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

[tactical_alert]

While Malcolm likes to wallflower as much as Aleron, he is making some effort to put the good word of the Inquisition out there. He isn't terrible at it, has been around nobility before, tends to choose his words with care. But there are plenty here he doesn't know how to handle as much as he might an angry dragon. Comte Daucourt is overly familiar, which Malcolm didn't know...until pulled aside into conversation with him.

Now they speak not terribly far from where Cassandra and Aleron have made their landing, although speaking isn't the only thing happening. Malcolm has somehow found himself with his back to the wall--ostensibly to be able to still view the party. But the Comte has hands that feel free to touch as though they are friends, attempts to call him by small nicknames, either to lighten the mood or to quietly infuriate Seeker Reed.

It at least does the latter. The hand on his shoulder changes to a hand on his arm, and the Seeker's ramrod straight stance and unnatural stillness have yet to set off any warning signals to the Comte. It's hardly a rude accosting as might befall a woman, but Malcolm and tactile familiarity hardly go hand in hand even with those he might consider friends. At one point he blatantly attempts to excuse himself, though the Comte sees fit to take him by the elbow to beg for more of his time.

Malcolm looks fit to murder. One hand is slowly moving, and whether it's to backhand the man for his presumptions or to reach for a dagger he...totally doesn't have hidden away on his person or to suckerpunch a noble in the gut, who can say, but someone should probably diffuse the situation brother sister please help extricate him.

[stabsbooks]

Cassandra scowls, shaking her head. "It was ridiculous, and unnecessary. I would have preferred no introduction at all, but Enchanter Vivienne insisted."

She had been right to, of course, and Cassandra understands that, as well as why her very presence here is so important. They must appease these ridiculous nobles - put an end to their rumors and lies. They must have their support, or the Inquisition will fail.

Still, that does not mean she has to approve, or enjoy it, and she glares stonily around the hall, transformed into an opulent ballroom that would rival any in Val Royeaux. She opens her mouth to say so - Cassandra may think this while thing frivolous and a waste of time, but that does not mean she cannot appreciate Vivienne's achievements - when something catches her eye, and she frowns.

"What is Malcolm doing?"

[lifeofendurance]

That question prompts Aleron to turn enough to follow Cassandra's line of sight and what he sees is well... trouble. He's known Malcolm long enough to recognize the signs of a problem-creating show of temper. Maker, why now? And what in Andraste's name is Comte doing?

"About to do something that will create more trouble than we could handle tonight." He cocks his head in that direction. "We better step in before being trussed up and put on display ends up a pointless endeavor."

Without delay, he moves over to Malcolm's side. "Pardon me, my lord." Maker how he hates making nice and trying to keep straight all the rules of engagement. "Seeker Reed, the Right Hand of the Divine requires you."

C'mon, Malcolm, hold it together another two minutes and play along. They're buying you an out. Stupid stupid politics. Lying, weaseling, ugh.

[tactical_alert]

His anger normally is a quiet, subtle lash more suited to the Left Hand, but this man has offended his sensibilities and made his skin absolutely crawl. Even if it weren't for the damned touching, ignoring any and all sense of decorum and personal space (of which he requires quite a bit), there's just something off about the man.

He manages a tight smile, ghostly on thin lips, as the Comte lets his hand slide from Malcolm's elbow. "My apologies. One never knows when urgent business arises." He'll even give a slight tilt of his head that is nothing like a bow but at least more polite than simply walking off.

Though when he does walk off, his expression slides back into bright-eyed, unsettled disgust. "What a repugnant creature. I dare to suggest he wasn't even invited and simply rode in on someone else's coattails." There's a ripple of relief on his features at his fellow Seekers. "Thank you for your timely aid. That could have gotten...messy."

[stabsbooks]

Cassandra remains where she is, watching closely as Aleron comes to Malcolm's rescue - there is no other word for it - and returns. The Comte shoots her a look, baffled and perhaps slightly resentful, and she smiles thinly and inclines her head in reply.

They are close enough for Cassandra to hear (and, thankfully, out of the Comte's earshot) before Malcolm starts complaining, and she raises an eyebrow, shifting to allow them both to join her safely against the wall.

"He is like that with everyone," she says quietly, with a dark look. "Too many men are. You must learn to shut them down firmly before they can begin."