CATRA CATCHALL

[divineimpulse]

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[divineimpulse]

...I sat down with him in the Student Union Building, and told him what I planned to do.

He didn't take it kindly, and fought back.

[supercatty]

Of course he didn't.

[that sounds like Crow. stubborn until the very end]

[. . .]

Will you. . . do it again?

[divineimpulse]

[...]

I don't know.

[supercatty]

[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?

[divineimpulse]

[. . .]

There's nothing to figure out, Catra.

It... those murders, they start and end with me.

[supercatty]

[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 her— 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 this— whoever is making you—

I'll stop them.

[divineimpulse]

[ah.

...]

I...

[...

she falls mute, silent again, staring at the ground.]

[supercatty]

[it's okay, Catra didn't expect a reply! she's silent herself, tail continuing to swish at her back]

[. . .]

Don't get me wrong, though.

[TSUN TSUN]

I'm still mad at you for what happened.

[divineimpulse]

[she nods.]

You should be, Catra.

That's the normal, correct thing to do.

[supercatty]

[with frustration]

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]

[divineimpulse]

[...]

You're right.

It's not black and white.

Only different shades of grey.

[supercatty]

[. . .]

[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.

[divineimpulse]

[she closes her eyes.]

I don't want to hurt anyone else.

[supercatty]

[hesitation]

[and then. . . she finally reaches out, resting her hand against Byleth's arm. but she's still not looking at her!!]

[divineimpulse]

[ah.

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.

[supercatty]

[THEY ARE HOLDING HANDS ON THIS LOG. . . Catra's grip is loose, but she sure isn't pulling away]

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?

[divineimpulse]

I thought it best if I stay out of people's sight and mind for a little while.

[supercatty]

[immediately--]

That's dumb.

I bet Sally and everyone are worried about you in a super obnoxious and slightly overbearing way.

[divineimpulse]

I try not to bother her too much.

I think she has enough on her plate as it is.

[supercatty]

Sally and everyone.

[NOT JUST SALLY!!!]

[divineimpulse]

[...]

I think I'm a bit of a Summer dormitory disappointment.

[supercatty]

[. . . . . . . . .]

[GOSH DOES SHE KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE A DISAPPOINTMENT!!]

. . .

Byleth-- [what does she even say to that??]

[divineimpulse]

[she shakes her head.]

These are just the consequences of my own actions.

If I want them to improve, I have to atone for them.