Entrance Hall

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Just outside the grand ballroom is a grand entrance hall. This is where Ministry employees and their dates can arrive and meet up with other employees before going inside. The beautiful white tile floor is sparkling, and you can hear the soft sound of violins echoing off the towering walls that stretch high above your head. There are a number of sparkly trees and pinecones scattered around the room to really get you in the New Year's spirit.

See you inside!

ooooo, sparkles!

Reese was walking towards the staircase about to go up to the ballroom, but her attention was quickly grabbed by all the sparkly-ness. It was sparkly just like the diamonds on her dress! Of course, knowing this was a ball, the old semi-young YOUNG woman knew it was a night that she could dress up as a princess. She did have a tiara that she do badly wanted to wear upon her head back at home, but she did not want to intimidate her other coworkers... so she did not include it in her attire tonight.

Maybe she'll wear it to work one day, who knows. She WAS a Princess after all.

...João was impressed. Yes. He was.

But he was more excited and somewhat nervous than impressed. He wasn't nervous about the ball and new people--he was a confident guy after all--he was nervous about the 'date' part. Aspen was a clever girl and it was a wonder how she hadn't asked about his job here yet and he was even more suspicious now that she knew.

Oh well. He would explain if she showed up.

For now though, he was going to enjoy the ball... taking a few steps inside, he studied the hall quickly and nodded at the only girl there.

Were they going to wait here, or could they enter?

Armand walked into the hall, looking around, rather bored. His hands were held behind his head, fingers intertwined. So, this was an orientation? Seemed more like a homecoming dance to him. Being that he rather enjoyed elegant clothing, as well as fashion, his clothing choice was more of looking through his closet and picking whatever he liked. Maybe he was a little too casual about it, but it was the most he was willing to do. With a sigh he lowered his arms, wrapping them around his back instead, holding his hands together in a relaxed fashion as he continued to look around. His expression went from bored to sociable, just for the sake of the party. After all, he had been gone from the Ministry for quite some time, and was willing to make a fresh start.

With Seren busy for the night, Aron arrived at the hall with his son bouncing in his carrier and making all sorts of 'da da da da' noises while flapping his arms as if to say hello to those the duo passed.

"Good evening," he said as he passed two unfamiliar employees. Not that he would know everyone in the Ministry. Far too many employees to possibly know everyone and, really, he only really needed to know those from his own department, the other Department Heads, and a few select employees from other departments who Aron saw fit to remember.

"Good to see you again, Mr. Erikson," he said with an inclination to the head towards his new employee.

"Alright, Derfael...daddy needs to get some food." So, where was the buffet table?

Armand nodded his head to the man. "Sir." He watched as the man had brought his son along, and tried to imagine that with three nine-year-olds. Nope. Never going to happen. If he was going to even moderately enjoy himself here, he was not chasing the three of them around, mate or not.

WOW.

Maya arrived at the Orientation to have her breath taken away by the amazing hall. And this was just the entrance. She was beaming as she walked slowly through the doors, taking in all of the sparklyprettymagic amazing surroundings.

The young woman nodded politely at the employees she passed, not going anywhere in particular, just looking around in awe. Maya noticed a man carrying a little boy. He was adorable! The kid, not the man. Obviously. She loved kids soooo much!

Armand sighed as people admired the hall, and apparently the child. Shaking his head, he moved on to see what was prepared ahead of them.

Alex was not new to the Ministry; she was new to a different department and level, but the Ministry was still her workplace. So as a result, she'd been to several orientations in the past. What surprised, however, was the notion of an orientation being connected with a BALL. And even more-so that a date was to be required. She had considered several options, even just going with a friend (Lenny or Lourdes, she knew few single female friends in the area). But somehow a Knight in shining armour got wind of her new position, on his Ministry Level, and a whole series of conversations later, a date happened. Not that she was upset by it.

She was just happy to be working. And a new position too! Fiddling with her necklace, she glanced up at Cole to her left side. "I should probably try to find my new Department Head and introduce myself properly at some point." And then food. Because food was a GIVEN at Ministry functions.

Cole had been looking forward to this event - since he was no more a new employee and could actually enjoy this event.

And not to mention, he had a date with him tonight. The lovely Alex. Cole had really been surprised when she had arrived. She really looked quite beautiful in that dress of hers. "Did I tell you, you look lovely tonight!" he smiled. Compliments were necessary.

Cole nodded, hearing her. "Yes, and I should probably go see who is the new Creatures head," he mused, looking around before he offered her his arm to take. It wasn't that unusual, they had done this before. A long time ago, but they had.

No he hadn't told her that .... in the last five minutes, but her cheeks flushed again when he told that for the second (or was it third?) time that evening. Was it really necessary for him to compliment her like that? "If you were going to tell me that, then I shouldn't have bothered with the powder blush." She teased. "But thank you, anyhow, you're looking pretty dashing yourself."

Oh? He had a new Department Head too? Only he was still in the same department, just his head was changing. "If it's a female and she's attractive, then you best let me approve her before you do anything rash." That wasn't a question, either. Ooh, now this was all too familiar, even if it HAD been over ten years and they weren't just a pair of teenagers anymore. Taking his arm, she glanced around with interest. "Who do you suppose that one is, with the kid?" He was kinda cute. The kid.

He smiled. Well, he hadn't been lying. She looked lovely.

"Well, you could meet her with me then," he said, a smile pulling at his lips. It was funny how, even after these years - they were talking like they were back in school. Like they had not stop being friends at all. The dating part had come later - but before that, they had been friends. And he actually appreciated this trait of hers - she was not acting like any other woman might have had if she were to meet her ex again.

Arm in arm, as they walked forward - Cole looked over to where she was looking. Kid? Who? "I have no idea," he replied. He really did not.

"You know we still have not had the chance to catch up," he said, as they walked inside. "So, what have you been up to?"

Had it not been for her brother accidentally setting the kitchen on fire right before she left, GinaMarie would have been early to the orientation as she was to nearly everything else in her life. She couldn't just leave her brother alone to fight the fire but had to step in and help put it out. But she was here now, and that's what counts, right? Right.

Upon her arrival, GinaMarie could see that people were starting to fill in at the venue. All, from what she could see, were dressed very lovely. Dateless, GinaMarie began to walk towards the entrance to the ballroom. She gave each of the other employees a nod of her head in greeting before she completely walked passed them. Although she preferred to people watch, GinaMarie was going sit this event out of the people watching stands and participate in the mingling that she normally avoided. Here we go!

Jack Fritzera had to arrive AFTER his wife, since he was coming straight from Quidditch practice. It had been a brutal one too - in the scrimmage game, it had taken him almost fifteen minutes to catch the snitch after he spotted it. Nasty little bugger that one was. As he entered the entrance hall, he grinned and spotted Reese headed towards the staircase. She was hard to miss, what with her sparkly dress and everything.

He hurried up to her, snuck behind her and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Hello beautiful. Miss me?" he asked with a grin.

xxxxxxx

Cale Newell entered the hall - well, actually, he kind of barged his way in all dramatic like - and looked around. Not many people here yet, but that was ok. There would be lots of people here soon, and soon the whole Ministry would be buzzing with the news that HE. WAS. BACK!

That's right. Cale Newell had returned to the Ministry!

In reality, he was sure that the only people who cared about this were the Gryffindors he'd gone to school with, his wife, and a few other select people. But Cale liked to THINK his return was a huge deal. It made him less nervous, because in reality, he was FREAKING OUT. Department Head! That was such a big JOB! He was IN CHARGE of people! And the entire transportation system of the British Wizarding World!

Oh yes. It was enough to make any man nervous, even Cale.

Entering the hall, Gidyun looked around to see if Becca had arrived yet. He had needed to be there a bit earlier and Becca had needed to drop Emma off with Dan and Willow. Brian had the other three kids, so they finally had a childless night! He was looking to see if his new employees were around yet as well. But at the moment it appeared no one from his level had arrived. Standing off to one side he decided to wait until Becca arrived before moving into the ballroom.

So the holiday break was on its way to its conclusion and as such the annual ministry orientation was underway. Simon certainly didn't need the type of help afforded new employees having been employed in the building for nearly seven years but it was a place to gather and see all the new faces. And all the old as well. The auror was just not all that comfortable with it being a ball.

Not exactly a place to be alone.

To not even know who exactly was going to show up to offer a friendly face. Nevertheless, Simon appeared in the entrance hall, his look nicer then his usual work robes. His eyes slowly moving around to take in the people who had already arrived as well as the overal surroundings. It was an occupational hazard, wanting to be aware of what was around not wanting to be taken by surprise.

The happenings of a few years past when he had been a wand-weigher and Kyle had been feeling the early influences of the zombie disease had been enough surprises at ministry events for him. So far the only person he recognized was Aron, the department head complete with child. The scene gaining a smile in response.

Jasmine made her way to the entrance hall. When she stepped in, she felt like people were starring at her. She noticed other employees were there. She smiled at them all while deep inside she was so nervous. She did not really like events like this. They always made her anxious and she knew she was gonna have to watch her every move. She wished she could have been back in her apartment but she knew she needed to do this.

But she was right in wearing the red dress. It made her feel confident and plus she was ready to flirt with some guys tonight. She needed to make her move sooner or later. She heard the violins playing and it did seem really fancy. She was amazed by the architecture and she was just walking around admiring it all. She was careful of touching things that is for sure.

But she felt like a princess now. It was a wonderful yet nervous feeling.

Reese had acknowledged the nod from the man nearby her, and she studied him for a brief second before nodding back. She absentmindedly twirled a strand of her hair around her index finger as she watched more people file into the entrance hall; she soon decided that it was time to head on up to the ballroom. She knew Jack would join her eventually after his game, and this woman did not want to stand around like a loner.

She turned around to begin ascending the staircase when someone planted a kiss on her cheek from behind, and her face lit up like lights on a Christmas tree before she even turned around to come face to face with her husband. "That's not even a question, Mr. Fritzera," She stated as she draped her arms around his neck and kissed his nose. "I always miss you when you aren't around... and did practice go well? Are you hungry?" She was sure he was hungry after being on the field, and she would get him to the buffet table in no time.

Over Jack's shoulder, Reese noticed a familiar hair full of curls walk through the door -- or more like, dramatically entered the entrance hall as if it were a runway. She could not help but giggle at the dramatic entrance of her old time friend/brother figure Cale Newell; he always knew how to bring some attention to himself. She did not want to break this moment with her husband, and she knew she could catch up with Cale later on. Heck, Cale was her BOSS now! When did that happen?? It seemed like only yesterday that she and Cale had been at Hogwarts together, and she now would be doing coffee runs for him.

She did however wave at her old friend to show him that she noticed him in the hall and as she did so, she commented to Jack, "He's my boss now."

It was hard enough getting him through that door, Nandita Kapoor clung tightly to her dear friends arm almost as if weighting him to the ground that he may not flee at the precipice of a long awaited rebirth. He seemed to fade in and out more than a phoenix to her thinking.

Jasper Mitterbill exhaled loudly as he entered. Eyes closed, head down. He felt a little faint. Faint and thankful that, though she was many years his senior, Mrs. Kapoor had agreed to come with him for support. He was still a timid man and would not have come, no matter how happy the prospect of working for the ministry had made him if she had not agreed to be there with him.

Nandita's smile was quite large as the elderly witch took in the spectacle. "Jasper?" She said, "open your eyes."

He did so. His sense of sight first again taking in the reflection of his own face, older than he cared to look, against the highly polished floors then taking in the opulent staircases and finally skyward towards the ceilings. He could feel Nandita tugging his arm as the smallest of smiles began to play across his lips.

"Come on! Let's dance!" She wasn't asking as she lead him off towards the ballroom.

Oh d-d-dear. The Ministry was, once again, throwing a large social human convention for everyone who had been accepted to work there. While he was quite proud of his job and his work, Ferris was not one for large groups of people or people in general.

And yet, his Mum had made him wear his best corduroy jacket and pushed him out the door and into the arms of the, um, well, you see, large group of people. He just wanted to go home.

Eeep, so many people brushing past him.

Maybe he would just stay frozen and logic dictated that no one would approach him.

If she hadn't been a department head, Roxanne would've just avoided the Ministry tonight. She didn't need the fact that she was still single rubbed in her face. Nor did she wish to talk to people she didn't know tonight. But Minister Kettlebumburn would not be very happy if one of his department heads didn't show, and she knew she was already on his list. One more little screw up, and she was out of here, just like Wes, Schultz, Isobel and Ella. Sigh. Why did Greingoth have to leave again? Things were much under him.

Anyway, she quickly made her way through the entrance hall without stopping to talk to anyone, not even those she knew. They would be able to tell by the look on her face that she wasn't in the greatest of moods.

Vincent walked in, a nervous wreck, he'd asked his girlfriend Rachel to come along with him but she'd never given him a yes or a no answer so he was here... alone, and probably the only one his age. He still couldn't believe he was accepted into the ministry. The eighteen year old looked around again stunned and smiled, what would all his mates say when he got a chance to tell them? Even if it seemed he was in a smaller part of the ministry it was a job that wasn't given by his parents. So he could just hope that this would go over well. Sure, he was pretty young but he was sure he'd make this work and end up loving his job.

Jory was extremely nervous. It was the first time he was formally going to meet other employees. Yes, he was very happy to have been accepted into the Youth Auror Training Initiative but that happiness was right now replaced with the nerves. Where was Ronnie, anyway? She was supposed to be meeting him soon and he knew her presence would help some of the nerves at least go away.

Regaining some of his composure, Jory let the wonderful, festive setting take his mind off of everything else.

Karmen had never fully mastered walking in high heel shoes, she struggled with entering the building. Waddling her way in the entrance hall she kept murmuring everytime she felt like she was going to take a hit to the floor.

"If I fall, mother it's your fault." She murmured as she kept making her way further in. 'Course it wasn't her mother's fault but typical Karmen was going to blame her.

She had packed a pair of whit flat shoes in her gold clutch purse in case she got tired on her way home. Ms. Mazza felt so strange wearing a dress she would wear on a daily basis.

"Oh holy snap!" She extended her arms trying to find something to hold on to. "This day can't get any worse." She said to herself.

"FOOD!" Karmen's one true love could never let her down, food.

There was so many people she's never seen before, but that didn't make her nervous at all. It was just like the first day of school and nothing new.

She knew she looked lovely; he told her several times already, but wasn't once enough? Or maybe not for some woman ...

"I figured I would do that anyway. Seeing as we both want to meet our new department heads, so we may as well greet with them together. They are working on the same floor." You know, just saying and all. Funny how it made it seem like she'd be jealous if it was an attractive female as his head. When in reality she really didn't care or did she? Cole was a good guy though. She wanted the best for him. He deserved that.

Hmm, no idea who the kid was. Oh well. Moving on then.

She bit her lower lip, as he started in with the hard questions. "Well you know, just..." The last three years was top secret, unspeakable work, but she supposed it was before that even that he wanted to know. "Well, you know after we graduated, I studied abroad at the Wizarding University in Sydney, Australia. I spent about ten years down there between studies and working as an Astronomy Lab Assistant and romance..." she flushed at the last word. She hadn't told anyone about that. Not even her sisters. "Anyway, I just, I missed my family. My oldest sister had gotten married and had two kids and I missed their births because I was on the other end of the world. So after ten years, I just .. that was enough. I moved back to Scotland, worked at the Magical Astrological Center for a few years before coming to London. And that's that. What about you though?" Surely his life has been far more interesting than hers.

Walking slowly towards some seating area, Alex spotted a familiar face. Oh, it was her new co-worker!

Not wanting to distract Jasmine from whatever she was doing, Alex gave the younger woman a small (yet friendly) wave and smile, before turning her attention back on her date.