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

[make_my_mark]

"Indeed," the nobleman guffawed. But before he could follow up, he suddenly looked away and then back with a shake of his head. "If you will excuse me, I must speak with my dear friend, the Duke."

As, as simply as that, before either of them could speak, he was gone.

Lara blinked, then shook her head, and turned to her rescuer with a bemused smile.

"Thank you."

[aintwejust]

Well.

That coulda gone worse. Went pretty good, all told.

"Glad to help. Malcolm Reynolds." He offers her a hand- his not shiny one.

[make_my_mark]

She met his hand with hers and gave it a shake.

"Lara." She glanced at the noblemna's retreating back, then turned again to Malcolm. "Is it always like this?"

[aintwejust]

"With the fancy folk? Nah. Usually they're worse, ain't quite so good humored when it comes to people that don't bleed blue. Best you can do is smile and make 'em feel like they're being asses. Sometimes it makes 'em swing but- that's what I'm here for. I'm told I have a mighty punchable face." And he don't much mind taking a few hits for a lady.

[make_my_mark]

Lara took a moment to eye him speculatively, eyes moving over said face.

"Punchable..." her eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure, but interesting. Especially here." She touched her nose.

It looked like his had taken a punch or two.

[aintwejust]

"Well you get headbutted by an Avaar a few times, it does stuff to your face." Mal snorted a soft laugh, patting his nose easily. "Makes me look all rugged and whatnot."

[make_my_mark]

"It's only worth it if you get some sort of scar out of it," she mused jokingly. "That's what they say, isn't it?"

It was at least what she told herself whenever she picked up a new one, with that same, uncertain humor.