divineimpulse | CATRA CATCHALL

[RELIGION. . . makes a face at that, and then kind of stiffens a bit when she mentions an Officer's Academy]

That sounds like a military training post.

It was a place for young people to train to become accustomed to warfare, combat, and leadership.

So... something like that.

[. . . aha. . .]

Like the Horde.

[she says quietly, without any accusations]

[...]

What's the Horde?

Is that where you grew up?

[bluntly]

An alien army trying to take over the entire planet.

It's based out of a place called the Fright Zone. And yeah; that's where I grew up.

[...]

Those names seem rather intimidating.

[but it was good of her to share—that has to be reciprocal, in her experience.]

I grew up as a mercenary from the time I was born.

[as she speaks, she withdraws the teabags from both mugs, and sets one mug in front of catra.]

[she picks up the mug, cradling it between her hands as she takes a sniff. it smells so nice. . . she doesn't know why she finds the smell of fire smoke so soothing, but. . . she does]

So a lot of fighting for you too, huh.

[a different kind of fighting, but still]

I feel like that explains a lot about you.

[she nods.]

My Father was a mercenary, so I was, too.

I can't remember a time I wasn't holding a weapon in my hand.

[so, yeah. a lot of explanation.

she sips the smoky tea, and lets out a little satisfied breath. good stuff.]

[Catra follows sut, sipping at the tea as well, ears flicking forward when she tastes it. pretty good. . .]

That must be why you're so hard to read.

I can't ever tell what you're really thinking.

[...]

I've been told that I've always been that way.

Some people don't like it.

[oh. . . well, Catra can't deny that it's a bit unnerving, but--]

It doesn't really matter what other people think. It's just who you are, right?

It is.

[Byleth gifts Catra a little smile.]

What about you? Tell me about your life.

[oh god. where does she start]

. . . I told you about the alien army trying to take over the planet. I grew up with them. I didn't know anything about the outside world because they kept the training recruits sequestered at home base.

They told us we were fighting the "Princess Rebellion" in order to free our planet from their evil control and save the entire world. But. . . I always knew that was a lie.

They were just power-hungry, bloodthirsty, and eager to crush anyone who stood in their way.

[oh, jeez

she nods as catra speaks, face softening, but not pitying.]

So you've undergone a lot of pressure, and come out the other side as the stronger person.

[ah--]

[ah. . .???]

[?????]

Uh-- [she doesn't really feel like she's stronger, but. . .]

I mean-- yeah, of course. I'm tough as nails, you know? You gotta be when you're in the Horde.

I think you must be even stronger, now that you're out.

[sips tea]

[. . .]

[SLURPS TEA. . . and doesn't respond! she looks a little uncertain, actually]

[like that isn't a straightup transparent expression

byleth cocks her head slightly, the visual expression of a question mark.]

You don't think so?

. . . I don't know.

I always thought I was strong. And maybe I was, but never in the ways that really mattered.

[she nods.]

Everyone is strong in different ways. That's what makes us unique.

Perhaps you discovered a part of yourself you never knew was as strong as it was.

[. . .]

It feels a little more like I found out I was weak all along.

[is she going to provide context for any of this?? no?? okay Catra]

Knowing your own limits is also a strength, Catra.

Just knowing yourself, and what you're truly capable of, will take you far.

[she isn't sure what to say to that, so. . .]

[she sips at her tea again, perfectly silent]

[and thus do they sit in congenial silence for a while.]

You'll have to visit.

[sitting up a bit, ears perking forward]

Oh-- yeah. I will, don't worry. I promised Mabel and everything, sooooo. . .

[trying to act like promising this is NO BIG DEAL when it kind of is??? because being wanted is weird??]

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divineimpulse - 2021-06-25 22:08 (UTC) - Expand