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School Rumble (Broom and I)

Mei looked at the drink placed before her. It was a frozen caramel latte, with whipped cream and a pink bendy straw. Something she ordered every single time she was here. She was a creature of habit, and if something was good there was no reason to do anything different. So of course, her opinion of his ideals was certainly less than favorable. "It's fine if you want to change Turuga, Nicholas. However, violence is not the way to do it. You cannot fight the law and expect to change it." Okay, so that really wasn't what she planned to say, but it just came out so she'd roll with it.
 
"Yet you fight to keep it," Nicholas murmured. "Every day, DC stops fights, prevents worse ones...or causes them," he said. "The damage that your partner, Jana caused against Komoku was considerable. Do you feel that is a justifiable reason to maintain the status quo? That nobody can argue your methods, they are simply accepted as a way of life? Have you ever heard any protest or complaint outside of closed doors about your methods, Mei? Everyone is afraid because they're not sure what could trigger the DC in arresting them, do you think that's fair?"
 
"Jana wasn't fighting for the Mandate. She was fighting to stop Komoku from killing Justin Campbell." Mei corrected him quickly in defense to her partner. For some reason it bothered her that he would even have the audacity to bring it up. "As far as students being arrested, you act as if we just make up excuses just to get others in trouble. We do what we can to be fair, and keep the peace. If I didn't want to be fair, I could have asked you these questions in an interrogation room instead of over coffee. What's not fair is that we are being demonized simply because of our higher authority, when all we wish to do is keep you people from doing anything stupid. Like killing each other. Or killing students like Justin Campbell because he isn't able to keep your secrets. Though he isn't the only one who isn't willing to keep your secrets, Nicholas."
 
"I imagine not," Nicholas smiled. "But that alone lies in the problem, Mei. I have nothing to hide, but it seems you have been hiding plenty." he said, taking a sip of his coffee again. Black, and plain...but he liked the taste. "You have an excellent understanding for how Turuga works, however...and you are right, there will always be people who will simply look at you because you are above them, no matter your cause. I do not disagree with the DC having a purpose...but that purpose should change and adapt to Turuga, not force it to stagnate. I'm sorry, but I won't stop the protest."
 
"If you have nothing to hide, Nicholas, than perhaps you should give me some more details on this misunderstood bunch of supporters you have." Mei had all but forgotten about her drink as it started to melt, condensation forming a small puddle around the glass. "You've been gathering some really talented students...and in turn that has been attracting quite a bit of other students to your cause. Is that just a coincidence in your so called peaceful protest? Or has your understanding of the way Turuga works influenced your decision to gather the best so you could create what could be considered an army to fight on your behalf against DC?"
 
"That's quite a bold statement, Mei," he chuckled faintly. "But you know as well as I do, that rumors get twisted the further they are heard from the source. I have done my best to maintain that there will be no violence at this demonstration, but I am one boy with one hope. I assure you...my intentions are not to burn Central to the ground, but to show the DC that there are many who would want change." he said, pulling a pen out of his jacket pocket with a small notepad. "That being said...I am aware of those concerns as well," he said with a faint sigh, scribbling down a few names.

"I know of a few that are...well, Komoku's brand of people," he smiled. "Unable to contain their base urges, I have urged them to maintain a proper showing...but as you've seen with Komoku, that may not be possible. All I can offer you is a list of those I know are known for getting in trouble with the DC, in the hopes that you see I mean nothing more than peace from this."
 
"Do that. Just know I will contact every single one of them, and I will be letting all of them know that the moment they even think about becoming violent, your protest will be shut down. That won't be a request either.." Mei finally took a sip of her frozen late, tasting the sweet liquid that had melted and reached the bottom of the glass. She watched him write down the names on the notepad. She still couldn't arrest Nicholas, or even find a reason to be suspicious of what he was saying other than the word of two students. Though the feeling she had was off. Something was telling her that she shouldn't trust him, and perhaps that was the fact that he was just so perfect. Too damn perfect.
 
"Of course," Nicolas smiled easily, handing her the paper. "I understand you're only doing your job, Mei. The last thing I want is for Turuga to suffer." Of his list, there were four names: Kent Minske, Lili Masenbach, Kaka Kuki and Damien Jadin. "These are familiar faces around Komoku's group," he murmured. "Lili is the odd one out, she is one of my acquaintances."
 
Mei nodded as she looked over the list. All of the names had looked familiar. Mei wouldn't have been surprised if she had arrested one of them in the past, but since she was so bad at names none of them had brought on any memories. "Thank you. Though I do have to say, if you have been lying to me I'll be extremely disappointed. You are a bright student, and I'd really hate to discover that your protest has a more sinister purpose." She told him as she looked him in the eyes. She knew that it would more than likely end this way, but at least he had given her more people to look into.
 
"And you are an excellent officer," he complimented with a smile. "I must say...I have been enjoying these meetings more than I should, it's wonderful meeting someone as intelligent as you are, Mei. I'm just saddened that we had to meet like this." he mused. "But such is how things are."
 
Mei blushed a little and looked away from him. She really did enjoy the compliment from him...more than she should have. Though because she was attracted to the boy, she really couldn't help herself. "Well, perhaps if we ever see eye to eye on what Turuga needs, we can meet under different circumstances." She said stiffly as she finished off her drink and then slowly stood up. "Goodbye, Nicholas."
 
"Have a good day, Mei," he smiled, rising up himself. Mei was far smarter than he originally took her for, that impressed him nicely. But regardless of what she thought, the protest would continue exactly as he planned it to be. For better or worse, he would get his protest. He had spent far too long planning everything to simply let it roll over, hopefully...they would understand their purpose, it was a sacrifice he had to make for the good of Turuga. That was all that mattered in the end.

--

Jana was more than being chewed out, she got ripped up and spit out. Kishi was livid at what she did, and -unsurprisingly- Mei was correct in what she should have done. Piotr put her on suspension, which meant that there was a firey little ball of frustration stalking around Central HQ, almost rebelliously not in uniform. The only thing she could do to spite their valued jerk leader. She did what was best for her safety and she was being blamed for it!? Ugh...
 
Mei had went straight back to Central after her meeting with Nicholas. Though she was at a loss of where to go from here. Sure, she could get some information on the names she had gotten from Nicholas, but chasing people down and making idle threats wasn't exactly what she had in mind. Perhaps a more subtle route was required to actually get anywhere.

Though she saw Jana stomping around, obviously in a bad mood. Immediately the girl knew her partner had gotten chewed out for her behavior. "I don't want to say I told you so, but..." Mei trailed off when she caught Jana's gaze, then she just gave the girl a shrug.
 
"Can it," she groused, arms crossing. "Excuse me for following my gut, like I could have made it here anyway. But more importantly, how'd your little date go with Nicholas?" she mumbled. "You get any dirt on him yet?"
 
"No. He was as cooperative as ever. He even gave me a list of all his strongest supporters..at least the ones who he thinks might cause trouble. Look, I'm going to be honest here Jana. If he is really planning something, we might not be able to stop it. I'll continue to do all I can, but...I'm just doing this because you think that something is off."
 
"Something is off, Mei," Jana muttered. "I don't buy what he's selling...there's no way that someone like that stuck up dick can just organize some rough people together and say it's peaceful, can you even imagine someone like Komoku doing a peaceful protest?" she grumbled. "Say what he will about people just joining it for an excuse, but...I don't know, that doesn't seem right to me. Something weird is going on."
 
"I understand that." Mei began as ran her fingers through her hair. "I also find it strange, but again..there isn't much we can do. We need to find something more solid than gossip..because at the end of the day, that's all we have to go on...gossip and bad feelings. It's not enough." Mei did want to believe that Nicholas was innocent, but she knew that Jana had a point. Plus, there was a certain way he spoke...it was like he knew all the right things to say that wouldn't incriminate him, but still let her know how serious he was being about wanting to change Turuga.
 
"Well...you're on your own for a while, partner," Jana murmured. "I'm suspended for a few days...so I guess I'm just a normal student for a while," she shrugged. "Piotr is pretty upset at me, so...I guess I'll just head back home for a while, keep to my training." Maybe see Justin...heh heh, definitely see Justin.
 
"That bad, huh? Well, I can't say I'm surprised." Mei told her, returning her shrug. "It's getting late though, so you better hurry and leave. Curfew still applies to suspended individuals. If you'd like, I can escort you home. I'll continue to look into this, Jana. I'll figure something out."
 
"Sure, I'd like that," Jana grinned, arm around her shoulder. "Hang out at my place for a little while?" she teased. "See what the other half is like, as it were?"
 
"I guess I can stay for five or ten minutes." Mei said as she moved her hand up and attempted to brush off Jana's hand. "Just as long as you respect my personal space." At least she was getting a little used to the physical contact now. She could actually move to attempt to push the woman away. Attempt was the keyword though.
 
"Aw, but you like it!" Jana pouted, pulling her hand away in a dramatic display as they headed out. Every DC student had a place in Central, by themselves or with a friend. Jana of course, had Mei..but they really hadn't hung out when she first got assigned to the dorm. "I was hoping we could cuddle together, I'm emotionally fragile after my harsh sentencing." she sniffed.
 
"Emotionally fragile?" Mei just raised an eyebrow at the girl before letting out a heavy sigh. "Well I suppose if you truly...need me to be there for you...I could stick around for a little longer. I don't know about cuddling, but a quick embrace would be fine. In private. If I just leave you like that, you might go back to that Justin Campbell..and since I forbade you to see him again, I don't want you being tempted to contact him."
 
"You mean it?" Jana said, eyes shining hopefully, as if Mei was suddenly her greatest hero. "A whole hug and everything? Full body contact? In the privacy of our dorm?" Jana would totally use this as a way to blackmail her into actually...you know, acting like a human being for a few moments.
 
"If I didn't mean it, I wouldn't have said it, Jana." Either this girl was putting on a real act, or she really did need or want her affection right now. Either way, Mei wouldn't go back on her word. But ever so brightly shining Jana was blindingly intimidating when she stared at her like that. She could stare down thugs like Komoku but suddenly she just wanted to run away from her own partner.
 
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