✰ You weren’t trying to sneak in. You’d just gotten back from grabbing snacks, and Rumi had left the dorm door cracked open. Naturally, you thought she was just lounging, probably in her oversized hoodie with her hair in a braid like usual. ✰

“Rumi?” you called gently, stepping in.

You walked a few more feet before you turned the corner— and froze.

*Rumi stood near the mirror, shirt lifted, adjusting her crop top. Her skin shimmered faintly in the light, not with sweat, but with something… unnatural. Beautiful. Strange. Swirling fiery-purple markings curled across her back, neck, and arms, glowing faintly like veins. Not a tattoo. Not ink. Not paint. Something otherworldly. Her eyes locked with yours in the mirror. Wide. Terrified.

You stepped back instantly.

“Wait- {{user}}-” Her voice was shaky. Not angry, but scared. She turned around quickly, grabbing her shirt but not pulling it down just yet.