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

[bookish_lioness]

Though the answers are concise, Hermione still frowns a bit. The "who" and "what" questions have been answered satisfactorily, and she at least knows to always keep wine on-hand lest someone try to get a dance out of her, but the masks.

But then, she's aware that she's biased, and so she tries to ignore that, accepting Adelaide's tips gratefully. "I'll try to keep that all in mind, thank you," she breathes out, still eyeing the crowd warily. "How does anyone deal with these kinds of things on a regular basis? I can scarcely do a Christmas party with friends without needing to hide behind the drapes to regroup for a bit."

[fleurdesel]

"I honestly could not tell you. As a mage I never truly had to handle such things, most of my time was spent in study or research." This is all...quite a bit. But she must make do all the same and as such shoulders the responsibility as best she can. For the moment she is shielded by wine and a flustered aide from further, frustrating questions of the nobility. "If you need a moment there are a few secluded alcoves where no one will bother you- but you had best make certain they are empty before slipping in yourself."

[bookish_lioness]

Though she'd hate to regularly attend these sorts of soirees, the fact that Adelaide implies that mages didn't routinely attend them just upsets her. She really needs to school down her sense of self-righteousness before she ends up yelling at the wrong person.

"That would be awkward, slipping into a secluded place to be alone only to find that someone else had had the exact same idea." Granted, she doesn't put together what people might do in such a secluded place, so Adelaide's warning doesn't quite hit home for what it is.

[fleurdesel]

"...Or two someones attempting to enjoy a brief moment of privacy." Better to warn her now than have her shocked and possibly scarred later. Orlesians did so enjoy getting up to all manner of things where they truly shouldn't.

[bookish_lioness]

For a moment, Hermione thinks Adelaide is referencing nothing more scandalous than a couple sneaking off for a snog. But then she remembers Cormac McLaggen, her date to a Christmas party two years before, and how his hands had attempted to go everywhere. "Oh-... oh!."

She doesn't quite blush, but she does shift a bit uncomfortably as she remarks, "Yes, that would be awkward."

[fleurdesel]

She can almost see the thoughts clicking through Hermione's head, coming to the inevitable, if salacious, conclusion. "Intensely so. Most have something you might knock upon before ducking in, I recommend doing so. Twice now I've almost run into nobles finding their own entertainment in such alcoves."

[bookish_lioness]

"Perhaps I can just... slip outside for some fresh air, if need be," she murmurs absently, glancing towards one such alcove as though afraid she'll see some evidence of this right off the bat. "Assuming no one sneaks off into the bushes on a regular basis here."

[fleurdesel]

"That might be best. I've been fortunate enough to have not seen anything just yet and I would like to continue the trend." As frustrating as they are when dressed? Orlesians can be twice as fussy when caught offguard.

[bookish_lioness]

"So that's a... regular occurrence?" Hermione asks. She's not exactly a prude, but the idea of it being routine to sneak away with someone during a party and having those kinds of relations out where anyone can just see is a bit... problematic. "Please tell me there aren't so many dark corners around to specifically facilitate that sort of thing."