+ Where Do Your Loyalties Lie? +

[vitaelamorte]

Who: Everyone
Where: The party
When: 7/21-7/23
Rating: PG-13 (warn if you go higher)
Summary:
The Story:
Orlais' current ruler, Lacie, has invited anyone of name, fame, and influence to The Winter Palace for three days of extravagant festivities surrounding the peace talks between her and Tillie, whose grasp for the throne has plunged beautiful Orlais into a dreadful civil war. Unbeknownst to both a third player, Elsie, has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to obtain her own share of power over the land.

Get ready for three days of fancy food, fine drink, good music, good entertainment, and just a little bit of murder, maybe? Your character has secured an invitation, and will join the illustrious crowd, become privy to the latest scandals and gossip, and observe as the struggle for Orlais' throne reaches its final chapter.

[OOC: This is an open mingle log for the Dragon Age event. The plotting post can be found here and event details can be found on the Bulletin Board.]

Comments

[mypartnerintime]

Maxine follows that rippling trail in the water, nodding in agreement. The palace is certainly not subtle- the people within it, however...

Well. It's a very mixed bag. One Maxine finds herself very lost in, whenever she's not extremely careful.

Like now. She tries not to let her mild nervousness show.

"Yes," she replies, a smile brightening her face. "It was a little rushed but I finished it on time. Events like these need the proper... commemoration."

And of course, in the painting, it's Lacie that remains in charge.

[mucked]

"Something tangible. Physical, I suppose. Because rumours and memories don't make for great commemorative items."

But more of them fly around the Winter Palace by the hour. Margaret wonders, then, whether there isn't a kind of power in committing believe to paint. In lending an authenticity to the regime simply by finishing a portrait. And she wonders whether the artist knows just how powerful she could be.

"Even so. It must be exhausting standing there and fielding everyone's comments all night. Is that why you came out here? To get away from it?"

[mypartnerintime]

"Anyone can start a rumor," she adds. Let the implied opposite end sink in- that not everyone can make a painting. The proud sentiment doesn't come naturally to Maxine, and the response comes a little too quick and too flat.

She knows very well the significance of her paintings. Let Tillie have the soldiers and the wars. Lacie chose art. Maxine wouldn't even know how to paint if it wasn't for her patrons' funds... A flash of guilt crosses her expression, gone in a split second.

"...It's likely for the same reason as you. Softer music." The response comes cautiously, almost turning the question back on Margaret. "As far as the painting goes, I think the statement's been made."

[mucked]

"Likely, hm?"

She queries the noncommittal nature of the word. But she does it with a smile and a laugh and a girlish tip of her chin. It's less like catching Maxine out and more like sharing in her uncertainty -- like a wink, acknowledging the play-acting between them.

"And what a statement you've made. I won't be surprised if the whole thing ends up in a place of some prominence in the palace." A pause. "But I doubt you need me to tell you that."

[mypartnerintime]

"..."

Maxine looks at Margaret with mild worry. She's starting to feel a little trapped here- and this, this whole talking with layers upon layers, it's exactly the sort of thing she dislikes about these events.

From the moment Margaret surprised her at the fountain, Maxine has felt like the conversation has slowly tilted more and more away from her comfort zone.

"I can hope," she finally says, nodding with a brief smile. She brings her mask up and begins tying it back on, both to help hide her expression and to give her something to do with her hands.

[mucked]

"I think you can do more than hope." She counters -- gently enough, however. "Any artist with a successful commission from the throne should be able to write herself into any comfort she'd like. Provided she knows how to market herself."

[mypartnerintime]

"Well, it-..." She pauses, as though considering the words that almost left her mouth. Her voice drops somewhat, the pleasantness giving way to sincerity. "It's not that simple."

She quickly adds, "Don't be mistaken. I think I live a far more comfortable life than most other people. And I believe what I do is important." She finishes tying her mask with a sharp tug of the threads. "...I enjoy painting."