Dorian had, oddly enough, been left by and large alone here. Resplendent though he was, he wore the trappings of Tevinter on his sleeve, and after a very quietly snide exchange with some older noblewoman that Josephine would likely sigh over him sassing, Dorian had taken to perching on the edge of proceedings with a glass of wine that he was re-filling all on his own from a bottle pilfered from an unattended selection. He heard the mutterings, oh yes, the thinly-veiled insults thrown the Inquisitor's way, about everything from his heritage to his trappings (and that certainly got Dorian's hackles up), to the company that he kept. He bristles to hear what they're saying about Varric, and about Bull, particularly when they get patronizing about the brutish way they expect qunari to be. Nevermind that once, he might have held the same opinions. But minds could be changed after all, when they're willing.
He's been pointedly shooting back at any and every question or comment that comes his way about the Inquisition, and if it weren't for him wanting to preserve their good name here, he might have let himself get deep in his cups and actually start something about it.
He doesn't say any of this to Sen though. When the other comes to check in with him, Dorian simply smiles, picking himself up to face him more fully.
"It's been a fascinating venture," he replies dryly. "Have you tried eating anything yet? Do try the ham, tastes of despair."
His voice lowers, and he leans a touch closer. "You're doing wonderfully, amatus. I daresay you'll have them eating out of your hands by the end of the night."
"I've been avoiding the food for the most part. My concern is the taste of despair being literal poison. Perhaps not to kill but I definitely do not want to be running to the bathroom all night," Sen said with a casual shrug. He would not put it past any of the nobles here in their grand game to sink to poisoning someone.
Thankfully, they're both out of earshot of others that Sen could lean in more conspiratorially. He can't help but smirk at the idea of what others might think they're talking about. Still, they were on a mission right now. "It's amazing what a few dance lessons can do for one's reputation. Not to mention perhaps going into places I shouldn't be," he has to repress a snicker. Oh the dirt he found.
"Actually, I did get a few compliments from one of the Dowagers'. She said she liked how my face was painted and I absolutely have to tell her where I got such pigments. She even not so subtley said she'd have to steal the person who did it for me."
"Honestly you're probably better off. I barely trust the wine." He raises his glass, and takes another swallow. Clearly he trusts it enough to continue to imbibe, at least.
There are enough people that are doing the exact same thing, to whatever end, that Sen and Dorian's conversation doesn't look particularly odd from the outside. They may be here on a mission, but they don't have to act so terribly serious and attract anyone's attention. To that end, Dorian's hand comes to light against the other's side, a terribly familiar gesture that he's determined would be a suitable distraction from the more serious things that they may be accused of. At least if someone is to believe they're planning some sort of illicit tryst, they could gossip about that rather than the more nefarious plots that they're actively trying to prevent.
Dorian gestures off down a side path away from the meandering ball attendees, keeping his posture only semi-formal at best. He can't help but chuckle at the commentary of the Dowagers. "Oh, is that so? I'd rather think you wouldn't give me up so easily," he jokes. "As much as I would rather not talk business in the here and now, if she does indeed wish to find out what I use, perhaps a trade agreement could be made. To the benefit of myself and the Inquisition as a whole, I'm sure."
The remark on the wine all but makes him purse his lips in concern. The last thing he wanted was for Dorian to die of some poison, which would definitely put a damper on the night. He can't help but fidget a bit, a hand idly going up to one of his blond strands to play at it. Better to look nervous now when Dorian's frame was blocking him from view of others than on the dance floor.
He's brought back to earth as he curves into Dorian's body with their hand on his waist. "Don't worry, I kept my lips sealed. Teased it a bit that she should go to Josephine. She'll be sure to stir the dowager your way a bit later in the night. Though Josephine did ask me to be sure you did one thing before she would," Sen says, looking as he were leaning up to give the man a kiss.
Instead, though his hand goes overtop the wine glass and push it down. "She told me ask you to cut down on the wine. Can't have a drunken trade agreement after all," Sen said with a bit of a smirk.
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no subject
He's been pointedly shooting back at any and every question or comment that comes his way about the Inquisition, and if it weren't for him wanting to preserve their good name here, he might have let himself get deep in his cups and actually start something about it.
He doesn't say any of this to Sen though. When the other comes to check in with him, Dorian simply smiles, picking himself up to face him more fully.
"It's been a fascinating venture," he replies dryly. "Have you tried eating anything yet? Do try the ham, tastes of despair."
His voice lowers, and he leans a touch closer. "You're doing wonderfully, amatus. I daresay you'll have them eating out of your hands by the end of the night."
no subject
Thankfully, they're both out of earshot of others that Sen could lean in more conspiratorially. He can't help but smirk at the idea of what others might think they're talking about. Still, they were on a mission right now. "It's amazing what a few dance lessons can do for one's reputation. Not to mention perhaps going into places I shouldn't be," he has to repress a snicker. Oh the dirt he found.
"Actually, I did get a few compliments from one of the Dowagers'. She said she liked how my face was painted and I absolutely have to tell her where I got such pigments. She even not so subtley said she'd have to steal the person who did it for me."
no subject
There are enough people that are doing the exact same thing, to whatever end, that Sen and Dorian's conversation doesn't look particularly odd from the outside. They may be here on a mission, but they don't have to act so terribly serious and attract anyone's attention. To that end, Dorian's hand comes to light against the other's side, a terribly familiar gesture that he's determined would be a suitable distraction from the more serious things that they may be accused of. At least if someone is to believe they're planning some sort of illicit tryst, they could gossip about that rather than the more nefarious plots that they're actively trying to prevent.
Dorian gestures off down a side path away from the meandering ball attendees, keeping his posture only semi-formal at best. He can't help but chuckle at the commentary of the Dowagers. "Oh, is that so? I'd rather think you wouldn't give me up so easily," he jokes. "As much as I would rather not talk business in the here and now, if she does indeed wish to find out what I use, perhaps a trade agreement could be made. To the benefit of myself and the Inquisition as a whole, I'm sure."
no subject
He's brought back to earth as he curves into Dorian's body with their hand on his waist. "Don't worry, I kept my lips sealed. Teased it a bit that she should go to Josephine. She'll be sure to stir the dowager your way a bit later in the night. Though Josephine did ask me to be sure you did one thing before she would," Sen says, looking as he were leaning up to give the man a kiss.
Instead, though his hand goes overtop the wine glass and push it down. "She told me ask you to cut down on the wine. Can't have a drunken trade agreement after all," Sen said with a bit of a smirk.