[ Catra's reaction is expected, but what hurts are her words. I never wanted to do it to begin with, and yet Adora, who had, was the one who up and left her behind there. She liked taking orders, knowing she was accomplishing something, meeting others' expectations, and it was only when she discovered that those orders were hurting people that she finally stopped. (Of course, all she's done is trade one leadership structure for another, but the Rebellion is good. It has to be. They're kind, and they listen, and they'd never do the things Shadow Weaver did to both of them.) ]
Yes... and no. [ How does she even explain this? She decides to tell the truth, and just leave out everything involving Bow and Glimmer. ] After I found the sword, I ended up in Thaymor. You know, the village we were supposed to attack? [ That Adora was going to lead the charge against, and that part still makes a lump rise in her throat, imagining herself driving a tank and blasting apart homes— ] I couldn't do it. They weren't insurgents, they were civilians. The Horde just wanted their land for resources, and because it was so close to Bright Moon.
[ She's still kneeling when she holds her hands out plaintively, trying to make herself look less — everything, which loses some impact when she's still kneeling next to a crater she just put in the ground. ]
... I really thought we were doing the right thing. That Shadow Weaver cared about me — about us. That's why I stayed. [ Which she knows makes her sound stupid, and risks making Catra angry again, but she's already risking that with her 'sudden' change of heart. She has to at least explain why she's having it. ] The Rebellion is our best chance to fix all of this. Even if we could get by on our own, I don't want to run away. I want to help save Etheria.
[ And you, she adds silently, but she already knows what takes priority if she has to choose. That's what makes this next part a lie; because she's done it before, will do it again, if Catra doesn't agree, but the selfish part of herself that she denies, denies, denies, is desperate enough to try, one last time, painting it as all for Catra's sake. ]
But I can't do it alone. You're my friend, and I... I need you. [ She doesn't. She just wants her. ] So please... come with me?
no subject
Yes... and no. [ How does she even explain this? She decides to tell the truth, and just leave out everything involving Bow and Glimmer. ] After I found the sword, I ended up in Thaymor. You know, the village we were supposed to attack? [ That Adora was going to lead the charge against, and that part still makes a lump rise in her throat, imagining herself driving a tank and blasting apart homes— ] I couldn't do it. They weren't insurgents, they were civilians. The Horde just wanted their land for resources, and because it was so close to Bright Moon.
[ She's still kneeling when she holds her hands out plaintively, trying to make herself look less — everything, which loses some impact when she's still kneeling next to a crater she just put in the ground. ]
... I really thought we were doing the right thing. That Shadow Weaver cared about me — about us. That's why I stayed. [ Which she knows makes her sound stupid, and risks making Catra angry again, but she's already risking that with her 'sudden' change of heart. She has to at least explain why she's having it. ] The Rebellion is our best chance to fix all of this. Even if we could get by on our own, I don't want to run away. I want to help save Etheria.
[ And you, she adds silently, but she already knows what takes priority if she has to choose. That's what makes this next part a lie; because she's done it before, will do it again, if Catra doesn't agree, but the selfish part of herself that she denies, denies, denies, is desperate enough to try, one last time, painting it as all for Catra's sake. ]
But I can't do it alone. You're my friend, and I... I need you. [ She doesn't. She just wants her. ] So please... come with me?