Lyni stood at the back of the room with her hands clenched behind her. There was no room at the conference table. She saw the pale, sickly senator hit the chair set for her so that it collapsed and then insist on going ahead anyway.
To the right was Commander Thire who she met two days ago. He was kind enough to help her find her way here. They had both stood rigidly at the back of the room for three hours.
After the first hour Lyni had given up trying to get a word in. Something about not being allowed to speak if you weren't at the table. She would look it up in the senatorial handbook later.
Finally the meeting was over and the other Senators left. Lyni sighted and started on a few stretches. "Are you aright?"
Lyni turned to find Thire looking towards her. Glancing around she saw that there was no one else in the room and then nodded. He felt ashamed, so she spoke, "After the last few hours I was surprised that someone wanted to talk to me."
He stifled a laugh, "Yeah, it takes a while to get used to."
They walked together to the door as she asked, "You get that every day?"
It was his turn to nod as he opened the door and spoke as he followed her out, "All of us get that." Then shrugged, "I guess that's how some people treat outsiders."
Remembering home she sighed again, long and mournful, "Not just outsiders." He looked towards her, "That is also how my brothers are treated back on Dathomir, which I have been trying to change." A grim smile, "And why I have been sent here, out of the way."
"That explains the shuttle." There was a flicker of humor in his otherwise calm voice.
She laughed, "That was a sight, wasn't it." Shaking her head, "Not how I wanted to make a first impression, but too late now."
"Problems always happen, no matter how well laid the plan. The best leaders handle the unexpected as well as the expected," Thire answered.
"That sounds quoted." She pointed out.
He bent his head, "It is." He saw her raised eyebrows and answered the silent question, "The trainers used to say it to us on Kamino."
Lyni bent her head then quoted, "A true hunter knows patience. Each follows their prey until the best time to strike." Smiling at him, "Something the Father used to say to us in the village."
Thire nodded, "I forgot how warlike your race is said to be." And savage he added in his head.
The grey woman shrugged, "We live in a place where it is difficult to survive. We have learned to do what it takes." Thoughtfully she added, "Each have learned to adapt to new situations." She stopped suddenly and hugged him, "Thank you Thire." Then she ran off towards her office.
He had no idea what he had done. Shrugging he smiled slightly behind his helmet. Then he continued on his way.