[ And had this been any other time, Lightning likely would have risen to raising her voice or growing agitated right back at the teen. But she can't. That fact loops through her head over and over, even as she narrows her eyes slightly, turning her face away from the bluntness of Hope's anger. ]

... What was I supposed to do? Just give up? Wait for something to happen? [ She wraps her arms around her middle, voice low and purposefully steady. ] We had to do something, Hope. Because the ones in charge here aren't helping any. [ He's not the only one who tried to reason with the guy behind announcing the draft and come up short, after all.... ]