Book 2: Don't you know its dangerous to ignite a fire in space [Jenlisa]

Chapter 3: Flame

"Nyongan!" Jisoo greeted Rosé as she joined them at their usual table with her tray of selected breakfast items. The latter looked like she had seen better days with her shadowed eyes and pale complexion, unsurprising considering she had spent a night out partying and drinking, only to have to return to pilot till the wee hours of the morning. "You okay?"

Rosé groaned, "I hate the night shift. I thought I would be able to doze a little but nooooo. The weather was crap. Do you know how hard it was to navigate through all that?" She pointed upwards at the skylight. Through it, they could see signs of foul weather – full of shrapnel rain and whiplash winds and bursts of star fires.

"Yeah that looks bad, and it's probably going to get worse. Thank goodness the ship is soundproof. If not, nobody is going to be getting any sleep over the next week or so."

"Wow. Really Lisa? How about thank goodness this ship has a great pilot so everyone can sleep safely and soundly through the night because there's a great pilot to ensure smooth travel?"

"Sure. That too." Lisa agreed affably, forking more eggs into her mouth. She knew how cranky Rosé could be when she lacked sleep or food, her best friend's two most important things in life. Presently, she was a walking bomb because she was both tired and hungry. "Babe, maybe you should give her some of the pick-me-up you made? Chaeyoung looks like she needs it."

"What pick-me-up?"

"Something I'm still working on for hangovers and fatigue. It's not ready." Jennie gave Lisa a stern look before she could continue promoting her new product. She was a perfectionist and did not like talking about her work until it was flawless. Lisa was an exception to that rule.

"That's not what you said when you gave me a sample without my consent yesterday." Lisa grumbled, petting Louis on the head when he rolled up to her. He had just finished his breakfast with Hank and had come over to ask for more. "No more for you Louis. Remember what we talked about yesterday?"

When he mewled pathetically at her, she stood her ground. "No, Louis. You promised yesterday that you would stand firm even before temptation. This is only day one of your diet."

"My, my. Is that a Catonian?" Kai appeared at their table, peering at Louis in interest. "It's rare to find one these days. And in that colour? Even rarer. Who does he belong to?"

"He's mine! His name is Louis!" Lisa beamed up at Kai, giving her pet another loving rub on the head. Jennie smiled fondly at her. If there was any way to get on Lisa's good side, it was to shower affection on her pet. Perhaps there was some hope in her old and new beau getting along after all.

"Well, he's beautiful." He complimented, much to Lisa's joy. "Mind if I join you?"

The women shifted to allow space for one more and Kai took a seat on Jennie's right.

"Did you sleep well?"

"It was alright. It'll take some time getting used to my new quarters but the room is clean enough. If you can get used to this lifestyle, I'm sure I can too."

Lisa looked at Jennie, pride etched on her face. "Hey, that's a good point. I've been on the ship for so long that I never considered this was something Jennie had to get used to. She's a trooper. Fit right in like a glove."

"I'm sure." Kai smiled politely. "Though I'm sure she would have fit as well into Lenahc Hospital as well. Maybe even more so. I know I would have enjoyed your company there."

Lenahc was one of the most renowned and luxurious hospital chains in all the galaxies, famous for its state-of-the art technology and cutting-edge medical robots. Only the best doctors and researchers were scouted and hired and often times, these hires came from well-connected families. It had become public fodder when Jennie, the only daughter of the powerful Kim family, had turned down an offer at Lenahc to take up a job that the family had refused to reveal. Jennie's father had claimed to the reporters that he had kept the information secret because he wanted to maintain his daughter's privacy. However, she knew the truth. Her father had been massively disappointed at her decision and considered her job "beneath her brains and social standing".