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

[tactical_alert]

His anger normally is a quiet, subtle lash more suited to the Left Hand, but this man has offended his sensibilities and made his skin absolutely crawl. Even if it weren't for the damned touching, ignoring any and all sense of decorum and personal space (of which he requires quite a bit), there's just something off about the man.

He manages a tight smile, ghostly on thin lips, as the Comte lets his hand slide from Malcolm's elbow. "My apologies. One never knows when urgent business arises." He'll even give a slight tilt of his head that is nothing like a bow but at least more polite than simply walking off.

Though when he does walk off, his expression slides back into bright-eyed, unsettled disgust. "What a repugnant creature. I dare to suggest he wasn't even invited and simply rode in on someone else's coattails." There's a ripple of relief on his features at his fellow Seekers. "Thank you for your timely aid. That could have gotten...messy."

[stabsbooks]

Cassandra remains where she is, watching closely as Aleron comes to Malcolm's rescue - there is no other word for it - and returns. The Comte shoots her a look, baffled and perhaps slightly resentful, and she smiles thinly and inclines her head in reply.

They are close enough for Cassandra to hear (and, thankfully, out of the Comte's earshot) before Malcolm starts complaining, and she raises an eyebrow, shifting to allow them both to join her safely against the wall.

"He is like that with everyone," she says quietly, with a dark look. "Too many men are. You must learn to shut them down firmly before they can begin."