i think i'm okay

Hear those bells ring deep in the soul
Chiming away for a moment

Koa's first thought is that Sunjata seems surprisingly blasé about the whole thing - but then, so did Ever, in a sense. Hands balled into fists at his side, the younger man watches as the Flood takes a drag, acrid smoke coiling around a scarred, handsome face like some sort of inverse halo. It feels like his heart may explode from his chest; his body is tense, ready to flee, or fight, or maybe break.

But then Sunjata finally responds, and thank fuck he isn't immediately attacking, because Koa, too, had no plan. Exhaling sharply at the question, Koa begins with "I-"

But then he stops, shaking his head, aware of the warm band around his finger. What if Sunjata tells the Family? Tries to take the ring? It's too bright, too beautiful, too precious to put in danger. No- better to keep the how a secret. "I just do," he answers instead, a muscle twitching in his jaw. And sure, call him a little paranoid, but last time he confronted a Family member,  Queen was kidnapped and he spent the next two months lost in a swamp.

"You really didn't know?" He's not sure if that makes it better. At least it tells him that Sunjata didn't choose this willingly. That there's still a chance for the man to be saved, if only Koa can convince him to come back to sanity's side.

Koa Carpenter

Feel your breath course frankly below
And see life as a worthy opponent