Open: Party Preparations

[madame_de_fer]

WHO: Josephine, Vivienne, OPEN
WHAT: Preparing the Inquisition for the Soiree
WHEN: 15 Guardian to 14 Drakonis (about a month's span before the event)
WHERE: Skyhold, varies
NOTES: * Josephine is the hostess of the shindig. Matters regarding invitations, guest lists, admittance, entertainment, food, or general complaints/suggestions should be directed to her.
* Vivienne has personally invited three tailors from Val Royeaux to assist with clothes making for the attendees. She is available to assist with design selections and/or advice on how to behave.
* YOU are open and invited to grab your nearest and dearest CR to complain about the party, ask for a date to he event, complain you have nothing to wear.
* Belinda Darrow has donated from her own private purse to the cost of clothing which people could otherwise not afford.

The Orlesian tailors arrived in great state, bringing with them a cadre of servants, workers, and snotty attitudes. They hate everything. It is cold in Skyhold. It is damp. Everything smells of wet dog. The working conditions are abysmal. The food is criminal. There's not a damned thing they don't complain about, except for the piles of coin they stand to make from this soiree. Yes, they are more than content to build a fortune with exclusive work that will be seen by some of the aristocracy's finest.

Harritt apparently doesn't much like them either. They've taken over his Undercroft with their fabrics and threads, designs and opinions. Oh they have opinions. He stays to one corner, attending his work, and grumbling under his breath about the poncy cheesesniffers.

Comments

[aceso]

"It is not meant to be taken literally. Such a thing is merely suggesting how some people carry on, so intent on saying everything they wish that it seems as though they would forget to take a breath."

In all honesty, Christine didn't expect a woman from another world to understand the oddities of phrases, and so it was nothing to her to explain it.

[demonicbeauty]

"I see."

She nodded earnestly, committing the phrase--along with stockpiles of others--to memory. And, feeling embarrassed, turned to look at the red fabric again.

It wasn't the worst reaction she might have garnered. She could be grateful for that, at least.

"As you can see, I wouldn't be very good at a party. I have no small talk. None at all."

[aceso]

"At a party such as this, that would be a hindrance, yes. But I am sure there will be other parties, like we had on First Day. Simple affairs where no one will be judging you for your lack of small talk." But setting her against nobles wouldn't be the best idea. Nobles found fault in everything.

[demonicbeauty]

"And I don't know how to dance," she pointed out. But really, Ariadne was trying to talk herself out of wanting to go. Wanting to see everyone swirl around like colorful autumn leaves falling from the branches.

She'd never been to a ball. But she could well imagine one.

[aceso]

"I suppose you wouldn't know Thedosian dances even if you could." Christine had been taught in the Circle, and it had been the only part of the Grand Game she had agreed to participate in. Dancing was wonderful.

"There is still time to learn, of course, but it will not matter if you are not attending."

[demonicbeauty]

Ariadne looked up, her eyes suddenly wide and eager. "Well, I'd like to learn," she said enthusiastically. "Even if I don't go to the ball. I love dances. I know a few Elven dances from back home."

They were so elegant. Taunting and teasing and drifting. Of course, she had never done the full, complete dances. Most of them required eight to ten people. But she'd practiced more than once with Aunt Lysia. And a few times, Adriana had joined them to correct their steps.

"I would be...an important part of my cultural education." Which was completely untrue, but she was so excited at the possibility...

[aceso]

"Oh?" she asked, a note of interest to her voice. "I am no teacher, but I do adore the dances I learned as an apprentice. I could show you a few, if you would be agreeable to lessons?"

Whether Ariadne meant it or not, Christine felt it would be good for a rifter to absorb the culture of the land a bit. It would help her stand out less. Though really, what would help any of them stand out less would be a thick pair of gloves.

[demonicbeauty]

"Oh yes!" Ariadne cried jumping up, so enthusiastic that she nearly knocked over the bolt of red fabric. She quickly steadied it then looked guilty, folding her hands behind her back and turning her eyes down.

She delicately cleared her throat. "I would like that very much, my lady," she said sheepishly, reverting back to the courtly manners she'd been taught.

[aceso]

Such a reaction had both Christine and the tailor jumping a little in shock. But then Christine smiled and bobbed her head.

"Then it is settled. My evenings are usually free. We could have lessons then?"

[demonicbeauty]

"Yes!" Ariadne said, halfway between a squeal and a delicate, dainty whisper as the two parts of her warred against each other.

She gave Christine a pretty, little curtsy. "That would be very nice. Thank you so much."

[aceso]

"You are welcome. It is my pleasure to help you." And it would be fun for Christine too. The tailor now asked her to turn so he could see the other side of her dress in the natural light coming in from the break in the cave wall, so she gave Ariadne a smile before turning away.