Koa (SharkbyteZ)

Koa is a SandWing/MudWing hybrid dragonet who works as a freelance songwriter and musician in Possibility. He was based on the song “She Said No” by BoyWithUke.
This character belongs to SharkbyteZ and should only be edited by them or Moderators. If there are any errors, leave a message on Pluto's wall or on this page, do not edit this page yourself unless there is a missing or unrelated category. 
==Description==
Koa’s frame is broad yet scrawny. Although to most he appears as a reckless, carefree, and outgoing dragonet, in reality Koa is often trying to stay out of the sight of others when he can. His tawny brown scales are uneven and patchy in places, especially around his face and wings. He has a flat nose that lacks a spike, extra thick scales lining the forearms of his wings, and a tail that rounds out at the end with no venomous barb. Koa shares the black sclera of his mother and the shining bronze irises of his father, leading to his eyes having an uncanny glowing look to them that isn't as glassy as a regular SandWing's eyes. His scales radiate with a pleasant warmth. 
Most of the time he is seen carrying around his ukulele, which is of course made of koa wood and painted with flowers on the front and a small flame on the back. He can usually be found practicing in a remote area. 
He has a soft and light voice.
==Personality==
Once an overly confident and outgoing young dragonet, now far more reserved and reclusive. Koa distances himself from others but at times 'lashes out' in reckless attempts to find a connection, or even to just be seen, only to immediately apologize afterward for coming off as rude. He usually smiles in a carefree way as he waves off fears and worries, no matter how badly they eat at him from the inside. Others often describe him as being confusing, hopeful yet pessimistic, awkward, a total daydreamer, or most often just a 'mixed bag of emotional issues.' 
He used to be a lot more bright-eyed and cheerful. However, it seems ever since Cinder rejected him, he has become quite irritable and anxious. With lessons learned his eyes seem to have been opened and now he approaches others with more maturity, caution, and respect. 
==Biography==
A simple dragonet born to two simple parents, Koa spent most of his life playing with other dragonets in the sandy backstreets of western Possibility. He would pester his parents into bringing him to any musical event they had time to go to, try to make instruments out of everything he could, and absolutely loved the Full Moon Festivals. Needless to say, Koa lived and breathed in rhythm and song. He would go around declaring to be ‘the greatest singer in the desert’ and try to recruit other dragonets into starting a band that he dreamed would one day travel all across Pyrrhia, performing for the queens themselves. Koa would meet some of his closest friends through their shared interest in music; Aster and Yucca. They would soon form a band calling themselves the Desert Roses. 
What started out as a silly band of young dragonets who strummed twine and used wooden buckets for drums became homey songs sung to the tune of a ukulele and a proper drum set. Koa would take on most of the songwriting as well as playing the ukulele, Aster would play on her hand drum, and Yucca would be the group's main singer. The Desert Roses were actually quite popular for a while in Possibility and they would often play during Full Moon Festivals and other celebrations.
It was a little over a year after the band's formation that Koa began to question his gender identity. He always felt a little awkward being adorned in sweet-smelling flowers and pretty little bows that he wore with his friends during their performances, and the discomfort only grew as time went on. Koa didn't like associating himself with other girly dragonets or doing most of the things they did, but he never knew how to describe his exact feelings. For a while he simply bottled it up and tried to leave it on a shelf to deal with later. For a while it almost felt like it worked. Almost.
Confusion, anger, fear, anxiety all plagued Koa the more he tried to push them away. He withdrew further from his friends to the point he was bailing on performances and hiding in his home for days on end. Nobody was able to reach him. 
Koa would only go outside when he wanted to practice, work on personal music, or go to the market. He seldom spoke to anyone unless it was unavoidable. On one of his days spent near the river by the outskirts of the town, a curious SkyWing dragonet would approach him with a shy smile. She introduced herself as Cinder and complimented Koa on his music. Although hesitant at first, Koa allowed himself to chat with her rather than slither away once again. It didn't feel meaningless or awkward for once, and the two spent hours talking about whatever came to mind. It was the first time in a while he had enjoyed having a genuine conversation with someone. 
With a half-hearted promise to meet again, Koa returned home. 
It would be a little while before they ran into each other again, and then again, and again. They met up more and more often to hang out, usually at the local cafe or either of their houses. It became routine for Koa and Cinder to meet up after school and just talk about their day as they walked around Possibility. Some evenings they would sit by the fig tree in Koa's backyard and stargaze. Koa finally felt like he was able to be himself around others again. Cinder never judged him, never made comments about his past, she respected who he was and never once let him doubt himself. 
He didn't know when his heart had started racing whenever they sat together by the river or the trees. He didn't understand the emotions he had begun to feel whenever he thought about Cinder's glowing hazel eyes or her shining smile. He was scared, he was curious, he was excited. 
He was in love. 
But, when he finally mustered up the courage to tell her everything he felt, to spill his heart out under that tree that they had spent countless nights watching the stars beneath, 
she said no. 
==Relationships==
===Cinder===
Nowadays, Koa isn’t exactly sure how to describe their relationship. 
They were good friends for sure. Koa felt closer to Cinder than any other dragon he had ever known, and he trusted her with all his heart. She helped him figure out who he really was, she helped support him after he lost most of his friends, and she was by his side through thick and thin. He may have been a bit too dependent on her presence to stay motivated. In short; Koa thought of Cinder as a romantic partner, when Cinder viewed him as more of a brother instead. 
Now that some time has passed, Koa's come to realize a few things about himself. He's not mad at Cinder or anything, why should he be? She's her own dragon. Even if things are still awkward now, he just hopes that they'll be able to at least stay friends. Part of Koa feels guilty for confessing to her in the first place, for making her feel uncomfortable, but it's not like he could take it back now. He's just gotta learn to live with it and move past it all. 
===Aster===
Aster and Koa’s relationship hasn’t really mended ever since he left the Desert Roses. They were good friends before, Aster would always help Koa pick out what accessories to wear for their concerts and they spent hours writing music together. He feels like it’s just been too long for them to really talk, and it would be better if he didn’t try to attempt an awkward reunion or anything. 
===Yucca===
Koa tries to avoid Yucca whenever he can. She had always been critical of Koa's work and there were plenty of times when they argued. When Koa first began transitioning and distancing himself from most of his friends, Yucca was the harshest towards him. 
==Quotes==
"I’m sorry, OK? I’m sorry I can’t figure this all out fast enough for you.” - To Yucca
"You're... actually really cool." - To Cinder, when they met for the first time 
==Trivia==
*Koa is ambidextrous.
*I've probably listened to the song he's based on about thirty times now lmao
*I may write a short story for Koa's backstory at some point. 
*
==Gallery==
File:WoF Koa Joy Ang Fullbody.png|Koa's Current Reference
Category:SandWings
Category:MudWings
Category:Characters
Category:Work in Progress
Category:LGBT+
Category:Hybrids
Category:Occupation (Performer)
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Category:Males
Category:Status (Commoner)
Category:Dragonets
Category:Content (SharkbyteZ)