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

That smile is infectious and Korrin relaxes a little upon hearing all that. Not that she had any significant misgivings about Morrigan specifically, but it's still good to know.

"I'm glad to hear that she's respectful of the elves and willing to share what she knows. That's knowledge too valuable to keep to herself.

I spoke to her before our emergency meeting about the rift in Skyhold. So far that's been our only conversation, but I found her wary but insightful. She doesn't much care for the Council itself but as you pointed out, she's a loner. As long as she keep aiding as she has been, there's nothing wrong with that. And I have to admit, it's fun to see her so proud, so unapologetic about what she is. That must rankle at the devout Chantry folk."

"It must. They look at me and think 'heathen,' but they look at her and see a human beyond their reach. I'm not really one to care what someone believes unless they're trying to convert me, but some of the sisters here could do with having an annoyance in their midst once in awhile, since they certainly annoy me with all their reciting in the gardens everyday."

There's having faith, and then there's repeating the same bit of the Chant over and over again until it doesn't even sound like words anymore. What are they even accomplishing doing that?

Korrin rolls her eyes at that, just as annoyed by such things, then a devilish grin forms. "Maybe it's time to borrow Kain's new pet. That foul-mouthed parrot would be the the perfect disruption to them, especially when it starts spouting off various blasphemies. We're hardly responsible for its actions, right? ...as far as they know. I might have expanded its vocabulary, but no need to tell them that."

"Oh, no," Ellana giggles out. "That would ruin all of the Ambassador's and Vivienne's plans, wouldn't it? Someone will think the bird was taught these words to personally insult them." Ellana had helped deal with the bird in the garden, and had heard its colorful language.

"I should make a list to see how many of Andraste's body parts it mentions without encouraging it directly. It's...extensive, so far. The perfect accompaniment to chapel services." Korrin grins; she may be intending to behave herself...tonight, but tomorrow is an entirely different story.

"Whoever owned it before now certainly had a colorful vocabulary." She can't help but be amused by the bird, and grateful that it didn't imprint on her when it came swooping down into Skyhold.

"When I first heard it speak, I thought it must have been possessed by a demon. I didn't know birds could talk."

Korrin chuckles, unsurprised but then she's been far enough north to see such things. "You know, I bet plenty of people here wouldn't know that either. After all, if it's not from Orlais, it must not be important. Right? Maker, do I want to start a rumor about a demon-possessed bird now. I'd better get in a dance before I give into the urge to misbehave again."

"Well it's not from the Free Marches either! At least the parts that I've been." Ellana would remember meeting a talking bird in the woods. That's why her mind immediately went to 'demon.' There are plenty of suspicious creatures lurking out in the world, ready to trick unsuspecting people, because they are really demons in disguise.

"You'd better had. Is Araceli nearby?" She cranes her neck to look.

"You have to go further north, to Rivain. Though how a Rivaini pet ended up with a dwarf, I've no idea." Korrin can't recall there being a sizable dwarf population there, though perhaps someone created a market for exotic pets.

Glancing around, Korrin shakes her head. "No, she's probably enduring that Comtesse's excruiatingly awful stories instead. But it's all part of bard training, so I know she won't want to miss out on that. How about it, Ellana? Feel like scandalizing some nobles? If there's one thing more shocking than an 'unholy apostate' dancing, it'd be two."

"It sounds like a good story. Too bad the bird seems unable to tell it." It just likes to repeat swears over and over.

Ellana smiles and bobs her head, looking out at the party and the gathering of supposedly important people.

"Always. I'm ready to hear some gasps of shock."

Said important people are already sending glances their way and murmuring to each other, especially when Korrin offers her hand. "Well, then. Let's not keep them waiting. This beat seems simple enough to follow."

"Let's hope so. My goal tonight was not to let them laugh at me, but everybody will if I mess this up." She takes Korrin's hand and gives in a squeeze, the only outward indication of her nervousness.

[ ooc: wanna wrap up with them dancing? ]

[ooc: Sure, sounds good!]

"I won't let you--or them." Korrin's tone is utterly serious for a moment, a promise to have her back just as she did at the tavern months ago. Reaching a spot on the dance floor with enough room for both of them, she takes the lead on the waltz. Remembering her steps, she does her best to ensure that their movements are graceful, elegant, everything the nobles thought they could never be.]

Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

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