#spoppalentines

“This is Catra’s blanket. She always seems more relaxed when she’s near her blanket. As a cat, smells are heavily linked to emotions, ergo it is likely similar scents will trigger a similar reaction. I need to find something else which smells like this blanket. My preliminary tests indicated that the items in this box I found under Catra’s bed are a close match. I’m running more extensive tests on them now to be sure,” Entrapta explained slowly.

“You took Catra’s things? She is not going to like that,” Scorpia noted, in concern.

“I wouldn’t have had to, but it’s the only thing which seemed similar. Besides, it says “to be burned” on the box. No point wasting it,” Entrapta held up a Horde issue top from the box.

Scorpia looked at the white top with red marks on the sleeves and the Horde logo on the back, “This isn’t Catra’s size.”

“Maybe that’s why she doesn’t want it,” Entrapta shrugged, “But the smell should work to comfort her. Now can you fetch the big cardboard box in the other room while I finish up these tests?”

“I can do that,” Scorpia beamed, happy to be helping.

She returned with it shortly, “Now what?”

“Can you look through these two data sets? The programme I wrote has indicated any anomalies between the two in red. It’s an 89% match, but I need you to find the section with the greatest divergence. I’ll need to check that over myself,” Entrapta explained.

Scorpia blinked three times.

“Find the section with the most red,” Entrapta clarified.

Scorpia perked up and tried to work the keyboard, “Oh it’s just so tiny with the pincers. Hang on. I’ve got this.”

“Good. I’ll be right back,” Entrapta told her as she climbed into the nearest vent.

Scorpia worked happily, allowing herself the opportunity to hum along while Catra wasn’t there to get irritated. By the time Entrapta returned, she’d found the exact angle to hold her claw and only press a single button.

“I found it,” She grinned at Entrapta and stood back to reveal the red.

Entrapta came close to stare at it, muttering too fast for Scorpia to follow. The next instant she’d grabbed a pair of scissors and had begun hacking into the top.

“What are you doing?” Scorpia asked worriedly.

“It’s a sufficient match. I’ll need the fabric to dissolve in this solution I concocted earlier. The smaller the pieces, the faster it dissolves,” Entrapta explained, “Now you can prepare the box nicely with the blanket; there’s a heat lamp to set-up above it too.”

Scorpia set to the tasks she’d been given, trying to make it as comfortable as possible.

When she had finished, Entrapta sprayed the contents with the shirt liquid.

“Ok. We just need to refresh the scent ever few days and it’ll be a perfect haven. Do you think you can get her here?”

 *

Catra came in grumbling. Scorpia had summoned her with her Force Captain badge and she was much too busy to be summoned! She stopped in the doorway and sniffed. Adora?

No… Not Adora. It was similar, but not quite the same. It still smelt like home and made her feel safe. If she had smelt the real Adora, they’d have had to fight. She didn’t think she could do that right now, when she was so exhausted (emotionally, she could still physically kick Adora’s butt).

Catra followed her nose to the source and clambered into the box.

Oh. That was nice. It was warm and snuggly with the heat radiating down from the overhead lamp. She felt the purr being forced from her throat as she curled up small inside. She was so very tired. It had been days since she’d really slept. Maybe she could spare a few hours.

Catra knew she should be more concerned about where such a perfect box had come from, but somehow she couldn’t bring herself to care. Sleep was coming fast and she found she didn’t mind. The rebellion would still be there when she woke. She’d deal with them later.

“It worked!” Scorpia whispered excitedly, from where they’d hidden.