"Ales, you..."
"Andrews, this welcome ceremony is not a grand celebration for your Dawn Church,"
Ales's gaze was ice-cold. An aura like a mountain pressed down on Kali. "Much less a venue for you to preach your faith. Understand?"
Andrews's expression darkened. "Ales, are you sure you want to interfere...?"
"You're mistaken," Ales interrupted, raising a hand. "I *am* already interfering!"
Kali looked at them, flustered and bewildered. 'What did I do wrong?'
The others on the stage were at a complete loss. They all knew Ales's temper. They had assumed today would just be a matter of going through the motions, but who would have thought he wouldn't even cooperate with that?
"Ales, um, can we finish the ceremony first?"
Among those present, only Vice Speaker Harrington of the City-State Council had high enough status. He carefully chose his words, "Today, nearly half the city-state is here. For you to do this..."
"Finish it? Hmph!"
