Lock & Key (Chaelisa)

 "Snowdrops?" Jisoo said blankly when Lisa asked. "In our backyard?"

"How would you know?" Jennie frowned. "I never saw you go back there."

"I...I just happened to pass by the window and I saw them," Lisa said quickly, realising that if she told them the whole truth it might lead to some awkward conversations. She didn't want them to turn against her and maybe even fire her.

"Well, you can go look all you like but there isn't any, last I checked," Jisoo said. Lisa didn't miss the glance she flashed Jennie.

"Who are they for?" Jennie said curiously as she followed after Lisa. "Must be someone important if you're on the hunt for snowdrops. Here in Hoguryeo, if you want to charm a special someone, you find them snowdrops. If you find a big bunch of them, that makes you look even better because they're so notoriously uncommon."

Lisa stopped short. "It's...a courting flower?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes. Remember the story of the—"

"Hunter and snow maiden yeah yeah. I didn't know that was such a big thing," Lisa said distractedly as she burst out into the yard.

"We have a big festival all about them and you're still doubting their impact?" Jennie said dryly as Lisa trampled around. "Lisa, are you sure you saw snowdrops in here?"

"I'm sure! They were here and..." 

And Jisoo gave you some, and you were having a moment and I can't tell you that I saw you but I saw everything, I know what I saw.

Lisa shook her head with an exasperated huff, stopping short of stamping her feet. It had been a long day of tarrying all over the village and she had thought getting the flowers would be the easy part.

All day long as she lugged the cart around in the biting cold, Lisa had been picturing Rosie's delight at receiving the flowers while she basked in her amazement and awe. And maybe Rosie would even give her another kiss, on the cheek this time.

Lisa almost burst out in a little jig at the thought, making her hurry up with her chores as she eagerly looked forward to going back to Snowdrop and pick up the flowers.

The fact that time was passing and the sun was setting soon agitated her beyond words because here she was, still empty-handed. Going to Rosie without the flowers was foolish, because why else would Rosie want to see her? It's not like they were anything beyond friends.

And Rosie had been so hopeful and excited at the prospect of receiving flowers that Lisa's heart wilted at the thought of seeing her sad.

Lisa rounded on Jennie in despair. "I wanted snowdrops for Rosie," she confessed at last. "I promised I'd get her some, and I...I was sure I saw them here...."

Jennie didn't bat an eyelid but she did walk up to Lisa and pat her arm. "I'm sorry. There's no flowers here anymore," she said softly.

Lisa sighed. "Right. I'll go and tell her that I'm sorry for getting her hopes up."

"I know where there's snowdrops."

Both Jennie and Lisa snapped their heads to Jisoo, who was standing in the doorway to the yard.

"Chu," Jennie said, a warning note in her voice but Jisoo ignored her.

"There's snowdrops in the forest," she told Lisa, "do you know where the river forks?"

"I think I remember the way there, yeah."

Jisoo smiled. "If you go there, you'll find snowdrops."

"Jisoo!" Jennie beseeched.

"Won't other people have found them? That's quite a popular landmark," Lisa said doubtfully as Jennie cut in.

"Jisoo, it's late! The forest is dangerous at night, have you forgotten? Lisa, can't Rosie wait until tomorrow at least?"

"She can make it if she hurries," Jisoo said earnestly before turning to Lisa. "Trust me. You'll find snowdrops. Take my cudgel and—"

"No, I need to travel light. I'll go right now and be back before you know it," Lisa decided. "Someone might find them tomorrow and it would be too late for me."

"Take a lamp at least," Jennie said worriedly as she followed Lisa back into the shop. "Stars, lovesick fools are so reckless..."

"Wouldn't you be reckless too, for Jisoo?" Lisa burst out impatiently. "Don't give me that look, you know what I'm talking about! I saw you yesterday."

Jisoo and Jennie stiffened, eyes darting towards each other before they looked at Lisa again.

"Yes, I would be reckless for her," Jennie said finally, quietly, as she slipped her hand into Jisoo's hand. "But there's a difference—"

Lisa didn't hear; she had already run out.

Jennie turned to Jisoo in consternation. "How could you send her off like that?"

"I didn't. I just told her where to find snowdrops," Jisoo said calmly. "It was her decision."

"She's not in her right mind!" Jennie protested.

Jisoo took her hands to calm her down. "Jendeuk, if any harm befalls her, it's on me. Lisa is strong and capable. I believe in her. Let's trust in her devotion to Roseanne."

Jennie let herself be hauled into Jisoo's comforting embrace, even as a frown marred her brow.

"I just have a bad feeling...something sinister is afoot and Lisa is heading right into the thick of it," she whispered.

Jisoo cupped her face to make her look up, her eyes solemn. "Then, if you get a vision, we'll be ready, alright?"

Jennie nodded and buried her face in Jisoo's neck again.