~ a lily among thorns~

"this is prison"

Another week in Hwarang proved to be even more challenging for Nari. She sometimes found it difficult to keep up with her peers, but to her relief, the others would brush it off as just being younger. Nari grew into the routine of waking up early and working until noon. Training came after and then the long tiresome classes about ancient teachings. The only times she thoroughly looked forward to were her secret visits to Poong-yeon and breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It had been a reasonably laid back day for the Hwarangs as the sun began to set, flashing shades of pink and orange across the lilac heavens. Everyone, once again, gathered into the dining hall with their meals, seating themselves at the tables. Nari squished herself in between Hansung and Yeo-Wool, placing her wooden tray on the table. She listened intently as the men proceeded to argue about the morning's class.

"I think Dog-Bird's answer was the best," Yeo-Wool stated, causing Ban-Ryu to bitterly drive his chopsticks into the table.

"Everyone thinks so too," Yeo-Wool continued, ignoring his neighbour. "Am I wrong?"

Hansung nodded with agreement, whilst the rest of the table shuffled uncomfortably.

"Yah? Is this a sprout?" Nari piped up, picking up a green shoot from her bowl in an attempt to ease the tension.

"It tastes good!" Hansung answered, popping one into his mouth. "Like Mum's cooking."

Nari smiled at him warmly, and the table soothed into a cosy silence. However, it was soon broken by Seonu.

"The anniversary of a death..."

Everyone looked up at him.

"Is that very important?"

The Hwarangs thought for a moment, taking in the heavy subject.

"Whose death?" Suho questioned, curious about Dog-Bird's random query.

"She said it was our mother's," Seonu replied slowly.

Nari raised her eyebrows with suspicion.

'Our mother's? When's he going to tell us that they're not related,' she pondered.

However, an overwhelming amount of sadness suddenly engulfed her as she was reminded of her own mother. Everyone else around the table eyed Seonu with sympathy.

"You should go home then. We finished our assignment," Hansung suggested, placing a serving of rice into his mouth.

Seonu nodded thoughtfully. Nari, however, gradually slowed her eating, until she came to an eventual stop. Ji-Dwi eyed her with concern as her head hung low. Before he could say anything though, Hansung nudged her side.

"Mouse! What's wrong?"

With a quick 'nothing', Nari excused herself from the table and walked away, not ready to share her grief with her friends just yet.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hot air lingered in the room where Nari and her roommates were trying desperately to sleep. However, the sound of socials in the distance and the smell of alcohol in the air brought torture to the Hwarangs as they began to long for the nightlife. Nari listened as the men around her shuffled and squirmed in their beds, too bored and discontent to fall asleep. Finally, Suho sat up with a frustrated sigh.

"This is prison," he exclaimed, causing everyone else to sit up with him. "We finished our assignment! Why must I sleep with you all?"

Ji-Dwi smiled at his roommate's brash excuse to get out. Yeo-Wool climbed down from his bunk.

"Then leave," he said plainly, giving Suho a half-hearted glance.

Suho shrugged with consideration

"You said it's like a prison," Yeo-Wool continued, and then turned to Seonu. "You should go to your family too."

Ban-Ryu glared at the happenings below him, and leant up against the side of his bed.

"I'm warning you...don't do anything stupid," he threatened. "Do not make me suffer because of you."

Nari stayed silent as she observed the situation.

"What's your plan?" Suho asked, turning back to Yeo-Wool.

Yeo-Wool proceeded to explain his strategy, telling of the strong liquor he had given to the guards and officials.

"Are you saying Hwarang House is unguarded right now?" Suho questioned with growing excitement.

Yeo-Wool nodded slyly in reply.

"Go if you want to go. Stay if you wish to stay," he said. "You may as well go. If we get caught, we'll all be punished anyway."

Ban-Ryu growled, but Suho quickly shut him up with a punch threat.

"Will you go out?" Yeo-wool asked Ji-Dwi.

Ji-Dwi thought for a moment, before happily nodding his head.

"And you?" he asked, turning to Seonu. "You have a reason to go."

Seonu hesitantly got out of bed and began to dress. Yeo-Wool finally turned to Nari.

"Mouse?"

Nari's face lit up as she tried to remember all the fun there was to enjoy in the city streets. She nodded enthusiastically and jumped from her bed.

"Let's do it!"

Ji-Dwi smiled at Mouse's cute antics, before wrapping his Hwarang robe around his body. On the other side of the room where Nari was waiting, Suho began to slip his shirt off, revealing a broad chest and defined abs. Nari flushed red, staring at the ground awkwardly. Yeo-Wool caught her blushing, and narrowed his eyes with a smirk. Without a second thought, he 'casually' walked past shirtless Suho, 'accidently' pushing him into tiny Mouse, making her shout with horror. Poor confused Suho tried to regain his balance, but a flustered Mouse shoved him back into the centre of the room.

"Yah!" he cried, stumbling onto his feet. "We're all men here."

Nari covered her embarrassed face with one hand, ramming her fist into Yeo-Wool's arm with her other. He sneered in reply, bending down to whisper in her ear.

"Your welcome," he gloated.

Nari glared at him with disgust, before covering her face again.

"Let's get out of here," Seonu announced, walking out the door. Everyone else followed behind him, but Nari stood in the corner, wallowing in despair.

"Come on," Yeo-Wool urged.

Nari shook her head, wishing she could disappear. He rolled his eyes and grabbed her by the wrist, dragging her out himself.