[where is byleth NOBODY KNOWS!! but Catra is finding her after she gets herself together, the fur on her face still a little matted from tears]
[when she finds Byleth she approaches quietly, before folding her arms and leaning up against a. . . tree/wall/WHATEVER SOLID SURFACE she can and just]
[she's quiet again, gaze falling to the forest floor, covered in underbrush as it is]
[. . .]
I'm not stupid. I don't think either you or Rupert would choose to do this "on a whim." I imagine there's some stupid reason you both found it necessary, even if you won't tell me.
[. . .]
But if you can't tell me, then how am I supposed to figure it out for myself?
[screws her eyes shut tightly, ears flattening once again. she cried once already; she does not want to cry again!! it's embarrassing!!]
. . .
I don't believe that.
[because she just can't imagine Byleth, someone who cared for her, taught her about tea, checked in on her, was kind to herโ would just. . . kill for no reason other than a "whim"]
I'll figure it out. I'll figure it out somehow. And whatever reason you're doing thisโ whoever is making youโ
week 3, saturday, post-trial
[when she finds Byleth she approaches quietly, before folding her arms and leaning up against a. . . tree/wall/WHATEVER SOLID SURFACE she can and just]
[not]
[saying anything]
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also
not saying anything, just watching catra, face soft.]
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[eventually perches on the edge of the log]
[and then just sits there, tail swishing lazily behind her]
[is she gonna say anything???]
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Catra.
[her tone is gentle.]
You can ask me anything, and I'll do my best to answer.
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[draws her knees up, arms wrapped around them. she is silent for a moment, before she speaks]
Can you tell me why?
[Rupert couldn't, but maybe. . .?]
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she looks to the side, watching a dust mote float by in the winter light.]
On a whim.
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[she absolutely does not believe that. but instead of getting angry, she just sounds tired]
Did you tell Crow? Before heโ
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He didn't take it kindly, and fought back.
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[that sounds like Crow. stubborn until the very end]
[. . .]
Will you. . . do it again?
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I don't know.
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[. . .]
I'm not stupid. I don't think either you or Rupert would choose to do this "on a whim." I imagine there's some stupid reason you both found it necessary, even if you won't tell me.
[. . .]
But if you can't tell me, then how am I supposed to figure it out for myself?
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There's nothing to figure out, Catra.
It... those murders, they start and end with me.
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. . .
I don't believe that.
[because she just can't imagine Byleth, someone who cared for her, taught her about tea, checked in on her, was kind to herโ would just. . . kill for no reason other than a "whim"]
I'll figure it out. I'll figure it out somehow. And whatever reason you're doing thisโ whoever is making youโ
I'll stop them.
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...]
I...
[...
she falls mute, silent again, staring at the ground.]
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[. . .]
Don't get me wrong, though.
[TSUN TSUN]
I'm still mad at you for what happened.
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You should be, Catra.
That's the normal, correct thing to do.
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No. It's not--
[rrrrrgh. a tiny little growl]
There's no correct thing to do, here. There's no "right" or "wrong." Is there? It's just-- it's--
[. . .]
[hugging herself a little more tightly]
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You're right.
It's not black and white.
Only different shades of grey.
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[scrubs at her face, almost like she's in danger of crying again. how embarrassing!!!]
I just want to go home.
[wherever. . . "home" is, of course. that's something she's still figuring out]
And I don't want you to have to hurt anyone else again, either.
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I don't want to hurt anyone else.
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[and then. . . she finally reaches out, resting her hand against Byleth's arm. but she's still not looking at her!!]
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she slides her arm out from under catra's and
takes her hand.
so now they're just sitting, holding each other's hands on the log.]
Thank you, Catra.
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Um. . .
[another pause. she doesn't really want to talk about the murders anymore, even though she still has so many questions]
Why are you out here, and not back at Summer?
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That's dumb.
I bet Sally and everyone are worried about you in a super obnoxious and slightly overbearing way.
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