faderift | [ open: all arise! ]

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[ open: all arise! ]

WHO: you. yes, you there. you're invited
WHAT: Sonia is throwing a big party, because everyone needs an excuse to get good and drunk together right now. And dancing. There is always dancing.
WHEN: Justinian, shortly after the return of the jungle crew
WHERE: The suite at the top of the mage tower
NOTES: ♫ have some party jams ♫

The month in the jungle was a long one, made longer by the total lack of any alcohol to mitigate the experience. Utterly unthinkable. Sonia is addressing a public need by throwing a grand party -- a public service, even. Besides, it's what she does. When was the last time she got to plan a party, anyway? Granted, this is not a Denerim soiree for the young nobility, but the venue doesn't matter. Only the people and the drinks, and Sonia is assuredly rich in both. It is also a fantastic excuse not to think about any of the bad things that have happened since she was last in Kirkwall.

The decoration in the residential suite at the top of the mage tower would be best classified as improvisational -- one of those drapes tacked along the wall for ambience may be a bedsheet -- but it's the spirit of the thing that counts. One makes do with what one has. In one corner are a few tables laden with spirits, some provided by Sonia, others by generous partygoers. There are a few Barra vineyard vintages in the mix, highlights of her personal collection, a testament to the celebration she considers tonight to be. There's a small selection of food nearby, mostly for snacking to go with the drinks, though guests are free to bring whatever they like to share.

And there is, of course, music. Someone here has brought a fiddle or a flute or a bunch of pots masquerading as a drum set. Maybe you've brought your very own a capella choir. Whatever the accompaniment, there's something to dance to. Sonia makes sure there is dancing.

Tonight is not for licking wounds or swapping grisly stories of terror and survival. Tonight is for feeling alive, getting properly and delightfully drunk, and having a good god damn time.

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Enchanter, please. The two of us may be the picture of discretion.

[At this point in the evening, she has swept her way through enough dances, conversations (however one sided), and a glass of wine or two that making such a light joke to the likes of Julius - who, were someone to ask, she might describe as pleasant if somewhat too serious - comes easily.]

So I will say this next part very quietly. [She lowers her voice.] I might avoid the regal blonde woman to be certain of avoiding all accidents. Which I say aloud only as I'm certain she would agree.

[No offense, Poesia.]

Ah, I see.

[His tone might be described as serious; then again, it might be described as deadpan.]

Accidental stabbing, accidental pushing off a rampart, or both?

I see no reason to place such limitations on a woman, save perhaps with respect to the 'accidental' aspect.

[This said over the lip of her glass, and punctuated with a sip of wine.]

[His smile, perhaps, indicates he's had more than the one glass; it's a bit franker than usual.]

Not to be pedantic, but you said accidents. I'm fairly certain I haven't done anything meriting a deliberate stabbing lately, regardless.

Oh, well. [Fair enough, but also (because it is a good point and he is humoring her and she does so love to be humored):] Trust me when I say that I mean it would have very little to do with you specifically, Enchanter. The you in this sense was entirely hypothetical, and might apply just as easily to myself, or to anyone in the company and particularly to the Ambassador who has penchant for being stabbed if his wedding and Ghislain were any indication.

[--(No one tell Wysteria about Leander stabbing Byerly; she might say something indiscreet.)--]

I am certain that were you to be stabbed, it would be entirely accidental on your part and were the fine lady in question to perform any stabbing that she would do so only with the utmost intention. That is, at least, the impression one gets from her conversation.

Ah, I see. I admit to not having conversed with her myself.

[He has, but over crystal, so he hasn't entirely connected her to that conversation yet.]

You paint a somewhat alarming portrait. I assure you I will take care to remain un-stabbed.

Most excellent.

[This is pleasant, she thinks. How nice it is to have such a normal conversation (about co-workers who might be willing to assault their persons, certainly, but surely the point stands independent of that).]

I have found it quite difficult to find any mage in Thedas willing to have a discussion without first pulling or knocking teeth out, and I would regret to lose so invaluable a resource such as yourself. Which sounds rather extraordinarily mercenary, now that I say it out loud. But I trust you understand my meaning, Enchanter. Do you know I have had to write Kostos Averesch as he can hardly look in my direction without scowling?

How low you've set the bar for mages, [lightly.] Do you know what has made him scowl at you in particular? I've always found you exceptionally charming.

[So mild.]

I assure you, it is a bar I would be most pleased to elevate. [As she is such an agreeable sort of person, she can hardly be blamed for the fact that certain individuals cannot be bothered to summon even the smallest measure of courtesy.] As for Enchanter Averesch, I cannot say why he finds my company so painful. Only I once asked whether he was the younger of the two twins, and I believe he took offense from it for some unknowable reason.

[A pause. She is forgetting something-- Oh.]

It is very kind of you to say so. About my being charming.

Not at all.

[A pause, and then:]

I do hope Enchanter Averesch didn't actually threaten to dislodge any of your teeth.

Oh, no. Not at all. I dare not repeat what he actually suggested.

[A most serious assurance, punctuated by a prim sip from her glass. That's definitely some kind of hard spirit in there.]

Dare not is quite strong.

[As is whatever she's drinking, evidently.]

Just so, as it was quite impolite.

[Is very witty indeed, is it not? She certainly seems to think so.]

Do you intend to do much dancing this evening, Enchanter?

Perhaps a little. It is not one of my most established skills, but I've been told it is one worth practicing. Do you think I've done too little, then?

I would never presume. But personally, I am of the opinion that when among pleasant company, there is no such thing as too much dancing. Much better to get your practice in here among friends than to find yourself in some uncertain arrangement.

I suppose that's so. The worst that's likely to happen here is some extended judgmental remarks, rather than, say, alienating a potential ally by making a wrong turn in a complicated figure.

[Very serious.]

[Indeed, the very height of it.]

Exactly so. The investment of one's partner in a dance says all kind of revealing things about their investment in you. Say, for example, you are negotiating a deal with a merchant out of Ostwick and she has heard rumors that Riftwatch is a somewhat lawless organization and so is most concerned that the details of this deal to supply-- oh, let us say that she is sending cloth for new uniforms, of which we are in desperate need-- So she is most concerned that some detail in the production may be overlooked and that she will be blamed for it. 'Why, these uniforms turns out terribly because the fabric was of poor quality,' et cetera and so on. Which would be more reassuring to this hypothetical clothier? A dance partner with the keenest eye for pattern making on the dance floor, or someone who stumbles their way through the combinations?

Why, I would say as a member of the Diplomacy division that you are all but required to commit yourself to the practice of such things, Enchanter. Who knows when it might become a matter of the utmost importance.

I can see you have given this a great deal of thought. I suspect my first order of business would be not to get into a situation where this merchant can watch me dance at all, or perhaps feign a sprained ankle if I can't avoid the event entirely. Do you think my conversation would be sufficient to make it up to her, or is everything down to my ability to remember the difference between a gavotte and a galliard?

[This delivered thoughtfully, almost grave except for the flash of amusement around his eyes.]

While one should never underestimate the charm of a gentleman willing to soldier on through his own misfortune, I would hesitate to endorse such a thing Enchanter. As you must know, ladies - particularly ladies in both the business of business and the business of dancing - can be very particular creatures. And while it is certainly possible that this theoretical Merchant of Ostwick might be won over by your wit alone, [she leans in slightly to emphasize this point, eyes bright with answering good humor] the question then becomes one of gambling and nerve: Are you willing to risk it?

[He smiles, then, just barely.] When both strategies are risky, it's important to try to lean on the better odds. I've more practice with my mind than with my feet; I think it's the more shrewdly calculated risk.

[Julius leans back, and adds,] That said, it is not an excuse not to try to improve my dancing in the meantime, I grant you. It's always wise to have more tools at one's disposal.

[At last, she breaks and laughs. It's a bright thing, slightly too loud and with too much teeth - very young in the way easy joy often is.]

You really are quite the wit, Enchanter. Not to fear - I'm quite certain you're right that the power of your conversation would sway the opinion of this theoretical fine lady merchant. Really, it must be stated that my motivations for the inquiry have been purely selfish.

Oh? How so?

[It's hard not to smile in the face of her laugh, and he doesn't try to resist.]

It is virtually impossible not to enjoy one's self when observing an excellent dancer from the sidelines. [She lifts her glass to drink from before changing her mind, instead clarifying:] And I recall that Madame de Cedoux is a rather good one.

[And now she may take a sip from the cup.]

[He laughs.]

Ah, all becomes clear. She is, at that. I am afraid I do rather hold her back, though she is too patient to ever say so.

Then you must take the initiative, Enchanter! A lady's patience is not to be so undervalued!

[Clearly it is outrageous that he doesn't avail himself of the woman's company at every turn!]

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