Song listened to: 'All I've Ever Needed' by AJ Michalka
"Jeremiah?", her old guardian looked over at the sound of his name, smiling, he left the flowers he was tending to and walked around the stone veranda of their Pantheon to sit at her side on the top step "Can I ask you a question?"
"You just did." He chuckled at the look she sent his way and relented "How can I assist you Lil Keela?"
"What were you before you became a Choir Elder?"
He hummed and leaned back on his hands, looking ahead of them, down to the bustling square below where brothers and sisters milled about on their way between duties. Jeremiah had not always been in the Choir, he was one of those who had been created in one flock and moved to another when he reached the age to choose his legion, originally, he had been placed under Michael's tutelage. Something that had made him a dire necessity in the war, as he knew of the tactics they would use, before they were implemented. The Choir Elder was a pacifist by nature but knew his way with a sword as good as any Warrior did.
"I was almost made a Power. Me and Nisroc were in the same class together. Michael had wanted both of us to join him as his personal legion. Nisroc did, as you can see, and flourished in the position. It suits him."
She turned to look up at him, "And you chose the Choir." To which he nodded "I chose the Choir."
"Were you ever scared that you chose wrong?"
"Sometimes, when I was first chosen. I often regretted my decision. There were times I nearly asked to be allowed back."
He had asked a number of times, actually, and on all occasions both Archangels had agreed on whatever decision he chose to go with, allowing him to remain where he thought his talents were best met. Nisroc had tried to convince him to come back, asked him to be his second, but he'd stayed with the Choir both times. Something he knew was right. He fit in there the best. It was his flock then and now.
"Was Micha mad that you chose to leave him?"
"Not at all, he was happy I found a place that I belonged and flourished there." He faltered a moment, "Until the war, of course. Then it was personal. But times are changing." Jeremiah smiled down at the little fledgling and nudged her with his arm, "Why do you ask? Planning on leaving us so soon?"
Akeelah's eyes widened quickly, and she was quick in shaking her head, "No, no! It's just…. What if someone were to leave?"
The Elder pondered a moment, smiling to her in order to show he was joking with his questioning. "Then they would be where they were supposed to be. Doing what they were created to do. And always have a flock to return to. Look at your dear friend Zaveriel. He has been around the block a few times. Starting under Raphael's tutelage, and then moving to Gabriel's, and then onto Michael's during the war, and back to Gabriel's after peace was called."
His old charge looked content with that answer, and he hugged her to his side, she smiled and wrapped her arms around his chest, burrowing in deep for a moment, and then they parted the embrace.
Jeremiah stood first, holding a handout to help her to her feet, and together they returned to tending to the flowers that the Gardener had gifted to them to liven the place up a bit.
"Will you ever get your wings looked at, 'Miah?"
"Perhaps, one day, and I have no doubts that you will be there to see it too."
Akeelah was left to her thoughts passed that point, as she listened to her old guardian hum under his breath mindlessly, walking between the pots that had been set on the edge of the banister. She was still too young to be thinking about choosing where she wanted to do, that wouldn't be until she was much older, but it had been on her mind recently and wouldn't leave her in peace.
She was squeezed back into his side unexpectedly, a hand curled around the side of her head, and she looked up at him in confusion, "I would still be proud of you, even if you did decide to go elsewhere, you would always be my 'Lil 'Keela'"