faderift | Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"It is a business that can end with your exile, it seems," at least the keeping his word end of it, Michel couldn't always claim to be fair. He was a Chevalier and by the very nature of his status he wasn't always fair, though he tried to be better. Promises and keeping his word was something he took seriously, however, and though it ended poorly for him he was true to this ideal, true to as many of them as he could be.

"You owe me nothing..." Michel murmured against the top of Zevran's head before tipping his chin up just enough to look directly at him, "...but if you're feeling up for it after the dancing, the teasing, and mingling..." he couldn't quite bring himself to say kissing, "...then perhaps I could treat you tonight, if not, curling up next to you is just as good."

Sleeping beside someone was different, but Zevran was warm and he fit nicely against Michel.

"I owe you thanks and I have thanked you. Anything more is because I wish to give it." Naked honesty, there, better spoken to the hollow of Michel's throat before careful fingers lift his gaze. A terribly handsome man, was Michel. Beautiful in his own way. Calm on the surface with depths of emotion and sentiment Zevran attempted to not become quite so caught up in lest they both become lost.

One lost would be bad enough, but both? They might never recover.

"Ah- how is it you wish to treat me?" No sultry suggestions, no leering- merely quiet, attentive curiosity.

And Zevran could not know how priceless it was to Michel that he would offer up such raw honesty. It was priceless, something to horde away in a lockbox among treasures like a miser just might. It wasn't often the elf trusted him with this kind of openness...and it spoke to the Chevalier...closer...more intimate than the brush of fingers caressing him inside and out.

Did Zevran know that Michel was already lost? He had been for quite some time, perhaps he'd shown it on some level...but it was like The Grand Game...intrigue, seduction, scandal--without larceny and assassination.

"There is still a game we've yet to play," Michel dipped down and nipped the end of his companion's nose, close enough to see all of the perfect angles that made up his face, "I've had a want to explore your body slowly...to see what weakens your knees...reduces you to delectable shivers....burns beneath your skin."

"Oh-" That was playful and startling, not enough to make him tense but enough to twist a faint crackle of laughter from him and with it? The last of the trembling tension fell away. He was safe. As safe as he could possibly be while the Crows yet linger but- safe enough. Michel had come through unexpectedly and this?

Sensual ground? This was familiar enough for him to settle. He tipped his head to the side, nosing along Michel's jawline. Not with intent, not yet, but...considering. "Mmm. That seems a fine way to end the night. You, me, the wall and the coin. I can hold out for quite some time, Soleil. You will be able to explore to your heart's content."

Michel was quite used to dispatching assassins, granted very few Crows extended their services as far as Val Royeaux. Orlais had its own exclusive club of assassins in their Bards, it was unlikely that they would call on the Crows with such accessibility. Bards were, generally his area of expertise and that was part of the reason the Chevalier put in so much effort when watching and learning what he could from Zevran.

Still, aside from a few unruly Chevalier, they did not need to worry about assassination...not tonight anyway. Feeling Zevran's body relax against him, steadily, Michel couldn't be bothered to think about anything outside of spending the rest of his evening with the elf, "I'll look forward to testing your endurance then."

"Promises, promises." He pressed his lips to the side of Michel's throat, not quite a kiss, not quite a tease. Warm and present and waiting for the few moments it took for Zevran to slowly pull his charming mask on for the remainder of the evening. There are worse people to see him somewhat shaken.

This, this was something he could allow. "Perhaps I'll steal a dance with you later, yes?"

"You can trust that I'll never break a single one," Michel said in a tone that was light, but marked with a certain sincerity of someone who would certainly go the extra mile to keep his word. And for someone who had a gift for causing the warmth to spread inward to the tips of his fingers and toes.

"I..." Michel glanced down at his neck dweller, surprised, "...I learned how to dance..." it was thoughtful, "...though I've never actually put the skill to practical use."

Zevran's hands slid from where they rested loose against Michel's back to his hips, tugging him away from the wall gently. They could keep it here, dance in private, be seen by none and bothered by none-

Or they could step out into the light for a song and be seen. "I know most Orlesian Court Dances. You would have to lead, however, I am too short to do so."

Michel moved unresisting into the tug, sliding forward into the circle of arms and hands. It went without saying that he enjoyed the liberties with which those hands often took...in the bedroom specifically.

There was an appeal to both options, on the other hand snide comments could be avoided and it would not matter if the dance became all too engaging. On the other hand Michel couldn't bring himself to care what people though about what they say and how they intellectualized it, they were wasting their time, "it's one of your many charms," and as it was Zevran's sleek compactness had many charms to speak of, "I have no problem with that if you have no problem returning with me. Would you be comfortable?"

"Really." He snorted a soft laugh, continuing to walk backwards. Out where they might be seen so Alistair and the other fledglings might not worry. So he might not be assumed so shaken, so vulnerable by the one that ran. He was fine. He would be fine. There was no reason to appear so small or fragile as to need more time in the dark. "With as often as you pick me up and carry me about, I never would have guessed."

Not that he minded it. if anything the lingering fact that Michel could lift him whenever he wanted, however he liked? Stirred heat in Zevran's gut.

"I was hoping it would be obvious...I have quite the thing for it," that he could easily hoist that compact frame up against his own? Got the Chevalier every single time. After all he wore armor sets that outweighed his companion so carrying him was easy enough. Did he ever think he would find so much enjoyment from this activity? Take so much guilty pleasure from it? It was not something he'd considered before. Now he could trap him in his arms if he wanted, feel the gentle tremors, "you're a rather nice fit as well..."

He left it at that as Zevran led them back to the main attraction, careful to mind their steps so no one tripped. It was surprisingly graceful and considering they intended to dance this was a good thing--and speaking of which he took one of Zevran's hands in his own, slipping the opposite hand to his companion's waist, putting just enough distance between their bodies for a proper waltz.

Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

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