divineimpulse | CATRA CATCHALL

[. . .]

There's nothing to figure out, Catra.

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

[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.

[ah.

...]

I...

[...

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

[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.

[she nods.]

You should be, Catra.

That's the normal, correct thing to do.

[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]

[...]

You're right.

It's not black and white.

Only different shades of grey.

[. . .]

[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.

[she closes her eyes.]

I don't want to hurt anyone else.

[hesitation]

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

[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.

[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?