Inboxs

[notthatkindoforion]

Welcome to Tendi's inbox! If I don't answer immediately, it's probably because I've got my hands full with something toxic, corrosive, or chemically unstable! Or bleeding. Or all of the above! I'll get back to you as soon as I can, byyyye!

Comments

[notthatkindoforion]

[Tendi's just silent on the other end for a long moment, before turning the camera back to face her.]

Uh.

[Another pause.]

You- you didn't really get all that from a couple Christmas gifts. Did you? Who've you been talking to?

[artistinexile]

No one.

I've always been able to...see things, through art. Weaknesses, assets.

I was close, wasn't I?

[notthatkindoforion]

That's- I'd say unbelievable but I've known a lot of people with some pretty unbelievable talents. [That's Starfleet, for you.]

Pretty close, yeah.

[And now she's going to be forever self-conscious about what art she chooses to display and how she displays it, thanks.]

Anything you... weren't expecting?

[artistinexile]

[Good luck with that, Tendi. Thrawn had to deal with fellow navy officers who pulled all their art from their offices to hinder him. It was a struggle, but doable]

I was not expecting your family's..tendencies for knowing the monetary value of art.

[notthatkindoforion]

[How does he do that? It's as fascinating as it is unnerving.]

...would it help if I mention my family is kind of... filthy rich? [Something she looks more embarrassed about than anything. Of course that's not the only reason her family is fixated on the monetary value of art over the artistic value, but being invested in showing off their wealth and status is a good excuse. She's not sure she wants to get into the family business right now.]

[artistinexile]

You are ashamed of your wealth. Why?

[Trust Thrawn to mow down any sense of tact in conversation]

[notthatkindoforion]

...a lot of reasons. It's complicated. [Which is very much a non-answer, but she wasn't prepared for things to get this personal, Thrawn.]

[artistinexile]

I assumed so.

[notthatkindoforion]

My homeworld's kind of... a lot, Thrawn. And it's hard to talk about one part of it without getting into everything else, too.

[She rubs the back of her neck.]

Most planets in the Federation are cashless. With replicator technology and open communication and trade between so many different worlds, there's no real need to hoard wealth. Nobody there ever has to worry about starving, or getting too sick to work, or not being able to take care of their kids. Nobody's needs go unprovided for.

Orion... could do that, probably without even joining the Federation if they didn't want to. There's nothing about us that forces us to stay capitalists. But the people in charge like the position of power and superiority their status and wealth provide, so they won't. I guess that's a big part of the shame. [Just not all of it.]

[artistinexile]

You only feel shame because you know and value the alternatives.

Perhaps your family finds you a source of shame as well.

[notthatkindoforion]

That's not the only-

[Tendi starts, before she falls silent at the second part of his comment. She knows he didn't do it deliberately - Thrawn doesn't have that much skill in social manipulation. But that doesn't make it feel less like a kick in the gut.

She looks away from the communicator.]

There's no real 'perhaps' about it. You, um, got what you needed?

[artistinexile]

[Ah - he's stumbled on something else. Thrawn can sense it, see it in her face. He also knows that he does not wish to upset this ally further.

He nods, allowing the escape]

Indeed. Thank you.

[notthatkindoforion]

[She offers him a small smile, trying to show that she's not mad mad, just... not ready to get into something that complicated and emotionally charged when it's sprung on her like this.]

Good. I'll see you around, okay?

[artistinexile]

It is too small a ship to avoid any one person. So, yes. You will.

[a slight bow of his head goodbye]

[notthatkindoforion]

[He does manage to get a little snort of laughter out of her with that line, and she gives him a wave as she disconnects. She just... needs a moment after that.]