She wasn't laughing at him... heh. He chuckled at that. "You have no idea what you're missing," he grinned, taking another bite as Rose was telling him that she'll try it some other time. He, on the other hand, had a feeling that he might buy another piece of pie when he'll finish this one.

"Good, great, amazing," he mumbled, pretty much summing up what she'd told him with a smirk on his face. "Got it." Well, if she wasn't going to give any details, he won't say a word when the Rose Inquisition starts... because the questions will come; it was only a matter of time. But, if there was one thing he was sure of, was that he wasn't going to insist and keep teasing her. What made him stop? The rosy, soon-to-be bright red colour in her cheeks.

"Yep," Konrad smiled when she asked if it was Klaus. Of course it was him. "He was rather playful this morning, and his good mood usually involves lots of scratching. But no, it doesn't hurt," as much as it hurt when he actually got the scratches, he thought. Heh, it felt... itchy. Besides, he liked Klaus when he was in a good mood, rather than the grumpy Klaus. None of the Scherfig men were a pleasant company in their grumpy moods. "I was asking for it, anyway." After wrestling the cat, so to say... of course he knew he'd get scratched.

Alex had to admit that new Ministry Food Court was a rather great perk of working here; it meant she didn't have to leave site anymore just to get lunch and she actually got to relax more. Not to mention that the food was actually pretty decent, not too expensive, and fairly healthy as well.

Her plate filled with a ceasar salad and some beef stew, she glanced around looking for a place to eat. Someplace quiet, which was good that she hadn't met too many people. But to her dismay, it seemed most of the tables were occupied. And to her great dismay, she spotted that fellow from the stairwell ... eating alone, which meant that if she wanted quiet, the table he was at was as good as any. She had no interest speaking much to Dart.

Making her way over, she looked around to make sure noone was planning on sitting there and took a seat across from him, giving him a brief smile before spooning a mouthful of beef stew into her mouth. She wasn't going to say something or even ask if she could sit here. It was only for what, 30 minutes? And then she'd be out of his hair . . .

Where was Amy?

Dartanian looked down to see what the time was on he's watch for just a moment and then looking up he almost got the fright of he's life. The woman from the staircase had somehow magically appeared. He took another bite from he's wrap and then eyed her rasing a brow. He had two questions about this. One how did she get here without him seeing? And two. Why was she sitting here? Without he's permission.

The eyeing continued for a few moments, as Dart waited thinking she'd get up and leave. She didn't seem to be dooing just that anytime soon though and it was only then he felt he had to utter a word to this crazy woman.

"Em..zat zeet eez taken, Mizz" He added the 'Mizz' just so she would listen to him, which he felt she really should. He's light brown eyes then fell on a plate that was not he's, it was the plate of this odd woman. He eyed her beef stew it looked really good, in fact delicious. Pitty he hadn't gotten some, but then it clicked to Dart, as to why thjis lady hadcome to sit by him afterall. She was coming to give him beef stew! of course that was only what he thought.

Smirking now as he looked at the stew, Dart dropped he's chicken wrap on he's plate and then picked up the spoon beside it. He leaned a little forward, scooped himself some of Alex's beef stew and then began eating away.

It was really good, muuuch better than the wrap he had been eating before.

Ella Wellington was beyond excited! She had sent out notes and put a notice on the message board about this little party, so she hoped people would come. She wanted to meet all the people in her department that she would be working with from now on. And she hoped they brought a friend too! The more, the merrier, right?

After buying much food for the employees that would hopefully be arriving soon (including potatoes, bowls of dragon's breath stew, fettuccine alfredo, chocolate chip cookies, fudgy chunk brownies, and copious amounts of hot chocolate and coffee bevearges), Ella stood by a group of several tables she had pulled together that had all the pre-purchased food on it. She just wanted to meet as many people as possible and get to know her co-workers, and what better way to do that than bribe them over with free food?

Ella adjusted her pink blazer and stood by the tables, waiting for people to show up. Come oooon, people!

OOC: Although this party is aimed at Magical Creatures employees, feel free to jump in! Ella wants to meet ALL of you guys, from all levels!

Noah entered the food court with a spring in his step, after being laid up in hospital for the last two months he was glad to finally be back at work and what better way to start than a party with his new boss. As much as he was looking forward to meeting Ella he really hoped she had been briefed on his 'condition'.
Spotting the grouped tables and who he assumed to be his new head of department he made his way over to her and held out his hand "Miss Wellington I presume, I am Noah Trammell. Please to meet you"

Nate walked over to the seating area for the party. He heard that they got a new department head, so he wanted to meet her. After he walked in he noticed her and one of his fellow workers talking together. He walked on over to them and said "Hello Miss. Wellington. It's a pleasure to met you." He offered a hand for her to shake.

Seeing someone enter the food court, Ella scanned her memory to see if she could remember his picture in the personal record files... He did look familiar, but she couldn't remember his name. That was okay though - that's why she was having this party!

Ella smiled as the man approached and she took his hand and shook it. "Ah, you're Noah. I've heard a lot about you. It's a pleasure to meet you." He was the werewolf, which Ella just found simply fascinating. "I understand you've been in St. Mungo's for quite some time." She didn't really know anything about that and she didn't expect him to expand now, but he was welcome to later if he wanted to explain. "Even though I'm new here, it's good you have you back in the workplace."

Ella spotted another employee enter the room. His face looked familiar from her search among the personal records, too. Ella returned the smile and shook the man's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well." Even though she couldn't remember his name. "And what was your name?" She would have to go back to her office tonight and study everyone's faces again.

Relief washed over him on realising that Ella had been informed of what had been going on "Thank you, I am glad to be back. I think I may have begun bouncing off the walls of Mungos if I had stayed much longer" he laughed then added "If you would like I can stop by your office after the party and explain my absence?" He would go into the situation now however he was unsure how many of his colleagues knew about his nature or how those who did not know would react

"I'm Thomas Jones, one of the Junior Dragon researchers." He said to his new department head. After he said that he turned to his co-worker. "Hello. I don't believe we met either. Once again I'm Thomas Jones." He said offering another hand to him now. "Also I have something that our department could work on, so could I go to your office after this party as well to tell you? Obviously after him though, since he did ask first." he said to his department head.

Serafina was not one to frequent the food court. If she had inherited anything from her mother, it was her knack for and love of cooking. She preferred to cook meals for her family herself, including lunches for work, to be sure that everyone was getting the proper nutrition that they needed. That was what mothers did, after all.

On this particular day, she had not been drawn to the food court on a whim or by hunger pains, she was there for one sole reason, the new Department Head. Being the Director of Beasts, she thought it was her place to work closely with the one who was in charge, which meant that they needed to be introduced properly.

She found the woman easily, for she was the only one surrounded by other employees. With respect for the other's conversations, she waited for her turn before she introduced herself. "You must be the new Department Head." Serafina smiled politely and even quite friendly, "I am Serafina De Luca." She held her hand out for a proper greeting, "Pleasure to meet you."

Or at least, she hoped so. So far the woman did not seem to be an ogre, but looks can be deceiving.

Ella gave the man a smile. "I can only imagine." Of all the times she had been to St. Mungo's, she never had to stay long, thankfully. Ah, just what she was looking for. "That would be wonderful, actually." Ella was quite intrigued by his story and lengthy absence. "After the party," she repeated with a nod. Excellent.

"So, how long have you been a part of the British Ministry of Magic?" She just wanted to get a good feel for all her co-workers.

Thomas Jones, junior Dragon researcher. Ella grinned. Dragons were her favorite. "A pleasure to meet you, Thomas." After the two men greeted each other and Thomas turned his attention back to her, Ella gave him a nod. "I'm certainly interested in what you have to say." She checked her watch briefly. "How about tomorrow morning? Seven o'clock?" That way they weren't at the Ministry too late that night.

And finally, a woman. Ella was pleased to see that she would be working with at least another woman in the department. And she certainly hoped there were more coming... Ella smiled at Serafina, remembering her from looking through the personal record files. "Ah, yes. Director of Beasts." Ella took the woman's hand and shook it. "A pleasure to meet you as well. Have you been in this department long?" Just out of curiosity.

---------

Well, Ella certainly hoped that there were more than three people coming to her party, but she was hungry and hopefully the other employees were, too. In a break between conversations, Ella spoke up to those around her. "Thank you all for coming! I hope we can all chat some more so I can get a feel for what's going on around her and get to know you all better. If you have any questions about me, work, or anything, feel free to ask! Oh, and eat! I bought lots of food!" Ella pointed to all the food and the plates that were in the center of the grouped tables, which consisted of potatoes, bowls of dragon's breath stew, fettuccine alfredo, chocolate chip cookies, fudgy chunk brownies, and copious amounts of hot chocolate and coffee bevearages. Ella herself took a seat at one of the tables and grabbed a plate of fettuccine because it looked absolutely divine and she hadn't eaten in hours.

Taking the mans hand "Nice to meet you Thomas, I am Noah...Werewolf Capture unit"

Turning his attention back to Ella he followed in suit and sat opposite her at the table, he was surprisingly not hungry so only took a couple of cookies off one of the plates "I have not worked in this country very long, As soon as i graduated I moved to work in the American Capture unit" Rolling up his left shirt sleve to reveal his still prominent bite mark "That is where I got this lovely scar from" He had got bitten at least 3 years ago now however the bite scar never seemed to fade away

Kensi had heard there was free food. FREEE FOOOOD. So. Like. She was SO GAME FOR THAT!!

She stumbled into the seating area, and noticed it was mostly magical creatures people here. OH WELL. She didn't mind...she didn't really know many people here anyways...so....it would be nice to meet people! Yay for meeting people!

She scoured the place for Dacszilla....nope, nowhere in sight. Thank Merlin for that. Kensi didn't much think that Dacs was exactly a party person..just a thought...

A Party?! Oh of course Laurel would totally be there! But it wasn't just any normal party, it was apparently a party being held for the new Head of the Magical Creatures Department. Still, a party was still a party, and that meant, time to meet the new head, and maybe get to know some of her fellow employees. So as she entered, she made sure that her dress was alright and took a look around the seating area.

Laurel started making her way around and smiled at the people she walked by. She then began to wonder what the Head looked like, so her eyes began to scan over almost each person trying to see if anyone stuck out to her. And after a couple of minutes there was a certain woman who was wearing a pink blazer, who was continuously getting approached by people and it only had taken a slight moment for Laurel to figure out that that was her.

She then turned her heels in the woman's direction and began walking towards the woman, which to others sort of looked like a strut in a way. When she was within a comfortable distance between them Laurel smiled at the woman and then said in a friendly tone,"Hello, you must be Miss Ellington.." she then went on to say,"My name is Laurel Bellefleur, I work in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures Department of the Ministry...I am the Spirit Relocation Senior Officer.." She silently cursed to herself for speaking so much, but too late now. Laurel still had a polite smile upon her face waiting for the woman's response.

Sky entered the seating area remembering her sister had told her that her new head had thrown a party to get to know everyone. Hmm cool head, Mr. Boss-man-Wesley didn't do anything like that... She straightened out her attire before beginning to look around for this new head and also to look for her sister. Seeing a woman with people approaching her, she turned on her heels and headed for the woman.

Sky waved as she saw her friends. As she approached the woman she said "Are you the new head of creatures?" Probablly not the most polite way to ask but she did ask before assuming. While awaiting the woman's answer she took one more glance for her Creatures sister, Caroline.

Caroline entered the seating area, immediately afterwards her eyes caught a pink blazer and the face of the new department head, she had seen her once in the Department and her friend had told her that was the new boss woman. It wasn't surprising to see not only the new head but her sister, Sky. She smiled as she walked over to the two and the rest of the people. "Hey Sky, and you must be the new Department Head. I am Caroline Nightingale I am the Gringotts Liaison!" She said all this without a single breath. Caroline smiled and bit her lip slightly, maybe she had said to much. She loved meeting people but some times she said way to much at the same time and they just got scared!

Ella took a bite of pasta and mmmmm, it was good. Heh. She leaned forward a little bit and looked at Noah's werewolf bite mark. Oh, wow. She had seen bite marks before, but they still made her shiver. "I can only imagine how... horrifying that was." Being bitten, that is. "I don't want to be too nosy, but is that the reason you left America?" Leave the bad memories behind, maybe? Although, Ella had her share of bad experiences with magical creatures, but she still loved them.

Oh look, another person! Ella was pleased to notice that the woman wasn't from her department, which meant she was branching out and meeting more people. Yay! Ella smiled at the woman and stood again to extend her hand towards the new face. "Hi, I'm Ella Wellington, the new Creatures department head." After waiting for her response, she gestured to the table. "Come join the party, we've got enough food to feed an army!" All those potatoes could feed a whole department.

And then there was another person! Ella was quite pleased by the turnout, even if it wasn't too terribly large. When the woman approached, Ella stood again and smiled politely as she spoke. Ah, yes, she was in Spirits. "Laurel, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Ella, as you said." She held out her hand for the woman to shake. "And I do hope you're hungry," she said with a sheepish smile and glanced at all the food behind her. Maybe she went a little overboard. "From what I've heard, the brownies are to die for."

Ella smiled again and waved Laurel over to the table. "Come on, have a seat."

Just as she finished speaking, another woman showed up. Her greeting was different than the others, but she would take it just fine. Ella smiled politely and nodded. "I am, indeed. Ella Wellington." She held her hand out for the woman to shake. "And you are..?" Because she couldn't recognize her face from looking in the files.

Ella noticed another woman approach who must have been related to the other, because they looked an awful lot alike. Ella smiled yet again and nodded. "That's me." Caroline Nightingale, Gringotts Liaison. She smiled a lot - Ella liked it. "A pleasure to meet you, Caroline." Ella held out her hand again and for the hundredth time that night said: "I hope you're hungry!" Because there were more than plenty servings of dragon's breath stew to go around.

Realising that more people were turning up to the party Noah decided it was best to take some more food before it all disappeared. "It is something I would not want anyone else to go through, All the more reason to put my new 'abilities' to good use and stop anyone else getting hurt" He poured himself a glass of drink and motioned to Ella as if to ask if she would like a re fill. Not wanting his new boss to feel like she couldnt ask questions he gave a smile "It did play a part in it yes, I was a part of the capture unit, I was then forced to transfer to the registration team. Of course I knew it was for the safety of those around me while I got the handle of the wolf but I was never truley happy. So as soon as the opportunity came I put in my papers and came back home to do the job that I was in a sense now made to do."
Knowing that this was all quite a lot to take in for a first meeting he decided to leave it at that till their meeting later to explain the real details, then resting his chin on his hand he decided to turn the tables slightly "How about you Miss Wellington, Have you always been a fan of magical creatures"

Kensi smiled...wow. Really nice lady, this was. There was no way she could ever be in MLE, then. Because it seemed the department was reserved for mean and...mean people. Yep.

"Hi, Ella...I'm Kensington Whitworth...but, er, please just call my Kensi. So much shorter..and not as proper sounding." And Kensi wasn't a very proper person. So yeah. She liked her full name..it was just so long. "New department head, eh?" Cool. So much responsibility, though.

And yes. THE FOOD. Kensi smirked and eyed the food..."I'm from the MLE...it's okay that I'm here, right?" She raised her eyebrows and sincerely hoped that the answer was YES.

FOOD.

Sky smiled, great she had found the right person, maybe she should have just assumed easily enough though. "Pleasure to meet you Ella. My name is Sky-Light Nightingale, but Sky is just fine. Remembering she wasn't in the Department of Creatures she added "I work in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, as a Hit Witch." She loved saying that, it always made her feel proud. She smiled as she saw her sister appear next to her, she wanted to add, don't worry if you confuse us today, you probably won't be seeing me later, but she didn't, she had gotten in trouble last time she had done so.

Well, Noah definitely had many admirable traits. He seemed rather accepting of his... "condition", and quite selfless since he was so willing to use his abilities, as he put it, to make sure no one else got hurt. Ella smiled and accepted a refill. She nodded slowly. "Very admirable," she said simply, repeating her thoughts out loud. "Well, I must say, I'm rather pleased you came back. I think I'll enjoy working with you." He seemed like a nice, hardworking man and Ella was sure he would continue to do well in the department.

Miss Wellington. Pah. "Oh, just call me Ella. A food court isn't a place for formalities." Plus, Miss Wellington made her feel old. When he inquired of her, Ella just smiled again. "Always. I've always been an animal person really, but it was when I took Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts that I realized just how fascinating they really are." She would never get tired of animals, especially magical creatures.

"Kensi, it's a pleasure to meet you." Especially since she wasn't in her own department. It made things more exciting. "And, yes, I'm the new department head." When Kensi said she was from Magical Law Enforcement Ella waved her hand. "Oh no, of course not! The more the merrier. Come on, sit down, have some coffee and brownies." Ella smiled again (she was very smiley that day) and waved Kensi over to the table. Maybe she bought too much food. Heh.

Sky-Light, that was a rather unique name, but Ella liked it. "Nice to meet you, Sky." She offered a smile. Oh, another one from Magical Law Enforcement. Wonderful. "Well, it's great to have you here. Thanks for joining us!" Ella glanced back at Kensi and couldn't help but ask: "Are you two related, by chance?" If not... well, that would be interesting because they looked so alike.

Laurel smiled back to the woman as she replied,"And it's wonderful to meet you..Ella.." She shook her hand for a couple of seconds still smiling. Then she had gestured towards the food and could see that she had bought a LOT of food and was clearly trying to get people to eat it, which Laurel could understand; less food to have to worry about bringing home. So to help out Laurel said kindly,"Well then I must try some of these brownies now shouldn't I?", which was then followed by a light chuckle as she reached out towards the supply of food, picking up a plate. Laurel then picked up one of those brownies and placed it on the plate, and then grabbed a cup of juice.

Before she knew it Ella had walked over to a table and had gestured for her to sit. Laurel smiled again and walked towards the table and sat beside her, making sure not to spill the juice or drop the plate. After successfully sitting, Laurel placed the cup down on the table and then picked up the brownie bringing it to her lips, and then she took a bite into the chocolate dessert. Her hazel eyes widened, and she looked over at Ella fanning herself. She swallowed the bite before saying excitedly,"Oh wow, they are amazing!" She then collected herself laughing a little nervously,"Sorry.."

"So...you're the boss...sounds glorious.." Kensi smiled...but eh, that also sounded like waaaay too much work for Kensi..who...liked to be lazy. MLE...well, she couldn't be lazy...but at least it wasn't too much paperwork..

Ha, this lady was so NICE. Kensi could appreciate nice people. And not like, I'm so naive...and so innocent and nice blahblahblah but like just a nice person. Because that other type of nice...well, Kensi could get annoyed with that.

Very much so.

And brownies? Sure..Kensi made a grab for one immediately...stopped, but then continued..ah, well, she DID say she could have one..right? She took a bite and smiled. "This is good. I like my sweets..." and chocolate. And maybe Kensi would even grab a coffee...she was going to need some for dealing with Dacs after her break...

She glanced at who Ella was talking to...Sky! Her partner for the most recent case...! She almost spit out her brownies when she asked if they were related...but she merely chuckled and swallowed before talking. "Oh. no...I'm American..." she couldn't tell by my awesome accent? she wondered, but then again...Kensi didn't really notice accents..."And my whole family's ginger..." she pointed her hair. Pretty much all of them were redheaded awesomeness. Yep.

Katrina walked into the food court and and quickly found a seat. She told Gavin to meet her down here for lunch. She wanted to wait for him before getting anything. Now what was she gonna get?

Noting that the woman had taken a seat, Serafina did also. She used her wand to summon herself a cup of coffee so as not to be impolite (which she normally would not care about either way, but this woman seemed to be quite nice and had bought the food for them all). "Just about a year now." Serafina replied to the other woman's question. "My husband received a position at St. Mungos which is the reason for our move here from Italy." Though she was sure the woman was well aware of her move, if not from her accent then from her files.

"I held the position of Department Head of Magical Creatures at the Italian Ministry for several years." So like, hey! They had something in common. That was rare. "If I may ask, how did you make it here?" As in, where had she gone to school? What sort of jobs did she have beforehand? She was just curious and enjoyed intellectual talk.