Zodiac (Final Fantasy XV)

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Hearing the sound of running footsteps, I recognized the click of the shoes to be Ignis'. He placed a gentle hand on my back and rubbed circles. Once he began to soothe me, the coughing finally ceased and I was able to breathe properly. "T-thank you, Ignis," I said in a shaky voice.

"Are you alright? What happened?" He asked worriedly.

"I'm fine and I inhaled a lot of dust," I reply, picking the book up. Ignis helps me back to my feet and supports me until I'm able to reach a chair. He sets me down gently and kneels down to my height with worry-filled emerald eyes. "You must be careful, Zodia. Your illness hinders much of what you do."

"I know..."

Seeing his worried expression made my heart ache a little. He, along with Noctis and Father, worry too much. Even Gladio and Prompto are worrywarts when it comes to small things. Ignis noticed my crestfallen expression and placed his gloved hands on my cheeks. "Your health is top priority to all of us. His Majesty agonizes over it as he wakes every morning."

"I feel like I'm more of a problem to him and everyone else. I can't do anything without help. The smallest of things like dust cause my illness to arise."

"Zodia, you are not a plight in anyone's eyes."

I stare into his emerald eyes with my blues ones. Hearing those words brought a smile to my face. "Thank you, Ignis. I know you're my teacher, but you were also my first friend in the Citadel. I'm glad that I get to see you everyday." Ignis smiles and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear.

"If you permit, I must confess something," he said with a slight grin. I nod and let him continue. "You, my dear, are an easier case than your brother. That is only one of the reasons why I chose to be your teacher. Noctis does not sit still during lessons and makes my job more arduous. He could learn a thing or two from you."

I couldn't hold in my laughter and bursted at the seams. Ignis' smile began to widen as I carried on laughing. My sides began to hurt from the laughter and I quickly took a deep breath to calm myself.

"Ah-hem..." Hearing a familiar voice, we direct our attention to the entrance of the library. Noctis leaned against the doorframe with a raised eyebrow and crossed arms. "Heard all of that, Specs."

"I only speak the truth," Ignis defends. Noctis came over and sat across from me. "I am not that difficult," he states.

"Actually, you're worse than that," a gruff voice spoke from the hallway. Seeing Gladio, Noctis' shield, I smile and wave at him. He enters the library and returns my smile with his own. Gladio sat down next to me and listed off all the negatives about Noctis.

"Wow, feelin' the love," Noctis groans.

"Aw, that's okay, Noct. I love you no matter how many flaws you have," I said, beaming at my brother. He smiles back and looked at me. "Love you too, Zodia."

The maid came back with what I had requested and dismissed herself. I stood up with help from Ignis and poured a cup of tea for Noctis, myself, and Gladio while I prepared Ignis' favorite coffee, Ebony.

"After all these years, you still have a strong favoritism to Ebony," I giggle, handing him his cup. Ignis thanks me and assists me in passing out the tea. All four of us chatted up a storm until a bubbly voice broke through our thoughts. Lo and behold, Prompto dashed into the library, completely out of breath. "F-finally!" He shouts.