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

[theproperglove]

Josephine has been noting the young woman slowly edging towards the door for some time now. Earlier in the evening she had been busy ensuring that everything would go off without a hitch, but now that all seems to be happening according to plan, she allows herself a moment to breathe. And what better way to do so than to check on Hermione, who by all accounts appears to be rather overwhelmed by the events of the soiree. She comes over with her own hors d'oeuvre in hand, one of the little Orlesian cakes, fixing Hermione with a sympathetic smile.

"These events can be quite challenging for anyone who has not been trained in such matters from a very young age. I hope that the evening hasn't been too trying, nonetheless."

[bookish_lioness]

Hermione can handle herself reasonable well enough in most social circles, but it's easy to flounder when she doesn't have at least one person there as an anchor. Without someone with whom she can retreat by the snack table and otherwise regroup with, it's easy to get a bit overwhelmed. Especially when she knows she has an open invitation to another party with far less fanfare not too far away, if she really decides she still wants to be social in a more comfortable setting.

But long before the thought of earnestly making a break for it enters her mind, a familiar young woman approaches, and Hermione manages a small smile. "I'm afraid that I don't really attend many parties that are so... political in nature. I can be polite, but this really isn't my area of expertise. Especially when I'm trying very hard to remind myself that few people here have a worldview similar to mine." But she can go on forever about that, and she'd really rather not to, so she only shakes her head. "I heard you had no small hand in orchestrating all of this. I might clash with some of the guests, but otherwise, it all looks lovely."

[theproperglove]

Josephine ducks her head slightly as she accepts the compliment. "Thank you. I'm glad you can appreciate the decor even if the company is not quite to your liking. Still, your presence here tonight is appreciated more than you might think. I truly feel that the attendance of so many rifters has truly been a boon to the Inquisition's interests."

She gestures with the hand that's holding the cake and feels the need to fill the following silence. "Have you tried any of these yet?"

[bookish_lioness]

"No one can really be blamed for the company, if these individuals are among the best Thedas has to offer," Hermione acknowledges. "Besides, the people I've actually chosen to speak to have by and large been quite the treat." At that, she nods her head towards Josephine, clearly implying that she certainly counts among the more favorable of the present company.

Glancing at the cake, Hermione shakes her head, smiling politely. "Not yet, no. Which one is that?" She's been warned away from the mushroom and anise ones, but she's at least smart enough not to say as much. After all, if Josephine had placed the order, perhaps they're a favorite of hers.

[theproperglove]

"Oh, these are the deep mushroom and anise cakes," Josephine answers, brow furrowed in apology. "They're something of a delicacy in Orlais, and also something of an acquired taste." As though she's still doing her best to achieve that level of enjoyment from the truly reprehensible item of food she holds in her hand, she takes a small polite nibble from the edge of the petit four.

"Delicious." It's probably the closest Josephine will ever get to being sarcastic.

[bookish_lioness]

Hermione tries to keep back a look of disgust, but opts against it when she sees she won't exactly be insulting Josephine's tastes. Wrinkling her nose a little bit, Hermione shakes her head.

"I was discussing those with Korrin earlier. It seems an... odd combination of flavors. I'd be interested in trying one just to say that I did, but I wouldn't want to show poor manners if I gag or need to spit one out in a napkin."

[theproperglove]

The look on Hermione's face is enough to make Josephine smile again. "If you are truly so curious, may I suggest starting with a small bite?"

[bookish_lioness]

"Perhaps later," Hermione concedes, though she doesn't look as though she'll be too heartbroken if she 'forgets'. "I'll see about hiding one in a napkin and trying it when I'm off somewhere where people won't be staring at my face as I attempt to give it its fair chance."