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

[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.

[lifeofendurance]

"You're what?" The incomplete sentence does fully grab Aleron's attention. Given Cade's previous problems, if something is to take a turn for the worse, he'd rather know sooner than later. Suffering social parties as fulfillment of duty is one thing, abject terror being in public is something utterly different. Frankly, the young Templar doesn't need any further strain. Especially how he snapped the time previous.

[onlyhymns]

It's rare that Cade is called out when he trails off, and he glances to Aleron in mild surprise. "...fine," he decides, straightening up a bit. He clears his throat awkwardly. "I, ah. ...thank you, Seeker." Wine seems like a bad idea.