The car rumbled to a halt in front of a quaint, unassuming house on the outskirts of town. The setting sun casted a warm, orange glow over the scene, making the modest abode look almost picturesque. Doll turned to her companions with a reassuring smile.
"Alright, everyone. We made it," she announced, her voice filled with a mix of relief and apprehension. "Welcome to my mom's place."
N, Uzi, and Sam exchanged glances. They were visibly exhausted from the long drive, but the sense of safety Doll's words brought was palpable. They stepped out of the car, stretching their cramped limbs.
Doll led the way to the front door and knocked gently. The sound echoed in the quiet evening air. Moments later, the door swung open, revealing a woman in her late forties with striking features and an air of effortless grace.
"Mama," Doll greeted, her voice softening. "Mom, it's me."
Yeva's eyes lit up with surprise and joy. "Doll! What a welcome surprise!" She pulled Doll into a warm embrace, then looked over her shoulder at the others. "And you brought friends. Come in, come in."
They stepped inside, the cozy interior of the house a stark contrast to the chaos they had left behind. The scent of fresh bread and something deliciously savory wafted through the air, making their stomachs rumble.
"Everyone, this is my mom, Yeva," Doll introduced. "And that's Mitchell, he's Mama's boyfriend I guess," she added, gesturing towards a man in his fifties sitting in an armchair, engrossed in a book. He looked up, smiling warmly.
"Nice to meet you all," Mitchell said, standing up to greet them. "Welcome."
Doll forced a polite smile. "Yeah, hi Mitchell."
"Hi Mitchell," Sam echoed, a bit too enthusiastically. Doll shot him a warning look, but Sam was oblivious.
"Don't mind Mitchell," Yeva said with a chuckle. "He's harmless, just a bit... silly." She turned to her daughter. "So, what brings you all here?"
Doll took a deep breath, her expression turning serious. "Mama, we need your help. Uzi's mother's spirit is haunting her boyfriend, N, and we need to perform a séance to set things right."
Yeva's brows knitted in concern as she studied N and Uzi. "That sounds serious. But don't worry, I'll prepare everything for tonight. But first," she added with a knowing smile, "I can't contact spirits on an empty stomach. Let's have dinner. You all must be tired and hungry after the long drive."
N and Uzi shared a relieved look, grateful for the hospitality. "Thank you, Mrs. Um, I don't really know your last name," N said, his voice sincere.
"Call me Yeva, dear," she corrected with a smile. "Now, I'll make some traditional Russian dishes. How does borscht and pelmeni sound?"
Doll's stomach growled in response. "That sounds amazing, Mama."
Yeva nodded, her expression pleased. "Good. Make yourselves comfortable while I cook." She turned to Sam. "You can stay in Doll's old room with her, but you must keep the door open so I can hear what you're doing in there."
Doll's face turned beet red. "Mama! We're not like that!"
Yeva raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Yeshche net," she replied in Russian.
Doll sighed, covering her face with her hands. "Mama..."
"Alright, alright," Yeva said, chuckling. "Relax, everyone. I'll get started on dinner."
As Yeva bustled off to the kitchen, Doll led the group to the living room. The house was filled with knick-knacks and family photos, giving it a warm, lived-in feel. Mitchell resumed his seat in the armchair, glancing up occasionally to offer a friendly smile.
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College Is Like A Chronic Migraine [Murder Drones Human College AU]
FanfictionUzi is starting college, hoping to get away from her dad. If only running away from your problems was equivalent to solving them.