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

[fightingale]

Even though it was not Josie who saw to the tarts, Leliana feels a flare of protective irritation at Cassandra's manners. Yes they are at odds, and yesLeliana played her part in that, but she did not see that her standing up for freedom was any reason for Cassandra to speak in a tone that echoed disrespect for the Ambassador in how forced it sounds. Leliana does not look at Cassandra sharply, nor scowl, nor do any of the things that would immediately fire up the furnace of the Orlesian rumour mills. Instead she ducks her head a little, covers her mouth as though she is having to cover a bit of a smile that absolutely does not exist, and when she looks to Cassandra where is a warmth in her expression that does not make it to her eyes.

"I think we have played at this quite long enough. Try not to look ill if I make contact and smile, later," she replies, setting the tray down on a nearby table for Cassandra to remain armed with the pastries, and taking up a glass of wine in its stead. "But before I go we should drink a toast, as a sign of solidarity."

[stabsbooks]

The look in Leliana's eyes is chilling. It is not distant scorn now, or cruel amusement at Cassandra's predicament - it is disgust, and Cassandra feels a lump rise in her throat. She is still angry, she wants nothing more than for Leliana to leave - but she also feels the inexplicable urge to apologize. For what, she doesn't know. All she knows is that she never wants Leliana to look at her like that again.

She stares back, miserable and unable to hide it, and then nods, not trusting herself to speak as she reaches for a glass of wine.

She ignores the plate.

"A toast." She raises her glass, and falls silent once more, her mind a blank. "To - "

[fightingale]

"To peace in Thedas," Leliana offers. "And freedom."

Funny, how the things so precious to her feel so cold and metallic on her tongue, as if there were some corruption in them, as if this entire evening or maybe just this conversation has warped them a little. When peace and freedom become barbs, perhaps that is truly a sign that things are slipping from what they should be.

Her glass is gently tapped against Cassandra, eye contact held, before she tips back some of the wine. "If you will excuse me, Seeker Pentaghast."

[stabsbooks]

"To peace," Cassandra echoes, and then hesitates, her eyes narrowing suspiciously at Leliana. Is it a jab at her? She cannot even tell anymore. "And....safety."

She drinks, the wine sour on her tongue, and swallows with difficulty. Leliana is taking her leave, and Cassandra fights back the urge to grab her arm, to beg for just the smallest sign of mercy or warmth.

The urge is not hard to resist. As much as she longs for Leliana's friendship, an equal part of her wishes never to see her again, and she simply offers the Spymaster a small nod, remembering just in time to plaster an empty smile on her face.

For the Orlesians. For the Inquisition.

She remains where she is once Leliana has vanished, looking studiously anywhere but at her retreating back, and manages to ignore the roiling, sick feeling in her gut for a full five minutes before she breaks down and makes her escape.