[center][h2]Anne Mayer[/h2][h3]Nieve — Embassy[/h3][/center]
That was one hurdle cleared. For better or worse, this man was definitely taking them seriously now, and would doubtless investigate their claims whether or not Anne managed to get them before the royals proper. Remilia's notions aside, an audience with the king didn't really matter so long as the local authorities were alerted of the imminent danger.

The Knight didn't allow herself a sigh of relief just yet, however. She'd opened up with the obvious facts, the believable parts that could be clearly corroborated by witnesses. Now came the part where her tale strayed into the strange and fantastical, the events even she didn't fully understand. Somehow, she needed to get the vital points across without getting them all dismissed as lunatics, and preferably without prematurely setting off a war between two nations.

"It would... At least, if they were only motivated by the usual factors." She didn't turn away from the minister's gaze. Anne had endured talks held on bloodstained battlefields with the fates of entire planets on the line; her focus would not waver before a little questioning. "I have more details to share regarding the Heralds. But first, let me answer your question."

Standing back, she carefully pulled off the glove on her left hand, and then drew the sleeve of her coat partway up her forearm.

"Like I said, we were tipped off about the danger to the capital by a third party. I can't give you hard proof of what's coming, since I'm not certain how far I trust her word myself... But I can provide a reason why you shouldn't overlook her warning."

Fran's idea hadn't quite hit the mark, but it had given Anne a spark of inspiration. They couldn't get anything out of the girl, who would seem just like any other traumatized child... But what about her guardian, the eye-catching Toa they'd left her with? He, and by extension Anne, were beings wholly removed from the common laws and logic of this world, living proofs of what was truly afoot here.

"You've probably already guessed it from our clothing and unfamiliar manners, but we're not exactly locals to this region. However, my companions and I are from far further afield than you might currently suspect."

An impulse raced down her nerves, through cells both natural and artificial, into the wires and conduits of her mechanical arm. A hexagonal panel of her skin slid smoothly back before the minister's eyes, and the humming machinery underneath was revealed in its full glory, a masterwork of millimeter-precise craftsmanship from thousands of years in the future.

"...We're not from this country, or even from this continent." Anne spoke slowly, giving Bren time to take it in. She was asking him to believe a lot here, even if the evidence could be clearly seen. "If my arm here doesn't convince you, then we can show you a golem the likes of which you've never seen. Or have my companions perform the magics of distant lands, different from any you know in Riltaea. All I ask is that you understand we didn't travel here by any conventional means."

She let the panel of artificial skin slide back into place, drawing his focus fully towards what she was saying. "We were all brought here against our will, by a powerful form of magic. It was no coincidence that we were able to halt the attack on Aventon: someone summoned us for that exact purpose, and then sent us on to the capital with tidings of great danger. I don't know what her true goals are, but her actions helped save the people of that town—and I'd be a fool not to at least pass on her word, so that His Majesty can properly consider it."

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