Double Trouble was sporting a black choker, studded with tiny silver spikes, thick enough to hide the spell. They were slouching a little, head hung down as they looked up at Catra with equal parts embarrassment and surprise.

"If you lay a finger-"

"I won't." They put their hands up, trying to look as harmless as possible. "I know it sounds unbelievable, but I don't actually go around killing people for no reason."

"You could hold us hostage? Your friendly letter wasn't exactly innocuous. And to be honest, you have quite a few reasons right now."

They pointed at She-Ra's sword. "I don't really think I have the options right now."

Catra dared glance behind herself. Adora glared at them, sword lowered to the ground but ready to be swung in all manners of directions, the crib right behind her. Far back, behind the curtain, two eyes glowing in the night. Catra knew she was safe here.

"Then why are you here? Because I doubt you came to chit-chat."

"First time for everything, kitten. Frolicking in your bright corridors turned out to be too cheerful for me, so I decided I might try out that 'chit-chat' people kept talking about. And . . . I do believe I owe you an apology."

"Oh?" Catra raised an eyebrow. That was new.

"Me and . . . the wizards, go way back, and I should have expected that kind of reaction. Dragging you into that was . . . not part of the plan."

Once again, they had managed to leave Catra speechless. Not only apologizing, but being honest? That was a rare sight indeed.

. . . too honest.

"What was the plan, then?"

"Honestly, they fall apart so fast, I don't have time to make new ones anymore. So, I . . . thought I'd try something new, and try that 'trust' thing you all have been talking about."

Far behind, something growled.

"Trust? You want me to trust you? Double Trouble, you are way beyond the point of-"

"Catra."

She swirled around, her wife's interruption throwing her tone off. Adora was looking at her with pleading eyes, sword held loosely.

"They're trying. We have to help them."

Catra took a deep breath. "Not now, Adora." She turned back to the visitor. "And you, what exactly do you expect us to do now?"

"Well, if push comes to shove, I hope you don't just let her have my head."

". . . we'll think about it." She could feel Adora's disappointment behind her. She had always been like that. Trustful and naive. She had not been betrayed like Catra had. She still trusted people that asked for favors.

Their shoulders sunk even lower. "Well, that's . . . fair, I guess. See you tomorrow, I hope?"

"We should have more than cake for breakfast."

Nodding solemnly, they turned around and left the room, closing the door behind them. A surprisingly bland exit.