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]

She wonders for a moment how a pet can not be entirely one's own before deciding that he must share it with someone else, a paramour, perhaps, before chasing away that thought. It doesn't matter right now, because the bird is certainly being disruptive. "Perhaps if we work together, we could capture him faster."

[dragoon_pride]

The whole thing is hard to explain, and Kain doesn't really know what to consider the pesky parrot at the moment. For now, all he can think is getting it out of here, before it really makes more of a scene. As it is, the Baron Maurice Daladier is giving a disdainful glance in their direction, making some disparaging comment to the others near him.

Right. Time to act.

"Bronto shit!" The bird says with a chuckle.

Kain glances over to Josephine. "It seems food is the only thing that works with him... perhaps we can lure him away?"

[theproperglove]

Josephine also glances in the direction of the baron and makes a mental note to flatter his ego later, with perhaps a bottle of some of the finest wine that the Inquisition currently has in stock.

Returning her attention to the parrot, she finds herself asking, "Is he a picky eater?"

Who said that soirees had to be boring?

[dragoon_pride]

The Baron at least is soon enough distracted by something one of the other nobles tells him, and gets going on a heated tangent about something more important. That’s… a relief, at least, but how long could that last? Especially with the bird continuing to squawk about everything that comes out of Brontos and every single body part of the Maker.

Kain glances to Josephine, even managing to smirk a little bit despite everything. This plan may work out well, after all. “He’s not picky in the least… in fact, he seems to enjoy gorging himself on most anything he can get his beak on. He might enjoy something fancy.”

[theproperglove]

Josephine's eyes brighten as she thinks of just the perfect solution. In her opinion, far too many petit fours have been ordered, and Orlesian delicacy or not, she does not want to be left over with any at the end of the night. "Hm," she murmurs, as though she is giving the matter deep and serious consideration, "the mushroom and anise cakes ought to be fancy enough."

[dragoon_pride]

“I’m sure it’ll be a rare treat for him, yes,” Kain agrees. “I think he should follow if we get him interested enough.” He has yet to find out what the bird really loves, though he’s gotten a good sense that it’ll at least go for most anything anyway… so what it likes is just that. Everything.

“Here, Bastard,” he calls over to the bird. “Come over here, we have food for you…”

[theproperglove]

The bird squawks, a momentary respite from its string of questionable obscenities, and Josephine feels compelled to lend her voice to the cause. "Oh, yes! Delicious treats for hungry parrots."

To further her point, she leans over to one of the nearby table where the cakes are stacked, and gathers a couple in her hands.

[dragoon_pride]

That definitely does the trick. The parrot does make another cry of “Maker’s balls!!!” before flapping over toward the cakes. He definitely seems to be interested now. Good. Ha, looks like food really is the trick when it comes to this bird.

“If you want any, you’ll have to come with us.” Kain holds up one of the cake pieces in hand, making sure that Bastard gets a good sight of it. “Come on!” Yes, all they’ll have to do is lure him away… this should work out just fine.