[that is actually something Catra understands, as someone who was advocating for harder evidence and less baseless speculating. everything pointing to Kaoruko had been unfairly circumstantial. . . and Catra just feels like her actually being a killer was them getting lucky]
[but even so—]
You could have voted for someone else! Like— I don't know. Someone who annoyed you?
[she's shouting before she even knows it, the words tumbling from her mouth almost in a panic. she reaches out to grab Adora's shoulders, grip tight, but she's careful not to scratch with her claws]
You are just as important! Even more important than some-- some stupid vote that doesn't matter!
[. . . and then she seems to realize what she's doing. with a deep breath, she calms herself, relaxes, her expression turning from pinched frustration to something much softer. much more. . . afraid]
. . . you don't always have to jump in to be the hero, Adora.
[she bites her tongue, because there is. . . so much she wants to say. so many feelings she wants to pour out into the open-- about how much Adora means to her, about how hurt and pained she was when Adora left, about how happy she is that they're together again. . .]
[about how heartbroken she'd be if Adora left her behind for a second time. especially. . . in a more permanent context]
Adora. . .
[but none of that comes out. perhaps now isn't the time or the place, or perhaps Catra still hasn't found the words to say what it is her heart wants her to say so deeply and dearly]
[It's... a good question to ask. Adora's not a good liar--she never has been. Catra asks the question direction and Adora immediately averts her gaze, guilty confirmation that something did, indeed, happen.
She can't lie to Catra, can she? Not when they're finally mending bridges.
But...
... She bites her tongue for a moment, and then closes her eyes and sighs.]
Don't... freak out or anything, okay? It's not as bad as it's going to sound. I'm okay.
[. . . she can't make that promise, and Adora knows it. the way her hair stands on end makes it obvious, too. but even so. . . she keeps her tone even and calm, even as she asks a gain with a bit more emphasis this time]
Adora takes a slow breath in, squares her shoulders, and meets Catra's eyes as best she can. It's subtle, but probably obvious like this that one of Adora's eyes is not quite tracking the same as the other.]
I... can't see out of my left eye anymore. It happened right after the votes were revealed.
[the way Catra just immediately zips into her personal space, hands pressed against her cheeks to tilt her head back so she can get a good look at that bum eye, is probably not surprising]
You-- did it hurt? Are you okay? Is it only your eye???
[stares at her for just. . . one moment too long, her anger fading away into that worry again. but. . . she releases Adora's face, only to drop her hands at her sides and curl her fingers into fists]
. . .
I'm going to find who did this to you. And I'll give them a piece of my mind.
[Adora should know what that means in Catra speak]
[There are equal flashes of warmth and concern at that, and Adora bites her lip for a moment. She's grateful--gratified, floored--by the fact that Catra wants to protect her to this extent.
But at the same time...]
You won't be going alone. [She says that firmly.]
We're both going to find who did all of this and stop them. Together.
[. . . of course Adora would put it that way. of course she would. and naturally Catra wants to argue, to tell her that she's been injured and that she should hang back. but if anyone knows how useless that would be. . . it's Catra]
[so she lets out a huffed breath, ears drooping before they flick up again]
. . . what do they even want from us? Why do they care how we vote in these "trials," anyway? It's so--
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[but even so—]
You could have voted for someone else! Like— I don't know. Someone who annoyed you?
[someone who wouldn't have gotten any votes]
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Even if the chances of them being voted for too would've been so small, I just--
[She runs a hand through her hair, loosening it from its ponytail a little, distracted and tired and frustrated.]
... I couldn't do it. It was the only thing I could think of to do. I didn't want... to just vote for someone just because they told me I had to.
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Did you ever once think about yourself? About what might happen to you? About your own well-being?
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It wasn't as important as not voting for them.
[In the end, that's always how Adora's going to be.]
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[she's shouting before she even knows it, the words tumbling from her mouth almost in a panic. she reaches out to grab Adora's shoulders, grip tight, but she's careful not to scratch with her claws]
You are just as important! Even more important than some-- some stupid vote that doesn't matter!
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. . . you don't always have to jump in to be the hero, Adora.
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It's not... that I don't think I'm not important. I know I need to get back home with you.
[She-ra has to return home.]
But I just... I couldn't.
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[she bites her tongue, because there is. . . so much she wants to say. so many feelings she wants to pour out into the open-- about how much Adora means to her, about how hurt and pained she was when Adora left, about how happy she is that they're together again. . .]
[about how heartbroken she'd be if Adora left her behind for a second time. especially. . . in a more permanent context]
Adora. . .
[but none of that comes out. perhaps now isn't the time or the place, or perhaps Catra still hasn't found the words to say what it is her heart wants her to say so deeply and dearly]
What did they do to you?
[so she asks that question instead
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She can't lie to Catra, can she? Not when they're finally mending bridges.
But...
... She bites her tongue for a moment, and then closes her eyes and sighs.]
Don't... freak out or anything, okay? It's not as bad as it's going to sound. I'm okay.
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. . . what did they do?
[DOES SHE HAVE TO KILL A SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR]
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Adora takes a slow breath in, squares her shoulders, and meets Catra's eyes as best she can. It's subtle, but probably obvious like this that one of Adora's eyes is not quite tracking the same as the other.]
I... can't see out of my left eye anymore. It happened right after the votes were revealed.
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You-- did it hurt? Are you okay? Is it only your eye???
[there may be a light snarl to her words]
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She doesn't try to stop her from grabbing her face, though.]
It didn't hurt, and it still doesn't hurt, and I'm fine. It's just my eye.
I'm okay, Catra.
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. . .
I'm going to find who did this to you. And I'll give them a piece of my mind.
[Adora should know what that means in Catra speak]
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But at the same time...]
You won't be going alone. [She says that firmly.]
We're both going to find who did all of this and stop them. Together.
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[so she lets out a huffed breath, ears drooping before they flick up again]
. . . what do they even want from us? Why do they care how we vote in these "trials," anyway? It's so--
[stupid??]
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[Adora drops her gaze at that, lips pressed together tightly and hands clenched into fists.
It makes her think of Horde Prime, destroying worlds and people and civilizations--just because he could.]
Maybe there isn't a good reason. There's... there's definitely not a good enough reason.
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[she wrinkles her nose, ears perking forward, and changes the subject]
What are you going to do about your eye? You can't just walk around bumbling about like a drunken sailor.
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[sure, adora]
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There's more to adjusting than you think there is. You can't just walk around and hope for the best, Adora.
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It's done, Catra! I have to make it work!
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[FRSUTRATED NOISE, and she takes Adora's shoulders in her hands and shakes her]
I'm saying you don't have to deal with it or adapt to it or learn to adjust all by yourself, you moron!
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And another.
And slowly... she opens her mouth... and closes it again, flushing a little.
What she says, though, is:]
... Oh. You're... you're gonna help?
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I mean-- sure. Yeah. Whatever, you know? You'd hurt yourself even more if you didn't have me watching your back, right?
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[Softly, and heartfelt.]
You're right. I'd... really like that. Working on something together--like old times.
[pushing each other to improve and get better.]
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