faderift | Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I'd be delighted to."

Cade receives a similar curtsy in turn, though if he expects her to wait and be lead demurely out onto the floor, he'll find her matching him stride for stride instead. She's happy to be the source of grounding, some sense of surety, no matter how overwhelming the proceedings might be.

He'll be fine. She's here. That's simply how it is.

Though normally he would expect such behavior, and her boldness surprises him, he doesn't have a problem with it. He smiles, a bit uncertainly, then takes her hands in his to begin.

Despite all his flaws, Cade is a very competent dancer. He leads well, has a good sense of rhythm, and actually seems to enjoy it to some degree. He doesn't speak much in the meantime, but his silence is unusually pleasant.

Sometimes, conversation isn't necessary. She's perfectly happy to dance in silence, listening to the music and moving in rhythm with the other dancers, her red skirts flaring as they turn and sway. It gives her time to observe the usually solemn young man.

Seeing him a little less burdened always seems a relief. Particularly if it's due to something she's done. Poor boy should have never been one of them, she thinks to herself, though continuing to smile as they dance.

How many kind boys do they break under their wheels?

The dance goes off without a hitch, and seems over barely after it began. As the dancers slow to a halt and applaud the musicians, Cade turns to bow to Mia again.
"Thank you," he says to the ground, then straightens to look at her again, as bashfully as he did at the beginning. Now that the distraction is over, he's back to gnawing at himself.

"Tell me, have you had a chance to look over the deserts? I've heard there's one I should stay away from..."

Without missing a beat, Mia guides them back towards the table laden with refreshments. Even if Cade falters, she can easily lead the way, and provide some measure of comfortable conversation. It's a party, after all. He should be trying to enjoy himself while he's able.

Cade's mind is successfully diverted. "...is there?" he asks, and glances over the table. He hasn't been over here yet-- like many people of more timid dispositions, he has an intrinsic fear of eating where other people can see him. But still. ....desserts.

Well, now he'll have a shield between him and any onlookers. She's well aware of his sweet tooth, indulging it whenever she can, and she gestures to the treats on the far end of the table.

"So I've heard. I believe the one coated in gold dust." She picks up another one, with what looks like pink lace on the top but may actually be frosting of some kind.

"Shall we tempt fate?"

The game is enough to bring a small smile to Cade's face, and he reaches down to delicately pick up one of the gold-dusted cakes. "All right," he agrees, and sheepishly lifts it as though in a toast.

Well, someone's being brave. With a similar motion, she takes a bite out of the little appetizer.

She's not sure what she expected, perhaps something overly sweet and light, but there's a...a sparkliness to it. She's not sure how to describe it, save that it seems tart and sweet but not too much of either. There's a considering hum as she stares down at it.

"Well, that's not so terrible."

It's not that Cade isn't brave, in his own way-- there are just certain situations in which the bravery has been crushed out of him. But cake is not among them.
He gives the gold-dusted confection a sniff first, then puts it in his mouth, intoning an intrigued "hmm!" as he chews. His reaction is favorable enough, and once he's finished, he smirks mildly. "Worth the risk," he decides, surreptitiously sneaking another. "You should try one."

"Truly? I'd been warned against them. What does it taste like, then?"

She's not quite done with hers, taking another nibble but eyeing the display with a rather intrigued look at this point. Of course, there's bound to be one or two that don't agree with some people, but she's loath to admit how good this really is.

A fluke, perhaps. She'll try another in a moment.

"It's chocolate," Cade answers before he's finished chewing, but then quickly swallows to be more proper. "...perhaps they don't like the dust. It's a bit spicy." But in a good way, as far as he's concerned.

Spicy chocolate? She's not sure what to think of that. But Cade seems to be enjoying himself, and Mia smiles before nodding and finishing the rest of hers.

"Then I suppose I must give it a try, then. The pink ones are very interesting. Light and fruity, but tart. If that is to your taste at all."

It's the new fad from Par Vollen, not that he knows that. ...or anyone who isn't in charge of the party or fancy enough to ask about it, most likely.
"Let's see," he says, and reaches for the plate closer to Mia so he can pick up a little pink one. It must have taken ages to make this, and he almost feels terrible about wanting to eat it.
But then he does anyway. Deliberating while he chews, he nods to Mia in the affirmative. Yeah, pretty good.

Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

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