<strong>Lilith, Speaking with Dr. Mephiston, Watching Candy Leave</strong><br/><br/>Lilith almost shrank back, wide-eyed, as Dr. Mephiston so eager clasped her hand in his own. She was unaccustomed to such ...<em>boisterous</em>behavior, particularly from someone she didn't know all that well. Then again, considering she didn't really know<strong>anyone</strong>all that well, at least not anyone with a heartbeat and warm flesh for skin, that wasn't saying very much. But she didn't flee, much as the thought was tempting. Lilith had no wish to make a scene, or betray her awkward nervousness anymore than she already had. So she sat there, stiffly, listening to the good Doctor speak while her heart raced inside her ample chest, nearly as quickly as the thoughts running through her mind.<br/><br/>A nervous smile crossed Lilith's face. She wasn't used to flattery, either, and the Doctor was certainly quite the flatterer. Still, her heart sank a little when he spoke of her father's work at such length. The shadow of Victor Van Stratten was long and dark, and difficult to escape, but ... well, Lilith had hoped that during this particular visit to the Pleasure Dome, she'd finally be able to escape his legacy. But it was evident that such thoughts were dreams of wishful fancy.<br/><br/>Still, the man intrigued her. Her words did not seem to intimidate or offend him.<em>Perhaps I have found a soul kindred to my own,</em>Lilith thought.<em>And he also appears to possess physical attraction to me? Interesting.</em><br/><br/>"The thought of clockwork soldiers is indeed an intriguing one," Lilith said. "You will have to examine my android Omega. He is designed for both pleasure and for combat, although his implements of pleasure are designed to increase efficiencies in the human mind. My studies indicate that there are significant correlations between optimal neural activity for both creative and logical thought, and the chemical pleasures induced by orgasm. Omega is my current prototype designed to demonstrate that correlation." She squeezed Dr. Mephiston's hand gently. "However, I'm sure you will be able to suggest improvements in efficiency to the design, particularly regarding the armaments."<br/><br/>With her free hand, Lilith reached for her fresh glass of wine. And, again, drained it in a single swallow.<br/><br/>As she savored the wine, Lilith thought she heard something speak to her. Something mechanical. And quite melodious, to Lilith's fine hearing. She couldn't identify the source of the voice, although she saw a young, pretty wisp of a girl standing nearby. She looked around, puzzled ... and then she saw the girl walking off in a huff, clearly irritated.<br/><br/><em>Blast and damnation</em>, Lilith thought sadly. Obviously the girl had been addressing her with some sort of mechanical device ... she felt terribly, having inadvertently ignored her. She vowed to find the girl later and apologize, as per proper social etiquette. That, and inquire about the device. Vocal functions were part of the remaining design flaws of her clockwork androids ... having that sort of device would greatly enhance the functionality, Lilith thought.<br/><br/><em><strong>Clank. Clank. Clank.</strong></em><br/><br/>Speak of the devil, Lilith thought. Her shoulders relaxed, and she took a deep breath, feeling relieved, and far more secure.<br/><br/>"Doctor Bahl, behold my android Omega," Lilith said, gesturing towards the stairs. She looked over and saw the creature, dressed in its finery, plodding down the stairs towards her.<br/><br/><div align="center">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/8/82/Omega2.jpg)</div><br/>"He is keyed to my voice patterns, and obeys commands either by auditory or physical stimulation. I have not let another living soul examine him before ... I would be honored and delighted if you did so, and could provide me with your impressions and feedback upon the design."<br/><br/>Lilith's heart fluttered when she said that ... sharing her work was, for her, quite intimate. It was not something she did with anyone. She hoped the good Doctor approved of her work.