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.

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Cade quietly watches Norrington approach, diverting his eyes to the floor when the Knight-Commander passes without acknowledgment. Stung by the dismissal, his stomach suddenly twists in a knot at the sight of Norrington's approaching entourage.
"..thank you," he says meekly to Burns, only to wilt again when Gilette chimes in. He shifts uncomfortably, face reddening, profoundly aware of all the disapproving eyes on him, and he averts his gaze to stare at a random spot on the wall. The 'small boy' comment hits him where it hurts, and he wonders how purposeful it was; being shuffled about between supervisors, having all his activities monitored and privileges meted out and revoked by those in charge of him, it's difficult not to feel like one.
"You look nice too," he quietly remarks, glancing back at them and hoping it's enough.

"Why thank you, Ser Cade." Burns preens, but he's not the only one. Gilette puffs up a bit, while Murtogg and Mullory puff up plenty.

"Hogswallow." Gibbs responds, but he gives Cade a friendly clap on the shoulder, before he gives Norrington a pointed look. "You're doing all right, lad."

Giselle beams at him, and gives him a light touch on the other arm, while Anamaria glowers, but stops as Norrington clears his throat and enters the circle.

Green eyes fix on Cade, and Norrington mentally sighs before he states simply, "Thank you, Ser Cade. You're looking well yourself. I trust you are enjoying the evening?"

It did Cade no good to continue to be angry at him. The man was like a dog that had been kicked for too long. Norrington chided himself for still being angry, and not acknowledging that anger was just deep disappointment. He had such hopes for the man...

Able to relax slightly now that he's diverted the conversation from how awful he is, Cade allows himself to smile very faintly with the wash of relief. He still can't seem to shirk Anamaria's pointed gaze, but the smile doesn't truly die until Norrington returns. Cade stands up a little straighter and gives a proper military bow, the hand by his heart shaking with nervousness.

"Thank you, ser," he says in his usual quiet, slightly hoarse tone, and although he straightens from the bow, he keeps his gaze lowered. "Yes, I... I suppose so, ser." It's better than being in the dungeon, at any rate.

Burns gave Norrington a wry little smile over Cade's head, and Norrington resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Honestly, Burns was such a damned softie. Enough, no further punishment than what had already been granted.

"Well, it is good to see you looking so much better, Ser Cade." He said quietly, before looking around at his people, "You seem much calmer now."

The tension has lessened, but not dissolved completely. Although Cade doesn't see either side of the secret exchange, he can sense that that there's something going unsaid, in the same way one knows when one is being watched, or when they're about to receive bad news.
"...thank you, ser," he says again, though he is the polar opposite of calm. He's been on-edge since arrival, and thus far, at least in his head, this has been the correct approach.

"You are welcome, Ser Cade." After a moment, Norrington cleared his throat, and lowered his voice, "Deep breath, soldier. It will be all right. No one in this party is going to attack you. Just ... keep doing as you are doing, and everything will be fine. Yes?"

Not knowing quite what to think of this advice coming from the man who was so ready to dismiss him a moment ago, Cade just nods timidly. It's not a physical attack he's afraid of, not necessarily.
"Yes, ser," he says again, almost automatically. Everything will not be fine. Everything has never been fine, and it likely never will be. It doesn't matter what he does. But he can at least, as always, attempt to pretend he's unaffected. Soldier through it. That's worked in the past.

Norrington took a longer look at Cade - no, this time he was not going to be fooled by this silence. Clearly there was more wrong beneath the surface, and he was not going to let this slip by him again. He looked at his people, then said simply, "Go get a drink, and mingle. I wish to speak to Cade alone."

The others looked at one another, before they all bowed respectfully and started to peter off. Burns was the last one to leave, clapping Cade on the shoulder.

Norrington continued to look at Cade, before saying mildly, "You are a horrible liar, Cade. I wish I had realized this before - I might have been able to help you sooner."

Dread wells in Cade's stomach as he watches Norrington dismiss the others, and Burns' clap on his shoulder causes a startled flinch far beyond the expected reaction. Cade looks after him for a moment, then back to Norrington, his eyes widening in dismay.
"I've never lied to you, ser," he helplessly insists, the dread continuing to rise, until it's nearly choking him. "I would never..!"

Norrington shakes his head slightly, waving off the statements, "No, Cade, I am no accusing you of lying with your words. I am not accusing you at all - I am simply stating that you are very good at hiding how you truly feel, and how it ... truly affects you."

A troubled expression passes his face, "I feel responsible, Cade, for not realizing how troubled you were. I know you are a strong person, but even a strong person needs help sometimes. I ignored that -- and ... I apologize. For you having to suffer an unwitting leader. I shall try to do better for you in the future."

It takes Cade a moment to comprehend what Norrington is actually saying, and though he calms slightly, he looks no happier. He's silent and pensive for a short time, mulling over the Knight-Commander's words, testing them to see how they fit.
Despite Norrington's good intentions, even having the subject brought up kindly sets his nerves on edge, and he glances around to make sure no one's listening.
"It's not your fault, ser," he finally concludes, his voice low, "n...none of it is." He stalls on the word, aghast at the mere thought that anyone could blame themselves for him. "It is I who must do better. I'll..." The mere thought of working harder than he already is seems to exhaust him, but at the same time, he's determined. "I won't disappoint you again, ser."

Well honestly, if Cade had taken it well, Norrington would have thought he was possessed by a demon. He had no idea if Cade could ever get to some semblance of 'sane', but considering what they were all doing here? It seemed unlikely.

He looked at Cade for a long moment, before he shook his head, "Don't worry about disappointing me, Cade. Just ... you are a Templar, and a brother. We've lost too many brothers already, so please just take care of yourself. Try, if you can, to find some peace of mind."

Cade listens, and then he nods, albeit looking no less defeated. Peace of mind? Is that even possible?
"Yes, ser," he says again, unsure of how else to proceed. With Nerva or her agents hovering over him at all hours, it's impossible not to take care of himself, at least in the physical sense. Mentally, he wouldn't even know where to begin. "I will try."

He knew this wouldn't be easy for Cade, so he didn't drop empty platitudes on his head. They wouldn't help, and might even compound the problem. "Thank you for trying, Ser Cade."

Trying might caused another fight and he wasn't interested in that right now.

Cade gives a silent nod, then looks down again. In a small way, he hopes Norrington is finished, since he can feel eyes on them, and is all too aware this conversation is taking place in a large public space full of people. Not the ideal setting for any conversation, as far as he's concerned.

Norrington nodded himself, before he cleared his throat. "Have a good evening, Ser Cade."

He went to leave, folding his hands behind him, being careful not to look behind him. He truly did not want to see the bruised look on the other man's face.

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Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

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