[ He tries to keep his expression neutral through all of that, lowering his eyes deferentially: the parts he craves hear validated about the Singularity's nature and their purpose to serve it's will, the parts that remind him of why he doesn't trust in mortal men to rule in place of the divine. The king is handsome and well spoken, but what yet proves that he won't make the same mistakes as the Payshmura Usho? He's still seeking that answer, and some of his hopes have been replaced with doubt.

A large amount of that doubt also remains in the form of the lady shaped elephant in the room.

He continues to watch the king curiously now, waiting a second before replying: ]

I've been working as a courier for the castle for months now. Though I rely on portals to get between cities, this wouldn't be necessary in my world. I have the ability to move swiftly between great distances, but with the wards set all around the countryside, that ability is hampered. If there was a way to allow me to pass through those inner wards, it would mean a great deal to me. And could possibly prove useful in other ways.

[ He takes a deep breath - ]

And there is another thing. The attack on the Nocwich delegation happened not long after I arrived, followed by the retaliation against the Free Cities - and then Nott's farmlands. War might be an inevitability, but the ones who suffer the most won't see it that way.

[ He winces. ]

Women aren't allowed to rule, let alone make such major decisions where I come from. It was you who also approved of the retribution?

[ The first part is the truth. Better he seem like a misogynist than anything else during this conversation. ]