shorthalt:

I feel like the best way to get a feel for a character is looking at how they act at a large fancy party. Like, do they like the music? Are they hugging the walls? Working the crowd? What’s their status their? Are they going to people or are people going to them? How many dance requests is Too Many? How IS their dancing? Are they a good conversationalist? What happens if they drink a little too much? What are they wearing, how do they feel about it, and why are they wearing it? Do they seem eager to talk to people, or do they need a couple minutes to themself every once in a while to recharge? Do they show up early and leave late? Are they being forced to attend? Actually–how did they get an invitation in the first place, if they even did?

Studying how a character acts at a social event gives you a very good clue as to who they really are.