Dooku stood off to the side as his piercing gaze lingered across the hall of a high-society ball, a Naboo ball organised by the planet’s senator in celebration for the Republic’s successsion. He hasn’t wanted to be there in the first place, but for the sake of communications and to be given the right to delve into politics, he accepted the invitation with a feigned smile on behalf of the Jedi Order.

He sipped on a glass of corellian ale as he remained alone in his thoughts, taking no interest in the occasion and simply in attendance as a Jedi representative. He used the time to scope out his surroundings and to take in any and all conversations regarding the inner workings of the senate, as well as any on going proposals the Order may not be privy to. The Order abstained from politics, but he alone knew it to be something he could bend in his favour. So he watched. He waited. And he listened.