faderift | Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

WHO: Select Orlesian and Fereldan Nobility and the Inquisition
WHAT: Josephine and Vivienne have orchestrated a good-will soiree in response to this dastardly rumor.
WHEN: Drakonis 15, Evening
WHERE: Skyhold Great Hall
NOTES:
- A list of nobles in attendance can be found here. The list was provided by the mods but there will be no npc support for them. Play away.
- A secondary outside party is being held in the valley in the tent town for anyone who couldn't/wouldn't attend and/or behave in the fancy pansty party.
- The goal of the evening is to clear up a spurious rumor about Cassandra and Leliana, with secondary goals of establishing the Inquisition as a respectable presence in Thedas (and fish for more money). Any major disruptions that would Game Over the court approval should probably be brought to the advisors and/or mods.

To say that Josphine has far outdone herself with this little soiree would be the understatement of the year. The Lady Ambassador has pulled out all the stops in providing a festive and yet elegant stage for this political intervention. Because sometimes gossip can be more deadly than a sword.

The Great Hall of Skyhold has been converted into a grand receiving hall, glittering with hundreds of lights around the room, in addition to the repairs accomplished to the original chandeliers. Of course, there has been artful placement arranged so there are a few shadowy corners for rendezvous of the more suggestive nature. Just in case. The majority of the floor has been cleared for dancing, and a fine troupe of musicians have been installed for the bulk of the evening's entertainments. Some members of the Inquisition have plans to entice attendees with their own artistic performances in addition to the group of mages performing illusory tricks to oohs and aahs.

For those who feel their energy flagging, there are chairs set against the walls, with a few tables interspersed between. Servers hired for the evening circulate the crowds with wine, fine Orlesian and Nevarran reds as well as crisp whites from Antiva. Refreshments are set out on buffet tables, tasteful and extravagant nibbles, including imported cheeses, spicy saucisson, dried fruits and nuts, and the highly sought after deep mushroom and anise petits fours that are all the rage in Orlais.

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Like Korrin, Ellana is projecting confidence, but it certainly hasn't come naturally to her. The urge to melt away into a dark corner comes to her every now and then, but then she remembers Morrigan's coaching and she feels strong again. So when she comes up to Korrin, her walk could almost be called a sashay, and she's wearing a cool smirk on her lips.

"Well, don't you look positively delightful this evening," she says, raising an eyebrow before she can no longer keep up the act and grins widely, raising a hand to her lips as she giggles.

"You really do! But I've been acting smug and superior all evening and it's getting tiring. How about you?"

Seeing Ellana's own confident act provokes an approving look from Korrin, who flashes a grin in response to that giggle as well as the compliment.

"Well, I had to stage an escape from the world's dullest stories by some Comtesse, and then I met a Marquis who spent more time than is ever necessary singing the praises of his hunting dog. That was less insufferable, though, since he was very interested in hearing about the dragons and giants and other creatures the Inquisition has fought." A man after her own heart, really.

And thank you, Ellana. You know you're a 'vision to behold' as well; those insufferable tailors did something very right, at least."

"At least you could recount your tale of the dragon in Emprise," she says, looking pleased for her. "But navigating these people is like navigating a battlefield in chaos, isn't it? I haven't let my guard down once. It's somehow more exhausting than keeping a barrier raised."

Letting out a soft chuckle, Korrin nods in full agreement but stops short of giving a weary sigh. She's not about to show weakness in front of all these people, if she can help it. They're probably already scandalized by an 'ox' attending, but she's not going to give them more ammunition when the Inquisition needs their influence.

"Tell me about it. Not that I truly want this evening to be sabotaged, but I can't wait to return to the sort of battle I'm more familiar with. At least there, you know where you stand. With these Orlesians, who the hell knows. They certainly don't tell you. At least the Fereldan ones are more direct and less condescending."

Scandalized by an ox and all these rabbits. One wonders what animal they've chosen to represent dwarves: a nug?

"It helps to confuse them, I've found. They don't want to be shown up, or told they're wrong, but if you do it subtly, they don't know what to make of you and usually end up switching to a safer topic."

'Subtle' isn't Korrin's forte, at all, but she smiles at Ellana putting her charm to good use. "Some of them have expectations so low that it's almost amusing. The expression on their face when a 'savage' knows the steps to a dance or can quote the Chant of Light is pure gold. But some aren't worth the effort of dealing with, and in their case it's much more fun to pretend not to understand the language. Blame Beleth for starting that trend." Yes, it's now a trend because why deal with someone obnoxious when you can pretend not to understand anything but Qunlat?

People have told Ellana in the past that she's charming, but she's never really believed it. Tonight, it manages to work to her benefit. It's something she hasn't had to learn in addition to everything else.

"Really?" she asks, looking around the hall to see if she can spot Beleth, but her clansmate eludes her sight. "That sounds like something she'd concoct. Let me guess: the nobles shout louder because surely you'll understand Common if it's yelled."

"That and because they think an extra foot in height means I somehow can't hear them. Between Taas and I, we're going to give them an interesting impression of our people tonight. I should have collaborated with him on insane stories to share, just to mess with them."

Korrin's lips twitch, then she tilts her head. "What about you, have they given you too much grief for daring to exist?" Ellana can handle herself, she's well aware, but the Vashoth also knows that elves always get the worst of it when it comes to racist nobles. She can't help but feel a little protective, having seen some of that herself.

"That would have been a treat to watch," she says. "You could have made a bet on who could get a noble to faint first."

Her question causes Ellana's smile to smooth out into a neutral look, and she dips her head slightly to acknowledge that she has been given grief.

"Usually they order me to get them a drink before seeing me step out of the crowd, and when they see my dress, they nearly swallow their tongues. I know they're thinking I have some gall to wear fine fabrics and delicate embroidery. Then I introduce myself as Councilor Ashara, a member of the Mage Council alongside Madame de Fer and suddenly they know not to say what they're thinking." Namedropping Vivienne gets her a free pass. If Vivienne is on a council with a Dalish elf, then she must approve, and to court disapproval from the Iron Lady is to court disaster and disgrace.

"Maybe next time...ugh, there's going to be a next time, I just know it."

As long as she's with the Inquisition and part of the Council, it's a risk. Korrin wrinkles her nose, though gives way to a concerned frown at confirmation of her suspicions. Mention of namedropping Vivienne prompts a faint smirk, though.

"Good for you. Putting nobles in their place is always fun, especially when they pull shit like that. I know we need the favor of these snobs, but there's a limit as to how much shit we should expect to take."

"There are certain people skilled at the Game, who can turn things around with only a few words. When it's the people on our side, it's something to celebrate, but when it's on their side, it's something to dread." Ellana practically has a stomachache from it all. "What I've mainly been working on is this sense of bored detachment. Morrigan taught it to me."

Mention of Morrigan piques Korrin's interest. She still doesn't quite know what to make of the Witch of the Wilds, committed to the Inquisition and yet aloof from everything else. "She's definitely good at that, from what I've seen. The nobles are scandalized by her presence and yet she remains untouchable. It's interesting to watch. What do you make of her?"

"She's interesting. Unflappable. I get the sense that she works well with others if she has to, but overall would prefer to be on her own. And that's all right. Some people are like that. Her interest in elven history is surprising, but not unwelcome. I've been so isolated that it's only now that I'm learning more of my people's history, and she has a wealth of knowledge on the subject." And now a smile spreads across her face. "She translated a fragment of an ancient elven poem for me for my birthday. I treasure it. What do you think of her, or have you not had much contact yet?"

That smile is infectious and Korrin relaxes a little upon hearing all that. Not that she had any significant misgivings about Morrigan specifically, but it's still good to know.

"I'm glad to hear that she's respectful of the elves and willing to share what she knows. That's knowledge too valuable to keep to herself.

I spoke to her before our emergency meeting about the rift in Skyhold. So far that's been our only conversation, but I found her wary but insightful. She doesn't much care for the Council itself but as you pointed out, she's a loner. As long as she keep aiding as she has been, there's nothing wrong with that. And I have to admit, it's fun to see her so proud, so unapologetic about what she is. That must rankle at the devout Chantry folk."

"It must. They look at me and think 'heathen,' but they look at her and see a human beyond their reach. I'm not really one to care what someone believes unless they're trying to convert me, but some of the sisters here could do with having an annoyance in their midst once in awhile, since they certainly annoy me with all their reciting in the gardens everyday."

There's having faith, and then there's repeating the same bit of the Chant over and over again until it doesn't even sound like words anymore. What are they even accomplishing doing that?

Korrin rolls her eyes at that, just as annoyed by such things, then a devilish grin forms. "Maybe it's time to borrow Kain's new pet. That foul-mouthed parrot would be the the perfect disruption to them, especially when it starts spouting off various blasphemies. We're hardly responsible for its actions, right? ...as far as they know. I might have expanded its vocabulary, but no need to tell them that."

"Oh, no," Ellana giggles out. "That would ruin all of the Ambassador's and Vivienne's plans, wouldn't it? Someone will think the bird was taught these words to personally insult them." Ellana had helped deal with the bird in the garden, and had heard its colorful language.

"I should make a list to see how many of Andraste's body parts it mentions without encouraging it directly. It's...extensive, so far. The perfect accompaniment to chapel services." Korrin grins; she may be intending to behave herself...tonight, but tomorrow is an entirely different story.

"Whoever owned it before now certainly had a colorful vocabulary." She can't help but be amused by the bird, and grateful that it didn't imprint on her when it came swooping down into Skyhold.

"When I first heard it speak, I thought it must have been possessed by a demon. I didn't know birds could talk."

Korrin chuckles, unsurprised but then she's been far enough north to see such things. "You know, I bet plenty of people here wouldn't know that either. After all, if it's not from Orlais, it must not be important. Right? Maker, do I want to start a rumor about a demon-possessed bird now. I'd better get in a dance before I give into the urge to misbehave again."

"Well it's not from the Free Marches either! At least the parts that I've been." Ellana would remember meeting a talking bird in the woods. That's why her mind immediately went to 'demon.' There are plenty of suspicious creatures lurking out in the world, ready to trick unsuspecting people, because they are really demons in disguise.

"You'd better had. Is Araceli nearby?" She cranes her neck to look.

"You have to go further north, to Rivain. Though how a Rivaini pet ended up with a dwarf, I've no idea." Korrin can't recall there being a sizable dwarf population there, though perhaps someone created a market for exotic pets.

Glancing around, Korrin shakes her head. "No, she's probably enduring that Comtesse's excruiatingly awful stories instead. But it's all part of bard training, so I know she won't want to miss out on that. How about it, Ellana? Feel like scandalizing some nobles? If there's one thing more shocking than an 'unholy apostate' dancing, it'd be two."

"It sounds like a good story. Too bad the bird seems unable to tell it." It just likes to repeat swears over and over.

Ellana smiles and bobs her head, looking out at the party and the gathering of supposedly important people.

"Always. I'm ready to hear some gasps of shock."

Said important people are already sending glances their way and murmuring to each other, especially when Korrin offers her hand. "Well, then. Let's not keep them waiting. This beat seems simple enough to follow."

"Let's hope so. My goal tonight was not to let them laugh at me, but everybody will if I mess this up." She takes Korrin's hand and gives in a squeeze, the only outward indication of her nervousness.

[ ooc: wanna wrap up with them dancing? ]

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gatheringstorm - 2016-03-20 01:50 (UTC) - Expand

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