Madame Saru slowly pushed the doors to the onsen open with trepidation. Had she really been gone for 18 months? What had happened to her beloved carnival in the meantime? What had become of her favourite respite, her onsen? It was dim inside & if she hadn't been kitsune, her eyes would have needed a moment to adjust. The darkness was nothing to her. The air bathed her in warmth, moist and clingy. Sighing with relief, she knew her staff, what was left of them, that is, hadn't let her down.<br/><br/>Many had deserted her while she was away, but she held them no ill will. She knew what it was to wait for someone, seemingly in vain. Losing hope with each day that passes without their return. Brushing away an errant tear at memories long past, she smiled as she walked through the onsen. Wandering around the pools, she looked down at her reflection, noting the lack of change in her appearance. She stopped in front of the saunas. Memories haunted her again & she called out to her staff for a drink. "Mojito, please," she said, holding her hand out as the drink appeared.  Almost purring after the first sip, she licked her lips and grinned. Her staff made the best Mojito ever.<br/><br/>Saru made a slow 360, taking everything in as she looked around. Her purple dress clung to her lightly from all the humidity. Pulling at it here and there, she started when she heard the doors swing open. Of all of her employees, she knew he would be the one to greet her. Doubting he could see her yet, she proceeded to walk back, carefully, around the pools. Taking a long draught from her drink as she drew closer, her eyes taking in every inch of him, she could feel her pulse racing already.<em>Down girl</em>, she thought. In all honesty, all she wanted was to run at him, fling herself into his arms, and nuzzle his neck as she whispered his name. Instead, she stopped ten feet from him and grinned. "Ah, my favourite employee!"<br/><br/>