While spring cleaning I stumbled upon this old ESC 2023 fanart - featuring all my favourite songs of that year (yes I like "I wrote a song" even though the live performance was dreadful) I drew back in June of 2023, but then ended up not liking and therefore never finishing and posting it.
But as the ESC situation is how it is at the moment, I thought I'd still post it now - to remember the good old days!!
Hello KND fandom, I've been gone for like a good?? 3 to nearly 4 years?? But I'm back!
Some of you have probably seen her already, but still.
My own design for teen Alessandra and a partial reveal for my Ace design! Additionally, a drawing of my Alessandra with @theamericanwoodcock's teen Wally design at a deftones concert!! is mostly rooted in the idea of a perfect gifted child turning into a burnout disappointment. Her ""siblings"" will get their own time to shine, but I'm currently focusing on it at the moment. Some of her is based on my own experiences and my friends, so please be respectful.
Here's an explanation of what happens for them to end up like this and tw// implied child abuse and other potentially sensitive themes:
As Alessandra grew up, it grew to hate Father and his constant abuse of her and the other delightfuls, physically and verbal. She was the first one out of the delightful children to start to falter in their grades and even slip ups with behaviour. It got so bad that they began splitting off from the rest of the group, the hivemind missing a piece. It was noticeable as Hoagie would point out when he and Sector V would fight them that it feels like one of them is missing, but itvwas quickly ignored, and the battle continues. Alessandra would often be singled out by Father and considerably more punished than the rest, considering she wasn't as "delightful" as they used to be.
Alessandra would often split away as they would "need a moment" to rethink and try to act as every delightful child should be. Repeating the rules to herself, over and over again. During one of those days, however, someone noticed them, pacing around nervously. The Kid or Ace as they often get called, got curious as they were passing by eating a chili dog, walking back to one of his planes. Curiously, he peaked his head through the bushes and asked if she's ok, considering how it's very clear how much distress she's in. At first, Alessandra was very hostile, but after that, they calmed down and simply said she's not feeling too well. Ace offered to have a quick chat to help them calm down and to comfort them, which ended working. Alessandra thanked them, and they both parted ways. But soon enough, it actually became a regular thing. Each time, she would tell Ace more and more about her problems and what's going on at home. Sparks of romance between the two. Ace would also often patch their injuries up either from KND defeating them or Father's punishments. As more as Alessandra told him and the more he saw how it gets treated, the more angry he got at the situation until one day, he said three words that changed Alessandra's life from then on. "Come with me."
Finally, an opportunity of escape presented itself. They can finally have a chance at normal life, no pressure, no rules, no expectations, freedom. She could feel a fire burn in her chest and a voice from their mind. The "other" her, urging her to go, to run. The voice mumbled and quiet but passionate. That same night, she tried sneaking away, but as she tried to exit through the main door, she accidentally slammed it... too hard. It woke everyone up, especially Father. She tried running as soon as they realised the mistake they made but it was too late and Father caught up to her. What followed was the reason why she has the scars you see on their reference. Father wasn't happy. At all. Ace knew something went wrong because Alessandra was nowhere to be seen, and all he could hear was screaming. He wanted to go there and help but knew it would be a terrible idea, it would not only put him in danger but Alessandra as well.
Afterwards, Alessandra was isolated for a good month. It was meant to force her to reflect and think about what she's done. It didn't work. If anything, they kept crying and thinking about Ace and trying to run away. During this time, Ace would sneak little notes to them, and they communicate that way. Finally, one certain night. Ace helped Alessandra escape. She ran and ran as fast as her legs could take her. When they were finally far away from the mansion. Alessandra laughed triumphantly as it and Ace hugged each other. Freedom, at last.
The main problem now was where to go from there? The answer was simple, Ace had everything planned out. Ace used an abandoned music studio as a hideout. They would live there as Ace would bring in food and other things, along with them sharing clothes for a little bit. When Alessandra hot 13, they began to change their style of clothing. No need to be dressed delightfully when you're not considered such anymore, a delightful child would never run away from their parents. It also gave Alessandra time to reflect and realise just how many problems they really have. They shared medication that Ace had as he also had similar mental health issues, though not all. Since it was no longer delightful and really needed some of their own clothes, they decided that it's time to use this freedom, they began stealing for themselves, all kinds of things, clothes, accessories and such. Admittedly, it ended up herting in trouble with cops but they don't care. They still went to school, Ace's mom taking them both. She would often stay close to Ace and avoid most other people. She ended up making up with Sector V and ended up befriend a few others like Fanny, Virginia, and Patton. It was nice to finally have friends, to not be alone. But just because Alessandra had freedom doesn't mean they didn't have destructive habits. But now they are with Ace and are slowly healing, it will be a long road ahead but one that will be worth it. At least that's what Alessandra tells themselves.
