Unbowed, unbent, unbroken

As soon as Avantika succeeded in her attack, Art's voice rang out to tell them to cease fighting. She retreated instantly, and returned Mercury's words with an equally soft, "You as well," before turning her full attention to her Aegis as he prepared to announce who the Hallows' first Commander would be. For a moment, she was afraid it wouldn't be her. While she had confidence in her fighting skills, that was far from the only important factor in the decision for such a high rank. Perhaps he thought she wasn't ready for more responsibility. It hadn't been so long, really, since he had met her in the courtyard and told her that he didn't need a Vanguard who was only a slave to her work, since her terrified, catastrophizing mind had feared that he might take away her rank or even exile her for the neglect she'd exhibited for the very wolves she loved so much, and she didn't know if he'd believe that she'd truly changed since then. Heck, she didn't even know if she'd changed.

But her nightmare was cut short as he continued. 'I'm proud to name Avantika as the Hallows' first Commander!' She bowed her head, the warmth of his pride curling into her stomach and expanding to thicken in her throat. She didn't know what to say, and neither could she hold back her grin. She couldn't even tease him in response to his emphasis on telling her to think of balance. She was... just happy. "Thank you," she said sincerely, hoping he knew that her gratitude was for so much more than some words of praise and a new title.

Mercury was then made Vanguard, which made sense. While she didn't know him well, she knew that he was skilled enough to put up one hell of a good fight, and even the act of challenging for the rank showed he had ambition and a drive to do his work well. She would like to speak to him more later. Or now, even, if it pleased him to reach out. She would linger until the crowd left. Her eyes went straight to Rudy, though, again, she would wait for him to come to her. She didn't want to act like a braggart.

"Speech"