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

[wickedchase]

"I know of that name because I know of the hobbit. Most of us for awhile thought he was a shorter dwarf than usual." The elf lets out an amused snort as he raises a glass of wine to his lips. "We don't have hobbits here. Though I imagine if we did, Thedas would be a little more charming for it."

More than he will say, he's fond of Samwise. He's refreshingly straight-forward and sweet. This man, it seems, takes habit in protecting himself. The shock is clear, and Fate knows the practice of a person trying to act otherwise.

He can empathize.

"Though as much as I would enjoy discussing him, I'm more interested in potentially chatting about Galadriel. If you wish it, in any case."

[thelastking]

The elf's comment about the halfling won a slight smile from Aragorn. After spending so many years guarding the borders of the Shire from Sauron and his minions, he also came to appreciate the little folk from afar. He could see why the Grey Wizard was so fond of them. Unlike like other inhabitants of Middle-Earth, the hobbits live a much simpler life freed from the conflicts that brew afar. Nestled comfortably within the grove of their Shire, halflings have no need for grand adventurers and dangerous exploits. They're kind folk; small with big hearts.

Aragorn's smile faded someone when the topic shifted back to Galadriel. "There's much to be said about her...incarceration." He muttered quietly enough for the elf's ears only. "I know naught of the reason behind it but I'm quite displeased." There's a hint of anger in his tone, just a smidgen. "The reason behind her arrest is lost to me but I know she has done no wrong." Aragorn fell silent when a guest drew near. He glanced towards the noblewoman and gave her a curt nod before daring to continue once she stepped away.

"The Inquisition is putting up airs for the sake of funding, yes? Then I wonder how their esteemed guests will take to hearing about this injustice."

Guess who's interested in sabotaging this god awful soiree?

[wickedchase]

"I had inquired with Seeker Pentaghast regarding it. All I was informed is that there was a reason, and to accept that. I don't doubt she has one, but I suspect it has more to do with what Galadriel is than anything else." He can hear the anger well enough; Fate is not close to her, but there are angry elves and he can only imagine how many tears Samwise has shed by now.

Twisted Fate loops his arm around Aragorn's, inviting himself so that they can walk and speak without looking too suspicious. It's an overly friendly gesture perhaps, but Fate isn't concerned about Aragorn's personal space right now.

"I would exercise caution in that idea. I don't know what regard elves have where you're from, but I assure you how little Orlesians will care that there is one in the dungeon." He shakes his head. "There are other ways to fight this than to hurt the Inquisition. I understand that desire but sadly for now the Inquisition is generally more of a help than it is a hamper. What you may wish to do is perhaps speak with our Dalish? Beginning with Cyril Ashara."

[thelastking]

The sudden gesture did win a curious glance from Aragorn but the man played along. He could sense that eyes were upon them. "You mean to say all in this realm view Elvenkind with such disregard?" He asked sounding a little disgusted with that. "I hail from a realm where Man and Elf hardly meet but none are enslaved or battered by men." Aragorn said pointedly.

Once the elf spoke of Cyril, Aragorn couldn't help but smile somewhat. "I met him briefly." He replied quietly as he recalled how he came to meet Cyril Ashara. "It was the eve of Galadriel's capture when I met Cyril. He is friends with her and showed great concern Galadriel's well-being, much like yourself." The ranger gave the elf before him a quick look over saying more.

"Who are you? If you're friend to Sam, then you are friend to me."

[wickedchase]

The disgust in Aragorn's voice is a pleasant surprise. It's hardly to say that Fate thinks all humans ignore their plights, but he didn't quite expect to know what Aragorn's world was like. Sam's softness is from his people, not of the land -- that much he can realize. Beyond that, he doesn't know much.

"Most do," he answers eventually. "Elves were enslaved in the past by many humans in Tevinter, and some still are to this day. Others are servants with little else choice. The Dalish live in the woods and pretend they're better than everyone else." He smiles faintly. "Suppose if you desired a history lesson at some point, I'd give you a run down of it. Everyone has their version, but I like to think I keep it fairly objective."

Cyril, of course. He should have known the two have already met by now concerning what's happening. "More than me, truthfully. I have an interest to Galadriel not being in prison for many reasons. It hits closer to home for the other elves, Cyril included. Her presence makes them yearn for the days lost to the People. She's like a living legend to them." Adorable, really, but that's not important right now.

He removes his mask and bows his head a little. "I go by Twisted Fate."

[thelastking]

Stories of Men enslaving others aren't quite unheard of in Middle-Earth but the thought of these these Men enslaving Elves was rather preposterous. Just the thought alone honestly earned his scorn and Aragorn doesn't know what to say about it. If anything, he's honestly suffering under a case of culture shock for the most part. Thedas was eerily similar to Middle-Earth but only in the sense that if all the 'good' were to leave Arda, it would become as cold and vile as Thedas. Try as he might to keep an impartial view about Thedas and its many cultures, Aragorn was quickly coming to dislike it.

"If you offer to give me a broader view about Thedas, then I greatly welcome it." The ranger said in a hushed whisper. "There's much about this world I do not know, I admit." He fell silent once the masked elf went further into detail regarding his interest in Galadriel. Aragorn could sympathize with the Dalish's fondness for Galadriel. The Lady of Light is a source of inspiration and sometimes fear. Not many were privileged to look upon her nevertheless meet her, so Aragorn can understand why the Elves of Clan Ashara were so keen about her. All the more reason for her to be freed from her cell. This insult ran deep within the blood of Elvenkind.

"Twisted Fate?" A slight smirk appeared upon his lips. "Interesting alias."