Catra doesn't really have time to feel bad about making no moves whatsoever to help Adora out during their struggle to remain atop the creature during its roll, survival instincts ramped all the way up the way they are. There is so much noise, everywhere, from the creature crushing everything in its path and the trees being logged and Catra's own ragged breaths as she desperately claws her way up, and up, and up; panicked by the thought of even for a second being too slow to stay up top.
She almost ends up on the other side of it, caught up in the need to keep moving; but she skids to a stop on its top, fur matted with the creature's sap and bits of bark and managing to be bristling despite it. The golden glow reaches her shortly after, and as ever she finds herself relaxing under the magic's power, breathing deep as the burning in her muscles and chest fades and the panic is washed away.
She expects Adora to stop once the creature is healed, which - in hindsight - was probably never going to happen. As soon as the magic reaches the ground, Catra creeps carefully across the creature's restored hide, her tail steadying her balance and gripping with the soft pads of her fingers and toes instead of bracing with her claws. She's there by the time Adora begins to tremble, and she hesitates at first (this is her fault, does Adora actually want her there?) before brushing her hand over Adora's shoulder in a silent bid for her to stop.
Adora does not stop, because she never does, and Catra feels nothing but guilty in the (literal) light of She-ra's restorative powers.
It's the least she can do to take Adora's weight when she sags, and she negotiates Adora's arm around her shoulders with eyes messy with apology, wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her and her other hand rising and pausing by the stray strands of blonde that have fallen from her poof.
Catra lowers that hand again and swallows, looking away without touching them.
Melog returns as soon as they're set on the ground, twining between Adora's feet with an echoing trill of concern before growing in size until they're large enough for her to either brace on or ride, as needed.
There isn't the usual excitement or applause that Catra's come to expect whenever Adora performs miracles like this, and she does not guide Adora forward a single step further than what's necessary to put a little distance between them and the now content forest creature. She eyes the people suspiciously instead, and her ears twitch as she tries to pick up some of the hurried whispers breaking out among them.
"She-ra..." "...supposed to be a legend..." "The Destroyer--" "--do you think she's come for us?"
"Adora," she mutters in warning, wishing they had some time for Adora to recover before needing to put her through what is apparently going to be a rather cold reception. "I don't think they're fans of yours."
No sooner have the words left her lips that Adam steps forward. Despite having grappled with the bulk of his shock while also grappling Catra, there's still a good amount of surprise in his eyes; though to his credit, he seems to be trying to overcome it as he comes to stand in front of them, before turning to the crowd.
"Everyone," he says genially, like they're not all waiting with fear for Adora to turn into a rampaging murderous monster. "This is my sister, Adora. I think we're going to be taking her home for some rest, now."
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She almost ends up on the other side of it, caught up in the need to keep moving; but she skids to a stop on its top, fur matted with the creature's sap and bits of bark and managing to be bristling despite it. The golden glow reaches her shortly after, and as ever she finds herself relaxing under the magic's power, breathing deep as the burning in her muscles and chest fades and the panic is washed away.
She expects Adora to stop once the creature is healed, which - in hindsight - was probably never going to happen. As soon as the magic reaches the ground, Catra creeps carefully across the creature's restored hide, her tail steadying her balance and gripping with the soft pads of her fingers and toes instead of bracing with her claws. She's there by the time Adora begins to tremble, and she hesitates at first (this is her fault, does Adora actually want her there?) before brushing her hand over Adora's shoulder in a silent bid for her to stop.
Adora does not stop, because she never does, and Catra feels nothing but guilty in the (literal) light of She-ra's restorative powers.
It's the least she can do to take Adora's weight when she sags, and she negotiates Adora's arm around her shoulders with eyes messy with apology, wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her and her other hand rising and pausing by the stray strands of blonde that have fallen from her poof.
Catra lowers that hand again and swallows, looking away without touching them.
Melog returns as soon as they're set on the ground, twining between Adora's feet with an echoing trill of concern before growing in size until they're large enough for her to either brace on or ride, as needed.
There isn't the usual excitement or applause that Catra's come to expect whenever Adora performs miracles like this, and she does not guide Adora forward a single step further than what's necessary to put a little distance between them and the now content forest creature. She eyes the people suspiciously instead, and her ears twitch as she tries to pick up some of the hurried whispers breaking out among them.
"She-ra..."
"...supposed to be a legend..."
"The Destroyer--"
"--do you think she's come for us?"
"Adora," she mutters in warning, wishing they had some time for Adora to recover before needing to put her through what is apparently going to be a rather cold reception. "I don't think they're fans of yours."
No sooner have the words left her lips that Adam steps forward. Despite having grappled with the bulk of his shock while also grappling Catra, there's still a good amount of surprise in his eyes; though to his credit, he seems to be trying to overcome it as he comes to stand in front of them, before turning to the crowd.
"Everyone," he says genially, like they're not all waiting with fear for Adora to turn into a rampaging murderous monster. "This is my sister, Adora. I think we're going to be taking her home for some rest, now."