"I feel the same way." Hal responded.

"I... really think that if he succeeds in this, his life will be a LOT better. Lunet might be just what he needs to get his life together." he reasoned.

"And he could be quite good for Lunet, too." he then said.

"I hope, anyway." he muttered.

"But... I also hope he doesn't make a fool out of us." he went on.

"He's getting this chance when... really? He normally wouldn't. Because of US."

"...hm." Hal mumbled.

"So... you're saying that the Council will allow him to temporarily foster her after he gets off the alcohol, but outright adoption is out of the question." he said.

"I see." he went on.

"I will have to inform him of this, of course." he then told her.

"I also hope that Lunet finds a home that can provide her with the love and support she needs." he continued. "If the Council just outright decides he's not fit to adopt her at all."

"He's off to a good start." Hal said.

"Shows he's determined." he reasoned.

"But we'll see how long-lasting that is." he continued, before clearing his throat.

"Anyway, now that the business talk is out of the way!" he then said, changing his tone to be more jovial.

"How have things been with you?" he asked.

"Outside of the Council, of course."

Hal was silent, and just sighed.

"...it's no wonder Vincent doesn't want the position..." he muttered.

"Is there nothing you can do to help lighten the load?" he asked. "...besides ducking out as you have right now..." he mumbled.

"It's not right that your life consists of working and sleeping." he continued.

"It seems like they're TRYING to work you into a frazzle."

Hal paused for a moment, thinking about it.

"....hmmmm..." he mumbled.

"If I recall correctly, Justin and Victor are everything in that trio." he said. "Edward's just a mousy thing that was probably easily coerced or bullied into helping them." he went on.

"If those two are gone, things should lighten up considerably." he reasoned, pondering things.

"I'll see if I can't find any sort of scandal or something that will get them kicked off of that committee, at the very least." he told her.

"They're good at covering their tracks, but when those like myself get involved, NOTHING remains hidden forever."

Hal raised an eyebrow for a moment.

"...wait..." he said.

"Wait, wait, hold on." he muttered.

"Justin. His last name wouldn't happen to be... Sinclaire, would it?" he asked.

"Yes." she replied. "It IS." she told him.

"That name... after this, I need to do some digging." Hal then said. "If what I'm thinking is correct, I might know something about HIM that will ruin his career AND his reputation PERMANENTLY."

Hal was silent again, pondering it.

"I don't want to get your hopes up." he said.

"However, I think that, if this is the same person I'm thinking of, then this might be tied to a cold case in my files." he went on. "Specifically, one that involved repeated hate crimes against... well... non-humans." he stated.

"And I mean the cases are considered JUST cold. I remember seeing a name like that in ALL the files, and something in my mind just doesn't understand how some things work in the reports. Like, they make NO sense." he continued.

"I'll call when I have something more definite."

Hal just sighed again.

"A lot of those that work there are dinosaurs." he muttered.

"They're scared of change, and refuse to leave their comfy bubble in the years where women were considered possessions." he growled. "If they had their way, the Council would rule over EVERYTHING, and mages would be considered better than everyone else." he went on.

"But at the very least, I will try and get rid of 2 of those 3." he promised her.

"...Edward you can probably move somewhere harmless after the ringleaders are gone."

Hal shook his head slightly.

"I'll see what I can dig up." he told her.

"I make no promises, but I'll see what I can find on any and/or all of them." he continued.

He then paused for a moment and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Yes, anyway. Sorry to bring the dinner conversation down." he apologised.

Hal sighed quietly.

"Fair." he said.

The next day, when Hollie arrived at the Council building, she saw that there was a bit of a scene going on. And 'a bit' was a massive understatement. She saw that Justin was being restrained by security AND mage officers, and was looking ready to explode with anger.

"Lady Remmington, stay back!" one of the people that worked for her exclaimed, as he rushed up and got in her way.

"Sir Sinclaire may get extremely violent right now."