( CLOSED ) didn't know how but i always had a feeling

[serment]

Who: Catra and some poor fools.
What: The very exciting events of the month.
When: September.
Where: All over Trench.

Content Warnings: blood rituals, fighting/injury, child abuse, toxicity.



flynn ◆ rei ◆ scorpia ◆ diluc ◆ abby ◆ savage ◆ flynn (warcraft)

Comments

◆ flynn (river of regret)

[serment]

( the drop from the ravens' talons is a steep one. she can feel the air whistling past her ears, finds herself just a little dizzy, and the boat all but thrashes in the water after she collides with it. immediately, she reaches for the edges and digs her claws into the wood in a desperate bid to try and balance it before it flings her off and into the water.

she's had enough of being thrown into the water already.

it takes her a moment before she snaps her gaze upward, locking eyes with the other person on the boat with her. )

This you?

( she asks accusingly, her eyebrows furrowing. )

[thinkfirst]

Me?

[ It takes Flynn—disoriented as he is—a moment to figure out the implication, more clear from his companion's tone and expression than the word. The boat is still rocking gently from side to side, sending little waves off lapping against the serene shore. Flynn too clings to the sides of it, his feet shoved against the bottom in an effort to keep himself upright.

He's still a bit dizzy from the fall, sudden and sharp, though he arrived mere moments before Catra, whisked by birds that swooped from nowhere.

But she is asking if he's responsible, and now that his stomach has ceased its lurching along with the small canoe, he can actually answer. ]

Did I spirit you here, you mean?

[ And then, before Catra can confirm or deny, he shakes his head and straightens up just a little, casting around for an oar that is not there. ]

No. I did not, and I would not. No number of birds should be able to lift me in—

[ He holds up one gauntleted arm, frowning. He is in full armor, and ordinary birds wouldn't have been able to lift him. But those birds aren't normal, and unfortunately, neither is this river. ]

[serment]

( for as much as she would like to take that at face value, catra also wouldn't put it past the mechanisms of this place to mess with her like this. after all, where is the limit? where is the line? at point is it too much? never, she would think considering the absolute absurdity of her average day here.

she presses a clawed hand against one of her temples, trying to think. she's willing to go well enough with the idea that this guy isn't at fault for the current situation.

for now. )

Oh, we are well beyond "should".

( she doesn't want to even consider trying to bring logic into this. if she has learned anything with her time with adora, it's that sometimes weird stuff was going to happen whether you like it or not. whether it made sense or not. although, adora's brand of weird hadn't been quite that deadly.

at the pit of her stomach, she can feel a certain tightness and unease building there. the air seems to shift also. she feels an immediate urgency to leave. )

Think the birds would pull me out if I dove in?

( a gesture to the river underneath them. it's unclear how serious she is. )

(( ooc: sorry about the delay! there had been a lot going on. ))

[thinkfirst]

[ At least the boat is steadying, and Flynn with it. His own stomach is swooping with nerves and fear he can't let himself acknowledge. He tries to swallow around it all like he has taught himself, compress it into a little ball to be ignored.

The river is dragging them inexorably toward damp canyon walls, and it's hard to miss the massive raven statues like warnings flanking their tiny boat. Flynn looks up at them with his brows furrowed, watching their slow creep closer. ]

Given they deposited us here, I think it's unlikely. They could have been polite enough to give us oars.

[ He has some feedback for these birds, thank you very much. ]

More to the point, [ Tearing his eyes away from those imposing statues is hard, but Flynn manages it after a moment. There's a small, polite frown stuck on his face. ] I don't like the look of that water. Or... anything else. Being warned about strange things is really not enough to prepare one for being spirited to a river without logic or permission.

(( ooc: you are a-okay!! happy to keep this thing going :) ))

◆ rei (river of regret)

[serment]

( an outraged yowl escapes from catra's throat just before she's flung back into one of those awful boats by a swarm of annoying ravens. she had only just accidentally touched a feather this time and they had instantly descended down on her in a swarm of squawking and talons. she had made an attempt to flee, hoping to outrun them, but it hadn't mattered. they had snapped her up all the same.

and she finds herself back here.

although now with someone else entirely on the boat with her.

catra's face scrunches up as she glances over the other person in the boat, clearly disapproving. )

Hey. First time?

( she says, voice deadpan. )

[incandescentfaith]

[Rei's face jerks up at the sound of the stranger arriving. She has a hand on a knife at her belt, but releases it as soon as she realizes this is just another Sleeper. Some sort of cat girl? Well, she's seen stranger, certainly. She shifts her weight in the boat to keep things even, turning to face Catra.]

...Being picked up by a flock of ravens? Yes. It is.

[A quietly amused huff escapes her.]

You?

[serment]

No, this is my every Tuesday.

( her tone is dry and more than a little tired. unfortunately, this isn't her first time. this had already happened earlier, recently enough that the entire experience is still more than a little fresh in her mind.

she frowns as she thinks about this other girl going through it for the first time. )

. . . Once. It's going to be a nightmare.

(( ooc: apologies for the delay! it's been a mess. ))

[incandescentfaith]

[Lovely. Rei's expression darkens for a moment as she begins to understand that this is, in fact, a repeat ride for someone else. That's troublesome.

But, she smiles and puts on a brave face. A nightmare? Well, she's dealt with that]

I'm sure it will be fine. I've long ago stopped letting things like fear get under my skin.

◆ scorpia (growing pains)

[serment]

( it has never been any sort of secret that growing up within the horde's forces was something of joyless experience. they didn't celebrate, they didn't bond, they didn't adhere to rituals or holidays, and the horde most certainly didn't pretend as if they had individual value beyond that as soldiers. they were just that.

nothing more, nothing less. meant to live and die for that idiot, hordak's, wishes. everyone has been talking so much today about personal sacrifices and it feels a little weird to catra because sacrifice is all she feels like she's known. how much she's had to give to have anything at all.

and she would struggle to say she actually had anything. she's tossed away anything she ever valued.

it's equally weird when she catches scorpia on the ground, near plenty of others who are taking part in the ritual that everyone won't shut up about. )

You too?

( she asks as she approaches, glancing down at her. )

[cuddlery]

[It actually was a secret to Scorpia, if one that she kept from herself. She tried to bring joy and celebration into everything she did for the Horde, and she saw every fellow soldier as a new friend to bond with. She had to. It was the only way that life could feel right to her. Because there was no way that she could actually be apart of something so horrible, or that her grandfather could have made such a heartless choice.

But little by little, Scorpia's revealed the secret to herself. First, she just defied Catra to save Entrapta. Then it was more about defying Horde Prime, who felt like the embodiment of everything she secretly feared the Horde really was. And now, with more time and distance, it really has sunk in. The Horde never was a fun day camp for soldiers to make friends. It was an army that used her to uproot innocent people. It was still a huge part of her life - but it was one she needed to move on from.

Currently, Scorpia is kneeled down on the ground an focused on trying to dig up her own patch of soil. She stops when she's surprised to hear a familiar voice addressing her and glances towards the source.]

Catra? Oh, hey! [She greets her with a soft smile. Her Catra senses must have gotten rusty, normally she could tell sooner when she was nearby. It's nice to see Catra again; it's always a comfort, especially here in this world, removed from the Horde and their lives on Etheria in general. But she still feels nervous and uncertain, too. Especially considering what she had decided to throw away.]

Yeah, I...

[She just trails off there, because she has trouble finishing the sentence. Instead, the smile fades from her face as she looks down at the offering that is sitting within her open pincer. The Horde communicator. The clearest symbol of her past with the Horde... but Catra's presence is a stinging reminder, that it's part of her past with Catra too.]

[serment]

( what had originally been nothing more than idle curiosity quickly becomes genuine interest and a small measure of concern. scorpia's lack of response is more than a little weird and definitely not what catra had been expecting. she thought she might go on some long spiel about the joy of the ritual or something equally chipper. her gaze flicks down to the item between scorpia's pincer.

oh.

yeah, that makes sense. it hurts too, but it makes sense. scorpia had long made her decision already, long decided to leave the horde in the past, and her with it—whatever. that's fine. it isn't like scorpia hadn't been justified in that. it isn't like catra had given her any reason to stay.

she stiffens despite herself. )

You going to bury that then?

(( ooc: sorry for the delay. . .! things have been happening. ))

[cuddlery]

[Scorpia wishes she could excitedly chatter on about the ritual! That's how it would go in any other circumstance. But this is something that's ended up feeling more serious and somber, as Scorpia feels how heavy her regrets are as they weigh her down. Catra's presence both illuminates and complicates it.

After all, she's tied to her regrets, directly in some cases, but she's someone who she still cares for. Someone who's here with her in this world. So Scorpia feels almost ashamed in this moment as she shows the communicator to Catra. She finds herself reliving dozens of conversations in her mind that were held over that device. Many of them were barked orders, sure, but there were some casual conversations and jokes in there too. Their history.

Scorpia gives a slow nod, without meeting Catra's eyes.]

...Yeah. That's what I'm planning. [She glances around uncertainly, while she tries to find the words.] It just... seemed like it fit the bill. Something that feels important, and - and it's part of the past.

[She glances down at it with a frown.]

...It really is full of memories.

◆ diluc (bloodsport)

[serment]

( this is going poorly.

poorly might actually be something of an understatement, but catra isn't entirely in the mood to get into all the nitty gritty details about why she feels as miserable as she does. it feels like there are countless ants crawling underneath her skin, her heartbeat feels far too quick, and she doesn't think she could relax even if she tried. that's all the detail anyone might need about it.

but she has tried to relax. so has diluc. that much is plain to see, but he looks like he's nearly ready to leap out of his own skin in an effort to cope with whatever it is that's going on with the two of them. it would have been funny, she thinks, if she wasn't also included.

so far, the best solution either of them have come up with is to exercise. )

I don't know, why don't you show me how you used to exercise back home? With your knights or whatever?

[searingwing]

[Diluc has been staring at the fireplace with his fingers twitching. He's seen that working with magic helps. For a few moments. He gets to his feet and doesn't bother with his coat.]

How I exercise these days and what is required of the knights is different.

[But he still motions for her to follow him out into the yard. A single small plant sways in the breeze. It has a bell-shaped flower that hangs down giving off a soft blue light. Diluc's flower born of the ritual.]

Do you run that often? For exercise.

[serment]

( it's starting to become commonplace for catra to find diluc wherever he is at the house and just strike up a conversation. no greetings necessary or she didn't think they were anyway. she thinks they have been getting along well enough that it would be a waste of her time. )

Oh, yeah? You go soft or something?

( she follows behind him nonetheless, almost bouncing on her heels from all of the restless energy inside of her. her eyes flick to the flower sprouting out of the yard, but she doesn't acknowledge it. it sticks out like a sore thumb, however. )

Often enough. Sometimes there's barely anything else to do.

[searingwing]

[Even when he was a boy only Kaeya had ever just struck up conversations with him as they pleased. The lack of any airs is so refreshing he has gotten more comfortable in this house than he has been in...a long time. He lets the jibe slide by as he studies the street just outside their house. They could run down to the short wall at the far end easily.]

No, I went from group tactics to self-sufficiency. [He looks to her as he says it then adds,] This looks like a good course including a good way to get onto the rooftops. If you're interested we can go for this run, check the paths on the roofs and run up there.

[They already know them as Sleepers. They're expected to a little crazy. Leaning into it can't hurt.] I want to see the winds up there anyway.

◆ abby (bloodsport)

[serment]

( at this point, catra could say with absolute certainty that she is completely sick of passing out and waking up in weird places. it's almost starting to feel like an average part of her life and she cannot begin to express her distaste over it. she's sure that if she tried, she would just descend into a fit of screaming rage.

the only solace she has been able to find in it is that at least, at least they unleashed her into an arena where she could kick, claw, and bite to her heart's content. it didn't entirely make up for it, but it did make it somewhat more tolerable.

once it's all said and done, she finds herself resting outside with the rest of the would-be gladiators who had gotten their fill of the carnage. there is a woman near her, someone she remembers fighting before they'd unleashed monsters into the ring and they'd be forced to work together. )

You've got a tough right hook.

( an attempt at being nice. )

[armd]

... Thanks.

(it's a little begrudging; abby's arms bear evidence of being clawed once or twice, deep scratches decorating her skin in neat lines. they're tender, and stinging. she's thinking about how she really needs to disinfect them.

this woman isn't an enemy, and she knows that, so she's trying not to come off too grouchy. they're all caught up in something again, because this is what these places do to you. they wind you up tight, like toys, and watch you go. it's only annoying to abby because she was stupid enough to think that trench could be different. that it could be better.

at least her frantic need to fight seems to be quelled, for now.)

You've got... pointy claws.

[serment]

( while catra couldn't say that she felt guilty about clawing this girl, she didn't feel entirely comfortable with it either. it would have been different if she had entered any of this willingly, but everything just . . . happened. her opinion or even her consent on the matter hadn't really mattered.

she doesn't imagine that's unique either.

catra doesn't allow her gaze to linger long on the marks. neither does she think about the blood still in her mouth from where she'd been hit head on. )

Yeah, you noticed that? They're my best feature.

( a little sarcastic, but she laughs. )

Here.

( she isn't going to apologise, but she holds a bottle of water by its neck and extends it towards her. )

(( ooc: i'm real sorry for the delay!! a lot was happening. ))

◆ savage (bloodpsport)

[serment]

( after what must have been hours upon hours of fighting, catra is finally starting to feel a little more like herself. the restlessness has begun to fade, gradually easing its way out of her limbs, and her mind has started to clear as if a fog has been lifted. she's scratched up and tired, but she feels relaxed.

for the first time in days.

there are plenty of other would-be gladiators outside with her. most of them are patching up their wounds, some of them are drinking, and others are retelling their own victories in battle. then, there is one guy, who just seems to be taking it in. or maybe he's just tired? she remembers him, however, she remembers a large fight that he'd taken part in with her.

she remembers that he'd helped her and that she had used him as springboard once or twice. )

Hey.

( she begins, but she's immediately pulling a food bar out of her pocket to offer to him. )

Take this.

( as a token of thanks. )

Sorry for the delay!

[opress]

[Savage was used to fighting long and hard; this was honestly no different than the average day both on his home planet of Dathomir or partaking in the Clone Wars. Some battles were quick, some where drawn out. In the end, all that mattered was the victory and possibly learning something he might have not known before this.

He wasn't the type to bellow of victories nor spend much time on his wounds. His armour mostly protected him, and his pain tolerance was abnormally high even for the few nicks and scratches that he had received. Bruises were most of what he suffered from, but it was far better than how he left his enemies.

Normally people didn't approach him much. He turned his head at a female voice and then glanced down at the bar that she was offering him. Food?

He recalled her. She had been nimble, quick-footed and vicious with her claws. She hadn't hesitated in the fights, and she had used his significant height as a springboard to overtake one of his enemies and definitely some of hers. She didn't look too worse for wear.

He shook his horned head at her offer.]

Keep it. [He was naturally suspicious of people giving him things. Offerings always came with a cost.] You fought well. Not your first gladiators stint?

it's no problem, i had my own delays for a good bit there. orz;

[serment]

( ugh. he's being difficult.

she gets it, she does. she probably wouldn't have accepted it if the positions were reversed, especially since it could be poisoned or any number of things, but she would rather that he took it anyway. he doesn't need to eat it. just accept it.

she shakes the bar towards him. )

I'm not good at this whole "being nice" thing. But food's fine, right?

( as if to emphasise just how fine it is, she peels back the edge of the wrapper. pinching off the end of it, she throws the piece into her mouth with a remarkable degree of accuracy. )

You fought pretty hard yourself.

( she means that. there hadn't been too much time to spare to watch anyone else, but he had been a remarkable heavy hitter from what she could say.

then she shrugs, trying to pretend to be casual about it. maybe it works? )

. . . I've been a soldier a long time. It's all the same, isn't it? Just different stages.

◆ flynn, the other one (growing pains)

[serment]

( that's not normal.

for better or worse, catra has started to, on occasion, take little walks around the area. mostly it's to help get her bearings and better understand the layout of the place that was going to be her new home for the foreseeable future, but it's also just to calm her nerves.

today, her feet have lead her to the beach.

it's not a place that's high up on her list of places to be, but she catches sight of someone digging in the sand. her first thought is that they could be taking part is that whole ritual everyone is doing, but there is also the distinct possibility that it could be something else. another squid, maybe?

for that reason, she presses forward to approach. )

What do you think you're doing?

[fullmast]

[Flynn glances up at the sharp observation, offering her a bright smile despite the potentially less than friendly tone of her words. He holds up a lock of hair between his fingers that he's made into a little plat, before gesturing to the small hole he's dug before himself in turn.]

Ah. Afraid you've caught me! I'm sure you've heard folks going on in town about... You know.

[He makes a very vague gesture.]

Some bit about making a sacrifice of your past to look forward to your future or something of the sort. I'll be honest, I wasn't quite paying attention to the whole of it, but it sounds a noble cause, yeah? Plus!

[He waves a hand at the area around them.] If ever I had to do a ritual sacrifice of some part of myself, might as well do it somewhere with a nice view.

[serment]

( to her credit, catra patiently listens as this guy takes the time to answer the question she had asked. or demanded. same thing, really. his explanation, however, is pretty lacking. in more than just one way, but primarily in the sense department. )

So, you're just going to do it too then?

( is this some sort of thing where he's afraid to miss out? none of them could be sure what is really going to happen after taking part in this little ritual. really, she could argue that none of them had any reason to trust anyone here at all.

but that's not worth her time to talk about with a stranger. )

Or is this kind of thing just an average day to you?


(( ooc: sorry about the delay!! a lot was going on. ))