~ a lily among thorns~

"some sort of pattern"

The next morning, Nari found herself down at the river, diligently washing clothes with the other Hwarangs. Yeo-Wool and Hansung squatted next to her, scrubbing down their garments. Ji-Dwi was a fair distance away. She noticed Seonu by his side, the two having a seemingly solemn conversation.

Nari sighed, turning her eyes back to the running water. Ji-Dwi was confusing her in the worst of ways. One minute he was swearing he loved her, the next he was ignoring her completely. Something was definitely off. Even so, Nari could feel his gaze shift her way every once in a while, and it helped her cling to the hope he still loved her.

"Why are they making us do this so early in the morning?" Hansung groaned suddenly, a sulky expression on his face. He still looked a little groggy from the night before. "I haven't even had breakfast yet and I'm starving!"

"Yah! Stop complaining!" Yeo-Wool scolded. He looked even more hung-over than Hansung. "It's bad enough having to do this. I don't need you whining in my ear as well." Despite his lingering fatigue, Yeo-Wool was still precise about his looks. His hair, unlike the others, was neatly combed and styled into a 'half-up-half-down' do. Nari admired him for that. He dressed better than even the ladies of Silla.

Hansung was stilling pouting, half-heartedly swishing his clothes around in the river. His usually boisterous self wasn't functioning due to sleep deprivation.

"Mouse," he suddenly said, looking up at Nari. "You're too quiet. What's wrong?"

Yeo-Wool flicked his wet garments at Hansung, letting off a stern 'tsk'.

"Don't bother her," he instructed, causing Hansung to lower his head sadly. Indeed, Yeo-Wool was just as curious, but he could tell Nari was not in the mood to talk about it.

"I guess I'm just tired," Nari sighed, awkwardly turning her eyes to the ground. She always felt awkward when lying.

"I bet you're not as tired as us though," Hansung replied, letting off a loud dramatic yawn. "We were out all night!"

"I know-"

"Hansung!" Yeo-Wool hissed, before frantically checking who was around. "Lower your voice! You remember what happened last time they discovered our secret outings?"

Hansung lowered his eyes again, nodding his head sulkily at the thought. "Yes," he answered with dread. "They made us carry Master Wei-Hwa around on litter...I still can't get the vomit stains out of my uniform!"

Nari giggled, earning a sharp eye from both her friends. At their discouragement, she forced a frown, quickly getting back to her duties.

"Anyway Mouse," Hansung continued, noticeably curious. "Where were you last night?"

This prompted Nari to think back...to her questionable exchange with Ji-Dwi. Of course, she wasn't going to share it. "Oh...you know...," Nari mumbled, fiddling with her washing. "I was just in my room doing nothing."

"That's unusual," Yeo-Wool said, not bothering to look up. "You're usually up to some sort of mischief."

Nari smiled wryly. "Usually, but not last night."

Yeo-Wool raised his eyebrows, finding it hard to believe. However, he didn't question her any further and continued to squeeze out the water from his clothes.

"Oh?" Hansung suddenly piped up, picking something from his pile of washing. It was a crumpled-up gown. "Is this yours Mouse? I think its accidently ended up in my pile."

Nari eyed the piece of clothing, before nodding. "Yes, that's mine. And speaking of which, you wouldn't happen to know where my pink dress is? Perhaps it also got mixed up in your washing?"