Well, good friends, it's that time again! 😃
Thus far in Episode 74:
Entrapta and Wink arrived back at the Chamber of the Heart, where Matilda has rested in silence . . . waiting for them. Part One
This week's chapter is much longer than last, so we can go deeper into the episode, and it has some character moments that I hope you will enjoy.
Also, the welcome return of a couple of key characters that were strangely missing in the last episode!
My dedication this week is to the kind and talented Dori ( @DoriLeFish )!
I hope this will please you, Dori! I thought you would be interested, for reasons that will probably be apparent to you. 😊
And also, I will ping a few more ( @Jackfngn , @WhenYou'reTheOnly1WhoUnderstandsCatra , and @RizingStars ) just because I think there may be something here they'll like, too!
But, whoever reads this, I think you will be glad you did!
Prepare to smile, and thank you for your support!
An atmosphere of calm imbues the clean, white brilliance of the quiet hallways in Castle Bright Moon. Stillness and order reign throughout, from the steady assurance of the soberly cowled figures who guard her peace, to the even brightness illuminating each corridor, to the soft tapping of Adora’s reassuring footsteps as she walks beside Catra on their way.
Adora holds her girlfriend’s hand with a loose surety: a warmth and confidence born of faithful trial and passage through fire, emerging with a strength no longer dependent upon desperation and struggle.
Catra holds her girlfriend’s hand with gentle firmness: a proof of trust and dedication to the love they share, as well as a promise. A promise perhaps too painful and honest for words.
They are smiling, each one in her own way, with a feeling that, at least for now, everything is right in their world.
Catra feels a squeeze on her hand. She glances up to meet Adora’s beaming eyes.
Adora: [with quiet excitement] Come on!
And Adora breaks into a run, holding tightly to her lover’s hand, pulling her along behind her as they take off tearing through the hallways!
Catra giggles, matching Adora’s pace, then seizing the lead, escalating their energy as Adora pushes forward, playfully sparring with her to be the front-runner of the race. Yet they hold tightly, like they would never let go of one another. And together in the moment, it’s as if they’re flying!
As they rush by one of the Bright Moon guards, her robes swish in the current of air, and her head turns slightly to watch them pass.
They turn a corner sharply to enter a perpendicular hallway, and they nearly collide with another guard coming toward them.
Adora: [in surprise] Whoop!
Catra springs upward to leap off of the wall beside the guard, while Adora jumps up and toward the other side. They raise their arms, without letting go of their clasped hands, forming an archway that passes over the head of the guard during the second they are off the ground.
Catra: [defiantly amused] Hah!
The guard ducks slightly, then turns to watch them land and bound off. They shake their head after them in mild bewilderment.
Both girls are laughing riotously as they stagger to a stop at the entrance to the Council Chamber. A pair of guards attending either side of the open doorway perform small, courteous bows.
Catra pokes her head into the room and looks around.
Catra: Nope.
Adora takes a glance, too.
Adora: [brightly] Nope! Let’s check her room!
The girls turn, and they are off and running.
As they pelt further down the hallway, it is as if they are touching childhood again, their laughter rising with renewed energy.
Halfway down another hallway, they slow to a panting halt, their giggles subsiding.
Glimmer’s doors are slightly ajar, and the light is on.
Adora peeks through the gap, and she sees Glimmer at her desk, leaning forward and huddled over some papers. Adora frowns and withdraws.
Adora: [to Catra, in a quiet voice] She looks like she’s working. Maybe we shouldn’t bother her right now.
Catra leans in to take a look through the gap in the doorway.
Catra: [considering] Hmmm. [confidently] Iiiiiii don’t think we need to worry.
She straightens up, opens the door, and steps in.
Adora puts a hand on her shoulder, frowning.
Adora: Catra, shouldn’t we . . .
Catra ignores her, shrugging off her hand and striding boldly into the room.
Catra: [calmly] It’s fine, Adora.
She walks right up to Glimmer’s side, with Adora following closely.
Glimmer is slumped forward, her forehead resting against her forearms, which are draped across the surface of her desk. She is breathing slowly and deeply.
Catra puts a hand on her hip, gesturing to Glimmer with the other.
Catra: [to Adora] See? She’s not working. She’s asleep. So, we’re not bothering her.
Catra places her palm heavily on Glimmer’s shoulder as she speaks.
Catra: Isn’t that right, your majesty?
At the touch of Catra’s hand on her shoulder, Glimmer springs upright, eyes wide!
Glimmer: [startled] Huaahh! Whaz-goin’-on?!
Catra smirks at this with wicked sweetness.
Adora steps forward, touching Glimmer’s arm, reassuringly.
Adora: It’s just us, Glimmer!
Glimmer turns to look at Adora, then Catra, with tired eyes. She slumps again, her eyes drooping slightly.
Glimmer: [groaning] Nggggh.
Adora and Catra step back slightly, as Glimmer reaches way over her head and stretches upward, eyes closed. She drops her hands down and begins rubbing her eyes industriously.
Glimmer: [sighing] Hooo! I guess -- [through a yawn] I must have fallen asleep! So . . .
Blinking blearily several times, Glimmer opens her eyes wide and then turns in her chair to stare at her friends, frowning in concentration.
Glimmer: What’s up?
Catra glances at Adora, who smiles and steps a little closer to Glimmer.
Adora: [with nervous, controlled excitement] There’s . . . something I wanted to tell you about the magic. [hastily] Something good.
Glimmer’s eyes brighten a little.
Glimmer: Oh?
She stands up, clasping her hands together, her eyes widening.
Glimmer: What is it?
Adora glances to Catra, who nods with a little smile. She looks back to Glimmer, eyes slightly downcast.
Adora: [a little sheepishly] I should have told you before. [pause] I visited Razz yesterday, in the Whispering Woods.
Glimmer looks at her blankly. Adora shakes her head.
Adora: You never met her. But she’s really smart and wise. And she knows a lot about Etheria and its magic. She told me . . . she said that the magic wasn’t really lost. And . . . [quietly] she’s right.
Adora holds her hand out for Glimmer to see. Slowly, she opens her hand wide, revealing a palm with glittering energy making tiny rainbow sparks.
Glimmer’s eyes grow big with wonder and excitement.
Adora slowly relaxes, and the sparkles fade.
Glimmer: [with a thrill] Adora! That’s wonderful!
Glimmer puts her own hands out in front of her and stares at them, turning her palms downward and then upward again, wiggling the fingers.
She frowns disappointedly, then looks up at Adora.
Glimmer: I don’t get it.
Glimmer paces away from them, toward the center of her room. She stops, holding out her hands and staring again.
Adora: [a little unsure, but trying to be encouraging] I . . . don’t think it’s something that can be forced. Or even fully controlled. It just . . .
She glances at Catra with a melancholy frown.
Adora: It just is . . . I think.
Glimmer shakes her head sadly.
Glimmer: That’s not very easy for me.
Adora: I’m sorry.
Glimmer: No.
Glimmer turns back toward Adora, with a small sad smile.
Glimmer: You’re talking about being patient. I get it. It’s just . . . kinda hard.
She tenses her jaw with emotion, shaking her head slightly.
Glimmer: I’ve had magic all my life. My mom was the queen of Bright Moon, and magic was a big part of how she led.
Glimmer holds her arms to herself as she looks downwards in remembrance.
Glimmer: She used it when she led the Alliance into battle. She used it to protect the castle. [mournfully] To inspire her people. And . . .
Her eyes glitter with emotion.
Glimmer: [heavily] I’ve always used magic. It’s a part of who I am. In fact . . . [quietly] I’m not really sure who I am without it.
Adora frowns sympathetically, with a quick glance to Catra. She reaches a hand out, as if to comfort Glimmer.
Adora: [tentatively] I . . . I think what she was saying --
Catra steps forward, interrupting, and Adora falls silent.
Catra: [firmly, with kindness] Look. Sparkles.
Glimmer looks up to meet her eyes, questioningly.
Catra: [continuing with the same tone] I. Have never. Had magic.
Glimmer blinks at her with a mixture of caring and vulnerability.
Catra: [cooly] I had determination. And strength. And will. That’s all.
Adora steps up beside her, now focused on what her girlfriend is saying.
Catra: I commanded an army and fought a war. I fought hard. [gritting her teeth] I fought so hard that I nearly destroyed myself. Because nothing was going to stop me. Not even myself.
Catra averts her gaze, a hard look in her eyes.
Catra: [softly] I’m not proud of any of it. Now.
Catra looks back to meet Glimmer’s eyes.
Catra: But I did it. [pause, emphatically] Without magic.
Catra closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and sighs.
When she opens her eyes again, there is nothing there but friendship, trust, and affection directed at Glimmer.
Catra: You have everything that I had then. But you have something more, . . . your majesty. [shaking her head] Something I never . . . [stopping herself] . . . something I lost.
Glimmers lips part with an unspoken question.
Catra: [admiringly] You have love.
She holds out her hand to Glimmer, urging her.
Catra: And you have friendship.
Glimmer takes her hand, smiling.
Catra: You have everything you need to be . . . a great leader, and . . .
Adora steps forward, placing a hand on Catra’s shoulder, smiling at her with tender pride, then turning to Glimmer, offering her a hand as well.
Adora: [completing Catra’s words] And a great friend.
Glimmer takes Adora’s hand with her free hand, as Catra glances at Adora, smiling.
Catra: [warmly] Yeah.
Adora: [to Glimmer with conviction] And I know that the magic will return . . . It’ll be there when you need it.
Glimmer nods gratefully to them.
Glimmer: [to Adora] I know you’re right.
Turning to Catra.
Glimmer: [to Catra] And everything you said . . . about what I have . . . and about who I am . . .
Glimmer grins widely, the tears brimming in her eyes.
Glimmer: That’s really all I want right now.
And all at once, Glimmer steps in, putting her arms around both of her friends, and bringing them into her embrace. The three of them hold one another, as Glimmer whispers tearfully.
Glimmer: [softly] Thank you.
There is a gentle knock at the door, and Bow peeks his head in, seeing his friends.
Bow: [hesitantly] Glimmer?
Glimmer pulls back at once from the embrace, turning toward the door, her expression alight!
Glimmer: [joyfully] Bow!!
She runs the few steps to him, her leg brace clicking softly with each stride, and she throws her arms around her boyfriend, holding him to her with fierce affection!
Bow: Glimmer!
Glimmer nuzzles his cheek lovingly with her own. She takes a deep breath and sighs his name.
Glimmer: Oh, Bow! It’s been . . .
Bow: [smiling, with cheerful practicality] A day, Glimmer. Only a day.
Glimmer: Feels like forever!
Adora and Catra share a pleased look, grinning silently to each other.
Glimmer leans back from Bow to look him in the eyes, holding his waist firmly in her hands.
Glimmer: [with emphasis] A lot has happened since you were gone.
Bow nods to her with a knowing expression.
Bow: I kinda figured. [tentatively, frowning] So, . . . about Entrapta . . .
Glimmer: [looking heavenward] Entrapta is only the half of it!
Glimmer steps back, holding Bow’s hand to lead him into the room. She looks from him to her friends and back.
Glimmer: Let’s all talk. We need to catch you up.
