Adora's gaze escapes downwards again, almost guilty. It's just-- the way Catra can say those things so easily, completely detached from that twisting clump of knots that makes up all of Adora's thoughts, her duties, her regrets. It makes Adora wish she could step outside her own head for once, just so she could see things Catra's way. So she could really believe it wholesale when she says this isn't your fault, or it doesn't always have to be you.

But she can't.

"It's not that simple, Catra. Even if we're different, we're both still She-ra, and..." She releases the admission on a sigh, so heavy it slumps her shoulders. "I believe she was right. She was faced with an impossible decision, and she made the least destructive choice. If it were me back then, I can't imagine doing anything different."

Adora's back straightens as she speaks, body growing rigid with conviction. "I mean, I shattered the sword. I disabled the Heart. I didn't want to be a pawn in the First Ones' plans any more than Mara did. So if to them, she's a traitor, I'm... just as bad."