These two characters are closer tied than many think...indeed they started out as one character - in Filmation's She-Ra cartoon bible, it was Huntara who was Adora's old friend in the Horde:
Though the idea of a "diabolical villainess" being Adora's friend, seems to be also imported to SPOP Catra (who was such at her worst) (as Lohni in Filmation She-Ra was a punchclock villain, 2018 Lonnie wasn't diabolical, and 2018 Huntara defected the Horde long ago, and was more cynical than anything).
It's also interesting Huntara, when she was to debut as a bounty hunter, she was originally a black woman, and inspired by Ororo/Storm and Grace Jones:
And indeed, Lonnie in SPOP does kinda resemble Huntara as a black girl, up to having a similar hairstyle:
It does seem SPOP Lonnie's design, was at least in part a reference to her and Huntara's shared origin, and the how (bounty hunter) Huntara was originally envisioned.
In turn, Huntara was made an ex-Horde member, as another reference to her being conceived as such:
Lohni from She-Ra. I am having fun with the backgrounds in @procreate . . . . . . . #shera #sheratheprincessofpower #lohni #mattel #mattelshera #matteltoys #dccomics #motu #motudrawingchallenge #80scartoons #retrocartoons https://www.instagram.com/p/ChV7nrPL40P/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
The cadets partake in a Fright Zone holiday tradition: the anonymous gift-giving game, Secret Hordak. Meanwhile, Catra and Adora attempt to celebrate the anniversary of the day they met. Pre-canon and canon compliant, all cadets are nineteen years old.
As much as Catra and Adora loved being around each other, they often found themselves separated for hours, long portions of days, Adora socializing with other cadets and Catra napping in some shadowy corner of the Fright Zone.
Adora assumed the usual that afternoon, the same day of the fight simulation. Catra had left the locker room, embarrassed from her own vulnerability, and Adora knew her well enough to give her space. Soon enough Adora realized she could take advantage of the time away from Catra, and immediately began brainstorming her knowing-each other anniversary present.
She had set up a large board on wheels in one of the unused training rooms and was pinning hastily-written notes into a timeline of her relationship with Catra. The entire display resembled something that a detective would assemble in an investigation, complete with photographs of Catra, Adora, and the cadets. It was like the weirdest, ugliest, most pragmatic scrapbook page ever.
“We were eleven,” Adora muttered to herself as she connected an incident during which the pair pranked Shadow Weaver and the first time they had eaten anything other than the Horde’s disgusting grey and brown protein blocks.
Adora and Catra had obviously not always been romantically entangled. After having met at six years old, they were fast friends, and had continued to feel strongly co-dependent until the age of fourteen. Around then, Adora had realized that her feelings for Catra were more than platonic, and had nervously broached the subject. Catra had only laughed with relief, admitting that she’d felt the same ever since she spotted two teen cadets kissing in the corridor a year ago.
About a month later, they had their first kiss, on a Fright Zone rooftop overlooking the Whispering Woods. From then on, Catra’s habit of sleeping in Adora’s bed felt different in some ways, but still fundamentally right. Even more right than before, even—it seemed as they matured, so did their mutual love.
They were nineteen now, and despite occasional fights and off-days, they still felt at home by each other’s sides. They got each other through the more hellish times at the Horde, and they always would—or at least, Adora hoped so.
“Hey,” said a voice from behind Adora’s back, causing her to drop the ball of yarn she had been pinning to the board.
“Lohni,” Adora sighed with relief as the other girl closed the door behind her. “What’s up?”
“Uh,” Lohni said, crossing her arms over her chest. “I could ask you the same thing.”
Adora regarded her board and sighed. “Trying to figure out a gift for Catra.”
“Secret Hordak?”
“Well, yeah. But also our anniversary of, like, knowing each other.”
Lohni whistled lowly. “Been a long time, huh?”
Adora nodded. Lohni hadn’t joined the other cadets until they were nine years old, her parents having been soldiers who perished in battle. It was a sore subject, obviously.
“So,” Lohni said, sizing up the board. “You’re making her… a stalker board?”
Adora blushed. “No! I just… I’m really good at planning and strategy, but I…”
“Adora, no offense,” Lohni said, “but you’re kind of a dumb-ass.”
Adora bowed her head. “I guess. I just want her to like it. She’s…”
“You’re hot for the mean cat, I got it,” Lohni said, her voice softer. “Hey, I can help you out, if you want.”
“I’m no good at this,” Adora sighed, playing with the sleeves of her jacket.
“Nah,” Lohni said coolly. “It’s actually sweet that you care so much. I mean, being around Catra for five minutes makes me want to strangle her. I don’t really get why you’re all lovey-dovey, but more power to you.”
Adora shrugged. “She can be abrasive, I guess. She’s always been kind of rough around the edges.”
“Aren’t we all?”
“Yeah.”
Lohni and Adora sighed in unison, silence filling the room. The board seemed to mock Adora, an object of constant frustration.
“Hey,” Lohni said quietly, “I’m glad we’re friends. Talking about our personal lives and shit.”
Adora was thankful for the conversational distraction. “Speaking of which, how’s Ryan?”
Lohni grinned. “They’re good. Training’s different for them, since they’re not one of Shadow Weaver’s wards. It’s getting harder and harder to meet up with the holidays going on—Hordak’s been planning this huge party for the Force Captains, and apparently everyone’s schedule is getting fucked up.”
“Hm. Wonder if they’ll have real food at this party.”
“Doesn’t matter, I’m sure we’re not invited.”
“Someday, though,” Adora said thoughtfully, walking over to her board. The most recent pin was from two weeks ago, when Catra drew a picture of Adora while she slept. If anyone else had drawn it, it would have been creepy… but this was sweet, and detailed, and flattering, not like Catra’s usual cartoonish style. There was love in it, and vulnerability… this was a side of Adora that no one, but Catra, was really allowed to see.
“That’s fucking creepy, man,” Lohni said. “But then again, so are you. Maybe you are meant for each other.”
Adora elbowed Lohni in the ribs. “Do you know if she has me for Secret Hordak?”
Lohni did a zipped-lips gesture. “Nuh-uh. It’s a secret.”
“Fair enough.”
Lohni grinned and rubbed where Adora had shoved her. “Thanks for asking, about Ryan. Sometimes it gets so lonely here. It’s nice to talk to someone else, other than the person I’m—”
“Yeah, yeah, no, I gotcha,” Adora interrupted.
“And I’m sure you’ll figure out Catra’s gift,” Lohni said breezily. “I mean, like I said, you care a lot. It’s what makes you such a good soldier… and a great friend.”
“Aw, Lohni!” Adora exclaimed, pulling the other girl into an awkward hug.
