New Hire Encryption; text

[heterochrocatic]

hey what's up? it's Catra.

Just a quick little announcement, punishment kind of sucks. it hurts. a lot.

but washburn is a fucking coward who wasn't ready to deal with what it meant to actually torture someone so I guess that's a plus.

yeah anyway i recommend avoiding punishment if you can especially after doing a double dose on Planker's psychotic obstacle course.

not that it's going to stop me from breaking the rules or anything.

Comments

[71lines]

It is a mystery.

[Or it will be until Tenten pops up, holding a little. Hey, Catra, you ever smelled fresh bread? Because that's definitely coming from whatever Tenten's wrapped in paper towels.

Even though Tenten somehow missed the obstacle course, she looks bone tired. Work to do, work to do. And not enough food to support that work.]

Knock knock.

[Yes, there's no privacy. And Catra's probably not in the mood for jokes. But Tenten's not gonna just barge in, even when she's bearing gifts. Ones that she'll part the towels just enough to show off. Little bread rolls made with tomato bread.]

[heterochrocatic]

[ Sniff, sniff, sniff. Catra quirks an ear and an eyebrow, leans forward to sniff at the compelling scent wafting from Tenten's parcel. ]

What?

[ She's still bone-tired, exhausted even from the ordeal she'd been through. She's dressed in a fresh set of the PT clothes--what passes for 'comfortable' around here. ]

...Whoa.

[ Squint. ]

Are those supposed to be cats?

[71lines]

Yeah?

[Hopefully that's not like, offensive or anything. They may not look as good as the picture, though. Tenten doesn't usually go for ornamentation on her food.]

I thought it'd be cute. It's kind of dumb, I guess, but whatever?

[Tenten figures that giving Catra something 'safe' (read as not Planker-related or directed at anyone except someone who's purposefully opened herself up for it) to mock would probably help. And if Catra doesn't hate it, hey. So much the better.]

Bread's pretty simple, it just takes time to make right. If you like it, we can sneak into the kitchen again?

[heterochrocatic]

Pff. You're a dork.

[ Catra picks up one of the still-warm rolls and takes a bite, chewing with a thoughtful tilt of her head. ]

It's good.

[ She goes quiet for a long few moments, simply eating her snack. Then, finally, she speaks again. ]

Not right now. I'm tired. And everything still hurts.

[71lines]

I'm wounded.

[But she says it with a smile. And then nods, spreading her hands in a small gesture.]

It's probably not that necessary, since it's not really, y'know. Something you can make in the field. Making a dough's a lot of arm work, anyway.

[And, having seen the Planker Rooms everyone got run through, Tenten can see that would be a bit of an issue. Punishment aside.]

I really wish you guys were here with Sakura instead of me. Not that I'd wish this place on her, but... [She shrugs a little.] I can't even do acupuncture without my kit. Her skills would be a lot more useful here.

[heterochrocatic]

[ Catra continues scarfing down the roll, then goes for a second. Omf, nomf. ]

It's whatever.

[ Catra is trying real hard to blow off the concern for her. It makes her itch, like she's done something to trick people into wanting to look after her. Or that she looks weak accepting their sympathy. Their pity. ]

I've been hurt before. I'll get better.

[71lines]

Well, it's not just her healing abilities. She knows a lot more about poisons than I do. Enough to take me by surprise with a dose.

[She still thinks that was stupid of Sakura, but she can kind of understand. Just a little, though. And Catra can probably pick up what she's laying down with that poison talk.

Tenten sneaks a roll for herself. It's cute, fite her.]

She's also got this trick where she can scout out sections of buildings just by feeling it out with her chakra. It's amazing.

[heterochrocatic]

That last one sounds useful.

[ Catra is on her third roll now. Nomfnomfnomf. ]

And the first one. For reasons.

[71lines]

I'm no slouch with poisons, but she's a genius.

[She really was. Tenten's well aware that she can't compare, and, while it does sting, Sakura's still someone she's happy to count as a friend.

She leans in and lightly bumps Catra's shoulder with her own and offers up a teasing grin.]

Eat these too fast and you might choke.

[heterochrocatic]

I won't choke.

[ Catra protests as she practically inhales another bun. She's hungry after all the shit she's been through, on top of not getting enough to eat normally. ]

[71lines]

[She snorts, but doesn't protest. If worse came to worst, she'd just have to pound the older girl on the back a few times.

She leans against the wall, nibbling slowly at her roll. She wants more, but Catra needs it more.]

You want me to cover for you tomorrow? It's not something I could do a lot of, but showing your face where you're supposed to be won't be too much of a hassle.

[Her voice is casual, as is her expression. This wasn't a problem, her voice wants to say. And Tenten's very carefully keeping her face from showing any sign of pity or concern. Just a minor favor after all, right? Right.

Catra was prickly, sure, but maybe if she could manage to avoid any 'I'm feeling sorry for you' vibes this might work out.]