Jeremiah expects a lot of things, but in one of the council rooms, where he announced for his team to meet, he didn't expect Zayn to be missing.
"Where is Holy Knight Zayn?" Jeremiah asked with a raised eyebrow. He quickly sweeps his eyes to meet Clarke's before trailing his green eyes to Amur and Chase, who awkwardly exchange looks before meeting Jeremiah's eyes.
Jeremiah sent Clarke to meet the trio at her office and lead them to the large council room, where they will briefly meet and introduce themselves to the other knights who are to attend the expedition. They have one more day after today for the knights to fully pack, bid their farewells, and ready themselves for the travel to the God realm for the treaty signing.
Jeremiah was able to ask Miuoi for at least two more days for his knights to finish any unfinished business within their lives before their part. Luckily, Miuoi was able to extend the timeline before their grand trip.
"She's...well, we don't know." Amur said, looking downcast at her metal training boots. "I think I made her upset, and she...she ran off."
Jeremiah doesn't comment anything at first, thinking and preparing his thoughts before he clears his throat, standing up straighter.
"If I may guess, sir." Chase said, holding his clenched hands behind his back. "I think everything is overwhelming her, and I think it's gotten a bit much for Zayn. I-uh-we could have done a better job with-."
"You both did nothing wrong." Jeremiah said, a soft sigh leaving his lips. Chase and Amur share a wide-eye look before their stare at Jeremiah in surprise as he turns and pats Clarke's shoulder.
"It'll be easier for me to find her." Jeremiah said, nodding at Clarke as she eyes him with wide eyes, her mouth slightly agape. "I will be back. We will do introductions when I have Zayn with me."
Jeremiah briskly leaves after, leaving behind a shocked Amur, Chase, and Clarke.
...
Jeremiah stands outside of the large Black Fawne building, standing in the middle of a training field as he scans around him, not spotting a bulk of metal.
Jeremiah sighs, closing his eyes, losing himself in his senses. As a dragon with fierce strength and keen senses--if he focuses heavily on them and pushed them to its limits--his senses can supersede any normal humans.
Jeremiah slowly breathes in and out, letting his nerves relax as he hears subtle noses--he hears knights talk and chuckle, he hears small birds caw and sing, he hears the sounds of blades clash amongst each other from a mile away, and finally, after Jeremiah concentrates further with furrowed eyebrows and pursed lips, does he head a familiar voice, followed by the sound of choked, soft crying.
Jeremiah flinches, slowly opening his eyes and slowly breathing in. He clears his dry throat as he strides forward, following the pinpoint sound of the lost Holy Knight.
...
Jeremiah walks through a few training grounds, past the mess hall and the announcement wall, and walks a mile before he feels a soft breeze hit his ears. Jeremiah turns his head, realizing that there is a large, beautiful blue lake to his right, with small amphibians dancing on its soft , peaceful currents and tiny birds flying and chirping on tree branches.
There is small animals like squirrels and small bunnies that roam and play near Jeremiah's feet and lead him forward for a few feet before they turn and scurry away, as if they were leading him to a secluded, shady spot behind a large tree facing the lake. Jeremiah watches the animals scurry and takes another step forward, almost tripping on an object on the ground. He looks down, his eyes wide, realizing that the object is a familiar looking helmet.
Jeremiah's eyes slowly rise forward, spotting Zayn sitting with her face in her arms and her knees against a chest, softly weeping while her metal toes touch the soft currents of the lake. She must be so lost in her sadness that she doesn't hear Jeremiah step forward, eyeing her long, beautiful curly blonde hair blowing with the soft wind. Jeremiah feels a soft murmur in his chest, and he's not sure why his body feels numb watching Zayn weep, but Jeremiah tries to ignore it, forcing himself to clear his throat and sit down next to Zayn, close enough that their hands almost touch, but far enough that Jeremiah respects her space.
"You didn't come to our meeting." Jeremiah said. "When I asked Amur and Chase where you were, they didn't know. They are quite worried."
Zayn doesn't speak for a few minutes before she sniffs, hugging her knees closer to her chest as she softly weeps.
"I-I'm sorry, Captain." Zayn said. "I'm sorry. For letting you down a-and for making everyone worry. Gods, I-oh Captain-I'm sorry..."
Jeremiah watches Zayn hug herself tighter, and he thinks for a few minutes before he speaks again.
"You haven't let anyone down, Zayn." Jeremiah said. "What seems to be bothering you?"
Zayn sniffs, clenching her elbows tighter as she sinks her head further into her arms.
"I know I didn't know what to expect." Zayn said. "But I-I've never been in the center of attention b-before. Like this. Everyone treats me like some God. Eveyerone bows and wants to shake my hand and treat me like I'm the greatest thing s-since strawberry cake! But I haven't done anything, not a thing! And people then think bad of Amur and Chase, because they worked so hard to achieve so much, but me? I-what have I done-?"
"Holy Knight Zayn." Jeremiah said. "Did you know that I'm a Duke?"
Zayn freezes, a gasp leaving him lips.
"Not only until recently-!" Zayn said. "T-that Captain is amazing! A dragon and a Duke, wow! Your stats are crazy!"
Jeremiah snorts, sitting comfortable with his elbows leaning on his knees.
"I hate titles." Jeremiah said. "Everyone wants to give you respect sometimes not by what you do, but simply by who you are. And when you do not always fit the image of what people desire, you...you fall short of expectations."
"It's so scary." Zayn said. "I already feel like I don't deserve it, and now it feels like everyone is reminding me of that and-wow, what do I do, Captain?"
"You be yourself." Jeremiah said, scooting a bit closer, enough that he flinches, realizing that their fingers graze against each other. Jeremiah looks away, a soft blush covering his ears. "You cannot change how people perceive you, but only what you do, and how you perceive yourself."
Zayn sniffs again, but this time her shoulders are much more relaxed, and this makes Jeremiah oddly feel at ease.
"If you do not believe you deserve what you are given," Jeremiah said, "then what can you do is simply to achieve the wishes you desire, so you then feel as though you've earned it. Prove them wrong, and if not them, prove yourself, and prove your doubts incorrect."
Jeremiah watches Zayn sniff and hurriedly wipe her face, nodding her head as she slowly breathes out in relief.
"Thank you, Captain." Zayn said, and Jeremiah's eyes wide, as while most of Zayn's face is covered, her bangs relieve one of her eyes, a soft gray mixed with golds and blues and greens, and Gods, does it make Jeremiah's heart hammer, and his hands suddenly pile in sweat.
"O-of course, Holy Knight Zayn." Jeremiah said, hurriedly grabbing Zayn's helmet and averting his eyes as he hands it to her. "If you desire, I will let the prince know to slow down the many gifts. I have a private room ready for you as well--courtesy of the prince--but I can-."
"If you could please let him know-." Zayn stops, clearing her throat as she reaches for her helmet, turns her face, and puts it on. "D-does it have its own bath...?"
"Bath and even a small kitchenette if you ever want to make food." Jeremiah said. "However, I can-."
"I'd like to have that..." Zayn mumbles, pushing her fingers shyly together and pursing her lips. "That gift I'll take..."
Jeremiah snorts, standing up from his sitting position and dusting himself off. "Alright then." Jeremiah said. "Whatever you desire, Holy Knight Zayn. We should get going, however. Please ready yourself."
Jeremiah tries to ready himself too, trying to calm his suddenly heavy beating heart.