was. Perhaps it was the way she was raised. He didn’t know where she had come from before becoming to the Vantos. Thrawn would not lie, he found it rather amusing about her wide-eyed view of the world.  He found it rather refreshing. He watched as Eli scooted closer to her. 

‘‘Well… uh. It was nice meeting you Lieutenet Thrawn.’‘ Eli’s mother said stiffly. Eli knew that his parents were uncomfortable with being on a Core World planet, and their son being an aide to a non-human… and was Thrawn flirting with his sister?! He couldn’t believe. The faster they got out of here, the better.  There was no way that his sister would be involved with him! It wasn’t uncommon for navy men to have relationships with civilians… but this was his sister! His sister who saw the good in everyone, despite what everyone else thought.  Giselle had little knowledge of the Empire, and how it worked. She didn’t understand the implications of what would happen it would be in a relationship with Thrawn. And… neither did Thrawn. Did Chiss court outside of their own? Would he understand what would happen to his family if word got out… Eli shook his head. Thrawn wouldn’t be that stupid… then again it was Thrawn.  

‘‘ It was nice to meet you too, especially Miss Giselle.’‘ Thrawn said. He took Giselle’s hand and lifted it to his lips, giving it a light kiss. Eli felt rage surge through him. How could he do that? Calming down he knew Thrawn was just mimicking what he saw many times at parties. His parents were the first to leave, his mother giving him a hug and told him to write often. His father shook his hand and told him good luck and that he always a Comlink call away. Giselle was the last one. 

“Goodbye grand frère. Goodbye Monsieur Thrawn.’’ She hugged Eli. She didn’t want to let go. It had been so long since she had seen her brother. Eli gave his sister a tight hug. 

‘‘ You be good sweet pea. Don’t cause mom and dad any trouble.’‘ He said with a sad smile. Giselle gave her brother a kiss on the cheek before turning to Thrawn.  

‘‘Keep my brother safe. I know it can be scary out there. Don’t hesitate to call or write if you get bored with my brother.’‘ She giggled. Eli winced internally as she said that. A smile spread across Thrawn’s face. 

‘‘ I would be happy to,’‘ Thrawn said giving Giselle a smile. Eli watched as his sister caughter up with her parents, she turned and called out, 

“Que Dieu bénisse votre voyage!’’ Thrawn watched as Giselle went away with her parents. He turned to Eli. 

“What did she say? I am not familiar with her language.’‘ He said. Thrawn watched Eli think about to way. It was obvious that he wasn’t used to her native tongue, but it was obvious he knew some of it.