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

Cyril Ashara

[samahl]

Cyril shows up wearing dark trousers and a well tailored silver and black tunic that shows off the shape of his body and compliments the color of his hair and makeup well. The design almost seems to shimmer in the light and makes him look a little more like a pretty decoration, which very well may have been his goal.

He shows up with Taashath but he isn't opposed to dancing with others. He's always open to flirting with each others. He mostly just seems charmed by the entire set up and grateful that he can take part in it.

[el_tybs]

Surprisingly it isn't hard for Sam to find Cyril in the crowd. Then again he always had an eye open for the elf regardless of where they were at. "Hello, stranger. You're looking particularly handsome tonight." Sam grins some as he gives Cyril a once over, taking in more of his outfit.

[samahl]

Cyril very openly checks Sam out as he comes near and grins, happy with what he sees. "You do too," he says. "But then, you always look dashing."

[el_tybs]

That earns Cyril a raised brow with a grin. "Well now, you're just flattering me."

[samahl]

Cyril chuckles but shakes his head. "When will you learn that I always mean everything I say about your appearance."

[el_tybs]

Sam sighs lightly as that, rubbing the back of his neck, but making sure not to overly mess up his hair - last thing he needed nobles snipping at him about, bad appearance. "Well it's been some time since we talked, I suppose I simply forgot."

[samahl]

Cyril comes closer to him and smiles up at him. "It has been. I should make an effort to stalk you more openly," he teases a bit. Then he offers his arm. "Come on, let's go dance."

[el_tybs]

"Wait, you were doing it secretly?" he teases right back. At the offered arm he raises a brow, wrinkling his nose a bit in amusement. "I'm not that great of a dancer," he warns.

[samahl]

"How else am I going to enjoy watching you work without causing a distraction?" Cyril teases a bit. He waves off the warning. "Most of the people here aren't. I can lead if it will make you feel better."

[el_tybs]

"You do know, now I'm going to be keeping an eye out for your head poking out of somewhere while I work." Wouldn't be hard to spot if he actually looked he's sure.

For a moment longer Sam gives Cyril a look before letting out a sigh and reaching his own arm out to hook it with his. "Alright. Just no dipping."

[samahl]

Cyril takes his hand and leads him to the floor. "The whole point of stalking is that the person you're doing it too doesn't know," he comments. He then turns to take Sam into his arms. "I only just learned some of these dances so we'll both be a little rocky." He then starts to lead their dance.

[el_tybs]

"So is it still stalking if you told me about it and plan on doing it more openly?" he shoots back with some amusement, letting himself be led to the dance floor. The current dancers give him pause, stopping to watch exactly what kind of dance is going on before blinking and looking down when he feels hands settle on him.

"Well that's more than I know," he mutters softly with a lopsided, nervous smile, eyes darting more towards their feet as they start into the dance.

[samahl]

Cyril takes the lead with the dances then and doesn't seem to mind guiding Sam through them. "I suppose I could try to be more open, then it's would just be visiting." He offers Sam a small smile then. They settle into the dance.

"How are you, anyway?"

[quietblade]

Taas danced at the First Day celebration thanks to the stomping and letting Korrin and River lead, but there was no way he was dancing here. Just the thought of it was ridiculous and he didn't want to cause a scene by stepping on someone or insulting nobles with his attempts.

He is, however, more than happy to see Cyril dance with others. It just means he can greet a happy elf afterwards and offer him some wine. The pale man just seemed intrigued by all the fanciness, and the outfit combined with those features was just gorgeous.

Taas could look at the elf all day.

"Nice moves," he says softly as Cyril returns.

[samahl]

Cyril doesn't drink very often, but he doesn't mind sipping on some wine in between dances. Taas might notice that he's pretty much just nursing the same glass the entire night though. It's certainly not enough to get him tispy.

He grins at the compliment and then signs, Thank you. It's actually really nice how much Taas doesn't mind that he's dancing with others. It's reassuring to feel connected with someone but not as if that connection means he's owned.

"Are you having any fun?" he asks, because while it's fun to dance with others he does worry about his date.

[quietblade]

The warrior definitely notices that Cyril isn't drinking much, so he makes sure that the elf gets some non-alcoholic stuff in him as well. Dancing those strange dances looked dehydrating... or maybe he just likes the way Cyril's throat bobs when he drinks from a pretty crystal glass.

'Owning' was Taas' biggest problem with the concept of love. Loving someone always seemed to come with exclusiveness and jealously, and that just wasn't in the big warrior. All he wants for Cyril is to be happy, and damn if it isn't making him happy as well to see how it makes the elf flourish in situations like these.

Still, the affection is obviously there as he strokes his fingers over Cyril's cheek, careful to not smudge his makeup. "I'm having a great time. Watching you, reading the lips of some gossiping nobles... and these little cakes are amazing. I think I've had six already."

[samahl]

Cyril looks delighted when Taas reassures him. This is why he likes being with Taas, and even Zevran to an extent. There's no pressure with either of them to feel exclusive. It means they can have fun without stressing out every two seconds. It makes him feel accepted.

"I love those cakes," he agrees. "Too bad I don't have pockets in this time. I'd try to take some with me back to camp." Then he glances at the direction of the nobles. He lowers his voice, so low if Taas was hearing him he probably wouldn't be able to easily understand what he was saying. Lip reading has its advantages, and hopefully he'll eventually be able to sign when he wants to say things he doesn't want to be overheard. "Though that's probably a good thing. The last thing we need is someone talking about the elf that stole all of the cakes. The great elf cake caper."

[quietblade]

No pressure is what Taas is all about. That's why it was a bit awkward for him to air all his issues out to Cyril before, but it had ended up pretty well, hadn't it? Cuddles and sign language lessons.

"I'm pretty sure there will be some leftovers in the kitchen later, and probably down at the less fancy party. Maybe stolen ones, but they'll taste just as good." The warrior chuckles a little at Cyril's conspiratory whispers, and then signs 'elf' and 'hero' to him with a wink.

[samahl]

Cyril grins as he reads the signs and feels that warmth spread over the fact that he can.

Want to dance later? he signs after a moment. The movement is still awkward and he has to think for a moment to remember the one for dance. He understands why Taas wouldn't want to here, with everyone staring, but maybe when they were at the smaller celebration? Or alone? Just the two of us. he adds for clarification, using the one handed sign of two fingers that sweeps between the two of them. That's easier to remember.

[quietblade]

The warrior seems a little hesitant at first when Cyril asks him to dance. Not only would a dancing qunari possibly offend the nobles around, but the fact that he would be completely off since he couldn't hear the music would be even more of a scandal... and a little shameful.

The addition of the last sign brings a small smile to his lips and he signs yes fondly. Just them, dancing? He would love that.

[samahl]

Cyril grinned at that response and then came a little closer and put his hand on Taas's arm. "We'll have to see about going to the smaller party for that? Or we can always just find a quiet spot for the two of us?"

[quietblade]

"I like both of those ideas," Taas says with a slight purr, imagining them dancing in an empty hallway to no music. It would be cute, but maybe not so practical.

The other party might be best.

Putting a hand over the one leaning on his arm, the large qunari leans down for a kiss. It seems to shock some nearby nobles, but he doesn't care right now. He's happy.

[samahl]

Cyril returns the kiss happily. He's still smiling when Taas pulls up. "I think we're giving people stories to tell..."

[quietblade]

There's a slight chuckle at that, and he turns a bit so he could read the lips of the now gossiping nobles. "Ah, yes. We're a sensation."

Looking back at Cyril, he takes a moment to appreciate how good the elf looks again. The silver was just perfect for him. "Maybe they'll tell stories of the silver elf who brought a qunari to his knees with his beauty?"

[samahl]

Cyril pauses a moment as he lets that compliment settle in his chest. "Hmm. I like the thought of you on your knees," he says instead of dwelling on it.