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pedalbike2020-09-18 07:11 pm
upcyclingmod) wrote in pedalbike2020-09-18 07:11 pm
Entry tags:
2nd Event: Choices We Make
Welcome to the Test Drive Meme.
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Not all characters (known as Wickie, singular or Wickies, plural) arrive at the same time, surprisingly enough! That’s life for you. Some Wickies find their way to the island at a pivotal (or very mundane) point in their life, or even after or during their death.
Wickies who were standing or walking often find themselves entering the town South Sister, located on Lighthouse Isle, through an open doorway. Those that were laying down, or sleeping, tend to be found lying prone in beds, bathtubs, showers, couches, and similar places within the cottages on Cottage Row. There’s no rhyme or reason to it all! To Wickies familiar with the era, they will realize that everything looks as if it’s come from the ‘90s.
The house which a Wickie finds themselves within could already be occupied. This includes walking into a fellow Wicke, waking up in the same location, or accidentally scaring a room full of people with their sudden appearance.
Oops.
C-C-Changes
Thankfully the fog has gone down to what it was before, a slow creeping crawl over the ground. And too, the monsters of before are gone, leaving the town much like it was before. Well...close to what it was before.
For now the season's have changed, from a lingering summer to a cooler fall.
There’s new foods to try, even if some things like lattes cause people to slip into warm boots and tie up their hair, and soups make people curl up under blankets on the couch. And it also means decorations of all sorts, made of the leaves from the forest, orange, yellow and red things and...we can not forget...
Pumpkin overflow
Pumpkins! They're everywhere. Wickies will find pumpkins infused into all sorts of things, like coffee, ice cream, even spaghetti options! It's wild.
There’s also many jack o'lanterns. They have been placed everywhere in town, outside homes, and even small ones have been made into table decorations. The Jack o lanterns have very cheerful faces, and seem to watch Wickies every single move.
That is, until a Wickie bashes or otherwise abuses a pumpkin. That's when it changes- there seem to be more of them. Their expressions change to that of anger, sadness and disgust. None of them attack- yet. But their faces become more and more horrifying, as they follow the Wickie more and more- outside of the bathroom perhaps, or found on top of them as the Wickie wakes up in the middle of the night.
It shouldn't matter right? They're only pumpkins.
What a ride
Funny enough, with the pumpkin invasion, there also comes a dull colored horse wandering about the island. Its head is drooped, and it looks depressed and lonely. The horse is tame on approach and will accept pats and treats, even from those who are obviously not human.
But it also wants something, for all that it seems to be begging for attention. It wants someone to ride them, seems to even be begging for it with its big eyes. The horse will help Wickies to figure out how to mount; it will even stand beside the Town Center benches, rocks, or even go down in order to make it possible for the Wickie to get onto the horse’s back.
That’s when it changes. The Wickie is immediately wrapped in chains from their barrel to the Wickie’s waist. The horse turns a coal black and the Wickie’s clothing changes into that of a soldier's uniform, with a hand either holding a whip modeled after a human spine, or a jack o'lantern.
The Wickie cannot get off the horse on their own, no matter how much they struggle. As the horse moves throughout the town, they will go anywhere from a walk to a full canter, seemingly impervious to any magic or physical attacks. The same cannot be said for their unfortunate rider.
If the rider is hit, or simply in pain, the Wickie will feel an impulse that grows and grows until they scream a name of someone in town, someone they know.
And the named will drop, paralyzed. Paralyzed wickie are likely to die within minutes, more so if they are too close to horse and rider. The horse will happily trample anyone on the ground to death.
Even without the impulse, should the Wickie rider use anyone’s name, that person will drop, paralyzed, and unable to breathe.
There is only one way to possibly save the rider: scatter golden objects in their path. The horse will shriek, and promptly buck the rider off, before running away. Just make sure to catch the rider, or at least cushion their fall: they have no way of saving themselves until they hit the ground.
Heart game: confession
Current residents of the island may remember this particular beeping alert, and how it doesn’t go away, no matter what they do! That is, unless they open up the Heart Game, and answer the question.
Welcome back everyone! It’s so good to see you again! Now let’s play that game, Confession! And the question isssssss…
How do you celebrate the changing seasons! Don't be shy!
no subject
Yeah. Yeah, I did. [ She laughs, a mixture of nervousness and relief bubbling to the surface. Even with her comments to Bow and Glimmer, she's never outright insulted Shadow Weaver before, and: ] Wow, it feels good to say that.
[ Good enough that she's going to say it again. ]
Shadow Weaver is stupid. And a lot of other things, too. Getting out of the Fright Zone really put it all in perspective. [ Great acting, Adora. Not suspicious in the slightest to come to that realization in one day. ] So why go back? I know you don't like her either.
no subject
Buuuut... there's no reason why Catra can't be the one who helps her, right? Shadow Weaver can't be the only creepy sorceress with a penchant for messing up people's minds out there. Catra will just find them another one, and by the time that happens maybe Adora really will have gotten used to how terrible Shadow Weaver is.
Despite herself, Catra's tail is lifting from its harried position. No matter the circumstances, hearing Adora agree with her about Shadow Weaver feels good. Now that Adora's finally seeing things her way, is she really going to force them both to go back?
There's still, Adora's mental wellbeing aside, one big problem:]
Shadow Weaver's not going to let you get away that easily. [And Catra sounds. Just a little resentful. As much as she hopes otherwise, she knows that if it's just her who disappears, it'll probably be weeks before Shadow Weaver even notices.] She's tracking you already. That's how we found you. Even if we go and hide out with the rebels [which -- ha! -- no. They're not doing that. That's where Catra's drawing the line on Adora's delusions.], it won't take long before she sends another squad out after you.
[And Catra knows exactly what their orders will look like. They'll be instructed to bring Adora - just Adora - home, no matter the cost. It's safer for them, for Catra, to go back now, rather than wait for that to happen.]
They're gonna keep coming, Adora. Shadow Weaver is freaking out about this little trip of yours, and she's not gonna stop just because you've decided you don't wanna go home.
no subject
I know she won't just let me go, Catra. [ I've already beaten her once, she wants to say, even though that wasn't the real thing, just her shadow puppets pursuing Adora to the ends of Etheria. She doesn't know how she'd fare against the real Shadow Weaver and all her magic, but she's willing to give it a try; especially with Catra's help, this time. ] That's why we're going to the Rebellion. They've been fighting the Horde for a long time, and they're good at it.
[ ... Sort of. Sometimes. Not that "the Rebellion" was even a thing, then, outside of a few scattered groups. Until She-Ra showed up, it was every Princess for themselves and their own kingdom, with only Glimmer making an effort to bring everyone together — but she's counting on Catra buying the idea of some united front. ]
Think about it. I'm a Princess, so they'll have to let me in. And where I go, you go. [ You'd think she'd have learned by now not to imply that Catra needs to follow after her like some kind of pet, but hey! That's Adora for you! ] Even if they don't [ which she's only saying because she knows they will, ], the two of us can figure something out. What's Shadow Weaver going to do against this? [ She gestures down at herself — all eight feet of her. ] I can take on a squad, no problem.
no subject
Catra's not convinced of Adora's ability to take on an entire squadron though, or of her claim to suddenly be a Princess, and she scoffs. At least right now, in this point of her life, she is used to being Adora's shadow. 'Where you go, I go' is right - except for when Adora takes off in the middle of the night without her.
Yeah, she's still sore about that.]
You're not a Princess. [How many times is she going to have to reiterate that? Catra misses her Adora already. The one that's a normal height, and who has a ponytail Catra can pull on when she's being stupid.] You don't even have any magic powers. What're you gonna do, flex at Shadow Weaver until she lets you go?
[She's getting agitated again, too many absurdities piling up. It'd be easier to accept it if Adora were suggesting the two of them go off on their own, but she's not. For whatever reason, she's stubbornly stuck on the idea of sucking up to their enemy instead.]
What about being Force Captain? Adora, we've worked our whole lives [so many days of endless training and tests, enduring life in the Fright Zone because their goal, together, is to rise up and lead the Horde] for this, and we're finally getting somewhere. You really want us to just -- throw it all away, and go join the losers?
no subject
I mean, I was already good at punching, but— watch.
[ To demonstrate, she takes a few steps back, gets down on one knee, and smashes her fist into the ground. It leaves a crater far larger than just the initial impact zone around her knuckles, huge cracks fanning out for at least a foot in every direction, and Adora raises her hand to show the complete lack of damage to herself. ]
It's not worth it, Catra. [ The suffering, the pain... the whole actually being evil thing, but she knows that doesn't have the same shock value to Catra as it did to her. Maybe they could change the Horde from within, eventually, but it would take too long. Adora can't go back to being a part of that terrible machine. ] We'll still have to take orders from Shadow Weaver. From Hordak. It could be years until we're in charge. Do you really want to go back to that?
no subject
Catra's not proud of how she's wound up on a roof, fluffed out and bristling, and if a single other person has witnessed this then she's absolutely going to murder Adora.
(At least she can stretch out a leg behind her and kick off the lantern that she can feel grinning at her.)]
Of course I don't wanna go back to that, I never wanted to do it to begin with! [Don't mind the indignant pitch of her tone, Catra's just got to channel the someone just punched a crater into where I was standing adrenaline somewhere. (Never mind that Adora was a few feet away. The ground Catra was standing on still has a crack in it, that's enough for her.) Everything they've been taught about Princesses is firing rapidly through her mind. They're out of control, they abuse their powers recklessly, stay with your squad because if you come across one in the field, your only chance is to overwhelm them with numbers. According to their training, Catra should fall back and regroup before the Princess' wild magic eviscerates her.
She definitely shouldn't be scowling down at her with her bushed tail lashing in agitation.]
Why now, Adora? We could've gotten out of there years ago if that was what you really wanted. And why the Rebellion? Is this all stuff your dinky little sword told you to do?
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?
no subject
Catra spares the glowing fog that blankets the sword enough time for a distrustful glance.]
Of course Shadow Weaver cares about you. [Oh she's bitter. Very, very bitter; moreso because of the fact that Adora is now trying to act like she's spurning the same favour Catra's been yearning for her whole life.] You've always been her favourite. You think she'd bother tracking down anyone else?
[Adora's not even that great at things. She's just gullible, and Shadow Weaver loves an idiot who takes orders at face value. Like, seriously -- all Adora had to do was look at a map and think about it for two seconds. Heck, if she'd asked for her input, Catra could've pointed out why the Horde actually wanted Thaymor.
The only thing she's not been wrong about in all of this is that she needs Catra, because that's become pretty obvious. Look at her. It hasn't even been a full day, and without Catra she's 1) found a magic sword; 2) become possessed by its power; 3) listened to its instructions; 4) let it make her think she's a Princess; 5) decided to upend her entire life and turn traitor to the Horde; 6) decided that the Rebellion is the logical place to turn to; 7) thinks that the rebels won't just attack them on sight; 8) hasn't even considered the likelihood that they'll be assumed to be spies; 9) probably hasn't actually realized the lengths Shadow Weaver will go to to get her back; 10) is totally fine with the whole 'Princess' thing.
So, yeah. Adora definitely needs Catra, that's not in question. And... okay, Catra would absolutely be lying if she said that the thought of Shadow Weaver's face when she realizes her precious Adora's defected doesn't fill her with vicious glee.
In the end she groans, slumping dramatically on the roof.]
Fine. But I choose the next plan. [When this one inevitably goes south. Catra's going to pretend that the sick feeling of dread in her stomach is something other than fear, knowing how quickly they're going to die when they come up against a real, actual Princess. At least then Adora will see how wrong she is about herself.]
Now get up, would you? You look like an idiot kneeling down there.
no subject
Or, she could focus on what she wants to hear, which is Catra agreeing. Not just about the Horde being evil, which was only ever news to Adora, but to come with her, away from it all. To trust Adora more than the only life she's ever known, all because she asked.
I know you're not a bad person, Catra. ]
You really mean it?
[ This still feels wrong, the way things with an air of Shadow Weaver about them always do, but like Catra, she's stubborn enough to forge ahead regardless. Even in the middle of a war, nothing could truly make her give up on winning Catra over... at least, short of a reality destroying portal being set off, and what are the odds of one of those existing?
She-Ra's body or not, the way her eyes sparkle is all Adora, and so is the way she almost trips over her own feet in her sudden rush to follow orders and stand. She waits near the roof with both hands on her hips, beaming up at Catra from below. ]
Okay, okay. You get to be in charge next time. Promise. [ She can have the next plan, and the one after that, and as many as she needs. Catra's plans are usually the opposite of Adora's, and maybe she should be wary of making fresh promises, but it's fine. Adora trusts her, too giddy with relief to pay attention to the warnings carved into her own body of why she shouldn't. ] Hey. Before I go back to being me, you should come and take a closer look at all of this. I know you're curious.
[ It's important that Catra gets used to She-Ra, for... tactical reasons. Maybe she'll like her now that they're on the same side, and no matter how hard Adora tries to temper her expectations, she can't help feeling hope at the idea of She-Ra being a source of comfort for Catra, not resentment. ]
no subject
[It's easy to say it now, when she's still confident in their friendship. She'll be holding that over Adora's head for a long time. And though Catra's relatively comfortable up here on the roof, she still tenses as Adora's oversized self approaches; and then relaxes again with a snort when the idiot beams up at her, her cape flapping in a nonexistent wind.]
Please. I can see how dorky you are just fine from up here. [Also, not that she doesn't trust Adora, but Catra's always going to feel better when she's the one with the height advantage.
That's not to say that she's not leaning off the roof, balancing precariously near the gutter in a crouch to look Adora over. Under the guise of just watching her normally, of course. Catra won't be caught dead actually doing what Adora's told her to, even if it's obvious she is when her lips quirk and her sharp fangs slip through her teasing smirk.] You pick that tiara out all on your own?
[Actually, she should thank Adora for urging her to take a better look. There's enough here to make fun of her with for years.]
no subject
Obviously not. [ What is it with Catra and bullying her about the tiara? She knows why, of course — it's the last thing she'd ever wear over more practical options like a helmet, or sticking with her hair poof. But it's still mean to point out the obvious, as if Catra can't figure out the answer already. ] The first time I used the sword, all of this just... happened. I didn't choose anything.
[ Talk about an understatement. Adora wishes she had a better explanation, even for her own sake. She's spent a year surrounded by magic, years more training to counter it in the Horde, but some things, she's just had to accept as beyond her understanding. Why She-Ra needs a tiara is one of those. Why she can't have pants is another. ]
But... [ She flexes an exposed beefy arm, her goofy smile transforming into more of an I know you like me smirk, complete with a cocky wink. ] I can think of one good part about the new look.
[ Because Catra does still like her, as a friend, if she's willing to follow her into the light instead of retreating back into the comforting dark. Adora's just glad for the chance to be a better friend to Catra, this time; masking her true thoughts behind familiar banter. ]
no subject
Catra's eyes do linger on the flex of her bicep, because -- they're friends, and it's not like it's the first time Adora's been proud to show off. But as ever, that lingering look is all the ground she gets from Catra, and even that's tinged with amusement.]
Huh. You know, I think I almost see it. [That slow swish of her tail and narrowing of her eyes are warnings, Adora. Ones that might be a bit more visible than the tensing of the muscles in her legs.] Hold still a sec, would you?
[Adora wanted her to get a closer look? Okay, Catra will go in for a closer look. It's not that big of a jump to make it from the roof to land - intentionally heavy - on her shoulders. If Adora stumbles or falls, so be it. It's no skin off Catra's nose.]
no subject
Catra! [ She laughs, raising a hand to check that she's still steady after her leap. Which, of course she is, she's Catra — safely navigating places where she shouldn't be her whole thing — but Adora's first instinct is to make sure. ] Enjoying the view?
[ The view of what, exactly, she doesn't specify, but she flexes again; this time with both arms. (Look, she's never gotten to impress Catra with She-Ra before. This is just... helping her accept that it's a good thing to have a giant Princess on her side.) ]
I need to go get my sword, but I'll wait until you're comfortable first. Take as long as you want. [ Adora tilts her head up so she can smile at her, soft and genuine. First She-Ra, then the sword. Expecting both at once was probably a little much. ]
no subject
Which is to say, Catra's gotten a bit personal with her hair for a brief moment there, when one of her feet slips on the unexpectedly smooth surface of a pointed golden spaulder and her hands grip into it reflexively. She's corrected herself before Adora's hand even reaches her, slipping away from it. She's fine. Catra's climbed more dangerous things than her best friend before.]
Eh. Looks pretty much the same to me. [Is that a foot unceremoniously braced on the gold adorning Adora's chest, and a knee jammed into her forehead, while Catra maneuvers to be crouching the same direction as her, balanced behind her head? It sure is. And is that her tail batting, deliberate and annoying, into Adora's face? Right again. Some people just have no respect.
She gets a couple of moments to eye off the taut lines of Adora's strained muscles rather freely, before Adora's head moves; and Catra's a little late to stopping the more affectionate drag of her tail as it brushes along one of Adora's arms. She's still in time to be smirking, though; folding her arms casually on Adora's tilted head, and resting the front of her chin on them to look down at her, nose wrinkling at the nearness of the tiara. More and more, she's realizing that she wasn't only having trouble tracking Adora down because of the weird smells in this place or the misty fog dampening things. It's because Adora smells like this now, with the tickle of magic clinging to her even when she's her regular self.]
Forget the sword. [No, seriously. Forget it. That thing is bad news.] I wanna see what you can do to those lanterns. [They'll probably explode under her fists. Not as good as firing off a tank and laughing giddily as the adrenaline of a blast rocks the ground, but hopefully way better than dropping them off a roof.] Don't tell me you're too afraid of getting dirty to have a little fun.
no subject
[ If Catra wants to imply that Adora was always this big and muscly, then she's not going to argue. She snort-laughs as Catra maneuvers herself into position, both from the tail (and fur) in her face, and the sudden rush of her best friend touching her so casually again, no matter how much of a pain she is about it. (Plus, it makes her feel powerful, to have Catra climbing on her like a tree. She's used to being the taller one, but this is something else.) ]
I can't just forget it. I need a weapon. [ She-Ra might count as a weapon all on her own, but Adora still needs the sword to be her in the first place. She's fine with waiting, though; knowing the transformation will hold for a while longer. ] But sure, I can smash some lanterns. [ How convenient — there's one right nearby, and Adora grins at its angry face as she raises one oversized boot. ] Starting with this one right... here!
[ Splat goes the pumpkin; and, in turn, its orangey guts over Adora's nice white outfit. Blood and damage never stick through her transformations, so she's pretty sure some goop won't either, but who really cares at this point? She's having fun, and Catra is too... for now.
For now, because the next lantern she crushes in her bare hands, then reaches up behind her head to smear the insides on Catra's fur, all while wearing the smuggest grin imaginable. ]
Not afraid of getting dirty, are you?
no subject
She still doesn't know what that was about, what the sword convinced Adora she'd done. It's a good thing that the sword underestimated their trust in each-other, or who knows where they'd be right now. Catra probably would have had to subdue Adora and take her in by force, and they'd be back in Shadow Weaver's dimly-lit room while she poked around undoing the weirdness that's got Adora acting out against her.
It's what she should be doing, it's the fastest way to get Adora fixed, and that means it's selfish for Catra to laugh loudly when Adora's dumb, bright boot smashes down into a scowling lantern and splatters its orange mess everywhere... but Catra's never claimed to be anything but a selfish person. Besides, she's... Scoping out what the sword's done to Adora. Gathering intel.
Trying to determine if her best friend really is a Princess now, or if she's just imagining it the way Catra thinks she is.It's equal parts intimidating and exciting to see her crush a lantern in her hands, and the puff of Catra's fur is exuberant for all of two seconds before she realizes Adora's hand is heading for her.]
Ado--ora!! [It starts off as a warning, and then rises in pitch as Adora's hands smear orange gunk onto her. Squirming away does no good; she can feel the goop settling in to her fur and uniform as she tries and fails to evade Adora's larger-than-normal hands, and so Catra goes for plan b: scraping a quick swipe of the orange mess from herself, and smacking it gracelessly into the side of Adora's face, rubbing firmly to smush it blindly into her skin.]
no subject
[ The Princess currently giggle-snorting as Catra returns the favour, her tongue briefly darting out to taste some of the mess stuck to her cheek. It's a far cry from Bright Moon cuisine, but good enough to see them through a survival situation, until she can get in touch with Bow or Glimmer... and if she has to be stuck in a strange place with one other person, there's no one better than a friendly Catra to increase both their odds of getting home safe, even with a loooot of explaining to do.
In the back of her mind, she's already assessing the situation, planning ahead for their next move. They'll have to find a river, or a house with a functioning water supply; both for drinking and cleaning themselves with. Catra might hate getting wet, but it's an improvement over the freezing cold showers in the Fright Zone, and she can't stay covered in sticky goop forever. (Well. She probably can, but Adora's not going to let her.)
Idly, Adora wonders if Catra will be jealous of her magical self-repairing (and cleaning) Princess outfit saving her from a change of clothes. Their Horde uniforms are built for practicality, which Adora deeply appreciates, but she likes the idea of Catra wearing things not made strictly for combat purpose, more along the lines of her suit at Princess Prom. Catra might not remember that incident, but Adora does, especially when she knows it was designed to have an effect on her. Good thing it definitely, absolutely, completely failed to do so, except to put the idea of Catra in different outfits in her head months later.
But that's something for Future Adora to think about. Present Adora is grabbing another pumpkin off a nearby bench with an evil chuckle, wrapping her fingers around the gourd as she holds it aloft. ]
Had enough yet? 'Cause I can do this all day. [ Her plans if Catra disagrees are clear, and they involve a lot more ruffling and messing up of fur. All's fair in
lovefriendship and war. ] Admit it. She-Ra is the coolest thing you've ever seen.[ Accidental namedrop, whoops. ]
no subject
(That they don't have anything else to wear isn't a yet a concern on Catra's radar.)]
You wish! [The wings of Adora's stupid tiara dig in to her when she leans over her head to make a swipe for the lantern. A move that she's distracted from with her arm outstretched and claws partially dug into its flesh, when Adora apparently decides to go with 'She-Ra' as a name.
It's 3, 2, 1 -- and then Catra's face scrunches, and a pffft turns into a disbelieving laugh that would be threatening to upset her balance on Adora's shoulders, were it not for the gourd she's bracing on.]
Did you just codename yourself? [Catra sounds delighted by this. Which, of course, is not a good thing.] That's the lamest thing I've ever heard! Can you imagine how that's gonna sound? [She pitches her voice into a mocking imitation.] 'Oh, no! It's 'She-Ra'! Better watch out, she might glow and blind us with her tiara!'
[There goes her tail again, smacking helpfully into Adora's dumb face.]
Seriously, do I have to do everything for you? Give me two seconds and I'll come up with something better.
no subject
It's not a codename. And I didn't choose it. [ She considers going with the sword told me, but Catra already doesn't trust that thing, and Adora kind of needs it. So, again, she's as truthful as she can be, given the circumstances. ] There was a ruin in the Whispering Woods, with a picture of a woman who looked like me. Not... me-me, but this me. It said her name was She-Ra. Apparently, she's some ancient warrior from a thousand years ago.
[ With a sigh, she hands the pumpkin off to Catra, oblivious to what a mistake that might be. ]
Look, it's been a long day. I can explain later [ when she's had time to come up with better lies ], but right now, we need to focus on more important things. I mean, there's no sign of the Rebellion or the Horde here. Don't you think that's weird?
no subject
Oh, so now you want to talk about your kidnapping? [That ship's sailed. And Adora's basically a glorified climbing frame at this point, as Catra balances the angry lantern on her hip with one arm and uses her other hand to grab Adora's hair and tug, trying to yank her head back so she can squint at her eyes.] Too late for that. First you gotta tell me something: since when do you wander around ruins on your own?
[She'll bet anything the sword told her to do it.]
no subject
Her eyes narrow with an annoyed grunt at Catra's mistreatment of her hair, but she only hesitates a few seconds before answering. ]
I was lost, okay? Don't you remember our survival training? Shelter is the most important thing to look for in a hostile environment. [ Which the Whispering Woods definitely qualifies as. ] I left because I needed to find food. I should have packed ration bars, but I didn't plan on being away for that long.
[ She meant it when she said I'll be back before anyone knows I'm gone. Things just... didn't work out that way. ]
Sword, tiara, ruins, Thaymor. And then— here, I guess. That's everything. [ Lol. ] Now will you please let go of my hair?
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Nuh-uh, I'm not finished yet. [Also, Adora's hair is really soft and smooth and nice to touch. Catra's gonna tug it again, because she can.] I wanna know what your whole deal was when I caught up to you. You were acting weird, Adora. Why were you trying to blame me for stuff?
[Clearly, that's the most prominent issue.]
no subject
Because...
[ Because we've been enemies for a year. Because you tried to kill me, and my friends. Because I think you hate me, even if I don't know why, and it breaks my heart. ]
... because I didn't know if Shadow Weaver was messing with me. If she knew about the sword, and what I was doing, somehow. She's always been in my head, so I just... freaked out a bit.
[ It's an easy lie, because it's not really a lie at all. Just... a version of the truth that leaves out a few (or a lot of) details. She had suspected Shadow Weaver when she first woke up, and even if Catra didn't hear the same voice in her head, she knows what it's like to live in fear of the older woman; far more than Adora ever will. ]
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have treated you like that. [ She tries to smile, but her mouth doesn't manage more than an upwards twitch at the corners. ] Besides, if Shadow Weaver wanted me back, she'd at least pretend to be nice about it. I don't think she could act like you, even if she tried.
[ You were nothing before I took you in still echoes in her mind, but Shadow Weaver was wrong. Adora has She-Ra now. She matters. And, it turns out, Catra being mean has advantages sometimes. ]
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But the explanation of fearing Shadow Weaver... it does make sense. Adora always has taken her more seriously than Catra, and even Catra still finds her legs locking and her heart jumping into her throat when shadows grow around her. For Adora, who thinks Shadow Weaver is way stronger than she actually is, being on the other side of her power must be pretty intimidating.
Catra's eyes crinkle with pride at the veiled insult, but it's all she can muster when Adora's like this, and they soften again before long.]
You really want to get away from her, huh? [Still such a weird concept, but one that's a bit more believable now. And with her acceptance of this supposed truth, Catra loosens her hold on Adora's hair; just barely resisting the urge to card her fingers through it.]
Look... [It's easier to be earnest with Adora than with anyone else, but it's still awkward. 'Earnest' isn't something Catra does often, or well. Bravado, on the other hand...] I know every one of her tricks. --She's really not that great at coming up with anything new. [Probably because she's stuck with whatever power Hordak deigns to give her, but that's not Catra's issue. What is her issue is her best friend, whose voice sounds thick again and whose eyes are all watery, and who Catra's trying to reassure despite being crouched on her shoulders and looking down at her with a very angry lantern under one arm.] I'll spot her stuff coming from a mile away, so as long as we stick together, you'll be fine. She won't get a single chance to screw with you again.
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She's still dangerous, Catra. Don't get too cocky. [ She scolds, but there's a tiny smile accompanying it; soft and fond. Catra might not remember giving her back the sword, but Adora has at least one reason to trust her when it comes to Shadow Weaver. ] You're the one who said she'd come after us. We both need to stay on our guard.
[ Not just against her, either. Back in the Crystal Castle, Catra said Shadow Weaver had bigger problems to worry about, which Adora took as a sign of Hordak's involvement in things. She's never seen him take the field, but his position and the occasional hushed whispers among the other cadets are enough to know facing him head-on would probably be a bad idea. If he shows up... she hopes She-Ra will be enough to protect everyone, no matter the cost to herself.
Her hand seeks out Catra's tail, running along the length of it in one smooth, gentle stroke; thanking her for the reassurance. Then, after a quick sniff to clear her throat, she's back to raising a playful eyebrow at her best friend. ]
Are you ever gonna get down from there? She-Ra is supposed to be an [ in an overly dramatic voice: ] ancient warrior Princess. I'm pretty sure using her as a surveillance post is against the rules.
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