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

Dancing

[gatheringstorm]

While blessedly free of any nobles seeking to ask her about 'the savage Qunari' or asking to touch her horns, Korrin makes her way over to watch Harding's instructions. Her lips curve in a smile, glad to see the dwarven woman more in her element than making idle conversation with snooty nobles. And while the Vashoth woman can mange some simple steps, she doubts her own grace matches Harding's own. That keeps her from joining the line, but perhaps she'll change her mind after more observing or catch Harding when she's taking a break.

[lacere]

The lady she's currently instructed certainly seems delighted, and charmed, as the dwarf that barely comes up to her middle flashes her a winning smile. One that's for encouragment, but one that could also make Orlesian ladies swoon, were they not so happy for their dance partner. "You're doing fine," Harding says, despite the protests that surely, she is just saying that. "And I also think you're ready to ask that gentleman caller to dance, if you wanted to. He's still looking."

It takes a few minutes, and a bit more persuasion and another dance partner on Harding's behalf, but the lady uses all her wits to invite herself into a dance, and she doesn't step on his feet. Not for the first twenty seconds, at least, but he doesn't toss her aside. Harding smiles as she bows to her current partner, song over, and though the line's still there, she sees Korrin, makes her apologies, and walks over to the qunari woman.

"You look very nice," she says, honestly. "How it's been? Not too bad?"

[gatheringstorm]

"As do you, Scout Harding." Korrin nods with a warm smile, glad to see a friendly face in a sea of Orlesian snobbery. "You know, the usual. Dodging stupid questions, pretending not to notice the scandalized looks, making jaws drop whenever I rise above that extremely low bar set by quoting the Chant of Light or proving that I can navigate a waltz. I can't say I have your skill, though. No wonder people have been lining up."