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

[metaari]

Sorry, the Qunari you are trying to reach is unavailable. Please try again later.

Metaari finds himself staring in silence for probably too long before he finally coughs and shakes his head, snapping himself out of it. He knows he's used the word beautiful to describe Merrick before, but this time, he's downright "Breathtaking." He pauses and grins, more than a little sheepish. He hadn't actually meant to say the word out loud.

The reaction makes him laugh though and he steps forward, bowing slightly at the waist as he presents the flower. "Well, I had considered a bottle of wine, but then thought we might not have ever made it to the actual event." Although looking at Merrick now like this, he has to wonder if his own self control will manage to hold on.

[dalishious]

It's already a bit overwhelming. This kind of thing, this romantic shit? It's for other people, not for Merrick. He'd never imagined he'd ever experience it. His face heats up a little more and he ducks his head, embarrassed, but hr takes the flower and holds it almost reverently.

Where should he put it? He doesn't exactly have a vase around. He settles on tucking it into his lapel, where it's a pop of color against the all the black.

He looks up and manages to give Metaari a crooked smile. "Shall we go to where the wine is, then?"

[metaari]

Actual perfection. Warmth floods Metaari, a deep fondness, and he can't help it if it happens to shine in his eyes as he gives Merrick an approving nod. "That may be the best suggestion I've heard so far tonight."

Metaari turns to face the door and he glances over his shoulder as he holds out his arm, offering it for Merrick to take. "Let's go give those nobles something to gossip about."

[dalishious]

Merrick moves to Metaari's side and takes his arm. His heart is beating so quickly it's making him faint, but it also sends the alcohol straight to his brain, colliding with adrenaline and dizzying. He holds on as much to steady himself as he just wants to be close to Metaari, the only person he'd trust to take him into the fray. He wonders why entering a crowded hall is far more difficult a prospect to him than taking down a dragon.

Still, it's his first date, and damn if he wasn't going to try to enjoy it.

[metaari]

It feels... way nicer than it reasonably should to have Merrick take his arm. He had been fairly certain the elf would have shoved at him and grumbled about him being an embarrassment, but here they are, arm in arm, heading off to a soiree held by a bunch of humans with too much to prove to each other. Sure, Merrick may have been a little drunk already, but semantics. This was bound to be a good time, right?

He smiles faintly down at the top of Merrick's head as they make their way through the crowd heading into the party, and he can't help but let out a low whistle as they step inside. "Well, they certainly didn't pull any punches, did they."

[dalishious]

If Metaari is watching Merrick's face, he'll see surprise and wonder, followed by frustration at that surprise and wonder.

"Dumb humans. All this for a party?" He gripes, but can't completely hide how impressed he is.

[metaari]

"Well, there are an unfortunate number of dignitaries to impress. We have to look like we don't need their support while also desperately vying for their support."

Metaari grins a little as he glances down at Merrick, unwinding their arms so that he can spin the elf around to face him. He tilts his head toward the crowd and raises an eyebrow. "Food and drink or a trip around the dance floor?"

[dalishious]

"Drink," Merrick insists immediately. "Drink now."

He's so nervous he looks almost petrified, but he's far too stubborn to call this off. So (more) alcohol it is.

[metaari]

"So long as I needn't carry you out by the end of the night." Metaari smiles and turns, leading Merrick over toward the table with the impressive spread. It's easier for him to part the crowd, though he imagines Merrick would have been able to get over even easier on his own, weaving in and out of the people without being noticed.

He picks up two glasses of wine from a passing waiter as they finally near the table laden with food and he hands one over. "To a fine evening."

[dalishious]

"To a night with you," Merrick replies. Because while he's certain Cyril and Beleth would have dragged him along to the party with them otherwise, he only stands a chance at actually enjoying it with Metaari by his side.

He clinks their glasses together then downs his in one gulp.

[metaari]

"And a long one I'm sure it will be." Metaari casts Merrick a wink before he raises his glass to his lips, though he takes only a sip from his own. He's never been much of a wine drinker, but even he can tell that maybe that's just because he's never had one like this. What an improvement from the watered down swill of a cheap tavern.

He eventually turns slightly, lifting a hand to lightly brush his knuckles down Merrick's jaw. "You do look... absolutely stunning, Merrick. I can't stop looking at you."

[dalishious]

Merrick has a good buzz going now, so he half-smiles easily, taking Metaari's hand in both of his.

"Then don't," he replies cheekily.

[metaari]

That earns Merrick a grin and Metaari tilts his head, leaning down just a little. "I've certainly no plans to."

He's very nearly leaned over enough to drop a kiss to the top of Merrick's head when he hears a high-pitched giggle to his side. Metaari blinks and casts his gaze sideways, raising an eyebrow at the young noble woman standing there, tittering behind her hand. He straightens up and turns toward her a little, a slight hesitation in the movement. "Ah-- may I help you, madam?"

The question earns another giggle and Metaari shifts a little under the intensity of her stare as her eyes roam up and down. "Oh, I'm sure you could," she finally says with another giggle before she turns her head aside as if embarrassed by her own words.

[dalishious]

It's a testament to how far Merrick has come in terms of self-control that he doesn't shove the woman away right then and there. Instead he looks incredulously at her, his lips forming a tight line.

He doesn't speak, but he moves his body slightly closer to Metaari's.

[metaari]

Metaari glances down toward Merrick with a faint grin as he feels that shift, and he moves an arm to put it around the elf's waist, resting his hand against his hip. "In that case, what may I do for you?"

The woman casts a scathing glance toward Merrick, her eyes trailing to the hand at his waist, and she schools her look almost as quickly as it comes across her. She shakes her head and turns fully to the side with all the affectations of a shy school girl without any of the actually being one. "Oh, no, I really shouldn't say. It isn't very polite, after all, and I am not nearly so into my drink as to freely ask."

Then why bring it up, Metaari thinks, though he manages to bite his tongue on the question.

[dalishious]

"Have some more to drink then," Merrick supplies helpfully. He's past being confused and grumpy and is now profoundly irritated. Could she not see they were here together?

She probably can, he realizes with a sinking feeling. It's just that he's an elf, he's probably just there as a distraction, he couldn't possibly be involved in something serious.

[metaari]

"I would," she croons, though there's a coldness to her voice that immediately makes Metaari's hand on Merrick tighten, just in case, "but the help carrying the drinks seem to have disappeared. Be a dear and fetch them for me, will you?"

Yep. Yep, he's just going to step forward here and tuck Merrick behind him because a vision flashes through his head of claws going to the noble's face and that's probably the last thing they need right now. "My lady," he says, his voice slightly louder, and definitely firmer. "You should speak your intentions freely. I insist, and swear that there won't be any judgment on your actions from us."

[dalishious]

It's for the best, because anger burns in Merrick's throat more than any alcohol. He wants to just walk away, but that would look like he was going to follow this woman's order and he'd honestly rather die.

His fingers close around Metaari's sleeve instead, clutching, and he can't resist a snort at the last part of his sentence.

[metaari]

Metaari glances over his shoulder briefly at the snort and, thankfully, it didn't seem like the woman had noticed it. She was distracted anyway, her gaze slowly sizing Metaari up, before her eyes finally land on his horns and don't stray. A sense of familiarity washes over Metaari and he very nearly groans; he can almost predict what's coming.

"Oh, where are my manners. I am Odette Charbonnier, sister to Bernadette Charbonnier. We were invited very specifically by those who organized this little soiree." She pauses, as though waiting for the meaning of that to sink it, and it does: this is someone in particular the upper echelon wanted to impress. Great.

When she holds out a hand Metaari has to check a sigh before he reaches out to take a hold of it, leaning over to brush his lips across her knuckles before righting himself again. "I am Metaari. This is Merrick, of Clan Ashara." Metaari leaves his own pause, lets the woman have a moment to realize that he isn't here as a servant. If she's listened enough tonight, she should at least know the clan is as much a part of the Inquisition as anyone else. "Now, what can I do for you, Lady Charbonnier? There is clearly something you would like to ask for." And get on with it, you're interrupting their date.

[dalishious]

As Metaari introduces them Merrick walks back out from his date's shadow, and he folds his arms tight against his chest and tries not to look like he's planning imminent murder. Because he is.

He's also protective, though, squaring his shoulders as if he can look anything as intimidating as his partner. He may be viewed by nobles as lower than a cockroach, but Qunari don't get much better. Indeed, the noblewoman (Merrick has already forgotten her name) seems to see Metaari as some kind of exotic animal. Which ain't gonna fly.

His lip curls as Metaari kisses her hand. Try not to think of murder. Try not to think of murder.

[metaari]

There's another giggle from Odette as she pulls her hand away to fan herself and she finally steps a little closer, almost to the point of making Metaari want to take a step away. A little too in his personal space, to be perfectly frank. At this point, he wants to do whatever he can to get this encounter to end.

She gestures for him to be closer and he hesitates for a moment before finally leaning down so that he can hear her as she drops her voice. "I would very much," she starts, a hand resting on his shoulder, "like to touch your horns."

Metaari's eyes pop open slightly and he glances sideways toward Merrick, reaching a hand out to grip his wrist. Please don't kill the noblewoman, Merrick. "Oh, is that all?"

[dalishious]

The large hand around his wrist keeps Merrick from just turning and snapping at her to go away. Instead he turns his head away, biting his lip and fuming.

This is pathetic. He hates sucking up to these people. He hates her hand on Metaari's shoulder. He wants to leave.

[metaari]

The woman very nearly squeals in delight as Metaar tilts his head so that she can reach the top of it. Her fingers start at his scalp and trail along the full curve, stopping short of the sharp points at the ends. She delights in poking her finger against one carefully. The motions get repeated a few more times before she finally pulls her hands away with a giggle. "This Inquisition has such lovely followers. You are all making this evening delightful. I will find you again before this evening is through, Metaari." There's a brief curtsy before the woman turns and, thankfully, trots away.

Metaari lets out a breath and straightens himself up, his face falling flat as his ability to keep a pleasant gaze finally fails him. He watches her leave, making sure she's well and truly gone, before he finally turns toward Merrick with a faint grin. "I'm proud of you. Look at her, running off without a single injury."

[dalishious]

Merrick is tense, quietly fuming, and is strangely silent for a moment. Then he grabs Metaari's lapel and yanks him down (which is practically bending him in half) to capture his lips in a possessive kiss.

One of his eyes opens during the act, checking to see if any nobles are watching. He sees Odette do a double take and smirks against Metaari's lips.

[metaari]

Metaari grunts slightly as he's yanked down and he braces himself for the kiss. Amusement sparks through him and he takes it just a step further, wrapping his arms around Merrick's waist so he can lift him up as he straightens himself back up. Even after he finally breaks off the kiss he still holds Merrick against him in the air, a grin on his face. "She see it?"