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</div><br/><div style="text-align: center">《 Armando, Hale, Ray Jr. 》<br/>
Location: Abendblume conference room <br/>
Addressing: Dan, Rebel <a class="username" data-user-id="6997" data-username="Traveler" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/6997/">Traveler</a> Alvaro <a class="username" data-user-id="288" data-username="Flannel King" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/288/">Flannel King</a>​</div><br/>Armando brought Hale the report first thing in the morning. He couldn't have gotten more than a few hours of sleep, though it was important enough to deliver the events of the previous day, and in person rather than simply handing the paper off to someone else. Hale had been sitting down with his eldest son, taking in his events of the story. There were pieces that Ray had left out, like who had left the ugly bruise on his cheek, that Armando admitted to in his report. To say Hale was displeased was an understatement.<br/><br/>"Dan and Rebel have not had a chance to sign off yet," Armando told Hale. If they were smart, they wouldn't. It was the truth, for the most part. No sugar coating or trying to make it to be something it wasn't. No outright defending Ray. Just the facts. He'd gone against his own advice, hoping that Hale might read it as a cry for help for his golden child. That he's strive to do better for the community and other innocent people. There was no settling Armando's discontent, and that had only festered. With Marcia's words in his ear came clarity, and he realized this was the breaking point for him. He could not sit idly by and pretend any longer. The world was not going to simply slot itself back together. Humanity needed to work to put the pieces back together. God had been testing him, and Armando needed to remain true, and it was only with love that he gave voice to his discontent.<br/><br/>Ray reached for the report after his father had turned it over.<div class="bbImageWrapper bbImageAligned--right lazyload js-lbImage" data-lb-caption-extra-html="" data-lb-sidebar-href="" data-single-image="1" data-src="/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVKfiZ5Y.jpg&amp;hash=6b557fd3030dc220ec2f4df907128cd2" title="VKfiZ5Y.jpg">
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</div><br/><br/>"Can you retrieve Dan and Rebel? I think we're in dire need of a mandatory meeting," Hale decided. "Alvaro, as well. Since he was present also." Would he corroborate Armando's story, or did he have his own retelling? Certainly, Alvaro had the capability of making it much worse, and very likely the desire to do so. Would the others have a different perspective to share? Armando would not blame them a single bit if they tried to save their own ass. Ray had not written an official report. He'd simply reiterated to his father his goal and the outcome.<br/><br/>Once they were all present, Hale slid Armando's report across the conference room table to be shared between Dan and Rebel.<br/><br/>"Do either of you remember any details that don't align with this report?" Hale asked. Ray was resting his elbows on his knees, doubting anything serious would have of it. Armando and Hale had disagreed in the past, but his father had always seen value in the man.<br/><br/>"This was disgraceful, Hale, and you know it. I'm not saying any<i>one</i>person was to blame, but from start to finish, it all could have been handled more appropriately, starting with the untrained guards who should have<i>never </i>been armed. We did not have to turn those people out so callously either. We could have better prepared them. Sent them out to a secured location, with supplies to get them going. More than a slap in the face, a can of beans, and a paper thin blanket," Armando voiced.<br/><br/><div class="bbImageWrapper bbImageAligned--left lazyload js-lbImage" data-lb-caption-extra-html="" data-lb-sidebar-href="" data-single-image="1" data-src="/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FlCnDf1D.jpg%3F2&amp;hash=1a68d85936e449a14868eafdda86e5fa" title="lCnDf1D.jpg">
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</div>"I've told you, time and time again. We have to think of our own. You spread yourself too thin and then mistakes are made. It certainly sounds like they could have done without your assistance. Your<i>emotion </i>and<i>overanalyzing</i>. Don't you think a lot of this could have been avoided if you'd not taken it upon yourself to thrust yourself into the middle of the situation? If you'd just stayed home and done the job assigned to you, here? Instead, you<i>undermined</i>Rebel and Dan in their mission. And now, here, you bring me this report to what purpose? To make a martyr of the ones lost? To tell me my son was in the wrong for trying to protect you, a man so close to my family for so long?"<br/><br/>"To try to make you see the bigger picture, Hale!" Armando snapped.<br/><br/>"It is you who do not see the bigger picture, Armando!" Hale matched. "We<i>do not</i>have the means to feed the numbers we have. Shall we wait until we reach crisis? For Abendblume to crumble from within? We have watched it happen with many, many other communities because others cannot make tough choices. We have other communities hoping to starve us out, just waiting until we're weak enough to pick us off. You are serving their purpose and working against me, though truly, I understand you mean well. Your heart simply is not cut out for decision making in these times."