Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

[madame_de_fer]

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.

Comments

A

[serannas]

If there is one thing Ellana knows about Beleth, it's that she likes making shems look foolish. It isn't Ellana's goal to do that tonight, but she's found herself in the company of a noble who needs taken down a peg. Morrigan's crash course on dealing with nobles has only taken her so far; she needs backup. So when she spots Beleth slipping through the crowd, she immediately turns her attention towards her.

"But excuse me... Marquise, was it? Here is my clansmate now. Beleth, the charming Marquise was just telling me about a rumor she heard concerning elves being predisposed to theft. I'm trying to find the source of such a rumor. What do you think? Tevinter slave owners, perhaps? Or more likely an Orlesian child who stole one too many sweets and blamed it on her servant?" She gives the Marquise an arch look, and Beleth is free to wonder who this doppelganger is and what they did with Ellana. Blame Morrigan's influence.

[arlathvhen]

Beleth does like making shems look foolish, this is true. However, it wasn't quite the point of tonight, and Beleth is thus caught a little offguard when Ellana calls out to her and begins speaking. However, what's visible of Beleth's expression beneath the mask stays neutral while Ellana introduces her. She's impressed by Ellana's ability to handle the nobility to the degree she already is, and it seems like Beleth will have to give Ellana the next impromptu lesson: Bullshitting. And, of course, how to get a noble to agree with you without directly insulting them.

"Oh, Ellana, I'm sure that the Marquise doesn't need to know the rumor's source to know that rumors can't be trusted." Beleth says with a warm smile, patting Ellana on the arm. "After that nonsense she had to squash...was it last autumn?" Beleth doesn't know this woman from Andraste herself, but she does know that there are always rumors. "Well, we all know it was complete rubbish, of course, but it just goes to show that an intelligent woman like the Marquise knows that unfounded rumors are nothing to waste your time over."

[serannas]

This impromptu lesson has an eager student. For all of Ellana's views on honesty and disliking dishonest people, ever since playing Liar's Dice with Araceli, she's come around to the idea that sometimes it's just necessary. What if she's doing something sneaky for the Inquisition and gets captured? She can't wear her heart on her sleeve then. She needs to get better at both hiding her emotions and reading facial expressions in others. Araceli is helping with that, but it's a long road. Having Beleth here to follow her lead helps, though.

Ellana watches the way Beleth's lips curve and does her best to imitate it."You make a very good point." She watches the Marquise's reaction, trying to pick out tell tale signs from behind the mask. The woman's lips twitch just slightly, as if she's about to press them together firmly, but thinks better of it. Her eyes dart believe the two elves, as if she's trying to figure out just how much they know about the events of last autumn. Who told? One of her stupid elven servants, no doubt. How else would these two rabbits know?

When she speaks, her voice tries for carefree. "Indeed not! Some people are always looking to spread gossip."

Ellana nods sympathetically. "And if we relied on gossip alone, think how foolish and uninformed we would all be." She glances at Beleth for confirmation that this is the right thing to say. If not, she knows Beleth has ways of turning it around.

[arlathvhen]

Beleth nods along with Ellana, and turns to face her, clicking her tongue. "That is just the way the world works, I'm afraid, Ellana. There will always be outrageous rumors of no substance, seeking to undo the reputations of respectable people." She shakes her head, as if it's beyond comprehension that such a thing could exist in this world.

Then she turns back to the Marquise, all sweet smiles and sympathy. "Luckily, true people of substance like ourselves are not foolish, nor uninformed, and thus, we know better than to rely on what we've heard." There's a flicker in Beleth's eyes, for just a moment. A sharpness in them that warns of what thoughts may be hiding behind that smile. "Whether it be about nobles or elves. Rumors of cruel nature are created by those with a cruel nature."

But then, the look is gone, and Beleth laughs gently, turning to Ellana and resting her hand fondly on the other woman's arm. "But such dire talk! I will tell you what's not a rumor, and that is the food that's been laid out. I counted at least three different kinds of cake."

[serannas]

Ellana watches the way Beleth's eyes switch to a woman in complete control of the situation; someone with complete confidence. It's something Ellana's been trying for herself, but she's never taken notice of it in Beleth before. It certainly is a night for surprises. She darts her eyes over to the Marquise, who is going for a neutral expression. Doubtless she's seething on the inside that two elves think to compare themselves with her. One of them is barefoot.

The Marquise's chin lifts at the "cruel nature" comment, but she says nothing about it, weighing her options. She's never had to battle wits with elves before. She may have heard rumors of them, but nothing about them playing the Game.

The contrast in mood nearly catches Ellana off guard, but she quickly shifts her surprised expression at Beleth's laugh into a bright laugh of her own. The raised eyebrows work for both.

"The Inquisition is an organization dedicated to making others feel welcome. It has spared no expense. Tell me, Marquise, have you tried the anise flavored cake yet?"