part one, part two, and part three of monster in the attic au here! This is part four!
Rumi misses her chain and window.
Sheâs been sitting in the smaller room Mira put her in for what feels like hours, waiting for them to come back. Without her chain or the window she doesnât have a way to keep track of time, but theyâd asked her to stay put so thatâs what Rumiâs been doing.
Rumi canât help but glance around the small room again. She knows she shouldnât touch anything in there, itâs clearly some kind of storage for the two girls things.
But Rumi canât help but feel a burning curiosity as she sees the strange clothing and cloths hanging around her. Surely, the two girls will be back soon, right?
âŠ
Her tail twitches behind her, ears swiveling desperately for any sound of them returning.
Nothing. No sounds, footsteps, or voices. The air is completely still, the same way her room used to be.
Rumi feels her resolve weakening as the silence stretches, like water running for years to carve a canyon in moments. Her eyes traitorously dart to the strange clothing again.
âŠ
Rumi tries.
She tries with every ounce of her being, but even the most patient of creatures has a limit. Rumi hits hers sometime around when the light from the door starts letting her see more clearly in the room.
Hesitantly, Rumi lets her hand drift up towards a black, long sleeved piece of clothing. Her hand is still that strange pink that it had been when Mira had taken it, and Rumi used that to her advantage when she touched the sleeve.
Rumi almost melts at the texture alone.
Itâs so soft, she wouldâve assumed it was a cloud if not for seeing and feeling it right in front of her.
Rumi pulls it towards her, not noticing the crack of plastic as the hanger snaps. She pulls it to her face, rubbing it gently against her cheek. The strange rumble sound comes back as she does so.
What was it that Zoey had called it? Purring?
Whatever it is, Rumi doesnât care right now. The cloud feels so soft and warm that Rumi canât help but keep rubbing it against her cheek.
Her vision is suddenly blanketed by darkness after a particularly vigorous rub, and Rumi pauses in confusion. After a moment of consideration, she grabs the soft clothing and pulls it off, returning her ability to see.
Carefully turning the piece of clothing, Rumi examines it in more detail. No longer distracted by the impossible softness of it, she can tell thereâs holes in it, clearly intentionally placed.
The clothes Rumi is usually given are a lot smaller than this, clinging to her skin tightly and covering much of her skin. But if she were to put this extraordinarily comfy clothing piece on, it would surely swallow her whole.
Would that be too far?
âŠ
Rumi puts it on.
It takes a few tries, and she ends up with it about halfway on her before her horns get caught. With some careful help from her tail she was able to pull it the rest of the way on without tearing it.
Rumi has only ever felt this comfortable once, when Mira and Zoey were holding her on the bed and she fell asleep. This is a different kind of comfortable, like a warm bath that Celine would sometimes draw for Rumi when she was younger.
Her eyes start to droop again, the drowsiness she felt after waking up returning. Surely they wouldnât mind if she took a nap, would they?
Rumi slides down the wall of the small room. Itâs large enough for her to just barely lay down, and she makes full use of the room. Thereâs a few more pieces of clothing on the floor, and she quickly pushes at them to make a rough bed shape to lay down on.
As Rumi slowly drifts off to sleep, her mind wanders to the two girls, wondering if Celine was being nice to them.
â an unknown amount of time later â
Rumi woke up to the sound of hushed voices. Her ears swiveled towards the door, her own breathing silent as she listened intently.
â-us search for the whole night and most of today! I mean seriously, I get she wanted to find Rumi, but we need sleep!â
Zoey is the one speaking, exhaustion clear in her tone. Rumi perks up slightly at the mention of her name, shaking her head to wake up fully.
âIâm glad she finally called it off, it felt like my feet were gonna fall off.â Mira groaned as she spoke.
Thereâs a moment of silence before Zoey speaks up, hesitant yet hopeful. âDo you think sheâs still in there?â
Footsteps begin approaching the room sheâs in. Rumi sits up, looking at the door.
âOnly one way to find out.â Mira says, her voice close.
The door creaks open, letting in a startling amount of light. Rumi blinks at it, letting her eyes adjust as she looks up.
Thereâs a single moment where Mira doesnât say anything, simply staring down at the demon wearing her clothing.
âOhmygodZoeygetoverherenow.â Miras voice is oddly high pitched, and as Rumiâs eyes adjust she can see the absolute glee on the taller girls face.
Zoey quickly runs over, freezing when she sees Rumi. A high pitched squeal comes out of her then, making Rumi flinch.
âCrap! Sorry, sorry! Your fine! You just look so freaking cute in Miraâs hoodie!â Zoey has her hands clutched to her chest, looking desperately like sheâs holding herself back.
Mira sees this and sighs, grinning good-naturedly down at Rumi. âHey, Rumi?â Rumi perks up, looking at her questioningly. âZoey might implode if she doesnât get to hug you. Would that be ok?â
Rumi nods in answer. The only warning she gets for whatâs about to happen is another squeal before a small and energetic body suddenly lands on top of her. Rumi wheezes slightly as Zoey squeezes her, drawing a giggle from the younger girl.
Thereâs an odd smell coming from her that tickles Rumiâs nose, but she does her best not to react to it as Zoey settles on top of her, arms squeezing tightly around Rumiâs middle.
âJeez, Zo, careful. We donât want to crush her after finally finding her.â Mira teases.
Zoey just giggles, pulling back to look up at Mira. âWe should probably shower. You wanna go first?â
Rumi canât hold it anymore, the weird smell is too much. She sneezes. Zoey looks at her in surprise as Mira lets out a snort.
âI think you probably should go first, Zo. I think you still smell like the pond.â Mira says, lips quirked in amusement.
Zoey pouts at that, turning to look at Rumi with watery eyes. Rumi tries to shake her head, to try to signal itâs fine, but instead another sneeze slips out.
Zoeyâs expression fills with despair, though she canât quite keep the smile off her face as she speaks. âFineeee, but I call dibs on Rumi cuddles when I get back.â
Standing quickly, Zoey booped Rumi on the nose before snagging her towel and fleeing to the bathroom down the hall. Rumi is left blinking in her wake, confused, and mildly scared that she hurt the young girls feelings.
Mira cleared her throat, drawing Rumis attention. âSorry about leaving you in here, we werenât sure what Celine wanted with you yet. Iâm actually kinda glad we hid you, she showed us the attic youâve been kept in.â
Rumi tilts her head in confusion at that. Why would seeing where she lives be a cause of concern? Sure, she got bored up there, but she always had books to read or weights to lift for a workout!
And sure, she remained chained at all times, and had only ever spoken in passing to Celine, but in the storyâs the princes saving the princesses never said anything about their living conditions so thereâs definitely no problems living like that!
âŠ
Ok maybe thereâs some cause for concern. Not that Rumi would ever voice it to Celine. A hand suddenly enters Rumiâs field of vision, making her flinch as sheâs yanked out of her thoughts. Mira doesnât react beyond raising an eyebrow, hand still open and waiting.
Hesitantly, Rumi slips her still claw-free hand into Miraâs, relishing in the warmth and strength of her grip as she hauls Rumi up and out of the closet.
Without saying a word, the taller girl guides Rumi over to the bed. They end up sitting in the middle of the bed, with Mira pulling Rumi along until their face to face there.
âOk, I have a couple of questions, I need you to be honest with me, ok?â Mira asks.
Rumi nods. She doesnât like being deceitful, especially not when someone specifically asks her not to be.
âSo, first question. Can you talk?â
Rumi nods again. She doesnât speak often, Celine isnât a fan of it, but she can.
âOk, good. Can you⊠say something?â Miras more hesitant, which makes sense. Hearing a demon speak is a very disconcerting experience, according to Celine.
Rumi considers the question. Of course, sheâs going to answer, but what should she say? She doesnât want to freak out Mira, but she also wants to answer her. Maybe the direct approach would be the best.
âSomething.â Rumi says.
Mira snorts at that, a small smile lighting up her face. âOk, fair enough. Thatâs on me.â The smile fades then, her expression turning somber as she looked into Rumiâs eyes.
âI need to know, and I will know if you lie. Have you ever taken someoneâs soul for Gwi-ma?â
Her somber tone is a sharp contrast to the light atmosphere that had been in the room moments before. Something about the question feels sharp to Rumi, like the blades Celine once showed her that were pulled from thin air.
Confusion wars with concern within Rumi as she considers the question. Whoâs Gwi-ma? How would she take a soul? She knows demons are bad, is that why?
Shaking her, head, Rumi meets Miraâs intense gaze. âNo.â She hesitates for a moment before continuing, feeling emboldened by this strange girl whoâs still holding her hand. âWhoâs Gwi-ma?â
Miraâs eyes narrow slightly, darting across Rumiâs face as if sheâs searching for something. Seeming to find it, Mira nods, relaxing as she slumps slightly.
âThatâs⊠good. Great actually. Pi Itâs honestly a relief that you donât know who he is.â With a sigh, Mira fell backwards, pulling Rumi along with her to lie down. âThough I am a little surprised. Howâd you get patterns without learning who he is?â
Rumi was relieved that she hadnât gotten in trouble for the question, but a frown was now on her face. How had she gotten her patterns? Sheâs always had them, for as long as she could remember, so she mustâve had them from birth. Or at bare minimum, from so early in her life that she canât remember.
âIâve always had them.â Rumi shrugs with the words, mimicking the motion she saw one of the girls do when uncertain about something.
Mira looks at her in surprise. âAlways?â
Rumi nods, affirming her answer.
âHuh.â Mira flips onto her back, peering at the ceiling.
Rumi flips as well, noting the strange green stars placed there. The two sit in silence, processing the conversation. Rumi jolts slightly when Mira starts rubbing her thumb in circles against her hand, not expecting it. Mira pauses the motion, glancing at Rumi, before slowly continuing the motion.
Slowly, Rumi feels herself relax back into the bed, the steady motion against her hand drawing out the tension she hadnât realized was lingering from the questioning. The purring returns as Rumi closes her eyes, letting herself enjoy the gentle motions.
Knock knock knock
The purring cuts off, and Rumi opens her eyes to look at the closed door. She can see Mira sitting up in the corner of her eye, looking towards the door as well.
âZoey? What was that noise?â
Rumi sits bolt upright at the voice, looking at Mira with wide eyes. Miraâs mouth opens, but nothing comes out.
The sound of the bathroom door opening echos in the quiet following the question.
