It's all over almost as quickly as it started, but Koa doesn't care. He doesn't hear the death cry of the tiger, doesn't see Sunjata shift back to human form. He doesn't even notice the burns on his arm, the way his skin puckers and screams out in pain. His attention is wholly fixed on the puddle of inky blue-purple-black cradled in his arm, his thoughts entirely dedicated to prayers that she's ok, she's ok, gods above please, please let her be okay.
The bond between the flickers and gutters, and Koa lets out a sob.
"I'm sorry, Pip." Sorry for taking her for granted for so long. Sorry for not being braver, stronger. Sorry for not protecting her, the way he was meant to do. Tremulous, shaking, he runs his fingers through her fur.
And Pip squawks in response.
Sobbing turns to laughter, a choked, broken sound, as the dragonling turns baleful eyes up at her dramatic companion. And Koa laughs again as he takes in that gaze, his chest shaking, tears burning hot against his eyes. "You're okay," the soldier gasps, his squeeze earning another protesting chirp. "You idiot noodle, don't ever scare me like that again!" The dragonling chirps, shaking herself stiffly, before climbing up closer into Koa's arms.
Together they peer back to Sunjata, blissfully aware of the demigod's pain. "Sunjata! Are-- are you okay?" The laughter and relief falter as the pair takes in their friend, the way he seems to be panicking, scooting away from something. Immediately on guard, Koa grabs the chakram while Pip readies her fire. And yet as they approach the only thing they see is the demigod gripped in horrible fear, and before him the source which is...
...is...
"A... kitty?"
The bond between the flickers and gutters, and Koa lets out a sob.
"I'm sorry, Pip." Sorry for taking her for granted for so long. Sorry for not being braver, stronger. Sorry for not protecting her, the way he was meant to do. Tremulous, shaking, he runs his fingers through her fur.
And Pip squawks in response.
Sobbing turns to laughter, a choked, broken sound, as the dragonling turns baleful eyes up at her dramatic companion. And Koa laughs again as he takes in that gaze, his chest shaking, tears burning hot against his eyes. "You're okay," the soldier gasps, his squeeze earning another protesting chirp. "You idiot noodle, don't ever scare me like that again!" The dragonling chirps, shaking herself stiffly, before climbing up closer into Koa's arms.
Together they peer back to Sunjata, blissfully aware of the demigod's pain. "Sunjata! Are-- are you okay?" The laughter and relief falter as the pair takes in their friend, the way he seems to be panicking, scooting away from something. Immediately on guard, Koa grabs the chakram while Pip readies her fire. And yet as they approach the only thing they see is the demigod gripped in horrible fear, and before him the source which is...
...is...
"A... kitty?"
be love in its disrepute,
scorches the hillside and salts every root
