James loved social gatherings. They're loud. They're busy. There's always someone he can chat with. He can act stupid and someone will laugh. There's always someone that catches his eye. That stands out in the crowd… or rather not.

It was a blink-of-an-eye moment; James might have thought he was mad if it hadn't happened a few times. A girl in a dress keeping her distance from everyone. Blending in but keeping an eye out for anyone, really.

One moment in the middle of a crowd; the next in the back of the room.

And normally, he'd chase. Friendly, of course. Not in some creepy way—just try to be smooth. Get a good first impression. Make a move, maybe. But James couldn't shake the feeling that it would not be the right move. Somehow. He doesn't even know you but he knows somehow.

He's not that daft, thank you very much.

So the moment you snuck away from the crowd to some balcony James had apparently missed when he came to the house, he went up too. Followed you, if you will. Again, not in some creepy way—

"Can I help you?" you asked, pulling James out of his line of thought before he could even reach the window that led to the balcony.

Merlin's Beard, he seemed to have totally missed the fact that there was another set of stairs past said window that gave you a full view of who was coming up. Including James.

So he stood a little straighter, cleared his throat, before running a hand through his hair, making it stick all out of place.

"No, no, that's not necessary," he replied, quite casually. Although he's pretty sure he can hear his heartbeat in his ears. "Mind if I sit with you?" he asked, gesturing to the stairs you were sitting on.