[ It's always very cute when she blushes. He'll keep that thought to himself as she leads the pair of them into the masquerade. The cowl is definitely staying useful as it blocks out most of the fancy decor from his peripheral vision, but the delicate elegance of the party is still hard to wipe from mind entirely. ]

I'm not nervous. [ He fibs pointlessly. She can feel his jitters just as much as he can. ] Much.

[ He swallows, carefully pushing the hood off his head when they reach the foot of the stairs. ]

You're kind of the first person I've ever been on a date with and I... [Spotting someone carrying around a tray of hors d'oeuvres and flutes of champagne, he cuts himself off. ] I'm babbling. Do you want a drink?