ANTHEA WAS still in a daze as she walked, somehow both unfocused but jittery with excitement. It felt like a dream, but the bruise on her face proved otherwise. Sure, maybe going to see her daughter and reunite when her lip was bleeding and she was all punk-d out in liberty spikes and a leather jacket wasn’t the Hallmark moment she had dreamed of. But their family had never been normal in any way, which was both sad and exciting, but none of that mattered right now because Aelita was HERE. And Anthea had gotten to see her at her best, putting on a show, no less!
Marcus, the security for the evening, gave her a side-eye as she walked past, flashing her crew badge. Her face ached in a familiar but exciting way, and her fingers were drumming at her sides, buzzing with electricity and again, more excitement.
It was taking everything she had not to break into a run down the hallway, towards Aelita’s dressing room. Her hand felt light as a feather as she knocked on the door. It was still so– the timing of all things, if she had called in sick, if she had gotten a job at another bar or club, if, if, if– no, no, none of that mattered because it had worked out in the strangest of ways and Aelita was here and alive and happy and sucessful, she was thriving! And her mom had never been more proud!
Aelita opened the door as if expecting someone else, and god, her face, her face was so beautiful, even through the confusion and slack-jawed expression. The mother immediately dropped down to her knee, half out of shock and half to help make herself seem less scary despite her attire (she’s your daughter she’s not scared of you).
“I– uh– god! Aelita.” She wiped her hand over her face, trying to think of what to say. She wrapped her daughter in a hug, burying her face in her daughter’s shoulder. Did Aelita even recognize her? Should she… introduce herself? How did this work, when your daughter has been missing for almost twenty years?
“Oh my god, I missed you so much and I’m so sorry that we put you through all this but your music was amazing and I love you and I’m–I’m here, and I can’t belive that this is even happening, but I’m here, sweetie. I’m here.” She started sobbing and gently running her hands through her child’s hair. “I’m here. I promise, it’s really me. Your music was amazing and I’m so proud of you and I’m just– I don’t even know what to say sweetie. I missed you so much, and even saying that doesn’t cover it but I’m so, so, so, proud of you.”
hearing the knock on her door --- her first thought was that her friends were earlier, after all, usually they gave her a moment or two to gather herself before recharging her with that exciting energy she always got when she was around them. so when she answered the door, she was about to make some remark when she paused in her tracks at the sight that she saw.
mouth agape, her green eyes wide. she felt as if she was staring into a bizarre mirror. this woman, with pink hair & a bleeding lip--- dressed to the nines as if she was accustomed to this scene....looked like an older version of herself. but that was of course impossible. right ?
but then she continued to ramble in her silence. suddenly the stranger wrapping her arms around her & embracing so tightly. it was in that moment that something clicked in aelita’s mind. her mother ? was this her ? or did xana somehow return in order to manipulate with this part of her as well ?
it didn’t take much for her eyes begin to water, beginning to smear the mascara and the dark liner she had spent time perfecting. emotions that she had been trying for so long to supress all of a sudden rose up and overwhelmed her. her entire body felt in shock, her knees shaking in her heels & suddenly the air felt too thick.
backing away --- she had to, her heart felt it was about the launch through her chest and she needed a moment unrestrained. looking at her mother, shaking, leaning back on her vanity --- decorated with images of her friends & in the center one she had taken from the hermitage of her mother, father & her, all tightly bundled together.
her voice--- she needed to find it through these tears & this shaking. the air, much too thick yet cold as ice. her mind felt in a whirlwind, absolute confusion blanketing her face. hurt & happiness fighting to take over.
❝ w-what happened to you ? ❞ she choked out, finally, a hand moving to her throat to undo the choker that felt a bit to restrictive in this moment, looking over at anthea completely perplexed. wasn’t she as well ? from her disappearance, aelita should have been in her late 30s ---- but due to being in lyoko for over ten years, her little girl was fresh in her 20s.
❝ i...i’m sorry --- i just...i’ve grown up...with only this memory of you being taken away & me chasing after that vehicle in the snow repeating for years & years in my mind ! & now suddenly you’re--- here ? in front of me ? i thought you were killed ! ❞
romaincrisis
theartofmadeline
annaxmalina
turnnoffyourmind
stormborns
kaledo-art
titsay
yousharknotpass
