"So... How was your day?"

Kicking off her purple patent leather pumps, Selina cozies up beside Edward. She pulls her legs onto the couch and tucks her feet beneath her, invading the Riddler's own personal bubble.

"What are you doing?" Wary of the Cat's encroaching body, Edward asks defensively.

He knows she's trying to get a rise out of him, but the Prince of Puzzles won't allow her the satisfaction.

"Making small talk." She answers him simply, tousling her fingers through her coal-black hair.

"Well, don't." He groans. "I don't like small talk. Small talk is directly related to small minds."

Drink in hand, Edward drapes his outstretched arms over the back of the couch and splays his legs wide. He's still got about an hour or so until midnight, so he may as well make himself comfortable. Or make her uncomfortable by practically taking over the entirety of the couch. Either way works for him just fine, really. If she wants to get too close for comfort, let her. Two can play this game.

"Then what are we supposed to do?" Head rolled back, Selina moans, completely unfazed by his manspreading. "Sit in silence?"

"I'm perfectly content with that." Edward agrees, taking another sip of his wine. "We can sit and drink and wait for the clock to strike twelve. Quietly."

It's ten forty-five and the party's already in full swing. It's reached the pinnacle of debauched drunken dancing, bad karaoke, keg stands, knife throwing, grenade juggling... Edward's pretty sure he even saw a man light himself on fire with a homemade Molotov cocktail. Which under normal circumstances might seem a bit bizarre, but given the occasion and the host's reputation, all things considered, this shindig is actually quite tame.

"Anyone ever tell you you're boring?" Selina swirls her drink playfully.

"Anyone ever tell you..."

Edward stops himself from finishing his thought, though he's not even sure why. It's not like him to keep his opinions to himself. No matter how unsavory those opinions might be.

"What?" She asks.

"Forgot it." Ed mutters into his drink.

"No. I want to know." Inching closer, the Cat goads him. "Finish what you were about to say."

He's never had a problem giving Selina, or anybody, a piece of his mind. So why now? What's changed?

"Pushy." Edward relents, pointing an accusing finger at her. "You're pushy."

Placing her weight on her elbow, Selina leans into the couch.

"That's not what you were about to say." Resting her cheek against the palm of her hand, she smirks at him.

"That's not what I was about to say." Shaking his head, Edward exhales a faint chuckle.

There's a multitude of colorful words he could call her, each more damaging than the last, but Edward holds his tongue. Causing him to once again ask himself why?

Why did he agree to stay until midnight? Why did he agree to stay at all? It's not like him to play the chivalrous role. What does he care if some creep tries to hit on her? What does that have anything to do with him? Selina's a big girl. She can take care of herself. And if she can't, then so what? He's left her dangling in more precarious perils before.

Besides, why would she even want him hanging around, anyway? It's not like Edward makes for good company. He's been nothing but rude to her from the moment he got here. Hell... He's been nothing but rude to her since the moment they'd first met. So why ask him to stay and have a drink, acting like they're dear old bosom buddies? That woman doesn't make any sense to him at all.

"I'm not boring, you know." Rubbing the back of his neck, Edward ruminates on her words. "I might not be as rowdy as Harley's wild pack of friends, exactly. But I can be fun. Sometimes."

"What happened to sitting quietly until midnight?" Selina quirks a well-shaped brow at him. "Breaking your own rules, Eddie?"

"You're right." Edward replies with a bite to his tone. "Forget I said anything. Conversing with you is like talking to a brick wall, anyway."

He's not sure why he even tried. It's not like they have anything in common. Aside from crime, of course. Despite their similar ages and running in the same costumed crowd, they don't share any common interests. They wouldn't have a single thing to talk about.

"Well, now you've got me curious." Selina shifts her whole body to face him, providing Edward with her full attention. "What does the Riddler consider fun?"

The Cat doesn't let his sour mood get to her. Eddie's always been a more bark than bite kind of guy, anyhow. Usually. He's got a big mouth and he likes to run it on the regular. But she's known him long enough to decipher when Edward's being malicious and when he's just blowing hot air. And right now it's the latter. Edward's only acting this irritable and bitter because deep down, she knows he's actually pretty insecure about himself. Something this party and all these people aren't helping with, either.

"Seriously?" Edward frowns at her.

Now it's his turn to raise an eyebrow. They sat together on a nine hour flight to Rome and she hardly said two words to him. Now she's suddenly curious about him and his hobbies?

"Seriously." Selina giggles. "It's called an icebreaker, Ed. You know. To start a conversation?"

"I know what an icebreaker is, dear." Edward rolls his eyes at her.

"Then you'll have no problem answering the question." Sipping her wine, the Cat taunts him. "I mean, questions are still your thing, right? Or is the talk still too small for that big brain of yours?"

Selina had figured he'd be totally into talking about himself. That's typically his most favorite thing to do. But, as usual, Edward's got to make everything so damn difficult. Getting him to open up is like trying to coax a mean, green snapping turtle out of its shell. She just hopes she doesn't get her hand bit off in the process.

"Fine. If it'll shut you up..." Grumpy and guarded, Edward gives in. "I think puzzles are fun."

"Well that's a shocker." The Cat teases.

"But I do. I enjoy puzzles." He defends. "Every morning, I like to grab the daily paper and take a walk across town to Robinson Park. I sit on one of the park benches and fill in the crossword while people watching. Sometimes I even play chess against the hustlers down in Kirby Square. Of course I always win..."

Now that he's said it out loud, of course it doesn't sound like very much fun. Even though he's only in his mid-thirties, Edward realizes that it makes him sound like some withered old man. Or a total nerd. Which he is.

Thinking, Ed taps his short, bit down nails against the side of his cup. He crosses one leg over the other, ankle resting atop his knee, and bounces his foot up and down anxiously.

"I also enjoy robotics, engineering, coding... And coffee. I really like coffee." He adds with a slight shrug.

"Now you're singing my tune. I love coffee!" Selina beams, touching her hand to his arm. A surprise he doesn't stiffen up, or shrink back, flinch, or even push her away when Selina's gloved fingers touch his bare skin. "Tell me, have you tried that new café that just opened up on 15th? Used to be a church before Lynns torched the place last year."

"Sacred Grounds?" Edward muses. "Of course! I was there the first day they opened."

The Riddler's whole body language completely and instantly changes. He's not as rigid as he was before. Not nearly as defensive, either.

"Now, they're good, sure, but if you really want a great cup of coffee, you have to try Gotham Grind off 3rd and Sprang."

His green eyes come alive with excitement as he turns to face her.

"And then there's also Bat-Brew... I know, the name is horrendous but they make a decent Americano, and Brave Bold Bean out by Park Row."

Without even realizing it, Edward's become thoroughly engaged in conversation with Selina. Sitting upright, his posture improves. And so does his mood.

"I'll have to give those a try sometime." The Cat accepts his recommendations. "Although I am pretty partial to the late night espresso hut right outside my building. The guy who runs the place always gives me a double shot on the house."

"And I'm sure that has nothing to do with your late night activities." Edward banters.

"Might have something to do with the skintight leather, though." She returns with a kittenish grin.

"Or the whip." He wags an eyebrow at her.

Selina breaks into a laugh and Edward joins her.

Maybe the Cat's not so bad, after all. Maybe he just never really gave her a fighting chance. All it took was a bottle of Malbec and one very persistent pussycat, but Ed can feel himself loosen up a bit. His nerves start to settle and before he knows it, the enigmatic Edward Nygma actually begins to enjoy himself. By the time the night's through, who knows, he may even have some fun, yet.