needs floor time

(Author's Notes)

Panel 1: Everything is suffused with the softness of morning light. Imogen wakes up, smiling in contentment at her surroundings. Laudna is still asleep beside her, hair sleep-tangled and falling in her face, eyes and mouth a little open, bedraggled cat doll on the pillow, dead rat tucked under her chin. All of this is precious to her.

Panel 2: Carefully she brushes her hair back from her face, revealing her scarred throat and one maimed ear.

Panel 3: Imogen leans down and kisses her ear tenderly.

Panel 4: Laudna opens her eyes to find Imogen leaning over her. Reaching up, she caresses her cheek with the backs of her fingers and Imogen leans affectionately into her touch like a cat.

Laudna: Everything all right, love?

Imogen: Mmm-hm.

Laudna: No bad dreams?

Imogen: None at all. I haven't had a nightmare in weeks, come to think of it.

Laudna: Maybe they're gone for good!

Panel 5: Laudna starts preparing breakfast while Imogen pours water for tea.

Imogen: Wouldn't that be somethin'? I feel like gettin' out of Gelvaan's done me a world of good.

Laudna: You look happy.

Imogen: I am! I feel better out here than I have in years. Makin' our own way, and no one's mind pressin' up against mine except for yours.

Panel 6: They sit on the stoop with their tea. Imogen leans her head against Laudna's shoulder.

Imogen: Are you?

Laudna: Oh, yes. I'd be happy anywhere with you. I'm afraid it's quite a bit more humble than your old home, though. 

Imogen: Darlin', I'm happier in this li'l hut with you than any other house I've lived in. You're here. That's what makes it home.

Panel 7: Wider view of the surrounding woods. The trees are more autumn-colored than they were last time we saw them.

Laudna: It doesn't have to be for always. If we don't find the answers you're looking for here, we can always keep going on to that fancy academy in Jrusar.

Imogen: I don't mind stoppin' here until spring, at least. Glad we found a snug place to stay before the snow comes. To get to Jrusar we'll have to go through the Kaal Mountains, and that'd be hard goin' once winter sets in. Then it's north for a long stretch through the Hellcatch Valley on the other side and into the Oderan Wilds. {sigh} Long ways off, still.