faderift | Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

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.

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"Oh," she says, surprised but pleased at the compliment. "Ma serannas, but I'm not sure I truly have. I seem to have bypassed the rules and gone over them. I had a good tutor on how to deal with all this."

"Well, sometimes that is the best way to deal with such nonsense." His lips twitched upwards in faint amusement. "If I might be so bold as to ask - where did you learn that from?"

"From Morrigan," she replies, not sure if James has met her, or at least knows of her. As a hero of the Fifth Blight, most people do, even though stories change things around. Ellana didn't even know the names of those involved until arriving at Skyhold. They were just the two Wardens, the Antivan elf assassin, the Chasind witch, etc.

"Morrigan! Yes, I have spoken with the lady. She is ... infamous." The only apostate in all of Thedas they were never allowed to hunt, and a woman with a decided state of mind. Norrington wasn't sure if he feared her or just respected her enough that it scared him.

Probably ... the latter. "And I can see why she would be an excellent instructor on how to ignore politics."

Ellana felt Morrigan was the perfect person to approach concerning this, as she'd already given some great advice on how to deal with ordinary folk and their negative views on what Ellana is. And Ellana has been proven correct, as nobles find they can't get a foothold when it comes to insulting her.

"Her advice has been invaluable."

"I would imagine. The woman probably rips through the nobility like she rips through everything else. With ease and a small amount of glee."

Is Norrington's faintly amused response. Seriously, he could not even imagine Morrigan playing the Game. She would smirk her way through all of it and no one would be able to figure out if she was lying.

"I have to admit, it feels good to walk away from these conversations with my head held high. I didn't want them to believe they're right about my people; that we're all savages. I want them to be left shaken. I can't say it makes me gleeful, but I'm proud of what I've done." She may not be negotiating trade or alliances, but she's representing her people and showing the nobility that they don't know anything about elves, especially the Dalish.

"Well, you should be proud. People should never say your people were savages, especially since you have better manners then the rest of this so called nobility." Norrington stated simply, amusement flashing across his gaze.

"Now wouldn't that be shocking? To call the nobility the savage ones." But she gives James a thankful smile. "Thank you. I knew before I left the clan that there had to be humans out here in the world who didn't think as we've always been taught to believe."

"Well as far as I can tell, they seem to be about one step away from horny adolescents, so it's more appropriate than either one of us would imagine." He smirked faintly, before putting one hand to his chest, "I hope you find many more of them, Ellana. I hope you all do."

That is a rather unexpected response, and she struggles not to start giggling right here in front of everyone. Her lips are pressed tightly together and her eyes are practically sparkling with mirth.

"Indeed," she manages to say once she's calmed herself. And then on to his next response. "They aren't easy people to find, but once I do, I tend to try and befriend them, whether they like it or not."

He gives her a very solemn look in turn, as if he is firmly fighting off any need to laugh himself. Which honestly, is something of a struggle, all things considered.

"Well that seems rather serious. Are you going to befriend them at swordpoint?" He asked dryly.

"Don't be silly," she replies. "By staff blade point, of course." Now she allows herself a smile. "But no, I just mean I will make the attempt. I definitely wouldn't stick around if they had no interest in being friends."

"Of course, how could I be such a dunce? Staff blade point, naturally." Came Norrington's dry reply, before he smiled a little himself. "I am sure you shall make more friends then you thought possible, then."

"That's what I hope for. This experience -- being here -- is one I wouldn't trade for anything." Getting to see the world and meet new people has been a dream come true.

He gives her a considering look, before he nods his head slowly. "I have to admit -- I have regretted many things since I have left Ostwick. The people I have met, the lessons I have learned ... I would not trade that for anything."

If anything, Ellana regrets not leaving the clan sooner, but at the same time, she would have been prey to anyone who wanted to do harm to her. Waiting to leave with others of the clan made for a safer journey.

"It sounds we are alike there." And Ellana enjoys finding common ground. "We can even take a lesson away from all this." She raises her chin slightly towards the hall overall.

"Whether it's how not to act, or how to leave people guessing, it's a valuable experience. Though not one I want to repeat, as I've said."

He nodded his head slowly, before he folded his hands behind him thoughtfully. "I have found that the lesson of how not to act is become immeasurably valuable to me, in days past. I feel it's a lesson I will keep learning, for some time to come."

"That's good," she says with a nod. "And if you ever require help on how to act around the Dalish, I would be happy to help you again." Humans who are willing to learn from their mistakes instead of getting defensive about them earn her respect. James did the last time they spoke.

James paused, looking at her, before he nodded his head slowly. "You know, despite everything ... I would still like to learn. If you are willing to learn our culture, it behooves us to learn yours."

"I am glad to hear it." She knows he will do well with the information she reveals, unlike some who would not care about the lows the Dalish have had.

"I can't tell you our closest held secrets, but there are things I think humans should learn from our perspective."

"I shall be honored to learn whatever you have to teach." Norrington stated simply, with a slight bow from his waist.

Ellana gives him a curtsy in return, liking the way she can flair out the skirt of her gown as she does so. If nothing else, this evening has allowed her to play dress up and feel beautiful.

"We will have to meet another day. Right now, I think I'd better see if I can rescue anyone from a painful conversation. It was good to see you."

Norrington's lips quirked at the corners as she curtsied to him, with the flair in her gown. She really was lovely.

"I look forward to it - and please, feel free to play savior tonight." He dipped another half bow. "If you have any spare time, please do save me a dance."

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Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

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