faderift | Open: Party Preparations

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

While Josephine truly wishes that Sina would be less intimidated by her mere presence, she is resigned to the fact that humans have not exactly been known for their kindness to elves throughout history. After wondering for a moment whether attempting to be more reassuring will only make matters worse, Josephine goes ahead and does it anyway. She casts her gaze around the tent for somewhere to sit down, finally settling down on an upturned box.

"If it is any comfort, I doubt that any of the attendees will expect you to be skilled in delicate political matters." Josephine leans in slightly. "Your presence at the soiree will mean a great deal to us all, and even on the night itself, I will make myself available for any further questions you might have. I hope that will help, even a little."

Josephine's tone is reassuring indeed, and Sina finds herself calmed by the woman's words. She smiles shyly, her voice edged with gratitude. "I'm... you'd do that for me?" She's hardly an important person within Skyhold's walls, and to think the Lady Ambassador will assist her personally is almost overwhelming.

"Of course," Josephine answers after a pause, trying to pinpoint the cause of Sina's reticence. Perhaps she is the type of person who does not like to be singled out, or she truly is as nervous as she seems to be. "This is part of my job, after all."

Sina hesitates, then nods, a blush rising on her face though her smile dwindles. She closes her eyes briefly, then opens them again, trying to shift into business mode.
"What kinds of things should I expect them to say?" she asks quietly, "and... what should I say to them?"

Josephine has no desire to scare Sina off, or otherwise intimidate her, but she cannot also bring herself to lie to the elf. She looks down, momentarily, gathering herself before looking up at the woman. "I am sure you don't need me to tell you of the way many Orlesians treat elves," Josephine starts, trying to think of the best and kindest way to put this. "If any of them give you a hard time, you can direct them to me. In any case, once they realise you are with the Inquisition, I'm certain they will be more polite," she continues, leaving the rest of the sentence at least to your face left unsaid.

She doesn't want to make this experience even worse for Sina. "As for what you should say, only what are you comfortable with. The aim of this soiree is to convince the nobility that we are a cause worth their time, attention and money." Here, her smile becomes a bit more lopsided. She hates putting it in such frank terms, especially with someone who is just so sweet, but she is a diplomat and political organisations such as the Inquisition need funding to survive.

"We aim to prove that despite all the different groups we have within our halls that we are the best chance Thedas has to address all the uncertainty that exists at the moment."

Josephine picks at some imaginary thread on her dress. "Does that answer your question?"

"I see," Sina says, a bit faintly, but when Josephine smiles she is compelled to mirror it. "It does," she confirms, "and I hope I can prove a useful part of that." She hesitates a moment, weighing her words, before speaking again. "...I recognize that many might be afraid of me, for what I've done. Or afraid of people like me." She inclines her head slightly, glancing at the shard. "But I will try to make it right."

Josephine's attention is likewise brought to the shard in Sina's hand when the woman looks down, but she does not find herself terrified by it. Quite the opposite, in fact. "That is all we ask of you. I'm sure once they meet you, they will begin to realise that there is nothing to be afraid of."

The assurance is enough, and Sina is relieved when she looks back at Josephine. "I hope you're right," she says, "thank you, again."

Open: Party Preparations

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