<strong>Lilith, at the Bar, Speaking with Selena, Being Greeted by Dr. Mephiston</strong><br/><br/>Lilith watched as Victor left her, still wondering if the man truly wished to engage with her in a social manner at some indeterminate point later in the evening. She hoped so, although past experience told her not to expect his company again. It was one of the reasons she chose to keep to herself in her estate, surrounded by clockwork androids, but no living companions of living, breathing, flesh and blood. Typically when she spoke with a man or woman with whom she had amorous intentions, the conversation was polite but strained. The other person would politely excuse themselves, promising to meet with her at a later time ... and then, she'd never see them again. Her conversation with Victor had begun in a slightly strained manner; hence, she expected similar results later on.<br/><br/>Gently, Lilith pushed her empty wine glass back towards those tending the bar. "Some more wine, if you please," she asked politely. "I fear my initial calculations for the quantities required were incorrect. I'll require more."<br/><br/>She turned her attentions to Selena. The possessive countenance in the woman's face had vanished, leaving Lilith to momentarily admire the woman's beauty instead. Evidently the woman no longer believed her to be a threat to the social contracts she had in place with others. "My thanks to you, Miss Yttrium," Lilith said. "Or may I call you Selena? I do not wish to afford a familiarity with you that does not exist quite yet, at least without your expressed permission. Though I wish to do so, if given the choice."<br/><br/>Lilith pursed her lips, feeling slightly flustered. Again, it was why she preferred the androids. She didn't have to worry about conversation.<br/><br/>"Regardless, if I require company, I shall let you know," Lilith said to Selena. She looked over at Jenna as well. "Jenna made a similar offer to me as well. Perhaps the three of us shall gather for some sort of engagement later, if either of you are not already otherwise occupied."<br/><br/>Lilith took a deep breath, as Selena left. The air had gotten slightly cooler; presumably, the fault in the convection coils had been properly corrected. She glanced over her shoulder, still looking for her android -<em>hell's teeth, where<strong> is</strong> the blasting thing?</em>- she wondered ... and when she resumed her attentions to the bar, she found herself looking straight at Dr. Mephiston, who had chosen to join her.<br/><br/>"Your reputation proceeds you," Lilith said to Mephiston. "I'm quite aware of your work, Doctor Bahl, and have been impressed with many of the papers you've published. I've read all of them, at least those published for public consumption." She took his hand in hers, shaking it gently and stiffly. "I'm Lilith Van Stratten. It is my pleasure to meet you, sir. And your companion as well." She looked over at Daniel, waving to him in a friendly manner, albeit a manner equally stiff and awkward. "I'm sure we have much to discuss."<br/><br/>"My own studies have led me away from weaponry, I'm afraid," Lilith said, "so I fear I'll not be able to provide you with intellectual stimulation on that particular subject. I've dabbled in chemical and biological armaments, as I've found it to be the most efficient method of eliminating living organisms. But my more recent research concerns artificial intelligence, and self-sufficient robotic mechanisms."<br/><br/>Again, Lilith moved her lace-gloved hand slightly closer to his at the bar, much as she'd done with Victor, but she didn't touch him. "What sorts of weaponry have you devised most recently? I'd be intrigued to know."