<strong>Lilith, Arriving at the Bar with Victor, Watching the other Arriving Patrons</strong><br/><br/>“I see,” Lilith said. “You find stability of more importance than chaos. Hence, choosing to remain in one place, rather than travel. I understand.” The blonde woman nodded, quite seriously. “Order is much preferable to chaos. It’s harder to predict the outcome of events when variables are less controllable.”<br/><br/>“I’ve been few places in my life,” Lilith said. “There’s been very few reasons to leave my father’s …<em>my</em>estate.” She paused at that, briefly. “The estate has excellent scientific facilities and a library, as well as a working hydroponic farm for providing sustenance. With my clockwork androids, I have little reason to leave.” She gave Victor a curious look. “Where have you travelled to? And did the travel help you accomplish your goals, I hope?”<br/><br/>Arriving at the bar, Lilith awkwardly took a seat. She looked at the man behind the bar, who wore a mask. “Greetings, good sir,” she said. “I require 700 milliliters of a red wine, preferably aged approximately nine years. If possible, the grapes should have been cultivated from the southern regions of France. I require this to best optimize my pleasure centers, based on my current body chemistry.”<br/><br/>Lilith looked over at Victor. “I would provide you with a beverage as well, not to mention further conversation, if you like. But I do not wish to interfere with your new duties. If it’s permissible, it would be acceptable if you stayed with me. But I understand if imbibing alcohol while on duty is prohibited, as well as extended social engagements with guests. I give you permission to approach and converse with me socially when you’re off-duty, if that happens to be the case.”<br/><br/>Awkwardly, Lilith looked around the room. The bar was starting to fill with a large variety of people … it made her uncomfortable, to be honest. She impatiently wondered where her android Omega was. She preferred the androids to people. The androids were predictable, and she could reprogram their difference engines if they acted inappropriately. People were unpredictable, and followed social protocols she didn’t understand.<br/><br/>For example … a gentleman, loud and gregarious, sat nearby, talking about weapons, and how they were meant for peace. Lilith found that somewhat puzzling, and wished to engage him in conversation … but the woman he sat with appeared to be protective of him. Lilith had no wish to interfere with the woman’s mating ritual.<br/><br/>Lilith also saw an attractive woman walk in with a younger girl. The girl appeared to be subservient to the woman, based upon body language and speech patterns. Lilith found herself interested in their social dynamic, but … well, the idea of getting up and speaking to them filled her with dread. She had no wish to offend either. Her own social interactions tended to end badly, due to perceived indifference or rudeness.<br/><br/><em>Perhaps this was a mistake,</em>Lilith thought.<em>I could’ve submitted papers and samples to Lee Chang via post, rather than come here in person …</em><br/><br/>Drumming her fingers on the bar, she found herself waiting for her wine, doing some quick calculations. She believed that more than 700 milliliters of the wine might be required to address her increasing nervousness and inhibitions, loathe as she was to admit it.