It hadn't taken long for Jory to extract himself from his friends and take his leave from the party. It'd been fun, for the most part. He'd meet a few new faces, gotten out and socialized. He'd even gotten a New Years kiss, if you could count a lick to the cheek as a kiss. But as the cheering had quieted, and the last bars of Auld Lang Syne faded away to be replaced by conversation once again the boil had decided it was time to make his exit. Crowds could be rather draining, and if Jory were honest he was a little disappointed that a certain someone hadn't shown up. So he'd polite extracted himself from Chaya's firm grip on his arm, and he'd said his good byes before making his way out of the auditorium and back to the dorms.

It was a lot quieter outside, and the afanc drew in the cold air air, holding it in his lungs for a few long seconds before releasing it in a cloud of swirling mist. He liked the quiet, it was soothing. He even liked the cold, to an extent. It was familiar, reminded him of home.

Cramming his hands deep into his pockets, Jory headed back for the dorms. Bare feet and over long jeans leaving odd prints in the snow. Now that he was alone he couldn't help wondering where Natalia was. If she was home, or off at another party, with another friend. Friend. He frowned, finding the word not quite adequate for what had seemed to blossom between them. There was a pause in his pace as he waited for an appropriate word to spring forth, but nothing did, and with a small sigh he started walking again.

When he reached the dorms he had to walk right past Natalia's room to get to his own just down the hall, and of course he slowed as he neared it, gaze intent upon the door as he slunk past and kept walking. He'd actually reached for the his own door knob before stopping and glancing back down the hall. Maybe she was in? Maybe...

With a frown he doubled back and found himself standing in front of the monster ghoul's door, one hand raised in a loose fist. Maybe she was in, but what if she was asleep? Or worst, what if she was out? Doubts and second thoughts kept him rooted to the spot for over a minute, but finally he knocked. Rapping gently against her door.

shia bean