He'd been making the rounds of the 'expected' parties since well before Christmas. Seeing and being seen with, and by, the right people. Making connections, maintaining important business relationships. And getting heartily sick of the artificiality of it all. He'd been invited to at least a good dozen parties this evening, and was expected to make an appearance at at least three of them. He didn't bother sending his regrets.
Traffic out of the city hadn't been too bad, and he had plenty of time to head to his room to change before making is way downstairs to the party. He'd had his wings strapped down for the drive, and it was good to flex them and change into something less restrictive. He'd even managed to put something together that suited the theme Kitty had chosen for the party - he'd hate to disappoint her by coming inappropriately attired.
It wasn't elaborate, but it amused him and he smoothed his hands over the front of the carefully tailored red silk shirt he wore before adjusting the elegant red leather mask with two small, curving horns arching up from the temples. Combined with the snowy expanse of his wings arching up behind him he was rather pleased with the effect.
He surveyed the crowd in the gym from the door, smiling at the variety of masks, and even costumes on display. This was one of the few places he truly relaxed and let his guard down with other people present, and he flexed his wings then pulled them in a bit closer as he made his way across the room to where he'd spotted Jean-Paul holding up a wall, glass in hand.
"Not ringing in the new year in the city?" he inquired as he stopped next to him, turning so he could watch the students and other adults mingling and talking and dancing. It was good to see so many of them enjoying themselves.