Having walked past the serene Kryptonian gardens- Leading over to a small dainty house on the outskirts of Argo city. Kara smiled blissfully as they reached the entrance- surrounded by luscious greens, it was imbued with such peaceful stylings and it took a moment for Kara to take it all in. Bathed in an iridescent honey yellow glow, Alura watched mesmerised as Kara let her pointed fingertips glide over the famed House of El emblem embedded within a rock close by that signified to all- who this pretty place belonged too... it was... odd her mother living here, so used to the ornate grandeur and prestige that came with their family name back when it was still just Krypton.
Alura grinned noting Kara's clear curiosity. Standing outside, a mothers intuition "Our chambers were destroyed during the fall." Lips curling lowly in distasteful memory, gripping the length of her dress so that it wouldn't be muddied from the grass below, she continued "I was able to salvage a few of our belongings but I decided not to rebuild... especially after your father passed it didn't seem right to take up all of that residence without either of you here."
Shame flooded her mothers face as she sighed in remembrance of a different time- cautiously Kara gripped onto her mothers peach forearm, soothed by the warmth and silk cloth she felt under her touch that somehow she was still half expecting to be cold... dead, like a figment of her imagination... only coming back to haunt her for being too naive to see through her own minds evil manipulation.
The elder Zor-el woman burst with joy, lacing her own hand above her daughters as they just stared at each other... no words could comprehend this gratifying feeling of being reunited after so many years. Finally after a few more extended moments Alura decided to take them inside- leading the way as Kara took one last look around before steadying herself for the pleasant unknown and the likelihood of oncoming discussions.
Settling wearily onto a white cushioned and wooden armchair, the room was bright... light and free. The lower level meant the view was perhaps not as spectacular as the one from her old bedroom but... it was still her mothers home. At that Kara beamed pushing down the ends of her suit, wiggling her buttocks trying to tame her humming system and get comfortable to stop it from racing into the next galaxy in all honesty.
Waiting... silence enveloped her as her mother had darted off towards what she assumed was the kitchen. Mon-El had gone in search of the black rock... wanting to allow Kara time to reconnect with her family again.
Eyes glancing around the room was familiar in decor and culture, plus she almost squeaked when she saw the Dar-Essa perched on the counter if anything it was all kinda' hipster... which only continued on amusing the young Kryptonian to no end on the comparisons she could now make between her two very unique and entirely separate planetary systems.
Clinking... Alura returned with a tray full of different beverages and food types Kara thought long buried between the stars in space. Stuff she thought vanquished... gone with a 'poof' y'know?
Shuffling she plopped it down as Kara's eyes gazed at the snacks... the succulent cuisine before her I think my eyes are leaking.
Encouraging "Help your self." At that the blondes stomach rumbled and Alura laughed... shaking her head at the outright amazement on her daughters face- some things never change.
Five Taui cakes and a helping of Zyscar pudding later and Kara's mouth was overloaded with sensation as every bite brought back a welcomed memory from many decades ago... recognising what were most definitely her grandma's recipes, recreated by Alura clearly. Covered in crumbs and happily full- Kara gulped and took hold of the Yo-Ror tea her mom was also offering... taking a few sips, wiping her mouth and Kara flushed in embarrassment at how poorly she'd remembered her etiquette this time around- it's been a long time since she was of high stature.
Lets just see how prissy you stay when you become entangled with scanty... murky, sleazy... establishments downtown.
...at three am everyday, all because it sells the best potstickers.
...it's also where I got half my lessons on human culture so whatever'
Back on Argo...
"Never be ashamed of your love for pudding, it's always been one of my favourite traits." Alura quipped
Kara choked... coughing on her drink... it's like she can read minds, raising an eyebrow "How did you-"
Stern, voice low "I happened to have raised you for just over twelve years."
Stopping... Kara froze in concern at the change in atmosphere that was until the brunette burst out laughing "Oh my dear daughter! the unease is unwarranted I was only playing."
Since when did she get so darn CASUAL?
"Mom.. since when did you start making jokes?" shaking her head in cheery bewilderment- unsure of the new more expressive person she sat next too.
Sensing a need for normality the elder toned herself down... the high honourable Kryptonian taking over.
Bittersweet "Alot has changed over the years... including my continued realisation for a need to be better than who I was before, but never... never my love for you."
Reaching out... placing a hand on her child's cheek sweetly. Kara leant again into the feeling of a delicate graceful hand cupping her before whispering and opening her eyes, tears gathering within the few gentle lines at the side of those two giant orbs. "I still can't believe your here... i'm here and this is really happening."
Returning to a more natural position "I've dreamt about this for so long... I'm so scared i'll wake up."
Nodding in understanding quietly her mother answered "I myself have spent so long thinking you were gone as I watched your pod fall into the phantom zone. Wishing that I may have had the courage to believe full-heartedly in Zor's work and thinking that maybe if I had kept you here within the dome then maybe you would have survived. But we just... did not know and I could never have taken that risk, but If I had known you were alive I vow I would have never abandoned you!"
Bloodshot eyes connecting, communicating between themselves, Alura searched wondering more but unsure if it would be too painful "May I ask what happened... why it is that you are still so young?"
Wavering Kara subtly nodded and glanced to the floor "I-um... when the pod went into orbit. I uh- everything was falling down around me. I could see Kal-El's ship and then the stars... so many stars in front of me... it was beautiful I don't know why it was so beautiful- but it was like Rao was showing me something to quell my mind before he shattered my heart. Kal's - uh Kals ship... locked onto it's trajectory I saw it zoom away... but ah I was too far behind when the planet blew-" Lip quivering trembling Kara huffed and continued "When it blew up the shockwave uh- the shockwave from the blast send my pod hurtling towards the phantom zone. I got stuck... I was trapped reliving that nightmare in silence for twenty four years before Fort Rozz pulled me back. I didn't know it at the time but someone had managed to fire it up in an attempt to get them to earth. It pulled me along with and so I crashed down... twenty four years later when Kal-El had all but grown up... he found me."
The pain and the anguish held in Alura's hazel eyes said more than any written word- it was also held back by a strengthened wall, she needed so much to be enveloped by that hurt for what she had caused her daughter to suffer but she couldn't allow it not with Kara here... needing her support.
Swallowing... holding it in, back held firm as her shoulders never dared to bob... appreciative- contemplating "So Kal-El survived too? Lara would be so gleeful if she knew, was he the one to take care of you?"
Kara winced- not quick enough to even attempt to hide that from a parents watchful eye. Sensing it was a touchy subject... Alura backtracked "or.. perhaps not?"
The blondes head rocked slightly until she landed on "Um... he put... me with a family.. the Danvers. They helped me, taught me what it was to be human- how to get along in this brand new strange world and they never once questioned my heritage or my biology, even though I was so far from anything else they knew. The only other alien they'd ever been introduced too was Kal-El and he's probably more human than anyone of them."
Kara slumped murmuring, sorrowful and repentant "I really tried to teach him our ways when I was older but he... just doesn't quite get it- having never experienced Krypton like me and you... it's all just imaginary to him."
Annoyed at herself, feeling the need to keep apologising "I'm so sorry... I've spent all of these years regretting the fact that I could never give him the upbringing Lara wanted nor be there for him... like you asked. I had one job and I couldn't even do that!"
Alura raised her arm rubbing soothing circles on the precipice of Kara's back "My sweet... I... that was never our intention for you. It was just the only way to convince you or you would have never gotten into that pod otherwise. You needed purpose and of course we wanted you both to look after each other but by the sounds of it you've done just that... just by how you've described him to me, how you've tried to show him our culture. It is obvious that you care... that you have so much love for him."
Trying to instill Kara with hope, not wanting her to feel any more remorse "You were trapped... None of that was your fault... please believe that" deliberating "And maybe next time you could bring him too- attempt to reintroduce him to our culture now that you have Argo. I'm sure he would love to see all of the places you remember from childhood."
Kara was glowing... unable to speak.
In awe of her daughter, feeling so much love, compassion... emotion "I'm so proud of who you have grown into... the woman I see before me, how resilient and evidently strong you are. We've all suffered losses but not one of us has dealt with that and had to survive as a young lost child on a completely new alien planet. It must've been so utterly distressing."
Nodding in agreement, breathing in slightly. Kara relaxed babbling "Sure... I mean it was definitely difficult... adjusting. I- struggled for a while but the Danvers the ones that took me in... they were the ones who made it feel like home when everything else was gone- wiped from the stars."
Grateful wanting to know as much as possible about those who took her in- to hug all of the wonderful humans that had given her daughter love, grinning Alura tapped her lap "Tell me more... what are they like?"
Bubbly, excited "Well... there is Eliza... Jeremiah... oooo and and -I have a sister!"