Aurtha gazed at the incredibly large and populated campus, paying no attention to the constant protesting that could be heard in the distance. Her attention was jumping between the many different children among the crowd, to the different buildings that housed them all, but ultimately, she was taking in the new environment that she'll call her home. It all began to hit her at once: not being with her caretakers daily, having less guidance in her life, and possibly no real amazonian figure to learn from.
"Aurtha, dear," a matured voice from a tall, lean, amazonian woman spoke clearly as she hustled her away around the crowding people. Two others came close behind her that matched her appearance in height, stature, and bright features.
Aurtha turned quickly, breaking her stare from the now-intimidating campus. Her long, wavy hair whipped over her shoulder while a deep, amazonian voice left her full, pink lips, replying shakily,
"Yes, mom?" Although she knew that Imalda, the woman who looked after her for as long as she could remember, was not her true mother, she felt the love shared between a proper mother and child so profoundly that she had no hesitation to refer to her as 'mom'.
Imalda rummaged through the stack of papers she was given among signing her in and stowed them in a folder to hand to Aurtha,"Everything you need is in here to start your schooling. You have your schedule, a pamphlet that explains the classes, what electives you can take, you have your --."
"I'm gonna miss you," Aurtha interrupted,
"So much..."A warm hand was pressed against her arm gently from another amazonian woman -- Imalda's sister, Treya, that became Aurtha's primary trainer in combat,"Do not get too sad, my dear, home is only one call away."
Aurtha turned to Treya's grown daughter, Maya, who resembled such a profound amazonian warrior's appearance, even dressed in such casual clothes. She spoke in a comforting manner,"You have so much opportunity here. Had something like this existed in my youth, I would have no second thoughts of attending as well."
"Have you met your roommate yet?" Imalda questioned Aurtha.
Aurtha shook her head,
"No. She hadn't moved in yet."Imalda grabbed Aurtha to embrace her in one last hug before they departed from each other,"Remember all that we taught you -- about life, about the amazonian way, about how to be kind." Although Aurtha heard this endlessly from her, she let her talk, just for the sake of hearing her lecture one last time,"You may still feel different and unwelcomed here, despite being among those of great power, being that your life is so different from most. Just always, always,
always, know that I love you as my own, and you will always be my daughter."
Aurtha let loose a few tears, but also a chuckle,
"You know we'll see eachother sooner than later, right?"Imalda mimicked her chuckle,"Of course, my dear. I'm just frightened for whom it is that may influence you. You are the daughter of Diana of Themyscira and the King of Atlantis, also granddaughter to Zeus himself. Do
not let anyone use you for wrong, trust your heart and all that is right."
"I know, I know," Aurtha finally attempted to dismiss the oh-so familiar lecture.
"Listen," Imalda continued, refusing to release Aurtha from her embrace,"You have such powerful parents and ancestors, but you also have a loving family right here. We are your family, Aurtha, and we will think about you daily until your return. Be proud of where you come from."
Imalda released her, checking her watch for the time,"You should go. Find some friends, enjoy your freedom!" Imalda insisted with a bittersweet smile. "Wait!" Imalda commanded, reaching around her for a small, beat-up case that contained a beautiful violin that Aurtha grew up with. "We almost forgot this, even though you played it for me everyday." Imalda handed it to Aurtha,"This -- this is what I'm going to miss so much. I hope their ears are worthy of your playing!"
Aurtha laughed, giving them all one last hug and a few more sentences of 'I love you's' and 'I'll see you soon's' before they left the front gates and for Aurtha to be on her own. Aurtha turned to gaze at the campus, hesitantly taking the steps towards the crowd of people moving in, meeting each other, and signing up for classes. Already, she towered most of the children, not insecurely, but confidently. She held her violin tightly in one hand, and a folder of papers to read through eventually.
She made her way into the crowd.
Boreas,
Plank Sinatra
