Seras let out a shuddering breath as Germaines departed, heart pounding frantically against her chest. [i]I'm too young to have my life flashing before my eyes.[/i] It felt as though she'd run a marathon - worn ragged, high on adrenaline and sore in places that had no right to be aching - but the feeling of triumph was empowering. Reaffirming. Testament to a movement of violence that never came to pass. [i]Is this how trainers feel when competing?[/i] 

She shook those thoughts loose. [i]That had no right to go so well, but at this point, I'll take a miracle.[/i]

As though a storm had passed, the crowd slowly began to mutter among themselves, voices rising and melding into a background hum. Arceus knows what they were talking about. Relief flooding her system, she offered a weary smile towards the remaining avatars and met David's gaze.

"Thank you for your kindness," she said warmly, accepting David's handshake. His grip was strong but restrained, obviously holding both strength and habits in check. "My name is Seras Bancroft, representing Diancie, but just Seras would be preferable."

The formalities left a slightly bitter taste in her mouth - too many hollow words and so little meant - but the evident sincerity behind his words made them heartwarming regardless. Some people just meant what they said. "I'm grateful that you think so highly of me, but I'm sure you that would have protected everyone if Germaines hadn't come around. Bravery means different things for everyone - we both fought to help others in the best way that we could. You have my respect as well."

She turned her attention towards the blue-haired boy, gaze wandering idly to the markings on his shoulders. Even without his support in the recent disaster, it would have been embarrassingly obvious from his appearance that he was an avatar as well. [i]No,[/i] she chastised herself. [i]That's a horrible way to think. You should know better.[/i] Peeling her gaze from his runes with slight embarrassment, she met his eyes and offered a gentle, heartfelt smile. The boy's tears didn't matter - despite David's strength of character, he wasn't the one who had stood beside her in the eye of the storm. "You helped us enormously as well. If you hadn't stood up for everyone and if Germaines hadn't backed down when he did, then I would have been caught in the middle of everything."

[i]And the only difference between you and me is how we respond to stress.[/i]

She offered an open hand to the boy - he deserved to be treated with equal respect as herself, formalities or not.

"Thank you," she said sincerely. "I owe you gratitude for your courage and your help."