girlybruiser | 𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

[ So hard to be taken seriously as a cat-girl, a real struggle!

Catra's expression falls to something more neutral. Not quite relaxing, but not tensed like she's ready to jump or looking upset. ]

Oh. Yeah. Maru, or something, right?

It's weird. Lots of people here all know similar animals, similar names and places. From 'Earth' or something like that.

But no one's even heard of my planet.

Haru.

[ She gently corrects her; it's not really bothersome, not when they've only spoken the once. She figures for Catra, a girl like Haru doesn't stand out among the other humans, while Catra certainly sticks out among the other cafe patrons. ]

Earth is definitely a common one, but if you're not from there... what's the name of your home?

Right.

[ It was the once, a while ago now. Her ears swivel slightly, focusing in on the questions as her eyes flicker from the counter back to Haru. ]

It's called Etheria. Kinda weird place, not that much unlike here, in a way.

[ Her head tips, gesturing towards the counter. ]

So... What's the best thing you make here?

[ She feels bad for shaking her head, but no; it doesn't ring a bell at all.

Curious, how many of them are from some variant of Earth. ]

I would say the coffee, as I grow the beans myself. I hope that's not too boastful, but I'm quite proud of how far I've come with it.

[ But as for food... ]

Quiche slices or the mini bundt cake.

[ If Catra's neutral shrug is any indication, she's used to that part. There's only been one person that's arrived that knew her homeworld... and that was a face she was uncomfortably familiar with.

So, moving on without adieu. ]

I don't know. Is it hard to grow them? Doesn't really mean much to me.

But sure, uh.. Keesh, [ Quiche? ] and whatever way you like to drink your coffee?

Alright, I'll be back in a bit.

[ And while it takes a few, in between other customers and such, Haru eventually returns with a small slice of quiche and coffee she's added a little bit of milk into. There's a small serving of sugar on the side if Catra wants as well as... well.

Extra milk.

Because maybe she likes milk?? ]

Do you not have coffee on your planet then? What is it like?

[ Wow! The cat stereotyping!

She leans forward and sniffs a few times, eyes locked on the food before taking a testing sip of the coffee, quiet until she's let the taste linger for a bit.

Then more milk is added. Haru's hunch isn't wrong. With that, she cradles the cup between her hands for the warmth and finally looks up again. ]

Not that I know of. We got water and ration bars in the Horde. That was about it.

[ She shrugs like that's the most normal thing in the world, one more sip, then a carefully nibbled bite at the Quiche. Overall? She seems pretty satisfied. Even flashing a brief grin. ]

Most of the food here's pretty good, by comparison.
[ There's a glimpse of cat-like fangs in between bites. #not cute. ]
Is this the kind of stuff you had in your world?

May I?

[ Haru motions to the table across Catra, needing to pull a chair closer to the lounge chair she's seated on. It's fine; nobody is using that table at the moment and she could use a few minutes to rest her feet. ]

Much of it, yes. This world isn't like mine, but some things are from a more outdated time.

[ But circling back to what Catra said before: ]

What is the Horde?

Sure-

[ Unfussed, while Haru's getting a seat ready, Catra finishes off the quiche, pulling the coffee into her palms once more and folding her legs up on the seat like she might disappear into the winged backs if given the chance. ]

Right... Like Cafe's, and coffee, things like that?

[ Her tail flickers, draping across her own lap as those sharp eyes glance over Haru, not quite a frown, then out to scan the rest of the cafe. ]

The Horde's an army.

[ She says it so plainly, like it's a side note. ]

[ She nods quietly, but seems a bit more focused on Catra's response now, her brows pinching toward one another. ]

Army?

[ If Catra is discussing rations, then it could only mean one thing. ]

Are you military?

Is there any other kind?

[ That brief sharpness softens, perhaps aware that was a bit harsher than it needed to be. Her gaze falls to her drink, lingering between sips. ]

Yeah. Never really new much else.

[ Haru isn't unused to that kind of temperament, reminded somewhat of how frazzle Mona can get when he feels put on the spot in way he doesn't enjoy.

But she remains patient, letting Catra continue. ]

Did you fight in a war or were you in the reserves?

[ She can't imagine Catra as a soldier, but then again, the other girl also isn't from Earth. Who knows what kind of army that looks like on another planet? ]

[ She can't? It's strange. Those feline features must put people off. Or perhaps her clothes hide how tense she normally is. Between claws that lightly clink against the mug and sharp eyes that look intensely even when somewhat relaxed.

The question earns a confused look, her tail flickers to one side. ]

What 'reserves'? Of course I fought. Everyone does.

[ Her gaze narrows, there's a silent accusation there, like she's reading the hidden thought. Then Catra's shoulder sink as she lets out a breath it was hard to tell she was holding in, focusing in on her drink again with another sip. ]

It doesn't matter. None of that's here.

Edited 2025-11-20 03:36 (UTC)

[ It's clear it's not ideal to broach the subject any further, so Haru gives Catra an apologetic look and then gazes off to the side, watching one of the customers put aside their mug and thank her for the coffee before they exit out the door. ]

Yes, we can focus on other things here if we'd like. A friend of mine told me when I first arrived to try and take advantage of this world and do things we wouldn't be able to back home.

[ It's more fine than she may realize, but Catra does come off as a bit prickly at first, in general. It'll come with time. ]

Huh? Sure.

So, you opened a cafe? You couldn't do that back home?

I'm still getting my degree for business management back home. There's a lot of paperwork and other things that go into running a business.

[ But as she looks around her cafe, lush with greenery and the cozy ambience, she smiles to herself.

Her chest swell with pride, too. ]

But to be able to sort of jump in and do it here... it's been my dream to run a cafe with fresh food and drink that makes people happy.

Mh-

[ An empty mug's eventually set aside, Catra's expression one of just... uncertainty. Like the notion of following a dream like that, or the dream being to make people happy feels unfamiliar.

The initial urge to smirk or say something snarky gets pushed away, then her eyes trail off. ]

Doesn't seem like you need much paper here, right?

Which is sort of nice! Not that I would do the same back home; I understand how important it is to follow the regulations for operating a business serving food and drink.

[ And not cut corners like her father had done with Okumura Foods. She has much to make up for and she's glad it's worked out in this world. ]

Do you work here, Catra?

Is it? Sounds like made-up rules. A lot of effort to just run a good place.

[ Not that she's saying this place is good. Or... not that she's saying it directly. Her gaze keeps on drifting, lingeering on that fluffy canine with a quiet curiosity. Perhaps amusement. ]

Not really... Sometimes I do quests.
I can take care of myself just fine-

[ By a certain definition of fine, certainly. She pushes that instinctive defensiveness away. ]

What do you think of this place, anyway?

This reality, you mean?

[ She quiets for a brief moment, mulling over her answer. It's not the first time she had been asked, but the question posed reminds her her stance hasn't changed much in months.

Especially with what the Labyrinth put her through in the summer. All the illusions she was forced to endure and over? ]

It's a strange world, for certain. I understand for many it's freedom or a new chance at life.

[ But- ]

However, I do think there's some caution needed.

[ Eventually, those mismatched eyes return, the slight frown on her lips perhaps indicative of how she feels already. ]

Probably, we don't even know why we're still here.

[ Her tail thumps to one side, legs drawing up so her arms can wrap around them. ]

Would you leave, if you could?

[ Haru's brows furrow somewhat, but her expression remains neutral even as her answer is probably much quicker than what Catra may be anticipating: ]

It would be hard to say goodbye to the friends I hold dear to me.

[ And the prospect of her memories being taken from her. Maruki, Neil, Dolph, Owain, Chihaya... and everything she's experienced with Akira, all gone in the blink of an eye.

It's daunting, certainly.

But there's a steely resolution in Haru's large, brown eyes, drifting somewhere else for a moment.

To home. To Hyodo Mariko. ]

I have things I must finish back home.

[ She lets that linger in the air, before returning the question: ]

What about you? Do you want to leave?

Things like?

[ Aw crap. Who could have forseen her overly personal questions being used against her. Catra's ears twitch, and there's a strange pressure of her definitely watching Haru for a long moment, like she's taking something in.

Then a sidelong glance that falls away, arms pulling her legs slightly closer. ]

I don't know... I'd rather not have to decide.

[ There's a pause, lips parted, debating what she's going to say next. ]

... This place sucks.
But it's better here.

[ What a fun atmosphere they're left in, awkward silence that seems to fill the corner. ]

[ It's then her expression falters as Mari-san's image presents itself clearly in her mind's eye.

Have you forgotten you work for the most powerful woman in Sapporo Central?

A sharp tone that actually digs like a blade into the poor, frightened man. Haru almost winces thinking about it all over. It's been months, but it's fresh in her mind. ]

I need to help someone. I've heard from a friend I'm able to do so, but it's my future that I haven't experienced yet.

[ Her expression falls again, this time sympathetic for Catra's sentiments. ]

Better than home? You wouldn't be the first to say so. I think that's okay to admit.

[ She's curious, but the explanation's starting to sound like situations and words she's unfamiliar with. There's a hint that even if she had the details it wouldn't mean anything. So, Catra stores that away for later.

Her tail twitches, a small, slightly more intuitive grumpy thumping behind her as it curls and taps between their chairs, and she lets out a sigh that's almost a groan. ]

It's a low bar.
But... I guess all the more reason to try and enjoy this, right?

Even if this place makes it hard.

[ She shifts, finally sliding to her feet as more customers come in, giving Haru a quick glance. ]

Anyway... I'll let you get back to your cafe.
Uh.
Thanks-

she tries ♡

girlybruiser - 2025-11-24 02:38 (UTC) - Expand

Fin! This was cute

heterochromeow - 2025-11-24 02:54 (UTC) - Expand

𝓵𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓾𝓶 ❀ 𝓲𝓷𝓫𝓸𝔁

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bless Haru and her patience for this cat

she tries ♡

Fin! This was cute