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

[ombranera]

"Little bird." Zevran sweeps in between one song in the next, cape flaring behind him as he bows with a flourish. "Shall we show these canaries what it means to fly?"

[girlinthebox]

Without hesitation, her fingers twine with his, though her eyes shift to those around them. "They all sit in gilded cages. Singing sweetly. They pretend to like them. It's all they've ever known."

She appears to be in a more reflective mood than usual, even as they arrange themselves on the dance floor, cold beneath her feet.

"They're the symptom. Won't be safe if they ever stop singing."

[ombranera]

"So long as they sing we know the air is safe to breathe." Though how much longer that might be, who could say? Should they all stop singing entirely they were either dead or gone, and likely the Inquisition would be swift to follow.

Morbid thoughts for a dance. He tugs her out to the floor, light and airy.

[girlinthebox]

Morbid thoughts thread through as regularly as any other. The world was warped and twisted and strange, but little lines of bright and beauty ran through it as well. Paper butterflies in silver and gold, a veritable field of flowers swaying to the music, and two birds dancing in the sunlight above them.

They glide, smooth as feathers in the breeze, sleek and glimmering. It's not the dance they normally practice, but her movements are every bit as precise, a secret smile at the corner of her lips.