Chapter Text
"Why are we doing this again?' Catra grumbled as she walked through the thick foliage of the Whispering woods. She didn't even know why she was there. One minute she was curled up snugly in her bed the next her father banged on the door and told her they were going on a walk.
"As a Princess of Halfmoon you need to meet All of your subjects'' Leondus chuckled at her annoyance and cut the vines that blocked their way. "There are people outside of the city that call the Whispering Woods home, as such they are living under our watch so it is time that you meet the neighbors''.
"Joy…" Catra rolled her eyes and scoffed. She didn't care who these neighbors were, as far as she was concerned it was too damn early for this.
The path opened up as the two continued their walk. The royals soon found themselves in a small clearing with many scattered berry bushes sitting in the place, and on the edge was a small run down house with smoke wafting out of the chimney laceced with a delicious smell Catra had yet to experience.
"This is our first stop today." The king explained walking up to the door."Now do mind your manners Catra this lady is quite old and bad with names do forgive her eccentricities as well."
Leondus then politely knocked on the door. "Razz are you home? It's Leo." There was a loud rattling and the telltale sounds of falling pots, and pans, before the door to the cottage opened revealing a small pink bespectacled old woman holding a broom.
The old woman referred to as Razz squinted and adjusted her thick glasses. "Lion-O dear you are just in time to help Madame Razz make the pie!" Madame Razz cheered happily before she looked at Catra. "Oh you brought little Clawdeen with you! With three people working together this pie will be the best yet!" Razz then grabbed onto Catra's arm and pulled her inside as Leondus cracked a smile.
"Woah let go of me lady!" Catra squeaked out in surprise. "And you got the wrong Magicat! I'm CATRA not this Clawdeen woman!" Catra tried to gently slide herself out of the grip but to no avail, she was certain if she tried the force it she could escape but she did not want to hurt this crazy old lady...at least not at the moment.
Once Catra was pulled inside she was in awe of her surroundings. The inside of the cottage was very cluttered, this old lady had weird junk everywhere, as messy and small the place was Catra could not call it cramped it felt..warm..cozy even.
Madame Razz then disappeared into the kitchen and began to throw all manner of objects over her head whilst picking out her supplies.
"What's on the agenda today Razz?" Leondus laughed, not at all surprised by the old woman's antics.
"Why blueberry pie, Lion-O." Razz answered having found what she needed and set up three areas to work. "Now everyone in position, Lion-O you and Clawdeen work on the filling And I will make the crust."
Overall Catra had to say she found the experience fun. Apparently pie filling is just composed of smashing the little blue fruit into a fine gooey and sticky paste before dumping it onto the center of the pie crust. Once that was finished Razz took the pie and put it into her oven to cook.
Catra could not stop watching the pie bake. Something about the aroma and the crackles and pops of the oven mesmerized the Magicat and she simply sat there gazing at the cooking treat.
"Relaxing isn't it cub." Leondus put a hand on his daughter's shoulder and sat down next to her. " I felt the same way on my first visit here. Razz was just as quirky then as she is now" the king of Halfmoon gave a chuckle. " Still you must respect her. For as abstract as she is, Razz has never led me astray when needing advice."
"She is goofy alright." Catra smirked. " But I get what you mean she's kind of like having a really wise but crazy grandma."
"Pie is done!" Razz blurted out derailing the Magicats' conversation. She removed the pie from the oven and all Catra could do was purr at the smell.
If Catra loved the smell of the pie the taste was indescribable. It was as if someone had taken the essence of joy and baked it into a dessert. Before the girl knew it she had already scarfed down her slice.
"That was..I don't even have words." Catra complemented the old woman.
"Indeed, you really outdid yourself this time Razz." Leondus added as he munched on his own slice.
"Why thank you dearies, but I could not have made this pie without your help. Please take some for the road. I know you have a busy day Lion-O." Madame Razz replied and wrapped up a few more wedges of pie for the two.
The King exchanged pleasantries with Razz a bit more before he took his leave with his daughter in tow.
As they walked Catra found herself quite confused. She could not figure out why Kaita didn't want to join them. Yes the old lady was cooky but she seemed really nice, and getting a delicious treat afterwards? Kaita would have been all over it the kitten liked sweet things even more than she did...something wassnt adding up.
"Alright then." Her father stretched. "Now to visit our other neighbors, they are just going to love you sweetie."
"Someone else is crazy enough to live in these woods?" Catra blinked. The crazy hermit lady was one thing, she could kinda get why she would live in the woods but she couldn't fathom why anyone else would want to.
"Yes, some very good friends of mine, they are historians and one is a former soldier like yourself." I'm sure you can learn alot from them.
This piqued Catra's interest. It was not every day she was given the chance to speak to war veterans and hear their tales, and since coming to Halfmoon Catra had learned she had a fascination with war history, something about seeing the results of battles and how they shaped the powers of the world just clicked in her. " Well this may be fun after all.." she thought to herself.
They approached yet another cabin though this one was significantly bigger. Leondus walked up to the door and gave two loud knocks spaced apart in an awkward way that gave Catra a foreboding feeling.
"Who's there?" A voice asked from beyond the door.
"I'm Lion!" Leondus said with a smirk.
"Oh no…" Catra muttered as everything clicked into place I'm her head.
"I'm Lion who~?" Asked another voice different from the first.
"I'm Lion on your doorstep open up!" The king laughed at his own joke as did the voices. Catra could only groan in abject disgust at the horrendous display of 'comedy' .
The door opened and Catra was greeted with the sight of two men still recovering from their laughs. "Well look what the cat dragged in." One said grabbing Leondus and pulling him through the doorway. " Or should I say Look who dragged in the cat?"
"Oh honey that was just..PAWful!" The second said also laughing.
Catra winced and flattened her ears sickened by the evil cat puns. " Well it's been fun I'm gonna go come back soon dad!" Catra turned around to escape but found herself unable to move, her body was paralyzed and growled.
"Did you seriously just SCRUFF me? In PUBLIC?!" Catra shouted absolutely helpless in her father's hold.
"Now now kitten I will not have you be rude to two of my oldest friends." Leondus chided. "I will let you go once you have calmed yourself."
Catra huffed but did as he instructed and true to his word Leondus released her.
"Who is this?" The first man asked.
"She is clearly not Kaita." The second added smiling at her.
*I uh. I'm Catra.." Catra said meekly, uncomfortable with all the attention on her.
"She is my eldest." Leondus stated brimming with enough pride to make the Princess blush.
"You're little Cyra III!" One of the men grinned.
"Welcome back home!" Said the second just as ecstatic.
"I'm Lance and this is my husband George." The first now known as Lance explained. "We are so honored to have you here."
Catra just blushed and gripped onto her arm with her opposite hand.
"Lance, George, Catra here actually has taken a big interest in ancient wars and battles." Leondus explained "I was wondering if you might be able to show her some old pieces you have discovered."
At that moment the men's eyes sparkled brightly in a way Catra was adamant she had seen somewhere before but just could not place it. And before she could get a word in, Catra found herself being sat down in a comfy chair and brought book upon book of ancient battles and weapons by the two excitable men. However what really got her were the ancient relics they had shown her. The books were nice and enjoyable to read but the ancient fragments of weaponry and having been trusted to be so close to such things made her purr uncontrollably.
"Oh my." George squeaked. " She's purring" he looked like he was about to pass out from joy
"N-no I'm not!" The princess deflected, she desperately tried to quell the rumblings in her chest but was unsuccessful.
"That is so adorable!!" Gushed Lance who could not help but stare at her with a giddy smile that Catra despised.
Catra's ears flattened in annoyance as the two grown men acted like children hearing a kitten purr for the first time. She always hated being seen as cute, it made her feel less threatening, and back on the Horde being non threatening was an open invitation to.be beaten up. So Catra learned to hate anything that would be perceived as her going soft. Yet here she was, a purring princess...life just loved to annoy her.
"As fun as picking on my daughter is." Leondus spoke breaking the stares. "I am also here to discuss the future stance of Halfmoon on the war and how it may affect you both."
And with that Catra managed to get a reprieve from their looks as her father informed the two of the possibility of war coming to the woods. Their talks went on for a good 20 minutes mostly due to questions on various related topics but eventually the king took notice of how long he and Catra had been absent from Halfmoon for.
"Oh is that the time?" Leondus questioned himself. "As PUN as this has been catching up, Catra and I must get back to Halfmoon." Catra winced as the three laughed.
"Oh darn," Lance lamented. "But you will not be leaving without taking a sample of our double DADcker brownies!"
"I agree." George nodded Having already had the brownies cooking and sliced a few into a bag for their guests. "Missing out on these would be a CATtastrophe!" Catra furrowed her brow, got up, and left. She was DONE.
A while after the duo returned home Catra found herself on one of the castle buttresses as she samples the delicious treats from her journey. Her snacking was interrupted however by a tiny yellow ball of energy trying and failing to reach her.
"Catra come on!" Kaita growled lightly. " Share the desserts!'
"Hmm, no.~" Catra smirked, flaunting the pie and brownies out of the magikitten's reach. "I had to help make the pie and suffered 3 people making dad jokes for half an hour, I earned these. You decided not to come with us or warn me of the puns sooo, No pie for you!" And with that Catra took another bite and cackled at her fuming little sister. Life was good.