In time you'll find, I've got baggage too

SUNJATA

the flood

but is this what you want? what you wanted?
do you need love? am i enough for you?

He really has no idea what’s going on, aside from parts where he can hear voices, where there’s people touching him, and ultimately it’s Haai that remains to be his protector – the true shark of his life, watchful with teeth bared until Maea calms her and she manages to remain in the pale woman’s lap despite the whines that leave her throat, the ears that flatten to her skull, the wings that splay out with iridescent hues on display.

Eventually, however, after they manage to get him to the hut to be worked on, Sunjata still hasn’t quite woken up yet. It feels familiar, in a sense, like being back in Korofi and the time he’d been knocked out – only to wake up and spy Lusea on the other side of the table top he’d been sat upon, stitching the wound to his hip where he’d been stabbed.

A whole other life, really.

This time, when he manages to come somewhat to, Haai notices immediately and begins to whine a bit louder, chomping at the bit to try and hop into the cot at his feet. And yet, all Sunjata can do is try to lift a hand to rub at his face, having not even tried to open his eyes yet. It's a slow process and his arm trembles slightly, but he manages to cross one hand over his eyes, thumb pressed at his temple.

in time you'll find i've got my baggage too