There are so many voices that it's a wonder Koa can pick out any among the crowd, but Kaisel's cuts clear and true, causing Koa to immediately pivot toward the source. "Kai!" He cries, relief stark in his exhausted face because thank fuck there's another family member accounted for. Surging forward, Koa tugs his cousin in for a quick and dirty hug, squeezing tightly as though to reassure himself that the boy is real and okay.
Then it's right back to business.
"For now we're getting those who can't fight to Torchline, and those who can to King's End." It had been a plan made hastily, based on a reluctance to overburden either region or to put a bigger target on Haulani. Gesturing to the groups of evacuees, Koa pushes on. "Your parents were on one of the first Kings End ships, to help sort things on the ground there. My dad's going to Haulani. Noe..." His face tightens, the mask of a soldier's calm slipping low enough that raw anguish and conflict breaks through the cracks like blood. "She's staying behind."
For now.
But there isn't time to fall apart. Koa forces himself back into the role of a commander through brute will, knowing that if he lets himself feel he'll absolutely break. He needs to be objective, to get his people safe. "I need you to help with the Torchline evacuation, then go with them. Not--" he's quick to add, anticipating Kai's bristling reaction, "--because I'm trying to protect you. But I need someone on the ground there to liaise with Flora and Hadama. I've already sent letters to them and Soh, but someone should be there to actually talk to them and plan out next steps, and I trust you with that." He reaches for Kaisel, hand settling firmly on his cousin's shoulder as searches for understanding in his face. He's so young, and there's a part of Koa that would like nothing more than to hide him away from all of this, but that's not how war works.
"Once I get things sorted in King's End we'll meet back up. Okay?"
Then it's right back to business.
"For now we're getting those who can't fight to Torchline, and those who can to King's End." It had been a plan made hastily, based on a reluctance to overburden either region or to put a bigger target on Haulani. Gesturing to the groups of evacuees, Koa pushes on. "Your parents were on one of the first Kings End ships, to help sort things on the ground there. My dad's going to Haulani. Noe..." His face tightens, the mask of a soldier's calm slipping low enough that raw anguish and conflict breaks through the cracks like blood. "She's staying behind."
For now.
But there isn't time to fall apart. Koa forces himself back into the role of a commander through brute will, knowing that if he lets himself feel he'll absolutely break. He needs to be objective, to get his people safe. "I need you to help with the Torchline evacuation, then go with them. Not--" he's quick to add, anticipating Kai's bristling reaction, "--because I'm trying to protect you. But I need someone on the ground there to liaise with Flora and Hadama. I've already sent letters to them and Soh, but someone should be there to actually talk to them and plan out next steps, and I trust you with that." He reaches for Kaisel, hand settling firmly on his cousin's shoulder as searches for understanding in his face. He's so young, and there's a part of Koa that would like nothing more than to hide him away from all of this, but that's not how war works.
"Once I get things sorted in King's End we'll meet back up. Okay?"
Koa
