Truth or Dare: Side Party for Servants and Scoundrels

[faderifting]

WHO: Anyone!
WHAT: A party for people who might scare the nobility, are deathly afraid of chandeliers, or fled the soiree with cheeses hidden in their clothes and need to make a clean getaway.
WHEN: During (and after) the soiree.
WHERE: The valley beyond Skyhold.
NOTES: Drinking, revelry. People might make out or something. We're not responsible for your actions.

The soiree might be fun, if you're into that sort of thing, but that isn't what it's for. It's for impressing the powerful and opening their pockets—and, necessarily, some people aren't invited. In some cases that's personal. In others, it's just understood. When they're done helping to set up, most of the servants and workers who aren't needed to serve make themselves scarce. The usual trickle of refugees to and from the fortress slows. Some people used to sleeping in the stables may find their "beds" occupied by nobles' horses or the rooms they had been squatting in cleaned and prepared for someone else to stay in.

There's no resentment. (Or at least very little.) That's how these things go. And in the valley outside the fortress' walls, there are foot soldiers and refugees and a number of miscellaneous exiles who welcome the company with large fires, cheap but freely flowing alcohol, and whatever music can be wrung out of instruments exposed to such low temperatures. The crowd thins and dwindles as the night wears on, but even after the last person has left the Great Hall in Skyhold, there's still a sizable gathering near the river with no intention of going to sleep before sunrise.

No masks allowed.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

He's not... exactly sure about being here. The threat of repercussions from the Wardens might not carry weight down here the way it does up in Skyhold, and he doesn't exactly feel a need to party. The last time he'd had a very lovely dance with someone who now, deservedly, hates him. It's not the best memory.

But Nate's convinced him that sitting in a camp that's otherwise mostly empty, alone except for the judgmental voice in his head isn't healthy, so he's here. Tense, certainly, a little on the outskirts rather than in the main mix, but he's present. And, perhaps surprisingly to those who didn't know him before Kirkwall, dressed up. And willing to dance and talk, though singing might take some persuasion and more than a single drink isn't likely to happen.

ruby | open

[eviscerates]

Ruby's never been big on the fancy parties.
She'd longed to see what they were like, Before, of course. Sort of like how she longed for adventure and magic and seeing the world, for thrills and adrenaline and escaping danger. Brushing shoulders with nobility had been part of that. Somehow or other she'd gotten all those things, and not a single one of them had ever really taken away that painful pang of guilt and disgust. Forgiving yourself wasn't easy. Sometimes it just kept going on and on, unravelling and occasionally getting all knotted up and tangled.

Honestly, she might not have been at this party, either, but she and Emma sleep in the barn, and suddenly the barn is a lot more occupied than it used to be. Nobles horses and their servants and... whatever, really, it's pretty much fine because she's here at a different party, and Emma's around somewhere, and for a little while she can maybe just be Ruby instead of being Red who was on a council to help govern a kingdom, and the Wolf who helped win battles.

She's wearing her standard fare, sans her cloak until its gets too cool to do without it. Odds are she'll accept any offers for a dance, serve up and offer drinks, and enjoy sitting by the fire for a while, here and there.

[arachnophobe]

Alejandro never had any intent of attending the fancy-ass party they have going on in the main hall, but the little something-something they have for everyone else. It's kind of a nice distraction from the rest of the shit that's been going on, anyway. Plus, hey, he needed a little distraction from the designs he's trying to make for Zevran and his little crow-lings.

For now, the blacksmith is sitting and drinking, not wearing anything even remotely fancy. His prosthetic is still on, so he has that going for him.

[pinprick]

Nathaniel is still in dress uniform from his brief appearance at the soirée. As a fiddler begins a tune, he reaches for Anders' hand to pull him into a dance.

[issala]

Who the hell wants to party with a bunch of stuck-up nobles when you can have parties like this? Kas is enjoying himself a bit more than the First Day party, drinking some ale and nibbling on the food provided. he might even have a cicil conversation with you if you're not antagonizing him!

While he isn't wearing the scout uniform for once, he's still rocking the green in a warm tunic and simple breeches with high boots.

At the end of the night he's rather drunk, which is probably not a good thing for his headache problem tomorrow. Still, he's having fun tonight, and his laughter is contagious.

[justice_is_blond]

"What, I don't even get some sort of bow first? Or asked? You're just going to haul me in like someone entirely uncultured?" The questions are delivered with an imperious arc of the eyebrow... and a smile as he takes Nate's hand. The man could get away with just about anything where Anders is concerned - he's a true friend, and he makes it easier for Anders to remember who he once was.

"I suppose I'll allow it this once. I'll even let you take the lead."

[pinprick]

A huff that resembles a laugh. "You bow after you're on the dance floor, you fool," he says fondly. "Like this."

Now that they're in place and facing each other, Nathaniel bows gracefully.

[justice_is_blond]

This is what comes of only reading about dances and never actually being to a formal one. His smile gets very wry as Nate corrects him and bows; of course Nathaniel Howe would know the specifics of how to dance.

"That was a test. Don't ask of what, because I've not thought that lie through enough yet." He bows back, and it's not nearly as graceful. One might (correctly) think that he's never bowed before. "And don't ask me to curtsy. I'd fall on my face."

[pinprick]

"You're attired for it."

But now they're dancing and there is no need. It's a simple country dance, at least, one Anders can pick up on quickly.

[justice_is_blond]

"Yes, well. Someone here has to be pretty. Imagine how everyone here would feel if all of the pretty people were up at the main event furthering their causes." It's not a comfortable thought when the main face of the Loyalists is up there. There's no clock ticking on mage freedom, but there's still work to be done when several would much rather let many suffer so they can surround themselves in luxury.

The smile's slipped from his face and it's entirely his own fault. Even with Nate around, focusing on the present and what he can do is still a challenge. He tries to breathe as he falls into steps that are distantly familiar, following the lead he's given.

[pinprick]

All the pretty people are up at the main event, someone here has to be pretty.

"What a charming dance partner you make," Nathaniel says dryly, just a little hurt.

[justice_is_blond]

At first he thinks Nate's talking about the 'furthering their causes' bit, and then he clues in. Anders shakes his head.

"Please. You don't count as pretty. Because you'd fall under handsome. There's quite the difference. Plus you've something trying to eat your lower lip, so that automatically disqualifies you from anything related to pretty."

emma swan ❀ open!

[dreamcatcher]

Emma isn't sure she really belongs at a dance right now. Red was insistent, though, and maybe a distraction will be good for her. Good for both of them, and Emma's pretty sure if she sat it out Ruby would sit it out with her, and she doesn't want her friend to be trapped in the barn just for her sake. So she's begrudingly at the dance for those not quite cut out for the soiree, and... Okay, she's enjoying it more than she thought she would.

She's dressed simply — new from what she usually wears yet far from fancy. Still, it fits her quite well and she's allowed a little bit of finery in the braids she tied her long hair up in. It's messy because she doesn't have all the product she's used to, yet the flowers studded through blonde give it a festive touch, thanks to the blossoms Red had supplied her with.

Emma spends time at the bar, and enjoying the food. It's nice to not worry too much about a meal for once. And, though she does not make an enormous point of wanting to dance, anyone brave enough to ask her? She's better at dancing than one might expect.

[pinprick]

Nathaniel gives him a squinty eye.

"Should I add you to the list of people who think I look like an arsehole with this?"

[aintwejust]

Business with those up on the hill, foods and a few bottles tucked into his pockets and secreted back down the hill, Mal settles in for the real fun. He'd tweaked a few noses, sure. Made a small fuss over small things that needed fuss'n- danced a bit. Down here? These are his folk. Honest folk what do honest work and don't much need fancy clothes or wine or food to have a good time. The music's good, the ale's watery but that's ale, and the dancing?

He knows all the steps, don't have to worry about offending nobody. When he's not talk'n? He's drink'n. When he's not drink'n? He's danc'n. Man, woman, child, dwarf, elf, Vashoth- don't much care who he's good for a reel or five.

[justice_is_blond]

Oh, the things he could say. Oh, the glorious, teasing, blush-inducing things he could say... but won't, because they're in public. Anders reaches up and pokes the little patch of hair, smiling again.

"No. Please recall I just called you handsome. Though that's not to say arseholes can't be handsome. I've certainly appreciated a few in my day."

And let Nate translate that how he will.

[pinprick]

"You know, I can't hit mages, so we'll have to arrange something I can do to put you in your place when you say things like that."

[justice_is_blond]

"I've heard it said that a good way to shut me up is to kiss me." He's never heard that said. He's heard it said that a good way to shut him up is to punch him. There is, unfortunately, a difference.

"Why would you give into violent urges when you could give into something else entirely?" Nate will never not be his favorite teasing target.

[pinprick]

"To give in, there would have to be temptation. I've a better idea."

The dance is over. Nathaniel bends to scoop up a handful of snow, keeping Anders in his sight the entire time.

[aintwejust]

The music's kicked up to something he knows pretty well- something that needs someone roughly his own height (so no little ones standing on his boots) and skill (so no one what's too drunk even if he's a bit loose and easy his own self). Blonde woman near one side had seemed to know what she was about so Mal didn't blink at swinging over, swooping into a deep, fanciful bow in mockery of the bullshit go'n on up in the Keep, and a smirk. "Mind tak'n a turn 'round the way wit me?"

[justice_is_blond]

"I'm wounded."

He takes a slow step off to the side, grinning, scooping up some snow as well and making sure they're clear of the dance floor. He'll not be a disruption if he can help it.

[pinprick]

Instead of throwing, Nathaniel slips up quickly to Anders and tries to stuff the snow down the back of his shirt.

[justice_is_blond]

That's not what he expects from an archer. A guy who uses swords, certainly. Nathaniel? No. And while Anders has certainly done his fair share of wrestling before, it's always been with his life or freedom or both on the line so he has no preparation for this. Anders winds up sputtering as snow is shoved into his robes, doing the best he can to shove some right back down Nathaniel's jacket.

"Ice. When you sleep," he manages. "So much ice."

[pinprick]

A hiss as some of the snow meets skin, but Warden uniforms don't open that much at the top, so it doesn't really go down his clothes.

"Herc said a great many interpersonal conflicts ought to be solved by a good snowball fight."

...Shit. Herc. Nathaniel deflates and looks away, suddenly somber.

[justice_is_blond]

His gasping reaction to the snow slipping farther down and his own failure at revenge is cut off by Nate's words. Anders looks down too.

"I wish I had anything to say to that." Not the comment, but to where both of their minds have gone. Some might think it a comfort that they hadn't found Herc's body, that the man was likely a prisoner, but in Anders' eyes imprisonment is far worse.

"Has Erimond proven useful at all yet?"