A Devil's Bargain

I always thought I might be bad
Now I'm sure that it's true

Koa's brief forays into the Greatwood have yielded less than stellar results, the young man wincing at the memory of his accidental Stonesong dip. "You'll have to show me around sometime," he says with offhand ease, attention still largely focused on figuring out the best way to get the alcohol into the treehouse.

He's wandered off to the shed in the corner, but still in earshot of the other boy. A bark of laughter and broad, pleased grin brighten the night air as Jude reacts to the cider. "Only the strong stuff," he explains, continuing to rummage. "But cider, or a good cocktail? Goes down smooth as a baby's ass."

There's a length of rope around his arm when Koa returns to Jude. "Alright - here's the plan." Unconsciously he slips into an authoritative voice, the soldier within him unable to resist any suggestion of a plan. "I'm gonna climb up, then throw you down the end. Tie it firmly, and I'll heave up the bucket. Then you follow. Sound good?"

Without waiting for assent the man begins to climb, a bit ungainly but ultimately successful in heaving his muscled form up the trunk of the tree. As promised, the rope drops down to Jude; only when he's told it's secure will Koa drag the bucket up, not seeming to feel any particular strain despite the weight of the beverages within.

'cause I think you're so good
and I'm nothing like you

Koa