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Bright and sunny, it was one of those days that seemed to openly mock her. In fact, it couldn't be worse in her mind. From birth, Mei had been taught that second place is as good as last and for the fourth year since she entered the university, she had taken second place in a class of three thousand. Unfortunately, her time to catch up has run out. Her senior year quickly drawn to an end and the .02 difference in grade point average had cost her her glory.

Mei's fist slammed down hard on the coffee table. BANG. The small teacup clattered as it settled down on its plate. A few startled customers turned to glare before continuing their gossip. A quick glance around, good, no one she knew. At least she could continue her quiet tantrum. She quickly waved her left hand as her right throbbed slightly. "Another cup please?" The waiter quickly came by and picked up her tea cup. He waited a second before asking, "Aren't you Mei Lecter?" Mei flinched. "The one who's second in our class?" Cringe. "Congratulations!" The girl was gripping the table edge so hard she nearly broke off a chunk. She gave the guy a quick nod as he headed off to get her tea.

The fact that she was second wasn't the only thing that urked her. The one and only job Mei had been interested in was being taken by her long time rival. It was yet another smack in the face by reality. Even though she rebelled many times against his ideology, she finally realized that her father was right afterall. The girl looked up at the sky and sighed. "Why, oh why, can't miracles just drop in my lap?" she muttered quietly to herself.

It took Mei a few moments to realize what he said and another to show that she was clearly not amused. No, it took all of her will to resist punching him smack in the face. Just a smack, just a small one? The thought crossed her mind several times. The girl sat in her chair speechless and after another a few seconds, she forced herself to her feet. "I'm sorry, I don't believe I know you." Frustration was forcing itself across her face, scorching it to a new shade of red. "And I can say with clear confidence that I have no will to. Actually, I know for certain I don't know you or how you know me, and--!"

"Excuse me, your tea?" The waiter had returned holding a brand new tea bag with cup and hot water. He stepped back as Mei turned about quickly, nearly hitting the poor guy with her messenger bag and her now clenched fist. This has got to be one of her worst moments. Embarrassment swept her frustration aside and her knees melted causing her to collapse into her seat. She was about to walk off without paying! Well, she could care less that she was leaving the bill with someone so inconsiderate. But then again, he couldn't possibly know why she's so frustrated at being called second. His surprising remark had caught her off guard and rattled her badly. "Thank you. That'll be all and I'd appreciate it if you could bring me the check." The boy nodded to her again and headed off.

Of course, it's just what she needed isn't it. When she asks for a miracle, someone or thing up there gives her more miseries. They're probably laughing their heads off right about now. "If Mark told you to gloat for him, then you better leave now before my common senses decide to take a quick vacation. I can't guarantee my actions will be civil after that point.

What? What!? "You don't know Mark? How can you not know Mark Romearim? The student body president. The captain of two of this univerisity's most prestigious teams. The one who created four clubs on campus and joined ten others. Not only that, his family is so rich money's spewing from their noses. They've donated so much money that the library is named after them," Mei stopped dead in her tracks, what in the world was she doing? She rested her head in the palm of her hand and shook it vigoriously. "Why am I gloating for him?" Egotistical and rude, that's what Mark is, but she couldn't help herself in dishing out all his achievements whenever someone mentions they don't know him. Mark is, afterall, getting exactly everything she wants or had ever wanted. She wouldn't be able to call him a rival if he wasn't so well versed and almost better than her in ever aspect.

The man on her opposing side was too calm to her annoyance. But then again, most things were annoying on this horrible day. It was almost too hard to keep up her goody two shoes front in public and if she showed her other side, she'd probably be expelled before she got her degree. And to make it worse, the man was spewing gibberish. Surveillance? Of course there's surveillance. It's hard to keep off a camera on this bloody campus. They've got them starring you in the eye around every street corner. Most students protest that they're used to spy on the student body but the school likes to think that it's used for the student's safety. Mei wasn't going to give her input on that today, it'd be a long one.

Caution. The man had a hungry gleam in his eyes that unnerved her slightly but Mei continued to stay rooted in her chair, confident in her own self defense abilities. Not only was he acting creepy, he talked like a stalker. Most girls would have turn tail and run but then again, Mei wasn't the usual girl. The thought of possibly giving the man exactly what he deserved still crossed her mind. The punch had upped to a kick in the groin, and she might even be able to claim self defense when confronted by the authorities. Tough decisions. "I'll tell you straight out, you irk me. I have no clue who or what you are but you've apparently done your research on me. Which leads me to conclude a few things and two of them are felonies. Give me one reason why I shouldn't call the authorities over right now and have you thrown in jail." She leaned far back in her chair and smiled.

This whole meeting was like a wild goose chase and Mei wasn't sure who's on which end. It seems he's unwilling to spill his name, even with threats. Of course, disregarding the fact that they weren't very good threats. The man's statements seemed earnest yet she couldn't get this gut wrenching feeling out that he's up to no good. Was he some government official? Maybe a spy? Can't be, that must be all those movies she watched clouding her judgement. He had a demeanor of a genuine businessman out to sell you his latest merchandise, but without the happy go-lucky smile.

And like any businessman, he's here to make an offer. Her curiosity perked but she smothered it down with caution. "You can't win me over with the promise of candy, I'm not an idiotic child," the girl's tone had a hint of mockery. "But I will take my parent's good judgement of not trusting strangers. For all I know, you could mug me and leave me to die somewhere out of town."

Mei sipped her tea calmly. "You have yet to give me a reason to trust you. And to give you a hint, flattery doesn't work. So you're either going to spill your beans here or we'll both be on our separate ways." That should do the trick. She wished to avoid such brute tactics but what's done is done. All she can do is hope that he doesn't pick the latter.

Ahh...beeping beep beep. Mei censored the swears as they crowded her head. A noble? Why in the world did they send a noble to deal with a civilian? The government must be coming undone somewhere. What is going on? She quickly reviewed the past month in her head. All of her activities were, well, normal, or as normal as she make them out to be. She's got regular friends, good terms with the teachers, stayed out of trouble...in fact, she's never been written up or listed under anything that wasn't good. Maybe it was one of Mark's high end buddies paying her a visit, nah, his enemies? Being rich and all, he probably had a few enemies on the noble end of the ladder.

This was getting ridiculous at a ridiculously fast pace. Being as intellectually inquisitive as she was, she recognized the name she's read a few times, but encyclopedias tend to forget to include pictures. So IF this man is indeed the Duke, and IF he was here to exact some sort of revenge...well, she wasn't sure she wanted anything of it. Yes, revenge is sweet, but not sweet enough to cost her life. She's got to find some loop hole out of this whole mess without offending the "Duke" in case he is exactly who he says he is.

"Er...Bane," Mei attempted to pull her sweetest of voices, "I'm sure you can check all of the records and find that I've done n-n-n...nothing wrong. And although I'm, erm, not on good terms with Mark, he's still a dear classmate." The disgusting after taste of using that word with Mark in the same sentence still lingers on her tongue. She felt a need to clean her mouth out with soup when she's got some alone time.

Banning's straight seriousness broke down a few of her barriers of doubt. It seems the positions have changed a bit. She slouched down to her casual posture stating clearly that -I am a college student, I'll do what I want damn it- and her ridged face relaxed. It's hard putting up the smartass front when she's quite the slacker.

"You're pretty good, you know. But you could have gotten to the point sooner. I was starting to get back cramps and I had to say that disgusting word with that horrible name," Mei shudder as she picked up her teacup again and sipped its remaining contents. "You don't need to get all sour now. To tell the truth, I'm interested in all these riddles that you're throwing at me."

Mei stretched her arms and massaged her back with a hand to relieve the stress muscles. The world does like to throw her a few surprises ever now and then, whether they're good or bad. Hopefully her gestures weren't going to get her thrown in jail because it's disrespectful. Well, she could care less at the moment.

"I'll have you know that people will notice if I suddenly disappear in case you are thinking about murdering me. But putting that aside, let's go wherever you had intended and talk business." Mei grinned, sincerely hoping she made the right decision.

Hasty isn't he? The Duke's overly eager attitude amused her to no end. She wonders if he noticed, and if he didn't already, he will soon. Mei played with the teacup, pushing it around between her hands while looking up towards the bright sky. By the sun's positioning, the time was around half past three. Guess her packing plans will have to wait.

A quick glance told her that Banning was more than ready to leave. His excuses seemed a bit...lame, for a lack of a better word. But his manners gave him points on her respect scale. "Your offer on my backache is quite appealing, I just might take you up on it but we can't leave just yet. I think you might have forgotten that I haven't payed for my tea yet."

And seemingly on cue, the waiter arrived with her check. Apparently more guests arrived making the guy a bit slow on the checks. And now bad news seemed to be seated two tables to their right, they were the ones Banning pointed out earlier. Mei placed exact change and tip on the table as she stood up, adjusting her messenger bag so it was slung over her shoulder in a more comfortable position. "I'm ready when you are."