ADORA

[princesspower]

●ADORA
Say hi, I guess?
[video | audio | text]

Comments

text, encrypted

[stickypete]

[He's not sure how to approach this, and he doesn't want Catra to see, so he uses the encryption since it can let him do a filtered message only visible to Adora.]

Hey, so I hope this isn't super intrusive, but I saw you talking to Catra and it seemed like you already knew each other.

She mentioned some stuff that had me a little worried.

And to be honest, you did too? The like 'what is a holiday?' thing.

You guys seem like you're at an age where you're adults or close to but as an adultier adult I felt like I ought to reach out and make you're...you know. Okay?

I asked Catra and she flipped and that definitely fed a little into the worry, so I figured I'd ask you since you seemed less on edge at the party.

I'm not trying to be nosy. But I'm kind of professionally nosy. My job back home involves protecting people. It's a hard habit to kick.

[princesspower]

[ This is kinda weird, but Adora's just going to roll with it. This is a weird place and being asked about Catra isn't entirely a first. ]

Yeah, I know Catra. We grew up together. She was basically my best friend.

[ She can't say 'is' because they're still fragile. They're still figuring out who it is they are and what they're going to be. Especially here. ]

She's always been kind of abrasive, but that's just how she is. Most of the time. It's Catra. She's mean.

[ Which isn't great, but Adora still loves her, despite all of that. ]

And yeah. I'm fine. Aside from being KIDNAPPED across space and time, but that feels like the usual thing for me these days, so who knows? Besides, I get what you mean about protecting people. Someone has to do it, right? ou have to get it right or people get hurt.

Text;

[heterochrocatic]

You around?

[princesspower]

always! What's up?

[heterochrocatic]

I just need to talk to you. In person. Where are you?

[princesspower]

Putting some decorations up near the mess hall. It's the least offensive thing they've asked me to do, so I figure why not?

You OK?

[heterochrocatic]

Cool. I'll come by.

And yeah. I think so.

[princesspower]

See you soon!

voice;

[heterochrocatic]

Hey Adora.

voice;

[princesspower]

Hey, Catra! What's up?

[heterochrocatic]

Not a lot.

Feeling kind of... Weird.

[princesspower]

What? Why? Are you sick?

[heterochrocatic]

What? No! It's not that kind of weird!

[ Ugh. ]

I... Think I like someone. And I don't know how to deal with it right now.

[princesspower]

...Catra, did you hit your head? We've had this conversation about us already.

TEXT

[71lines]

Are you and Catra free tonight? I mean, do you have plans for the new year celebration?

[princesspower]

I didn't even realize it was coming up on the end of the year!

I don't think we have any plans, though. Were you thinking of something?

[71lines]

Yeah, it's kinda weird. It was October back home when I got snatched.

So, in my culture, we eat end of the year soba. Buckwheat noodles? We have that on New Year's Eve. There's a whole bunch of symbolism behind it, but it really just boils down to wiping out the past year and wishing for luck and a long life next year.

[Not that she's got a long life to look forward to, but she doesn't need to worry her friends with that.]

I was wondering if you two would be interested in sharing some with me? You don't have to, though, I know some other people might have something fancier in mind.

[princesspower]

Tenten, that sounds great! I think we'd love to! I'll need to check with Catra.

I'm sure she'll say yes, though!

[71lines]

[Oh. She'd just kinda assumed that Catra and Adora would be together.

Stupid. It's not like they're joined at the hip.]

Let me know! If it's all good, I'll be in the kitchens around midnight on the 31st.

LEFT IN HER DRAWER

[71lines]

[This one's just tucked into one of her clothing drawers, wrapped in brown paper, with a little origami cat on top. Unfolded, the cat's message reads:]

Your birthday was a bit busy, sorry. Even heroes protection.

[Inside is a shirt of twisted together chain links, and incomplete sheets with straps to wrap around... Well, Tenten meant it for her thighs, but they'd only cover the outside.

There are multiple strips where the wiring connecting the rings is newer and more clumsily done, where she had to piece together her own armor with spare bits to make it fit Adora's greater bulk.]

voice;

[heterochrocatic]

[ Ring, ring, ring. Catra calling. ]

voice;

[princesspower]

Hey, Catra.

Re: voice;

[heterochrocatic]

Hey, Adora.

[ Deep breath. ]

I'm sorry. For upsetting you. I'm just...

[ Being vulnerable still isn't easy, but she's better. Still kinda hurts. ]

I'm scared.

[princesspower]

Scared...? Scared of what?

[ There's already concern in her voice. Already preparing to go and do something. ]

[heterochrocatic]

It's a long story. Especially because I have this... I have all this stuff I remember happening at home that you don't. We...

[ Yes, "we" because Catra knows now that if either of them had been alone they never could have done it. ]

We stopped Horde Prime. We saved Etheria. You almost died. I'm pretty sure I did die and She-Ra brought me back. You had to take this thing. This magic called the Failsafe and take it to the Heart of Etheria to release the magic and it was killing you and you couldn't change into She-Ra and--

[ Catra feels tears stinging her eyes. Tries to push past them ]

I was scared you were going to sacrifice yourself and I'd lose you and I begged you to stay and you did. I'm still scared though, that you're going to throw yourself away and leave me alone because you think it's what you need to do. I'm scared you might not make the choice to come back to me. I'm scared you don't care enough about yourself not to just... Let yourself be the sacrifice for everyone.

[ Her voice is small and desperate. ]

I don't want to lose you again, Adora.