( john always feels particularly out-of-place in gatherings like this. he has never been at home in large crowds, though the previous feeling of vague social discomfort has heightened to an actual mental pressure which presses in on his thoughts as added weight on the door to Knowing in his mind. it takes active effort to keep it all shut out. so, mentally encumbered and physically constrained by one of his more formal outfits that he keeps for just such an occasion, he looks tired, distracted, and somewhat frumpy despite the (rather half-baked) efforts he had gone through to appear at least somewhat respectable.

absolutely not the right type of proper company for a princess of twilight, but he just so happened to have been standing nearby at her question.

he hadn't been actively participating in any of the surrounding conversations either, but they tended to be caught in his mental sieve regardless — one scarcely needed to try to eavesdrop when there was an eldritch creature bent on amassing all knowledge spiritually entangled with their shard. rumors of the situation in alenroux, in the changing political climate in springstar... there's much to consider, and he presently does not have the wherewithal, so he is more than happy to focus on the distraction that was proffered conversation. )

Yes... It gives off quite a garish impression, doesn't it? Very nearly overbearing...

( the moonlit shade of highstorm is much more to his personal liking as well, though considering he'd spent the vast majority of his last few years back home sequestered within the Archives in the basement of his place of work... )

Yours is an unfamiliar face. Welcome to Highstorm, then — I assume that it is far more to your liking?