Welcome Home - REBOOT AU

Prologue

The image above is of the main character, Melanie.

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Melanie sat perched on the edge of her chair, peering intently at the softly glowing computer screen illuminating her dimly lit room. Her eyes fixated on the webpage before her that seemed to be radiating even brighter than the screen. Though a small voice in her head whispered doubts, she banished them with the conviction that her skills and degree were too valuable to be squandered. As she navigated the website, her heart quickened with excitement at the prospect of applying for a position that she knew would challenge and push her to the limits of her abilities. She knew she had what it takes, and the job... well, it was all about the job.

Melanie's eyes fixated on the screen as she whispered to herself, "'Welcome Home Reboot | Position: Head of Animations. Apply Now!'. Just like my grandfather..." Her tone trailed off with a wistful sigh, lost in thought as she reminisced about her grandfather who was a creative mastermind and an inspiration to her own creative journey. But the anxiety of her job application began to gnaw at her, causing her to shift restlessly in her chair, her attention locked onto her inbox. She couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty and unease that was festering inside her. The cup of Chamomile tea on the table next to her sat untouched, cold and forgotten, awaiting her attention to soothe her worries. Finally, with a deep breath, she forced herself away from the screen and reached for the cup, hoping the tea would calm her nerves, and anxiously waiting for the response to her application.

With a heavy sigh, Melanie reached for her Welcome Home themed mug that had once belonged to her father, now empty and cold. She felt a pang of nostalgia and couldn't help but wonder if her father would have been proud of her had he been alive to see her accomplishments. Determined to keep her mind occupied, she got up from her desk, searching for a fresh cup of tea to warm up her cold mug's content. As she approached the kitchen in her cozy apartment, the familiar aroma of chamomile tea filled the air, soothing her senses. Just as she was about to relish the warmth of the tea, her phone buzzed, nearly causing her to spill its hot contents all over. Setting the cup down gently, she fished for her phone, already anticipating the worst. But as she unlocked her email, her heart leaped with excitement, and a smile spread across her face, seeing that it was an email from Playfellow Workshop, the company she had applied to for the position of Head of Animations.

Subject: Confirmation of Acceptance for Head of Animations

Hello Melanie Lockway,

I hope this email finds you in good health and spirits. Thank you for submitting your application to Playfellow Workshop for the position of Head of Animations. I would like to inform you that our team was extremely impressed with your qualifications and extensive experience in the field of animation.

I am pleased to extend our offer to you, and we would be thrilled to have you join our team as the Head of Animations for our new children's show reboot, "Welcome Home." Your creative vision and ability to bring characters to life through animation aligns perfectly with our company's mission to educate and entertain children through engaging stories.

We are excited to welcome you aboard and eager to see your talent in action. We believe your vast knowledge and expertise will help us take our show to new heights, captivating our young audience with imaginative visuals and heartfelt stories.

In the next few days, our human resource department will be in touch with you to finalize and confirm the employment contract's details. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to address them with us.

Once again, congratulations on your appointment, and we look forward to having you as a part of our team.

Best regards,

Mike Lawyer (Assistant to Playfellow Workshop)

As she smiled brightly, her previously crippling anxiety quickly dissipated, allowing her to relax and enjoy her tea with a newfound sense of ease. But just as she began to unwind, a curious feeling overtook her - not quite good, yet not altogether bad either. Tempted to dwell on this sensation, she couldn't help but wonder if it was a sign of events yet to come. Nonetheless, she ultimately decided to push it out of her mind, opting to enjoy the present moment while it lasted.

As she rose from her cozy dining table near her petite, yet functional kitchen, she tidily rinsed her beloved mug. Her great care and diligence towards her dishware were unmatched, especially when it came to her favored mug. With its captivating design and charming color, the mug had grown to become more than just a vessel for her morning beverage. It was a faithful companion throughout the day, bringing a sense of warmth and comfort to even the darkest of moments.

As she retraced her steps back to the storage closet in her quaint apartment, she carefully placed her treasured mug in the drying rack next to the sink. The closet was more than just a place to store unused items - it was a sanctuary of memories, filled with tokens of love and hope. She had amassed a collection of "Welcome Home" memorabilia that not many others had. As she reached for the box filled with tapes and keepsakes, she couldn't resist the temptation to search for her father's old USB files. The moment her fingers brushed against the cool metal casing of the USB, a tingling sensation coursed through her arm, as though an electric current was surging through her veins. It was as though the USB itself was calling out to her, beckoning her to unlock the secrets it held within.

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