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

dancing

[serannas]

Ellana is doing well enough for herself at the soiree. There is an air about her that is leaving the nobles confused, because she isn't bowing and scraping to them. Their smooth insults are met with equally smooth answers that show she both understands the slights, yet thinks herself above them. They're angry at her lack of deference, but puzzled by her gentle manners. All of this is thanks to Morrigan's coaching. Ellana has learned that the way to win the Game is not to play, and she's been walking the fine line between being above it all and dipping her toes into the water. It's been an interesting night, but mentally exhausting at the same time. So when she spots Sabriel, she comes over, ready to be herself again.

"Shall we dance?" she asks, offering her dear friend a hand.

[paperwing]

Sabriel had not seen much of Ellana, only glimpses through the crowd, but she had heard of her. Nobles were quick to gossip, and seemed dazed, confused, and ready to dig and reassert their pride to the nearest person willing to listen; some tied themselves in knots, not quite willing to divulge the problem and presenting it hypothetically, because it could never happen to them. Sabriel had to hold back several smiles.

But she doesn't hide her smile now, closing the gap between them. "Of course we should," she replies, taking the offered hand. The nearest nobles mutter, but she far from cares what they think of it. "And you should lead."

[serannas]

"Me?" Ellana giggles and looks down at their feet -- or the place where their gowns end -- for an instant before nodding. "You'll find the reason I've come to you now is because this is the only dance I've seen tonight that I can do." All other dances she's politely refused if they haven't been this one.

"How are things going for you tonight? I happened to see you slip away with a handsome gentleman on your arm." She smirks, glad to see her friend came with Scipio.

[paperwing]

"I was taught a few, but tastes change," Sabriel says with a thoughtful hum. Dance partners were few and far in a circle. "It could catch on, if we mixed them together... perhaps later."

She chuckles. How scandelous. But for now, she takes her place as Ellana's partner, and her smile stays fixed in place as she tries not to let all her thoughts merrily skip away to the handsome gentleman in question. "You know, he invited me whilst I was in the library and he was on the back of a horse. It would be hard for any evening to better such a thing, but it's been... agreeable. More than agreeable."

[serannas]

"I still can't believe he did that. To go to such lengths..." She trails off, letting out a dreamy sigh. "He really must have strong feelings for you." And that's good. Ellana is a firm believer that Wardens deserve to be happy. With this confusing Anders situation, she knows they've made a lot of enemies, but she would rather blame Hawke for this situation than the Wardens.

[paperwing]

Neither did she. It was as though he had a indepth conversation with one of those longstanding daydreams of hers, or well. Read any romantic book or lived in Antiva, she supposed.

Sabriel's smile wanes to consideration. Tentative. "Do you think so? It's hard to say what is just how he is, and how he truly feels..."

[serannas]

"Well, I'd like to think so. Antivans are so charming, but it did take planning and effort. And think of the risk he was taking if you'd said no! Everyone would have seen it." Ellana's brow furrows. She doesn't want to think badly of Scipio, but maybe she's putting too much faith in him. After all, wasn't Ellana duped by a charmer once before?

"Maybe you should ask what he wants?"