As time went on, her natural silver tongue just started catching up with her.  She started to notice that Eliza probably wouldn't even realize the subtle nuances in behavior, the types of things which she was considering, like how to have her hands placed around her body or how strongly to maintain eye contact.  That helped a good deal; she could really relax and not worry about what she was up against.<br/><br/>"I have an apartment nearby," she said.  "I made a bet with this guy; it's a long story."  Her arm raised to strike her fingertips out against the air in a habitual gesture; the phrase "long story" meant different things to different people, but few would want to question the matter once she got going.  She just kept on talking as she sat down, her own little way of pushing straight past that part of the conversation into something else.<br/><br/>"I have a motorcycle, though.  Walking or running can be fun but I just love the rev of the engine and the speed."  She leaned in a little, all the telltale traces of her anxiety gone save for the slightly dilated pupils.  It was the one tell that she had yet to master; she didn't spend enough time looking into a mirror to notice it.  "Is this your first year here as well?"