Part 2

The gathering hall was loud and Talia sat alone, eating cold rice, the usual food. She sat, contemplating her foolishness. She can't believe how greedy she was to think Bane would ever love her in that way. She was only his ward, and nothing more.

She tucked her elbows in, trying to make herself as unnoticeable as possible. The conversation with Bane a week ago had shook her confidence and the other students tasted the weakness now.

A fellow student, a thin and lanky man, kept glancing at her between large gulps of his rice. Despite her effort to not make eye contact, he eventually got up from his table and trampses toward her. Talia briefly glances at him. He plops down across from her. A soft smile highlights the crookedness of his oily nose.

Her knuckles clench.

"You know, Talia, you look like you've just seen a ghost." A soft smile highlights the crookedness of his nose and continues to scoop rice from his own bowl and into his large mouth.

"You're blocking my view, Zai." She states, not looking up from her food. Most of the men don't bother her. They knew better, especially if it had anything to do with her being the daughter of Ra's al Ghul, and of course, Bane being there. But Bane has been nowhere in sight. It's probably why Zai thought this was his chance.

She sighed. "What do you want, Zai?"

"A re-match from last week."

"I don't do rematches. When you lose, you lose."

"Not a believer in second chances, eh?"

She puts down her chopsticks and finally studies Zai. He's handsome alright, and this time she really looks at him. His jet black hair and crooked face pull off that rugged look she has heard about. But Talia didn't care about that. Zai could not so much be 'second chance' as second choice? He might be suitable for her particular dilemma after all. If anything, she picking Zai could make Bane furious. It was worth a go.

She had never had to use charm before. Now, if only she could maneuver him where she wanted him…

"So, I hear you're going to start the trials soon." She says.

"Yes, I'll be in the same group as you." Zai puffs out proudly.

"Instead of a rematch, how about private training sessions?"

Eating. Munching. Stop. He set down his bowl. "I suppose. Is Ra's going to be okay with this?"

She holds up her hands in defense. "I'm just…I don't know, trying to be a friend?" Maybe this could work after all? She could tell in this man's eyes that he's admiring more than just her pretty face. Of course, fraternizing with male students has been forbidden by Ra's, but it wasn't like she followed his rules anyway.

Zai has a look of suspicion, but grins anyway. "What about your creepy bodyguard man?"

Her eyes shift away, scanning the room for any sign of Bane, as if he'd suddenly show up and save her from talking to this boring fool. Her heart sank. "Gone."

Zai sits up just a little straighter, and his muscles relax. "I'm sure I can learn a thing or two from you."

He winks, and Talia tries to stifle a convulsion.