faderift | 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

"No harm done. I've been known to make an assumption or two myself," He replied, agreeably, allowing himself to be led away from the wall and past the dancefloor, loose sleeves trailing over Bethany's arm, linked in his, "Hm yes, she was... A very confident woman, wasn't she?"

No one likes having a bite taken out of them-- or at least not without permission.

"Since you've rescued me from certain doom, may I ask your name?"

"Oh, confident is one word I would use." Bethany's lips quirked up with at the corners of her mouth. "She knows what she wants, I will give her that. And she clearly has good taste - if not less subtle methods than even me."

She grinned, and then dipped down in a faint curtsy. "Lady Bethany Hawke, of House Amell. Grey Warden, as well. Might I have the pleasure of your name, Not Brother?"

"Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, of the Jedi Order," He replies, with a nodding sketch of a polite bow, "At your service, Warden Hawke."

He's met at least one Warden who told him titles weren't permitted. And then there was this woman, with her trailing qualifications, and her lovely eyes and rosy dimples. There were rules, and then there were rules, Obi-Wan suspected, and likely the only ones truly unbreakable were the ones involved in the actual execution of duty. A little flexibility did an organization good, for longevity.

"...And, to anticipate your question: yes, I am a Rifter."

"Now that is a mouthful." Bethany grinned, dimpling again, "At your own, Master Kenobi."

Titles aren't, but Bethany is a second daughter and a third born, so she didn't stand to inherit anything important. Her sister kept her in funds for books, and some finery, but nothing else. It was easy to be flexible over someone wasn't important.

"Oh are you? Well, what kind of world do you come from? Magic, or no magic?"

"There are some who call the Force magic, but given what I've seen of mages, I doubt very much that they're the same."

For example, fire from your fingertips? That's not healthy, right there. Obi-Wan might have his demons, but they're only metaphors for the many mistakes in his past and difficulties in his future, not literal demons.

"At any rate, I find we're..." Tactfully, he pauses, then forges ahead, "...a little more technological, than here. It both complicates and simplifies a great many things."

"Well ... there is a kind of Force magic - I should know, I'm a Force Mage." She flashed him a dimpled smile, "However, you're probably right. What we do is vastly different."

For example, no one would let a mage wander around with a light sword. That right there would have the templars carving you up to pieces.

Her dimples flashed once more. "No worries, Master Kenobi. I'm from Fereldan - I'm used to people thinking I'm from a backwater."

"Really," Obi-Wan said, surprised, and more than a little intrigued, "Perhaps we should make a comparison, sometime. If you're available."

They were all busy, of course, even a Rifter could find himself drafted into the labors of various workforces and unskilled labour-- at least, for a little while, until the telltale twinkle of a green shard gave them away. Something about it made them nervous. But, Obi-Wan didn't confuse his own relative lack of employment as if it were the usual mode. Surely Bethany had duties of her own to fulfill, native to this world as she was, after all.

"I think it could be quite educational."

"Yes, really." She grinned at the surprised look on his face, but then it was her turn to be startled by the suggestion. Curiosity grabbed hold of her then, and she pressed her lips together.

"I ... believe that can be arranged, if you are willing to travel down to the Warden Camp, at some point. I shall be pleased to walk you through my spells, if you can show me your abilities in kind. I would be fascinated to know what the differences and similarities are."

"I fear the Jedi arts won't be nearly as impressive as what I suspect you can do, but I'd be happy to offer the comparison-- in the interest of, scientific research, of course."

It'll all be very academic and not about showing off at all. At all. Is an example of a lie.

"It's only fair, after all. When you look at it from a certain angle, you have just saved me from an evening of torture."

"Nonsense - whatever these Jedi abilities are, you're clearly highly respected for them. I look forward to seeing what you can do." A flash of dimples. "For science, naturally."

Clearly he's not showing. Clearly she's not letting him.

"I did, didn't I? That makes me a hero all over again." And her smile widens.

Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

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