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

[nofury]

She gives the box a long look, then Fate. But still, this is vastly preferable to talking to the damn dignitaries all night. So it takes a moment of gathering her dress up so it will fit (and her frown at this is clear enough she's annoyed at this whole process).

Then in the box she goes. Ready to nullify any casting she finds too aggressive.

"Alright."

[wickedchase]

When Maria settles into the box, Twisted Fate closes it, letting her head stick out of the top. At the bottom, feet are sticking out, but Maria will know for certain that those cannot be her feet even if they are wearing shoes very similar to her own. Maria's feet are still in the box, but the audience? The audience will not know better.

"An incantation that I have mastered!" Twisted Fate places his hand on the box. "Ma ghilana mir din'an. Give her your blessings!"

A sword is lifted from under the table. Undoubtedly with Maria's keen eye, she will notice it's all decorative with no once of sharpness to it. Yet, when he lifts it, he swings it down sharply at the box. It seems to divide in half, and Fate makes a show of turning the bottom half of the box out to show how it's been divided.

Maria shouldn't be feeling any different, however.

[nofury]

Dear Maker. An entire 'magic' trick done by mundane means. She closes her eyes, contemplating the response. Among the common folk, it would have been assurance. But among the wealthy and ignorant? Well.

"Fine spell work. I haven't felt the like since Kinloch Hold."

[wickedchase]

The crowd murmurs among themselves. Some perhaps are taken by the trick, others simply entertained. For Twisted Fate, it's clear he's at least enjoying himself as he continues the theatrics.

"And she speaks still! She knows. Now then -- let's put her back together!"

With a grunt, he aligns the box back together into one piece. Twisted Fate takes in a deep breath, closing his eyes, as if he's concentrating before he knocks on the box three times.

"Release the Templar from your magic!"

Fate swings the box open, holding out his hand to Maria to help her out of the box. She is, of course, whole.

[nofury]

There's no dramatic bowing or the like as she takes his hand and steps out. She's more interested in the reaction of the crowd to 'magic' happening in the area, looking to see if any didn't trust the Inquisition to handle their own.

"You're full of surprises."