"So first, I get a call from Entrapta telling me that raiders have stolen all of the robots she was going to send me," Mermista exposited from her couch, "Then I get a message from a seagull saying that Bow is bringing a bunch of construction equipment they stole from the Horde that he thinks would help for rebuilding Salineas. Why do I feel like this whole plausible deniability thing is just... sooo stupid?"

"Plausible deniability?" repeated Hordak, writing on their notepad.

"It was Glimmer's plan," Mermista said, "Bow and Glimmer's Dad went into the Whispering Woods to start an underground resistance movement against the Horde. Glimmer's worried that if it looks like any of the Runestone Princesses aren't cooperating, Horde Prime will think the Heart of Etheria is more trouble than it's worth and go with his original plan of just bombing us all into molten slag. So no direct contact with the rebels. We can't tell them anything and we can't know what they're doing. That way Prime can't find out we're helping the rebels because there's nothing to find out."

"I can see how that would be frustrating for you," said Hordak, writing down another note.

"It's like... I'm a princess," Mermista groaned, "I can fight. I can make plans. I've been fighting the Horde my whole life, so why am I just sitting around doing nothing while the boys do all the work?"

"Sometimes, doing nothing is hardest thing we can do," Hordak told Mermista, "But remember you're not alone in this. Have you been keeping in touch with your friends like I've suggested?"

"I guess," said Mermista, "Entrapta's always busy, but I chat with her when I can. I don't understand a word she says sometimes, but she seems happy enough. Perfuma gave me some meditation techniques to help me stay calm, but when I try them I hear this little voice in the back of my head yelling at me for sitting around doing nothing while other people are fighting and dying out there. Frosta's been training and sparing with me, and that same voice asks me why I'm wasting energy smashing up ice statues when there are literal alien conquerers for me to fight. I go to Glimmer's social events, but the voice is scolding me for going out and having fun while the rest of Etheria is suffering. I've tried keeping in touch with Adora, but it's getting really awkward with Catra around."

"I suppose there's still some animosity from the war," Hordak theorized, writing down another note, "It may take some time for you to be comfortable with each other as former enemies."

"That's just it," Mermista said, "I don't think this is a war thing. Whenever we're near each other, there's just this... mood, like that somewhere deep down Catra really hates me personally."

"Did she and you ever have any major conflicts during the war?" asked Hordak, "Any climactic battles that may have left scars, mental or physical?"

"Not really," Mermista recollected, "I mean, we've never really fought one on one. I think it was mostly She-Ra and Glimmer that went up against her whenever she showed up."

"Hmm," sighed Hordak as they thought pensively, before writing again on their notepad, "Perhaps you should talk to Adora privately about these concerns you have with Catra."

"That's gonna be a problem. I can never talk Adora by herself anymore," said Mermista, "Catra is like... always there. Even when I think she's busy with something else, Catra always shows up to butt in the second I get anywhere near Adora."

"I see..." Hordak noted, "So what else have you been doing?"

"Well, nothing else seems to be working, so I've mostly been..." Mermista paused in embarrasement before taking a deep breath, "I've been lying in the new hot tub Seahawke put in my throne room and eating ice cream all day."

"Oh, honey..." gasped Hordak, breaking character for a moment, "Please, no..."

"It's awful," groaned Mermista covering her face in shame, "I've put on so much weight since this whole mess started. By the time Glimmer wants me to help with the rebellion, I'm going to be a fat useless whale who won't be able to do anything."

"Princess Mermista of Salineas!" snarled Hordak, "Snap out of it and look at me!"

Mermista nearly jumped out of the couch in surprise as she stared in shock at her therapist.

"You know that voice telling you all these awful things?" Hordak roared angrily, "Calling you fat; Making you feel bad for enjoying yourself; Telling you that you're a terrible actress and no one wants to see you go up on stage and that everyone is silently judging you all the time! That voice is not your friend! That voice is your greatest enemy! That voice wants to destroy your entire world from within! The next time you hear that voice, I want you to picture it coming out of the mouth of the person you hate the most in the universe and I want you to tell it to shut up! Shout it out loud if you have to! Do you hear me, Mermista?!"

Mermista quickly nodded silently, her eyes still wide with fear.

"Do you still hear that voice right now?" asked Hordak calmly.

"Yes..." Mermista said, nervously.

"You know what I want to hear," growled Hordak.

Mermista took in a deep breath.

"Shut up, Horde Prime," said Mermista.

"Louder!" ordered Hordak.

"Shut up, Hordak!" yelled Mermista.

"I can't hear you, Princess!" shouted Hordak like a drill sergeant.

"I SAID SHUT YOUR STUPID FACE, SEAHAWKE!" screamed Mermista jumping out of the couch.

Mermista was seething in rage as her chest heaved in and out with her intense breathing.

"Feeling better?" asked Hordak.

"Yeah..." Mermista said, lying back on the couch, "That really helps, thank you."

"Excellent," said Hordak, going through their notes, "One princess I notice you've neglected to mention is Princess Scorpia. I wonder if the two of you might find something you both enjoy."

"Scorpia the Horde soldier?" Mermista asked, "No, thanks. I don't think we'd get along very well."

"Adora was with the Horde, too, before you met her," Hordak pointed out, "If you give Scorpia a chance, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Your kingdoms both seem to be having similar issues right now. Perhaps you might be able to help one another. I'll set up a time to introduce you two."

"Sure, why not?" Mermista sighed sarcastically, "What's the worst that can happen?"

~*~

DT's notes
- Mermista's alone today, Seahawke must be busy somewhere else
- I think I'll wear something to shake her out of her comfort zone a bit
- How did Hordak lose to these people?
- Mermista is feeling left out and helpless with the rebellion
- Hello, Anxiety, my old friend
- Side Note: Catra still jealous, possessive tendencies
- Gave Mermista my old "Shut Up, Anxiety!" trick
- Suggested Mermista and Scorpia hang out. Because Scorpia can always use more friends.