faderift | Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

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

Norrington had to look twice, before the niggling memory became recognition. She looked very different then the hungry waif he had met in this hall, not so long ago. However, the dress made the man - or the lady in this case. He approached her with a solemn bow, and a smile.

"Good evening, Lady Everdeen. I trust you are doing well this evening? That is a lovely gown."

She recognized his scent before she turned to face him. And offered him a delighted smile as she dropped down into a curtsy. It was thrilling to see the way the fabric of the gown fell around her, making her dip even lower than was probably warranted. She was careful, though, not to bow like a courtier, not to let the neckline of her dress droop too much.

Ariadne wasn't that kind of girl.

"Good even, Lord Norrington," she said as she rose. "It's a pleasure to see you again. And thank you so much. My sister bought it for me." She twirled to show off the back, her corkscrew curls fluttering behind her.

Well that was a proper curtsy, and one modestly done at that. Considering every Orlesian woman he had met tonight kept flashing him their bosum, this was a refreshing change of pace.

"Your sister has very good taste." He smiled, before he looked around, "Is she not here with you?" Seemed a little off-putting, that she had no chaperone.

"She's here," Ariadne replied, giving him a twinkling, little smile. "But I think she's just a little busy."

From everything Ariadne had seen, Cullen was something of a sensation. Which, of course, meant that any woman on his arm would be equally...sensational.

Not that she'd ever doubted Katniss.

Subtly, she raised her chin, jerking it in the direction of her sister. "Over there."

"Busy?" Norrington frowned, because he hadn't thought of Ariande's sister pushing any sort of political agenda, before he turned to look where Ariande was lifting her chin.

To see the young woman in the green and gold dress, smiling up at Cullen Rutherford, who had what he could only consider a proprietorial hand to her elbow.

"Oh." His eyes widened. "Oh. That's your sister?" He frowned for a moment, "... from everything I've heard, I thought she'd be taller. And possibly breathing icicles."

It was a struggle not to laugh. Of all the rumors, it was undoubtedly the funniest. But still. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear," she warned Norrington, trying not to sound scolding so much as...wise.

Which was hard to pull off, looking the way she did.

"Katniss is an extraordinary person."

"Clearly. But I have heard she is ...fierce." He smirked faintly, before he looked back at the other woman with a faintly amused look.

"Well of course, she's your sister. I guess that you come from an extraordinary family."

"I wouldn't say that," Ariadne replied, more out of habit than anything else. Sometimes, the best way to survive as an Alastrian was to seem as ordinary as possible. "Anyway, she's not a sister by blood. She was just kind enough to...accept me into her family."

Her eyes scanned his face, trying her best to parse it out. "Have I said something funny?"

"I see ... well." He frowned for a moment, looking from girl to girl, "For two people who are not related by blood, you could be twins. Not identical twins, of course, but ... very similar."

He looked back at her, before he shook his head. "No - I was just thinking that you are very different for sisters, but I suppose that makes more sense now."

What an odd thought. As if blood could somehow impart identical traits. But, of course, with nineteen brothers and sisters in her childhood, she'd seen every possible variation and combination there was of her mother's temperament and her father's.

"Do you have sisters, Lord Norrington?" she asked, folding her hands behind her back.

"Hmmm? Ah. No. I have ... no sisters. I had a brother, but he died when we were children." Norrington stated, his expression tight for a moment, before he cleared his throat.

"Would you care for something to drink, Lady Everdeen? Or would you prefer to dance?"

She thought as much. And so she forgave him for his ignorance of sisters.

With a smile, she turned her chin up slightly. "I would love to dance," she said.

A pause. "With who?"

More of a joke than anything else. She knew enough about courts to know an invitation when she heard one. But sometimes, she liked to have a little fun with the perceived naivete around her. If nothing else, it helped reaffirm her image. And it was good for a laugh.

He smiled back at her, before he blinked. Then he arched an eyebrow at her, even as his lips twitched up at the corners.

"You are teasing me."

He'd caught her and she wouldn't deny it. But she didn't like being thought of as a 'tease.' At least, not given what it meant back home.

She smiled and ducked her head sheepishly. "In my defense," she said, "this is my first ball. It may be the only one I ever attend."

It was important to do everything.

He gave her a curious look at that, before he cleared his throat and stood up a little straighter. "Well then, since I shall have the honor of your first dance, at your first ball, allow me to ask with a little more decorum."

He bowed from the waist, one hand to his chest. "Would you do me the great honor of accompanying me to the dance floor for a waltz, my dear Lady Ariadne?"

It was incredibly hard for her to keep a straight face. But she reminded herself of all the times she'd infiltrated courts, pretending to be a great lady, a ripe prospect for marriage. Of course, she'd been playing a role then, not herself. But she knew the moves.

Even if there was a bit of a shine in her eyes.

She curtsied deeply again, pleased with the way her dress floated. "My Lord Norrington," she said, her nose wrinkling slightly with amusement, "I would be honored."

A pause. "I'll try not to step on your feet."

She didn't know how to waltz.

He could almost see the humor in her eyes, so he arched a sardonic eyebrow at her, before taking his hand and offering to her, palm up.

"Oh? Do you mean for once I will be the one who does not look slightly off my proverbial game? How delightful."

His smirk flashed, before he led her out to the floor. "Just follow my lead."

Ariadne accepted his hand, like the way she'd seen the ladies of court when they were practicing for a masquerade. Elegant and light. Not that it was hard for her. Her nickname was well-deserved.

"I think I can do that," she said, dipping her head.

She knew she could. Rhythm was a part of the Alastrian heritage. It was entirely possible she didn't know the steps, but she'd pick them up. Just as quickly as she picked up language or music. It was all connected to the very core of what made her what she was.

...what she had been? She wasn't sure.

He flashed a warm smile at her, as he took her hand. Light as a feather, her fingers on his. He tilted his chin and led her to the floor.

He brought her out to the floor, and rested his hand on her waist as light as her fingers were on his hand, shifted her hand to his shoulder, and gripped her other hand. Then the music began, and he started the dance off slow.

It wasn't hard to pick up at all. A single three-beat step. The real trick was following the direction he chose, but Ariadne could almost sense it.

Amazing how much dancing and fighting had in common.

Fewer bruises, she hoped.

Before too long, she'd more or less mastered it, her movements graceful and fluid. She smiled brightly, pleased with the movement every bit as much as she was pleased with her own skills. "It's a shame you don't have balls here every day," she commented.

Luckily, Norrington was well skilled in fighting, and in dancing. So as easily as she moved with him. He led her around the dance floor, sweeping them in wider and wider circles, neatly moving out of the way of other couples.

"Oh, I can't say that. I think we would all find balls exhausting after all this time." He stated with a wry smile.

"Perhaps," she conceded. "But on the other hand, if every kingdom had to prepare for a ball every day, then no one would have time to fight one another. And the economy would improve. After all, you'd need everyone to have some kind of job, to grow the grapes for the wine or to sheer the sheep for the wool of the clothes or to arrange the flowers and decorations."

She gave him an impish, little smile. "There. I've just solved all the problems of Thedas, don't you think?"

"Wouldn't we be spending all of our money on having balls and not taking care of other things?" Norrington asked, amusement flashing across his face. "Beyond that, wouldn't we all wake up every day with a hangover?"

"Only if you drink," she pointed out.

She hadn't touched anything herself. But then again, the more pleasant effects of alcohol, as she understood them, didn't really work on Alastrians.

"But think of it. Spending money on having balls would put more into the economy. And, of course, you'd want bigger and better balls. So you'd have to employ more people to make it just right. And artisans would compete to create the best and most elaborate decor, leading to a higher quality all around."

"Well I don't think I drink that much - but everyone else might. Then where would we be?"

Norrington spun her around, in and then out, before he considered. "Although it would give everyone jobs -- how would those who were throwing the balls make any money to support that?"

Re: Ariadne | OTA

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