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

[bookish_lioness]

He's not bothering to hide how defensive he's feeling about all of this, and she has to wonder just how many other natives are so squeamish about the rifters throughout Skyhold. She'd thought they'd been more or less integrated into daily life without any sort of issue, save for the normal distrust some might have around the magical ones. But if people really dislike magic so much, and the rifts are magical in nature.... Well, now Hermione's wondering how many of her new friends are really friends and how many are simply keeping an eye on her to make sure she doesn't try and destroy the world.

It's a disheartening thought, and though she's sure her hurt is evident on her face, it has little to do with Bellamy. At least, not directly.

"Trying to find my place in a world that doesn't want me, mostly," she says softly, setting her unfinished glass down at the table. "I should be spending more time trying to figure out a way home. Thank you for being honest enough to help me see that."

[nonsibi]

Once again, in any other situation, that statement would get symapthy from Bellamy. Unwanted mages, that's a cause he can get behind. Unwonted Rifter mages adds a level of complication difficult for him to think around. He nods, once.

"Congratulations on getting it." It's a little callous, but it isn't cruel. He sets his empty glass down across from hers. "And for what it's worth, I hope you do get home. Less complicated for everyone if you find a way."

Not dead. Dead would be complicated.

"It'll probably be the mages that help you with that one. My record does a lot for me, but it doesn't exactly make me an expert on rifts. I can get rid of what comes out of 'em, but not nicely."

[bookish_lioness]

"Less complicated for everyone, or for you?"

The words are out of her mouth before she can stop them, and she looks away again, huffing once more in irritation. She doesn't want to be angry, or upset, or sad, since none of those things would really help her with what they both agree should be her primary concern.

So instead, she forces another small smile on her face, though she's fairly certain it likely looks more like a grimace than anything else. "Perhaps it's best to end this conversation before you find something that's come out of a rift that you'd rather get rid of permanently."

[nonsibi]

Well. He does kind of deserve that one. Bellamy's not very good at putting himself in someone else's shoes, but he can, when he chooses, have the grace to take what he's earned. He doesn't often choose to, that's all.

In this case, he'll give that point to Hermione. He bears that waspy remark with a tight smile. It's a taut grace. He wouldn't claim anything else.

"Watch it," he suggests. "And don't worry. I told you: I don't kill for no reason."

And with that ringing reassurance, Bellamy shoves away from the table and touches his fingertips to his forehead, in something like a salute. "See you around."