Morning came, although it was difficult to tell. The walls of the temple seemed to glow ever so slightly brighter in the morning. Adora was surprised to find herself with a gentle smile as she woke. Her eyes not yet open, she recounted to herself that it had been one of the best nights she slept in a long time. She considered it was a combination of having not slept for two days straight and her body finally allowing sleep. That and possibly the fact she managed to numb all of her injuries. She stretched her legs slowly and cautiously and was surprised how well they were feeling. That was until the pillow at the end of her bed no longer felt like a pillow. She squinted and finally opened her eyes to find Catra sleeping at her feet. She quickly pulled her feet in and hugged her knees, wide eyed.

Catra took a gentle breath and opened an eye, "Whatever you're thinking, you can forget IT," she blinked her other eye open and glared sourly, "I can't sleep in a room filled with your blood and you still needed to recover. This… means nothing. Got it?" After she received an acknowledging nod from Adora, she stretched hard, yawned, and left the med station.

Adora's smile was now fighting to stay above a frown. She was disgusted with herself. She felt stupid to think anything had been even remotely abated from the night before. She buried her face in her hands and slowly wiped away. "Fine," she said quietly. She pushed to get up and tested her leg with slow stretches and flexes. She still needed to take it easy but the Bright Moon's medical supplies were phenomenal. All the medicine they had were based on First One's tech and some of which were enchanted. I might actually survive this. She brought herself to a mirror and noted the dark bruise on her face. Not much she could do about it. She lifted her shirt slightly and felt the swelling there as well. She tsked and decided to find Catra.

She suspected she'd find her in her bedroom and wasn't too surprised to see she was right. There she was, staring at the dried blood stain with her tail curled around her legs. Adora's mind flooded with questions, Was she sorry? Did she feel any guilt? She knocked gently on the door frame and spoke softly, "C-can I get you some breakfast?"

A soft scoffing huff with a shrug, "Sure."

Adora brought her voice to a whisper, "Can um…, can we eat together?

Catra turned her head towards Adora and looked at her dead in the eye, "No."

Adora didn't expect that response to hurt as much as it did. Her mind screamed 'mistake' and she blinked as she turned away but not before a cracked and whispered, "Okay," escaped her throat.

Catra sneered, "Where's Adora!?"

Adora turned, "W-what? I'm-"

"No!" Catra got up and got up to her face causing Adora to take a few steps back, "Adora fights back!" she shoved Adora back, "Adora isn't scared of me!" she shoved her harder causing her to trip to the floor. Adora placed a hand on her bruised chest as Catra approached closer, "Adora doesn't imprison herself with the enemy!" Catra placed a clawed hand on Adora's throat, "So answer me this, who the hell are you?"

With a worried and shaky breath, "I'm Adora," she spoke quicker, "I can be She-Ra, I can tell you stories that only you and I know. Catra, I'm Adora."

She narrowed her eyes, "First One's tech scanned our memories and made everything an illusion. They played it back LIKE A RECORDING! You're going to have to do better than that."

Adora pursed her lips and grabbed Catra's wrist with both hands and quickly twisted her hand away from her throat. She followed through kicking her legs out and flipping her behind her and finally pinning her on the floor. She quickly jumped off as Catra's reflex counter was going to claw her face. "I'm Adora!" she kneeled on the floor with her head down and her hands slightly raised to surrender, "We both know you're stronger than I am and without She-Ra I'm completely vulnerable. But I'm not really in the mood to die so can we please just eat!?" She raised her eyes slightly to see if she would stop.

Catra stood up, "Fine, you're Adora." She walked off but not far. She opened the door to the dining hall and entered.

Adora relaxed her muscles and sat on the floor to recuperate. Her chest and back ached even more now. Adora took a deep breath and released. She got up and went to the kitchen to cook a simple breakfast. When she was done, she brought it to the dining hall and placed a plate on the table in front of Catra who's feet rested next to it.

Catra looked up with her eyes and watched Adora turn around to leave with another plate in hand, "And where do you think you're going?"

Adora stopped and looked back, "Y-you said- I-I thought you didn't want to-"

"I don't. I have questions, so sit." Catra took her feet off the table and stared at her food. She poked it with her finger and sniffed it.

Adora sat down across from her, "They're just eggs."

Catra quickly swapped Adora's dish with hers, "Are they now?"

Offended, "You think I'd poison you?" She glared at Catra expecting the worst.

Catra looked up and performed the same poke and sniff test, "Wouldn't you?"

Adora slammed a hand on the table, "I would never!"

She smirked, "I would." Catra waited until Adora took the first bite of her food before she dug in. When Adora finally dismissed the retort, Catra watched her shove a few forkfuls in her mouth and turned away, still offended. She scoffed a laugh at the silliness of it and ate a few bites for herself.

"Whatever. What did you want to ask?"

Catra kept her eyes on her food, "What are you allowed to tell me without lying?"

"Everything. I won't lie to you, Catra, ever."

"Is that so? Then why don't you start with your plan." She tilted her head to her shoulder lazily and pointed the fork at Adora.

Adora opened her mouth, then quickly shut it. She tried again but could only utter a broken "Uh."

"Is there a problem?"

Adora looked away and thought a moment before answering, "Look, it's not exactly easy to talk to you and the last time I did, I nearly died!" She watched Catra tighten a fist in the table. "I'm sorry, I just meant, you got really angry. And that's…, that's understandable."

Catra glared, "I'm still not hearing this 'everything' you're talking about."

Adora sighed and tried to say something that wasn't going to be seen as 'bad news', "You're not a prisoner here."

Catra quickly chuckled incredulously, "Oh really? You certainly fooled me!"

With a raised hand, she corrected, "Kind of! Here," she pointed downwards, "I'll do everything you ask. Think of me like-like-like-" she fought for the right words, "a servant! Treat this place like a spa! It has everything you need! Food, water, bubbling tubs of steamy water, I'll even wipe your ass if you want! My point-"

"You'll what?"

"I won't even question it." They stared at each for a solid ten seconds before Adora continued, "Let me first give you the tour. Let me show you how things operate here so you'll know what do if you ever decide to-" Adora stopped herself from continuing, "Nevermind, food is getting cold." She took another forkful but suddenly jumped at Catra who swiped her food away and let it crash against the adjacent wall. Adora slammed her fists on the table and froze. Frustrated and fearful of being hurt again.

"You're not making any sense, Adora! START MAKING SENSE!"

"I'M TRYING!" Adora got up in a huff and left hurriedly.

"Where are you going!" She got up and chased her.

Adora heard clattering of clawed feet rapidly encroach behind and picked up her pace. She went to the entrance hall where everything started. She ran to her shield and shouted the words, "FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL". Catra froze in her tracks and was ready to defend any attack She-Ra had to throw at her. But She-Ra didn't attack her. Instead she transformed her shield back into a sword and struck the forcefield with a shining beam of light. She poured more and more of herself into the energy and screamed as if all the energy within her was being sapped out until she just stopped. She collapsed to one knee and breathed heavily. They both watched the forcefield ripple more and more, tighter and tighter until it seemed to collect at the very spot She-Ra fired. And, with a loud and deep thundering growl, it projected and displaced the energy all throughout the temple. Both Catra and She-Ra were forced to shield their ears from the deafening blast as it rippled back at them. They both collapsed to the ground screaming.

Minutes went by as they took the time to recover. Their hearing slowly returning with an ongoing ring. She-Ra stood up and transformed back to Adora while gyrating her jaw. She approached Catra, "I can't leave. I can't escape. But…, we can. Together." Adora was still breathless.

Catra stared at her. Completely in disbelief at the sheer stupidity of the stunt she just pulled but she had something more important to say, "You're STILL not making any SENSE!"

"SHUT UP!" Adora breathed heavily, "That took a lot out of me, just…," another deep breath, "just give me a minute." Adora sat down in front of her on the floor with her sword still in hand. Another deep breath, "I've done a lot of bad to you," she stared at her own reflection in the blade as she set it to the floor, "Not intentionally. I swear it. But I've wronged you, I know that much." There was a long pause. Catra didn't know if that was it or if she was still recovering until she finally spoke again, "I just didn't know. I was so naive and stupid. We were just kids! I-I didn't know any better! All I wanted was for you and me to be together, to get each other's backs and I thought I was. I didn't know Shadoweaver was hurting you when I wasn't there. I didn't know. I should have, it's so obvious now. But even if I did…, I don't know if I could have done anything different. And I hate myself for that. And then this?" she gestured to the sword, "I never wanted this. It called for me, it showed me what the Horde was doing. I have these visions, these nightmares, of what the Horde has done and I couldn't ever go back to that. I didn't leave you, I left the Horde. But then you wanted to stay and I just…, I got desperate."

Anger was slowly rising in Catra once more, "What… did you do, Adora?"

"And we've been fighting for years. I just couldn't take it anymore! You were hurting thousands, TENS of thousands of people all around you. You destroyed lands, poisoned resources, wreaked havoc wherever you went. What choice did I have! What choice did you leave me?"

"WHAT DID YOU...DO!?" Her hair began to stand on end.

"I had powerful enchantments placed on this temple. No matter what you do, what anyone does, in or out, the barrier can't be broken unless…, unless you forgive me for everything I've done to you." Adora looked down and away until she heard Catra huff followed by a incredulous laughter.

Catra cackled, "You're crazy… stupid and crazy!" She stood up and was ready to leave.

"I know it isn't easy to forgive me, to believe me, at all. That's why I pledge my loyalty to you. I'll do everything you say, without question, so long as I'm capable. I'll endure any punishment for as long as I can," Adora positioned herself to kowtow while offering the sword, with both hands, to Catra.

She was absolutely stunned. "You…," she huffed again, "You imprisoned me to force me to forgive you?" Adora remained silent with the sword still offered. Catra paced a step one way and then another step back. She scratched her scalp with both hands furiously and squinted hard to process this information, "You crazy, stupid, asshole. Unbelievable!" She kicked the sword out of Adora's hands, "I don't want your fucking, useless sword!" Catra was completely beside herself. She stomped off back to the bedroom but not before Adora shouted out.

Tears welling in her eyes, "What were you going to accomplish!? Huh!? You take Bright Moon! Then what!? Huh!? How 'bout the world!? You rule the world now, Catra, what next!?" She shuttered a cry and screamed louder, "YOU'D BE A SHITTY LEADER, CATRA. YOU'D CONQUER US ALL BUT YOU'D FAIL!"

Catra froze in place for a moment and then turned to storm right back. She grabbed Adora's jaw, "THIS!? Coming from someone with the WORST judgement. STOP FOOLING YOURSELF, ADORA!" She pushed Adora's face away and spoke softer, "We are never getting out of here because I will never forgive you for this," she threw her hands up referring to the imprisonment. "The only thing I can look forward to now is your punishment. So stupid." And off she went, with nothing left to say.

Adora sniffed hard and tried to convince herself that her plan will work but confidence was swiftly fleeting. She needed to get her mind straight. She wiped the tears that seeped out. Her stomach began to grumble and whine as she had yet to eat. Exerting herself just moments before did not help either. As much as she wanted to just do nothing she forced herself to prepare another breakfast.

~oO0Oo~

Adora opted to finish a box of dehydrated food and went to see Catra. Their eyes immediately met when she approached the entrance. Catra furrowed her brows as she didn't want to see her. Catra's tone was still sour, "What is it now!? Your master would like some privacy!"

Adora pursed her lips at the constant resistance to talk with some civility, "If she so chooses, I will be on my way."

"THEN LEAV-"

"BUT," she quickly interrupted, "I would advise my master to consider touring the accommodations we have here so she isn't bored out of her mind." Adora held her glare waiting for her answer. It was going to be a year of hell but she still wanted to put in the effort. Maybe it was all for nothing. Maybe the world would need to wait for another She-Ra in a thousand years. The energy of the barrier would at least dissipate by at least half that time and another candidate could discover the fallen sword. Civilization survived for this long without her, they can do it again. "Well? What does master choose?"

Catra looked at her, "What? No bow?"

Adora quickly rolled her eyes and performed an exaggerated bow toward her.

Catra got up from the bed and pushed Adora out of the way, "Fine, what do you want to show me first?"

Adora didn't speak again. She only lead Catra back to the medical station. "I think it's important that you understand how to use the equipment here. If…," she didn't want to continue, "if you intend to punish me, you'll be responsible for putting me back together again." Catra only flexed the bottoms of her eyelids. Adora continued to show what each item did and made sure Catra was paying attention as she was known to dissociate and bore easily. Her life literally depended on the accurate reception of her teachings. She talked about how to properly use the powdered crystals by using warm water to melt them rather than mashing them into a wound. She spoke of what to do if there was infection, the unlikelihood of disease, delirium, broken bones, and various other types of injuries. As a soldier, Catra knew what to do in most cases but handling the foreign, albeit advanced, equipment was another matter. After the very lengthy tutorial Catra groaned out of boredom.

Adora tsked, "Well, I wouldn't have to explain everything if you knew how to read the instructions," she pointed to the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the wall.

"Those are instructions?"

"What, you thought those were just some ancient fables?" she scoffed, almost a laugh.

Catra grabbed her by the collar, "Are you in any position to mock me?"

Adora closed her eyes tightly and put up her hands, "No. I'm sorry. I forgot my place. May I continue?" Her eyes opened slowly to look for approval.

Catra let go, "Fine." She watched Adora tremble slightly when she touched and referenced the equipment that she assumed would be needed to heal her. She could see Adora was trying to be indifferent as she spoke but it could be heard in her voice. That familiar fear. The fear she once had as a child, trembling to the power of her abuser. "Stop! I need a break. Show me something else. I promise not to harm you in a way I won't know how to fix. Okay? I can't take anymore! UGH!"

Adora was both relieved and disturbed by this. Some of the equipment she already explained can heal terrible damage. Did Catra hate her that much? She forced herself not to think about it any longer than she already had. "Alright, does my master-"

"Shut up, Adora. Just say my name. You are so annoying!" Catra emphatically rolled her eyes along with her body.

"You haven't exactly given me any guidance on how to treat you. I was serious! I am at your will. And… and I'm actually scared. We were… we were so close," her voice trailed off with sadness that suggested how confused she was. How it was even possible to be apart at all. Adora looked at her with pleading eyes. She couldn't help it. It had been a very emotional few days. It had been an emotional few years. Constant war and finally she was able to talk with her for more than a few back and forth taunts and threats. It just poured out of her.

"No! Stop it," she waved a hand at her to drop the subject, "You want guidance? Then take me to a place where I can relax. Go!" She pointed to the doorway behind her..

Embarrassed, she turned her head to the side and lead the way to the pools. They had to pass through the entry hall to gain access to another hallway. Through there, they were able to enter a vast room with three different pools. There, the first pool, closest to them on the left, was filled with floating flowers that had fallen from flowering vines above them. The walls grew bioluminescent shrubs that illuminated the room with a glow of pale orange and pink. The crystal clear water was cool to the touch and wrapped around the entirety of the left curve of the wall. As the wall curved inward, it led to another pool that bubbled slowly from flowing gases that escaped the heated vents in the rock-bedded floor. A unique moss, accented with a color of cinnabar, curled in various directions. It grew plentifully between the rock beds, cushioning the areas it flourished. And lastly was a small corner pool that rained a waterfall. The sound echoed through the room and the mist flowed softly across the room. The cool water seemed to flow into the calm pool to the left. Dead center of the room were stone shelves, artfully carved with ancient deco that housed soft towels, robes as soft as silk, and slippers. Beyond the shelf was a table, cushioned and shaped for lying down and being massaged. There were bowls and oils stocked next to dried and scented petals for mixing.

Catra raised her brows, "This is something I can get used to." Catra walked in and immediately felt the small spurts of cold from the waterfall as she walked by. With a scrunch of her nose, it was obvious she did not like this. She continued on towards the heated pool instead. She stood at the slope of the pool and stripped herself of her clothing. Adora stared. It was not as if she hadn't seen her without clothing before. The Horde didn't have much privacy. No, Adora stared because she was intrigued. It may possibly have been the first time she would witness Catra relax. But that was still yet to be seen; she still needed to get in.

"Are you coming?" a softened growl of her voice. She eased herself into the bubbling waters slowly and allowed her body to get used to the heat before submerging fully.

"I didn't think you wanted me near you," she looked away nervously.

She smirked, "Don't get your hopes up, you're going to make yourself useful and rub my head." She quickly became more serious, "And as a reminder, it means nothing. Not like anyone else is here."

Adora acknowledged and came to her. She took off her pants so she could rest her legs inside the pool and sat behind her. Catra sank herself until she was neck deep and rested her head against what seemed like a moss pillow. Adora positioned herself and hovered her hands over Catra's head, unsure where to begin. She thought back to the days when she consoled her sobbing friend. It always made Catra feel better to stroke against her hair. She began with that. She was surprised how thick her hair had gotten. She worked through the thick strands and enjoyed the fact that her old methods still worked.

That was until, "I'm not that child, Adora. Try to be a little more creative."

It panged her heart to hear Catra like this. Was she so set on being angry with her? Adora adjusted her strokes and fanned her fingers around and behind Catra's ears, "Is this better?"

Catra sighed a little as she forced the rest of her muscles to relax, "It is…, good for you," she patronized.

Adora concentrated at the task at hand. She reached behind Catra's neck and dragged towards the top of her head with her hands alternating in succession. Catra's head gently rocked back and forth.

She chuckled softly, "I'm surprised. You're actually good at this."

Adora was afraid to respond, she didn't want to ruin the calm moment. The calm moment she doubted would happen often, if ever again. She continued and eventually moved on to stroking her ears. She gently let her fingertips drag against the edges and tugged lightly to a pinch. It brought a smile to Adora's face. She didn't care if it meant nothing to Catra. It meant something to Adora. Her fingers traveled to their next destination over her eyebrows and down her cheeks. She began to feel more comfortable as she got into the groove of the task. If every day was like this moment, even if Catra didn't reciprocate, she would not mind it at all. In time, came Catra's soft breathing. The type that sighed gently, almost meditatively, and made the most pleasant of shushes. Catra was completely asleep and Adora was thrilled. It filled her with a sliver of hope that if Catra could relax to her touch that perhaps she could trust her more.

Adora ran her fingers through Catra's soft tufts of hair lazily just to feel its texture. She took the moment to pretend they weren't enemies and suddenly realized she'd need to do this to keep her sanity. If, in the worst case scenario, she fails to win Catra over, she'd have to spend every calm moment pretending their lives were always at peace. All the way up until they run out of food.

Her fingers began to tangle in her hair. Catra was getting too hot and sweat in response. It mildly alarmed Adora and she decided to wake her. She got up and stepped in front of her. She reached out and gently rubbed her cheek, "Catra?" she softly asked, "Catra, I think you should get out of the pool to cool down," she rubbed her jawline a little harder. Catra gave a deeper breath through her nose and smiled ever so slightly as she woke to her touch. Adora rubbed her cheek with her thumb and cupped the rest of her face. As she gently jostled her head, she felt the smile widen in her hand. It was glorious until Catra opened her eyes. She quickly grabbed Adora's wrist and pushed it away. Adora stepped back with her hands up defensively again, "I just didn't want you to overheat. Okay?"

Catra stood up quickly in defiance but quickly felt light headed and her body just gave out. Adora lunged forward and caught her before Catra hit her head on the edge of the stoney pool. "L-let go of me," Catra tried to struggle against her but was too weak at the moment, "I don't need you to-"

Adora snapped back, "I'm not helping you, I'm serving my master. Shut up and let me get you out." Adora lifted her, bridal style, and walked over to the massage table and carefully placed her on her side as not to accidentally crush her tail. "I'm going to get some towels." Adora quickly brought some over. She wiped and covered her.

A weak voice came out, "What's in that water? What did you do to me?"

Adora huffed hard in disbelief, "Are you serious? You just spent too much time in there. Just relax a minute to cool down, you'll be fine in a minute. I'll get you some water." She quickly grabbed a bowl from underneath the table and went to the falls. When she returned, she held Catra's head up and pressed the bowl to her lips only for Catra to swat the bowl away. "Damn it, Catra! What now!?"

"You drink it!" she snarled.

She grabbed another bowl while shaking her head and picked up the one on floor. She filled both, and again, she returned. She drank from the bowl quickly, spilling from the corners of her mouth and swallowed. She released an angered but satisfied "Ah," and asked, "can you please drink now? It will make you feel better." Catra looked away and returned to lock her eyes with Adora's. She gave a single stern nod. "Good. Drink it slow." Again, she lifted her head and pressed the bowl to her lips to sip from.

Catra could feel herself regaining her strength almost immediately. She could feel the fluid travel to her stomach and outward to the rest of her body.

"I'm sorry I didn't get you out sooner," Adora then spoke softer, "I had probably gotten used to it after what Shadoweaver did to me."

Catra found this peculiar, "Shadoweaver?"

"I don't want to talk about it. Are you feeling better?" Adora tried to dodge.

Catra sat up on her elbows, dropping the towel that covered her, "Oh no, we're talking about it. She favored you the most. You're telling me she did something to you?"

Adora swallowed hard, "Yes…, she did."

"Pff, like what?"

Adora closed her eyes, the memory now in full swing in her mind, "She made me run laps in what felt like boiling pools of polluted water whenever I failed to keep you out of trouble." She ground her teeth hard, "Whenever you didn't show up for training," she shuddered, "whenever you couldn't remember the answer to a question," she tightened her fits to her sides as her voice shook, "whenever all of us didn't do our training right." Without a word Adora rushed to grab her pants and stormed out of the room.

Catra watched her leave and muttered under her breath, "Yeah, right." You can't make me feel sorry for you, no matter how hard you try.

~oO0Oo~

Not far from the pools did Adora enter another room. It's purpose served to train or exercise or, if she so wished, vent. As it was the case, she did. The large, hollowed husks of fruit rind had hung from the stone ceiling to which Adora's fists pounded on until she tired. The voice of Shadoweaver taunted her in her head, Oh Adora, how you disappoint me. I thought you WANTED to be Force Captain. Adora's breathing became heavy, not due to exhaustion, but fear. If only you could JUST be BETTER! Why do you make me DO this Adora? "STOP IT!" Adora screamed. She thought she spent enough time away from the Horde to no longer be haunted by these thoughts. She screamed louder and furiously punched. She had not worn any protection and her hands bruised to the point of bleeding against the thick rind. She could hear Shadoweaver's tongue clicking in disappointment, The Horde has such high hopes for you. If you'd JUST learn not to disappoint us. "FUCK YOU!" Insolent child. "FUCK YOU!" She screamed harder. Adora stopped and fell to her knees and then to her back. Her chest heaved, out of breath, and she was filled with regret. A few minutes of catching her breath she uttered, "I was right… to leave."

Catra entered wearing a white silken robe and found Adora lying on the ground. She stood over her. She looked down and spoke with a mocking tone, "Hey, Adora. Wow…, you're pretty fucked up."

Adora sat up quickly and rolled to a stand, "What do you want!?"

Catra placed a hand on her hip, "To finish the tour."

"In a minute. Please. I just need some time," she looked at Catra and waited for an approval. She didn't know whether to show she was so vulnerable or do what she was trained to do and hide how deeply hurt she is. She tried to push her feelings down, not for Catra, but to recover from her thoughts. She needed a distraction. Finishing the tour would help but Catra wouldn't.

Catra looked her over and watched a couple droplets of blood drip from Adora's knuckles that hadn't completely scabbed over yet. She saw the distraught face that looked back at her. It was a face of regret. "Fine. I'll give you a chance to clean up…," she waved a finger at Adora's hand, "that. Maybe you can clean up the mess in your room too. I'll be there when you're ready." Catra turned and quietly left with a soft swaying of her hips.

Adora looked at her hands and hadn't realized the damage done to them. She stamped a foot and spoke under her breath, "Damn it." it was one thing to show vulnerability but it was another to show Catra that she was not dealing well with the places her mind went.

~oO0Oo~

Adora washed up but didn't apply any bandages. It wasn't necessary. She went to a storage room that was next to the hallway bathroom nearest to the med station and retrieved a bag of some compost type substance and a large spatula item with towels. She walked into her room without knocking, without a word, and without looking at Catra who only raised a brow and traced Adora's path to the bloody mess on the floor. Adora lightly sprinkled the compost substance and let it sit a minute. She waited in silence with her back turned and hoped Catra would let her be.

But, of course, she didn't, "Dirty Dora." Adora snapped her head towards Catra angrily. Eyebrows knitted and furrowed and her glare displayed just how offended she truly was. Those words hurt more than the wounds she received the night before. Catra continued, "That's when it happened, didn't it?" It wasn't a taunt. It was just something she surmised. When they were children, the squad was surprised to find a horrendous smell when they woke up and discovered it radiated from Adora from time to time, thus the name.

Adora turned back to the mess and began scraping at it with angered ferocity. After the blood stain came up, she wiped it with towels to get the remaining residue. When she was done, she carried it out but not before telling Catra never to speak of that again, "I know what I said earlier. I meant it, I'm loyal to you, I'll take my punishments, and I will never lie, but that is off limits," she looked at Catra with a promise that she wouldn't allow her to bring up the subject ever again.

Catra only looked back with a dismissive glare. After little hesitation, she flexed her brows, "Whatever."

"I'll be back in fifteen minutes to finish the tour," Adora bent down and grabbed the door and raised it shut. She went to the dining hall to clean up the messes there as well. She thought it would clear her head but the mundane task only made her mind race more, How dare she say that name! How do you think I felt? HOW DO YOU THINK I FELT! She caught herself wiping the table too hard and tried to force herself to think about anything else until she heard a door open in the distance, I can't deal with this now.

Catra's toenails clicked against the floor as she walked and as she got closer, Adora tensed. The slow striding approach that Adora knew was unavoidable. "Hey. Show me where I can find those tasteless water-bricks and you can have the rest of the day to yourself."

She was a little shocked Catra would be so kind but she agreed nonetheless, "I'll show you where everything is stocked" Adora threw a rag she'd been using on the table and left with Catra. She took her to a large door and used both her hands to drag it down. It revealed a large warehouse-like space. Shelves were filled with dried food of various kinds of breads, fruits, vegetables, and meats. If it could be dried, it was there.

She stared in and tried to calculate, "How long are these supposed to last?"

Adora hesitated but spoke before Catra lost her patience, "About a year."

Catra muttered the same words back. She pressed her lips together hard and nodded to herself. She flexed her brows, "You can leave now."

"Right," came a whisper. It was obvious, no matter the time span, the news was never going to be light enough to receive. Adora would deal with it, and similarly, so would Catra.

~oO0Oo~

It had been several hours and Adora had finished cleaning the dining hall and the medical station. She started to get hungry and thought to get some food for herself but didn't want to risk bumping into Catra again. Some distance, she thought, might be good for today. She convinced herself it was unlikely she'd be around. She passed by Catra's room and realized she still hadn't shown her. She sighed and decided not to delay any longer despite her need to stay away. She went to her room but Catra wasn't there. She searched each door down the hall until she came back to the stock of food and supplies.

She went down an isle. She looked left and right, and knowing her, up. She called out, "Catra? You in here?" No response. She went down a few more isles, "Catra!?" She stopped looking and headed for the door until she heard a very gentle thump behind her.

"What?" she said dryly.

"Gah! Nothing… I mean, hi, um…," she tilted her head, "Have you been here the whole time?"

"What of it?"

Adora cleared her throat,shook her head dismissively, and thought to get back to the reason why she wanted to see her, "I realize I still haven't shown you your room. Do you want to see it? I won't bother you anymore."

She eye-rolled, "Pff, sure."

"Okay." She headed to the door, "Follow me."

~oO0Oo~

She stopped at the door and paused a moment. "Before I open this, I just want to say I-I tried to think of you. I um, I don't want you to think- I was trying really hard to accommodate for all your needs."

She narrowed her eyes, "Adora? Why are you being weird?"

"I just don't want you to be offended," Adora quickly got out.

Catra shook her head like Adora was crazy as her eyes closed and opened wide, "Just open it."

Adora dragged the door down and let Catra enter. The room was gargantuan. The floor shined in the grain of the glossy marble floor. A staircase hugged the curved wall on the right and then just stopped. Then, onward, looking up were platforms that protruded from the walls as it curved around. Higher and higher it went. Between them and all around were poles and cables that looped to be swung on. On floor level were large heated stones from the temple's energy. Pillows and cushions from Bright Moon's palace littered the area. On the left wall were books housed in in-wall shelves. Catra was never interested in reading, but given she was unable to leave, her mind would be the only place she could escape. Adora truly tried to think of everything.

Catra looked around, expressionless, and took a few more steps in. She noticed there were stone columns that didn't have the distinct smoothness the rest of the temple had. In fact, they were quite rough to the touch. Catra approached one and placed a hand on one and then was compelled to drag her claws down. She gave a subtle shiver and tried to hide how much she enjoyed the feeling.

Just as dry as before and without facing Adora, "You built this room for me?"

"Yes…, I did. I really didn't want this to be a priso-"

"Shush!" She placed her hand on the column again and dragged down slowly. She remained still for a moment, "Why didn't you eat? I can hear you grumbling. It's annoying."

Adora held her stomach with a hand, "I wanted to show you this first."

"Go…, and close the door on your way out."

Adora silently left and closed the door. She couldn't help spend time dissecting Catra's reaction to the room. Her voice was cold but the obvious reuse of the column made her more confident Catra liked it. She wondered, now, if she'll ever talk to her again. Catra had enough knowledge to explore the temple herself. If she had questions, Adora would obviously be available. But besides quick understandings of how something might work didn't make being with her easier. And then, after a year, that's it. Complete failure.

After cooking and eating her meal she was still lost on what to do next. She allowed more time for her thoughts to wander. Occasionally, her free thought would give her an idea. But it was not the case now, "I need to lie down." A decision in response to the lack of ideas in the dining hall.

She made her way to her bedroom but found her bed missing. Adora, stood there frozen. She was still processing the missing bed. Did Catra hate her room so much that she had to take away her bed? That's ludicrous!

"CATRA!" she shouted from her room. No reply was the obvious response. Adora stormed off and knocked hard on Catra's door. "Catra! Come on! If you didn't like the room, we could have just switched!" a moment passed, "Catr-"

The door opened, "Hey Adora."

"I'm sorry! I thought you'd like it. Did you really have to take my bed?" Adora outstretched her arm in the direction of her room.

A twitched ear, "Yes."

Adora pleaded, "Can I please have it back? I can try to make your room better."

"Sure."

Adora was a little confused and tried to stay calm, "O…kay, where can I find it?"

Catra turned away and went up the stairs but pointed to the center of the room on the floor, "Right there but you aren't moving it back." Before Adora could say anything Catra jumped from platform to platform until she reached the highest. She shouted down, "Now, don't bother me!"

Adora continued to blink in confusion but convinced herself it was okay to approach the bed. She didn't see any pillows and decided to get them later. She lain herself to rest and closed her eyes until a pillow landed right on her face with a loud - paff -

"BAH!" Adora sat up quickly and was startled by the attack. She could hear Catra cackling in the distance. Adora only groaned, but at least, now, she had a pillow.

Thank you all for reading and special thanks to those who reviewed. I really appreciate it. To the Guest reviewers, I wish you had an account so I could reply to you. Good advice and we'll see tiny improvements along the way.

Next chapter I give a little bit of visibility to what's happening outside the temple but it's very small. The stuff that's happening inside is generally what's been racing in my mind. I'll try to add more.

Because of the holidays here I was able to get Chapter 2 together. Chapter 3 miiiight take a while longer but I hope you'll stay with it. Again, let me know if I should improve something or let me know what you'd want to see.