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

[eolasemah]

This yields a small, conspiratorial giggle from Sina, who leans closer to the now-seated Beleth so they can keep their voices low. "Oh, I have," she assures her, "half the evening I've been asked why I'm lounging around, when there's no doubt work to be done. Of course, then they notice this," she gestures to the shard, "and the conversation takes a turn, if they don't spook and back away."
A small, tired smirk twitches onto her mouth as she looks down at her plate, which she's cleared as much as she's going to. "The number of times it's been implied that I opened the rift on purpose. Because of Dalish grievances." She glances sardonically to Beleth, then back down. "I almost wish I'd thought of that, but then I suppose I'd be in a dungeon."

[arlathvhen]

"Really? It's amazing, really, the kind of mental stretches that humans have to do, in order to fit everyone neatly into the categories that they've decided everyone ought to be in. But I've done some speaking to some of them, and I know other elves have been, too." She's seen Pel and Ellana making attempts, at least, and she watches over the nobles thoughtfully. "I wonder if they'll learn anything? Or if that's giving them too much credit."

She leans against the chair, sighing, and without a scarf to fiddle with, she fidgets with her necklace, fingers running over the stones. "Well, I mean--Don't take it too personally, Sina. They did the same thing to the Herald, didn't they? I heard Cassandra did put her in the dungeon. Until they realized that they needed her." She snorted quietly. "Maybe they will declare you the Herald of Andraste next?""

[eolasemah]

"Oh no," Sina gasps, her face going paler, "...I don't think I could withstand that." Her look is of surprised amusement, but there is also a sudden spark of worry in her eyes. ...is that possible..?
"I couldn't be the Herald of someone who hasn't been relevant to my People for ages," she wryly continues, shaking her head, "...now Herald of Mythal, perhaps. Maybe the breaches are opening because the Creators are trying to break back out." She almost laughs, and almost wants it to be true, at least if it weren't killing her.

[arlathvhen]

"As amusing as that would be, the Inquisition is largely supported by contributions. Many of the contributors are people like this." She makes a small gesture at the nobles frolicking about. "Very human, and very devout Andrastians. I'm pretty sure that you'd never get picked as the Herald of anything as long as it has to do with the Inquisition, or they would lose a large portion of their backing." She shrugs. She doesn't hold it against the Inquisition, really. She may be Dalish, but she understands that in the world of the humans, everything runs on money.

She looks thoughtful at Sina's last words, though. She can afford to be a little more hopeful, as she is not be actively hurt by the rifts. "Well, that's where Fen'Harel bound them. It doesn't quite fit with Corypheus, but I'm sure that if we thought hard enough about it, we could figure out a way to include him." She has no delusions that the Creators are actually coming, but it'd sure be nice to think about. "--And they'd help you, of course. And while we're at it, reclaim the Dales and free the slaves in Tevinter."

Go big or go home, she supposes.

[eolasemah]

"One hopes," Sina answers with a small smile, "I suppose we will just have to wait and see." She didn't account for Corypheus, whom she knows nothing about apart from that he was at one point a Tevinter Magister.
Well, hang him and all the rest, as far as she's concerned.