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

[dalishious]

The large hand around his wrist keeps Merrick from just turning and snapping at her to go away. Instead he turns his head away, biting his lip and fuming.

This is pathetic. He hates sucking up to these people. He hates her hand on Metaari's shoulder. He wants to leave.

[metaari]

The woman very nearly squeals in delight as Metaar tilts his head so that she can reach the top of it. Her fingers start at his scalp and trail along the full curve, stopping short of the sharp points at the ends. She delights in poking her finger against one carefully. The motions get repeated a few more times before she finally pulls her hands away with a giggle. "This Inquisition has such lovely followers. You are all making this evening delightful. I will find you again before this evening is through, Metaari." There's a brief curtsy before the woman turns and, thankfully, trots away.

Metaari lets out a breath and straightens himself up, his face falling flat as his ability to keep a pleasant gaze finally fails him. He watches her leave, making sure she's well and truly gone, before he finally turns toward Merrick with a faint grin. "I'm proud of you. Look at her, running off without a single injury."

[dalishious]

Merrick is tense, quietly fuming, and is strangely silent for a moment. Then he grabs Metaari's lapel and yanks him down (which is practically bending him in half) to capture his lips in a possessive kiss.

One of his eyes opens during the act, checking to see if any nobles are watching. He sees Odette do a double take and smirks against Metaari's lips.

[metaari]

Metaari grunts slightly as he's yanked down and he braces himself for the kiss. Amusement sparks through him and he takes it just a step further, wrapping his arms around Merrick's waist so he can lift him up as he straightens himself back up. Even after he finally breaks off the kiss he still holds Merrick against him in the air, a grin on his face. "She see it?"

[dalishious]

"Don't care anymore," Merrick murmurs in reply, and leans down for another long kiss. He seems very much like he's staking his claim. It deepens as Merrick tilts his head and starts thoroughly using his tongue.

[metaari]

"Nn--"

Nope. That's not good. Noises are bad. Metaari clears his throat and pulls away again, leaning over to slowly lower Merrick back to the ground, straightening before he can be held there. He takes a small step backwards and smiles as he reaches up to lightly poke Merrick in the forehead. "No more wine for you."

[dalishious]

Merrick frowns and scrunches up his nose. He'd very much like to bail, to go back to his room, for it to just be the two of them-- but Metaari had asked him here, wants to be here. He can do this for him.

"That wine was shit anyway," is his reply.

[metaari]

That earns a laugh and Metaari grins, his head tipping a bit to the side. "Don't let Josephine hear you say that. I hear she has quite the temper."

Metaari takes another step back after a moment and bows slightly at the waist, holding out a hand toward Merrick. "We've had our drinks. I believe it's time for a dance?"

[dalishious]

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Merrick presses his lips together tightly for a moment then slips his hand into Metaari's, ready to be swept along.

He has no idea how to dance, but he's been fumbling his way through this date thing the whole time. Regardless of how it's going, it isn't bound to change anytime soon. And frankly, that's what makes it exciting.

[metaari]

Metaari straightens himself back up with a grin as he leads Merrick out onto the dance floor, using his size to net them a nice little corner of it. He turns back to his date and holds their joined hands up, his other moving down to rest at Merrick's waist. "Well, this should be good for some entertainment."

[dalishious]

Merrick's free hand rests on Metaari's arm, right near his elbow, the highest he can reach while still being comfortable. If the qunari steps on his feet he's liable to crush them, but--

"I trust you," he says, meaning it as a joke when it just comes across as entirely sincere. Maybe it is.