This couch smells like death. Like someone literally died on it. And knowing Harley and the company she keeps, Edward has no doubt that someone most likely had.

Lucky for him, the black cat beside him smells incredibly nice. A pleasing perfume of rich, sweet jasmine accompanied by the subtle sparks of a sun-kissed orange. A scent only as intoxicating as the woman who wears it.

And speaking of intoxicating, or perhaps intoxicated would be the better word for it... Edward had only agreed to stay for one drink, but every time he nears the bottom of his cup, Selina pours him a new one. As of now, he's on his third round with no hope of escaping any time soon.

"You really need to relax, Ed." Selina purrs as she refreshes his cup.

She's got to admit, watching him squirm for the first fifteen minutes or so was a blast. Always so smug and self-righteous, Edward's always been vocal about his own superiority. Often boasting about how much smarter he is. More clever. Better skilled to beat the Bat... He's obviously overcompensating for some serious self-esteem issues, but that doesn't give him the right to act like a giant prick all the time. Which brings Selina great joy to see him taken down a couple pegs. All over something as silly as a touch of social anxiety.

But now?

Now she's just feeling sorry for him. Which isn't really something she cares to feel for the complacent criminal. Not now or ever.

"Seriously, Eddie. You act like you've never been to a party before."

Placing a hand on his bouncing knee, Selina succeeds in ceasing his fidgeting.

"I've attended my fair share of gatherings." Edward groans, shifting his leg out from under her touch.

"But you haven't, have you?" Chin resting in the palm of her hand, Selina stares up at him with a coquettish grin. "I'm not talking about those nerd conventions you probably went to as a kid or even all those banquets you've crashed as the Riddler. I'm talking about a party. With friends and dancing and way too much liquor."

Casually laying back, Selina stretches out along the couch much like a lazy cat in the hot, summer sun.

"I'm guessing you were always that one awkward little boy in school that no one ever wanted to invite over to their slumber parties. Or when their parents went out of town, huh?" She teases him. "Didn't have very many friends when you were growing up, now did you, Eddie?"

This is what she does, Edward thinks to himself. This is what she always does. Selina had asked him to stay. She'd asked him to have a drink with her. Saying it would be fun. Promising him that he would have a good time. When all she really wanted was to play her petty little mind games with him. But those games of hers hurt. And he's foolish enough to let her get close enough to hurt him.

You'd think by now Edward would have learned from his mistakes. He is a master at crafting traps, after all. He should be able to spot hers from well over a mile way. And yet he keeps getting himself suckered into them. Each and every time. Which makes him more furious with himself, than anything. The Cat will never change her spots. She is who she is. But he's supposed to know better. He's supposed to be better. The Riddler should be smarter than to fall for her tricks.

"Does it make you feel good to patronize me?" Edward snaps.

Lounging quite comfortably, Selina peers at him provocatively from over her voluptuous breasts.

"Yes." She teases, her green eyes glistening with mischief and mirth.

Gulping down one final swig of his wine, Edward mutters an insult beneath his breath and stands abruptly from his seat, throwing off Selina's balance and causing her to nearly drop her drink. Laughing, Selina rolls back to a seated position and safely places down her cup before reaching for his hand.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! That was mean." She laughs, his hand firmly clasped in her own. "Please, if you come back, I promise to play nice."

They're not friends. Never have been. Associates, sure. Adversaries, okay. Frenemies, sort of. She's helped him out on several a caper, and he's... well... He's just been difficult. And then there was that whole mess in Rome. Not to mention that time he strapped a bomb to her neck... So sue her if she wants to have a little fun. She's earned it.

"Come on." She lures him to sit back down. "I'll even let you bore me with one of your totally asinine riddles."

Hand still in hers, Edward stares at Selina with a completely quizzical expression.

"But why?" With a furrowed brow, Edward ponders. "It's not as if you even like me."

"Mmm... Depends." She smirks back at him impishly. "Remind me if you've tried to murder me lately."

Rolling his eyes, Edward sighs.

"Be a dear and answer the question." He demands. "Give me one good reason why I should stay and endure your torment?"

With pursed lips, the Cat thinks on the proposed question for a moment, purposely trying his patience. Edward's just about ready to take his hand back and leave, when she finally gives him an answer.

"Alright! Alright! If you really want to know..." She begins with a sheepish smile. "I don't know anyone else here. So it's either talk to you or seriously maim the creep that had been hitting on me for the past half hour before you got here. And I really don't feel like ruining Harley's birthday party with call in to the emergency room or the cops."

Edward glances across the room to the strange egg-shaped creature giving Selina some serious goo-goo eyes.

"I think he may just be a bigger egg head than you, Ed." She jokes and Edward actually surprises himself with a chuckle.

"Fine." The Riddler sighs. Running a hand through his burgundy hair, he poses the question, "If eleven plus two equals one, what does seven plus five equal?"

Quicker than expected, Selina offers him a knowing smile.

"Or what?" She wonders, deciphering his riddle with ease. "You'll turn into a pumpkin?"

The question refers to the numbers on a clock. And the answer, of course, is twelve. Meaning he'll stay until midnight, but then he's out of here. But of course he couldn't just say that. As always, the man of riddles has to be so damn cryptic.

"Maybe there's hope for you, after all." Edward replies, trying to hide his surprise as he reaches for the wine bottle to pour himself another drink.

"Why, Eddie. Was that a compliment?" Selina tilts her head at him playfully. Holding out her cup, the Cat petitions for a refill. "You know, I take it back. Maybe you're not such an ass."

This could very well be another trap, Edward reminds himself as he empties the remainder of the bottle right into her cup. But for what it's worth, there are certainly worse traps to fall into. Namely his own. She's just one woman. An intimidating woman, for sure, but he's certainly known scarier.

What's the worst that could happen?