A Very Official Party

[arlathvhen]

WHO: Division leaders and everyone who signed up
WHAT: The leaders + the viscount are throwing a very fancy party to introduce Inquisition people to Hightown nobles and prove that they aren't demons
WHEN: 29th of Harvestmere (day before Satinalia)
WHERE: Some mansion in hightown
NOTES: OOC post!

The mansion of the hightown noble tasked with hosting the party is tastefully decorated for the event.
There's a few references to the approaching Satinalia here and there, but it is clearly not a costume
party, and none of the nobles are wearing masks. Tomorrow they may done their costumes, but for now,
it's important for the Inquisition for faces to be be seen.

There's plenty of food to be had, either on a table off to a side, or via one of the servants carrying
around trays, filled will little snacks and glasses of wine. Inquisition guests will be forewarned
that while they are not prohibited from drinking--It would, after all, look super sketchy if the
entire Inquisition abstained from drinks--they are under no circumstances to become intoxicated.

The other guests are the nobles, who look like an indecisive mixture of excited, gleeful, and
terrified. There's an air about them as they chatter amongst themselves that they are currently
engaged in something quite thrilling, if dangerous. Talking to the rifters! Possible demons, right
before their eyes! They clump into their own groups for the most part, but as the party starts in
earnest, braver souls will begin to peel off from the others to go inspect the guests and speak to
them. As the party winds on, the groups will slowly begin to disperse and mix with the Inquisition
freely.

Inquisition guests are, naturally, encouraged to approach these groups or individuals directly.

Closer to the end of the night, the division leaders will break off from the rest of the party, and
along with the Viscount, make their way off to a private room to converse on how the affair has gone.

Try to behave while they're gone (and in general) or you might find yourself facing a list of the
worst jobs Petra could concoct the next morning.

Comments

[judgemewhole]

He sighed, looking around the glittering assemblage, before nodding his head in agreement. "Frankly I think if we get out of here completely unscathed it will truly be a sign that the Maker is on our side. As it stands, I am sure someone will say something horribly inappropriate. It will then be our job to make sure it goes no further than a verbal slap about the wrist."

He looks back at her, a pensive expression on his face. Iksander's absence made that hole ever so obvious, and he had done his best to answer questions to the organization that had pretty much died in it's infancy. Much of it now lay on the shoulders of the Division heads here tonight, but he would help them as he could. As it was ...

"I have ... put in a word with our leaders. We will see if they find me worthy of the position." He shrugged elegantly, "If nothing else, whomever they choose will have my support and my advice, if they care to ask for it. Leadership is never an easy burden."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa gives an approving nod as she glances from the nobles back to him. They've received some stares, but no one's ventured over to them just yet. That's fine, she can be patient. "I'm glad to hear it. You're experienced, familiar and I think you would do well in such a role. Whatever they decide, I suspect we'll hear the answer before too long. A long-lasting vacuum would be detrimental in so many ways."

The fact that he's human, Andrastian and a native to Thedas is also something that can't be overlooked. Given the division makeup, this may be the means to appease those skittish about it. They can only hope, anyway.

[judgemewhole]

"Yes, that is only too true." James sighed softly, going to take up another small piece of ... whatever this stuff was. It was green, and tasty, and did not taste of negativity, so he was fine with it. "Frankly I will be satisfied if they find someone who can help guide the Inquisition back to what it is meant to be doing - ending Corypheus and helping end this conflict, once and for all."

[circleprodigy]

"That goal is well overdue, to be sure." Inessa finishes off the little cake with a sip -just a sip- of the champagne. She's relaxing a touch, but can't allow herself more than that, not here. "Not that it remains any one person's fault, but we're all feeling the strain of a prolonged struggle."

In the same tone and demeanor as though she's not speaking of anything important, Inessa continues. "My recent journey to the Blackmarsh bore fruit. We found something which might aid that goal; another orb. It's inert, but I think it might be able to assist us, once its secrets are uncovered."

[judgemewhole]

"That we are indeed, my friend." He himself was aching to get to the battlefield - to face down this demon with a magister's ability with something that he understood. A sword, a shield, and military might. All this pussyfooting around just put his teeth on edge.

He was not sure how he managed to keep his expression from startling -- perhaps he was finally taking in some of those diplomacy lessons that Vivienne had put in so very sufficiently. The most that happened was that he took a sip - just a sip - of champagne himself.

"Now that ... that is the best news I have heard in a long time. Whatever help you need, please, let me know."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa nods, managing a small smile. She's undeniably proud of their discovery, though that's tempered with the knowledge that their work has only just begun. "Thank you. In all likelihood, it will be turned into the elven artifacts project, though I plan to offer the assistance of my own. Its properties have it rather suited to both our interests."

[judgemewhole]

"Between yourself and Pel Ashara, you two will have it figured out in no time. She is the finest scholar I know - and you are clearly no slouch when it comes to magic." He tipped his chin down to her slightly, his body vibrating with the thought of it.

"This ... this might be it, Inessa. What we need, to end the stalemate."

[circleprodigy]

"I certainly hope so." That's been on Inessa's mind as well; as cautious as she is, she can't dampen that sense of hope that came with their find. "Actually...there may be something you can do, in terms of action or at least advice. We will need a safe, isolated place to study the orb; if experimentation goes wrong in any way, I do not want to have Kirkwall suffer for it." The orb has great potential, but she can't forget what one orb did to the Temple of Sacred Ashes, and the effect that could have on a more populated area.

[judgemewhole]

James 'hmmed' for a moment, his hawkish expression narrowing as he went through the various places. One came to mind, and he made a faint face before he stated simply, "The Bone Pit. It is abandoned, empty of everything save corpses and spiders, and there is a series of mining tunnels that go deep so you do not have to worry about being above ground."

[circleprodigy]

There's a brief wrinkling of her nose at mention of the Bone Pit, but she has to nod and concede its value. "A fair point, and one definitely worth considering. If we had assistance in clearing it out for research, it might be sufficiently isolated to suit our needs." She has no illusions about taking out whatever else has infested the area, but it's a good start.

[judgemewhole]

"I should be glad to come and assist personally, and I can scare up some of the other Templars who would probably appreciate the exercise." He stated simply. Bored Templars and soldiers were the ones who needed the most to do, after all. Let them fight spiders until they were too exhausted to get up to mischief.

[circleprodigy]

To that, she nods with a small but genuine smile. "And I will appreciate their efforts in turn. Thank you, James. I'll accumulate an assorted stash of potions and tonics for them, just to be on the safe side." Even 'just' spiders can be a pain, but who knows what else is down there now?

[judgemewhole]

"That is quite generous of you, Inessa. Thank you. They will appreciate the assistance." After all, being poisoned by a giant spider was no joke. Although James wondered if it wasn't better than this party ...

Well, same amount of venom. Just carefully hidden.

[circleprodigy]

"You're quite welcome, of course." Inessa takes another, very small, sip from her glass. They probably shouldn't discuss it in greater detail while here, so she switches the subject with an amused glint in her eyes. "Scoutmaster Ashara seems rather appreciative of your company this evening. Or is there more to it than this evening alone?"

[judgemewhole]

James also takes a small sip from the glass, and puts the plate down on a small table behind them, just in time to catch Inessa's teasing question. His ears suddenly flush, and he clears his throat.

"I. Well. No - well - yes - hrm." He clears his throat, tugging at his collar for a moment, "...it's complicated."

[circleprodigy]

His reaction is met with a chuckle, though her gaze grows sympathetic. "It usually is, isn't it? Interracial bonding always has its considerations and pitfalls." That's something she's learning for herself; Inessa and Kain may be Wardens, but a former alienage elf and an Orlesian of noble blood have vastly different perspectives. It's always something to consider.

[judgemewhole]

He looks over at her, before his smile turns wry and he sighs. "Yes, that is something of it ... there's also ... past considerations. Mostly though ... I am very tired of putting myself out there, only to be burned."

His gaze falls on Beleth from across the room, "Yet every single time my mind tells me to let it go ... my heart fights back. Is it like that for you?"

[circleprodigy]

"It has been, yes." Inessa follows his gaze briefly, though her eyes soon meet his again. "I've been burned before, as well, and that among other things led me to push aside attachments for some time. You know how it was in the Circle...and while the Grey Wardens are less restrictive, it's still a difficult life. I'd pushed away any considerations of a real bond for so long that it took some time to admit that I could have more for myself, if I so chose."

She stares at her glass, thoughtful, certain that she's not the best person to give advice. Still, she did draw attention to this subject. "I suppose the question to ask is, can you drown out the voice that keeps asking 'what if' or is it loud enough to give in and learn the answer?"

[judgemewhole]

He nods his head solemnly - there are reasons why he and Inessa seem to click so well. He would absolutely consider her a friend, someone he knew he could trust with this ... particular secret. Not a dark one, oh no. One filled with light and fierce joy and absolute panic. To think a Templar and a Grey Warden mage would be such friends -- of course imagine their love lives. One corner of his mouth twisted. "It is ...it is a very frightening path, is it not? The one to happiness?"

He falls silent for a moment, before he asks her, "I think the real question is - do I want to drown it? Do you?"

[circleprodigy]

Inessa shakes her head, lips forming into a thin determined line. "...no. It's safer, to be sure. That path is absolutely frightening, whether you're risking it for the first time or the hundredth. But we give so much of ourselves, all the time, that I can't help but want to be a little selfish. Perhaps you do as well, and there's nothing wrong with that."

[judgemewhole]

Another slow, solemn nod of his head, before one corner of his mouth twists in wry appreciation. "You know, you would think that in a life like this? Where the entire world could be in the balance -- we would not have to worry about whether or not feeling this way was 'selfish'. I wonder if we ought not think - who knows what the future may hold? Take a chance while you have it."

[circleprodigy]

"Precisely. If the response isn't favorable, then at least you know, and can move on. If it is, then you have found some solace amidst the chaos and in time perhaps more. It's difficult to see where our futures will lead, but regardless, I'm partial the one which carries as few regrets as possible." There are enough already, Maker knows. Inessa isn't certain she could stand the weight of even more. "...though it is easier said than done, I'm well aware."

[judgemewhole]

"... You know, I rather like how you put that. The path with the fewest regrets." He looks over at her, a faint smile curving over his lips. He looked across the way to Beleth, and took another of sip of champagne.

"... and I have no idea how I would. You know. This isn't like ... a normal courtship. I am not entirely sure she what she wants. If she wants. I think sometimes." He sighed, "It is all guessing, unless one takes a step forward, is it not?"

[circleprodigy]

"Indeed, you can suspect but never be quite certain until that moment. I imagine she will have her hands full with tonight's diplomatic efforts, but Satinalia will not be so restrained. Perhaps those festivities will suit your aims better?" If he chooses to act, that is. Inessa isn't telling him he must, of course, only that an opportunity might exist.

[judgemewhole]

"I rather imagine you are right." He looked over at her, and then added ever so pointedly. "And considering everything - perhaps it is time that you also at least ... tried? Satinalia would be the perfect time to do so."