"Mister Takahiro."

The dark-haired gentleman bowed deeply to his hosts as they greeted him, the ghost of a smile playing across his lips. Before him, past his hosts, the swirling forms of well-dressed guests could just be spied inside. Behind, the line stretched out, more and more waiting to step inside and join the celebrations. Everyone worth knowing was here or soon to be here, all desiring to wish the Heiress well and to enjoy her hospitality on this evening.

In a way, Souma Takahiro desired just the same.

"Sank you," Clutching a cane of black-lacquered wood to steady himself, he rose to meet his hosts' eyes once more, offering compliments with heavy accent before passing inside.

He certainly looked like just the kind of guest who might be invited to such a Ball, dressed to the heights of western fashion. His dark suit appeared to fit quite well, hair revealed perfectly parted under the derby hat he now removed. The gold-plated chain of a watch could be seen leading to his waistcoat pocket, and even the man's usual walking cane had been traded up for one more in line with western sensibilities. Sure, his heritage was immediately apparent to all he met and spoke with, but that wasn't the point. As a dignitary from Japan, sent by the government to help better understand western culture, it was his [i]job[/i] to fit in as best he could. 

And Takahiro did his job very, very well.

Carefully balancing himself to place his gift upon the ever-growing pile just inside, he proceeded to make his stately way into the crowd itself. Dancing wasn't going to happen with his leg as it was, but charm and tact had never failed Takahiro before. He mingled among the elite with practiced ease, ingratiating himself through a mixture of well-placed compliments and respect duly given.

And they ate it up faster than the horderves offered by dressed-up servants, drank it down faster than the ever-filling glasses each held in one hand. Oh he was a charming fellow indeed, years of practice beguiling the nobles of his own land almost wasted on the crowd around him now. They ate from his hand gladly, enjoying all he offered and leaving satisfied when he moved past. 

And if anyone should wonder why he seemed to remain close to the staircase... why should they? Except perhaps to lament at the chore such a climb would be to him, who must certainly be in awe of all that was around him. Of course he would be curious to tour it further. It was the [i]Winchester[/i] estate after all, who wouldn't be?