Dorian "miscast in role as murderer" Pavus (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tevinteriscoming) wrote2016-08-31 09:38 pm
tevinteriscoming) wrote2016-08-31 09:38 pm
A Party
[ The party you've found yourself at can only be a gathering of the Minrathous upper echelon - the guests are beautiful, wealthy, decked in gold and silks and possibly drunkenly summoning demons. It's a warm but mild summer night, and it would be impossible to think of wasting it. The guests are all gathered on the pavilion of the grand estate, with its balconies overlooking the sea, and past that, the shore, stark with glittering golden lights illuminating its ancient spires. The air is heavy with the smell of sea salt and perfume, and the wine is plenty.
Dorian can be found with a glass near the balcony, dressed in rich dark velvets that make it clear his normal manner of dress is his travelling attire, enjoying the cool breeze blowing off the bay. He's speaking to a serious looking young man, though there's another man standing beside him, tall and tanned with handsome features, a casual hand pressed against Dorian's arm in an expression of easy intimacy. It gets a few glances, but nothing more, and Dorian ignores it in favor of laughing at one of his own jokes.]
Are those ice cubes in your glass? What a shameful display. I can't imagine how one must have been raised to behave so deplorably at one's own party. [He turns to the man beside him.] Amatus, would you be a darling and check in on our esteemed host for me? I should like to know how long I have to get Felix suitably drunk before I'm to be scolded.
[He gives the man by his side a peck on the cheek before they part, before he turns his attention back to Felix.]
Dorian can be found with a glass near the balcony, dressed in rich dark velvets that make it clear his normal manner of dress is his travelling attire, enjoying the cool breeze blowing off the bay. He's speaking to a serious looking young man, though there's another man standing beside him, tall and tanned with handsome features, a casual hand pressed against Dorian's arm in an expression of easy intimacy. It gets a few glances, but nothing more, and Dorian ignores it in favor of laughing at one of his own jokes.]
Are those ice cubes in your glass? What a shameful display. I can't imagine how one must have been raised to behave so deplorably at one's own party. [He turns to the man beside him.] Amatus, would you be a darling and check in on our esteemed host for me? I should like to know how long I have to get Felix suitably drunk before I'm to be scolded.
[He gives the man by his side a peck on the cheek before they part, before he turns his attention back to Felix.]
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He grabs a glass of wine for himself and Grell (this is met with some shock, but no one's really going to pick a fight with the 600lb. Qunari in the middle of a party). He offers it to her like a gentleman.]
Come on, we better start mingling.
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which means it doesn't matter how many odd looks they get, nor how many eyebrows raise when she takes the wine from him with a soft thanks. she might be able to blend a little better due to not being gray and huge, but that she's willingly associating with him is enough to be damning by association since she's a stranger. almost like home, then, and she hasn't forgotten how to move around a room like this.]
How do we borrow him away from that one?
[she means Felix, and intentionally, she lets her gaze linger on Dorian more than is socially tasteful, not bothering to hide it. he's probably used to being watched, but she's noting things - the ease in his posture, the style of his clothes - adding them up to conclusions.]
I suppose we can't simply waltz up and declare "hello, we've come from a reality where your life is at stake if you don't wake up," and thus steal him away for a little chat.
[mingling is more careful maneuvering to get closer. to observe, and strike when the iron was hot - or at least, when he's unoccupied.]
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On the other hand, when a slightly older man whose face might seem familiar stops and says something concerned to Dorian and his companion, he puts a hand up, waving the concern as though it was nothing, and approaches from across the room, smiling as though they're old friends. It would appear to any guest by the way he approaches that he knew Grell and had invited her, but he drops the pretense immediately when he reaches them. His smile is still friendly, but there's a hint of warning to it.]
Well, well. Someone knows how to make an entrance. If you court any more scandal I'll suspect you're trying to show me up. Who do I have the pleasure of addressing? And whom may I thank for inviting someone who knows how to shake up a dull affair?
[Checking to see whether she knows the host's name; he's not entirely certain about her purpose here. He doesn't actually bother to say anything to Bull - he assumes he's a bodyguard of some sort.]
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Done this before. They tend not to react all that well when you try and pull that. Have to be slightly more gentle than all that. Lots of potential fire hazards in here too.
[Honestly bodyguard is a pretty generous assumption considering where they are, but Bull's still not really going to accept it, sorry. Inspiring even more scandal by speaking to him directly.]
The Iron Bull.
[He'll let Grell introduce herself. She is a modern, independent lady.]
Magister Alexius' place isn't exactly like I imagined, you know. Saw him as more of a skulls and candles kind of guy. Some weird dragon statues and shit. Maybe that's just the feeling I get from every magister's decorating sense though.
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but they don't have to fret since he's coming to them, and she keeps her expression calm, amused by all the goings on even as she wants to tell him immediately what's wrong.]
Grell Sutcliffe. It's a pleasure.
[for a half second, she almost wants to say it's Dorian himself who invited her, if only to see his reaction.]
If I name my sources, it will spoil part of it all. Isn't it more exciting to think of someone who appears unannounced? It keeps everyone guessing.
[blah blah blah the heroine and her aura of mystery. something like that.]
But truth be told, I have a difficulty imagining you agreeing to go anywhere dull, Dorian.
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Magister Alexius, yes. The Lady Alexius, I'm sorry to say, does not share his decorating tastes. Still, you ought to see his study.
[Now Grell, on the other hand, was exactly what he was expecting her to be, and he's delighted. Anyone who would bring a qunari (one that talks) to a party must be, at least, fun, and she has not failed to disappoint. He laughs at her comment.]
Typically, No. If it isn't likely to inspire somber next day reflections on the morals of our youth, do not bother attending. But I admit I have a damned fondness for our hosts. I should hate for anyone to do anything to upset Felix's celebration. And tragically, some are less fond of guessing games than I.
Lady Sutcliffe, then? Would that be Fereldan? And then where does your companion hale from, I wonder?
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[Is he joking? It's certainly said like he's joking. Is it at all safe for a Qunari to make a crack like that in the middle of Tevinter and isn't Bull supposed to be smart. For what it's worth, as a distraction tactic from his hilarious joke, he crosses his arms specifically to make his dumb shirt strain at the seams. Try and ignore this.]
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[the fact that Bull is throwing him off his guard - and by speaking drawing yet more shocked glances - is all she needs to move and verify whatever he's saying, regardless of whether she understands it or not. the more they can endear Dorian to themselves, the more receptive he'll be for their conversation.]
But out of respect to you and young Felix, I suppose we can postpone the more dangerous aspects that were planned for this evening. Of course, if my dear friend agrees?
[somehow she thinks mentioning friendship can only help their case.]
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It takes him a few seconds, before he bursts into laughter. He might not know any more about why they're here, but does he care? Does he really, just because his father had whispered a few words of concern to him? Not particularly.]
If your aim is to bring party secrets to the good people of Par Vollen, you've come to the right place to start. I doubt your friend the Ariqun is ready for the truly sordid details. But who am I to stand in the way of such a lofty goal.
[He bends to press a kiss to Grell's hand; a pleasantry, but more importantly, a means to signal to the guests that these two are welcome, so rather necessary to gain admittance.]
Whatever your business, do avoid interrupting the dancing and if you must assassinate someone, try for someone unpleasant. I highly recommend Magister Calvisius, he's been monopolizing the brandy all evening.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I see I'm being called away on urgent business. [By which he means the handsome man from earlier has caught his eye; he'll flit off to go talk to him.]
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Bull just raises his eyebrow at Dorian's handsome dream boyfriend, but doesn't say anything. Simply leaning over to Grell, gently putting a hand on her back to guide her through the crowd to try and follow in Dorian's wake without being TOO obvious they're stalking him. Kind of hard when you're Bull's height but he's surprisingly good at it. They are certainly being given their space.]
You know, I think we have to wreck this party. Just saying. You know how much he likes drama.
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[already she can think of a few whose actions she could copy and sow discord through. and while publicly killing someone would be a very swift way to ruin things, she'd prefer to save that for when it has the most impact.]
Let's have a little fun with it.
[and with that declaration, she pulls away from him to give him some space as well as drift off to see who'd be the braver souls to approach them. there's politeness, sure, but for now she decides to take a cue from the ruder of their friends, including laughing loudly and obviously when someone asks her for a dance as well as answering questions in a frank style that would make Jack proud. implying that one person said this about another, another spoke on a third's mother - they're moves that would sow discord if she was back in London, and as long as she can turn them against each other, then the dream tensions will rise. agitation, irritation, and enough lack of manners to be noticed and derided. poisoning the very air.
worst comes to it, they could always start a mock fight in the middle of the room between the two of them.]
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At any rate, as you make your way around the party, you'll note many of the guests seem to be talking about - who else - Dorian. Some are talking about how good he looks, or that scandalous (but persuasive) speech he gave at the debate the other day, or seething with obvious jealousy. They aren't interested in many other topics, apparently. It's Dorian's fantasy; why would they be?
You may spot Dorian's father talking to another man who will look even more familiar to Bull - they're discussing how far Dorian has come, how well matched he is with Rilenius, how he's finally growing into the man he was always supposed to be.]