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

B

[onlyhymns]

It seems they both have the need for fresh air. Cade has snuck out to this balcony several times over the course of the night, and only this time is there someone else present.
"Oh-- forgive me," he says quickly, then realizes who it actually is he's talking to. Rather than flee back out through the doors, he bows deeply. Nervously.

[fightingale]

No forgiveness is necessary, she might have said, any other night to any other man. Even to Cade, were she not aware of his indiscretions in the Emprise, against one of Leliana's own scouts. She seems him, her flickering for a moment to his immediate vicinity, and her mouth jerks into a slight frown, before she notes his escort. Not right at his side, but in sight and easily marked, for one who knows that there is someone to look for.

"Did you need to take some air?" she asks, though it is the Nightingale that speaks, more so than Leliana. Quiet, calm, but not without a certain air of severity. "Is all well?"

[onlyhymns]

Due perhaps to the overall tone of the night, Cade immediately picks up on her stern disapproval, and when he rises from the bow there's a certain weary meekness about him.
"Yes, ma'am," he says quietly, looking off to one side and fixing his gaze on the nearest mountain, "...I can go." He's not in a hurry to elbow the Nightingale out of her quiet place, especially when she clearly doesn't want him here.

[fightingale]

"That is not required."

Leliana looks back to the mountains, expression close to blank. "I do not have a monopoly on space." Technically she could be difficult, she could make claim, but she is in no mood for that, not just yet.

[onlyhymns]

Cade isn't sure what to do with that answer. He is sure that it wasn't welcoming, and rather than remain in a situation of ambiguous acceptance, he chooses to retreat.
He doesn't say anything more as he steps back through the door, closing it gently behind him and turning to face the ball again. This night will never end.

[fightingale]

She watches him go, and there is a brief moment of-- what? Not guilt. Leliana hardly feels she spoke cruelly, especially given what happened. All the same... she was not kind. She was not compassionate. Part of her rebukes herself, even as another part reminds her that she is not responsible for the hurt feelings of each individual, especially not those who are to be kept under observation as a result of their violent outbursts.

But he was a man of faith, just as she was a woman of one. They both served the Chantry, and were adapting to its changing form and instability.

Leliana does not open her mouth to stop him. Her expression is carefully crafted and controlled, because she is a bard, a spymaster, and eyes are ever on her. But she does regret, and exhales very slowly as she turns back towards the night. Better, she tells herself. You will do better.