KOA
As much as Koa is impulsive and enthused, there's a well of patience in the young man, too, and it's that he channels now. No words of haste are spoken to Jude, no indication given that the Dragoon's back is aching or his ribs are screaming or the sun is scalding his bronze skin. He simply sits, his hand running gentle circles on Jude's back, giving the boy space to let it out while trying to keep his own mind still.
When Jude finally speaks again, it's in a tone so young and hopeless that it breaks Koa's heart. What did he do? Threw himself into dangerous situations, mostly: underground boxing, experimenting with drugs, anything to numb the constant, aching pain. Things he isn't going to tell Jude to do, because Koa is older and (marginally) wiser and knows that self-destruction is no solution.
But Jude's pain, his dark thoughts... those are incomprehensible to Koa who, for all his struggles, has always clung to life. Maybe he doesn't take it seriously enough as a result, the depths of Jude's unfathomable struggles. At least he does his best with what he has, closing his eyes and letting his head fall back, a wry, crooked smile tugging at his face. "Well, for one thing I still had Noe and our dad to look after." The thought of leaving his sister behind had never crossed his mind.
"And two, I know my ma's up in Mort's Halls, and if I show up there too early she'll kick my ass." He has a legacy to fulfil, after all. Shoes to stand in and perhaps, someday, fit.
Finally his body needs to move, the stiffness having transformed into outright pain. Gingerly so as to disturb Jude as little as possible, Koa shifts his body position, dislodging the elbow from his ribs. Turning to the singer, he furrows his dark brows. "Where have you been living, anyway? Is anyone looking out for you?" The slender figure, the hollow cheeks - they speak to a much larger pattern of sadness than would be brought by this latest loss.
When Jude finally speaks again, it's in a tone so young and hopeless that it breaks Koa's heart. What did he do? Threw himself into dangerous situations, mostly: underground boxing, experimenting with drugs, anything to numb the constant, aching pain. Things he isn't going to tell Jude to do, because Koa is older and (marginally) wiser and knows that self-destruction is no solution.
But Jude's pain, his dark thoughts... those are incomprehensible to Koa who, for all his struggles, has always clung to life. Maybe he doesn't take it seriously enough as a result, the depths of Jude's unfathomable struggles. At least he does his best with what he has, closing his eyes and letting his head fall back, a wry, crooked smile tugging at his face. "Well, for one thing I still had Noe and our dad to look after." The thought of leaving his sister behind had never crossed his mind.
"And two, I know my ma's up in Mort's Halls, and if I show up there too early she'll kick my ass." He has a legacy to fulfil, after all. Shoes to stand in and perhaps, someday, fit.
Finally his body needs to move, the stiffness having transformed into outright pain. Gingerly so as to disturb Jude as little as possible, Koa shifts his body position, dislodging the elbow from his ribs. Turning to the singer, he furrows his dark brows. "Where have you been living, anyway? Is anyone looking out for you?" The slender figure, the hollow cheeks - they speak to a much larger pattern of sadness than would be brought by this latest loss.
Let me go, I don't wanna be your hero
I don't wanna be a big man
Just wanna fight with everyone else
I don't wanna be a big man
Just wanna fight with everyone else
Code stolen from Queen Sky
