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The turtle's tank looked really good in their condo; they'd installed it on the east wall, opposite the piano, giving the animal a rather fantastic view of Seoul through the huge pane windows. Honestly, the view was better than Mira's room.
She studied the sunning turtle, then pulled out her phone and flicked her glasses onto her face to read it easier.
"Whatcha searching for?" Zoey appeared at her elbow.
"Taxi, I want to take a trip." She glanced at Zoey and realized that she'd need her help, "Actually, we're going to take a trip."
"Is this business or a date?"
"We could make it one, but I wanted to look at something. A possible gift for Rumi." Mira leaned over and kissed her, really looking forward to a lunch date with just the two of them, "So how about both? We'll do this thing, then get lunch? Just you and me."
"I'll get pants on." Zoey disappeared, leaving Mira shaking her head.
As they took the elevator down together, Zoey texted Rumi, "I don't know if she'll get back before we do but I don't want her coming up and wondering where we are. I just wish I knew why the label wanted to meet her alone."
"Probably to discuss solos," Mira said, her stomach twisting. "I've got one next week too."
Zoey froze mid tap, "Me too … I don't know how to feel about that. Huntri/x-"
"Will never go anywhere," Mira squeezed an arm around her, "I don't know what I want to do for myself, but I'll support you whatever you do."
Zoey gripped her phone tightly, "Well, we'll see what Rumi says tonight."
When she gave the taxi driver the address Zoey's head practically swiveled towards her. Mira held up a finger, "I'll explain when we get there."
"O-kay." Zoey sank into the seat, staring at her phone, curiosity clearly eating her alive until they reached the store they'd gotten her turtle from.
Since she knew of a place near the reptile shop they could eat, Mira let the taxi go, then walked inside.
"Oh its still here!"
Zoey gaped at the animal, then turned to Mira, "You want to get Rumi an iguana?"
Mira nodded, "She seemed really taken by it when we were here." She stepped closer, "I think… I think she appreciates its scales. She said it reminded her of her. They have a similar -"
"Her patterns," Zoey whispered. She wiped at her eye, then snapped a picture before lowering her phone again. She took a breath, giving Mira an apologetic look, "I'm so sorry, but iguanas are like, the worst possible lizard option for any of us."
"Oh." Even though she was here for Rumi Mira still felt a sense of rejection for herself. She blinked her eyes and looked at the reptile.
"They need a whole room, and we can convert Rumi's old room, but they need a lot of handling to get used to people and have a very strict care and feeding guidelines and we can pay for that but…" Zoey took Mira's hand, lacing their fingers together, "At that point the animal is basically someone else's and just something pretty to look at once in awhile. We might as well get her a painting at that point."
"Its just, she reacted so strongly to it…"
"It wouldn't be fair to the animal, or to Rumi. My turtle can get by as long as she has a clean tank and food and doesn't need me around all the time but an iguana…"
They were off hiatus soon. And then it would be constant work and promos and events and concerts and - Mira's shoulder's sagged, "You're right. It's why I've never suggested we get rats or like a cat. I had no idea iguanas were so involved."
"Yeah, they get big too. But…we could get a painting, actually. And a cute shirt." Zoey turned to her, "I think it would still mean a lot to her that you thought about it, and then found something she can look at that reminds her she's beautiful."
That sounded nice actually. In a way, it wasn't so much the iguana but what it represented for Rumi, "What would I do without you, Zoey?"
"Wallow in misery." Zoey pulled her out of the shop, "We can find a painting or painter while we eat."
"We can probably do that in the taxi back." Mira stole Zoey's phone. "But I'd thought we'd handle the gift then lunch would be just us. So small change of plans, lunch first, then figure out Rumi's gift."
"Mira!"
Mira dangled the phone over her head, "Promise not to search for paintings?"
"I promise."
The pout Zoey gave her was too much, and Mira relented, giving her her phone back.
Zoey started to furiously tap, "But you didn't say anything about shirts and hats and pins and-"