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

[lifeofendurance]

Parties and social events have never fallen into the category of enjoyable time for Aleron. It has helped (or perhaps hindered) that much of his tender youth was spent in the solitude that came with the Seeker's training. Not that this has ever prevented his mother from nagging, or his sisters from teasing, him into attendance, especially when couched as being for the good of the family. Which is how and why he finds himself present at the soiree. Mother insisted and the girls all ganged up on him. And people wonder why he throws his correspondence away unread.

It's not precisely that he's anti-social; he simply isn't entirely certain what is expected of him beyond good behavior, polite conversation, and rescuing ladies from wilting against the walls without dance partners when he himself is available. What he doesn't realize is how often he himself seems the wallflower, standing near the wall with his ever stoic visage.

The Seeker is dressed well, looking every bit the younger son of a noble. He sports the blue and silver of his du Guilles relations, at his Mother's insistence, rather than the more familiar green and gold of Endridge. She'd sent along a mask trying to encourage him to embrace his Orlesian side of the family more, but that's been discarded already.

...which presents a problem in the form of the Baroness Marie-Delphine Comeaux. There is a handsome man of good family and known wealth sitting out in the open. Aleron is polite and attentive, though clearly unaware of where the woman is attempting to drive their interaction. Even when she starts with the light touching, of his hand, on his arm, he doesn't seem to realize where she's going. Nor does he respond with anything but his usual unflappable manners. He might require a rescue. Especially since the wedding band openly glinting on his hand doesn't seem to be a deterrent to the lady.

[onlyhymns]

When Aleron is standing near the wall, he may find that he has company. Cade is like a nervous animal tonight, occasionally pacing out for some manner of socialization only to retreat back to the edge of the room and escape notice for a while.
At one such time, he notices Aleron-- the Seeker, his boss-- standing there as well, and takes a quick but respectful bow in greeting. "I hope your evening is going well, ser," he says, with quiet deference.

[lifeofendurance]

Cade's arrival is greeted with a nod from the Seeker who looks like he's having about as much enjoyment of the evening as having a tooth pulled. Only less expressive because one does question if he's capable of breaking into either a smile or a frown, so solid is his stoicism. Parties, like so much else, are things to be endured for the good of others.

But Cade seems exceptionally nervous and uncomfortable. Moreso than Aleron and it does look well, practically suspicious. "As well as one can be when scheming and politics are afoot." He really has no use for either. Ugh. "And yourself? You seem out of sorts."

[onlyhymns]

Cade turns to fold his hands behind his back, facing out and standing beside Aleron. A moment goes by after the question, long enough to potentially make the Seeker think Cade didn't hear him, but then he seems to come to life, blinking quickly and shaking his head. "Um. Fine, ser," he stammers, "I'm fine."

[lifeofendurance]

Unfortunately for Cade, Aleron is far from the jovial type who might otherwise attempt to put the Templar at ease with joking or an amusing anecdote. Especially as he himself, would far rather be hauled up in the library than playing nice with strangers out in the open. So long as Harimann's not hiding something, the Seeker's content to let him suffer alongside himself on the wall.

Well alright, he'll toss him at least some type of succor for his current discomfort. "Don't feel you have to dance attendance on me all night if you'd rather do otherwise. Have a glass of wine or two." But no more. Because immoderate drinking is unacceptable in the sight of the Seeker.

[onlyhymns]

Not hiding anything other than his own raging discomfort, anyway. And to be fair, he's not hiding that very well.

"..I'm..." he begins, then thinks better of it and just nods. "Thank you, ser." And then he remains where he is. He would not rather do otherwise. He would rather stand here and be invisible.

[aceso]

Christine herself has failed to notice the wedding band already, but she can hardly be blamed for that when she was so focused on discussing red lyrium at their previous encounter. Now that she knows Aleron will be working with her on her research, she feels she can step in here to relieve him of his bejeweled burden. He doesn't seem to understand what's going on, but he certainly doesn't appear to be flirting back, either.

Coming up around his opposite side from the Baroness, she slips her hand around Aleron's arm like it's her official spot.

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you! Who is this?" She squints a little at the Baroness, knowing she's a noble, but having no idea who, and she knows it will ruffle the woman's feathers to not immediately be recognized.

"Have you two been talking about our research plans?" she continues without waiting for an answer.

[lifeofendurance]

Aleron would absolutely express his relief and gratitude for the rescue, had he any idea of the danger her was lingering about in the first place. He is, a little surprised when his research partner suddenly arrives at his arm, but her presence is not unwelcome. He's capable of taking cues from her questions at least.

Starting with introductions. "My apologies, ladies. Enchanter, this is the Baroness Marie-Delphine Comeaux. Baroness, my research partner, Enchanter Christine Delacroix." He hesitates, wondering if he should mention her previous Circle affiliation as would have been correct and typical not even a full two years ago. Now, the nuances of the politics are far over his head and he doesn't know how to adjust for the rampant changes everywhere. It will have to do.

The baroness is now squinting back at Christine, either from annoyance at having her flirtation interrupted, or the audacity of a mage taking ownership of her chosen prey for the evening. Aleron is still oblivious to these little social cues and agreeably answers regarding the research as if nothing were at all amiss. "We hadn't yet had the opportunity. It seems the Baroness knows my mother's family and was asking after them."

More like she was prying to find out if Lady Marlie was set to come into her brother's titles or not. But he hasn't realized that.

[aceso]

Christine's lips twitch because she is not, in fact, an enchanter, as she never took on an apprentice at Montsimmard. But she certainly isn't about to correct him, because without that, she'd have no title at all.

"How kind of her to ask. Family is important in these times of trouble." Of course, being a mage, she hasn't spoken to her own in over fifteen years, but all this war and uncertainty is making her want to reach out to them.

Christine has no idea how to navigate the strict code of the Game, but she doubts Aleron does either. And if there is one thing she knows, it's that this woman will stomp all over them if they aren't careful. And so she'll stick with what she knows (and probably further irritate her in the process).

"And these are troubled times. No doubt you've heard of the troubles that have come down upon Sahrnia. Villagers taken prisoner and forced to mine out red lyrium for the templars, or Red Templars as we've taken to calling them. They are something wholly new and very dangerous, not just to the Inquisition, but to all, like those villagers. Our research will deal with studying this red lyrium to see what properties it contains so we can exploit any weakness these Red Templars might have and therefore save many lives in the process." That last sentence leaves her a bit breathless.

[lifeofendurance]

Well that does the trick. The Baroness goes from an open flirt to fidgeting uncomfortably with well placed "oh my..." and "Andraste preserve us..." tucked in.

Seeing the obvious discomfort the topic is causing the lady, Aleron attempts to make a contribution to the conversation that might at least help. But likely not since he's terrible at socializing. "We'd also like to determine what's causing it to grow and spread before it's infected the whole of Orlais." He might not be fond of the Game, but he's got no desire to see his mother's homeland consumed by such a dreadful substance.

Err, now why is the poor Baroness shaking in her dance slippers?

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Honestly, at this point, Bethany was going to start thinking that she was going to be the one woman show of bedroom blocking this particular baroness. She would really need to make it up to the woman by clearing her way towards a young man who was not married or part of a religious order.

"Oh there you are!" She dimpled at Aleron, going to offer her hand to him, "You promised me a dance and there's no getting out if it. Even if you did hide your dance card. Your wife, my best friend, insisted that you take me around the floor two or three times."

[lifeofendurance]

It's not often that someone can get a startled response out of Aleron, who typically can make a stone wall look more lively and animated. But Bethany's sudden arrival does manage to accomplish it, mostly because she mentions his wife. That will always get his attention.

It's all too obvious he has no iota what he's being rescued from, or that he's being rescued at all, but he nods in compliance with Lady Amell's insistence of a promise. Did he? Well it would be unchivalrous to protest it. "Of course, Lady Amell. Please forgive me, I did not mean to neglect you." Another nod, this one to the Baroness. "Baroness. Please excuse me. I have promises to fulfill."

Once he's been escorted to the dance floor, his head cants curiously. "You knew Mirielle?" Yes, he took her literally about being best friends with his wife. Poor man.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"Baroness, that gown is lovely. I've had several officers say you are the finest woman at this soiree, in that gown. They are ... right over there." She gestured, helpfully, before beaming brightly and leading Aleron off. There, that should distract the woman long enough for them to escape to the dance floor.

She grins at Aleron, taking his hand to start into the dance, "Nothing to forgive me for, my lord. I simply presumed a dance from you, and for that I should apologize." Her smile becomes slightly more sympathetic, and amused, "I'm afraid I have never had the pleasure of meeting your wife, although I shall be delighted for the introduction. I'm sure she'll be pleased I kept you from getting flirted with by attractive women."

She turned her head to the right and to the left, "If you like, we can go find her now."

[lifeofendurance]

"No apology is necessary. I am pleased to stand up with a lady of kindness and beauty."

He's an excellent dancer, despite his reticence to do so. Having been educated in propriety and manners from birth has had a great hand in shaping his dance skills, for all that he seldom has occasion to use them.

Then the realization comes. There had been a part of him thrilled to make the acquaintance of a friend of Mirielle's, someone that could share stories with him, to keep her present in some way. The disappointment is bitter, but he doesn't show it, not even by fumbling a dance step. His jaw, however, does lock for a moment while he wills himself not to react, not to hurt, not to feel.

"I regret I shall have to disappoint you, my lady. My wife..." He can do this. He can. It is no secret, but the words are difficult. Her name might be easier. There are too many strong memories of a younger self puffing with pride and the overuse of 'my wife' when it was so new, so novel. "Mirielle died in childbed."

[tactical_alert]

Malcolm waits until he's settled by Aleron's side before releasing a pent-up sigh, his shoulders giving just a hair. "Parties," he says lowly, darkly, mildly amused. Shakes his head and takes a drink from the glass in his hand.

He's certainly glad he learned the basics of dances and polite company, and despite his job, despite his travels and his heritage, having a base of operations in Orlais does lend to some of the culture rubbing off. Still, he'd rather be here, along a wall, watching faces, watching hands, pretending not to be seen and therefore it is so.

[lifeofendurance]

"Why do we suffer them again?"

Aleron understands that some people choose to wage their brand of warfare under the guise of glittering social events. He even is given to understand that they are meant to be entertaining and pleasant. The last time in his life he truly felt that way was when he and his sisters snuck out of the night nursery to watch the dancers from the upstairs gallery and attempt to filch a bite of cake before being trundled back to bed by Nanny. He, naturally, took the blame for all his sisters being out of bed.

In brooding silence, he nurses the same single glass of wine he's had all evening. His stoicism breaks only for a long-suffering sigh. "How bad has it been for you?"

[tactical_alert]

If only he could be such a wallflower this time. "I am on the arm of Lady Thevenet this evening. Partly decoration, partly a statement. Don't get me wrong now, she is a woman of intellect and entertainment both, but her enjoyment of my company does not make me any less of a pawn in her own plans."

Still. He accepts that he must be a pawn in other peoples' games sometimes. Even his first mentor saw to that. Malcolm gives a shrug. "Otherwise I have been chatted up by a few nobles or relations to nobles about subjects that I do hope swing their approval our way. A good cause. But it is exhausting. I'd rather go a few rounds with an ogre."

[lifeofendurance]

"As would I."

Or even two ogres, if it would spare them the more difficult work of the evening. Despite being born to a place of privilege, Aleron doesn't consider himself a part of that world. Not anymore. He outgrew it at an early age and now considers it more a burden to be endured than anything else. Simply put, there are more important issues in the world than who wore what to which party. Or spinning pretty lies for intangible gains.

"Benuta is a woman of caliber, however." That indeed was the use of a very familiar, personal, nickname. Not even a title. Which is terribly unusual for Aleron. "I'm pleased she is with a respectable escort tonight and not on her own." Although in all fairness, he really cannot picture her being unable to acquire a date to a party. She's far too lovely and engaging.

[theproperglove]

You know who's not going to rescue Aleron from his fate? Josephine. Josephine, who had particularly crafted the guest list so events such as those that are unfolding now might happen, to give the nobility something else to gossip about instead of inventing tall tales for the Inquisition. Romantic intrigues can always serve as a distraction, if nothing else.

She is not completely heartless, however, so when the baroness is distracted for a moment, Josephine makes her way over to make sure Aleron is fairing well enough, given the circumstances. Sidling up beside him, a smile on her face that on any other person would be best described as a 'smirk', she notes, "I see you've been having a busy night."

[lifeofendurance]

Ah but Aleron doesn't register 'smirk' from Josephine, just a smile which makes her presence all the more pleasant for him. Seekers are, by nature, an overly suspicious lot and he's no exception, but tonight he is so out of his element that he's forced to take everything at face value.

"Lady Montilyet." He bows formally to acknowledge her arrival as he's been schooled to do. There is a flash of questioning in his eyes, confusion, what she means by busy. He's been propping up the wall most of the evening and talking to one very extroverted Baroness who seems intrigued by everything he has to say. Which is perhaps surprising since it's been long since established that he's one of the dullest people in the world. "Have I?"

He might, in fact, be drowning in unfamiliar waters. Obviously so. The only safeguard in place so far is that he's proven to be an unmovable bulwark in regards to the blatant flirting. Mostly because he's clearly not realizing what the woman's determined for him. And once he does, if he does, Aleron will feel brutally guilty for having inadvertently leading a woman down a path which only ends in disappointment. He would never consider a casual dalliance and he would never wish himself on a woman for something more permanent. No one deserves the paltry devotions of a widower who cannot give himself fully to a new relationship.

For now, he remains oblivious, beyond a budding concern that he has somehow created more work for the lady ambassador. "I assure you, I'm trying to be no more bother than a wall ornament. Politics are beyond my grasp once they exit the page of a book and enter the world in earnest. My sister assures me I'm hopeless and best left to myself lest I drive someone to their death of boredom." At which juncture he actually winces. "I haven't created more problems for you, I hope?"

[theproperglove]

"No, not at all!" Her words are in earnest, although her expression softens slightly as she realises that he is truly clueless, and that might be in no small part due to the manipulations of family. She doesn't allow herself to feel overly bad about it for too long, however, because tonight she has work to do.

"If the thought of being a bother is a concern, allow me to reassure you: you are doing nothing of the sort." Her smile becomes slightly more lopsided as she tries to placate him. He truly has no idea, does he? "I simply meant I saw you having quite the lengthy conversation baronness over there." She throws a look over her shoulder where the woman in question has turned her attentions to a newer victim, for now.

Looking back at Aleron, she continues. "Perhaps I misspoke. She is the one who has been quite busy this evening, if you catch my meaning." And then she laughs, a tinkling melodious sound because she is not certain that Aleron will understand her insinuations. Surely he cannot truly be so oblivious?

But perhaps he is.

[lifeofendurance]

Oh, he can absolutely be that oblivious. However, it's nigh on to impossible for him to remain so. Aleron's gaze follows the direction of Josephine's just in time to catch sight of a very provocative touch on her newest victim. He looks away as it's entirely inappropriate to stare. Not to mention a surge of embarrassment for realizing just what the woman is up to. And she'd just been here. And oh sweet Maker, is that honestly what Lady Montilyet thought he was up to?

Aleron's face goes blank, while simultaneously turning bright red.

Straightaway the stammered explanations come spilling out. "We spoke of my mother and Uncle Edouard, the prospects of Rieumont and my sisters' health." Nothing at all suggestive in those topics. Except for a woman fishing after potential gold mine of blackmail payments, but Aleron hasn't quite made that connection. "I thought it curious she showed so much interest into the my sisters' marriages and their children, but more people seem to know them than I realized and..."

The list of topics he lists just keeps growing. And not even exciting ones. It's a testament to the Baroness' determination to score tonight in one way or another.

"I swear on Andraste's holy ashes, I did not intend for..." Maker, he can't even finish that sentence. Especially not to a lady.

No really, feel free to stop him at any time, Ambassador.

[arcaneadvisor]

Marriage is hardly a thing that Morrigan cares for; she notices everything because that's the difference between life and death and she approaches quietly though as ever there are always a few murmurs, soft so as not to offend entirely. They say she uses blood magic to keep Celene's favour after all, what sort of harm might she do to people in much less lofty positions?

Still, not quite enough to deter the Baroness. Very well, Morrigan knows that sometimes the simplest cut is the deepest.

"Updating the good Seeker," because she knows, because she is no fool, she knows what might present a threat to her one day given the delicate situation, "on the war with Orlais? I understand that the Exalted Plains are still ravaged, the Veil must be so very thin in such places."

[lifeofendurance]

Morrigan's arrival and question grabs Aleron's attention immediately. The conversation with the Baroness had not been anywhere in the vicinity of the war in Orlais beyond a question early on about the loss of his uncle and cousins in that conflict. The newest party guest to the conversation is not incorrect. The Veil must be thin in the Exalted Plains, which is indeed a problem.

Clearly a large problem as the baroness blanches at the mention of the thinning Veil. She's been advised of as much and needs funds to restore the damages she's incurred. Her gaze goes from the witch, laced with disdain from behind her mask, to the Seeker who she still views as her best prospect for blackmail in the room. It throws her off her game and she stammers a lame excuse about not wishing to bore Aleron with her troubles.

Unfortunately that's all it takes for him to truly take a sincere interest. He manages a polite bow of greeting to Morrigan before asking of them both. "How severe are the damages to the Exalted Plains? Have there been any reports of demons breaking through the Veil beyond those from rifts?" Does he need to head that direction to investigate and should he have his mother relocate from her family's ancestral home to a safer haven?

[arcaneadvisor]

There is an advantage to knowing all the names and faces, unfortunately, because it means one does know the agendas. Unlike a Landsmeet however, it's not considered polite to call them out and Morrigan has done almost exactly that; she was 'greeted' earlier, a remark meant to shame her in some way, or to probe for details that are for Morrigan and no one else to know.

And honestly, there's very little chance for decent conversation to be found. A Seeker is perhaps the best chance and well, there is Val Bellanaris, she would very much like to see it with her own eyes again, to travel as freely as she had before the war.

The greeting is given a nod of acknowledgement - tis rare that there are those who are polite without prompting, without fear for their own reputations, and she nods too before she speaks. "To be certain. The Exalted Plains and their long and bloody history must surely be known to you; twas where the Exalted March put down the elven army, and the Veil is always stretched tight as the skin of a drum in such places. The deaths from the war will only add to it. And to be certain, I have heard some most peculiar things from a few scouts and correspondences, the dead walking much like they did ten years ago in Redcliffe." So perhaps they are less 'scouts' and more 'the chosen few entrusted to get an eluvian to her' but they did talk before the letters from the Plains started to slow to a trickle.