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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Clearly James underestimates wandering hands. This patch of wall will only stay quiet for so long considering the two of them stand out a good amount simply with their height.

"Not really. The suit is nice, I will admit, but fancy parties really aren't my 'thing'... I wasn't going to press the issue though." Sam sighs, taking a sip of his wine and making a face afterwards - still not his favorite thing to drink.

James can live and hope and pray. Although prayers in this situation would be for the most part, futile.

"Neither are they mine. Frankly I find this whole thing distasteful, but needs must." He sighed, softly.

"I honestly preferred the party we had at First Day," he admits, braving another sip of the wine and frowning less at it. Course when he thinks about it, Krem hadn't been at that party either. He sighs heavily at that.

"Who did you bring tonight?"

"I have heard rumor that there is a party like that outside, if you want ot make your escape." James stated with a solemnity that did not match the flash in his green eyes. He paused, then smirked faintly.

"Burns. Gilette. Anamaria. Giselle. Murtogg and Mullory. And of course Gibbs." He shook his head a little, "I knew Pel would be here, and with an escort ... I just did not feel like finding one of my own."

At the smirk, Sam huffs humorously and glances down at their feet for a moment. "Perhaps I will. A bit later though. There are still some people I should see to before I do that."

It's good to hear that James had not really come alone, but it was not quite the same - even if those guys were great. Hearing about Pel he switches the glass in his hand to the other before reaching out and patting James on the shoulder. "I sorry. That must be rough."

"Well, feel free to come and help me escape when you are ready to go." James stated with a wry smile, leaning against the wall as he eyed some of the people inching towards them.

He shrugged his shoulders, "It is ... not precisely ideal, but it is what it is. I am glad she is happier now."

"Of course. I wouldn't dream of leaving you stranded here." He comments with a bit of a grin as he takes a drink. He's noticed the small group edging towards them as well and watching them discreetly over the glass.

Considering everything James is taking it pretty well, but it's still upsetting to see that he isn't happy as well. That was hard to come by it seemed. "Do the two of you still talk at least?"

"Well thank you for that. I appreciate the fact that you are not going to leave me to get man-handled." Norrington stated with a faint smile.

He paused, before he looked down to the ground and shook his head slightly. "No ... I am afraid we haven't spoken since we ended things."

"Well I owe you a debt for saving me from such a fate. A man must pay his debts." Seriously, chasing off that Baroness had been great.

"Can't say I've talked to her much myself." Seemed like a fad, the no talking after a break up. It's... concerning really.

"Hmmm. Something I wish more people embraced, but I shall be happy if you're the one embracing it. At least for my own safety." He would chase her off again, and all the other manhandlers. Honestly, when had his friends become pieces of meat?

Now his eyebrows rose at that, and he looked back up to Sam, "Why?"

Apparently putting on a fancy outfit and cleaning up a bit had everyone looking to get a piece. "Just don't expect any fancy magic work or anything," he says with a chuckle. As amusing that could turn out he wasn't looking to get into trouble.

"Hm, we've both be rather busy to be honest. We did spar once, but that's about it." Pel had her research and he had others things to worry about.

People liked shiny things, that was the only way Norrington could truly understand it. Apparently, Sam was quite shiny now, and apparently Norrington still had some gleam to him. One sardonic eyebrow rose, "I would certainly hope not."

A slow nod, and a worried glance across the dance floor. "I hope she is all right."

Considering some other conversations he's had he's been shiny for a while, and just didn't know it. Right now though he just had more to emphasize it. It was weird, frightening and interesting all at once depending on who it attracted. "What? You're looking at me like you don't trust me."

He studies James for a moment before sighing and looking out at well. "I'm sure she's fine. She can take care of herself."

Well there you have it. Sam was clearly shiny all the time. Which should terrify him and Norrington was just going to be over here with his pallid gleam and be thankful for it. "Sam, of course I trust you. But every single time I have heard 'fancy magic' these days, something has gone horribly wrong because of the tears of the Veil. Just ... be cognizant, please?"

He looked back at Sam, before he clapped his hand on his shoulder. "I will be fine, Sam. I will simply be more cautious in the future where I put my true affections."

Edited 2016-03-22 12:25 (UTC)

James it's terrible - maybe, guess it depends on who it is. Apparently it's been happening just by grabbing a book from a high shelf or picking something up from the ground. He cannot just stop doing that or helping. "Huh, I was more thinking like a bit of smoke as a distraction, but I see your point. And I'm always cognizant. Not like Fortitude if I do anything too rash."

He takes a deep breath at that, nodding a bit. "I know you will be James. Things just never seem to be any simpler."

Sam, most people would be considerably happy that people wanted to grab them just because they were fairly attractive in a physical sense. Of course Norrington was not one of those people, but still. "Smoke is acceptable. Firestorms the size of armies are not." A pause, "So you have your spirit at last, do you?"

He looked over at Sam, before he smiled knowingly, "Life never is. That is why you must take happiness where you find it."

Well for him he's only recently starting to get that is the case, and he's getting used to it. Not like there was much positive reinforcement about these kind of things back at Ostwick. "I don't think I can make a firestorm that big..." Well he hasn't tried, but still. "Yes, I do. I had Burns and a couple of the others come for the ritual - just in case. I'm slowly getting the hang of it."

He sighs. "Ain't that the truth," he says a bit sadly, but also with a smile, holding up his glass for James to bring up his own for a small cheers.

That is true. Positive reinforcement wasn't something either one of them was familiar with in this particular aspect of their lives. "... I would appreciate it if you wouldn't try." Is his dry response, before he nods, "I'm glad Burns was willing to work with you, on that. He stated he's glad to volunteer for whatever templar assignments there are with the mages -- but I digress. How is your healing?"

He smirked sadly in kind, clinking his glass against Sam's. "We are still young. There is still time."

He shrugs some with a small smile at the response, more as a way to tease James than anything. It wasn't like he was actually looking to try and do something like that. As for the question, Sam takes another sip of his wine, with less of a frown this time, thoughtful. "It's... different, and not? I've been practicing with Fortitude so that we both can get used to working with each other, which has been leaving me more sleepy than normal. I don't plan on using it too much though, only when necessary."

At the sad smirk, Sam gives one in kind. "Perhaps. It isn't something I'm going to try and force."

James smirked in kind. It came down to small moments like this - knowing he could trust Sam not to do anything to put people in danger. Not all Templars were going to rake all mages over the coals. Not all mages were dangerous. Sam was ... so through and so thoughtful. "Very good. Fortitude - interesting choice, but not an unsurprising one."

"Neither am I ... so let us raise a glass to being on our own."

"Well I didn't exactly pick it, not like that. Fortitude found me and gave me a trial. Once I passed I had the choice, of course, to partner up. I suppose Fortitude was attracted to the likeness we share." He supposed the type of spirit wasn't surprising in the least. It felt... different, but he didn't much more so than he normally was, there was just something watching all the time in a way.

"Do we really wanna toast on that?" He gives James an amused look, but still raises his glass anyways.

He nodded is head slowly. "I'm still not surprised, all things considered. I'm pleased though ... that you are still finding your way, Sam. I'm proud of you, and the progress you've shown, the strength you've displayed."

He paused, then tilted his head, "Good point. Perhaps ... perhaps the toast should be something slightly more positive?"

"Thanks, James. That means a lot." He had finally achieved what had been set out for him at the beginning, but in the end it had been what he wanted. Now? He had to learn how to use it and find another goal to reach towards.

"To being young and still having time?" he offers with some amusement as he gives a shrug.

"You're quite welcome, Sam." James dipped his head into a bow, before he exhaled a soft laugh.

"Still having time, and being young enough to enjoy it." He lifted his glass to that salute.

"'Young enough'. Well now I'm just worried. I'm not that old yet," he teases with a chuckle, lifting his glass then taking a drink from it.

"Think you'll try settling down after all this, James?"

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