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[center][color=E38AAE][b]MENTIONS:[/b][/color][/center]
[color=FFE6E8]What’s going to happen next? What would be the consequences? These questions, along with a flurry of more, were thrown at the chairman’s direction. Hestia watched as Hyacinth removed his glasses from the ridge of his nose in order to wipe the lenses with a pale-colored rag. It was odd to see the man so calm after such a disaster had happened, but then again, she didn’t remember a time when he showed much emotion– not even when he was fuming. He was the type of person to express himself through words and not through action, and while this made him easy to deal with most of the time, right now it only made her more anxious. She bit the inside of her cheek as Hyacinth’s gray eyes once again swept over their number.

[b]”The details of the abduction are still hazy, although it seems that whoever did take Mr. Sutherland also took his Pokemon along with him. There’s no sign of his Pokemon anywhere in his residence. Not even his Pokeballs.”[/b] Hyacinth cleared his throat before continuing. [b]”Yes, there’ll likely be an uproar in the face of canceling the opening ceremony, but I went along with the safest course of action. Going forth with the opening ceremony might have put many more individuals at risk and I didn’t want to take the chance. Thankfully, we’re prepared to receive whatever backlash that’s aimed at our organization in response, so you needn’t worry about any of that.”[/b] 

Hestia cupped her hands and stared at the table. Her vision became misty as her mind raced with thoughts. 

[b]”Unfortunately, the police have little information on the situation as of now, so I ask that [i]all[/i] of you remain in close contact with one another. Reach out to each other often to check in or board with one another if you want, I don’t care as long as you stick together. I can’t afford for this to get any worse,”[/b] the man continued. [b]”As to what happens next… I've decided that the tournament will continue as usual.”[/b]

Her rampaging thoughts were cut short. Hestia’s head snapped upwards as she stared at the man with wide eyes. [color=E38AAE][b]”Hyacinth, sir, how are we supposed to compete if we don’t even know what’s gonna happen?”[/b][/color]

Hyacinth sighed heavily before he finally positioned his glasses back on his nose. [b]”We can only hope that we can find Mr. Sutherland in time for the championship match.”[/b]

[color=E38AAE][b]”But–!”[/b][/color]

[b]”If we cancel the entirety of the competition, then we’ll never recuperate from such a financial travesty. Besides, I’m certain that this is what Mr. Sutherland would want us to do, wherever he may be.”[/b] Hyacinth affirmed. For the first time in the whole meeting, his features darkened as he narrowed his eyes at the number before him. [b]”That leaves the final matter. I don’t want [i]any[/i] of you interfering with the investigation. All that I ask is that you lot carry out your duties as proper gym leaders. Is that understood?”[/b]

Her cheeks glowed a rosy hue as she ducked her head. She couldn’t believe this. They had to pretend that nothing was wrong until they found Ryker. That was, [i]if[/i] they found him. Her hands quivered slightly as her fingers dug into each other.[/color]