[It's not a very effusive statement, but he's never been overly fond of parties. There are times when the distraction they provide is useful, when he can lose himself in the noise and chaos and music and stop thinking for awhile, but in general, there's something almost claustrophobic about parties, something that makes him feel small and threatened. Too often, there's something forced in the way people enjoy parties, the way they push themselves to go all out, to make themselves have fun at all costs. He no longer has the energy for that, if he ever did. It's hard to remember what things had been like before.
He takes a drag on his cigarette, realizes a few seconds later that it might be polite to offer her one, holds out his cigarette case to her, unable to avoid letting his eyes sweep over her, maybe in some form of silent assessment, maybe simply as a means of appreciating her appearance. It's hard to tell. There's something odd in his face, a combination of being completely guarded and painfully open at the same time. He shrugs.]
I'm here on business.
[That's an explanation, of a sort. A reason why he might not be enjoying the party, although he would never admit he wasn't enjoying it. An explanation for why he's here, at least. Rude as he can be, unthinking and hurtful as he's been accused of being, he'd been taught some manners.]
no subject
[It's not a very effusive statement, but he's never been overly fond of parties. There are times when the distraction they provide is useful, when he can lose himself in the noise and chaos and music and stop thinking for awhile, but in general, there's something almost claustrophobic about parties, something that makes him feel small and threatened. Too often, there's something forced in the way people enjoy parties, the way they push themselves to go all out, to make themselves have fun at all costs. He no longer has the energy for that, if he ever did. It's hard to remember what things had been like before.
He takes a drag on his cigarette, realizes a few seconds later that it might be polite to offer her one, holds out his cigarette case to her, unable to avoid letting his eyes sweep over her, maybe in some form of silent assessment, maybe simply as a means of appreciating her appearance. It's hard to tell. There's something odd in his face, a combination of being completely guarded and painfully open at the same time. He shrugs.]
I'm here on business.
[That's an explanation, of a sort. A reason why he might not be enjoying the party, although he would never admit he wasn't enjoying it. An explanation for why he's here, at least. Rude as he can be, unthinking and hurtful as he's been accused of being, he'd been taught some manners.]