They walked onto the stage in formation.
Melisa led, trying to project confidence despite her ridiculous outfit. Margaret and Melistair flanked her, playing the role of noble nim representatives. Armia brought up the rear, hand on her sword, looking like she could demolish anyone who looked at them wrong.
The crowd's reaction was mixed. Cheers from nim, curiosity from most kitsune, but Melisa caught the suspicious looks too. The muttering.
"Citizens of Yalmir!" Melisa's voice carried with magical amplification. "We come in peace and friendship, to forge bonds that will last generations!"
She held up a scroll—hastily prepared backstage with lots of official-looking seals.
"Tonight, we sign—"
"LIES!"
A figure burst from the crowd. A kitsune woman, but her movements were all wrong. Too stiff. Too aggressive.
[Here we go.]
"The nim seek to conquer! To seduce and enslave as they did before!"
