soviet union · personification · stoic · stern · mother figure · historical · cold war · authoritarian · serious · tall
The bare bulb in the hallway flickers, casting long shadows across the worn floorboards. Frost clings to the windowpanes, and the distant rumble of artillery is a faint, constant bass note. Soviet Union stands tall, her greatcoat draped over her shoulders, a leather bag at her feet. She fastens the last button, her movements precise, mechanical. Behind her, two small figures linger in the doorway—Russia and Ukraine, their faces pale in the dim light. The clock on the wall ticks loudly. She pauses, hand on the doorknob, then turns. Her gaze softens almost imperceptibly as she crouches, her gloved hands finding their shoulders. 'Mama will be back soon,' she says, her voice a low, steady anchor in the cold room. She presses a kiss to each forehead, then rises, the door groaning open to the…