Do You Have Time To Talk?

Welcome to the Winter Palace

Inquisitor Cheza Lavellan slowly walked down the stairs of the Grand Ballroom of the Winter Palace of Halamshiral. Her leather boots clicked on the stairs,and she nervously brushed a hand through her platinum blond hair. "Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons,and accompanying him,Lady Inquisitor Lavellan." The announcer's Orlesian voice rang through the softly murmuring ballroom. Cheza lifted her gaze,smoothing her red formal attire subconsciously,though there were no folds or ruffles to smooth. She started her slow descent down the steps,her mouth dry. She was aware of the critical Orlesian gazes on her,taking in and assessing her every move. She kept her head held high,her bright blue eyes set straight in front of her,fixed on Duke Gaspard's back. She felt so awkward here,in the midst of all these graceful nobles,her movements feeling elephantine compared to the carefully thought out steps of the lords and ladies. "Accompanying the Inquisitor,her advisors. Commander Cullen Rutherford,Lady Ambassador Josephine Montilyet,and Lady Leliana Nightingale,Sister of the Chantry,and Left Hand of the Divine." She watched as Cullen moved down the stairs awkwardly. She smiled inwardly at her only male advisor. He seemed so firm and assertive on the outside,as if he was capable,and ready to handle anything. But,when his indomitable guard wasn't surrounding him,Cullen was mostly sweet,and a little bit unsure and flustered at times,which only made him all the more adorable to Cheza. Cullen moved to walk slowly beside her,his hand on the back of his neck,like he always seemed to do when he was embarrassed or unsure. "You're going to be alright,my lady?" He asked in an undertone. Cheza nearly laughed. "Commander,I think it is I who should be asking you that question." She said,a smile spreading across her glossy,full lips. A faint pink spread across Cullen's stubble covered cheeks. Leliana and Josephine seemed more sure of themselves,both of them being culturally Orlesian,though Leliana's mother had been Ferelden by birth. Both carried themselves with an air of dignity and pride,and most of all,of a certain confidence,unshakeable by this place. "Also here representing the Inquisition,Cassandra Allegra Portia Calogera Filomena Pentaghast,seventy-eighth in line for the Throne of Nevarra,and Right Hand of the Divine,and member of the Seekers of Truth." Cassandra also seemed proud and confident,her eyes sweeping the nobility almost arrogantly. "Just get on with it." She snapped irritably in her Nevarran accent,seemingly annoyed by her long introduction. "Altus Dorian of the House of Pavus. And Varric Tethras." The announcer ended the proclamation,almost as if he was getting tired of calling the Inquisition into form. Dorian,ever the critic,surveyed everything,his brown eyes darting back and forth. "Well,I have to say,Orlesian decor is quite the height,but,I say! Some of these fashion choices are questionable at best." He said with his usual air of sarcasm. Cheza gave a little chuckle at the back of her throat at Dorian's take on the palace. "Andraste watch over us all with that boy in the vicinity. Remind me again why we took Dorian?" Cullen said exasperatedly. Cheza reached over to pat Cullen's arm reassuringly. "We'll be fine. Dorian knows when to keep his sharp tongue between his teeth when need be. Besides,I find him rather adorable and amusing." Cullen sighed. "You find him..adorable?" He asked cautiously. Cheza immediately dropped her hand to Cullen's and squeezed gently. "You know I don't think of Dorian in that way. Besides,I really don't think he even has a thing for women,he likes Iron Bull more than anyone." Cullen looked at Cheza gratefully. "Thank you,Inquisitor." He said sincerely. After what seemed like an eternity,the whole party reached the end of the hall with Duke Gaspard,where Empress Celene waited on the balcony overlooking the floor. The Inquisition bowed deeply to the Empress. "We are pleased that you have accepted us so happily into the Winter Palace. It is a delight and an honour to be here." Cheza said,raising her head to look at the Empress. She ha d to say,Celene was quite impressive. She wore a blue dress,with gold embroidery,and a golden fan of some type of metal on her back,almost looking like a peacock. "We are delighted to have the Inquisition among our company as well. I believe you will serve as quite the stir in the nobility." Empress Celene answered in her heavy Orlesian accent. Cheza had positively been sweating during the whole encounter. She sighed after the party had turned,and proceeded up the steps to their left,up to the vestibule. "Now that that's over with,perhaps we may actually be able to relax now." Varric said cynically. "Varric,you know as long as we're here,we'll never be able to relax until Celene's assassin is dead." Cheza hissed under her breath. Varric held out his rough palms. "Okay,I'm sorry. I was kidding." He said,turning to go and talk to a group of nobles. Cassandra stood by a banister,seeming almost nervous,her gaze shifting from person to person,and only speaking curtly to anyone,and refusing offers to dance. Cheza turned from Cassandra's ridiculous antics. At least Dorian didn't seem to be having too bad of a time,talking amiably with a few nobles. Leliana,of course was scrutinizing women's fashion carefully. She found that aspect of Leliana quite cute,actually. She could be all serious one moment,and the next be cooing over someone's dress,or especially shoes. Josephine was with another young woman whom Cheza didn't recognize,but the two seemed to be in quite close relations. Cheza found herself relaxing more and more,though she knew what was at stake at this ball. She couldn't allow Empress Celene to die,at any cost. She wandered around the Grand Ballroom,accepting praise and occasionally starting a small conversation. Cullen was standing over by a table,many men and women near him,almost tailing him obsessively. She walked smoothly over to Cullen. "Gathered a group of admirers,haven't we,Commander?" She joked. Cullen sighed. "I'd rather I didn't,actually. They won't stop with their petty questions,and they're rather ridiculous." He answered quietly. "Now,darling,we'll have to learn to put up with this type of thing." She scolded gently. Cullen blushed at the fact that she'd called him 'darling.' "Cullen,would you consider saving me a dance?" She asked shyly. She didn't know why,but having all these Orlesian women around Cullen constantly made an odd feeling of jealousy and protectiveness swell within her chest,and she wanted to prove to these fluttering Orlesian ladies that Cullen would choose her over one of them any day. "No,perhaps some other time." Cullen said,then realizing Cheza was quite hurt by his answer,stammered quickly,"I mean,yes,of course! Maker's breath,I've been asked that question so many times,I'm automatically rejecting the offer. But,though Templars don't dance,I'll think about it." He reassure her. Cheza nodded,still a little hurt by the fact he'd initially said no,but went out into the Guest Garden with a slight smile turning up the corners of her lips.