Octavia was probably going to have some words for him later on, about looping her into things she was not at all equipped to handle. But for right now, yes, she could follow his lead. Even if it meant scrambling around her mind for any useful template on how to act, while Duke was still speaking.

And then she got it.

"We... did this after hours," she cut in, starting slow but getting smoother by the word, "because it was easier to discuss the details of the potential visit without getting disturbed." Thank goodness for her naturally dry tone: she didn't even have to try to sound pointed or judgy. She tilted her head a little bit. "Weren't you informed?"

Okay, maybe she was equipped to handle this, under duress, once she figured out the right people to try and emulate.

(She still wanted to just knock this guy out cold, though.)