Joon-mei sipped her tea placidly. Or as placidly as she could in the curate's company. It was a strange feeling disliking someone almost from the moment she met him. And strangely enough, it wasn't because she had her usual senses telling her this man was not to be trusted. No, there was something else about this man that made her senses tingle in a way they've never tingled before. She didn't like it, therefore she didn't like him.

“More tea, Miss Joon-mei?” he offered her.

“No, thank you,” she said tightly. “And it's just Joon-mei, not Miss Joon-mei.”

He offered her a polite smile over his teacup. “Forgive me, I am somewhat forgetful. Not to mention, I find it hard to believe that one such as yourself would not insist on a title when you serve someone as high as Lady Vera Colbert-Jiangyin.”

“And I find it hard to believe that you are at all forgetful. It takes a lot of discipline and study to reach where you are today at such a young age.” Joon-mei snapped nearly losing control of her patience.

Again, all he gave her was a polite smile and a strange glint about his eyes. Joon-mei shivered. She wasn't sure if she liked that look. Deciding it was best to change the subject, she asked after his mother.

“She's in a lot of pain, I must admit. The doctor has given us some medication that will help but... this isn't the Core where there are readily available remedies to ease the pain largely.”

“Why hasn't your family accepted my lady's offer of the services she can acquire for her? There is a ship not too far from here equipped with facilities that can—”

“Do you not think I've already looked into that?” he demanded actually losing his patience. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.

“Forgive me, Mi— Joon-mei. This has been very a very trying situation on our family,” he cleared his throat. “I contacted the ship you arrived in and spoke to their doctor. Apparently they haven't traveled anywhere near a facility that has such remedies. They are only equipped for minor injuries and such.