*insert 'this is fine' meme*

Avantika turned instantly when she heard her name called. His tone was sterner than she could remember it ever being when he spoke to her, demanding that she go with him. A hollow dread knotted in her stomach at the thought of being in trouble, but while she hoped this would be over quickly so she could get back to patrolling, she knew she ought to be grateful. Whenever she spoke to Art about serious matters, she always ended up feeling a lot better. He reassured her and gave her good advice. Whether she followed it or not was her own issue, but the calming presence of the brother and Aegis she loved always helped, at least in the moment.

She followed him to the fountain in the center of the garden terraces. Once he spoke, she found herself unable to look at him. He was angry at her. Or disappointed. She didn't know which would be worse. Audra had left the Hallows. While Avantika wasn't exactly surprised -- she knew she hadn't been treating the woman very well -- she did feel something close to anger. Not so much that Audra had left her -- she knew she didn't deserve such blind loyalty and tried to force down the lingering hurt and pretend it didn't exist -- but that she had left the Hallows. Audra was a skilled healer. The Hallows should have such skills at their disposal. Therefore, Audra should have stayed. Was that really so hard? It was what Avantika would do. But then, she was loyal. She scowled at the ground. What they had had -- clearly, it wasn't important. They'd had some fun. She'd deluded herself into thinking that maybe there was something more there. They'd talked about starting a family, about a future at each other's sides. But it didn't matter. Avantika didn't care. Not one bit. "I -- she..." She didn't know how to say it, but if Art wanted an explanation, she would have to try her best. "I had too much else to do."

"Speech"