"Maker's breath, what am I doing?"

Alex sighed out as she entered the Winter Palace's foyer, nervously wringing her hands as Josephine trailed behind her, nervous but smirking at her. "We're here to stop the assassin from killing Empress Celene, Inquisitor." The Ambassador said, "And… you are doing so quite fashionably, I might say."

Alex huffed as she ran her hands down on her coat, made for her by Vivienne's tailor in Val Royeaux. She was rather uncomfortable in it, as the neckline was cut way too low by her standards, almost to the tops of her breasts, and she could feel every eye on her as she climbed up the stairs. The dress she wore was more Ferelden in fashion than Orlesian, made with Ring Velvet with long sleeves, the deep green fabric shimmering like silk as she moved, its skirt trailing down to the floor. The neckline flared into an ornate collar, embroidered with silver accents. Vivienne had colored her face to make her lips a tad redder, and her eyes seemed brighter green from the tinge of around her eyes. She had even woven green ribbons and threads of emeralds on her hair, which was piled at the top of her head with a few tendrils curling about her face. A choker of emeralds completed her look, her fair skin seemingly becoming whiter against the bauble.

She groaned a little as the men of the ballroom continued to stare at them as they reached the doors of the grand ballroom, and she could see her companions gaping at her, "Really, Josephine, do I look alright? I feel like I look… indecent."

Josephine giggled, "You look perfect, Inquisitor. I must thank Lady Vivienne for the design of this dress. It is most befitting for you as head of the Inquisition. Also…" She nudged her and pointed at a group of people, "This is actually the first time I've seen Cullen's jaw drop, so I must thank her for that."

Alex looked up at the group, only to see Varric, Cullen, Leliana and Vivienne standing near the doors. Vivienne was nodding approvingly, smirking at Cullen's expression, as the man's face had turned red at the sight of her, his mouth opening in shock, his amber eyes wide. Varric chuckled as she neared them, bowing at her, "Inquisitor Trevelyan, don't you look ravishing today."

She smiled down at the dwarf as she curtsied, "Why, thank you, Master Tethras. You look rather dashing as well, though I do miss the sight of your hairy chest, I must say." And he smiled and winked at her, "You'll see it soon enough, Rosy." He looked up at Cullen who was still staring hard at her, and he nudged the former templar, "Well, don't just stand there catching flies with your mouth, Curly! What do you think of our Inquisitor?"

Cullen blinked, before looking down at Varric, who pointed at Alex. She blushed when Cullen looked at her again, and he shook his head as if he was gathering his thoughts, "Ahh… Inquisitor, you look…" He silenced for a bit before he sighed, a look of adoration covering his face again as he smiled at her, "Magnificent."

She heard Josephine let out a small 'eep' of happiness, and Vivienne smiled and nodded. She smiled as she curtsied, "Thank you… Cullen. You look… very handsome as well."

The Commander laughed a little nervously, running a hand at the back of his neck as he blushed, "Thank you, Inquisitor. Though I must say that I don't wear these kind of clothes often. I feel a little… exposed here without my armor on."

"I think you look splendid, and that you should wear those more often." Alex said, biting her lip a little before looking at Leliana, "Where are the others, Leliana?"

The spymaster smiled at her, "Our people are stationed to various areas of the Winter Palace, Inquisitor. They would give you updates if you speak to them." Her eyes narrowed, "They will be introducing us later as well. We must get into the ballroom soon. Cassandra will cover this area. She's making her inspections."

"Alright." Alex said as she breathed in deep, "Keep your eyes peeled, people. I want to know who this assassin is. You all know what's at stake, so make sure that we stop this."

"Understood, Inquisitor." Josephine said, "Bull and Solas are near the banquet, and Dorian and Varric will cover the gardens. Blackwall is by the servant's entrance, and the rest of us will stand guard over the Empress in the grand ballroom."

"You might want to keep your ears open for rumors we could use, Inquisitor. Remember, we are in the middle of the Great Game, so we have to play our best." Leliana said, and she nodded, "Varric, please call Dorian and Cassandra. You'll come with me when I investigate the palace."

The dwarf nodded and headed off, and she headed into the Grand Ballroom with her advisors, taking in the sights of the room. She sighed at the beauty of the palace, but she knew that somewhere around them was a person allied with Corypheus. She snarled a bit as she stood by the stairs that led down to the dance floor, waiting for the Palace Herald to announce their names upon their arrival.

"As much as I share your distain for Orlesian politics, Alexandra, perhaps you should keep your growling at a minimum." She heard Cullen say, and she turned to him as he stood beside her. She chuckled, "I wasn't thinking of my dislike for the Great Game, Cullen. I was merely thinking that such a beautiful palace should not have blood spilt on their carpets."

The commander chuckled, "Blood might have not stained the carpets here, but still, the root of it all comes from here… from nobles battling for their place in the 'Great Game'. But if I might say, you really do look ravishing." She looked up at him to see him smiling down at her, and she felt herself flush, but she grinned at him, "Focus, Cullen. Assassin in the Palace, remember?"

He laughed a little, "Of course, Inquisitor."

"And now presenting: Lady Inquisitor Alexandra Trevelyan, of the Ostwick Circle of Magi." The palace herald called out, and Alex stood in front of the crowd, before doing a curtsy at Empress Celene who was watching her with interested eyes from the ballroom's upper floor, "Vanquisher of the Rebel Mages of Ferelden, Crusher of the vile apostates of the mage underground…"

"What?" Alex blinked incredulously, and she heard Sera say, "He's so full of it, that's not how it went!"

"I know, right?" Varric said from somewhere behind her, and she looked back to see that her Inner Circle had formed a line behind her so that they may bow to Celene when they get introduced, "This guy writes fiction better than I do."

"Champion of the Blessed Andraste herself." The herald continued, and Alex rolled her eyes as Vivienne strolled forward, "Accompanying the Inquisitor: Madame Vivienne, First Enchanter of the Circle of Magi, Enchanter of the Imperial court, mistress of the Duke of Ghislain."

Alex stepped back beside Cullen, who looked at her, "You should be walking towards Empress Celene, Inquisitor." He said, but she shook her head and smiled at him. He blinked when Alex suddenly wrapped her arm around his, just as Bull was getting introduced with the herald saying, "The Iron Bull, leader of the famed mercenary company, Bull's Chargers…as the name might imply."

"I want to see how much of the party we can shock by appearing together." Alex said as Solas was introduced… as her elven serving man, "Besides, I'm pretty sure many of the people here will come after you tonight. So I want to stake my claim."

Cullen laughed a little as Blackwall was introduced with "Warden Blackwall of Val Chevin, constable of the Grey, bearer of the Silverite Wings of Valor." But he tightened his grip on her arm, and smiled proudly at her.

"Renowned author, Varric Tethras." The herald continued again, and they turned their attention to their companions, particularly at the dwarf, "Head of noble House Tethras, Deshyr of Kirkwall to the Dwarven merchant's guild."

"Oh, wait, it's my turn already." She heard Dorian say, who winked wickedly at her before sweeping an arm to his side, making a flamboyant bow, causing Alex to grin, "Lord Dorian Pavus, member of the Circle of Vyrantium, son of Magister Halward Pavus of Asariel."

Cassandra came forward, blushing a bit, as the herald called out, "Seeker Cassandra Allegra Portia Calogera Filomena…"

Alex's eyes widened at Cassandra's name, that the Seeker saw her look and shouted, "GET ON WITH IT!" causing her laugh a bit. Beside her, even Cullen was laughing, hiding his snickers at his palm as he looked at the Seeker.

"…Pentaghast. Fourteenth cousin to the King of Nevarra, nine times removed. Hero of Orlais, Right Hand of the Divine." Cassandra's face flushed as she went forward, but Alex nodded to her reassuringly.

"And her Ladyship, Mai Bhalsych of Korse."

Alex's face split into a wide grin as she tried to stifle her laughter, and from beside her, she heard Cullen groan. Sera made her way in front of them, grinning wickedly at her, and from a distance, she could see Varric, Bull and Blackwall laughing out loudly, their voices thankfully drowned out by the music of the ballroom. The precocious elf made her way to the front as the herald continued to read.

"Ser Cullen Stanton Rutherford of Honnleath!" The man said, and she looked over at Cullen in shock, and he smiled at her as he raised their entwined arms as he led her down the stairs, "Commander of the forces of the Inquisition. Former Knight-Commander of Kirkwall."

She smiled up at him, "Honnleath? Solona once said that there was a golem there."

Cullen chuckled as Leliana got introduced, "I used to play on that golem. Of course, back then, I didn't know what it was. I just thought it was a sculpture or something." He looked around them, "You were right. It looks like everyone is watching us."

"Let them. So that they'll know that the Inquisitor will blast them to bits if they dared approach you." She said, smiling at Varric who was holding two thumbs up at their entrance, as Josephine was finally introduced, the last of her entourage.

The Commander chuckled again as they neared Empress Celene and another person behind her, who had short blond hair and a cream-colored dress, and they stood beside Grand Duke Gaspard, the Empress' cousin, "And if I might say so, Inquisitor, you're rather cute when you're jealous." Cullen whispered as he bowed regally at Celene.

Alex huffed as they bowed at Celene, and the Duke bowed down in front of the Empress, "Cousin. My dear sister."

"Grand Duke. We are always honored when your presence graces our court." Empress Celene, doing a graceful curtsy.

She heard the Duke huff out a breath in exasperation, "Don't waste my time with pleasantries, Celene. We have business to conclude."

"We will meet for the negotiations after we have seen to our guests." Celene said with a tone of finality, that the Duke bowed and moved away before muttering out, "Inquisitor."

Celene turned to her then and smiled, "Lady Inquisitor, we welcome you to the Winter Palace. Allow us to present our cousin, the Grand Duchess of Lydes, without whom this gathering would've been possible."

The woman behind Celene curtsied, "What an unexpected pleasure. I was not aware the Inquisition would be part of our festivities." She smirked as she started to walk away," We would certainly speak later, Inquisitor."

Alex bowed down to them as the Duchess moved away, and Celene returned her attention to her. "Your arrival at court is like a cool wind on a summer's day."

She smiled up at the Empress, "I am delighted to be here, Your Majesty."

"We have heard much of your exploits, Inquisitor. They have made grand tales for long evenings." Celene said again, smiling down at her, "How do you find Halamshiral?"

Alex smiled sincerely as she looked around her, "I have never seen anything to equal the Winter Palace."

The Empress smiled again, pleased with her answer, "We hope you will find time to take in some of its beauty. Feel free to enjoy the pleasures of the ballroom, Inquisitor. We look forward to watching you dance."

Alex and others bowed, but as soon as they turned their backs, she turned her panicked eyes at the man beside her, still holding her arm, "Dance? They want me to dance?"

Cullen looked at her and nodded, "You are expected to, Inquisitor."

She groaned and rubbed her forehead as they walked, but soon Leliana blocked them, "Inquisitor, a word when you have a moment." the spymaster said mysteriously, and she left before Alex could answer. Beside her, Cullen looked at his fellow advisor in confusion before looking at her and shrugging.

"Uh… right. I should talk to her." She said as she looked around the ballroom, "Is everyone in their assigned places? I need frequent updates."

"Yes, Inquisitor." Cullen said, and he pointed at Sera and Vivienne on the other side of the ballroom, and at Josephine, who seemed to be talking to someone nearby. "Our people are spread out across Halamshiral. If you need assistance, we will be here."

"Good." Alex said, and she huffed again, "We need to find that assassin as soon as possible. I don't want anyone to die today, if I can stop it."

"Then perhaps you could use two more pairs of eyes and ears, yes?"

Alex blinked when she heard two pairs of voices behind her, sounding almost alike, and she wheeled around, seeing two men looking exactly alike, except one man had a small mole by his brow. Both were tall and lithe, with square features, straight noses, full, pouty lips, and olive green eyes with dark auburn hair. They both wore black mage coats, embroidered with silver, bearing the insignia of Minrathous. At the sight of shock on her face, the two men laughed in synchronization, both of them sounding alike.

"Hello, sister." The two men, Maxwell and Daylen Trevelyan, said, grinning down at her. "Fancy seeing you here."