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Sheets tangled.
Book shelves knocked over.
Tail thrashing in alarm.
Patterns flashing a purple-red in panic.
Rumi had no idea how this happened or how she had gotten this way. But she sure as hell didn't want to stay like this.
It was only a week into Huntrix's hiatus, and things were just starting to settle down from everything that had happened at the Idol Awards. And with getting used to living with a half demon. Which Zoey and Mira didn't know was a thing until learning about Rumi's patterns.
Which wasn't a big deal to them, Rumi was Rumi, patterns or no patterns. They still loved their sister the same as they always have.
The day actually started off fairly good in Rumi's opinion. She was a bit tired from the day before from her usual, being a workaholic, antics.
Not a to long later Zoey had suggested, and Rumi had noted very excitedly, that and quote,
"We should totally do a movie night guys, we haven't done anything like that in ages!"
Her eyes looking up at Mira and Rumi, like a begging dog's asking for a treat. Even though Rumi wouldn't say it out loud, there was no way she could say no to that face. And she new that Mira felt the same way.
So they made plans to go to store to get some of everyone's favorite snacks for the occasion. Mira had suggested (More or less foeced) and Zoey agreed, that Rumi stay in the penthouse to rest. Noticeing she looked a bit out of it, which she totally wasn't mind you.Thus she was pushed into her room, with them out the elevator door before Rumi could even give a word of protest.
Now alone in her room, she noticed that she had been a little tired. She yawned and thought that maybe, just maybe Mira and Zoey were right.
'They'll only be gone for an hour or less, couldn't hurt to just relaxed for a bit.'
she thought to herself. Then walking over to her book shelf, grabbed a book and started reading while snuggled into her bed. It wasn't long before she fell asleep.
So how did a perfect morning turn into something like this!
Rumi clumsily walked, or more accurately on four legs crashed, to the mirror in her room. Already knowing she wasn't going to like what she saw.
And boy she was right.
Instead of anything that resembled a human, what she now saw only futher fueled her panic.
A purple, almost spirit like, tiger stared back at her, patterns glowing iridescently. Fur a beautiful soft lilac, white, almost silver, covering her chest and tips of her paws. Two of her top teeth slightly turned up, poking a good ways out of the sides of her mouth, like a demon's fangs. And to top it all off, she had two demon like horns curling around her ears.
Speechlessly, Rumi staggered back.
'How....did this happen..?,
Her breathing picked up as she began to spirl.
'Okay. This is fine. Was it though? I just need to calm down. I can fix! Can I fix it? Is this some kind demon thing? Whether it was or not wasn't going to help her. It's okay, your fine'
'I'm fine'
'I'm fine!'
'I'm FINE!'
'I'M FIN-'
"Rumi, we're home!"
A blunt voice ,clearly Mira's' called.
"Rumi! We're back! And we got snacks!"
A cheery, totally Zoey, yell came from down the hall of the penthouse.
Rumi's heart stopped.
'Oh, please no'
And she heard footsteps get closer room.
"Ruummiii! Rumi...?"
Zoey called Rumi's name, only to , yet again, be met with silence.
Huh, that was weird. And Zoey couldn't help but wonder why it was so quiet.To be honest, she half expected to come back to Rumi cleaning the penthouse or something. Knowing that she couldn't, not, work on something for more than hust one second like the workaholic she is. So everything being completely quiet and untouched was odd, to say the least.
"Huh, do you think she actually listened to us and is napping maybe?"
Mira said, more speaking it out loud than actually talking to Zoey. But she still answered.
"I guess so, that's good. I mean after everything that's happened lately it's nice she's finally getting some rest"
Zoey finished, smiling while holding the bags groceries, walking to the kitchen area. Mira close behind to help unload. Zoey contueing.
"Everything has been a bit crazy, but I think things will settle down soo-"
Zoey stopped.
Her ears caught the sound of a muffled, but strangled cry quietly echoing, while her eyes at the same time, catching a quick, fleeting , but visible pink pulse in the Honmoon.
Her breath catches.
The only time she saw this was...
The Idol Awards.
When Rumi had begged them not to leave her, begged them to listen, pleading.
She looks at Mira and their eyes meet. They both nod and move quickly, but quietly making their way to Rumi's room.
As they reach the closed door they pause and listen.
They could hear a hard, rushed, panting, followed by strangled sob and another pink pulse.
For whatever happened, they didn't know. All they knew is that Rumi sounded like she was having a panic attack, and she needed someone.
Or a few someones. Namely Zoey and Mira.
Mira made the first move as she knocked on her door.
"Rumi? Is everything alright in there?"
Mira asked, concern lacing her voice. Followed by Zoey tenderly saying.
"Yeah, is everything okay...?"
There was no answer but a heavy shuffling sound, followed by a loud, ear piercing crash of something glass being shattered. And the cherry on top being hurt yelp coming from Rumi.
Mira's face hardened as she grabbed the door handle twisting it.
Privacy be damned, she was coming in.
Mira thurst the door open with so much force that Zoey was surprised it didn't fly off it's hinges. But of course that's not what matters at the moment.
As they walked into Rumi's room and looked upon it's chaos.
Bedsheets thrown about, bookshelfs knocked over, glass shattered across the floor, and in the middle of it all was a purple horned tiger.
It had one bloodied hand on it head, claws digging into it's skull in a way that looked like it could draw blood. It's chest was heaving in quick labored breaths, like it was hyperventilating. It's patterns flared a bruised purple and angry red with each breath. And it's eyes. It's soft brown eyes were open wide in a dazed, internal panic.
Of course they would recognize those eyes anywhere.
"Rumi..?"
Zoey asked quietly, while slowly walking tword her, with Mira close behind.
"I-I don't know what happened- I don't-I."
Rumi tries to say in the midst of her spiral, her voice sounding distorted in it's demonic way.
"Rumi"
Mira said firmly. Then grabbing Rumi's bloody paw, she gently removed it from her skull.
"Breath Rumi, you need calm down"
And Rumi gradualy did. Zoey and Mira stared to clean up the messy room and broken glass while Rumi got her bearings. Patterns turning a soft dim blue.It was only then when she spoke.
"Sorry"
There was no distorted echo in her voice this time, but she didn't sound all to good.
"I know you most likely have questions, I swear I would answer them if I knew what happened. But I really don't! Honest I-"
"Rumi! Listen it's fine, okay? I'm not angry or anything like that ,and I don't think Zoey is either. In fact, I think she's probably wanting to snuggle you to death with you
like that."
What Mira said was in fact true. Looking just to the side of her Zoey was practically buzzing, but not giving into her want to bullsoze into her, out of respect for Rumi's space and not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. Zoey already knew Rumi wasn't big on physical touch, but usually didn't mind Zoey though.
"What! No I don't! How could you say thay Mira, I'm not that bad!"
Zoey tried to protest, but her guilty look betrayed her words. Until finally admitting.
"Okay....I do, maybe, kinda, want to...."
Rumi sighed
"I honestly could care less right now, sure, go to town "
Rumi could see Zoey perk up, then for her face to only harden into a thoughtful expression. Rumi tilted her head, one ear tilted up and the other down in confusion. Mira seemed to notice this aswell, but waited for Zoey to respond. She then realized they were both confused and tried to explain.
"It's not that it don't want to! Because I really, really, want to, it's that I can't yet... you know. Your han- um paw is still bleeding Rumi "
Rumi then looked down at her, now paw, and realized that Zoey was indeed right. Rumi only mumble a quiet 'oh' while doing so.
"Shit I forgot about that. Zo stay with Rumi, I'll go get the first aid kit "
And with that Mira left without another word. Everything was then awkwardly quiet.
"So..."
Rumi started slowly.
"You two aren't put off by...this... or anything?"
Zoey looked at her, and couldn't help but think that Rumi was absolutely just stunning in this form.
From the beautiful soft violet and silver fur, to the glowing iridescent patterns and beautifully curled horns. Zoey couldn't decide whether she was awed or a little jealous of this form. Of course she wasn't
put off, she thought this was amazing.
"Oh Rumi"
Zoey smiled
"From all the stuff that's happened recently, this isn't really that crazy. Well, at least to me anyways. Aaaannd..... I think it's so awesome!"
She squealed and wrapped her arms around Rumis neck. Man, Zoey couldn't help but sink into her fur. It was soo soft. But wasn't going to go to town, yet.
"This is almost like this one anime I watched, where there are people possessed by zodiac animal spirits and would turn into that animal! Oh! We should definitely watch that tonight! Ooh, what do
think Mira?"
Looking in the direction of the door Rumi noticed that Mira just got back, with the first aid kit in hand.
"Anythings better to watch than that awful K-drama you made me watch last month with you, that's only if Rumi's up to it"
Mira said as she started to work on the cut on Rumi's paw.
"Oh uh, sure. Actually yeah I would like to, I mean we are on hiatus. I don't want to be the reason we can't have a good time"
Mira frowned.
"We asked if you would like to, not if you were ruining it Rumi."
Mira replied, pulling the gauze tight and firm, but still gently.
"Yeah, it not your fault Ru. If you don't want to that's fine, I just asked because you seemed stressed and I thought it would
maybe help. You know?"
The Tiger couldn't help but smile to herself.
"Sorry, I did mean to make it sound like that. I really would like to, even if it's not in the way we intended. Plus we've got a whole 3 monts to figure this out, right?"
Zoey and Mira both nodded.
"You know, in a way in this a little funny,"
Zoey with a smile on her face.
"I always kinda thought of you like a Tiger. I mean, if you were any animal."
Rumi deadpaned and her ear flicked in annoyance. While Mira stifled that laugh.
"Oh comon Rumi, don't give her that look, she not really wrong though. You got patterns, and you get real hissy when you don't get enough sleep, hell, you even have the appetite of one"
Rumi protested.
"No I don't I eat a normal amount!....Usually..."
Zoey giggled, she could help but think that Rumi looked adorable pouting like this. But kept to herself knowing she'd a good
kick if she didn't.
"Well... we did get some kimbap for you, but I geuss it might just be to much for you...?
Mira teased.At this the Tiger perked up. Patterns glowing a warm yellow.
"Well... if you got them for me, it would be rude of me not to..."
Rumi mumble.
‐-----------‐------------------------
It was late, the TV on low as a soothing melody came from end of an other ending episode. Rumi was the only one who had made it to midnight for their little marathon.
On the couch Rumi lay on her stomach, paws tucked under her chests fur, head laying on a small but soft pillow. Zoey was snuggled into Rumi's fur and sprawled out on her back, covered with a light blanket. While Mira leaned against Rumi side, head slightly tilted while sleeping.
The episode's song started to slowly fade, while Rumi's eyes began to slowly close.
'Tomorrow....we'll figure it out tomorrow....yeah, that's sounds good'
Was last thing she thought of as sleep claimed her.