Homecoming

[Incandesa]

Three months after Arcturus left to go south, and Imogen was still trying to forget about him. She kept telling herself that he wasn't coming back, that men didn't keep promises like that, but no matter how much she did there was a part of her that wanted so badly to believe he really would come back like he said.

To keep herself occupied, she spent the time aggressively doing chores- sweeping areas twice or three times, cooking food enough to last for weeks, and scrubbing dishes hard enough they almost broke. She was a mess otherwise; she couldn't bring herself to do her hair properly or choose clothes that fit her well, so she often looked tired and much older than she was with a messily done braid down her side. Even her family noticed and commented once or twice, but they could do little else without angering her. Imogen didn't quite understand why Arcturus' absence was affecting her so much, but it was like there was this gnawing, empty feeling in her chest that only seemed to make her think of him more with each passing day.

Then, on exactly the last day of the third month, as Imogen was washing the dishes for the fifth that day, she saw a familiar figure walking up the path to the inn and her heart leapt in her chest. She dropped the plate she was holding into the sink, and ran out the door. The rabbit woman couldn't believe her eyes, it really was Arcturus! There was no mistaking his appearance, even under winter clothes. She bolted straight into his arms, burying her face in his chest. In that moment, everything seemed right with the world.

[Marjorie]

Three months away from Imogen. The time and the distance apart were killing him. Every step further away from her felt like suffocating, like a little peace of his soul being torn away. He'd been counting the days to his return from the moment he left.

If she was ever going to accept him though, he'd have to be able to provide for her. He needed a home, for them. He Needed to give her proof of his dedication to permanence. This was the only way. "I'll come back," he had promised and he would.

Arcturus hadn't expected her to come out to him, but he was great full to see her again. He smiled, wide and bright like the rising sun when he saw her. He breathed, and he felt alive again to see her there. Beyond hope or expectation she ran to him, and he shrugged off his pack and opened his arms to her. Imogen buried her face in his chest and he wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Imogen," he said gently, "I've missed you so much." He pressed his face to the top of her head and breathed in the scent of her hair.

[Incandesa]

As Arcturus pressed his head to hers, Imogen began to cry. "You weren't supposed to come back," she said softly. "Why did you come back?" Still, a smile began to creep onto her lips. The hope she had pushed down for so long sprang back and started to grow.

Soon, some of the inn guests and tavern regulars began to gather to see what all the commotion was about, and they were not disappointed. Having seen Imogen's haggered state over the past three months, they were thrilled to see her finally looking like she had life in her again. More than a few teasingly joked things like "About time!" and "So should we schedule the wedding for next week, or would that be too long for you two?" Embarrassed, Imogen pressed her face harder into Arcturus' chest to hide her bright red face, but the words did not displease her.

[Marjorie]

"I was always going to come back," Arcturus said gently, "because I love you." He brushed his fingers against her cheeks wiping away the tears that were falling.

Arcturus was't embarrassed by the spectators or their comments. How could he be embarrassed by the observation of an expression of affection from the other half of his soul? However, in the face of Imogen's, happy-relieved crying and desperately clinging arms, they went near entirely ignored.

Behind Arcturus was a heavy wagon being pulled by a pair of draft horses. One of then snorted and the other nickered and sniffed at his pockets looking for a snack. The creatures were bizarre and unwieldy, in Arcturus' opinion, but he couldn't carry all the purchases that he'd brought back for himself and the other villagers. Besides he imagined owning a horse might come in handy for Imogen in the future, if maybe he could convince her to come south with him on a future trip, and the wagon would help carry goods and supplies back and forth. He imagined he'd have to start making yearly trips south to sell his wears. On the ground at his heels, carelessly discarded was a large, framed out backpack, which carried all of his camping gear and personal supplies.

As Imogen pressed herself tighter against him, Arcturus held her tighter. "I love you," he repeated softly. She needed to know it was real, she needed to know it was true. That it would never change.

[Incandesa]

The shock of the whole event was already a huge stress on Imogen's system emotionally, and having Arcturus tell her he loved her was just the last part to push her over the edge. She accidentally turned into a rabbit in his hands in a gentle puff of smoke. With his large size, the little rabbit could easily fit into the palm of his hand. She was unbelievably soft and white, more like a ball of puff than a living, breathing creature.

Unaware of what had just happened, Imogen continued to bury her face into his chest. He felt so warm and firm. His familiar scent was a comforting one after so many months apart. She had dreamed of this day before, but this was certainly no dream. If only she could make it last forever. She would never have to worry again.

[Marjorie]

Arcturus was so surprised by Imogen's sudden transformation he nearly dropped her. However, his reflexes were quick enough that he managed to catch her. He held her close and snuggled his face against her soft fur and petted her gently.

Holding her in one arm, Arcturus reached down with his free hand and retrieved his gear, hoisting it onto one shoulder then gently got the horse puling his wagon moving again. He was nearly at the inn anyway, which was his destination and both Imogen's place of employment and her home. With the low volume of traffic threw this little village, he didn't imagine that his room wouldn't still be available. Especially given it was the nicest, meaning the most expensive, of the rooms available.