[PRP] I Bombed Korea (Kobe x Ukoga)

[Sergeant Sargent]

As the sun set the boulder cast a shadow over the sulking king-no-more. Kobe'gumu lay on his belly, his chin resting with the cold dirt, his back to the stone that was his sanctuary. He had been wallowing there for hours, kept awake by indignation and perpetual malaise.

His own daughter. His own DAUGHTER!

Must everything he touch turn to dust? First his queen, murdered by an assassin sent during the war that he started; then his pride, ravaged first by war, second by famine, and finally fractured into a hundred pieces by his own paws; and now his daughter, one of many lost (and missed) heirs, killed in her plot to kill the Queen just as Kobe sought peace with her! If only he could have spoken to Dusana before she went through with her plot! Maybe he could have convinced her to forget her plans and then Alcmeme would not have to be hurt. Thank the gods for Alcmene, who saw his innocence when all seemed lost. Thank the gods for the Queen, who gave him the gift of life, of a second chance, when he did not even deserve forgiveness. But could he find the strength to make use of this opportunity?

Since becoming a slave, Kobe had done nothing to serve his new pride. He spent most of his time in quiet seclusion, avoiding his former subjects and anyone in Mwezi'Johari who might have work for him. He hadn't spoken a word in days. He did not want to be seen like this; a wreck of his former self. Kobe held no poetic delusions about grief. His tears were as ugly as the dirty streaks they painted down his cheeks.  

[Sergeant Sargent]

A light breeze blew Ukoga's scent to Kobe. Ukoga had always supported him for reasons Kobe could not fathom, for his life seemed little more than a series of mistakes. When Ukoga's footsteps accompanied his scent, Kobe knew he would need to make himself presentable. He tried rubbing the tear streaks off his face with his paws. Since his paws were dirty, his cheeks became dirty also. He sat up, grimacing faintly at the numb feeling in his legs. He looked more or less presentable, apart from the dirt on his belly and on his face, but nothing like the king he had once been. Even in his darkest moments he managed to feign pride. Now that he was no longer king he hardly saw the point. He wanted to appear composed, decent, nothing more.  

[Sergeant Sargent]

Kobe studied Ukoga in confusion. "It is I who should call you sir, Ukoga," he managed after a beat. Perhaps he should have bowed, but he was not yet in the habit. It saddened him to hear Ukoga address him as though he were still in a position of power. Although he was still adjusting to his new lot in life he would rather be a slave serving the people than a king. He lowered his gaze momentarily, wondering if it was selfish of him to want to step down.

But now was not the time to look sorry for himself. He straightened up, meeting Ukoga's gaze. "All the same, it's good to see an old friend."
 

[Sergeant Sargent]

When Ukoga expressed himself Kobe barely flicked an ear. If Ukoga found his new rank humorous then perhaps that was fitting. When he announced his desire to become a counciler he was a joke, when he took his brother's place as the new heir he was a joke, when he was king he was a joke, when the Ilanga lost the war with Mwenzi he was a joke, and when he made the decision to return he was a joke. Kobe never understood why Ukoga supported him. He appreciated it, but he was too accustomed to criticism to faulter even from an old friend. Privately he felt a little hurt.

"Ah," he sighed lightly, disliking this subject. He supposed it was bound to come up but he wished he could avoid it. "I've been adjusting to my new lot in life. It's been difficult adjusting to so many changes all at once." He spoke not just of his new rank, but of Dusana and Mirihi. Mirihi's invovlement was terrible enough but the revelation of his daughter cracked his heart in two. Even he couldn't mask the pain completely.  

[Sergeant Sargent]

Kobe frowned. He always knew the Mwezi used unusual methods to determine rank. The exact process was unknown to him for a long time, though he had heard that it involved a god and some chance.

He lowered his head slightly, for it suddenly felt heavy. "To be honest, I had hoped to attain a low rank. I thought I would make an excellent guard. I did not expect to be placed this low..." Would Ukoga resent him for that? He sighed quietly and cleared his throat, putting it aside. "We could not have survived in the rogue lands as we were. I led us here with the hope that we could be part of a strong pride where our members could thrive. The Ilanga may be gone, but as long as we have our blood our people will never be extinguished. I'm thankful for that."