faderift | 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

"But everything went so well." All innocence, all kind, curious innocence. Which was met with, Maker's breath, a twist of humor. "I saw you attempting to wrangle Fate across the dance floor more than once this evening. I do hope you did not mind my stealing him away for a dance or two."

If she were someone else, she would roll her eyes, but as she's not, she just meets his eyes with a hard, unamused stare. Everything went so well, indeed. Ninety-nine percent certainty that he was mocking her, but it had enough of a back-stabbing compliment in it that she let it slide.

"I would have to own him, for you to steal him. I am sure he will grant you as many dances as you require."

"So you are not, as he has been saying all night, his lovely date for the evening? A shame. You make for a striking pair." A scandalous one as well for the Orlesian nobles but that is not worth either of their time.

She didn't blush, or even look particularly embarrassed, but there was an odd sharpness to her gaze that hadn't been there before.

"Is that what he's been saying. Interesting. No one told me. Or Dorian, who I did come with."

Not that it meant much. But what was Twisted Fate thinking, telling people something like that? Was he making fun of her? She didn't think he would do that, but -

If it was because he thought the idea of going with her was funny --

Her lips pulled into a frown.

"Which is equally curious if not entirely reasonable. You make for an even more striking couple. I think a few noblewomen have swooned-" He pauses, and clarifies. "I am entirely serious. There was actual swooning. I'm jealous, I usually have to be undressed for such things to happen."

"Swooned?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "Over Dorian, or me, or both?" Dorian would be pleased, so she definitely wasn't going to tell him.

"I admit I am not accustomed to - swooning. But I am sure you have managed it without your clothing, Zevran. There is little point in underselling yourself."

"Both, I should think. Though perhaps more you than he- there is yet the stigma about the mysterious tevinter magister." Though he is not a magister it does not make much difference to the nobles. "I know I heard at least one of them wondering if they could coax you into a dance. Lovely woman, blue eyes, golden mask, azure gown. Magnificent chest."

Said noblewoman was watching them as they danced, a hint of envy in her eyes. "Ah, but I am an elf. No matter how fine the skin and cut of my jaw- one does not swoon over elves in Orlais, dressed or no. Sneer? Yes. You are the safer attraction."

Nerva turned her head, trying her best to look casual as she searched the room, but managing to look like a hawk, scouring the room for pray.

She was extremely subtle. And by extremely, I mean everyone who caught her gaze immediately looked away. The woman in question, however, held her gaze, and bit her lip. Nerva frowned, the dance helpfully turning her away.

"I think you would be surprised, how many swoon over elves in Orlais," She said, but her voice was a bit darker. "Perhaps swoon is not the word. Covet, may be closer. I may be the safer attraction, but that grants you safety, as well. I do not like it. I do not like any of them." A little venom slipped into the last words, as if she had decided all the nobles were snakes, and she the only one who could see them.

And in a way, it was true, but it was hardly what was causing her sour mood.

Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

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