The forests of Lower Vale were much less protected than the mountain-clipped cliffs of Upper Vale. Grimm flooded in all the time down here, but never seemed to make it all the way through the forests that led into Central Vale. Thus, the forest at large served to protect the all-important Beacon. Unfortunately, the same was not true for young Catra.
A bandage wrapped around her right shoulder. Her stolen jeans were ripped and muddy from nights spent under bridges and underneath homes, hoping she wasn't noticed.
At least it's getting warmer. The snow stopped a moon ago.
Catra thought to herself, taking in her surroundings.
A pub of some kind was the only place open this early in the morning. It smelled of fried foods, making her stomach ache.
But there really weren't any better options, so Catra entered, keeping her eyes down and treading lightly. Her aura had seen better days, so even a motivated raccoon-dove could take her out if she wasn't careful.
She sat at the bar.
The barkeep turned around at the squeak of her chair, looking down at the young girl.
"'Hey, kiddo."'
Catra tilted her face down, to hide her features.
"What can a couple lien get me?" She quietly asked, trying to suppress the fragility in her voice.
The barkeep poured her a glass of water. "'Some fried vegetable skins?"' He offered. "'3 lien for a half-pound. It's pretty much the only thing we have at this hour, anyway."'
Catra winced. Vegetable skins? Well, beggars can't be choosers. She nodded, putting down 3 lien.
The barkeep squinted his eyes. "'Are you a Ferin?"'
Catra gritted her teeth at the derogatory term. "I am a ferox, yes. What does it matter? If you're going to kick me out, I want my lien back." She muttered lowly, gently rolling her fingers.
"'Oh no, nothing like that. I've just never seen one before. Chill out, kid."'
Catra took a deep breath, and nodded.
He left, and Catra looked to her right, where a teenage girl with bright white hair, and deep brown eyes was looking at her.
"What? You never seen a ferox before, either? I charge for pictures." Catra snarked, coughing.
The girl looked around, and lowered her voice.
"You're being followed."
Yeah, no shit. You're following me, too
The girl rolls her eyes at the scowl Catra gave her. "Yeah, I know. But they're waiting for you outside."
Catra tried to quell the frustration inside of her. "Hey, bar dude. Can I take that to-go, instead?"
The girl gave her an incredulous look. "This isn't a game, just leave the food." She insisted.
"I already paid for it, back off." Catra glared at her. "And don't expect any gratitude. I already knew they were there." Catra lied. "So go on your way, girl."
"Tarble."
"Whatever. Just leave me be."
The barkeep dropped a styrofoam box in front of Catra. "'Enjoy."'
Catra scooped up the box, and Tarble groaned.
"Just...look at this." She slides Catra a picture of two masked men searching around Catra's most recent hideout. "They're hot on your trail."
Catra gritted her teeth, snatching up the picture. "Where'd you get this?"
"I took it. I've been tailing these guys for days." Catra glared at the door.
"That's the only way out." Catra stood up, and rushed to the door.
She was met with an arm slamming into her throat, and fell to the ground.
'Gotcha, you little shit!' The large man exclaimed with glee. 'Finally, payday is here!'
In an instant, Tarble was on him, placing her hand on his chest, and everything went white for a moment.
Catra was free of the man's grasp. I'm calling him Red.
Red was in a heap outside, dazed. Catra's ears rang. An explosion? It must be that girl's semblance.
Another man cleared the corner, picking up Catra by her neck. ""What did you do?!""
Tarble smirked, sneaking up behind him, and this time, Catra saw what exactly she was doing.
Upon making contact with her opponent's aura, she was drawing some of it to her hands, and making it explode.
That's it, she can make other people explode.
Catra grinned, and shook free, tagging Tarble's shoulder to knock her down, and running out as fast as she could, not wanting to be followed.
Catra blinked, her mind returning to the present. I wonder if she's okay now? I never got her number or anything. I'm sure Sienna could find her. She was a tracker, or something.
The next round of volleyball girls was entering the locker room, prompting Catra to finish up, and get dressed.
So many students, so many semblances. So much is unknown.
Catra exited the locker room, and looked up into the sky.
Lots of sunlight today.
