| Location | Alderaan
| Objective | Watch the play unfold...
Although Damian Du Couteau was just as much of an outsider as she was when it came to Alderaan and its courtly intrigue, Jenn was nonetheless graceful for his presence: evidently, he possessed more experience than she did when it came to navigating the treacherous waters of politics, and how to properly answer any trespass. Although she possessed a certain political acumen herself, the Alor's experience remained strictly confined to dealings between the many clans of the Mando'ade - traditions and beliefs they all shared, rather than anything even remotely relevant to the aruetiise. Evidently, she would have to resolve such a weakness, and soon.
Naturally, Jenn very much doubted that her people's approach to succession would be seen as anything other than barbaric by the assembled Houses - a Way she viewed with a more flexible approach, these days. As she often told the warriors of her Clan, a great duelist did not a stateman make! And yet, even the wise matriarch felt a certain sense of frustration taking hold of her as the nobles played their game. House Thul's representative made a valid point, and one she could not help but agree with as an outsider - but House Ulgo's own opening move of calling the claim of their rivals from House Organa false because of usurpation? What a
farce.
"If House Panteer could not defend their claim to the throne, it is then forfeit", whispered the fiery-haired Forgemistress to the Senator seated at her side. Although she kept her tone low as not to draw undue attention to herself, there was
confidence in her words, a martial aura surrounding her that all but
dared anyone within earshot to confront her.
"The days of the Old Republic are over. It is weakness and cowardice, for one to call upon the days of old like so."
Frustrated as she was, the Alor chased the rather
thrilling thought of seeing Alicio duel all the other pretenders out of her mind. It would get her nowhere, and her presence here was to offer him
some measure of support. Whatever might come out from this crisis of succession, the Duke would benefit from the backing of someone who was, for all intents and purposes, a complete wildcard in terms of Galactic politics. After all, Jenn and her people served no master but themselves.
How odd, for prisoner and jailor to have become allies, if not friends. When his gaze came to rest on her, she answered his grin with one of her own - although her
fangs made it perhaps a little
wolfish indeed. This was the grin of someone who had been made into a predator, and accepted her new nature rather than fighting against it. Rather than lingering on bloody and unproductive thoughts, she thought back on the words uttered by Alicio a few moments ago. As ever, they seemed to flow all too naturally from his lips, as a river might - and she knew from his time in her care that he was as genuine as a man of his station could be.
"Honored Senator", spoke the House matriarch calmly and quietly,
"your political acumen exceeds my own. Given the delicate situation at hand, do you imagine military support would benefit Duke Organa and his House?"
Jenn was here to support a man she had once considered an honored foe, and now a trustworthy diplomat - perhaps even a
friend. But, try as she might to divorce the matter from her own station in life, there was no denying the opportunity presented to her now:
any guarantee of safety offered by a member-state of the Galactic Alliance was worth taking, and she trusted no representative of that dubious political entity as much as she did Alicio.
