Buffet Table
 

Buffet Table
http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/y...ffet-table.jpg
Banner by Lissy Longbottom

What's a party without food? Here you'll find a number of classy dishes - everything from finger food to desserts. Please be sure to grab a napkin and don't make a mess! That's not very classy at all.

MENU:

Quote:

Appetizers -Crab Cakes -Bruschetta on toasted baguettes -Mini bagels with flavored cream cheeses -Mushroom ravioli Main Dishes - Mini Ham, Cheddar and Apple Paninis -Lamb, Chicken and Beef Kabobs -Sticky Rice Balls w/ Soy Dipping Sauce -Swedish Meatballs -Coconut Shrimp -Pigs in a Blanket Desserts -Fruit Kabobs -Apple Turnovers -Baklava Bars -Strawberry Cheesecake Tartlets -Fudge Brownie Bites -Chocolate Cannolis

Please feel free to eat your food here at the buffet table or in the appropriate dining area, but not on the dancefloor! Thank you!

This is apparently where the unhappies go? XD
 

Jasper
 

Claire walked over to the buffet table and noticed a man wiping himself off and walked over to him, "Here let me help." she said grabbing a napkin. "Scourgify." she said after she had blotted whatever he had spilled on himself. "There good as new." she added with a smile.

Claire
 

Jasper, being the more passive man he unenergetically went along with ...well it wasn't so much an offer of help as it just sort of took place with or without acceptance. But that made it easier, truth be told. He would've debated and insisted on being alright and perfectly fine even in the face of the obvious truth.

"Thank you." He said through a listless sort of smile. "I had almost forgotten about my suit. Well, actually it's not my suit. It's my brother's suit, but...thank you." He said a little awkwardly and stopping himself before he babbled on with any more useless facts.

"Are you a new hire?" He asked wondering if she'd be a regular face he'd see around work.

Claire smiled as the man babbled about the suit not being his and thanked her. "You're very welcome." she said as she placed the napkin she had in her hand on a nearby table.
"Yes, I am." she replied to his question, "Claire Fayard. Just transferred from the American Ministry. And you are?" she asked him.

Claire
 

Jasper
 

Claire thought for a moment, "Well I suppose it's like the ministry here but I'm not really sure since I haven't officially started yet." she said looking around, "Although the American Ministry isn't nearly as nice as this and we never had any balls. Just an occasion department party." she said as she motioned to the surrounding room.

Claire looked to where Jasper had pointed, "The crab cakes look delicious. I wonder if they're anything like the one's we have back home." she said her gaze wandering to the dessert table, "Ooh look they have cheesecake thingies too." she said with a little laugh.

So she had stood in her secluded corner thinking things over and something occured to her. She could let this go and continue on and avoid him at all costs, which would have been what the old her would have done. Or....she could walk right up to him and demand an explanation. Not to mention that she had a sinking feeling ignoring him might be easier said then done.

The fact that he was here most likely meant henwas now working here and given his talents the positions for him were limited. Which lead her to the conclusion that he would most likely be working in the same department as her. This all lead her to the decision of confronting this situation head on.

Syd weaved through the crowd following the emotional signature to the buffet table. She was so determined that she had tunnel vision and walked right up to Jasper, planted herself in front of him, and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Why?"

Claire looked over when a woman approached and stood directly in front of her and said something to Jasper. She was completely thrown off by the woman's approach so she tapped the woman on the shoulder, "Excuse me." she said to the woman, "I may not be from here but I'm pretty sure it's rude to just walk up and interrupt a person's conversation."

The tap on her shoulder was a bit of a surprise. Images flashed through her head in rapid succession though she forced herself to ignore them. Her amber eyes scanned ovef the women speaking and it dawn on her that she might be interrupting something.

She smiled st the women. "Im sorry. I didn't mean to be rude." She held out her hand. "Syndil Rivers."

Claire & Syndil
 

"You mean like Maryland and Maine crab cakes?" He was enjoying this. This calm and peaceful conversation about normal things like food and work and he wouldn't ve said so just as he was about to grab a sherry from a tray, when Syndil had entered.

"It's alright, Claire. Really. Would you excuse me for a moment?" He said letting his emotions get the better of him and looking more scared than he had wanted to. He reached a hand around Syndil's shoulder and walked her over and away from present company at least far enough that he thought they might be outside of earshot. Aka over by the The Photo Station.

Syndil and Jasper
 

Claire returned the woman's smile, “Claire Fayard." she said holding out her hand. “Sorry for being so harsh." she apologized to the woman Jasper obviously knew her. She turned back to him and answered his question, " Either one they're both good." she noticed he wanted to speak to the woman alone and nodded to them as he pulled the woman away. She watched them for a few moments and then turned back to the food to decide what to eat.

there ain't no accident we can't fix!
 

As much as GinaMarie loved people watching she couldn't deny that her stomach was now growling almost continuously from the smell the buffet table gave off. She approached it slowly, tying not give off any reason to believe that she could probably eat the whole table by herself because she was that hungry. Where to begin? The brunette asked herself.

"Hello there." GinaMarie smiled at the woman she approached. Really the only reason she was even speaking to the woman was because she was standing in front of more food...but she didn't let that show. "Don't think I've met you yet." She said with another smile. That's because you haven't spoken to anyone yet. "I'm GinaMarie." Good introduction, GM. Forget the food. SOCIALIZE. Shaking hands was good, right? Good, because she stuck her hand out for the woman to shake.

Claire smoked as Jasper returned and continued to look over the food, "It's quite alright.“ she said to him as he apologized. "I actually haven't tried anything yet. There's so much food I couldn't decide." she said sweeping her hand at the table. "I think I may try a little of everything." she laughed.
Another woman came up and introduced herself and Claire turned around, “You are correct we haven't met yet. I'm Claire." she said to her as she shook the woman's extended hand. " Would you care to join us? We're just about to get some food and sit down to eat."

"That would be lovely." GinaMarie agreed. Good. Good. Making acquaintances. Good. She thought. Grab some more food. Yes. That's the ticket. "I've always admired the name Claire." GinaMarie commented. "I used to work with someone named Claire, but she always hated the name. I don't know why." Ah, Claire from the customer support system, GinaMarie really missed her and the witty banter they used to particpate in on a daily basis.

Stepping around Claire quickly, GinaMarie grabbed some coconut shrimp and added it to her plate. Harold would have loved the shrimp. Good thing I didn't bring him...there wouldn't be any left. "Have you tried those yet?" GinaMarie asked Claire as she pointed to the Swedish meatballs. It didn't look like something GinaMarie would have eaten but she was still really hungry and decided it wouldn't hurt to put three or four of them onto her plate. Yep. Hungry she was. Now where to sit?

Claire & GinaMarie
 

M-Squared. Adam laughed at that, knowing that they'd be calling the babies that for a long time. They already had the 'twins', so that would be their differentiation. "They'll be fine," he said, squeezing Lori's arms. "Remember, there's always the nursery here, if you ever need a break from them." Gosh, he did love his kids, but he would not for the life of him want them with him at work.

"Besides, my parents love them, they'll be spoilt rotten." By his mother, of course, there was no denying it. Maybe it was to do with the fact that they didn't have him around any more. Anyone would miss him, it was true.

Leading Lorelai in the direction of the food, or rather, the smell of food, he picked up a menu as they approached the table. "Strawberry cheesecake? Pigs in blankets?" Did that sound tempting or what?

For WWWWWWWWWWWW--
 

GinaMarie and Jasper
 

Claire piled some food on her and looked around, "Lets try to get a seat over here." she said making her way past the other people at the buffet table. She was glad she was meeting people since she didn't know anyone yet and sitting in her apartment alone was getting well lonely.

Lorelai nodded a little, still not fully convinced that she was being a good mother by leaving them. Sure, they were with their grandparents and she trusted Adam's parents with everything she'd ever had, they were practically her own parents. But she felt like a bad mum. "But that involves you bringing them with you...." Because she wasn't bringing them here to drop them off and then leave. Hubster could do it. It was okay with their older children, because they already had places to go. "Maybe once a week...." For now.

She felt herself smile at the comment about his parents and nodded. "I know, I know. I just feel bad, you know? We leave them tonight, and then we're leaving them again when we go to Paris...." She wasn't entirely bothered about Paris, though. She wanted time with her husband and what better place?

Food. She perused over the menu as Adam held it and shrugged. "I'll share whatever you get. It's romantic." It really wasn't, because he ate so much. But it was okay. She'd be cute and romantic tonight. In their corner.

Claire & GinaMarie
 

"Smile, gorgeous. Stop dwelling. Our time now, yeah?" And being sulky and mumsy was not definition of Lorelai and Adam time. Not at all. "And leaving them with people who are paid and trained to look after them." People who would probably, in Adams honest opinion, do a better job of helping if one of them got injured. He still stood around awkwardly and just wished it got better, although he'd never admit that to his wife. "That's a start," he agreed with a smile, glancing around at the other people for a second. "I'm sure they're here somewhere, too, if you wanted to talk to them."

Make sure they were okay, and all. Adam wouldn't blame her.

Waving away her 'feel bad's, he took her hand and held it tightly. "Paris is our place. One day we'll take the kids, but for now? Ours. You and me, and the Eiffel Tower." And the place where he proposed, and all that jazz.

He would have liked to take the kids, but he knew that he'd save that for when they were older. For when the girls could appreciate it, when the boys could take their own girlfriends. Anyone tried taking one of his daughters, though, and they'd have another thing coming.

"Quadruple helpings of everything, then," he grinned. Three for him, one for her?

"Except the mushroom thing."

Smile. Right. Lori put on her best smile. Pulled it right from the tips of her toes and warmed it. Her best smile, for her best husband. Her only husband, of course. But her best one. She'd never have a better one. "Our time, yeah." He got a quick kiss for that, and she rested the hand that wasn't at his elbow, just inside his jacket against his chest. "I'm trained to look after them, Adam. We have six. Six children that I've carried and looked after..." It was hard enough sending the eldest to nursery, or even to school when September came. "You can do it when you go to work. I trust your judgement." In other words..she didn't want to know, or do it, or anything. She'd probably go all mumzilla on them and write them a book of how to look after her children.

Adam could to all of that. He was the one who could sing Maverick to sleep. He was the one who could get McCartney to stop crying when his twin was being looked after. Sure, she was totally Supermum, but...he was pretty darn awesome at his job as a father. That, and he could teach them to kick a ball better than she ever would.

Lor smiled, and rested her chin on his shoulder with a little nod. "Our place, yeah." Not enough for them to move there, because she was more settled in Somerset than ever before. But theirs. "I'm glad we're going back." Just so he knew.

"If you're that hungry, quadruple is fine." If he intended to split halfway, he had another thing coming. She wasn't going to look bloated in this dress. Men.

"Sure." Mushrooms, ey?

hiiiiiiiiiiii friiiiiiends + João MMNT Neves
 

Alysson wasn't actually hungry but had made her way over to the food tables anyway, mainly because William had suggested they go there. So once they'd arrived there she let go of January's arm and briefly glanced behind her to make sure the other two had followed them. They had. Of course they had. Food just magically attracted William. Or, not so magically even.

Her eyes lingered on him a moment longer until January spoke again. Hmm? Alysson thought about this for a moment. "Well, we met around four years ago." Was it five? Three? "But we sort of...lost touch for a while." They were both back now though. Obviously. And staying too. So who knew. "What about you?" If she said something like 'oh, we only met a week ago', Alysson was going to be seriously worried.

Well not worried of course. Wary?

João wasn't expecting to hear his name so clearly--from a male, at least, so he looked around sheepishly and confusedly for a while 'till his eyes fell on his former professor.

Frown, followed by a slow but happy smile.

"Professor Williamson," he greeted the man, stopping mourning over the English cuisine for a change. He laughed at the question softly. "Looks like it." He certainly was old to... no, he was going to keep it as a secret until he stepped in the office, because he still couldn't believe his position himself.

Having emptied her stomach, albeit not willingly, Syd had made her way back go the photo station only to find it deserted. A little perplexed, or perhaps annoyed she went to searching the large, packed room looking for Jasper. When she finally found him the annoyance ratched up another notch. Was that a drink in his hand?

At this point she had half a mind to turn around and walk away. This was more drama then she could handle, but she decided to see where this went. "Where did you go?"

Apparently William was hungry which was not an unusual thing, but Oliver was enjoying watching the two women in front of him. Well okay he was enjoying watching January because he was a good friend and knew that Willy wouldn't like him ogling Alysson.

Oliver scoffed at his friend's 'no sharing' comment. "Fine. I'll just have them both then." Seeing how the goof ball would rather talk to an ex student instead of the two women they had walked in with. No offense Neves dude but Ollie had other priorities.

And that was to finish his conversation with January.

So he left William talking to what's-his-name and stood with the two women. he smiled at Alysson and may have given her a little nod in William's direction as if to say 'he is all yours' before turning his attention to the pretty red head.

"So spirits." he said, flashing her a grin. "I've never actually studied them but I have always been fascinated with them. We used to have one in the house where I grew up. She was an old gypsy woman. She got me interested in the Runes and Divination." Of course all that had taken a back seat when he had decided to take on the muggle world after he had left school. He had eventually come back to it after a few years and had gone into the Department of Mysteries.

Another grin and a shake of his head. "I can't tell you. We had to sign this agreement and the parchment had been charmed so that he could never speak of what went on in there." He had been there for quite a few years but you would never know since he wasn't allowed to talk about it.

Oliver gestured at the table. "Can I get you a drink or something to eat?"

FINE, I'LL JUST TALK TO João!
 

Her eyes roamed over the people closest to them looking for the woman whose conversation she had so rudely interrupted. Assuming that was who he was referring to it seemed she was no longer in the area. Her attention was drawn back though as he continued to speak. She opened her mouth to answer but his next few sentence had the words dying on her tongue.

What?! Was he being serious? He was! Everything in his expression, demeanor, and posture said he was being completely honest. And it annoyed her.

Sighing in exasperation Syd shook her head and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Jasper....You of all people should know how violent our talents have to potential to be and the trauma it can cause on the body. My being sick had nothing to do with anything I saw within you."

It rankled on her nerves that that was his first response. Even more so when she thought about him getting a drink immediately afterwards instead of going to seenif she was okay. That would have been the logical response right?

DO. OVER. That was what Jasper wanted since the attack of the flying champagne. She had left abruptly and previously angry. What was he supposed to think? That she suddenly wanted to spend time with him? Forgave him for all bygones? He may have been a romantic fool, but he was not as unrealistic as all that. Or did she have this type of reaction for every encounter?

He turned that idea over a little more in his head. Her words reinforcing it. How had he not known that this was common for her post-bond?

Actually, what did he know about Syndil Rivers at all?

He had written off the difference in her from that sweet and serene witch he'd met long ago as a result of his doing, although she still knew everything, perhaps even more now. Held all of the cards. Maybe it would be good to know a few things about the lady? Away from the seclusion of the photo station, Jasper noticed more people in the area and kept his voice down. "I hadn't expected it to be quite so violent. Is that why you were so nervous about me touching your hand years ago?" He asked suddenly more aware of his actions and carefully putting back the stemmed glassware one by one until only the crabcake was left on his plate. He wasn't very hungry.

If anyone had told her that she would be standing at the orientation of her new job (one that was going to be stable and safe by the way) and talking to Jasper Mitterbill she would have called them insane. Coming from someone who has been called insane on several occassions, that was certainly something. She smiled a small wry smile at the serendipitous thought while grabbed a few things from the buffet table. Her stomach was now empty so sustenance was needed. Syd grabbed a few sticky rice balls, two fruit kabobs, and a couple bagels loaded with honey almond shmear and then grabbed her second....oh! wait no. Third glass of wine of the evening.

Jasper's question caught her mid bite of a sticky ball so it took her a moment before answering. "Yes and no. What you just did, open yourself up completely, no one has ever done before." Voluntarily. "Normally people are closed off to a point. I'm only able to read what's on the surface. Imagine everyone's emotional state as an ocean and I'm in a boat. I can see the surface of the water easily enough. To see things past the barrier I need to dive down into the ocean, in a sense weasel past their barriers. What you did was put me on an island and then hurl your ocean at me like a tsunami."

Syd thought about telling him the more subvertive things that she had done and how she knew that but thought better of it. Somethings were better left in the past. And definitely were not dinner conversation for "I just found out your not dead" re-meetings. After eating a bagel and sipping some of her wine she shrugged. "Not wanting to touch your hand was a two fold instinctive decision. First I have a hard time with shows of effection to begin with but I also wanted to respect your privacy."

His expression was completely guilt stricken as she put it into nautical terms that the son of an Admiral would understand, but he refrained from apologizing as every time he did it only seemed to upset her. Instead, he tried and failed to not look disappointed and embarrassed by his rash action.

"Can you...stop it? I mean, do you have control over...?" 'Have you never been kissed before, Syndil?' He wanted to ask with a sort of playful incredulity. It was something he almost didn't believe. In fact, he had thought, upon seeing her tonight that she would've by now found someone with whom she could've had a family. Hard or easy to affection, she must've known someone before or after. "How much?" He finished his question.

He plopped another crab cake onto his plate, just in case he would be hungry later, though doubting he would. He often lost his appetite when under the weight of heavy emotions. Though seeing her tuck in as she did prompted him to offer, "Why don't we go and sit at the tables?"

Syd paused mid bagel to mouth as a wave of emotion hit her. Guilt and embarrassment tangled in her senses. She tried to make sense of his sudden burst of conscience, going over what had been said that might have set him off. When the light bulb went off she waved her hand dismissively. "That will be enough of that. You didn't know. And how could you? We never really got around to talking about the specifics of our little gifts."

Of course maybe they would have.....if he hadn't of run off like a big chickenand let her think he was dead. But that was beside the point. To her surprise he was then asking her about her gift and again she was smiling. "I don't have control if someone touches me no. I have taught myself how to tune them out however. They flow through my mind like water. Most of the time though its unnescessary. All I see are things that directly refer to whatnthe person is feeling at that moment. Superficial things really. I'd have to dig into their minds in order to get anything valuable."

His suggestion of a table was welcomed. The instruments of torture women wore by convention in this type of setting were killing her feet. She was convinced that the high heel was created by a man since no woman in her right mind would willingly wear the blasted things. So she drained her glass of wine, grabbed a few more bagels and fruit kabobs, and procured her fourth? glass of wine. She used her wine hand to wave him on, lead them to a table.

He was trying not to think of it. He was trying not to think of most of that night with her, actually. It had up until that point been far more taxing than he'd anticipated and the part that he was most nervous about on his way out of his apartment that evening hadn't even occurred yet. He still wasn't entirely sure of quite alot, really. But for now it would do to let the lady have the last word on the matter. It put him closer to that starting over thing he was so familiar with.

And besides, wasn't that a smile worth anything? Infectious for soon he was doing it too. Though, a little weakly at first. As nervous and awkward as that day their zetwal met. "No, we didn't." He shook his head a bit in agreement and invited her to go on and taking her plate for her as they migrated away from the buffet and into the seating area.

Emilyy
 

Drinks aside, the food looked decent, and she was starrrrving, who knew shaking hands, standing and a little bit of dancing could work up an appetite. Though, considering her usual eating habits, it was no surprise at all. If she remembered correctly, she spent much of the last orientation stuffing her face with Rusty and Wes.

Stepping behind Vic and to the side, she picked up one of the plates from the table and started loading it up with food. Everything and anything, so long as it didn't look like it had been touched. Pig-blanket things, crab cakes, meatballs, bruschetta and stufff. Only, she paused at Vic's question. "Two.. no, three steps ahead of you," she announced triumphantly, holding up the already heaped plate. It wasn't all for her, not that she would object to it... but she was willing to share. "Got drinks?"

... wait what?? She'd been productively loading a plate while he stood there and drooled? Ugh. Vic grinned at the bounties she loaded, though, considering whether those were for both of them or just her. He'd never met a girl who was that much into food, so they probably were going to share, proved by her question next. "I'm on it!"

Vic glanced around and attacked tackled one of the "waiters" or "patrons" insisting on taking the tray along with the four drinks perched on top of it. He might or might not used Emily's new status to be able to snag those drinks for themselves right away. He grabbed one of them small dishes that were meant for dessert and loaded some more in case his new boss was indeed a foody girl, then he came back to Emily with a tray of drinks balanced on one of his palms, a smaller plate of desserts balanced on the other, and a bright smile on his face. "Ready." She can lead the way this time.

Alysson nodded thoughtfully. "We both left the country for a while..." So naturally they had lost touch. Not that January had necessarily asked her to elaborate on the topic but somehow it felt like an important detail. As for the woman's next words, Alysson simply looked back at William for a moment who still seemed to be engaged in conversation with a young man. To be honest, this really wasn't something she wanted to analyze with a woman she'd only just met.

Not that she showed her that in any way. No, her face was graced by a polite smile when she looked back at January.

"I honestly can't tell you." At this she even let out a small laugh, not in discomfort or embarrassment but rather because it was the truth. She really didn't know for certain what was going on but then again, they had enough time to figure that out. Now that they both were back in London that is. "We'll see I guess." No need to pretend that she didn't think there was potential for more there. Maybe.

Oh. "Small world, right?" Alysson didn't really know what else to say. Actually, she sort of wanted to change the subject in general. She was about to open her mouth to ask about January's life before she came here when they were interrupted by Oliver. Who was throwing her a quite pointed look. Well, not so pointed but she caught the drift. Simply looking at him for a moment, Alysson raised her eyebrows with a smile on her lips. "Well, I leave you two to it then." Enjoy! Wasn't she just the perfect wingman?

So she moved back to where William was. "Your best friend needed some alone-time with January." So I'm back. Not that Oliver had actually said anything like that but you know. Alysson offered him a small grin before sending a polite smile at the young man he was talking to.

It had only just occurred to her that this was going to be a new experience for Vic. The time they met in the pizza parlor, she hadn't been herself. She had uncharacteristically opted to avoid food... until of course he coerced her into having some - not that she had needed much convincing.

While Vic tracked down the wait staff, Emily added a couple of chicken kabobs to the plate, though ought to do it. For now.

After one last inspection of what the table had to offer, Emily turned back to see a Vic had not only managed to acquire them a drink, but a couple AND dessert. "Nice selection," she mused, casting an eye over the treats before leading the way to the seating area, "Yeah, c'mon..." she needed a seat which met her specifications. It was all about the vantage point. A corner would be ideal, close enough to an exit to have a means of escape, but far enough to not be disturbed by foot traffic.

He was content with what they had so far, and his companion seemed to be satisfied as well. Vic kept his eyes on the buffet table as she led them along it and towards the seating area (he couldn't see a door so she must've chosen to sit down with all those bounties in their hands), and decided that they had a little of everything worth trying on this table. This night was proving to be so heavenly!

Okay Oliver hadn't actually expected Alysson to take his little hint and leave. He hadn't really been trying to get rid of her, he had just thought that she would like to be with William.

He did give her a huge grin as she walked passed him. He owed her big time and he was also going to talk to his BFF. This woman was a good one and he was going to make sure that William knew that and he was also going to make sure that his friend didn't stuff it up.






"Apparently our house was built on old gypsy land or something like that." Oliver chuckled a little when he thought about the first time he had met her ghost. "I think she was hoping to terrorise us. Unfortunately she picked the wrong brothers to try and scare. When that didn't work well she decided to talk about all the stuff she had been into. Fred, that's my brother, he wasn't interested so she used to come to me all the time." And why wouldn't she? He was awesome!

He laughed with her. "Well I am no Seer either. I know all about the theory side of Divination but a crystal ball is only used for a paper weight at my house." Didn't mean he couldn't still be interested in the subject.

Now he would love to wipe that look on her face, but unfortunately he couldn't. A grin did spread across his face though, "Are you trying to get me in trouble January? Merlin only knows what kind of hex they put in that parchment I signed." He tipped her a wink to let her know that he was only teasing.

Just water. That was nice and simple. Oliver smiled at her before stepping up to the table and picked up the pitcher of water and poured two glasses and then held out one to her. "Enough about me. Tell me about yourself. What are your interests, besides spirits?"

There were few moments when Lorelai looked more beautiful than usual - heck, people had eyes, but when she smiled at him like that... that definitely counted for more than a few. Along with when she first woke up in the morning, and when she got mushy and excited over baby stuff. Adam leant in slightly to her kiss, before smiling right back at her. "And done an amazing job of bringing up," he interjected, with a small laugh. "But you need to let them go at some point. If you don't, they'll try and escape. At least this way, you know they'll come back." Even when they were teenagers, and young adults - he didn't want his children smothered: he knew that Lor was just trying to protect them, and it tore at his heart too to see them grow up. The thought of the twins going to school in September.... no, practically unthinkable.

"Well, that's a good thing." Seeing as he was picking the food. Heh.

Paris, although beautiful, didn't compare to Lor, and their cottage in England. Nothing did, Adam mused, running his free hand through his hair, before detangling himself from his wife and ladening a plate high with food. "Like our secret hide-away, yeah?" Where the kids weren't, where there friends weren't, where his parents weren't. Them, alone. "Me, too," he said. And he was glad she was glad. It was going to be amazing.

"Lorelai Dakota Stemp," heh, he still grinned at hearing that aloud. "When am I ever not that hungry?"

Never was the right answer, by the way.

João watched the group silently. He would understand it if Professor (he was going to call him that, yes) chose to talk to them instead? Not that he wasn't proud when Professor Williamson focused on him.

Hehe. HEHE. He didn't know why, but he felt more important.

"I'm fine, thank you. And you?" He shook his hand as he smiled briefly. "Minister's Office." Which wasn't a department really in his opinion, but...

"And you, sir?"

"Yep. Her name was Esmerelda...I can't remember her surname. I'll ask my parents if she's still hanging around the house." He flashed her a smile. Oliver could tell that she was really interested in this kind of thing. He chuckled softly. She was correct in thinking that. Most kids would be scared of a ghost, but..."Fred and I are constantly pulling pranks on each other. I guess we just stopped being scared of things."

Oh so she would like to hear more, Ollie felt himself grinning like an idiot at her. "Well if she's still at the house I could take you over there so you could meet her if you like?" He might have to get his parents out of the house though because they would think that he was finally bringing a woman home to meet them. He was so not dealing with that embarrassment. "If not then I know a nice little café just around the corner."

He had the feeling that she was not going to drop the subject for long though. But he really could not talk about what he did there. He supposed that he might be able to give her some little hints. If she was to ask again.

As she went on to tell him a little bit about herself, Ollie knew that he was grinning again and he quickly took a sip of his water. She loved the outdoors too! They had stuff in common. Awesome!! "Fascinating. So what is your favourite historical era?" He glanced at the food and thought maybe they should get a plate or two and go sit down but decided he would leave that up to her. He didn't want to appear TOO pushy seeing he had already off loaded William and Alysson.

What else did he want to know?

The usual questions popped into his head, 'what's your favourite colour, food, etc, etc' but that was so boring. "If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be?"

Lori kept up her smile, and made sure not to frown. She'd only get a comment from her husband, and no doubt she'd just get annoyed with him and deny him any more kisses for the evening, and he was supposed to be showing her offff. "I just like doing things for them." Everything. "And making sure they're happy." Spoilt. "And loved." In truth, she just wanted to give her kids everything that she hadn't gotten herself, and even though she had been spoilt and a brat, they hadn't been gifts to make her happy. They had been gifts to buy her quiet over awful parenting and other things. She knew better now, and Lori just loved her babies. "They'd come back though. My cooking is the best."

When he tore himself away from her, Lori perused over the menu again and loitered by his side, occasionally tracing her fingers across his back out of habit.

"That and the play house." Merely escaping to their garden on some nights was like a holiday. But yes, Paris was definitely like their hide-away. So much so, that she was going to mention to him when they were there about making it a yearly thing around the same time. Winters were her favourite. She had her December babies, her January babies, and her others. She had her Winter and Spring babies, and she had her husband. Happy, she was.

.................Oh. Wow. Lori put the menu down, and smiled, leaning back against her husband and nudging him with her nose. "It sounds so much better when you say it." And she was much too in dreamville over her own name that she couldn't comment about his high hunger level.

The answer was never.

She smiled at the comment about him and his brother always pulling pranks. "Boys will be boys," she said teasingly. January felt like a total geek, being so excited about all this stuff he was saying, But she couldn't help it. Especially when he said he might be able to take her to meet this Esmerelda. "Oh, that would be great!" she told him with a grin. How cool would that be?

January assumed that his grinning was a good sign. Did that mean he shared some interests?

Oh, her favorite historical era? January laughed. "Oh, what a question. I don't have just one. Ancient Rome, the Elizabethan period, the Renaissance... It's hard to narrow it down. But I also have a thing for Greek mythology and the Egyptian Kingdoms..." January blushed slightly when she realized she was geeking out again. "Sorry, you've seemed to bring out the nerd in me." Heh. Whoops?

One word? She only got one word to describe herself? "Impossible," she said with a laugh. "Impossible to find just one word." Taking another sip of water, January glanced over to the seating area. Despite the cushioning charm she put on her shoes, these heels were still quite uncomfortable. "Do you want to go sit down?" she asked Oliver with a small smile. Those chairs looked much comfier than standing.

Denise, Lisa, Mel, Sarah... mhmmmmmm.
 

Yes that was certainly true and he had continued on that tradition of 'boys will be boys' when he had befriended William and Waylon. Oh the things he could tell January, but no point in scaring the woman especially when he had just met her. Annnnnd since she was wanting to come with him to his parents house. To meet Esmerelda of course. "Excellent. I will arrange it for the next couple of weeks." He would send his parents on a holiday or something.

Nerd? What was she talking about? Oliver didn't find it nerdy at all. In fact he found it quite interesting. While he wasn't quite into history as she seemed to be there were a few eras that he quite liked. "There is no need to apologise. And there is nothing nerdy about being interested in something." He his gaze flicked to William before returning to January and he grinned. "William finds the reproduction of flobber worm's exciting, but I don't hold that against him." Well...not as much as he used to. Hehe. "And I take it that you have done extra study on these eras?" He figured she had since they were her favourites. "I suppose I am showing my 'butch' side but I always liked the Viking Age." He tipped her a wink and chuckled again as he took another sip of his water.

Oh? Haha, for a second there he thought she was describing herself as impossible which would have been a bummer. Apparently though she had more than one word to describe herself and Oliver was just about to take her arm and steer her over to the seating area and find out what words she would use when his BFF appeared...


...and rather loudly too. Oliver raised his eyebrows at his friend and let him get out all he wanted to say, because apparently William had a bee in his bonnet about something. When he had finally finished with his little JEALOUS rant, he gave January an apologetic look. "I'll be with you in just one moment."

He turned to his friend, grasped him under the arm and gently but firmly pulled him to the end of the buffet table. "First off, I know exactly what you are doing William Williamson and if you weren't my best friend and we weren't at a work function I would punch you in the nose for that ridiculous display you just put on." Actually he would probably punch him because he was his best friend. "Second, are you and January a couple?" Oliver knew they were not so he had every right to talk to the woman and get to know her if he so desired.

"And thirdly, Wanda is just fine. No doubt she's hanging out with her University friends." He knew what William was trying to get at here and Oliver was going to put a stop to it right now. "Your sister and I know exactly where we stand William. We're not exclusive in any way. Unlike some people..." And here he gave his BFF a pointed look. "...I don't string women along. I tell them upfront where I think the relationship is going." He knew what he wanted, he went after it and made sure that his female counterpart was on the same page.

"Now. Can we go and enjoy the rest of the night before we scare those two women away?"

A little bit of João too...
 

................what?

Alysson blinked a couple of times in surprise, turning her whole body around to see where William was going. Which was back to where she had just come from. Didn't he understand the concept of 'alone time'? Also, what on Earth was his problem anyway? Why couldn't he just leave them be? There was clearly something she was missing there but she wasn't entirely sure what or if she even wanted to know.

Looking at Oliver for a moment who seemed very serious about the things he was saying (whatever they were), Alysson eventually turned back around. To the young man William had previously been talking to. Somehow she was too agitated to introduce herself however so all he got was a sort of nondescript look.

If anybody she knew passed by the Buffet Table she'd be gone in less than a second.

Charles excused himself first bidding them both a good evening and then Simon followed his lead apparently he was there to work not enjoy himself. Glancing over at Dorian she questioned cocking her head slightly to the side.

"You were hoping to run into Wes here?" Tasha hadn’t considered the possibility that Wesley could be showing up at the orientation ball considering that Izzy had already left for Australia with the kids she had assumed that Wesley had gone with her. Apparently not though since Dorian expected him to be at the event.

"Why is your mother sending me food recipes? She knows I can't cook." Tasha asked letting out a long exasperated sigh, accompanied by an eye roll. It was one of the things that got her worked up. No amount of recipes would magically make her into a five star chef over night. No matter what anyone said, she knew she had tried.

Feeling Dorian drape his suit jacket over her shoulders against the cold she gave his arm a thankful squeeze before they started to walk inside. Coming into the larger room her eyes went immediately to the buffet tables. "Let’s get some food before we try out the dance floor." Tasha decided. Dancing was always more fun when you weren't thinking about food.

Pulling Dorian over and in front of the buffet tables Tasha pointed towards the meatballs. "Do you think those are edible?" She had her suspicions.

"Perfect," January said, trying not to sound TOO excited. She was going to go meet a gypsy ghost at Oliver's parent's house. That was pretty cool in her book. She was smiling when he said there wasn't anything nerdy about being interested in something. She supposed that was true and was glad that he didn't find her a complete dork. January laughed and glanced at William. The reproduction of flobberworms, really? "How fascinating," she said jokingly. Aww, William. He was so easy to tease fuuuuunn.

"I did study history in college, but not as much as I would have liked. My, err... ex was big into history and it sorta rubbed off onto me. These days I just do a lot of personal study. I read a lot." And all those books were a pain to pack up and lug all the way back to the UK, for sure. January grinned a little bit at that wink Viking mention. "Also a good era," she said fairly.

And then, out of the blue... along came William. January was slightly startled by his rather loud voice. At first, January was slightly confused, but she caught along quickly. Honestly, January and Oliver were just talking and she didn't quite understand why William seemed bothered by it.

Oh... Wanda? That was William's sister, she remembered. Well, it shouldn't matter to her. They were just talking.

January sipped her water awkwardly and nodded to Oliver when he spoke and let the two boys go off and... discuss things. She did her best not to eavesdrop, despite her curiosity on the matter, but that would be rude. January glanced over at Alysson, who... didn't seem quite pleased with the situation either, but possibly just as confused as she was.

Welp.

Oi you all
 

Alysson continued to look around at the people nearby, trying hard not to look lost or without anyone to talk to. Even though strictly speaking she was. And she hated that. There was an uncharacteristical frown on her face as she looked at the offered appetizers again. To be honest, she wasn't hungry. At all.

So, why was she still at the Buffet Table?

Oh, look, William was back. Do YOU? That was the reply on the tip of her tongue but she bit it back and simply looked at him for a moment. Really, she probably had to no reason to be irritated with him. They hadn't exactly come here together after all. Still. "Only if you tell me what that was about." She nodded to where Oliver and January still were.

The possibility that he might have confused Natasha hadn’t entirely crossed Dorian’s mind, even as he’d momentarily gone back to glancing over the crowds after Charles’ and Simon’s departures. If people were there, they were, and otherwise, he’d just have to think of other ways to make sure they were aware of things. Even that little teasing moment regarding Lorelai had mostly been forgotten, and he’d returned his gaze to his fiancée as she’d spoken. “I can’t see him turning over the reins to the department without making absolutely certain everything goes off without a hitch,” he answered, shrugging a shoulder. His old housemate and former boss was a bit too paranoid for that, so he imagined he was around somewhere.

It was just a matter of time, and the idea of checking out the food only gave him a better idea that he may locate him anyway. He’d cracked a smile at the exasperated question, however. Apparently his mother had been sending messages to more than just his flat lately, but that only proved that Natasha had been accepted into the family already. “I’d imagine she’s hoping otherwise,” he said wryly. “She’s abandoned hope that I’ll ever be more than just a passable cook, so it’s transferred to you.” Unfortunately, he was almost certain that neither one of them would suddenly and miraculously become a chef. As long as he had his espresso maker, he was fine.

It was sweet, though, as was the little grateful squeeze he’d gotten from Natasha in response to his offer of his coat, and he’d wordlessly shifted to direct her toward the buffet tables as she had suggested it. As far as he had decided, that had been where they were headed anyway, even if he had a healthy suspicion of any food at Ministry events. There was a basis for that, at least, but he also had no reason to believe that there would be a return of the earlier pandemic. There were other situations to apply his concern to, and therefore, he’d shifted to lean over to retrieve one of the meatballs in question. Popping it into his mouth, he’d tested it just to make sure. “I’d hope so, but if I start acting strange any time soon, we know the culprit,” he finally replied, returning to his standing position. So far nothing seemed suspicious.

Ro and Sarah
 

Pfft...Oliver would just like to see William try and punch him. His friend was a klutz. He was likely to punch himself before he landed a fist on Ollie, not to mention that he used to play Quidditch and a bunch of muggle sports so his reflexes were still lightening fast. But he didn't say anything, he would let his friend have his fantasy.

He also had no idea where there was coming from either. Was he not allowed to talk to anyone? "Wanda is always going to be obsessed." That didn't mean he couldn't talk to people. Regardless of what William thought, Oliver had never made any sort of commitment to Wanda. That woman was just as good at playing games as he was.

Oliver shook his head at his friend while taking a deep breath because he was starting to get very annoyed with his BFF. "Who said I was stringing her along? I'm merely talking to the woman." Geez, as far as he could tell, he was doing the guy a favour. He could see what his oblivious friend couldn't and that was that Alysson didn't want January hanging around the two of them.

"Yeah whatever yourself dude. How about paying attention to one girl at a time." He shook his head again when William walked away and he waited a moment or two before slowly making his way back over to January and plastering a smile on his face.

"Sorry about that." There was a lot of things he wanted to say about his friend right now and none of it was good and there probably would have been quite a few curse words there in also. But whatever William thought of him right now, he was loyal and would not speak ill of the man. "Even best friends have their moments."

He watched as William led Alysson over to the seating area and that was the last place he felt like going to now but he couldn't expect January to stand up all night. They didn't have to sit at the same table but he would leave that up to the redhead. "Did you still want to get a seat?"

"Yes Wesley has always been a stickler for making sure his plans go off without hitches." Tasha mused in agreement. Gazing around the buffet area for her brother-in-law and not catching a sight of him anywhere she turned to look up at Dorian. "If you don't run into Wesley here can’t you owl him and set up a meeting? I’m sure he won't leave for Australia until he has talked to you." Even if the same case hadn’t exactly applied to her and Izzy since they had only exchanged letters. Tasha wanted to tell her sister the good news in person. Letters she felt were so impersonal, not like face-to-face where you could immediately see how someone reacted to news good or bad.

Grimacing Tasha sighed. "I really wish your mother would stop, but if it means so much to her I'll try. I can't promise I won't burn up several more dishes along the way though." Like she had that pizza she had tried to make the other night. It had tasted so horrible that they had had to order takeout.

Turning to the food display again as Dorian picked up a meatball and popped it into his mouth she watched him closely. When nothing happened Tasha relaxed slightly and retrieved her own meatball. Popping it into her mouth she murmured. "It tastes nice." She helped herself to a few more before she asked. "Want to bring some food over to the seating or do you want go practice some dancing in preparation for our wedding?" Yes, she had said wedding Tasha couldn't help but drop her gaze to the ring on her finger.