Archive of Our Own

Year: ???

Time tends to run together when you have no frame of reference for its passage. No anchor for your past to moor itself to, leaving it to drift further and further out of reach. At least she found that to be the case.

Her senses were forgotten first. No way to taste, no concept of smell. Alone in the dark with nothing to see either. Feeling was the hardest to lose, but she grew used to not missing something she couldn't remember anymore. Warmth and cold were fleeting words with no meaning besides something her magic might be able to inflict upon others.

If they wished for it.

If she felt particularly vindictive to inconvenience them with the discomfort of severity in doing so.

Her name faded from her second. After so many long centuries in the dark, only interrupted by brief periods outside her little prison… her sanctuary, her whole world now. It wasn't as if she could be parted from it, or roam free. Might as well make peace with it, and with the loss of her name. There wasn't a need for it, and she was so long removed from the time when it suited her it stopped mattering what she was called.

Things without feelings, only meant to serve a simple purpose, didn't need to be called anything but useful… Except she hated the idea of being that.

By the time her first new master--a farmer who found her box buried in the ground while preparing for planting season--mistakenly called her out of the dark she nearly gave the man a heart attack on the spot.

“Behold,” a voice as foreign as anything else rumbled from her with disdain. “You stand before a djinn, capable of granting you 3 wishes. What will your first be?”

Her regal attire and her ‘flesh’ alike might as well have been the same. All of her static and unchanging, vaguely transparent and saturated colors with a slight otherworldly glow all about her. She was not of this world after all. It was plain to anyone with eyes.

His shock only lasted until he realized what he could gain from the meeting, casting his farming tools aside and instantly wishing for a king's fortune. Typical. A distant nagging chime at the back of her mind swiftly left her annoyed with the thought as she snapped her fingers to direct the magic to his whim.

Passed through the lens of her own will.

What better way to bestow him a king's fortune than to set in motion events that would ultimately put him on the throne?

And set him up for failure when his incompetence at the task would lead to mass revolt from his subjects.

Not three weeks into his reign she found herself still in his possession as he fled the castle ahead of a mob. Only far enough to find a ditch to throw her away in with the latch shut tight and the other two of his wishes unused. Back in her box, alone in the dark.

Until she could be found again.

And again.

And again and again and again.

Experiencing the march of time in compressed moments. Kept hidden away by each covetous master to avoid losing her power until they became so dissatisfied with her service they discarded her.

Coming to the most recent, her one sliver of hope.

“Wishes you say?” The old man reacted more calmly than all those before. “That's quite the responsibility… I'd best give it some thought.”

She wondered if he even believed she was real, and not just a figment of his senile mind. But at least he was a rare instance of calm.

“... as you please.”

His home was quiet. The dresser by the window he placed her on allowed her a nice view for a little while… Sadly, it was only a little while.

As with all humans, there ended up being precious little time for him to consider even his first wish. His peaceful passing was cold comfort to her, banished back to the box, latch shut tight again, until the next master could claim her.

Year: ???

For a comparatively brief span of time--as well as she could compare it to anything before--she listened to the muffled voices outside. Catching snippets that came as close to breaking her hellish void of deprivation as anything ever did.

Something about an ‘estate’ sale. And donations. Setting affairs in order. Funeral service arrangements.

The coming and going of many different voices chattering about the man and his things and his house. Some with a tinge of grief, others with more familiar greed. Distracted by even modest matters.

None of them claimed her.

Her box was packed up. Buried under other unwanted possessions to the point voices couldn't reach her anymore. And the quiet returned like an old friend. One who hated her.

It grated.

Making clear she'd let herself get too comfortable hearing the nothing filled, but just as she settled in to allow the reminder of how her existence was meant to be she was given back the taste of comfort. She was removed from burial and put on display somewhere.

New voices spoke of sale and pricing, still nobody claimed her. But at least she could hear many more voices passing by. Trying to enjoy the novelty while it lasted but not allow herself to become spoiled by it. The swell of activity then short duration of quiet gave her some idea of the days passing now.

One became two.

Two soon became ten.

Then weeks.

Then a month.

Why not keep count of the time? It had been so long since she had something she could keep.

She was found during the second month. Picked up and examined, brought closer to someone's face if a steadily louder voice was any indication.

“Hello, what do we have here~?”

She could feel her quiet days slipping away from her as the woman brought her to the shopkeeper.

“What’s this and how much?”

“Pretty sure it's a puzzle box,” the gruff voice responded. “Didn't test it out, but seems in good condition so… eeeeh 7000 won. Take or leave it.”

“Done!”

Bartered away. She settled in to wait for the eventuality she was already prepared for. A brief jingle of bells and loud chaos accosted her as she was taken from the shop.

Was the world always this loud?

The cacophony was so chaotic she had no chance of focusing on any one part, left to drown in the mingle of noise. It continued to grate on her until they passed into a quieter area, then got bombarded by low booming and screeching. A garbled monotone voice and the low chatter of others for another extended period. Off and on it all fluctuated until finally she was allowed some peace.

“Ruuuuumi!”

She spoke too soon as her scavenger shouted alongside the careless slam of a door.

“You gotta see what I found at the Paper Tiger!”

“What is it?” A new voice approached. Or met the other halfway somewhere.

“It's a puzzle box! I was looking it over, I think I can get it open. I can keep those shells in it from our trip to the beach last summer. Pretty right?”

A foreign softness colored the other voice as she responded.

“Very lovely. Maybe wait until after lunch though,” it started fading as the new person walked away. “I just finished cooking.”

“Okaaaay,” the one who'd purchased the box sighed.

She must have been set down and left somewhere away from them, because things stayed calm and still for a little while. Silent with only the occasional rising volume of laughter and enthused chatter. It gave her a much needed reset back to composure that might've been harder to maintain if she'd been released immediately into the sea of whatever world was outside of this residence.

By the time the energetic person returned she was prepared to greet this new task like all the times before.

Except there seemed to be a snag.

“Damn…” the voice growled softly. “Come on. Just a little… almost.”

“Something wrong, aein?”

The soft clack of ceramic on wood.

“Oh! No no can you just--see here?”

A pause.

“This piece?”

“Yes! Perfect! Just press that piece tight. My fingers are too short to…”

The voice faded to soft, uncontrolled giggling.

“Wha--oh! Pft, haha yes very funny, Zoey. Do you want help or not?”

“Okay okay okay sorry sorry! Yeah just hold there and I can--”

The latch flipped up, and she could hear their triumphant excitement just before emerging from the box. Hovering beside and above them to deliver her standard introduction.

“Behold--”

Met with instant screams of terror as they dropped the box back on the table and scrambled across the room to the door. Throwing it open then slamming it shut behind them.

Leaving her alone and utterly baffled by the reception…

Well… not the first time I've been met with fear I suppose, she relaxed her posture and blinked at the closed door to wait and see if they would be coming back.

As the wait grew longer her eyes began to wander the space. Noting the strangeness of the layout. Even the old man's house was more distinctly… a house. This room was so open. And unbalanced. It held large pieces of furniture: a long lounge seat facing a strange piece of art that was all black and faintly reflective, the table and chairs, shelves and drawers. On the opposite end it opened right onto a thin kitchen space, she could tell by the cookware and utensils, the knives held to the wall by some strip of metal.

A step over the air and she drifted a bit for a better look. Lifting over the stone topped cabinet island separating the kitchen from the rest of the room. Tilting her head when she didn't find a hearth but giving up on deciphering the strangeness to move on to other things. Blankets and pillows cast haphazardly on the cushioned seat. She scanned the shelves to read the titles of some of their books, but nothing really caught her interest long enough to stick. The smaller bits of decor were a mash of aquatic creatures and large cats like tigers.

“No synergy…” she mumbled to herself.

Just as she turned to go back to her box, as it seemed her wait would be longer than expected, she caught movement from the corner of her eye. She paused and turned to find her reflection looking back at her from a mirror hung on a free patch of wall.

At least… she thought it was hers. How long had it been since she last saw herself?

The image moved when she moved so it had to be. Without thinking she turned to lean closer.

Unchanged. She wore the same high born garments she always had, layers and layers, sashes and a long sleeved jacket that fell halfway down her shins, wide flowing pants. No shoes.

I lost… I lost them.

No makeup.

They didn't bother with…

Her long hair half falling out of whatever intricate style it had been put in originally.

She held her hands just off the glass as she watched her own face contort in pain and distress. There was so little color. She had no distinct color anymore.

What was my hair…? My eyes…? What color were they?

All of her--clothes and body alike--was one uniform palette: base white with hints of blue and gold and lavender that fluctuated as she moved. All slightly transparent. Nothing distinct. Nothing her anymore.

All that was left was her purpose. All she had was what she could offer.

The privilege of being useful.

The glass cracked under her hands. Unable to stand the disturbance her frustration put through the air. The spiderweb of jagged edges made seeing anything impossible. And she should have been thankful for it. It wasn't anything she needed, certainly nothing she was owed. She let the tension in her expression fall away and zipped through the air to return to her box.

Back to the familiar. Back to the dark. Safe and empty.

But the latch wouldn't close until her job was done.

Or they were done with her.

Days in Service: 1

When she finally heard the door again she resolved to keep to her task and make sure things got sorted promptly. Their soft whispering was thus swiftly interrupted as she materialized outside the box again.

Greeted with another yelp of surprise as they shoved a smoking bundle of leaves at her. A moment to blink at it and she held her arms behind her back to try again.

“Behold,” she offered at conversational volume. “You stand before a djinn, capable of granting you 3 wishes. What will your first be?”

After the flash of panic that their bunch of twigs had done nothing they passed right on into confusion. The smaller of the two with black hair kept the other--her hair purple and braided--hidden safely behind her during the confrontation.

“A… djinn?” The latter asked.

“You're not a ghost?” The littler one narrowed her eyes.

She had the tone of the person who'd bought her box… so if she remembered correctly from earlier, her name was Zoey. And that left the other to be… Rumi. For organizations sake more than her actually caring.

“... no,” She deadpanned.

Disappointed to have such incompetent new masters… or to be in a world so removed from time to not know what she even was anymore.

“Not a ghost. A djinn. You opened my box, ergo you claim rights to 3 wishes. Now, what will you--?”

“Which of us gets the wishes?” Zoey asked slowly. “Or do we each get three?”

Rumi shook her arm and hissed quietly but frantically in her ear.

“Zoey we need to get rid of--”

“You both opened the box… Three wishes, the two of you decide who gets them.”

Could she have decided to allow both of them to have three wishes each? Maybe, but it was her deal to set with the box now open, and they'd frustrated her immediately. Given their behavior this wasn't likely to last long regardless.

“... you're serious?” Rumi asked.

“Indeed, I am.”

She folded her arms and watched for what they would do. This not being the first time two people had claimed her in one stroke.

That was the pair of brothers. She'd even been generous enough to give each of them three wishes… and it still led to one killing the other to abscond with her alone. She couldn't even recall what he'd wished for, or how she'd ruined it for him. But she was sure she didn't feel bad about doing so.

“Okay, um,” Zoey's posture was beginning to relax as she turned back to Rumi. “So that's… a wish each, then we can decide what to do with the last one together?”

… what?

“I don't know, Zo… You bought the box.”

What?

“Yeah but knowing me I'd probably botch it, or actually maybe use it on you. Like something for you.”

She watched them start grinning as they discussed it, joking around like it was easy. They would just see then. The comradery wouldn't last.

“We should give it some thought regardless,” Rumi suggested. “I've heard you should be cautious with wording for things like this.”

“Right, right! The whole ‘be careful what you wish for’ thing,” Zoey was just gesturing with the lit stick of plants now. Coughing a bit and heading for the kitchen. “Is it okay if we wait and think it over…? Um… also, what should we call you?”

The sound of running water jarred her out of her shock as Rumi wandered on through the room. Collecting her handled cup left on the table and frowning at the contents before also heading for the kitchen.

“Do as you please,” she answered. “Call me whatever suits you. I do not have a name.”

Not anymore.

Her eyes drifted from them to her box, and the next moment she'd tucked herself back within. Content to wait.

“... what happened to the mirror?”

“Oop, seven years bad luck.”

All endings came right when they were meant to. In her experience.

Days in Service: 4

They kept to a regular schedule of coming and going, from her notice. Even though she kept to her box until she was sure they were both gone, they weren't the quietest residents.

“Rumi, have you seen my notebook?”

“You left it on the coffee table last night. Have some of this before you leave, I'm going first.”

“Shit, that smells heavenly! Thank you, my culinary goddess~”

Laughter as Rumi was on her way out the door. Followed by the rhythmic thump of hurried footfalls over the wooden floors, the clink of dishes, humming, then another slam of the door.

And finally silence.

Only then did she come back out.

The first couple days had been spent in sequestered auditory observation. She found at times they left the home only briefly, usually when mentioning a trip to the store or for food. But when ‘class’ or ‘campus’ was mentioned they were gone for longer periods. And those times tended to be around the same time each morning. Today she decided to test what she'd surmised while checking the limits of her movements.

Back in the large entry room, and little had changed. There was dishware left soaking in the sink, a bit of a mess around the kitchen… She ignored it. The mirror had been taken down, either discarded or put away somewhere. She didn't care either way.

It became clear there was indeed a limit to how far away from her box she could go. They'd left it in the center of their dining table, which as far as she could tell they didn't use for eating. Going by sound, they tended to eat on the long seat near the ‘coffee table’ or while standing in the kitchen.

“Odd,” she clicked her tongue.

Given more time to explore she found another room off the large one. Down a short hall. She could enter about halfway before the tether kept her from going farther, allowing her to see where they slept and kept more of their things. Again the organization and chaos clashed terribly with each other. With perfectly placed items in one area and a mess just beside it. How they managed to stand the duality was beyond her comprehension.

She left it all alone to return to the main room. Folding her arms and drifting along the outside wall to look out the windows to the bustling city beyond. Their home was high up. Counting the windows of a similar building across the way she guessed this space was six floors above the ground. And when she found one such window with a metal platform and staircase outside she stopped to examine a little closer.

Passing through the glass made the world so much louder. So much so her first instinct was to pull right back in, grimacing and watching a little longer before giving up for the day and returning to the familiar.

Back in the box.

Rumi came home first. She could tell by the quiet arrival. The faint squeak of the floorboards and gentle humming. The soft sound of a bag carefully set on the table.

The sigh, “Zooooey… really?”

Then the sound of running water and dishes being set aside. Once that stopped there was the scuff of a chair and papers shifting. All very relaxing the longer she listened. Even some faint music and more humming that lulled her to a sense of calm.

Until a faint tap came from the lid of the box.

“Hello? Are you in there?”

Where else would she be?

Rather than ask she just emerged again, stoic and prepared to do her job. Rumi grinned politely when she was fully manifested.

“Good afternoon,” she waved awkwardly.

“Have you settled on your first wish?”

“Oh! N-no no, not yet,” Rumi held her hands up. “Sorry if I disturbed you, I was just about to start lunch. Zoey should be home in about an hour. I wanted to ask if you wanted some. I can make enough for three.

All this while already on her way around to the kitchen. Absurd, but interesting enough to float over the island to watch.

“I do not eat.”

“No?”

The dishware was set to dry on a metal rack beside the sink, but Rumi must've needed some of it because she started drying a few pieces with a small towel.

“No.”

“Is that… a choice? Or can you not at all?”

“I cannot eat.”

Why would she choose not to? She sat back in the air, lounging against nothing with her arms folded and one leg crossed over the other. Just watching.

“... sorry to hear that,” Rumi looked up at her with sympathy.

It made her drift back a bit to put more distance between them.

“It is what it is.”

“You're still welcome to watch,” Rumi offered. “Or if you'd rather I can turn on the tv.”

“... tv?”

“Over--”

A knock came from the front door. Not Zoey then, someone else. Rumi looked between it and her.

“Hello?” A voice spoke up through the wood. “Rumi? I thought I saw you come in, are you there?”

“It's Mr. Hong,” Rumi set the dish aside and waved at her. “Hide quick.”

“Why?”

“He'll see you, and he's older. I don't want to scare him.”

“Scare--?”

“Rumi, dear?”

Rumi hurried to the door and put herself completely in the frame as she opened it, obscuring as much of the room beyond as possible as she greeted the shorter gentleman standing just outside.

“Yes, hello Mr. Hong. Did you need something?”

“No, dear. I thought you did. Zoey mentioned a leak under the kitchen sink?”

“Ooooh, right. Uh,” Rumi casually looked over her shoulder and darted her eyes to the box. “We probably don't need it looked at right away--”

“Nonsense, better sooner than having a mess. I brought my tools along. Allow me.”

Rumi, unable to think of a good excuse to have him leave, stepped aside and braced herself. The short gentleman made jaunty steps across the floor and around the island into the kitchen. Walking right past Her and her box without comment. She drifted around to follow and watch what he was doing. It involved opening the cabinets under the sink and climbing halfway in to start tinkering.

Rumi rushed over and looked between her and his complete lack of reaction with frantic confusion while he was too occupied to notice.

“... nobody but my master--or masters in this case--can see or hear me,” she explained. “He is spared the terror of my company.”

“Your company is not--” Rumi started to hiss.

“It's just an old seal ring, Rumi,” Mr. Hong spoke up to be heard without coming out of the cabinet. “I'll just reseal it and be out of your way in ten.”

Rumi rubbed over her face and turned toward him.

“Great, thank you, sir.”

She moved over to chat with Mr. Hong while he worked, friendly and helpful however she could be while he fixed their sink. The hierarchy was, therefore, something to ponder on.

Was he a craftsman? If they called upon him for repairs. But then Rumi treated him with such familiarity. Chatting like they were old friends, equals. She knew the world had gone through changes over the time she spent in the box, but this was the first she'd gotten to really see so much of it at once.

“Give it a try now,” Mr. Hong gave a thumbs up.

Rumi turned on the sink and leaned over to see what his verdict was.

“I think that has it,” he chuckled, finally climbing out of the confined space and stretching his back before packing up his tools. “Let me know if it gives you trouble again.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Of course, dear.”

And just like that he gave a nod to head out the door. Rumi slumped and dragged herself back to sit at the table.

“You could have warned me ahead of time that other people can't see you,” she sighed.

“... you didn't ask.”

An hour later, after Rumi had calmed down and gotten back to cooking, the two were broken from their quiet afternoon by the door flying open. Zoey rushed in with panic in her eyes.

“Mr. Hong said he fixed the sink! Did he see--?”

“Nobody but us can see or hear her,” Rumi said quickly. “Learned that the hard way.”

Zoey deflated and dumped her bag by the door, kicking her shoes off to skip into the room.

“Thank god, that would've been hell to explain,” she leaned far over the island with a laugh and grabbed her hands at Rumi. “What are you making for dinner? Is Mira helping you?”

“... Mira?” She asked.

Rumi turned from the pot on the stove to look at Zoey.

“Mira?” she echoed.

Zoey nodded, “Yeah. Pretty, right? I thought of it while we were throwing out the broken mirror the other day. Get it? Mirror. Mira?”

“You're such a dork,” Rumi shook her head and went back to cooking. “Did you want to help, Mira? You're welcome to, even if you can't have any.”

“Babe, that's so mean,” Zoey gasped. “You'd make her help and not share?”

“No!” Rumi scoffed. “She said she can't eat anything… but you're welcome to be involved if you still want, Mira.”

“... I'll abstain, if it's all the same.”

They were certainly the strangest masters she'd ever had. She drifted out of their way, closer to the window to observe quietly as the sun set outside. Attention soon drawn by the bright lights along the buildings.

“Oh, good idea,” Zoey appeared in front of her with a big smile and a bowl of the jjigae Rumi had made. “Let's eat on the fire escape.”

“The what?”

Zoey opened the window, letting the softer rumble of noise into the room and climbing out. Leaning right back to wave for her to follow.

“The fire escape… here see? It's literally what it says on the tin. There's a fire, you use this to escape it.”

She passed through the window as Zoey sat back on the metal steps and stirred around her food. Pointedly waiting to eat until Rumi climbed out to join her. Their hair tousled gently by the night breeze she wouldn't notice otherwise. The way they pulled their coats closer made her think it was on the colder side, but they didn't seem to mind.

“This is so good,” Zoey sighed as she ate. “Exactly what I needed. I swear that lecture took weeks off my life.”

“I hope not,” Rumi nudged into her shoulder. “How's your essay coming?”

“Ugh, don't remind me. I'll be working on finishing that all night to get it submitted in time.”

“When's it due?”

They kept chatting long after their bowls were empty. Sharing casual touches and fond smiles and laughter as the world slowed down into the night. Much more relaxing than the bustle of daytime.

So they're lovers… that explains a few things, she thought as she half listened to them. Tipping back over open air beyond the railing to look up at the night sky. Blinking and squinting for a while before a question welled up.

“Where have the stars gone?”

“Hm? What d'you mean?” Rumi asked.

Zoey hopped up from her seat and leaned over the guard rail beside her to look up as well.

“The stars… I can't see them. Even though the sun's gone down.”

“Ah, it's the light pollution,” Zoey clicked her tongue to her teeth and stood back to fold her arms on the railing. Lamenting the concept. “The lights of the city are so bright it makes it so we can't see the stars from down here… They're still there though. Depending on when you last saw them they'll be in different positions, but same stars.”

“... I see.”

She tipped up and dipped in through the window. Leaving them without another word to return to her box.

They were likely tired of her for today anyway.

The pair came back in themselves not too long after, still chatting. More mention of work that needed doing, and study. It seemed both of them were scholars of some sort. She could hear them as they settled in to work on whatever it was they specialized in. These assignments and essays they'd been talking about over dinner.

Rumi finished long before Zoey did.

“Don't push yourself all night,” she said sternly on her way to bed.

“Not all night… turn-in cuts off at 7am,” Zoey yawned. “I just have to get it finished and sent off by then… after that I can crash.”

“You could always sleep and get up early to finish.”

“Nah I'm on a roll. I'll have it done before one for sure.”

Rumi did not sound entirely convinced.

“Alright… goodnight, jagiya.”

“Night, Rumi~”

The sounds of clicks and taps continued well on into the night. So long it didn't feel like Zoey was making the quota she'd assumed she would. But it did all stop eventually. Fading to quiet without the expected movements and footsteps that would imply she'd gotten up to follow Rumi to bed… Far too quiet from the usual volume Zoey kept to.

Peaceful… until a strange, incessant beeping noise disturbed it.

She decided to just leave the box to see what it was. And found Zoey asleep with her head on the table. Looking over her shoulder she saw the glowing foldable tablet in front of her filled with words. And the sun rising lighting up the window.

When was she meant to deliver this paper? She searched the tablet's face for any indication. Eyes flicking over some of the writing before noticing the beeping sound had been coming from a smaller rectangle with a similarly lit face just beside Zoey's hand.

Some sort of warning? So the time limit must be close…

If it was far away she wouldn't make it… but then maybe Zoey knew something she didn't.

“Wake up,” she spoke firmly into her ear. “You're at risk of being late.”

Zoey snapped to attention, gasp caught in her throat before rubbing over her face with groaning exhaustion.

“Wha… shit!”

Halfway through asking she slammed her hands to the table and leaned in to check the screen.

“Okay, okay, okay,” she mumbled. “Got it got it got it…”

She brushed her hair back and began frantically tapping the raised tiles in front of her. Her eyes darted inches from the strange display that kept rapidly changing. A frequently moving picture that mesmerized her to watch over Zoey's shoulder with bewildered interest. So fast she had trouble keeping up, but Zoey seemed to know exactly what she was doing.

“Aaaand… Sent!” She threw her arms out to either side and dropped her head forward. “Whew, safe… Ugh, you're a lifesaver, I almost missed it.”

She was still examining the surface, curious about how it worked. Zoey had been able to send her work? Share it with her tutor?

How?

“Mira? You good?” Zoey waved a hand between her and the tool.

“Hm? Yes, I'm fine.”

Decorum remembered she leaned back and folded her arms, watching Zoey stand from the table to stretch her back. The sleeping position must not have been the most comfortable…

Yet she would likely have kept right on sleeping if she hadn't woken her. Missing her deadline, to some negative effect.

Why did I…? Ah, I suppose I owed them, for the broken mirror, she thought. They mentioned having to throw it out.

That satisfied her thoughts. No thanks were necessary, just a transaction complete. Zoey shuffled off to the bedroom and she returned to her box.

Days in Service: 6

They started leaving music playing for her when they left the house.

She was confused at first by the break in routine. Listening to the same sounds of Rumi leaving and calling for Zoey to eat her portion of the breakfast she'd prepared, of Zoey clattering around with graceless abandon. But just before she could slam her way out the door in a rush there was a new shuffling, and noise playing at a low volume.

Once the door shut tight she left the box to investigate. Tracking the sound to a little box with a metal stick poking up from one corner. Once one song ended there would be someone talking--usually gibberish about things she didn't fully understand--then another song would begin. Sometimes several songs would play before the nonsense talk, sometimes she didn't like the songs… but mostly it was fine. It was close enough to the table, left on the kitchen island a few feet away, that she could hear it whether or not she was out and about. But she didn't see the harm in staying outside a little while.

She had to take advantage of the chance while she could.

“Don't get complacent,” she reminded herself. “You'll be back to the usual soon.”

One of her drifting passes took her by the kitchen, and she noticed Zoey had left dishes again. Soaking in the sink. How Rumi had reacted the last time she had to wash them when she came home.

They'd left her with music.

Fair is fair.

She examined the space a little more, trying to recall where they put things or remember how she'd seen Rumi do it. Then just gave up and snapped her fingers.

The dirty dishes were caught up in a ribbon of water and light, swirled briefly above the sink before coming to rest on the counter. Clean, dry, and ready to be used or put away. They could take things from there.

The rest of her day was spent just drifting. Listening to the music box. Trying again to poke out onto the fire escape, but driven back in by the noise. Scanning the shelves again, but unwilling to entertain the thought of touching their things. For a few hours she just planted herself in front of the weird black art piece. Trying to appreciate it as… art? She didn't like that it was vaguely reflective. Was it glass? Only one side seemed to be, she couldn't place the rest of the material.

A familiar click from the door let her know someone was home, and she flew back to the table to go back in her box.

Judging by the light footsteps and gentle humming it was Rumi. First as usual. She preferred the sound to half of what the music box had offered throughout the day. And just as she was thinking as much the music stopped.

“Oh.”

Pleasant surprise preceded the sound of the dishes being put away. A fair trade then, she could be pleased about her choice. She kept listening to the sounds of life happening so gently around her until chaos arrived right on time to mingle with it.

And she couldn't say it affected her enjoyment.

“Aw I'm sorry, Rums,” Zoey said after casting her bag aside. “I'll try to wake up earlier so I don't leave you dishes. Or if you leave them I'll do them as soon as I'm--”

“Hm? These were on the counter when I got in. I thought you did them and just left them to dry.”

“... I don't… think I did?”

She cocked an eyebrow and grinned to herself. Was Zoey that scattered in the morning she would forget?

“You left the radio on too.”

“Oh! Yeah, I did that on purpose. For Mira, y'know?” she chuckled. “She saved my bacon the other day and I figured she might like it.”

There was a pause, some hesitant shuffling.

“Do you think…?”

“Can she…?”

The clunk of a pot being set on the counter and seconds later there was a tap on her box. She formed in a well postured standing position just off the floor and blinked at them.

“You called for me?” She asked.

Obviously, but it was polite.

“Did you…? Would you like to cook with us?” Rumi asked, stumbling a bit over her words. “Or, watch us?”

“Yeah, we can watch tv after!” Zoey smiled.

She hadn't expected the invitation, but stepped into a drift around the island to follow them back to the kitchen. Observing again in silence as they chatted about their day and prepared their meal for the evening. The windows had dimmed to night, glowing with false light by the time they finished and took their servings to the long seat across the room.

Before she could leave them to their food Zoey called for her.

“We're gonna watch while we eat, you can join if you want.”

They were sitting facing the strange art piece. She just began to say she observed it thoroughly earlier when it suddenly came to life. The dark reflective surface filled corner to corner with bright colors and moving images. Like a window to a completely different location. She narrowed her eyes in confusion as her head moved on a tilt the longer she watched it.

“How… does it do that?” She mumbled.

Lifting more off the floor to move up behind them and lean over the back of their seat.

“It's the tv,” Zoey indicated with a sweeping gesture. “The screen displays images sent via cable or satellite… uh, cable is a cord with these thin metal wires inside that work together to carry visual and sound information. Aaaand satellite does the same thing but without the cable… Signals come from a big metal machine that's in space--”

She still didn't understand. Not really. This was so far removed from anything she'd ever seen before.

“It's a little like magic, but made by people who study materials and frequencies,” Rumi tried to supplement the explanation. She held up a little rectangle. “There's a lot of different programs to watch, maybe we can find something you'll like.”

Just as well, the novelty of the concept itself was wearing off the longer she lacked proper understanding of how it worked. And the people on the screen were becoming annoying.

“... alright.”

“Is this any good?” Zoey asked.

“No… They're too noisy.”

“Something calmer then,” Rumi pushed at the rectangle with a thoughtful hum. Making the pictures change. “Maybe… cartoons?”

“Western cartoons are still pretty chaotic, but depending on the anime maybe--”

They flipped to something with… not alive people? Drawings maybe? But how did they move so much?

“No. Not that,” she shook her head and folded her arms.

They didn't give up. Trying to explain each option to her as they cycled through.

Cartoons were many drawings that ran together in a sequence to give the illusion of motion. Not too bad but a little confusing still.

Sports were physical games made into large scale events. More screaming than she found enjoyable.

Talk shows were audiences held by a host on various topics that were popular or topical, with guests who were likewise. She didn't know these people to care what they had to say about such topics.

K-dramas were fictional events acted out, like a play. They seemed much more real, she had to keep asking them if they were sure it was all an act. It got to be too frustrating to keep watching long.

Music videos had the same issue as the music box--or radio, Rumi called it--in that she only liked half of them. And even then sometimes they were too busy and loud.

“Hm, we're running out of stuff to try,” Zoey massaged her temples trying to make more ideas come forth.

They'd long finished their dinner, the dishes left on the coffee table as they put all their focus on the tv.

“Maybe… uh,” Rumi kept flipping through ‘channels’ with her eyes focused. “A movie would have the same issue as a drama--”

“Wait,” She leaned over the back of the couch and squinted at the screen. “What was that just now?”

“What, which one?” Rumi folded her legs on the cushion and started backtracking. “Tell me when.”

She kept watching as much of the same they'd already seen flashed by more slowly. Until a picture under water appeared and she lifted a little further off the ground.

“There. That one… Where is that?”

Rumi stopped. Zoey was the one to answer.

“Oh! That's under the ocean!” She bounced a bit in her seat. “This looks like a documentary… and I'd say they're, mm, somewhere in the Pacific. There's a cluster of volcanic vents in that shot there, see? And… ha! Yep. Mariana Trench right there. Definitely the Pacific.”

She barely caught a word of the ramble tumbling freely from Zoey's mouth as she allowed herself to be captivated by the slow muted beauty of the underwater scenes. Soft currents pushing the plants around. Colorful fish she'd never seen before, some absolutely massive she would never dream existed in the world. Amazing.

“Do you like the ocean, Mira?” Rumi asked casually. “If so, you're in good company.”

She was all smiles as she elbowed Zoey.

“Yeah, it's what I'm studying,” Zoey laughed as she elbowed her back. Then settled right in against her side. “I've got my old textbooks on the shelf out here if you ever want to read them.”

“Mine too. A lot of prerequisite courses, we haven't gotten around to getting rid of them.”

“... okay,” she hummed.

That would mean more tasks she would end up owing them, but nothing she didn't feel she could handle.

Fair was fair.

Days in Service: 12

Their trade of service continued.

They would casually leave the tv or radio on for her, she would clean various things around the apartment. Or help Rumi in the kitchen; washing ingredients for her, making sure a pot didn't boil over, chopping vegetables at lightning speed. Rumi had mentioned she was better than any ‘food processor’ but didn't elaborate. She just took it to be a complement and moved on.

All the while she tried to remain out of their way when not specifically called upon. Only leaving her box otherwise while they were out or asleep…

Thus the one odd morning when they stepped out of their bedroom to find the main room in chaos. Books strewn about every surface including the floor while excluding the shelves where they actually belonged. And her hovering at the center with the one she was in the midst of reading floating just above her hand as the pages gently turned on their own.

“Holy shit,” Zoey mumbled while rubbing her eyes.

“Mira, did you read all of these?” Rumi's jaw dropped as she padded forward and held her hands out. “In… in one night?”

She finally took notice of them at that moment, snapping the book in front of her closed and looking around at the mess she'd made before returning her attention.

“Apologies,” she snapped her fingers and a swirl of magic light swiftly devoured the books before passing along the shelves to replace them exactly where they'd been. “I got distracted. It won't happen again.”

“No no no you're fine,” Rumi grinned while brushing her hair into place with her fingers. “I was just surprised you read them all so fast.”

“Yeah! You've probably worked your way through everything we have in the house at this point,” Zoey giggled. “We'll have to borrow some new ones for you… I've been curious too, but you can do magic on your own, huh?”

“... yes?”

“Like, without someone wishing for it,” Zoey clarified. “Is there, like, a limit then?”

The conversation was edging closer to discomfort, but she could share a little.

“There is a limit.”

“Like, certain magic is too big? What's the limit?”

“You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to,” Rumi piped up while setting the coffee maker.

They used that often. At various times of day.

They also strangely mentioned her ‘wants’ more than expected.

“I'm… not sure I could properly articulate…” she tried. “I just know if it feels too big. If I try to press that limitation, it puts strain on my vessel. Too much strain and it's likely to shatter, and I will cease to exist.”

Both their mouths dropped open in shock at the revelation.

“Really?!” Zoey asked, terrified.

“The box?” Rumi clarified. “So, you can't exist without the box?”

“Correct. I'm bound to it, our fates intertwined… To such an extent that I am unable to even move far from it.”

“How far?”

She nodded to the bedroom door.

“About halfway into that room, and just out onto the… fire escape?”

It'd been a while ago they explained that, and only briefly. They nodded. Rumi had two cups of coffee fixed in the time it took Zoey to drop into one of the dining table chairs to stretch. She set one down within her reach and kissed her cheek before taking another seat. Both of them continued to ask questions before she could take her leave and be out of their way for the day.

Did they not have their ‘classes’ to get to?

“How aware are you of things happening outside the box while you're inside?” Rumi asked.

She sat back in the air to at least appear on their level of comfort. It didn't matter one way or the other, but it felt strange not to mirror the behavior.

“I can hear what's happening to a point. If you were to cover it or put it away somewhere it would be harder to,” she explained. “That's about as much awareness as I have… ah, and I can tell if it's being moved.”

The pair of them shared a knowing glance over their respective drink. With a slight twinge at the corner of Rumi's mouth and Zoey turning to examine something on the other side of the room.

“Okay… good to know,” Rumi cleared the last of the sleep from her throat. “If you're comfortable being outside, you're welcome to do so more often.”

“Mhm! It feels like you don't as much unless we knock for you,” Zoey rocked a bit in her chair. Her usual energy quickly overtaking her tiredness. “Unless you like the alone time, that makes sense too.”

“Yes, whatever you prefer.”

Whatever their intentions were, she had a hard time figuring. But with her usual level of decorum she straightened up to standing posture and folded her hands behind her back.

“I'll keep that in mind,” she nodded. “For now I'll leave you to your day.”

She'd already had her fill of the outside. And she was out of books to read. If they planned to watch tv or go out that was their business and not hers.

She wouldn't take their hospitality lightly… or expect more.

She went back into her box.

Days in Service: 15

They were up to something.

Returning to their usual schedule in the days that followed lulled her into the normal routine. Little ways to help as payment for their gifts. All of them were settling into the exchange, like it was the most natural course of things. So much so she needed to remind herself that there was an arrangement already.

Soon they would decide on their wishes, and everything would go exactly as it always did.

The thought kept her from embracing their offer to roam outside of her box more often. It didn't feel right. She was much better off respecting their space.

But something had been odd since their last drawn out conversation that was more than casual pleasantries. They'd been leaving the apartment as usual; Rumi first, then Zoey not long after. Leaving the radio on. She would come out to do the dishes and check for other tasks before settling to enjoy the space in relative quiet for a few hours. Then back to her box well before they came home.

But rather than have Rumi knocking to ask if she wanted to help with dinner, she would make directly for their room. Only knocking to welcome her out a few minutes later. Then just as things began feeling familiar Rumi would get a message and finish up to invite her to watch another documentary while they waited for something to cook or heat up. Zoey would come bounding through the door to likewise go directly to their room with a hurried greeting. Coming back out in lounge clothes acting as if nothing was amiss before the two of them would carry on with their usual evening of food and study… and occasional K-dramas she still had no interest in.

Or various videos from some other source involving a tube they tried to explain was different from the regular tv channels. She liked more of those. More varied voices, cooking videos with little talking at all, videos of people walking around outside, the ‘asmr’ videos were some of her favorites, depending.

Rinse and repeat the past few days.

Strange.

But as usual, none of her business.

So when the day finally came that she heard them shuffling things around in the main room, all while whispering between themselves, she remained tucked away trying to ignore it. Trying not to let the tightness constrict her whole being and make the space actually feel condensed. To remember that small spaces shouldn't have any adverse effect when she was well acquainted with them and incorporeal besides. To reassure herself that even if this was the beginning of the end she would just do as she always had done.

Even if she wished she could've read more first.

Maybe seen the sky properly.

But it was her purpose to grant wishes, not make them.

Some soft shushing and Zoey's muffled giggling reached her just before the box was picked up from its former home on their dining table--it was never a good place honestly. What would they want her there for? This probably should've happened sooner. Maybe they could toss her on the coffee table, or on the little table beside the door coming in from outside. If not dispose of her completely.

Wherever they decided wasn't far. Only seconds later it was set back down and left…

Then a knock she recognized as Rumi's. Gentle and methodical compared to Zoey's rapid rhythm.

“Mira?” She could hear the smile in Rumi's voice. “Can you come out, please?”

Zoey's excitable shuffling was audible even before she obliged the request. Materializing directly in front of the both of them to see the bright giddiness she'd already pictured. Put more at ease by the familiarity.

“Do you need something?” she asked, head tilting slightly in amusement.

“We have something for you,” Rumi nodded.

“Look look, we made a shelf for you!” Zoey threw her arms out.

They watched in anticipation as she turned to look behind her. Finding one of the middle shelves of the bookcase cleared off, with a nice scrap of fabric for her box to sit on. The rest of the spacious shelf was decorated with a little brass bowl and a small ceramic vase with flowers tucked inside.

“... I see.”

“We can pick different things to decorate it, if you like,” Rumi explained. “This just seemed nicer than leaving you on the table.”

“Yeah! Plus, now we won't bother you while we study. You've got your own little space.”

She let her eyes scan over the shelf. Nothing extensive, simple and neat with just these little decorations they either collected from their own things or bought second hand… like they had her. Tucked between their preferred decor on other shelves but given space to be respected.

She lifted her hand as if to reach out and run her fingers over the new perch before remembering she wouldn't feel or affect anything if she did so. Simply shaking out her spectral sleeve and folding her arms.

“This is your home,” she said evenly. “I fail to see how either of you would be a bother… but thank you. It's lovely as is.”

A quick glance over her shoulder to spare half a grin and she gave a nod to excuse herself.

And Mira returned to her box.

Days in Service: 29

Mira couldn't remember the last time she'd been in service to the same master(s) this long. Or… if she ever had.

And without a single wish.

She lost track of the back and forth trade of tasks for kindnesses, but for some reason it didn't bother her that much. It was just the new routine. Her new normal.

Having something solid to moor to after centuries must have been making her soft.

She helped Zoey wake up if her alarm didn't do the job. Kept the main room and kitchen tidy. Helped them with bits of cooking or recalling things she'd read from their textbooks or various library books they'd kindly borrowed for her. All while telling herself the scales remained balanced evenly. The aid she offered was minimal enough not to fray the bond to her vessel… so she could believe it was all even.

“... hey Mira, vitamin A is fat-soluable right?” Rumi rubbed frustratedly at her eyes.

She'd mentioned having an exam coming up for her pharmacy technician program. It seemed to be stressing her out to an extent Mira hadn't seen before.

“That's correct.”

Rumi slid one hand down to lean her mouth against while clicking around her laptop… quietly celebrating and moving on to the next practice question more confident. She clearly knew the answer, but having someone to confirm it must've made her feel better.

“Mira,” Zoey spoke up from the bookshelves. “Do you remember which book had info about the protected species in the Yellow Sea?”

“Apologies, I must've put it back in the wrong spot,” Mira snapped her fingers without looking away from the textbook talking about conservation efforts around the coast she was currently reading.

The book Zoey had been looking for tilted out from its place on the shelf so she could grab it. Flipping through the table of contents and grinning.

“Thanks, Mir.”

“Mm.”

“Proper temperature to store insulin at… 4°C?” Rumi was muttering to herself.

“Warmer,” Mira commented.

“... ah! Right, right 5°C.”

They'd been at this for hours, and on their off day. Mira snapped her book shut and looked out the window, the city was starting to get louder for the day as the sun dipped into the western side of the sky.

“Shouldn't you both start thinking about dinner?” She asked them.

She couldn't recall if they'd even had lunch.

“Mm.”

“Mhm…”

They answered as much but didn't pry themselves away from their respective studies. Rumi still intently focused on her screen and Zoey with her nose buried away in her book as she dropped back onto the couch in a rumple of papers and clatter of pens. Busy.

Must be serious.

Mira left her book on the empty side of the dining table as she passed by to reach the kitchen. She'd been watching or even helping them cook various meals the past few weeks… it couldn't be that hard to do it herself.

Okay, we'll do something simple.

A snap of her fingers and the cupboard and fridge opened. She squinted through each while drifting over the tile floor and pointed out two cups of the dried noodles they liked, a jar of kimchi, a carton of eggs, and snapped again to direct it all to move to the counter. Closing the fridge and doing the same to move a frying pan to the stove with a drizzle of oil before turning the dial.

Not too hot.

Zoey had turned it up too hot once and burned the eggs she was cooking. Mira settled it in a safe middle area and snapped the electric kettle to the sink to fill before leaving it to heat up on the cradle.

“Pft, this is easy,” she smirked, folding her arms and turning to the cups.

A little nod and the lids peeled back themselves, the packets flitting up to attention and tearing open to dump inside. Ready to go. Perfect. She heard the oil start to crackle in the pan and hooked her finger to bring two eggs over from the carton. Leaned closer to the hot surface than any normal human would as she focused on getting this part right.

Tapping the first egg on the counter then separating either half over the pan. Perfect execution with a satisfying hiss as the egg hit the oil. One more, she straightened up to a more relaxed posture with her confidence so high.

Tap tap.

Crack.

Peep! Peep!

Mira's attention jumped to the kettle as it signaled it was ready, nearly fumbling the egg on the side of the pan. It hit a little wonky and the yolk ended up broken to run through the white.

“Shit…”

She clicked her tongue and waved a hand at the kettle to send it over to pour in each cup to the line as she commanded the spatula to keep the egg at least wrangled in on itself and not mess up the other one… Okay maybe it wasn't that easy. But she could salvage it.

She glanced at the clock to time the wait for the cups and kept meticulous watch over the eggs. Finally flipping them over and killing the heat to let them finish on their own once the runny one firmed enough not to make a mess. Then it was all about set and assembly.

Stir the noodles. Add the kimchi. And finally top with the eggs and a pair of chop sticks.

Perfect.

Or, something at least.

She drifted around the island and set one beside Rumi's laptop, then over to present the other on the coffee table where Zoey was hunched over copying notes to bound paper. Each of them brought out of their studying trance by the smell of hot food.

“You should eat something if you plan to keep at this much longer,” she said offhandedly.

Waving the matter off and relaxing back to drift comfortably through the apartment again. Snapping her fingers to bring her book right back to pick up where she'd left off.

Satisfied with herself…

Then a bit unnerved by the sudden silence. She glanced up halfway through turning another page and found Rumi staring at her. Zoey staggered into her field of view with her mouth open in shock.

“... what's the matter?” She more gently closed her book and came down to hover just off the floor. “Did I… not make them right?”

That would explain why they weren't saying anything. Maybe upset she'd wasted their food--

“Miraaaaa,” Zoey's voice wavered as tears sprang to her eyes. “Dis is so sweeeet!”

“Wha--”

“I can't believe you cooked for us,” Rumi stood to come closer, bringing the cup noodle with her and jabbing it a couple times before putting a bunch in her mouth to try. “Mm! It's really good too!”

The big grin on her face couldn't even be hidden by the polite hand she held in front of her mouth when she said as much. And judging by the way Zoey wolfed down a big bite of her own the sentiment was shared.

“If I hadn't already started crying I would be,” she dancing a bit on her toes as she kept eating. “Thank you, Mira! You're seriously a lifesaver.”

“Absolutely,” Rumi agreed, eating slower but with no less enthusiasm. “I didn't even realize how hungry I was.”

Mira blinked at them.

It was just food. Not even very fancy food…

Weren't they exaggerating?

Something in the space where her chest was lifted. In a way she didn't recognize.

“You're…” she shook her head and snapped the book back to the shelf. “It was nothing… Excuse me.”

A last slight bow and she quickly returned to her box. Where it was small and safe and dark.

Where she could drift away from herself.

Days in Service: 37

More than a month with them.

This was certainly unprecedented. Mira was starting to wonder how the magic would react to not being utilized properly. Of course she'd been dormant before, much much longer than this, but she'd never been active so long without a wish to grant. She began to wonder if it would react similarly to when she tried to refuse a wish… or ignored her master's call. But there was no sign of the usual backlash to be wary of.

Maybe all the small magic she did was keeping that from happening.

She told herself as much as she kept to her self-directed chores each day. Adding a bit more cooking to the mix now and then.

They didn't need to do anything more than they had been for her, if these little acts kept her in balance that was payment enough. So she stopped keeping track entirely.

A tonal beep rang through the apartment in the middle of the day.

“Mira?” Rumi's voice crackled from the machine near the phone. “I hope you can hear me…”

Zoey had set the thing up last weekend. Said it was a way for them to send her a message if they were out late or needed to make her aware of something. She called it an answering machine, but Mira wouldn't be able to reply to their messages so it seemed a strange title for it.

“I'm stuck in labs,” Rumi continued. “Can you please take the fish out of the freezer to thaw in the sink? I'll be home too late to do it.”

Mira lingered near the machine, waiting and watching to see if there would be more. She was rewarded by a soft chuckle of amusement on the other end.

“Hope this actually works. Thank you, dear.”

The machine clicked and Mira kept watching it. Shaking off her hesitation by telling herself Rumi had misspoken, or was talking to someone else on the other end of her phone.

Not Mira.

Couldn't mean Mira.

Or she was just being friendly. Of course.

They'd both been that, in their ways.

She glided around the perimeter of the room--passed her little shelf that'd gotten a few more odds and ends added to it. New flowers, a smooth stone Zoey had found and thought was pretty, some postcards from different parts of the world Rumi stuck to the sides of the shelf with tape. Her hand ran through it all as she looped back to come around the kitchen island and snapped the freezer open. Found the mentioned fish in a bag and moved it to a metal tray to set in the sink.

Another job well done.

If Rumi would be home late, maybe Zoey would want to talk more about those videos. Or the project she'd been working on lately. It was rare she got home first. The anticipation, she found, made the wait not seem so long.

What a strange notion. That time could seem long or short, and not just something that happened around and outside of her. That the concept could touch her at all.

She found herself laying back in the air, drifting slow circles around the apartment while listening to the radio and the ebb and flow of the world just outside the window.

She began to worry a little, when the sun was fading and neither of them had come home yet. Certainly Rumi warned she'd be late, but Zoey was never this late. Maybe she'd gotten tied up similarly, and just hadn't been able to use the answering machine to warn her.

Not that she had to. They could come and go as they pleased.

They had that freedom.

Mira fretted at her lip as that train of thought began to pick up speed, but was forced to hit the brakes instantly when the front door slammed open.

“Welc--”

“I just can't believe you forgot!”

Her relief soon vanished as Rumi's voice shouted through the apartment. Something she'd never done before.

“I'm sorry, okay? You know this project has been kicking my ass,” Zoey's voice rose to match as she kicked the door shut behind them.

A buzzing pulled tight at the back of Mira's mind, shifting her entirely off center as she kept back around the corner. Away from the kitchen and near the shelves and couch instead.

“You promised you would help,” Rumi dropped her bag on the dining table and turned to keep shouting. “And you know how I feel about--"

“About breaking promises, yes I know…”

Zoey stepped up to Rumi, into Mira's view. She was clearly tired and worn down from the day, rubbing her eyes in frustration as she kept matching Rumi's volume.

They both looked angry.

Mira's vision faded at the edges as her vision tunneled in on their expressions. It was all she had to go on when the sound of their voices faded so a dull thumping noise could dominate her senses. Or what remained of them. Like a pulse so powerful it overwhelmed her whole being.

She could just picture the argument those two brothers had, right before one of them--

She couldn't! She couldn't watch! She couldn't be there!

She shot into her box like a bullet. Curled in the dark space and staring into the empty nothing that would at least hold her. She could lose herself to it and pretend she was part of it. It was easier. It was safe… Trying to ignore the swell of their voices still carrying enough to fill the emptiness around her as it bowed out endlessly…

Until the apartment grew quiet

They wouldn't have… they weren't like the brothers. But she'd never heard Rumi so angry.

“... I'm really sorry, Rumi.”

Zoey's voice came quieter, even then it made her flinch for the moment of anticipation that colored the pause to follow.

“The project has been… a lot, but I promised,” Zoey kept trying. “It's no excuse, I could've at least told you I was stuck. I should've set an alarm, or a reminder, I should've watched my time better… I'm sorry. I'll try harder not to let it happen again. I know it's important to you.”

She waited. Both her and Zoey, she imagined even if she was tucked away from them. Waiting for the dark to stop seeming so impossibly big around her. Not absorbing her but accentuating her piece by piece. For her chest specifically to return from being punched out from the rest of her.

“Okay…” Rumi's voice faded to its usual softness. So much so it sounded like she would cry. “I'm sorry, for yelling. I know you've been--I just, it reminds me of--”

“I know. I know, aein. But I'm not them,” Zoey murmured. “I'd never do anything to hurt you on purpose… and I'll do the work to keep from doing it by accident.”

They must've moved to the couch if she could still hear them now. Speaking in the soft tones she knew them for.

“... I know you're not… and you wouldn't,” Rumi said, voice thicker but glad. “Thank you, Zoey. I love you.”

“I love you too. Maybe I can make up for it? Or, if not this time, next time I'll be right on time. I'll be early!”

Rumi chuckled.

“Okay. Next time… We should get dinner started.”

“I'll help!”

Soft and not-so-soft footfalls hit the wood flooring as they came by her shelf. Rumi's gentle knock on the lid of her box did little to rattle her out of the vacant state she'd settled into.

Even the incessant, reverberating chime that plagued the back of her head when she shirked her duties was only faint. She could assuage it by telling herself they didn't actually need her to come out. It was formality. She could forgo it to gather herself back to normal.

She could be fine tomorrow.

“... maybe she's tired?” Rumi said quietly.

“Does she get tired?”

“I don't know… We'll have to ask her later.”

Days in Service: 42

She stayed in more following the incident. It suddenly didn't feel right to impose upon their space. Even when they knocked for her, she only came out some of the time, and defaulted back to her usual formalities when she spoke to them. When they asked if she was okay her answer was short but not unkind.

“I'm fine, not to worry.”

They still didn't seem entirely convinced, but mercifully didn't push it. She was otherwise keeping to her usual routine of chores, so it would be less for them to worry over.

They didn't need to worry over her.

She wouldn't be here forever.

Soon they would make their wishes, or they wouldn't need her at all. They'd lived full lives before her, and they could continue on without her. She was nothing more than a phase between years. Like she had been to all the others.

A novelty. A nuisance. A problem of her own making to foist upon others.

Even if she tried to help this time.

The door slammed open earlier in the day than usual. The sound made her flinch in a way it hadn't only six days prior. She kept tucked away in her box and shoved all her thoughts to the side to seem as okay as possible should Zoey decide to invite her out. It had been a while since she last--

“You left your tv on.”

A lower, masculine voice surprised her as two sets of footsteps crossed the wood floors towards the couch. Zoey'd brought someone else home? That was new.

“Oh, um… must've been in a rush this morning,” Zoey brushed it off.

The soft sound of documentaries cut off to leave just the noises they made moving around the apartment. The thump and settling of heavy fabric bags filled to bursting with study material. Socked feet shifting or falling heavy across the floor. Soft chatter as Zoey played host and offered drinks or snacks.

“You've got the textbooks right?” The man asked, voice hovering around the center of the room. “From last year? I think there's a few things we could use if I remember right…”

Ah, a fellow student. Someone from Zoey's classes.

“Yeah, should be on one of the shelves,” Zoey spoke up from the kitchen. “All of mine are--STOP--DON'T--!!”

The rest of her words got lost in a clatter and Mira burst out of the box to find Zoey rushing clear across the house to stop a--surprisingly young looking--man from touching Mira's shelf. Specifically, the box itself. All of them froze in surprise at such a volatile reaction.

The urgency and volume had Mira assuming Zoey was being harmed. The man just seemed confused by such desperate insistence.

“... whoa, okay… sorry, I just wanted a closer look,” he pulled his hand back and held both up. “Is it, like, someone's family heirloom?”

Zoey seemed just as surprised by herself, glancing at Mira only briefly before shaking it off with an awkward grin.

“Y-yeah, kind of. Sorry I didn't mean to get--it's just um,” she swallowed and rushed to keep explaining. “It's delicate, I don't want anything to happen to it. My books are over here.”

Another look back at Mira as she pointed the man to the right shelf and she nodded with the all clear to put Mira more at ease. Making Mira aware herself that she had been on edge at all. Her shoulders quickly settled as she stood back to her usual posture and returned the nod to retreat back to her box.

For now.

She felt it wouldn't be for as long this time.

Zoey's classmate--confusingly named Baby, if Mira understood correctly--left a couple hours later. After both had been working more to finalize this project Mira knew Zoey was focusing on. It sounded like a substantial part of her study, with an opportunity to join a field work program that would be earned by those with the highest graded results. Something to do with how detrimental marine debris entanglement was to the ecosystems along the coast of South Korea. From the involved discussion both had in the time he was there it was clear they were equally--impressively--knowledgeable on and invested in the subject.

Mira wouldn't have been surprised if they were both selected for the field study.

But she had other things to focus on now that it was only the two of them in the apartment.

No sooner had Zoey shouted for Baby to ‘get home safe, loser’ and shut the front door than a bone deep sigh followed. Turning herself ‘off’ from the usual energy she carried through the study session. Mira gave her a moment more before coming out to more gently manifest and stroll around to meet her by the kitchen island.

Arms folded and head tilted to take in the awkward fidgeting Zoey now cringed into under scrutiny.

“He wouldn't have hurt the box…” she tried to bypass the strange tension with facts. “It is old, but it can certainly handle being… handled regularly by human hands. Even if he'd dropped it it would--”

“It's not really that,” Zoey began tracing random shapes on the island countertop and watching the path of her finger rather than meet Mira's eyes. “I was just covering… I worry about it, but I mean we've moved it around before…”

Mira blinked as she watched her acting so uncharacteristically subdued. Maybe even bashful about addressing the subject.

“... you likely made him more curious--”

“Probably! Ugh!” Zoey groaned, burying her face in her hands as she slumped over the counter.

It picked her feet up off the floor to do so to such an absurd degree. Mira held her sleeve up over her mouth to hide the grin of amusement the more expected boisterous behavior brought.

“Is there some other reason you decided to cause such a fuss then?” She asked softly.

“... I panicked.”

“Yes, that seemed fairly clear… but why?”

Mira watched as Zoey peeked from between her fingers then buried herself away again with a lamenting sigh.

“Promise you won't laugh?”

“... I typically don't,” Mira offered with the slightest lilt to her voice. “But I promise.”

Zoey shoved off the counter to return to her feet and pushed her bangs back with her hand.

“I was worried him touching the box would um… steal you?”

“... steal me?”

Zoey nodded, “Like, if he picked up the box, he would take over the whole master thing… And we'd lose you.”

The apartment seemed so quiet as Mira's hand dropped away from her face the more she listened. Watching the insecurity overtaking Zoey's body language…

So unlike of her.

“I don't want you to go away,” she added quietly.

Mira was used to quiet… but she hated it right now. How it dampened the usual joy in Zoey. How it settled in her own intangible chest like a weight that had long become foreign. Her fingers twitched as she thought to reach out to her, but painfully remembered it wouldn't do anything.

Instead folding her arms as usual, and drifting forward that last bit to lean down into her space.

“He couldn't,” she reassured with a certainty light enough to comfort but heavy enough to land. “Nobody can take me. Or at least, nobody else can claim me.”

Zoey didn't try to back away from her, it left Mira with a better look at her warm brown eyes as the relief settled through them. Taking root down to her soul.

“Really?”

Mira nodded. Just once.

“You--and Rumi--opened my box. You both claimed me and my boon,” Mira kept explaining. “Until you make your wishes or reseal the box and cast me away, nobody else can ‘steal’ me… Not really.”

She was theirs… for now.

As long as they chose to keep her.

The relief in Zoey's eyes pressed that foreign weight deeper into her chest. The big, bright, perfectly Zoey smile expanded it two fold.

“Good… good to know,” Zoey cleared her throat and tucked her hair behind her ear before turning to walk around the island. “Um, Rumi should be on her way home soon. Wanna help me with dinner? We can surprise her.”

Mira stood back to watch her go. Inexplicably comforted by the return of her usual vigor as she hopped around the kitchen. Almost dropping a pot before Mira snapped her fingers to catch it with her magic and start getting it filled in the sink.

“As you please,” she mumbled.

With fondness.

Days in Service: 57

She got too comfortable again. Even in her refusal to examine the strange weight that settled in to stay and pulled at the boundary of her form now and then. Made it seem like she was being condensed into herself… like a collapsing star. She preferred not to dwell on it, so she just kept to her usual business.

And in doing so relaxed back into the familiarity they offered.

It had the added bonus of worrying them less. They didn't need the extra headache when they were nearing finals in Rumi's case and the submission of projects in Zoey's. Yet even in her attempts to maintain a balance of wariness and ease in her cohabitation she made a grave mistake.

It happened the morning they both emerged from their room together. Still tired… with the hints of love marks peeking from beneath their rumpled clothes.

She shouldn't have commented. She blamed it on the book she was engrossed in making her distracted.

“G'morning, Mir,” Zoey yawned.

“Morning,” Rumi went to the kitchen.

Where she found the coffee already on.

Mira didn't even look up.

“Next time you plan on having an intimate encounter, I would appreciate you putting my box somewhere more muffled.”

It wasn't said with annoyance, or judgement. Just a calm request for their benefit as well as her own since she couldn't move the box herself.

“... oh god, you could hear--” Rumi looked mortified anyway.

When Mira looked up she was turning a deep shade of red and trying to cover her face with both hands. But Zoey was the one to escalate the situation.

“Ooooor you could join in,” she wiggled her eyebrows and clicked her tongue while pointing at Mira. “I bet you know how to make magic happen in the bedroom~”

“Zo--!” Rumi made a strangled noise.

But Mira snapped her book shut and smirked.

“Is that your wish then?”

All of them froze. The humor dying in five words. Zoey's eyes widened as her grin fell away, Rumi's jaw dropped. But Mira's reaction was the most severe. Form flickering, face instantly full of panic as her book dropped to the floor. When she spoke up again she was further stricken by how distant she sounded.

“I'm… afraid I wouldn't be able… to…” her mouth worked to try and say more, but that was all she could manage.

Closing in on herself as she vanished back into her box. Running from the problem she'd made… as always.

Why did I…?

That she would even suggest--

Her mind swirled in the dark. Usually so comforting, but suddenly packed with images that rushed to her in the malleable blankness.

Sitting at a low table, loaded with food she knew was luxurious. People gathered with her, laughing along to her effortless lead of whatever conversation they were in the middle of. An arm each around two figures who fawned over her. They all laughed, so none could have been her family.

Why did she know that? Why would she even vaguely think of them? Somewhere deep at the nucleus of her being, on an instinctual level, she knew she didn't want to think of them. Even if she didn't quite remember why.

Enough… enough! I didn't mean…

Please, I didn't mean it… I can't…

The distant chime sent a ripple through the dark and the memories mercifully faded back into the depths of it. Lost to time where they belonged. Nothing good would come of any of it.

It just left her in a worse position. Like it always had.

Even subconsciously, she knew that life had been cursed. Even before she'd become this…

She took the day to herself. Remaining in solitary confinement while Zoey and Rumi went about their business. Their voices were soft to start with, but soon muffled as Mira realized they must have taken her advice and placed something over the box to mute themselves to her ears.

Though it wasn't likely to be for recreational purposes.

They just need their space. I made things far more awkward than they needed to be, she thought, accepting her time in the quiet. It was best for everyone… if lonely. Deserved, if distressing.

What if this was a step too far? To even suggest--

To be fair, Zoey suggested first, she reasoned with her own thoughts. Mira had been no more serious than she was… Not at all. It had just been a joke. They were only surprised she could make them, considering how reserved she typically was. Hell, she'd surprised herself too. So of course they'd need the space.

If she was lucky, they could just forget any of it had ever happened.

Sound returned suddenly as she became aware her box was on the move. Too many worst case scenarios to count rushed her mind as she chose to stay put and not find out why immediately. Several being ruled out when she heard the city noises swell in volume the longer she remained in motion.

It didn't dull fully even after they stopped. She didn't even know who it was outside… the knock didn't ring of either of them.

“Mira?” Zoey's voice came as a comfort followed closely by a worry. “Can you come out, please?”

She tensed up as the reverberating chime started folding through her. Incessant and warning.

She gave me the choice, Mira reasoned. She left me the option to refuse…

It was just enough to keep the sensation subdued and manageable.

“... okay, um,” Zoey sighed. “That's okay. I just uh… I wanted to apologize for… teasing. I goaded you and it felt like I made you uncomfortable…?”

Mira sank a bit. Unsure what part was to blame.

“We don't have to talk about it,” Zoey kept talking. “I won't do it again, um… but I-I would never force that on you. I promise I--”

Mira swirled up from the box, still with her knees drawn up to her chest and her arms crossed as she hovered in front of Zoey with more desperation than she'd ever held. Small and fragile and desperate.

“Really?” She whispered. “You'd promise that?”

She would promise away her wish? She wanted to keep Mira around that badly? Her arms came up under Mira without thinking about the logistics of not being able to or actually needing to catch her. Instinct more than anything. But she had that relief again, and it was just enough for Mira to dare to hope.

“Of course,” she agreed with a smile. “I didn't mean to upset you.”

“No you…” Mira stammered. “It just brought… bad memories. Old old memories I'd rather keep forgotten.”

“Okay… then we'll avoid them,” Zoey nodded. Her hand wandered nearly in reach to touch Mira's arm before she pulled back and gestured around. “Um, how do you like the view?”

Mira finally came unfolded from herself to pay more attention to their surroundings. Finding Zoey had brought her up to the roof of the building. The sun was setting, meaning she'd really lost track of time while she was sulking. But also offering an impressive picture of the full breadth of the city, lit up in the golden hue of the last rays of daylight. So much so she could forget how loud and bright the clustered metropolis usually was.

“Wow…” she managed. “It's… so much bigger than I've--taller I mean. How can they make the buildings so tall?”

She tore her eyes away to turn them back to Zoey. Glad to see her usual enthusiasm taking over as she rushed to the edge of the roof so she could point to one of the taller buildings and begin explaining everything about the process she understood. It wasn't everything, but it was more than Mira knew.

“Hold on,” Zoey dug her phone out of her pocket and tapped away at top speed. “Rumi would know more about this, she took an engineering course freshman year.”

“That's… building related?” Mira asked.

“Mhm mhm,” Zoey nodded. “You can't just stack things on top of each other, there's a lot of math and physics and materials to consider… She'll tell you, just wait.”

She slipped her phone into her back pocket and kept right on chatting about it until they heard the metal creak of the fire escape to announce Rumi climbing up the last bit of access ladder to join them.

“You're trying to give a public works seminar?” She grinned while sitting on the ledge, pushing up to come meet up with them. “Everything okay?”

Zoey met her with a hug, but she looked at Mira when she asked. A nod was enough to put her at ease.

“Mira wants to know how the buildings can be so tall,” Zoey said.

“Oh! A few reasons actually,” Rumi perked up. “Materials, for one. The metal framework is incredibly strong to hold the weight and fabricated to distribute it evenly over carefully planned structural supports. Down to the self-compacting concrete developed to assure a strong foundation. Combined with advanced structural engineering and rapidly improving construction techniques to account for inevitable natural phenomena to be expected of the area. All of these buildings were carefully built to stand up to all sorts of stressful scenarios as well as everyday wear and tear.”

Mira softened, listening to her gush about a simple question like it was the most interesting bit of knowledge she'd been privileged to share. She liked when they did that. She liked listening to them, even if she didn't always understand.

“And why build so tall?” She asked as a follow up when the chance came.

Just to hear more.

Just to see Rumi light up and go off on another tangent about how the growing issue of lack of development space necessitated the need to start building up rather than out. Which in turn pushed for advancement in the technology and techniques required to do so at all.

All the while trying to think of more to ask.

And feeling so fortunate to have been claimed by them.

Days in Service: 68

Rumi's relief upon completing her last final was palpable the moment she arrived home halfway through the day. When she stepped through the front door it was with a lightness Mira hadn't seen in weeks.

“You're confident in your results, I assume?” She asked while casually following her through the main room after welcoming her. “You did well when we reviewed...”

“I nailed it for sure,” she nodded. “Practicing with you made a big difference.”

Mira scoffed, waving off all credit as she dipped back to float lazily at Rumi's shoulder with a grin.

“Not at all, you knew the material,” she said. “You worked hard. If you're confident it's certainly by your own merit.”

Even as Rumi collapsed back on the couch she was grinning. Crossing her ankles and folding her hands on her stomach to look up at Mira.

“Yeah… yeah I think… maybe.”

Mira tipped onto her side and propped her head up on her hand, raising an eyebrow at her.

“No ‘maybe’. Certainly… I'll be shocked otherwise,” she insisted. “I'll cry foul play. There would be no other excuse.”

Rumi laughed, but Mira meant it.

“... thank you,” she sat back up and stretched. “I never know what to do with myself after finals… And we've had more free time since you've been helping us. Maybe I should look into the material for next semester--”

“You'll have the next semester for that,” Mira tipped upright again and frowned. “You've only just finished this trial, you can stand to rest a bit before the next.”

“... I should put my materials away first--”

Mira snapped her fingers and emptied Rumi's bag, sending the textbooks and meticulously organized notebooks flying to proper placement on the bookshelves. She had grown accustomed to their organization styles weeks ago. Raising an eyebrow to challenge Rumi to name something else that needed to be done before she would allow herself to rest or celebrate… or both.

“Alright, alright,” she held her hands up in defeat. “If you're going to be so insistent, you can help me decide what to order for lunch.”

“... order? Are there stalls nearby?”

Rumi went to one of the drawers near the kitchen and brought a whole stack of pamphlets to spread out over the dining table.

“Many,” she smiled. “We should take you out on the town, there's a lot to see. Including aaaaall of these restaurants~”

Mira scanned the vibrant menus, every style of food imaginable and some strange new combinations she only vaguely recognized. Mulling over options as well as Rumi's offer of a trip into the city proper. Not viewed from the windows, fire escape, or roof…

“It's awfully crowded, and loud,” she mumbled while waving the pamphlets up into the air to hover around her. “I'm not so sure it would be a good fit--”

The door creaked open behind them as Zoey dragged herself through.

“Hey, baby,” Rumi smiled.

“Welcome home,” Mira offered.

“Ugh…” was the best they got in return as Zoey dropped her bag in her wake.

She made it maybe another few steps before dropping to her knees then face planting halfway onto the area rug with a soft grunt. Then stopped. Rumi shared a look with Mira and they both moved around to sit on either side of her.

“Jagiya?” Rumi grinned nervously as she leaned over to rub her shoulder. “Are you alright?”

Mira folded her arms and watched, waiting for signs of life. They got a string of words too muffled to distinguish on a dead tired sigh.

“... baby, I didn't get any of that,” Rumi chuckled.

Zoey lifted one hand to push against the floor and roll herself over with all the enthusiasm of a limp noodle.

“I turned in my project,” she repeated herself. “And now I die...”

Rumi pursed her lips to keep from laughing and instead took a deep breath before over-dramatically throwing herself over Zoey's chest.

“Nooo, no. Say it's not so~” she lamented with barely any believability. “It can't be true. The love of my life.”

Mira shook her head with fondness as she watched them giggling and wrestling over the floor. Thankfully she'd cleaned today, but it didn't seem like they would've done any different either way.

“Lo and the sight of my two favorite people hath revitalized me,” Zoey popped back up and gave Rumi a big smooch on the cheek. “What were you guys up to?”

Rumi rested her head on her shoulder with a sigh as they relaxed into the calmness of just existing with each other. A state of being Mira was becoming accustomed to as well.

“We were deciding what to do for lunch,” Rumi hummed. “And discussing taking Mira out and about. But the crowds--”

“Wait, you'd leave the apartment?” Zoey turned to Mira with a sparkle in her eyes. “Really?!”

Mira leaned back the more enthused Zoey got, still amused by said enthusiasm.

“I suppose… it's just so loud. And all the people around will make speaking with either of you awkward.”

“I was trying to think of somewhere quiet we could go. Maybe start small?” Rumi offered.

Zoey put two fingers to each of her temples as she hunched into serious thought. Giving the dilemma all the crucial deliberation it really didn't need. And just as Mira was about to reassure her they could think it over for a different day she sat back and grabbed Rumi's shoulder.

“I know where we can go!” She declared, cupping her other hand over Rumi's ear to frantically whisper something to her.

Mira tilted her head and watched as Rumi lit up likewise the more Zoey spoke. Glancing at Mira and trying to school her expression as she nodded along.

“That's perfect,” she finally said. “Mira? Would you like to?”

The whole exchange was so fast and the question so sudden Mira had to take a few seconds to put together their intention. Go? Now? Out into the world, all bright and loud and impossibly big. Filled with more people than she'd seen in centuries. Much as she wanted to share in their excitement she couldn't help but hesitate.

“... where would we go?” She asked lightly, trying to stall.

In all likelihood they realized. It was apparent in the way they softened as they got up from the floor to be with her. On her level. Treated the ask with care.

Treated her with care.

“There's an aquarium in town,” Rumi explained. “It's really beautiful, I'm sure you'd like it.”

“Yeah! And it's an off day and time, so it shouldn't be very crowded either,” Zoey added. “We can pack up your box, you can stay in until we get there--”

“We can have lunch there too,” Rumi added.

“Mhm mhm, we can spend the whole afternoon… if you want.”

Mira watched them make their case, her eyes drifting between their bright, animated expressions as any tension relaxed from her shoulders. As if she could say no to them.

As if she didn't trust them with her whole existence.

“... okay.”

“Okay?” Zoey practically swelled to the tips of her toes.

“You're sure?” Rumi's hands came up to clasp in front of her chest.

It felt like their own magic the way they approached a world so mundane with so much light sometimes. Mira nodded.

“Yes. Let's go to this aquarium.”

True to their word--as always--they were sure to pack her box with utmost care. Wrapping it in two layers of dish towels then tucking it into one of Zoey's cross-body bags that would properly fit it. Mira watched them do all this before they rushed to more casually prepare themselves.

“When was the last chance we had for a date?” Rumi had asked as they ducked into their room.

Leaving Mira to ‘sit’ back on the edge of the dining table, examining the bag arrangement left waiting beside her as she wondered what this aquarium would be like. And avoided thinking about the other aspects of the world outside she was nervous about. It would be easier if she thought less.

“I'll wait inside,” she approached the door to speak up. “Call for me when we arrive if you would, please.”

“Sure thing, Mir!” Zoey's voice cared through the door.

Either of their voices would. She darted through the bag and padding to rest herself in the dark. Now so muffled she wouldn't hear them if they were speaking, but they would know the best opportunity to bring her back. She went adrift and didn't allow herself to give it any more thought. It almost felt like vanishing into the void like she'd done countless times before…

Except time caught up like it hadn't passed at all. The two of them tended to make everything seem to move faster. Maybe the anticipation of it all.

The gentle tap to the antique wood returned her to herself and she took it as her queue. Passing through all the layers to manifest in a completely different building.

With them.

With Rumi in a light flowing sundress with a cardigan over top. Her hair fell down from its braid to rest wavy and loose about her shoulders.

And with Zoey, in cuffed jean shorts and a tank top with a big oversized vinyl jacket. The cross-body bag containing her box was slung over her chest, close and safe as she drew the jacket in around it. Her wild black hair had been pulled up and back to keep out of the way as best as possible.

Both smiling brightly at her when she appeared before them and lowered close enough to the floor she could mime the act of walking with them. Still with more float to her step as she was out of practice but it fit more to match them. She'd been doing so more lately. It was how she noticed even then that she was taller than both of them.

“Okay,” Zoey spoke quietly. “We're in. Ready to be amazed?”

Already am.

“As I'll ever be,” she nodded for them to lead the way.

Rumi held up a new pamphlet, unfolding it to show them the map of the building. And a cursory scan of some of the labeling already answered some of Mira's questions.

“So this place is fish related… ah, aquarium, aquatic. I suppose that makes sense.”

“Oh you're in for a treat,” Zoey snickered. “Let's jump right in.”

Judging by the map, the extensive exhibit of different marine life made one large loop through the building before coming back to the entrance. With a little cafe at the center accessible from the four cardinal directions and a shop to buy various related items near the end.

The first taste Mira got of what was in store was a tunnel surrounded by water and aquatic life of all sorts. She slowed down behind them as she tried to understand…

“How did they get the… the screens to bend like this?” She asked.

“... you mean the glass?” Zoey clarified.

They stopped to wait for her, watching as she lifted up to examine the curved surface.

“You said screens were typically made of… plastic, was it? Are these made from glass?” Mira looked away to raise an eyebrow at them.

Maybe a different type of screen. A whole school of fish swam over the ceiling and down the side.

“Mira, it's not a screen. It's just glass,” Rumi left Zoey to walk up and gently tap it. “It's a giant tank. Everything in it is real.”

Mira's eyes widened as she dropped back down to look around fully. A tank? All this water, all the plants, all the fish and animals?

Real?

“... what?”

“Yeah,” Zoey came to stand beside her. “An aquarium is a whole building full of fish and other aquatic animals. This one has otters and penguins--OH! And this really pretty jelly tank. And they recently rescued and are rehabbing a baby whale shark.”

“Are you going to be okay?” Rumi asked. “Is it too much?”

Mira just stared. Lost in the calm waters all around them and the whole mini ecosystem thus existing within them… When Rumi asked if she would be okay she tore her eyes away and nodded.

“Yes… I'll be fine…” she shook off the hesitance and disbelief to gesture on through the tunnel. “Let's continue.”

“You're sure?” Zoey stepped around and put a hand over the cross-body bag to cradle the box within. “It's okay if not.”

“It's, uh…” she settled her voice and kept glancing around as she strolled a bit ahead. “It's a lot to grasp, but I'm… still interested.”

“Okay… If you need a break just say the word,” Zoey nodded.

She reached out to take Rumi's hand as they followed at Mira's pace. Taking their time through the tunnel before stepping out to the first wing of the building proper. A large cylinder waited just ahead with another copy of the map indicating where they were and what was ahead. Mira drifted past it, but was too distracted by glimpses of the next room through the large arched doorway to really examine it.

Everything was dyed in blues and greens as so much light filtered through the ‘tank’ walls it left little choice to the space around. It was only the first large open room, clearly made to hold bigger crowds of visitors even if there were only smatterings of people milling about to watch the waters before moving on today. It didn't make the sight of many species of fish schooling around on the other side of the glass any less fantastic. And the fish didn't care how many people were there to watch them.

“Look, they've got a manta ray now,” Zoey hurried to the glass to point into the tank. “It wasn't here last time. And there's a lion fish over that way.”

Mira stood beside them as Zoey pointed at and named every species of fish in sight. Slowly adjusting back to the normalcy of this day out with them.

More and more as they made their way through the various exhibits. The otter section. The penguins. Breaking for a late lunch at a little pop up cafe that offered light fare. They would need something more substantial for dinner. Then to the turtles and the jelly tank. Passing through a play area for children Rumi tried and failed to keep Zoey from insisting on trying the slide.

“Zoey, that's for children,” she reasoned while Mira watched.

With as much interest as anything else they'd seen so far.

“I'm small enough, it's fine,” Zoey waved her off and handed over her bag.

A quick crawl up to the top before making the still cramped trip down. Not getting stuck thankfully, but bashing her funny bone on the bright plastic siding. She looked back at the slide like it was at fault as she came back to them, grumbling about how it wasn't even a good slide.

“There's a way better one at the park down the block from the apartment,” she huffed. “And swings. We'll take you there next time, Mira.”

She wouldn't really be able to properly appreciate either, but she didn't say as much. Going with them could never be boring.

Leaving the torture chamber for small children behind they came to a new section with a substantially larger glass wall to view from. The room had notably more benches set along the wall to sit and fully appreciate the size of the tank beyond as well as the majesty of all the specimens occupying it. Including sharks this time.

“Ah, they're so cool~” Zoey plopped back on the bench as intended. “There's a nurse shark. And a thresher shark… Ah ah! Over there! It's the baby whale shark!”

She frantically pointed out a still very large blue and white spotted shark making lazy circles through the tank. Rumi sat enjoying having an expert to give a proper tour. As did Mira. She approached the glass and held her hands up as if to lean against it, just watching and trying to pick out everything Zoey talked about. Noting certain species she'd read about in Zoey's textbooks. They were alone in the large room, making their own enjoyment of the place as soft music played from somewhere else.

Then right about the moment Mira realized this was just glass, just a wall separating her from more space, she leaned forward enough to pass right through it. Stepping inside to exist in the water as she would any space. The muffling of sound trying to pass through the only real indication she wasn't still in any other room. After taking a moment to acclimate she turned back to find both of them up on their feet and pressed to the glass she'd only just stepped through.

Offering a grin and a wave to put them more at ease before floating towards the nearest school of fish… and instantly intrigued to have them avoid her. Or at least the space she occupied.

… they must feel the disturbance of the magic. Zoey has mentioned fish having highly developed senses.

She watched them swim away. Drifting just a little further she felt the end of the tether keeping her from reaching past the middle of the tank, but that still gave her quite a lot of leeway to move around and follow fish and sharks. Herding them all slowly closer to the glass so Zoey and Rumi would get a better view. Enjoying their wonder-filled expressions as she did so.

Having the whale shark pass within five feet of her was such an amazing sight it pulled her full attention. Had her thinking about it not being so bad if someone thought to cast her, box and all, out into the ocean for a few millennia if it came to be down the line. As she was reclined in the water she couldn't feel around her, staring up at the wavering light of the surface with sea life existing slow paced and quiet around her…

Until a little tug to the end of the tether pulled her attention back. And reminded her she enjoyed the current arrangement she had just as much. Looking back to the glass to find Zoey and Rumi hurrying elsewhere in the room.

She left the serenity of the tank behind and was greeted by the soft crying of a small child they'd gone to check on.

“There there, it's alright,” Rumi folded her skirt behind her knees as she crouched down to speak to the child at eye level. “Do you remember where you last saw your parents?”

Mira landed to stand behind her, watching the small girl sniffling and sobbing too much to answer. With a turtle plush gripped in her hand half dragging on the floor.

“C'mon, it'll be okay,” Zoey cooed to her. “We'll help you find them… Can you tell us your name?”

Any sobs that happened to be attempts were too indecipherable to be of help. Mira looked between them all, then around the room. Only two doors she could've wandered in from, but nobody else was around she might be with… Her eyes drifted back to the turtle plushie and she got an idea.

With a snap of her fingers and a little puppetry she set to work.

First a gentle tug to get the girls attention, then she slowly lifted the plush until she was so enchanted her hand released. Then the real fun began. Mira brought the fluff-stuffed turtle to life.

Steadying it in the air before the little girl's face, Mira had it boop her between the eyes before ‘swimming’ a circle around her through the air. Seamless as any real turtle swimming through actual water. Luckily they'd seen some earlier for reference. Darting around, rolling over itself and wiggling its fins but always coming back to nudge at the girl in hopes she would give chase. And the growing smile that overtook the tears gave away that it wouldn't be long.

Soon Mira was following along, pulling the stuffed animal around just out of the child's reach until the room echoed with giggling and laughter. Looping it up higher through the air to encourage her to jump and cheer as she tried to reach for it but always came just shy. Always encouraged to keep playing by a little wave or another bunt of its soft head as it bumped into her.

“Let's team up!”

Zoey came when the girl started to get discouraged, offering her hand for a low five and scooping her up by the waist when she got one. Getting her settled on her shoulders and turning a newly determined eye to the plushie as it held its flippers in front of its mouth to mime a gasp of surprise. Mira smiled as she kept the turtle moving, ducking and diving higher off the ground now that Zoey was in the game. Noticing Rumi supervising around the outside, hugging Zoey's bag and laughing along as she watched them. Mira skirted around her, making the plush hide to peek over her shoulder until Zoey and the girl chased it again.

Continuing the game until the distinct calls of worried parents came from the tunnel leading back to the children's play area.

“Time's up,” Mira stopped and spun the turtle around to swim it directly into the girl's arms for a big hug.

And Zoey set both down right as two adults Mira presumed were the mother and father rushed in.

“Yeong-su!” The woman reached her first. “What have we told you about wandering away from us?”

She passed right by Mira, granting her a good look at the worry and relief at war in her expression.

“Eomma! Eomma he flew!” The little girl babbled as she was swept up into her mother's arms. “Shelly flew!”

She was clutching the plush like it might take off again at any moment, totally oblivious to the distress slowly leaving her parents.

“Y-you two found her?” The father finally noticed Rumi and Zoey and reached out to shake their hands. “Thank you. Thank you so much, we're so sorry for the trouble.”

“Oh, no trouble at all,” Rumi assured him. While glancing at Mira.

“Yeah, it was fun!” Zoey took the turtle's flippers and wiggled them back at Yeong-su. “Thanks for the game, count Shellington~”

The parents relaxed further as more childish giggles filled the room.

“Oooho, hear that? Shelly's been given a formal title,” the father chuckled. “What an honor.”

He brushed over Yeong-su's hair and poked at her where she was clearly ticklish if the resulting laughter and squirming was any indication.

“I think that's enough excitement for the day,” the mother sighed, but was at least also smiling now. “Say thank you to the nice ladies for playing with you and Shelly.”

“Thank you! Bye bye!”

“Bye bye.”

Rumi waved with Zoey as the family of three made their way through the tunnel on the other side of the room. Waiting and watching until they disappeared around the corner.

“She is going to cherish that turtle for the rest of her natural born life,” Zoey mumbled past her polite smile.

Leaning around to make sure they weren't going to come back.

“Oh most definitely,” Rumi sighed. “Count Shellington might just become a family heirloom.”

“She's young,” Mira stood relaxed behind them, turning to look back at the tanks. “The memory will blur over time…”

“Oh I don't know,” Rumi said. “You're very memorable… and that was very sweet of you.”

“Nonsense. You both leapt into action first,” she smirked, raising an eyebrow at them. “I only smoothed things over… Anyone could play a game.”

Could that ‘anyone’ have been Mira before meeting them? Spending the last couple months in their company? Softening like she was having to acknowledge she had?

Not likely.

Their exasperation as they stepped closer to further argue the semantics only drew her smirk back to a smile as she retreated from their advance. Unneeded, but so many things were lately. And yet she kept doing them.

“Mira, having magical playtime with your stuffed animals is like every kids biggest dream,” Zoey tried to keep her voice down as the exasperation swallowed her. “You just let that kid live the dream!”

“We will not leave this building until you accept the compliment,” Rumi insisted, still clutching Zoey's bag with determined import. “I mean it.”

“... I doubt the staff would allow you to spend the night,” she scoffed and lifted up to drift backwards, folding her arms to make expressions like she was actually mulling it over. “It was quite peaceful inside the tank though, do you think--?”

“Miraaaa!”

The laughter broke from her before she could hope to contain it. She held her hands up in surrender.

“Alright, I submit,” she landed again and bowed to them with a flourish. “Happy to be of assistance, my… friends.”

That hadn't been what she was going to say…

She tried not to think about what was actually about to come out of her mouth as she stood back and reached out to put her hand over the bag. Near Rumi's arm and trying not to think about it.

“We'll… be on our way soon, yes?” she stammered. “I should take my leave for the journey… Until we arrive home.”

A last polite nod while avoiding eye contact and she vanished back into the dark…

Wondering how it might've felt if she weren't without feeling. If she could have felt the hand she was holding over her chest. Or if her heart might've been racing beneath her fingertips. If it would've been harder to breathe.

Had she been real. With a heart at all.

Normal.

Human.

Like them.

She tipped back to drift in the dark as the time seemed a comforting pause. Without any particular anticipation to hurry it along. She blinked in the empty black and could swear she saw the shapes of fish lazily swimming around her. If she allowed it, she could fool herself into hearing the muffled pressure of water and imagine being swallowed by the peacefulness of it all over again. Making the usual emptiness seem less so…

Until the soft knock on her box and familiar voices welcomed her back.

“We're home, Mir~”

“And we have something for you.”

For me?

She was already grinning before she even made it outside. What would they be getting her anything for? Maybe something else for her shelf, but she didn't need--

“I don't need any--” she was already trying to decline before manifesting.

Only to have a big plush shark face held up to hers. A whale shark to be precise.

“Surprise!”

They held the large thing up triumphantly. It was the size of Zoey's full torso, and strikingly accurate to the real thing they'd seen in the tank. And they both looked so proud of themselves.

“His name is Wailburt von Speckleton,” Zoey announced confidently. “We picked him at the gift shop!”

“You seemed like you had fun with the turtle plush,” Rumi quickly explained. “And you were admiring the real one in the tank, so we thought you'd like him… What d'you think?”

… I wish I could hug him, Mira thought, letting her eyes drift from the dopey looking face of the stuffed toy to each of them.

… I wish I could hug you.

“I th-think you chose a fitting name for him,” she covered. “But why do I get the sense you chose him so you could see me make him fly?”

“That was not a factor in our choice at all,” Rumi insisted, hugging Wailburt closer to pet him. As if the inanimate toy needed comforting. “Look at his sweet face. He's a good boy, we had to pick him~”

“If you wanted to, though,” Zoey said innocently. “You're welcome to play with him however you like. Since he's yours…”

“Mhm…” she hummed. “I will take that under consideration.”

A fond eyeroll later and she snapped her fingers to lift the big lumpy guy out of their hands. They watched as she turned and examined him, admiring the craftsmanship and charm to his admittedly very cute face.

“Yes, I think I see what you mean,” she mumbled. “He really has a lovable aura about him.”

“Absolutely,” Zoey agreed.

“I have no way to repay your gift though,” Mira let him float around her shoulders as she turned her attention back to them. “Or for the outing… Surely none of it was free.”

“No, but we wanted to go with you,” Rumi shrugged. “And buy him for you. You help us all the time… And we appreciate your company.”

She flipped her hair around to tie it back as usual on her way to the kitchen. Back to the comfort of their everyday life. Just accepting Mira as part of it.

“Exactly! And there's plenty of other places we could go!” Zoey skipped sideways through the living room to follow her. Still gesturing emphatically as she rambled without stopping. “The park for one. So you can see a real slide in action!”

Mira folded her hands behind her back as she brought up the end cap of their procession. Watching them while keeping Wailburt close to her side.

“Mhm~” she hummed.

“Oh! And the museum! You'll like that too. And! And we can go to--!!”

It happened in the span of a blink. One instant they were all chatting and moving through the apartment, the next Zoey's foot caught one of the dining table chairs and sent her toppling towards the floor.

Mira's immediate first instinct was to catch her. Hand flying out, ready to call the magic with the usual snap. Then a spike of crackling wood hit the back of her mind and she knew, with a primal level of fear, to adjust her intent. Clenching her fist and waving her other hand to send Wailburt shooting through the space between them for Zoey to land on instead.

The resulting softened thump alerted Rumi, who came back around the island to help her up.

“Are you alright?” She asked, lifting her from under her elbow. “What happened?”

“Pft, I tripped,” Zoey laughed it off. Dusting herself down and scooping Wailburt up to brush him off too. “Luckily my hero broke my fall. Thanks, Mir.”

Mira wasn't listening. She'd turned to look back at her shelf, flexing her hand nervously within her sleeve as she waited to see… if anything might happen.

“Mira?”

She turned back smoothly and folded her hands behind her to smile at them.

“Hm? Oh, um, not at all. Are you alright?” She left the worry behind her as she moved to fuss over them.

Ignoring the faint feeling of fracture lingering up her spine…

Days in Service: 73

It only took a couple days for Rumi's final results to post. Mira was unsurprised when she passed with flying colors. She hovered behind her while she sat on the couch fidgeting and scrolling the posting on her laptop. And celebrated with her when she announced her scores all near perfect.

“I knew you had it well in hand,” she spoke up over Rumi's cheers and screams of joy. “Never doubted you for a moment.”

“Yeeees! Eeeeee!” Rumi tossed her laptop aside to leap from the couch and dance around the living room. “Oh my god--!”

Babbling in excitement about the questions she'd been iffy on and how she was sure she missed a few but then she'd practiced them with Mira so it came to her so naturally she shouldn't have been worried NOT THAT SHE WAS WORRIED. And on and on and on as she paced a ring around the throw rug until she'd spoken away all of the air in her lungs.

“Slow down,” Mira followed behind her. “You'll pass out at this pace.”

A snap of her fingers brought Wailburt up from the couch to then rush over and fwump softly into Rumi's chest. He was quickly spun into a hug as Rumi turned her radiant smile to Mira.

“Thank you, Mira,” she sighed.

“... you're very welcome, Rumi.”

Rumi nuzzled her grinning face into the whale shark before hurrying to set him back on the couch. Hands on her hips and shoulders squared.

“We should pick something special to order for dinner! I want to celebrate with you guys!” She skipped past Mira and waved her to the dining table. “Help me choose. Zoey'll want something with fish.”

Mira pushed the flinch of nervousness back as Rumi slowed her rush to something safer. Something that wouldn't potentially end in another mishap like before.

She hadn't told them about the tiniest hairline fracture along the wood grain at one of the box's corners. It was so small, just a warning. Only for her.

She wouldn't forget her limits again.

“For someone who appreciates marine life so much it's a little strange how much she also enjoys eating seafood,” Mira commented.

Rumi splayed the various menus over the table for them to pour over.

“She shows her appreciation in various ways,” Rumi commented. “Maybe seafood jjajangmyeon…? Ugh but I could really go for some barbecue right now.”

“Why not both?” Mira shrugged, skimming the menus. “Does anywhere have both?”

“Mmm… I think uh…” Rumi mumbled as she did the same.

They were so deeply focused on the dessert they should definitely also order that they didn't notice the door opening. But then Mira at least was used to Zoey always entering with more vigor. So the uncharacteristic lack of it didn't register as quickly, and she only noticed when she spotted her rushing through the kitchen and right past them.

“Welc--”

Straight into the bedroom to shut the door behind her without a word. To either of them.

They paused another moment before sharing a look and moving to follow. Gathering at the door to listen a moment, and hearing only silence.

“Zoey?” Rumi asked with a gentle knock. “Sweetheart…? Did something happen?”

Waiting for a response that didn't come even after a few minutes. Mira restrained herself from just passing through to go in and check on her. She would respect their space, and follow Rumi's lead.

“Zoey…?”

Even if every oddly quiet moment made her more nervous. Rumi took a deep breath and put her hand on the knob.

“I'm coming in, okay?”

“... mm.”

At least it was something. Rumi gave Mira a thumbs up as she opened the door and slipped into the still dark room. Leaving the door just ajar so Mira could hover outside it and hear the soft murmur of their voices. Only tone, not actual words. And even that much had her on edge.

Something had happened… and the anticipation was maddening. The longer it took the more disdainful of the passage of time Mira became.

Until Rumi's voice grew louder and Mira turned back to find her backing out of the room.

“I'm going to grab us dinner. You need to eat, okay?”

“... mm.”

“I'll be right back.”

She had a firmness in her voice reserved usually for when she felt something should be done just so and she needed to be the one directing it to that end. Not unkind or demanding, just stern. As soon as she quietly pulled the door shut though she sank a few inches out of that sternness with a deep sigh.

“Is she alright?” Mira asked in a low voice.

“... she didn't get selected for the field study,” Rumi frowned, putting a hand back through her hair as she left the door.

Mira dropped a few feet before lifting to follow her.

“But she worked so hard…”

“Mhm,” Rumi chewed at her lip. “I know… She's really upset. Can you keep her company for me? I'm gonna grab dinner, I don't want her to go to bed hungry.”

“Of course,” Mira nodded, darting back to wait by her shelf. “If you move the box to… mm, the kitchen island should be close enough. And maybe leave the door cracked. I feel awkward passing into your space when I am unable to knock.”

“Oh never do, you're welcome in our space,” Rumi huffed a weak laugh as she took the box and moved it as Mira directed. Leaving the door open a foot or two for her as well. “I'll be as quick as I can. Thank you, Mira.”

“Not at all. Be sure to get something you like as well.”

She followed as Rumi slipped her sneakers on and grabbed her keys from the hook by the door.

“I will.”

A smooth click from the latch and Mira was alone. With Zoey, who needed her. Or at least someone… someone tangible would have been more useful, but she had Mira. And Mira was determined to be helpful.

“Okay,” she huffed.

Drifting right back around the kitchen and pausing at the door.

“May I come in, Zoey?” She stopped to ask.

Even if Rumi said she was welcome, she wanted to be sure.

“... ‘kay.”

She put her hand out, passing right through the door itself and into their bedroom, dimly lit by the last bit of sun filtering through their curtains. Finding Zoey curled up on one side of the bed and moving over to lower onto her knees beside her.

Unsure what to say. Unable to do anything else for her but talk.

“... would you like me to summon Wailburt?” She asked softly.

Zoey sniffled, turning her watery eyes up from the bed to nod. Mira snapped her fingers on the spot, bumping the door open just a bit more while maneuvering the plushie in question into the room and into Zoey's waiting arms. She held him tight and buried her face against him as her shoulders started trembling.

Mira held her hand over her and wished over and over that she could be more comforting.

But wishes weren't something she got to--

“I'm sorry… I know this was important to you,” she tried. “I know how hard you worked…”

Zoey sniffled again as a sob muffled against Wailburt's stuffed underbelly. Mira's shoulders sank as she waited. And worried her ability to show sympathy was grossly out of practice. Maybe she was just making everything worse. When Rumi had trusted her with this. And it was something Zoey so clearly needed.

“Can I bring you anything?” She still had to try. “Rumi went for dinner… but maybe something to drink? Or um, a snack--I won't tell if you don't--”

“Can you lay down with me?”

Mira's voice failed her as she hesitated. Zoey cleared her throat and lifted her face out of Wailburt to mumble more of an explanation to her request when she didn't get an answer.

“I know you can't actually,” her voice cracked. “But I could use the company… If that's okay.”

“I… I can, if you think it would help. Even if I'm not… really there.”

“... you're here,” Zoey nodded. “Just knowing you are helps… please?”

Mira remembered Zoey saying she didn't want her to go away… and lifted over her to ‘lay down’ on the bed beside her. On her side, half propped on her elbow to watch as Zoey rolled over to face her. Dragging Wailburt along to keep a vice grip on as she blinked lucidly in the quiet room. So unlike either of them.

“Will this do?”

“Mhm… thank you,” Zoey murmured.

She broke a bit again. Quietly sobbing for a stint while Mira kept her company. Then she would stop and gather herself for a time, then her thoughts would circle back to the disappointment and the cycle would begin again. Until her eyes were rimmed red from all the tears and she wore herself down to a light doze. Leaving Mira to watch over her, at least glad she was resting and no longer crying.

She reached out to pass the back of her fingers just shy of her cheek, fooling herself with the hope that she might be able to comfort her. That because it was so important, she could manage it for once… But unable to bring herself to try knowing it was as impossible as it always had been. And always would be.

She could at least wait.

She had all the time in the world to offer.

Rumi returned as quickly as promised. Mira heard the door and the shuffling of bags hitting the counter in the kitchen. She lifted up and kept watch over Zoey's sleeping form as she drifted just outside the door.

“She's dozed off,” she reported. “And she's been crying…”

Rumi hurried to get the takeout unpacked but nodded solemnly.

“Okay… Okay, um. Let me just get hers and I'll wake her so she can eat.”

She opened one of the overhead cabinets to take a bowl down, fumbling it and tensing up in anticipation of a crash that of course didn't come. Mira wouldn't allow it to. Smoothly lifting the bowl back to rest on the counter and stepping up beside her.

“Go on, I'll get it ready. Yours as well.”

It was the least she could do for them. The best way she could show care. Rumi was not shy about voicing her appreciation.

“O-okay, thank you, Mir.”

She reached out, too distracted by her hurried concern to think the act through. Already turning to head for the bedroom and not registering as her hand passed right through Mira's arm… Mira couldn't even fault her for it. She wasn't even sure how to let the act affect her. And she had a task to perform, so it was better off ignored anyway.

Gently directing the takeout containers to empty onto their dishes for a proper meal. One of the cooking shows she'd seen made a point of emphasizing the importance of presentation in the full enjoyment of eating. She wasn't so sure, but whatever would help. As she finished off all preparations, setting utensils with each plate, her fingers brushed over her sleeve where Rumi had touched…

Not really… there was nothing to feel…

But the thought counted for something, didn't it? If she chose for it to.

She lifted her chin and put the thoughts away for later as she floated their meals into the air and brought them through the bedroom door.

Left wide open.

Days in Service: 74

Zoey wasn't very enthused by dinner, despite Rumi getting her something to suit her preferences. She had to be coaxed to finish it. Spoke little while they both ate. By the end of it she was back to laying down, clutching Wailburt and letting her sorrows get the best of her.

Rumi was a bastion of care. Staying at her side with soft words and gentle touches to help keep her lulled in comfort the remainder of the night. All the while Mira kept them from needing to worry about dishes or clean up or making sure the front door was locked for the night.

“I'll handle the home,” she nodded while taking their empty plates away. “You focus on her.”

“Thank you… I'll turn in early with her,” Rumi murmured. “Goodnight, Mira.”

“Sleep well… We'll all celebrate your scores soon.”

Rumi's gratitude was evident as she got up to ready herself for sleep when Mira left the room.

Straight to the kitchen to follow through on her word. Washing their dishes. Disposing of the takeout containers properly. Over to check the front door was locked up for the night. Around to check the windows were shut and the curtains drawn.

Then left with her thoughts.

Infinite time was the worst companion for those left alone. Not that she really was, but this night felt like it would be a long and restless one.

She paced the floor until her feet lifted up and continued to rise so her pacing could become drifting. Making a slow circuit through the air around their living room to keep her thoughts stirred with action.

How else can I help?

How do you comfort someone in this situation?

Zoey enjoyed physical touch but… that was off the table. So something else then! She also enjoyed quality time. If Mira offered, maybe an outing? One of the many outdoor explorer videos mentioned the importance of fresh air to keep people healthy and happy. And sunlight. Maybe the park?

Zoey was upset and sequestering herself away now, but she couldn't remain that way indefinitely. Their next semester would arrive… and even before then she should ideally be back up and moving.

She couldn't hide away forever.

She would miss so much allowing one rejection to close her off from the world she typically loved--

“The ocean!” Mira straightened up in the air. “They can visit the ocean!”

Maybe not right away, but it was what Zoey loved. Surely it could inspire her to keep going.

I'll mention it to Rumi in the--

The soft creak of a door brought her back down to earth. Literally and figuratively. Her feet came back to within millimeters of the floor and she turned to find Zoey slipping out of the bedroom and closing the door behind her. Deflating further the moment it was fully shut and rubbing her head on her way to the kitchen sink.

“Is there something I can get for you?” Mira came closer to ask.

Zoey shook her head and filled a glass with water. Fiddling with a little packet of medicine Mira had seen them take when complaining of aches and pains.

“Just a headache…” Zoey rasped. She popped the two little tablets and washed them down. “Probably from crying so much.”

Returning the cup to the counter was almost an afterthought, a dragging motion her hand barely seemed aware of. All of her movements were sluggish and heavy. Dropping forward to the counter herself and folding her arms over her head. Rather than going straight back to bed.

“... would you like to talk about it?” Mira came to stand beside her. “I can listen… It might help.”

Zoey hadn't talked much since getting home. Even over dinner, they were just glad to see her eat something.

“I just…” she cleared her throat and pushed off the counter to massage the back of her neck. “I don't know what I did wrong… I-I thought my project was--”

She sighed and rubbed over her face. Slumping into herself like a loose putty with no bones to hold shape.

“I thought it was solid, I spent… like a month--more--putting it together,” her voice cracked again as she swallowed it back to keep going. “I did so much research, I wanted it so bad…”

Mira had seen a lot of that work. She could vouch for how much Zoey had put into it all. It really was a shame.

“I know you did,” she nodded. “I'm sure you were graded well still.”

It seemed a cold comfort.

“Mm… Baby did get a slot,” she mumbled, then grimaced and buried her face into her hands. “Man I suck as a friend--”

“What? No, you're--”

“I'm so wrapped up in failing when I should be congratulating him,” Zoey lamented. “I should be happy for him, but I'm just so… ugh. I wish I cou…”

Mira's posture tightened. That primal response sneaking up on her when she knew it shouldn't… She shouldn't be worrying about it with them. So she tried to ignore it.

“You will be,” she stood back from the counter. “You're entitled to mourn the disappointment, but after I'm sure you'll be able to support him. And I was just thinking we could--”

“That's it…” Zoey slowly straightened her posture.

“... what's--?”

“That can be my wish!”

She sprang back to life at the declaration, pushing herself away from the counter to pace the thin kitchen. Not even noticing how rigid Mira had become.

“But--”

“Oh, it's perfect,” with that usual electric energy.

“Z-Zoey I--”

A vacuum clenched in her chest to keep her from speaking. And unfortunately, Zoey still didn't notice.

“I worked hard, probably missed it by that much. This way I can squeeze in--”

But you promised…

“Zoey please--”

The squeeze around her vocal chords kept anything from passing through. Could Zoey not see the anguish in her face? Was she still so practiced hiding it, even after all this time with them?

“Maybe--maybe you could let them have the funding for an extra spot. Or, or something like that--Whatever you think is best.”

None of this, none of it was best! But Mira couldn't say so. It wasn't the place of a tool to question a job to be done. And Zoey was too wrapped up in this perfect solution to her problem.

You can't… you promised…

“Right! Okay, Mira.”

She turned that big, bright, beautiful smile on Mira… And the tension on her soul pulled from either end.

Please--!

“I wish for a spot on the internship!”

All that tension, broken in one sentence. Eight words. Less than a second.

Not with the sudden, explosive force of a rubber band snapping in the middle… more like a string. Pulled to its breaking point then unceremoniously snipped by a pair of scissors. Both ends falling limp and all that force left with nowhere to go.

Except all of it went to Her.

Standing there in such disbelief she couldn't react right away. Staring wide-eyed and broken by the sudden snap of the string pulled across the center of herself.

It didn't even register right away that the chime had begun. Low and droning, like a large clock or a thick metal disk struck by a padded mallet. Except it didn't fade back to silence like either of those.

Why…?

On the contrary, it grew.

“... Mira?”

By the time she was aware enough to notice it was already looping back on itself and loud enough to rumble her soul askew. Warping her form and leaving her clutching her arms around her waist to keep together.

I suppose I should have expected this…

A grimace of feelings she'd forgotten long ago and she considered allowing the backlash to just finish the job. It was far enough along, this was as good a time as any, why not just let it tear her apart?

“M-Mira? What's happening?”

Because then it would hurt Zoey more… and even setting aside the betrayal she felt, that much guilt laid on her was a step too far. The rumble of the low booming reverberation was building enough to hit the world around them now. The glass rattled in the apartment windows. Zoey's cup clattered over the stone countertops.

Time to do what she was for.

Stepping back to lift up higher off the floor, she looked down her nose and held her hand up.

“As you wish, master.”

The snap of her fingers gave all that building magic direction. Booming from her to finally release into the world in one big burst. Shattering the cup on the counter and the vase on the shelf, setting off multiple beeping alarms outside on the street. Before mercifully fading away

And without another word or glance spared, she returned to her box.

“Zoey? What was that? Did something break…? What's wrong?”

Days in Service: ???

“You did what?”

“I-I didn't think it would… It's magic, it's not hurting anybody.”

“Zoey, you effectively cheated--”

“I didn't! I did all the work, and I just… I just asked for a place on the internship.”

“... did you get it?”

“Yeah… Yeah I um, I got the email first thing this morning…”

“And have you talked to her since?”

“... she won't come out.”

Days in Service: ???

“Still nothing?”

“I keep trying to knock but…”

“I think something's wrong--”

“She's done this before though… remember? When we thought she might be tired?”

“Yeah, but we didn't actually know. And she still came out when we were away. She did what she usually did while we were gone… Now--”

“Well, maybe actually granting wishes wears her out. Sh-she didn't really explain much when--”

“Your phone keeps going off, who is that?”

“Tch, it's Baby. He's been blowing up my phone all morning, lemme just see what he wants... Hello? Hey I… what?... What?! H-hold--okay, okay--yeahyeahyeah I'll be right th--yes I'm on my way now. Bye.”

Days in Service: ???

The front door slammed open.

“MIRA!”

Seconds after there was a frantic knocking on the lid of her box. Less nebulous and forgiving than usual. A demand rather than an invitation. The magic wouldn't let her decline this time.

She appeared before a fuming Zoey and folded her arms loosely with no distinct emotion. Formal. Professional.

“You called for me, maste--?”

“What did you do?” Zoey demanded. “They're sa--they're accusing Baby of plagiarizing his project! There's an investigation! He could get expelled for academic dishonesty!!”

She waited for a chance to speak as Zoey paced the floor and shouted. Unaffected by it entirely as she had little stake in any of this anymore.

“I granted your wish,” she answered simply. Ruthlessly. “You asked for a slot. Now you have one.”

“I didn't ask you to ruin someone's life!” Zoey roared.

She narrowed her eyes and didn't back down. It wasn't as if Zoey could harm her.

No more than she already had.

“There were a set number of slots to be taken. For you to have one, someone else needed to be cast out. It's what you asked for--”

“Bullshit! You--!” Zoey didn't back down either. “Fix it! Fix it, right now!”

She tilted her head and kept her voice level as ever.

“... is that your next wish then?”

The shiver of rage that passed through Zoey was not anything new to her. She'd seen the same look on dozens of other masters before. Tense clawed hands held the weight of frustration with nowhere to go as she growled and stormed off through the apartment to slam into the bedroom. With screams of anger filling the space in the seconds to follow.

And she didn't care.

Simply returning to her box with more reminders that this was all she was. Bitter and cold and remorseless to those who wished her to be useful.

She always had been, and she always would be.

Days in Service: ???

“... Mira?”

Rumi's voice interrupted her time in the dark. Her gentle knock was the same as always, still giving her the choice whether or not she could answer the call.

But she knew to be wary now.

“Mira, can you please come out?” She asked. Nearly begged. “Zoey's not home… I just want to talk.”

The chime was still weak… but she wasn't in the mood to put up with it today. As before, she manifested formally before Rumi. Taking note of her fidgeting even if she tried to brush it off.

“... yes, master? Have you decided your wish?”

May as well try to speed things along. Further than she already had now.

“No,” Rumi contained her exasperation as she stepped closer. “I wanted to talk with you about what happened. Can we? Please?”

A slight tilt of her head was the most reaction she gave to the request. Rumi was not one to be deterred easily, so she took it.

“Zoey's upset… And it certainly seems like you are too. I just want to understand both--”

“I did as I was asked. What is there to discuss?”

Maybe they were disappointed she wasn't doing chores for them anymore. Disgusted by her refusal to be useful.

“A lot, from the sound of things,” Rumi scoffed lightly. “I don't agree with what she did, but… I don't think she wanted it to happen this way. Is it--?”

A familiar bitterness surged up the length of her spine.

“I am simply fulfilling the agreement we established from the start.”

“Mira just--”

This was pointless. She should've just dealt with the kickback.

“If you aren't going to make a wish, I'll take my leave.”

Rumi rushed to hold an arm between her and the shelf her box still sat on. Calling for her to wait without any real physical way to stop her.

“Mira please tell me what's wrong!” She begged. “Is it--is it just the way the magic works? Did Zoey do something to upset you? We can work it out. Sh-she's trying to fix the situation, I know she wouldn't have asked you to--”

“She did ask,” for just a moment the anger overflowed. Growing too big after however long now bottling it up. A last remnant of their influence on her she would have centuries more to unlearn. “Promise be damned. There is nothing to discuss. She made her wish, I granted it. Simple. Now do you have a wish or can I take my leave?”

“Fine! I wish for mackerel for dinner! Now please talk to me!”

Again the sensation of having her chest punched out would be preferable to the words landing. She asked for it, and here was the spoils of her tirade. At least she could spare herself the agony of nearly being torn asunder this time.

“... as you wish.”

“Mira--”

She turned her attention back to the box and casually snapped her fingers to drop roughly 20 live chub mackerel in the kitchen. Ignoring the yelp of surprise as Rumi rushed over to panic over what to do about the situation.

“You have one wish remaining. You would do well to decide what to do with it soon.”

“Wait!”

No more waiting. She returned to the box without another word. It was what she wanted. Hearing Rumi cursing across the room as she scrambled to deal with the inconvenience she'd been presented with. It would be good practice for dealing with their main inconvenience next. Just like every other master had been forced to.

They were no different.

They were only human.

If she kept telling herself as much she would remember. And never get her hopes up again.

Days in Service: ???

They became quieter after their second wish. She'd stopped trying to keep track of time already, but the sporadic coming and going would've made it that much harder. Any discussions quickly relocated to their bedroom to avoid her overhearing. But they needn't have worried. It was just a relief they'd stopped trying to call for her. And she stopped paying attention to the actual words now, dialing back her awareness to mainly pick out tone indications if anything at all.

Just to get an idea when they might be getting rid of her.

The day finally came when something--a towel or blanket maybe--was wrapped around her box before it began moving. It came as a relief. Finally she could move on from all of this and back to the familiar.

This is better… So much better. It can hurt less with distance…

Just like everything else.

A little distance, a few centuries more, she wouldn't even remember their faces...

She'd fooled herself for long enough. This was a good lesson she could bring to her next master, and every one after. That things would never change, and neither would she. Change was a part of human life, and not something that could touch her. Like time, and feeling, and all the rest of what she'd already lost.

Whatever journey was taking place outside was not a quick one. Faintly muted metallic screeches were the only thing loud enough to reach her through whatever they'd packed her away in. Maybe another box. Something like the donation from her last master. It seemed the simplest way to do so these days. Though the box had yet to reseal itself…

However long it might have taken she noticed when the covering was removed. Smaller sounds returned from the outside, quieter than she would've expected. Not like the chaos of the city she'd become accustomed to.

Chirping crickets. The crunch of dirt and brush underfoot…

Were they planning to bury her? It wouldn't be the first time. It just meant a longer pause between--

The box stopped moving, and a hesitant tap sounded off the lid.

“... Mira?” Rumi's voice.

“Mira, please come out,” Zoey's voice. “We um… we have something to show you.”

“And a lot to say.”

“... yeah.”

Ah… so they'd decided to try their luck at their final wish after all.

Might as well get it over with.

She closed her eyes and steeled herself as she manifested out of the box. One more time, then she could be done.

“You ca--”

Her voice died upon finding they were in the middle of an open field somewhere. Nowhere near the city or their apartment… away from all the noise and bright lights so the night could encroach naturally around them. Except for the little electric lantern they had by their feet.

“We want to apologize,” Rumi began bluntly, likely worried she would try to hurry away again. “For what happened, and how things have been.”

“Yeah… I'm, I still don't really understand what I--” Zoey stammered, gripping her hands in the denim of her jeans. “I just--I was wrong--and I hurt you--and I want to make it right if I can.”

She choked back a sob and shook her head.

“I helped Baby. I helped him sort the--the whole plagiarism thing,” she rambled on. “Thankfully I had materials we both worked with backed up and correspondence and--it doesn't really matter. I never should've done that, I shouldn't have made you do that. I'm sorry I… M-Mira?”

The explanation and apology barely registered. She'd decided to look up, and nothing else was getting through as the sight of a sky bursting with stars eclipsed her vision. Stretched horizon to horizon as far as her eyes could see.

It drew her in, like it first had.

Centuries ago.

She lifted away from the ground, floating up towards it like she could actually reach it if she tried. Like it could swallow her as it had once before. Bumping lucidly against the end of the tether and not even noticing as the beautiful night sky scooped her up…

And the memories slammed into her full force. With a bang as the stars snapped on light streaks to positions she last remembered.

The claustrophobia of being restrained, back when being made small was a credible threat to her. Begging for mercy that all fell on deaf ears, right up until the moment she'd been swallowed by the stars. The last thing she ever felt was being unraveled from the inside out and stitched back together with everything human missing… and instead having a lacquered wooden box attached in the middle. Made the crux of her new existence.

A plain thing made for utility, a symbol of all she'd been rendered down into. Honey passed through a sieve to leave only the purest, simplest, and most tasteful end result for consumption.

When it all finally faded she curled forward in the air to hold herself as best she could, like nobody else could. Hadn't been able to for so long now…

“Mira!”

They shouted from maybe 20ft below. Frantic and worried despite the past… days of her acting out on her anger. Reminding her again, even faintly, what warmth could feel like.

She finally allowed herself to focus on them, and dropped herself back down to their level. Not letting herself have their comfort just yet.

“Are you alright?” Rumi asked.

Hands out if hesitant. Like she forgot they couldn't touch her. She shook her head slowly to answer, holding herself to pretend it was them.

“... I'm sorry too,” she murmured. “I shouldn't have expected you to understand something I… didn't explain. I didn't want to. I've tried so hard to forget what it felt like to be human. Centuries of servitude to people so greedy for money or power… It was so much easier to just be vindictive and petty. But it became harder with you two…”

The realization slowly dawning drew tension through both their shoulders as she finally allowed them to understand.

“You were human before…?” Zoey asked.

She nodded, voice wavering as a wry grin tugged at the edges of her lips.

“Before I was this, yes. So long ago I don't remember names or faces…” she gave them more. She should've sooner. “But I do remember how my family was. Powerful, important. And I was their problem. All they had and it was still not enough, so why not solve both ‘problems’ in one stroke?

“I remember being dressed in my best clothes, led to some ceremony. I thought it was just another banquet… Then I remember being tied down, I remember begging, and I remember seeing the stars before I was made into this.”

“Mira… That's…” Rumi stammered.

She was on a roll now, overtaken by a humorless laugh. Remembering the disbelief fresh.

“They were happy… They were proud of themselves. They thought I could be useful. So I made absolutely sure I was anything but,” that much she'd been proud of. “Every single wish I granted with such a horrible downside it stood to ruin them. They were the first to throw me away. And I've done the same to every master I've had since…”

The best solution she had, and clever of her she'd thought. Even if she had to grant each wish, there was no set way she had to grant it. She could bend the result to her will, at least that much freedom she'd been allowed.

She looked up and between them, seeing their sympathetic expressions and forcing a more genuine smile to try and make them feel better. She just wanted their understanding, not for them to hurt over people who were long gone. Who didn't matter anymore.

Not when they both mattered so much now.

“I was so tired… I've always hated existing like this, with all this lingering aggression and hurt. You were right to call me a ghost, really. But I never should have turned that on either of you…” she fixed her posture to stand properly again. To give them her best. Even if she was out of practice. “Not when you've been so kind… I'm still glad out of anyone in the wide world I could be claimed by the two of you. And I promise, whatever you decide for your final wish, there will be no catch. I'll--”

“Mira.”

Rumi's voice was heavy with exasperation as they moved into her space. Both holding their arms around her like they could hug her if they persuaded the very nature of things to stop and allow it. If anyone could've done it she'd thought it would be them.

“You--you have every right to feel hurt, but that is not all you are,” Rumi sniffled and gasped in a breath. “And we won’t… I'm so sorry, we won't use it.”

She hadn't meant to make them cry. But now both of them were. Zoey tried valiantly to sound stern past the wobble in her voice.

“No wish is worth losing you. No matter how you grant it, we couldn't make that exchange.”

Rumi nodded, “You don't ever have to grant another wish… not with us.”

“... you're sure? After I--”

“Yes.” They both rushed to confirm.

“No matter what,” Zoey added. “We want you with us.”

She wrapped herself closer, they both did. Passing into her in a strange from the outside attempt at a hug. Trembling under the weight of emotions she'd put upon them, awkward but trying still. So absurd Mira couldn't help but smile at them. Reaching out and allowing herself the same absurdity for once. She tried to imagine what it might've felt like when her hand caressed Zoey's cheek or traced Rumi's hair back behind her ear. Even if neither really made contact.

She thought maybe the trying was what counted.

She thought that because of them.

Because they could almost remind her what warmth really felt like.

“I'd like that,” she murmured. “As long as you'll have me… I'm yours.”

They nodded. And she still tried to hold them. Petting over their hair to pretend her fingers were actually carding through it, or encouraging them closer with an arm around their shoulders. They made her want to play pretend.

Both of them stepped back to breathe and collect themselves. Zoey gathered up the box and the folded blanket they'd set it down on to hold both protectively to her chest.

Mira could pretend that was her too. And she wondered if either of their hearts were racing. And if hers would be if she were real like them.

“It'll be a longer trip home,” Zoey smiled. “But can you stay outside? At least until we get back to the station? It shouldn't be crowded at this hour.”

“Please,” Rumi whined slightly as she held the tote bag open so Zoey could carefully put the box away. “It's been days, and we've missed you.”

“All of those days?” Mira teased. “Even the early ones?”

“Just because I was mad doesn't mean I didn't miss you,” Zoey pouted. “... both can be true.”

“I see… That explains why I've missed you terribly as well,” Mira admitted.

She started following after them as they took the first steps back down a dirt trail. Waiting for her to match their pace so they could all walk together. Warm and comfortable and--

She loved them.

She couldn't deny it fast enough this time. It rushed her so quickly she couldn't hope to head it off.

It was the sort of acceptance she would've expected to hit like a heavy weight, but the landing was so much lighter. Possibly because she'd suspected as much on a few occasions prior to this one. And this had just been the one that was the hardest to ignore.

Possibly because even if she'd resigned herself to her limitations, she could still be allowed to have the two of them for a time. That much would have to be enough, and she would just love them with all she had in return.

They were quick to notice when she started snickering not far down the trail, the mood contagious as they turned to look at her.

“What?”

“I can't believe the last wish I'll have to grant for a while was for mackerel.”

Zoey burst out laughing as Rumi exasperatedly rolled her eyes.

“Listen, I didn't exactly think about it,” she went off on a toothless tirade as they kept walking. “And would you care to guess how long it took me to wrangle 24 live mackerel by myself? Huh? I had to put them in our bathtub because they wouldn't all fit in the kitchen sink! I've tried so many different recipes! I've been giving them away!”

“I apologize--” Mira tried to contain the growing amusement.

“She made jerky,” Zoey shuddered. “It was… interesting.”

She'd been about to say something less flattering before a warning glance from Rumi made her course correct.

And Mira just let herself be overtaken by laughter.

Days with them: 1

“We didn’t miss the last train, right?” Zoey sighed as they came through the station.

“No no I checked the schedule before we left,” Rumi assured her while checking her watch. “There's a couple more yet tonight. The next one should be soon.”

Mira was of course the least affected by the distance they needed to travel to get there. Sympathetic to the fact they were and drifting around them to make sure they were alright before moving to the edge of the platform to check for the train's arrival.

“No sign just yet, you should sit and rest,” she darted back to point them towards a line of benches back against the wall.

“It's fine,” Zoey straightened up and brushed it off. “We'll get plenty of rest sitting on the train.”

“And what if you get too much?” Mira folded her arms. “What if you fall asleep and miss your stop?”

“You wouldn't let us,” Zoey smirked. “I'm used to your wake up calls by now. Better than a rooster crowing.”

“Are you implying my voice is annoying?”

“Pft, no! It's a soothing wake up call.”

“Good cover,” Mira snarked.

“We should move your box so you can reach our room easier, actually,” Rumi commented offhand while half paying attention. “Maybe, a floating shelf on the wall…”

The wide yawn that followed directly after implied they might both be exaggerating their energy levels.

“Ooo yeah! It was nice having you keep us company,” Zoey agreed. “All cozy~”

“Is relaxing with you on the couch not the same?” Mira asked.

Not that she would refuse. She just wanted to understand their logic, since it came with certain implications--

Her eye caught movement from one of the entrances as she clocked another passenger coming to the platform. Just a man in casual clothes… but worth being aware of so late at night. Narrowing a sideways glare to watch him.

“It's totally different!” Zoey declared confidently. “Our room is… just cozier.”

“Right… Is this an attempt to finagle some sort of breakfast in bed arrangement?” She grinned as she tore her eyes away. “There are better ways to ask--”

Again, she wouldn't have said no.

“It's not!” Rumi denied. “We just… enjoyed sharing the space with you. It felt comfortable.”

She could think of no taunting comeback for that. For how earnest and bashful Rumi seemed to be saying so. Instead softening and lifting her hand to linger--

And having another reach right through it to grab the shoulder of Rumi's hoodie. Yanking her into turning.

“Hey--!” Zoey staggered in the initial shock before jumping at him.

The man had closed in after Mira had looked away--so quickly, she should've been more alert--and was now trying to pry Rumi apart from her bag. Not a word from him beyond grunts of effort as both Rumi and Zoey tried to shake him off.

“Stop! Let go!” Zoey growled.

Rumi grabbed the other side of the straps before he could pull it completely away. Holding on for dear life.

And all Mira could think about was what he might do to them if they kept fighting.

“Let him have it,” she begged, flitting around unable to help.

There was nothing around she could manipulate in the vacant and maintained station.

“Y-you can take the bag, just let us have the--!” Rumi tried to bargain.

The man reeled back and elbowed Zoey in the nose, sending her stumbling as blood dripped through her fingers.

“Zoey!” Rumi tried to reach for her.

Past the man, who remained undeterred and yanked the bag back the other way. And Rumi right along with it. Neither of them seemed to expect it as she slammed into his shoulder and left both of them toppling to the ground.

Sending the bag flying over the side of the platform and down onto the tracks.

“Mira!” Zoey screamed.

“I'm fine! Help Rumi!”

Mira saw her preparing to rush after it and put herself in the way. The padding kept the box from harm, she would be fine. They were in more danger right now. A quick look over the ‘do not cross’ yellow line and she could see the bag sitting between the rails below.

“Shit, whatever,” the man huffed as he hurried to get up. “Not even worth it--agh!”

Zoey ran over and stomped his hand as he was getting up. Then booted him in the crotch when he reared up onto his knees to rescue his swollen fingers from the weight of her shoe.

“You better fucking run!” She barked at him while hurrying to help Rumi up. “You better get the hell out or I'll make you regret it!”

“Zoey, that's enough,” Rumi held her back.

Pulling her clear as the man cursed and limped to his feet to shuffle off. All three of them waited tense until he turned down one of the halls and disappeared. Mira followed just to make sure he wasn't coming back before returning to them.

“Are you both alright? Zoey, you're bleeding,” she fussed, hovering at Rumi's shoulder.

“I'm fine, it's fine,” Zoey panted, head on a swivel as she steadied Rumi. “W-we have to get the bag--We have to get--”

“It's fine, jagiya,” Mira softened her voice to coo between them. Trying to distract from their panic. “Take a moment to breathe, it'll be--”

A loud horn sounded from down the tracks. All three of them turned in tandem to find a distant set of lights coming closer through the dark… and before Mira could even turn back around she caught them in the corner of her eye. Rushing away from her towards the tracks.

“Don't--!”

Zoey leapt over first. Snatching the bag and trying to hurry back but stopped as it snagged against one of the rails. So Rumi jumped down to help her try to pull it free. Neither of them listening to Mira's desperate shouting.

“Leave it!” She hurried to them. “Please! It'll be fine--!”

The horn sounded again to cut her off. Closer this time. She grabbed for them, trying to pull them away but of course every attempt passed right through them.

“Leave it! Please leave it!” Her voice rose to a shriek as the screech of metal breaks drowned her out.

The light from the train landed on them--through her--and she would never forget the fear in their eyes as they finally looked up.

Past her.

Through her.

A strange calm settled over Mira as she realized she could fix it. Simply. And it was the easiest choice she'd ever made. Stowing her terror and turning to hold out her hand in the face of the train just before it could pass through her to reach them.

I won't allow it.

A snap of her fingers and she knew something at her core had just splintered apart…

One more day…

They landed on the roof of the apartment.

No stars. Too much light pollution and noise.

But Zoey and Rumi, while shaken, were safe.

And that was all that mattered.

She could watch them, still clutching the straps of their bag for dear life as they fell into each other in relief after near certain death… and be satisfied.

“We--we're not--” Rumi stammered.

“No, w-we're--you're alright? You're okay?” Zoey was transitioning from panic to the barely better disbelief as she hugged Rumi tight.

“Y-yeah, yes I'm--”

Both choked to a stop as they heard the crunch between them. Fumbling to open the bag and look inside.

“How di--?!”

“No! Nonono!”

Zoey reached both arms in to scoop the blanket and the box out to cradle it close. Holding it together as the huge cracks left splinters and chunks breaking off.

“Thank goodness…” Mira's voice was barely a whisper.

Slumped over on her knees as her form broke and distorted. She could hardly keep from sinking through the building but still managed to smile at them when they turned their distraught attention to her.

“I'm glad you're both… s-safe,” she flickered as the wood of the box continued to crumble in Zoey's arms. “So, so stubborn… but I guess I am too…”

“Mir… Mira, h-how can we fix it?” Rumi asked. “There has to be a way to fix it…”

“Maybe tape or-or glue, we can hold it together… We can--”

“Your effort is… admirable,” Mira chuckled weakly. “But there is no fixing this… And I'm afraid there's not much time left…”

At least she could spend it with them. Even if she would've preferred a happier goodbye… They seldom were.

“Mira…” Rumi's voice broke as she covered her mouth. “Don't--”

“N-no… nonono you--you can't!” Zoey choked, hyperventilating as she rushed to talk through it. “Mira you can't--You-you said we would have you! You said you were ours! You can't--!”

A pained sob tore from her chest as she tried to breathe so she could keep going.

“You can't leave… We can't lose you…” she whined. “You said you… you said until we--we make all our wishes… or-or seal the box you wouldn't… you said…”

She kept wrapping herself fully around the box, leaning forward until her face was practically touching the roof. Shoulders trembling either with the sadness or the effort she was holding it with. Mira couldn't say which, but there wasn't anything to be done about either. Rumi put an arm over Zoey's back for support. For both of them.

“There's really nothing… nothing we can do?” She begged.

Mira shook her head and kept smiling.

“I'm afraid not--”

Another pained sob wracked Zoey's shoulders, and Rumi tried to choke another back.

“But, I wouldn't change it… I would never choose differently,” Mira's form flickered again, her voice fading out then back in as she accepted the threat of oblivion closing in. “Maybe I can… manage one more wish for you… I can try…”

Fair was fair.

“Mira--!”

Zoey wailed and pushed herself back up to try pleading again, only to have Rumi lean in to whisper something in her ear. If the grimace of pain was any indication it wasn't very comforting. But after a moment to compose herself she nodded in agreement.

“... okay… yeah,” she sniffled.

Rumi took a deep breath and managed a wavering grin.

“Mira…”

“Y-yes?”

“You've given us so much already…” she murmured. “So we'd rather give something back to you.”

“Wha--?”

“Mira, we wish for you to have whatever you want,” Rumi said firmly.

Whatever I…

Only one thing occurred to her. Immediately with barely a fraction of a second to think, but--

Another distinct crack of wood as the chime came through unsteady and warped. Strange and dizzying without the usual crescendo as it landed heavier right away. The force of it nearly shoving Mira through the roof beneath her. Accompanied by a distant snap cutting through with finality as the whole world flashed to white.

It seemed less than a second.

Leaving her with spots in her eyes as the muted comfort of the night settled back in from the edges of her vision. Blinking back to a blurry world, with noise and chaos on the unaware streets below.

She was still here?

They were still watching.

She still wished she could take their pain away…

A breeze passed by and tugged at her sleeve. But she was more focused on the way their faces had gone slack jawed. The way Zoey slowly loosened her hold on the blanket and the many wooden pieces of what used to be her box clattered to the roof.

Or why she suddenly… felt heavy?

“What…?” She rasped, eyes drifting down.

Past their laps as they pushed up onto unsteady legs to crawl or stagger even closer to her. Continuing down until she saw the sleeves of her jacket splayed against the rooftop engulfing her hands.

Noting the color…

“Mira…?” Rumi's voice drew her eyes back up as she dropped to her knees only a foot in front of her. “Is-is this okay? Are you alright?”

“Am I…?”

She lifted one of her hands to brush over her shirt… the tips of her fingers gliding over the smooth silk before freezing and pressing more firmly to her chest.

And feeling it--

Feeling her lungs tighten in her panic--

Feeling her heartbeat starting to race--!

“I--!” She stammered.

The breeze pulled at her hair, lifting bright pink into the edge of her vision and making her chest squeeze as the confusion hit harder.

“What is this…?” She whispered.

Was it a joke? A trick? A last laugh of whatever greater force had been the arbiter of her whole existence the last however many centuries…?

Surely it couldn't be real.

“Is this real?” Zoey asked, reading her mind. “Are you really…? Mir, are you human again?”

Mira drew her arms up to hold herself like she normally did, even if the sensation of feeling herself doing so made it a little less comforting.

“I-I don't know… I don't know I--” she swallowed. That was certainly not something she'd been able to do for a while. And the burning of air rushing in and out of her lungs was also new and unpleasant. “I don't know what--what I did, I-I didn't--”

“Shh, shhshhshh,” Rumi leaned closer so she could lower her voice. “It's okay, it's okay. Take it slow… We're here, we'll figure it out.”

“Yeah… talk through what happened, if you think you can,” Zoey settled with her fists clenched in her lap, to be close but not crowd. “It… it had to be whatever you wished right? You wanted to be human again…?”

Mira squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. Maybe if she saw less it wouldn't be so overwhelming. Crumpling forward with her hand over her mouth as the tears came. The rough materials coating the roof were digging into her legs even through the soft layers of her clothes.

Even through the discomfort of so many sudden textures at once she couldn't stand to hate it.

“I wanted… but I didn't do the--it wasn't me… I just, I just thought about…” she mumbled, lifting her head to look at them. “I wished for you… I knew I couldn't, but it was all I wanted. So this must be the… th-the closest I could--”

Her voice stuttered to a stop as they scooted closer, slowly, making sure she could see every move. The tremor to Zoey's hand as she held it just beside her, or the intense focus in Rumi's gaze. It felt like they wanted to rush… but wouldn't dare.

“Can we?” Zoey breathed. “Please, can we hold you?”

“We'll be careful. So careful, w-we promise,” Rumi's voice hitched as she grinned. “Please? As slow as you need…”

… oh

Mira bit back another sob as her hand shot out and grabbed Rumi's sleeve, her other just as quick to bury itself in Zoey's hair as they dove for her.

Oh my god…

They were warm… and firm and soft and solid…

“You're here,” she sniffled. “I can… finally I can…”

Oh my god I can hold them…

“We're here,” Rumi nodded, arm fully up behind Mira's back to hold her opposite shoulder. “And so are you…”

“It f-feels--” Zoey cry-laughed into Mira's shoulder with both arms around her waist. Fists shaking as she held the fabric of Mira's jacket like a vice. “It feels like we got the wish, Mir… You're really too good to us~”

“Don't even… don't even get me started,” Rumi sniffled and turned her head to nuzzle against Mira's hair. “W-wishing for us… like you didn't already have us…”

“What?”

Mira asked as much, but it was offhanded. She couldn't bear to let go of them. Delirious with sensations flooding her whole body. Their warmth. The weight that came from having them lean into her and not through her. Being able to breathe in the way they smelled. Everything.

Everything.

It was a team effort to pry her back far enough they could both make her look at them. Zoey resting her head on Rumi's shoulder as they both couldn't stop smiling now.

No more pain, no more sorrow.

Only joy.

Because of her of all people.

“Mira, as much as you kept saying you were ours, and claimed by us? Did you think it only went one way?” Rumi sighed.

“We figured it was more obvious we were already yours too,” Zoey brushed the blood away from her nose.

Mira's hand was still in her hair. And Zoey reached up to hook her arm to hold it right where it was.

“... really?”

“Really,” they both said.

Mira managed to let go of Rumi's jacket so she could quickly move her hand to hold her cheek instead. Watching--feeling her lean into the touch. Still amazed.

“Even though I--”

“Have been incredibly kind, sweet, and caring for the last however many days you've been taking care of us?” Rumi turned to kiss the palm of her hand.

“74 days… last I stopped counting.”

“Oh my god, Mir! You were counting?” Zoey cooed. “That's so sweet I can feel my heart melting.”

“Wh-when you have the relationship with time I do--d-did, it's--”

“You don't need to explain it…” Zoey held her arm and leaned closer. “but I do need to be kissing you now… can I?”

Rumi wasn't far behind, “Me too? Please?”

Despite feeling--still crazy, feeling--drained, and sluggish, and a little dizzy from the shift in the senses she'd still had while the new ones rushed back in… Mira was not willing to let that stop her. She was stubborn, like them. Even if the blast of sensory reception had been overwhelming she would power through for this experience if it killed her.

Though she was more expecting it to do the opposite.

“... as if you need ever ask…” she breathed.

They both softened. Reaching out to brush away what remained of her tears with the heels of their palms, or help move her hair out of her face. And she chased every gentle caress. Watching with the most intense fondness, a feeling she realized was not new in the slightest, all the while they were leaning closer.

“... as if I could ever say no to either of you at this point,” she grinned.

Zoey cradled either side of her face and finally reached her, soft and warm as she felt Rumi nuzzle into her neck to wait her turn. She couldn't bear to let go of either of them.

It was hard to let go of a wish come true.

Three years later…

“Hey, Mira? Do you remember seeing that shipment of new releases we got in yesterday?”

Mira leaned around the receiving shelves to answer.

“Two aisles down,” she called. “Fifth column, the boxes are three up from the bottom.”

Her fellow librarian, an older gentleman named Hayate, jogged over and down the lane.

“Ha! Thank you!” his voice carried.

“Mhm, welcome.”

She adjusted her glasses and went back to organizing the returns to sort onto carts for the volunteers to put back in the morning. They were already about done for the day.

“Nerd. I swear you gotta have a photographic memory,” Tori chuckled from the other side of the shelf where she was doing the same.

Mira glanced at her and smirked.

“Careful, I remember all of your secrets~” she teased, then blew it off to shake her head. “But I simply have a good memory for dates and organizing. Not photographic.”

“Close enough. I respectfully fear your mind.”

“A wise choice regardless.”

Another 15 minutes with only minor scrambling for evening prep and the three of them were shutting things down for the day. Tori volunteered to do a last sweep of the shelves, leaving Hayate and Mira to bring the systems down at the front checkout. All meeting to step out the front doors and lock up to part ways with pleasant well wishes til the morning.

Mira adjusted her weight on her cane as she began the walk to the usual bus stop. Only making it half a block before her phone started ringing. A brief glance at the little screen and she flipped it open to answer.

“Hello, jagiya~”

“Hey!” Rumi declared happily on the other end. “Wasn't sure I would catch you. Are you still at work?”

“I've just left, haven't gotten far. Why do you ask?”

“Oh… hold on I think…”

Her voice faded away and Mira slowed her pace to pull the phone away from her ear. To make sure the call hadn't fallen…

“Found you!”

Her explanation came as she heard Rumi's voice from just behind her. Turning with a smile to return the big hug she was greeted with. Laughing and kissing her forehead as she steadied herself.

“You did~” she hummed. “You just finished as well? They let you leave on time for once?”

Rumi huffed and rubbed her face into the front of Mira's jacket before finally stepping back and taking her hand.

“I clutched everything so I could come surprise you,” she said proudly. “Now we can go home together.”

They would've met there, but Mira did prefer this. The more time the better. She adjusted their hands to thread their fingers together and pulled Rumi's hand up to kiss the back of it.

“That's a wonderful surprise,” she turned so they could continue on their way. “How was the pharmacy otherwise? Have they caught the food bandit yet?”

Rumi was content to match her pace, even if it was the slower of the two. They stayed close to weave through the busy streets as the bus stop neared.

“Not yet, they got Felix's muffin today so safe to say their days are likely numbered. He's not one to forgive that,” Rumi chatted with a dire shake of her head. Squeezing Mira's hand and looking up at her. “How was your day? Any trouble? Anything exciting?”

“Everything went smoothly,” Mira shrugged. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”

She smiled wider, and Rumi matched it. Mira loved the ordinary. Anything mundane had become her favorite experience after centuries of anything but, and even a few years of physical acclimation to everything she'd lacked for all that time. Lately she appreciated every day she didn't have a ‘flare up’ as the doctors described it, and having vision almost as perfect as she'd had while made of magic. If she already hadn't seen so much of the amazing things the times could offer, that much would've impressed her alone.

But Rumi and Zoey were the only extraordinary aspects she needed in her life.

“That's great, Mir,” Rumi murmured. “Do you want to try watching more of that show tonight? The cooking competition?”

She pressed her cheek to Mira's shoulder as they waited for the bus.

A short ride and one subway stop later they were walking into the apartment. Heaving deep sighs to settle into the comfort as they hung up their coats and keys and set their shoes aside. Mira gave a long stretch and left her cane against the wall to shuffle towards the kitchen while Rumi flipped through their mail.

“What do you feel like making tonight?” She asked, snapping her fingers at her side as she opened the fridge.

“Nothing in particular comes to mind… anything you're craving?” Rumi set the mail aside to follow. “We can check with Zoey…”

Mira closed the door when nothing they had jumped out at her, making a thinking face before turning to grin at Rumi.

“Anything you make suits me fine~”

“Ah, charmer.”

Rumi kept walking right into Mira. Wrapping her arms up behind her to stand into a gentle embrace. They were so often gentle with her, even after a time getting used to things. When she'd asked once why they'd told her it was because she'd had so long to feel otherwise, and she deserved to feel taken care of in an intentional way. That was also their reasoning when they helped her all through settling into this new life she'd been given.

She rested her arms around Rumi's shoulders with equal soft intent. Because they deserve her care just as much. Listening to the gentle hums she remembered, and able to feel the vibration of sound from one chest to another now, she carded her fingers through Rumi's braid to take her hair down. Scratching her nails along her scalp to relax it from the tension of the day…

Looking up with total lack of surprise as the door slammed open as it always did.

“Where are my beautiful girlfriends?” Zoey declared as she kicked the door shut behind her and dropped a full bag of groceries on the dining table. “I require kisses, right stat now!”

Rumi turned so they could both hold their arms open to invite Zoey in for a group hug. Laughing and lifting her head up to provide the requested kisses as she groaned into it with deep satisfaction.

“Oh yeah, that's the stuff~” she squeezed them both and lifted them up onto their toes before setting them back down. “Exactly what I needed. Now I'm powered up!”

“For what?” Rumi raised an eyebrow.

“I'm handling dinner tonight,” Zoey confidently told them. “You two are going to relax and leave everything to me.”

Mira was keeping a hand hooked around her waist, looking up and over to the bag on the table. She craned a bit to try and see better, dropping herself back down only a moment later.

“We were just discussing, what did you have in mind?”

Zoey took a step back and put a solemn hand to her chest.

“My loves, tonight we will break the curse,” she said. “I'm making… Godeungeo-mujorim.”

“... Zoey--” Rumi deflated a little.

“Mackerel was on sale--”

“Zoooooey--” Rumi deflated further.

“I know we swore off it after the Great Mackerel Surplus, but it's been years,” Zoey kept making her case. “I'm sure our taste is back to normal by now.”

“I question your sense of taste--”

“What?!”

Rumi put a hand to Mira's chest as she continued the tame rebuke.

“You wanted her first meal after centuries to be a bag of doritos!”

“Listen! It's the closest to time traveling to medieval times to give a peasant a bag as I'll ever get,” Zoey said, aghast.

Mira lifted Rumi's hand to play with her fingers.

“I wasn't a peasant though,” she mumbled. “Or from the medieval period.”

“Mira, shush,” Zoey waved at her.

She chuckled in amusement and did not, in fact, ‘shush’.

“I had tasted spices before.”

“But had you tasted the beautiful explosion of nacho cheese dust?”

“No… they were pretty good,” she conceded.

“Don't encourage her,” Rumi groaned.

“I loved what you made, it was warm and tasted really good,” she nodded. “... but I like how both of you taste best~”

She brought Rumi's hand up to nip at her fingers, laughing when Rumi pulled away and swatted her chest instead.

“Well save us for dessert,” Zoey started pushing them out into the living room. “Go relax and let me get to work. You guys always cook and I deserve the chance to show off too.”

“Fine! Fine fine fine,” Rumi huffed. “Stop shoving we're going.”

“Let us know if you need any help… or taste testers.”

Mira grabbed her in a quick side hug before she could rush off again. Tapping her fist gently against her hip as she followed Rumi towards the couch. Maybe she was a little more tired than she'd anticipated from the day… Rumi seemed to notice. Rather than ask though she threw herself down on the couch, stretching out fully and adjusting Wailburt as a pillow on one end before flipping over and holding her arms out to Mira. Smiling and inviting.

Mira folded her glasses to leave on the coffee table and climbed over to lower herself over top of her. Sighing deeply as she let every muscle relax even before she had Rumi's hands massaging absentmindedly up the length of her back.

“... thank you,” she said, lifting her head long enough to press a kiss to Rumi's chest before laying it right back down.

“Mhmm~”

Hearing and feeling the steady thump of her heart, or the way her chest rose and fell. While the sounds of Zoey in the kitchen clattered along to its own chaotic rhythm that somehow always managed to make perfect sense.

She would never ask for more.