One week.

That's how long it took for Perfuma to see Scorpia again.

Scorpia waltzed into her grove, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "Are those new flowers? I love what you've done with the place."

It took all of Perfuma's self-control to not truss Scorpia up then and there. "Where have you been?" Perfuma chastised her, quickly approaching.

Scorpia raised her claws up in surrender. "Geez, you missed me that much?"

"We need to talk," Perfuma told her.

Scorpia's face fell. "About our relationship?"

Perfuma knew that would be the mature thing to do. But Perfuma was not going to be mature about this. No, there was something more urgent and fun to discuss. "About the Bright Moon party."

Scorpia raised an eyebrow. "Party?"

"Yes," Perfuma grabbed Scorpia's arms in excitement, "Next weekend, Glimmer, Bow, and Adora are hosting some sort of sparkling extravaganza. And I get a plus-one."

Scorpia took a step back, out of Perfuma's arms. "Um, although I appreciate the invite, I don't think I'll be quite welcomed."

Perfuma took a breath. She knew this would be hard when she first came up with the scheme, but she had to try. Getting Scorpia out of the Horde's clutches meant showing her what life outside the Horde was like. With enough exposure, Scorpia would realize she would be happier on Perfuma's side. Getting a cute date was a bonus on top of that. Perfuma put on her best pouting face. "But I really want you to be there."

"I don't have a great track record with parties," Scorpia insisted, "The last one I went to, I blew up the venue."

"Just promise you won't blow up Bright Moon."

Scorpia didn't answer.

"Scorpia!"

"And that's why I shouldn't go," Scorpia declared, "I can't be trusted as a Horde soldier in enemy territory."

"What if you weren't a Horde soldier?" Perfuma planted the thought in her head.

Scorpia laughed. "You're cute. But I'm not defecting just to attend a party… even with you."

"Not defect: Disguise!" Perfuma told her.

Scorpia brought up her large claws. "These babies are a little hard to hide."

Perfuma scurried to a small compartment hidden in the ground. "That's why I prepared something special!"

Perfuma pulled out a jeweled vial. Scorpia stared at it with trepidation. "...What is that?"

"On our way back up here, the Rebellion stopped by an apothecary. I found this fabulous concoction way in the back, and realized it would be perfect for our purpose."
"Okay, cool story, love the sharing, love hearing about your day, but again: what is it?"

Perfuma gave her a devilish grin. "A shapeshifting potion."

Scorpia stared.

Perfuma continued, "I boil in part of whoever or whatever we want you to look like, then you drink it, and for about 12 hours you have the same body as that person."

"That must have been expensive," Scorpia responded evenly.

Perfuma put a hand on Scorpia's shoulder. "I'll take any expense to keep you by my side."

Perfuma thought the line was cheesy, but it wasn't wrong. And, judging by Scorpia's reddening cheeks, was effective. She needed to persuade Scorpia in whatever way possible. Scorpia had a hesitant face, and opened her mouth as if to object.

To prevent the objection, Perfuma put a single finger against Scorpia's lips. "Imagine: We disguise you as one of my citizens, I bring you as my date, make-out in a closet like a normal couple, party till dawn, and you go back to the Horde in the morning as the potion wears off."

"A- a date?" Scorpia's stutter was almost as adorable as her face.

The hope in Scorpia's voice made Perfuma's heart unfurl. "Of course," She accented this response with a peck on the lips.

Scorpia's gulp was audible to even Perfuma. "Well, but isn't it-"

Recognizing the need for more 'persuasion', Perfuma began to pepper Scorpia's neck with kisses.

"P-Perfuma?" Scorpia questioned, stance softening as Perfuma's hands slithered around waist.

"Pretty please, darling?" Perfuma gave her an expression with lidded eyes.

Scorpia's breath hitched.

Without a response, Perfuma decided to push further. She pried some fabric from the neck of Scorpia's uniform, opening more of her bare skin to kiss. Her other hand slid to her rear, barely brushing it as she whispered, "Is it too much? To want to hold hands with you outside this grove?"

"No I guess that's-" A hand sliding along Scorpia's tail caused a pause in her speech, "-um- yeah, that's reasonable."

Perfuma drew back, looking Scorpia straight in the eye. "So you'll come to the party?"

Scorpia responded as though in a daze, "Okay."

Perfuma squealed and pulled Scorpia in for a long kiss. Scorpia happily reciprocated, even picking Perfuma up. Perfuma almost gasped at that, she was not used to being handled so easily. But she did not dare pull back from the kiss to comment.

It took them awhile to take a break, but when they did Scorpia said one last thing, "There's just one thing I have to sort out."


"I need a vacation in three days."

Catra glanced up from filing her claws at Scorpia's request. "What? Like a whole day?"

Scorpia scratched the back of her neck. "Well, not necessarily. Just more like that evening and the next morning."

Catra raised an eyebrow. "I know we have night missions and all, but that's a weird amount of time to ask off."

Scorpia laughed. "Well, you know me, I've always been a little… weird." At the thought of her own oddity, Scorpia wondered what the other princesses would think of her at the party.

Well, assuming she could get the time off for the party. "Ugh, I hate to do this," Catra drawled, "but actually there's a mission, so there's no way-"

"No!" Scorpia gasped at her own insubordination, then changed tactics, "I mean- Pretty please, Catra? Can't you ask another captain? I really, really, need that night off."

Catra paused her filing. "Really? What's so important?"

Scorpia opened her mouth. And closed her mouth. Lying was not her forte. "It's a secret," she decided to go with that excuse.

Catra sighed, focusing back on her claws. "Well, unfortunately, not knowing what it is, I just can't justify taking you off the-"

"Okay, okay, fine! It's a date!" Scorpia admitted.

Catra stopped filing her claws and turned to face Scorpia. Her eyes were wide. Then her mouth curled into a smirk. "Damn Scorpia, where do you find the time?"

"By asking you for vacation days," Scorpia nervously clawed at her arm.

Catra laughed. "Alright, have fun, stay safe."

"Does that mean you'll get someone to replace me that night?"

"There wasn't even a mission in the first place, dude."

Scorpia gave a sigh of relief, knowing her vacation would not actually interfere with Horde plans. "Oh Catra, always one for a good prank."

"So who is she?" Catra asked. Then, upon thinking, "...He?"

"She," Scorpia confirmed.

"So who is she? Do I know her?"

Although Scorpia was thrilled that Catra was interested in her life for once, she wished Catra wasn't so interested in this particular aspect. "Well, um, she's a secret."

Catra sighed. "Ooh, bad news, I think the mission's back on, guess you'll be working that night."

"Catra!" Scorpia exclaimed.

Catra snickered. "Alright, alright. Keep your girlfriend a secret for now if you want. But let me meet her someday. If she caught your eye, I'm sure she's a great gal."

Scorpia had to smile at that. "Thanks Catra. Your support means the world to me."

Catra rolled her eyes, but Scorpia pretended not to notice. "Just make sure you keep up with Horde business."

Dating a Rebellion member was maybe not in the best interest of the Horde, but it was a bit late to think about that now. Scorpia decided to leave before Catra asked anything else. "Thanks for the time off, see you later!"

Catra was now fully re-engaged in filing her nails, but her tail twitched left and right. That was practically a hug in Catra-speak.

Scorpia escaped to her own room. She let out a breath. The logistics for the party were secured. All that was left was the party itself.

Being a princess, she had technically gone to some royal events before. But she was pretty accustomed to being turned away by the other princesses. She had tried to be bubbly, expressive, friendly, everything she wanted in a friend. But they all already had their own friends, their own cliques they wanted to keep her out of. Not to mention, as the Horde continued its spread, hatred towards the Horde-allied princess got pretty vehement. After one particularly virulent tea party which ended with Scorpia scalded with chamomile, Scorpia swore off anymore princess events. Scorpia hated to admit it, but blowing up Frosta's kingdom with some of those princesses who had shunned her felt pretty good.

She groaned. This party was not going to be a revenge-explosion party. This had Perfuma. And nobody would know her connection with the Horde. She could socialize, gossip, maybe kiss Perfuma in public. She just had to imagine herself as someone completely new, only then could she stand by Perfuma's side.