[Listen... this has been a god-awful day. And Adora is away from Catra for the same time-bending reasons that Taichi is away from Yamato. Let's not think about that too hard for either of them.
More importantly, when Adora finds him at the field, she frowns... and then jogs over.]
Something like that. Lila and Luxanna found a bow and a ton of arrows. And I found these. [he holds up the sticks that are just smooth pieces of wood, heavy enough he should be holding with two hands. they're both broken, but they fit together to make a longer stick.]
There was some distance between all of them, so I'm trying to figure out what happened. Where this came from, why all of the arrows were on the ground, that kind of thing.
[...he's not good at it by a longshot, but given the way he shifts from foot to foot it's more out of a need to do something that isn't just sitting around.]
[Honestly... she gets that. As worried about him as she is, she can totally get how doing something feels better than just sitting and dwelling in the aftermath of something like that.
So she just nods quietly.]
Right, that makes sense.
Okay. [A firmer nod!] I'll help you look. I'm sure between the two of us we can piece this together.
[he knows himself to know that if he's not productive he won't be of any use here, so sometimes you do what you have to do. but he nods, and there's a very brief flicker of gratitude in his expression.]
Right. Let's start walking the perimeter and see if we can figure it out. [he starts to walk toward the archery building.] You'd think they'd reach the field first, but I wonder if they went through the building before that to try and shoot arrows.
We also don't know how many people were involved though.
There we kind of all in a pile? Some of them were actually embedded in the ground though like somebody shot them from an angle according to what Lila found. But it was, like, a bunch of 'em. Maybe every single arrow we have available.
[a nod of agreement. the latter is probably more likely, but he also wouldn't put it past someone who make it look like they were bad on purpose.]
I'm not sure how many we have here. The ID cards might have their skills listed, but it's not like they're totally accurate either...I think. I know a few people probably have stuff missing off of theirs.
What, like send a mass text and see if people respond? It's not a bad idea. Even if people aren't totally honest we might discover some skills that can help us in the future, like more people who know first aid or anything like that.
[that's thinking optimistically, but it's a possibility.]
[it's early enough on thursday he doesn't have other plans, so he will bound across campus to meet up with her. he looks like he has two pastries in his hands? but he waves and he offers one to adora when he gets close enough. at least his mood is pretty calm and friendly.]
She just hesitates for a moment more, and then she nods a little.]
Okay... okay.
Then... I guess--
Catra and I have always been really close. She was my first friend. We were going to stay together forever, and see life together outside of the Horde.
[...]
But... something happened to me to ruin that. I--I say "ruin", but it's really probably one of the best things that could've ever happened to me.
But I left the Horde because of it, and I left Catra.
[And Adora's really not too sure anymore that there'll be anything left of her after, but aside from a small wave of exhausted sadness, she doesn't say that.]
Catra hates it though. I can't... really blame her, either. She thinks I'm choosing She-ra over her.
Are you? [this is a genuine question, because the she-ra thing is a lot different than his own stuff but he's trying to put pieces together.]
I think...wanting to make sure the world is safe is just part of a bigger plan. It's hard to be with someone if you're worried about things being dangerous and losing them, right?
[Adora rubs at her face with a sigh, shoulders slumping.]
I'm not doing it because I want to, not really. Just... She-ra's special. I can't just run away from that either.
I want to protect everyone. I don't want Catra or anyone else to get hurt again.
[... Which is part of the problem, of course. She hasn't forgotten the way Catra puffed up and hissed, "Why do you always think you have to do everything on your own?!"
But... doesn't she?]
But that's why... it's complicated. Being with Catra right now.
[there's a moment where he's finishing his pastry and seems to be doing this thinky-thoughts contemplation thing.]
...when Yamato and I were eleven, we and a few of our friends were sent to the digital world. After we were there for a while, we were told it was because we were chosen, and as chosen children we were the only people who could help save the digital world and earth. It's been like that ever since. Every time something goes wrong in the digital world, we're the only ones who can step in and fix it. We're the only people who can save our own world, too, when the digital world problems start coming to earth.
[...] I want to protect everyone, too, and it's not like we can just stop being who we are or doing what the world needs from us. But at the same time...I don't know. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing to at least tell Catra how much she means to you? Even with everything that's going on, this is still kind of a break from things back home.
So if you're both here together, doesn't it make sense to try and work stuff out while you have time?
We, uh...we were just finishing a battle back home before we got here. [so yes.]
But yeah. I get it. It's frustrating because you don't always want to, but you have to. But you don't want to of it as having to do it because you know you're the only one who can, so you still choose what's right.
[...there's a shrug.] I think it's more unfair not to tell her at all while you can, Adora. And I wouldn't think of it as getting her hopes up. It's just...something to look forward to for when it's all over. Even if it takes a while, at least you'll both know and you'll have something else worth fighting for. Right?
And you're not? [CATRADORA IS A LOT IN GENERAL he has. seen and heard things. but he settles a little and grins slightly. sympathetically, maybe.] It does. But that's why you find the people who will still be there when your destiny's fulfilled and hang on to them. Right?
I never said that. I'm... definitely aware that I can be, uh. Also a lot.
[She's a mess sometimes. But... well. The sympathy makes her smile a bit, and she leans over to knock shoulders with him.]
You're right though. I... hope that when everything's done, and that whole destiny thing is fulfilled... we can both just be with the people who make us happy.
listen. he's also highly Aware that he relates more to adora than catra so it's fine.]
It's not like it's really a bad thing. [but...he hums a little at that anyway.] I think we can be. Whoever they are. Even if destiny takes a while, I don't think there's anything wrong with adding to your own destiny either.
[...]
Yamato usually gets pretty pissed at me, too, for my own decisions. Like I'm putting the team before myself. And maybe I am. So I get that it's hard but...[he shrugs. never mind he ran out of wisdom, this is just a bunch of him going "same hat but also."] You've got time here to yourself.
[Knowing what I know now, this thread is even funnier.
But Adora just snorts softly at that, but she looks gently amused and quietly peaceful.]
Just talking about it like this is kinda helping already, y'know? I've... never been able to really talk about it with anyone before this.
So... thanks. I really... really hope it works out for you too. Any time you wanna talk about it, I'm here too. After all, I feel like we both kinda... get it.
Yeah? [the way he says it seems to imply that he can relate and also that he's glad he was able to help even a little bit at all.] We can talk about it whenever you want. I think I get it probably a little more than I thought I did.
[there's a pause.] I think things will be fine. We just have to keep being there for each other and the people who matter. We can't go wrong there.
You're a really good guy, Taichi. I think with you around, everyone will be able to... y'know, not give up. Keep on moving forward, even when things are hard.
I'm really glad for that! I know you make me feel better anyway.
That makes two of us, you know? If we both stick together I think we can really help everybody until we can get out of here. But let me take care of some things while you focus on yourself for a little while. Deal?
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week 0, friday
More importantly, when Adora finds him at the field, she frowns... and then jogs over.]
Hey... Taichi? You're still looking?
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Adora, hey. I'm just...trying to figure something out. [a pause.] You saw the announcement?
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Yeah. And Lila was there and... I heard.
[...]
What are you trying to figure out?
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Did she tell you what we found? Like, besides Tomoe. [he is also still holding murder sticks, so that might be a clue.]
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[But... she's starting to piece it together.]
You think you found some clues as to... what happened?
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There was some distance between all of them, so I'm trying to figure out what happened. Where this came from, why all of the arrows were on the ground, that kind of thing.
[...he's not good at it by a longshot, but given the way he shifts from foot to foot it's more out of a need to do something that isn't just sitting around.]
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So she just nods quietly.]
Right, that makes sense.
Okay. [A firmer nod!] I'll help you look. I'm sure between the two of us we can piece this together.
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Right. Let's start walking the perimeter and see if we can figure it out. [he starts to walk toward the archery building.] You'd think they'd reach the field first, but I wonder if they went through the building before that to try and shoot arrows.
We also don't know how many people were involved though.
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Yeah... there's a lot we don't know.
But that's okay. We're just starting from the beginning. We'll learn more as we go.
[Anyway.......]
How were the arrows all laid out? One of my best friends is a really good archer. I'm nothing on him, but maybe it'll tell us something.
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Why would an archer need that many?
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Or if they're really bad at archery and trying to shoot one thing badly...
[...]
Do we have a lot of archers here?
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I'm not sure how many we have here. The ID cards might have their skills listed, but it's not like they're totally accurate either...I think. I know a few people probably have stuff missing off of theirs.
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[She wrinkles her nose.]
You think we should take a survey of skills after this? People might not be honest, but it couldn't hurt just to know.
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[that's thinking optimistically, but it's a possibility.]
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[except for the naturally cagey assholes.]
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[that's absolutely going to work out for both of you.]
Plus if they're only telling one or two people, maybe they'll be more comfortable sharing instead of telling everybody.
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And it's better than just sitting around waiting for more information, you know?
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[good luck with that guys.]
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It's a deal.
[She reaches out to clasp his shoulder.]
I'm gonna go get started on that--but don't stay out here too long, okay? You need to take it easy, too.
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Sure. I'll probably head back in a little while. Thanks.
week 4, thursday morning
She waves as she comes closer, a small smile on her face.
Her emotions are pretty much all just chill happiness at this point, honestly, it's all good.]
Taichi! Hey!
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Hey! Breakfast?
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Sure, thanks. I appreciate it. [Adora will never deny food.
She accepts that with a grin, chomping into it.
Mmmmmm.]
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No problem. I was already in the cafeteria when you texted.
[...and so, he gets right to the point.] So...wanna talk about what we started talking about yesterday?
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[She pauses to take another bite, radiating sheepishness.]
It's a really complicated story, though. Is that okay?
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[he does not clarify that catra also gave him a tiny bit of context and also maybe yelled at him so he has an Idea. these are adora hours.]
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She just hesitates for a moment more, and then she nods a little.]
Okay... okay.
Then... I guess--
Catra and I have always been really close. She was my first friend. We were going to stay together forever, and see life together outside of the Horde.
[...]
But... something happened to me to ruin that. I--I say "ruin", but it's really probably one of the best things that could've ever happened to me.
But I left the Horde because of it, and I left Catra.
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The She-ra thing, right? Your destiny.
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[Adora closes her eyes for a moment at that, and when she opens them again, it's to look at the pastry in her hands.
... Destiny's a pretty crappy word, she can't help but think.]
She-ra has to save Etheria, no matter what. They need her.
[Not Adora, but She-ra.]
... So what I want doesn't always really matter.
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...and until everybody in Etheria's safe, the world needs She-ra to do the hard work before even thinking about taking a break. Right?
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[And Adora's really not too sure anymore that there'll be anything left of her after, but aside from a small wave of exhausted sadness, she doesn't say that.]
Catra hates it though. I can't... really blame her, either. She thinks I'm choosing She-ra over her.
[A beat, and Adora frowns tightly.]
I mean... I guess I kind of am.
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I think...wanting to make sure the world is safe is just part of a bigger plan. It's hard to be with someone if you're worried about things being dangerous and losing them, right?
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[Adora rubs at her face with a sigh, shoulders slumping.]
I'm not doing it because I want to, not really. Just... She-ra's special. I can't just run away from that either.
I want to protect everyone. I don't want Catra or anyone else to get hurt again.
[... Which is part of the problem, of course. She hasn't forgotten the way Catra puffed up and hissed, "Why do you always think you have to do everything on your own?!"
But... doesn't she?]
But that's why... it's complicated. Being with Catra right now.
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...when Yamato and I were eleven, we and a few of our friends were sent to the digital world. After we were there for a while, we were told it was because we were chosen, and as chosen children we were the only people who could help save the digital world and earth. It's been like that ever since. Every time something goes wrong in the digital world, we're the only ones who can step in and fix it. We're the only people who can save our own world, too, when the digital world problems start coming to earth.
[...] I want to protect everyone, too, and it's not like we can just stop being who we are or doing what the world needs from us. But at the same time...I don't know. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing to at least tell Catra how much she means to you? Even with everything that's going on, this is still kind of a break from things back home.
So if you're both here together, doesn't it make sense to try and work stuff out while you have time?
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[She frowns a little, but it's more contemplative than anything.]
So you get it then. You know how it feels.
[How much it sucks, sometimes, to be considered "destined".]
And... yeah, I guess that does make sense. You don't think... it's unfair? To get her hopes up when we still have to go back to--that?
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But yeah. I get it. It's frustrating because you don't always want to, but you have to. But you don't want to of it as having to do it because you know you're the only one who can, so you still choose what's right.
[...there's a shrug.] I think it's more unfair not to tell her at all while you can, Adora. And I wouldn't think of it as getting her hopes up. It's just...something to look forward to for when it's all over. Even if it takes a while, at least you'll both know and you'll have something else worth fighting for. Right?
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[WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY ANYTHING.
We can go back to Catra, pls hold.]
You've been dealing with that all on your own even with all of this going on?
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I mean we won. Everything's over for now, so it didn't seem like it was worth mentioning.
[it just means that they've both been stressed about the aftermath instead. it's fine.]
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You're... so much. [SO!! MUCH!!] This "destiny" thing really messes people up, doesn't it?
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And you're not? [CATRADORA IS A LOT IN GENERAL he has. seen and heard things. but he settles a little and grins slightly. sympathetically, maybe.] It does. But that's why you find the people who will still be there when your destiny's fulfilled and hang on to them. Right?
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She rolls her eyes, but fondly.]
I never said that. I'm... definitely aware that I can be, uh. Also a lot.
[She's a mess sometimes. But... well. The sympathy makes her smile a bit, and she leans over to knock shoulders with him.]
You're right though. I... hope that when everything's done, and that whole destiny thing is fulfilled... we can both just be with the people who make us happy.
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listen. he's also highly Aware that he relates more to adora than catra so it's fine.]
It's not like it's really a bad thing. [but...he hums a little at that anyway.] I think we can be. Whoever they are. Even if destiny takes a while, I don't think there's anything wrong with adding to your own destiny either.
[...]
Yamato usually gets pretty pissed at me, too, for my own decisions. Like I'm putting the team before myself. And maybe I am. So I get that it's hard but...[he shrugs. never mind he ran out of wisdom, this is just a bunch of him going "same hat but also."] You've got time here to yourself.
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But Adora just snorts softly at that, but she looks gently amused and quietly peaceful.]
Just talking about it like this is kinda helping already, y'know? I've... never been able to really talk about it with anyone before this.
So... thanks. I really... really hope it works out for you too. Any time you wanna talk about it, I'm here too. After all, I feel like we both kinda... get it.
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Yeah? [the way he says it seems to imply that he can relate and also that he's glad he was able to help even a little bit at all.] We can talk about it whenever you want. I think I get it probably a little more than I thought I did.
[there's a pause.] I think things will be fine. We just have to keep being there for each other and the people who matter. We can't go wrong there.
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I'm really glad for that! I know you make me feel better anyway.
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