Momma time! (Stella/Hime)

Although Carla had told Stella she was an adult now and free to make her own decisions to some extent - as a mother who cared very deeply for her children, she would always inevitably worry about what those decisions entailed, and to a greater extent, how those choices affected her daughter's wellbeing. On the one hand, this particular visit was long overdue, something she intended to act on after her daughter's recent visit. On the other, recent events forced her to accelerate the process.

Even now, the horrific images of her daughter being brutalized still haunt her mind, to say nothing of the sheer anger it invoked in her heart. But this was meant to be a pleasant, albeit serious, reunion, and she wanted to see her daughter's smile more than anything else right now. As such, when Stella arrived at the mall for their outing, the crimson-haired woman would embrace her immediately. No words were spoken initially until she held her in her arms, to affirm that she was still alive and well.

"Stella! I'm so glad you're alive... I've been worried sick about you."

"Of course. After all, who else can match their energy but you?"

Carla humored, ruffling the woman's hair. It was nice to see her daughter in high spirits. It was a preferred and pleasant sight compared to those images. Releasing Stella from her embrace, she'd hold her hand as she looked around for where they might go first. Food court? To buy even more outfits? The possibilities were endless, but she'd let her daughter choose first while she asked her a few questions to keep the air eventful.

"Moving past the obvious elephant in the room, how have you been since then, Stella? Has your caretaker here treated you well? Natasha, was it?"