Hear those bells ring deep in the soul
Chiming away for a moment
Chiming away for a moment
Lena's question feels rhetorical, and so Koa lets it hang there, already answered by his sordid tale. Shame and guilt still claw at his throat; what would Anju say if she could see him now? Or his mother?
What will Soh,if when he sees her again?
He doesn't meet Zavien's eyes, his back still turned to their small group. The words of comfort fall like lead into that pit that was once his stomach, echoing hollowly despite their good intentions. He doesn't want pity, he wants a godsdamned reset, for things to go back to the status quo. Barring that? He wants to know how they move forward from here.
"She has to be." There's a finality in the statement that bears no room for question, because the answer can't be no. Sohalia is alive, has to be alive, and Koa will cling to that possibility for as long as he can. At last he turns to face the others, expression schooled and bright eyes clear. "What we need to know now is how things stand - who's with us, and who isn't. Lena, you said you left the council, but what about the others? Ever, and... and Anju?" He only stumbles at that last name, tripping over the lump in his throat. Resuming his professional leader-of-men affect, Koa turns to Zavien. "And the Dragoons - we need to know who's compromised, and who's loyal." And I can't go back to the Nest.
What will Soh,
He doesn't meet Zavien's eyes, his back still turned to their small group. The words of comfort fall like lead into that pit that was once his stomach, echoing hollowly despite their good intentions. He doesn't want pity, he wants a godsdamned reset, for things to go back to the status quo. Barring that? He wants to know how they move forward from here.
"She has to be." There's a finality in the statement that bears no room for question, because the answer can't be no. Sohalia is alive, has to be alive, and Koa will cling to that possibility for as long as he can. At last he turns to face the others, expression schooled and bright eyes clear. "What we need to know now is how things stand - who's with us, and who isn't. Lena, you said you left the council, but what about the others? Ever, and... and Anju?" He only stumbles at that last name, tripping over the lump in his throat. Resuming his professional leader-of-men affect, Koa turns to Zavien. "And the Dragoons - we need to know who's compromised, and who's loyal." And I can't go back to the Nest.
Koa Carpenter
Feel your breath course frankly below
And see life as a worthy opponent
And see life as a worthy opponent
