maskormenacelogs | [OPEN] the cat returns

WHO: Catra, mayhaps YOU?
WHERE: cat cafe, De Chima library, some De Chima street
WHEN: October
WHAT: going about her catte life, having the sads
WARNINGS: None so far!

1. Royal Purrincess Cat Café

[ Yes, wonder of wonders, somehow Catra is still employed. Or, to be fully correct: employed again. She was fired for a hot second, but her fandom staged an uproar when word got around. And so, to the dismay of her coworkers, she is back in her corner, napping or playing with the cats, and mostly staying out of the service area because she has received a solid warning.

Why is she putting up with this? It's an easy, cushy job. She barely has to actually do anything and there are a bunch of cats -- or, the coworkers that actually like her.

Interact at own risk. ]

2. De Chima Library

[ Who would've thought? Catra, back at the library. Of course, she's doing it her way: she's brought snacks and drinks and hunkered down in a corner in the comics section, laughing audibly whenever something funny happens in the comic she's reading.

There is plenty of empty space around her, as she's gained some notoriety with the general populace of imPort cities and no one really wants to disturb her. She is quite happy with this and keeps reading, snacking and laughing. ]

3. De Chima street

[ The days since Riptide has disappeared keep stretching longer and longer. It's been over a week, making the likelihood of him returning ever lesser, and for some reason, Catra is feeling pretty morose right now. Of course, those two things have nothing to do with each other.

It's not like she liked him.

It's not like they were friends.

It's not like he was one of the few people who saw her for who she was and didn't leave.

So there's no particular reason at all why she's stomping down a street, glaring at anyone who dares to look at her, kicking a soda can that happens to be in her way. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[the first and last thing Cecelia wants right now is to be seen. that singing thing? awful. dreadful. she'd vowed never to set foot outside her room ever again, but that...turned out to be impractical. it just meant she wears a lot of bandannas and over-sized sunglasses wherever she goes to evade detection, making ever possible effort to not say a word.

it's a struggle, especially with a customer service gig. honestly, who has it worse than she does?! gods, she just wants to grab something to take home to eat, crawl into her room, and hide away with her nine different sets of nail polish and--]

Ffh-oh!

[she squeaks, getting nearly bowled over by the stomping cat crossing her path. in her hurry to press up against a wall and evade her, her glasses pop off her face and clatter to the ground.]

[ Catra is pretty stuck in her haze of sulk, but that squeak -- well, it's familiar enough to catch her attention. She turns around to the person who has just narrowly evaded her and -- well. ]

Oh. Hey, Freckles.

Cecelia. [she huffs it a bit, bending down to collect her glasses before they can get stepped on.] What are you in such a hurry for?

[ The huff is mutual! Catra digs her hands deeper into the pockets of the jacket she has once more taken to wearing. ]

I'm not in a hurry.

You have the air of it, in any case. [she squints at her, actually taking a second to take stock of her.] Or an air of...something. I suppose. I don't know.

[she means to say something more, but she accidentally makes eye-contact with a stranger, looks distressed about it, and hastily shoves her sunglasses back on and starts to hustle.]

Nevermindthen.

[ In response, Catra just snorts derisively. ]

Whatever. Sorry to disturb you.

[it is just their natural state of fate and/or luck that even if she is trying to make a hasty getaway...they...are going in the same direction. that's just how it be.

while bending the brim of her hat down to obscure her face from street view:]

Dare I even ask what bee is in your bonnet today? You're surlier than usual.

[ Oh no, is that concern Cecelia is voicing? How inconvenient. Catra doesn't exactly want to Talk About It. She never does, except when she goes into a rant.

She evades Cecelia's eyes. ]

I'm fine.

I mean, you're not? But whatever. It's not my job to tell you explain anything or what to do. [she squints as she comes up to the crossing, having to slow down with the light change.] Apparently there are people for that who, like. Do that for a living or whatever. Gods, they must be insane.

[ Catra shrugs. ] I have no idea what you're talking about, but whatever. And why are you following me anyway?

The porter is this way, you know. I want to get back to Heropa before someone notices me, okay?

[ That earns her a confused look and an annoyed sigh. ]

Why don't you want to be noticed now? Are those girls after you again? [ A beat, then a smirk. ] I could teach them a lesson for you if you want.

As much as I'd actually love that, no. No, not them. Good riddance, honestly. [she sighs, starting to cross.] No, this...song-curse got the better of me in public places, and I mean very much to avoid another mishap that gets recorded.

It made you sing?

[ A sly smirk appears on Catra's lips as she leans closer. ]

What'd you sing about?

[she veers a bit, narrowly missing bonking into the cross light.] Omigawds, as if I'd ever tell you?! I'm never speaking of it again, thanks! It took all of my energy to even set foot outside today, are you kidding me?

[ Catra laughs and claps a hand on Cecelia's shoulder. ]

Wow. That must've been a number!

[she bristles and wobbles a little with the weight of the hand, shooting her a scowl.]

Why is it that my misery just delights you so? You must spend quite a lot of time watching videos of people being absolutely embarrassing just for sport.

[ A beat as Catra thinks of watching such videos. ]

Hmm... nah, that wouldn't be as funny.

[ But she mercifully lets go of Cecelia. ]

Wow. [just dripping in grim sarcasm:] So I can put personal minstrel on a resume and use you as the reference. Good to know.

Personal what?

[ Yeah, that's word Catra hasn't heard before. ]

[she scoffs, shooting her a Look. but a beat later, she grimaces.

right. child soldier. not a whole lot of vaudeville in the military, is there?]

...Like a jester. Clown. [she's seen those about, right?]

Oh, right. Those things.

[ Another smirk. ]

I mean, feel free, if you want. I can write you a letter of recommendation if you need it.

[EYEROLL AND A SCOFF.]

Don't strain yourself on my behalf; gods forbid it. [why is it that the key to perking up her mood is dunking on Cecelia. rude and unfair, honestly.] Besides, I've almost got that stupid store in a tolerable state; if I leave now, I only cast myself out into tumultuous seas, so to speak.

[ Rude and unfair, but unfortunately real. ]

But think of your untapped potential!

[u g h.]

Like you would even know! Gods. You roll your eyes at half the stuff I like anyway, so don't even tease me!

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