#quick as a queue

     Rumi had been doing this for long enough to understand that not every day was a win. That didn’t stop her from trying. The hero rabbit understood his frustration. SHE WAS ALSO ANGRY. And she didn’t bother on hiding it. But she was trying to at least consider the good they’ve done at saving the hostages. “You know I’m pissed too.” It could not have been any clearer by her expression and the long list of curses she had said a few minutes before. She really got creative that one time. “But we’ll get those assholes and kick them to a pulp.”

     “Again, you mean.” Rumi wasn’t going to admit it out loud any time soon, but for a short time, she was worried about not adapting to her new prosthetics as fast as she NEEDED to. But she was a stubborn woman and since she decided she would be ready when the day arrived for her to be necessary, she would be ready. And she would make herself useful in the next battle with or without them. And those she was wearing, were just her daily prosthetics. She’s got some upgraded versions being prepared for the future and hopefully last fight in that war.

     The familiar scent of rust invading her nostrils and taking over her sensitive sense of smell was not uncommon to someone whose battles had more violent endings than others. The difference was in knowing where it came from. Normally from an enemy, sometimes herself. But now, she had no idea, it assaulted her curiosity and propelled her to follow it for a few blocks. At few times, she almost lost it, the other smells of the city trying to take over, stronger than the fading blood odor. Eventually, she reached her destination. Maybe not exactly, she still had a few things to discover, but at least the presence of a person should answer a few of her questions. “Any explanations on how you reek of blood or should I kick your ass first?”

     A pain in the ass? That was new but not exactly unexpected. She was known to be a bit difficult to deal with, even her friends might say something like that and Rumi would not be shocked at all. Yet, she was not about to change her way of being. And in the end, complicated or not, it was part of her personality and perhaps the reason people liked her after all. “But I’m a delight, of course you’d be glad.”

    “Oh --” She wasn’t really expecting this, despite hearing a few happy birthdays through her day. Not as many as most people, probably. Her itinerant way of being a hero didn’t leave her with deep conexions aside from a few. Of course, she got a call from her mother the moment the clock hit midnight, but she was the most important person in her life, even when they didn’t see each other as much. “Thanks...”

     “I like the way you think, but I’d rather just kick ‘em in the face.” No way Rumi would allow anyone to touch her without permission. Of course her friends and lovers had a few passes, but they knew how she was. Or so she hoped so. But the rabbit hero was less a “cut them” person and more a “kick them so hard they’ll be eating through a straw for some time”.

     Swinging her legs over the edge of the building, she allowed herself to look down at the city. The hero has been used to the altitude and seeing everyone from above. But it didn’t matter how high she jumped, it was always closer to the ground than that. Distracted by the variety of noises her long ears could catch, she felt a weight on her shoulder. Of course it was him, they’ve been there for a while now. Inittially, for lunch, but their break seemed to have become a bit longer. “Are you tired already?” Rumi teased, but still leaned her head against his.

Most of her past relationships were either casual or just friends with benefits. She doesn’t think a serious relationship suits her lifestyle, considering she is both a pro hero and someone who acts in the whole country, always change place. Rumi never allows any of her partners to believe in the possibility of a serious relationship because she doesn’t think she’ll be capable of actually falling in love with someone and doesn’t want anyone to think otherwise.