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

[demonicbeauty]

"Oh, I highly doubt you're supposed to understand," she said, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

As the music came to an end and the courtiers clapped politely, Ariadne took a step back. She curtsied to Norrington, and started to chew on her lower lip. "There was a song back home. How did it go?"

For all of her birdlike qualities, all the jokes made at her expense, Ariadne did sing as sweetly as a meadowlark.

"The light in your eyes is my heart’s bane
One look from you and I go insane
You’re the beginning and the end of my pain
Now that I’ve seen you

Each word you say sends my heart reeling
The unfair cards that life keeps dealing
Mean I can’t escape this feeling
There is nothing I can do..."

[judgemewhole]

"Hmm, perhaps." He laughed quietly there, before he clapped as well as the song ended. He blinked as she began to sing, and the others around her looked on with faint surprise.

Yet, as her voice went on, there were delighted noises and more clapping. Norrington himself was impressed, and it showed.

[demonicbeauty]

Ariadne cut herself off short, as soon as she realized that she'd gotten the attention of others beside Norrington. She certainly hadn't meant to make a spectacle of herself. Bashfully, she ducked her head, letting a few errant curls fall over her face, as if she could hide behind them.

"I apologize," she said softly to Norrington. "I'm afraid I come from a society where it's not all that strange to burst into song when the mood strikes."

[judgemewhole]

Norrington waved one hand, his expression softening even more. "It is of no trouble. Your voice is quite lovely, my Lady. You should consider singing more in public."

[demonicbeauty]

It was an exciting notion. Ariadne knew about minstrels and actors and traveling players. There was something romantic and enviable about their lives. But minstrels and actors and traveling players made a living off of drawing attention to themselves.

She was a spy.

"In my next lifetime, maybe," she said, shrugging one shoulder. "When there's a world that has a place and a need for that kind of thing."