Good, he didn't mind plants. As for the watering, she'd take care of that or one of the maintenance employees. The plants would be taken care of for sure. With guest coming to visit, it wouldn't be a good sign having unattended plants. Little details mattered for reputation reasons.

She nodded understanding that watching the kids wasn't a frequent matter. "That can be easily arranged then." She said. "Anyone from the secretaries including me can keep an eye on them whenever needed," Since there was quite a good number of them out in the lobby. Someone from the cubicles could do that as well.

Victoria still made a mental note to make certain that the others were okay with that. Else, she ask others for this task. In case she was busy or not around.

"Anything else you need me for, sir?" She asked.

Zach smiled back and went to straight to the chair where he was ushered to. He sat down and looked attentively to the Minister. He smiled at the comment of the Minister about their working relationship.

"It would be my pleasure to serve you, Minister." he said.

The new Minister looks very intimidating, but he sure is a nice fellow. Zach just hoped that it would never be the same as the regime of Borr.

Arranging things was fine, although Albert would need a full introduction and references and background information before he was willing to leave his precious grandchildren with just anyone. Not to mention that Charlotte was chatty and Callum found things mysteriously and Chloe... well, Chloe drooled a bit. He found it charming, but it might drive someone else fully batty.

"I appreciate that, Ms Smith. Now then... if I think of anything else, I'll come find you. You're dismissed, unless you have something for me?"

Hmm. Eager. Young. A bit curious. Had an impudent air, which wasn't always a bad thing if it proved amusing. Albert did some mental cataloging of the young man seated before him. His fingers were steepled as he looked the man over, and finally Albert spoke again.

"I'm pleased to hear it. Why don't you tell me a bit about what you did for the last chap?"

Zach had a creepy feeling that he was being scrutinized, but nevertheless he put on his game face and smiled.

He was then on full attention when he was asked to enumerate the things that he did for Greingoth. Well, where to begin...

"I started as a Ministry Advisor during the Borr administration and at the early days of the Greingoth regime." he said clearing his throat before proceeding. "And then I was sent for a research trip, coordinating with my former job at the South African Research facility and the Australian Research Institute regarding a couple of magical species and some plants and its implications and their use for potions." he said recalling the days of the research which brings him to the good old days. He is still well respected in both facilities having serves as Head of the Research Department on both of them.

"And then I got back from that trip and was offered the position of Junior Undersecretary which I gladly accepted." he said which pride and humility.

She was satisfied with the information she collected about her two tasks. She figured they'd be enough for her to start working on them. Victoria was organized, she always collected what she wanted to know at once. She knew better than to keep coming every now and then to ask about something that had slipped her mind. You learn that after working for seven years in the ministry.

"It's my pleasure to help," She told the minister as she rose to her feet. Did she need anything else? Hmm.. "I don't believe so," With that she walked over to the door, nodded at Kettleburn and Rockefeller, "I'll be at my desk." then left the room closing the door behind her.

That was all very well and good, but it was mostly an employment history and didn't really describe what the man did in his job role. Surely he wasn't running all over the world looking for plants in the woods? That would mean he was a magibotonist and belonged down on Level 4, right?

"And once you were offered that job? What did you do for Mr. Greingoth while you were actually serving as Junior Undersecretary? And perhaps we shouldn't refer to that man's term of office as a 'regime'. It suggests... he was a dictator of the worst kind."

Ah, excellent. Albert nodded at the woman as she rose to her feet, effectively dismissing her. "Please let me know when you have samples for the office. You're dismissed."

Zach nodded and cleared his throat. This man surely is a man who wants everything straight to the point.

"I helped facilitate the environmental campaign for Diagon Alley." he said pausing for a little while and then adding, "And also was the head of the Electoral Commission during the election of the Board of Governors."

These things helped him learn a lot of things for the job.

It's been a week since she'd been given that task. And it's been a week since she had started working on it in between her regular tasks as a secretary. She'd done research and asked around gathering as many samples and opinions she could get. You never get too much opinions.

And now that she got through Warfield's office she stood by the miniter's office her arms kind of stiff having been clutching the pile of catalogs tightly for a bit. After knocking, she moved the pile to her other arm. upon waiting for a bit, she reached over and turned the knob then cracked open the door. Was she interrupting, was the minister under his desk, too? Hmm..

The secretary cleared her throat, and kept her hand on the knob waiting to be admitted in.

It was nice to be back in his office again, even with paperwork waiting for him and the furniture... still so unsatisfactory. Albert settled into his chair with a little sigh and carefully squared away the few objects he kept there. Photo of his daughter and wife; photo of his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren; photo of his other son and his girlfriend. A few books. A potted plant.

Now then... he was ready to speak with his new Personal Assistant.

João didn't follow the Minister right away, but he lingered outside the meeting room for a few minutes to allow the man some time in case he needed to do anything in his office. After maybe three minutes, he stood at the treshold, knocked once on the door and bent slightly in respect. He didn't enter until he heard him say so, though.

Manners and respect. That's how he learnt in Brazil.

Albert really DID appreciate the respect and decorum his new personal assistant was showing, and he gave the man a polite nod when he finally appeared in the doorway. "Come in, come in, Mr. Neves. Do you know, I had a Department Head let herself into my office unannounced last year? And then she had the gall to leave without being dismissed. I don't have to tell you how unbecoming I find that sort of behavior."

There were several chairs in front of his desk, and Albert pointed to the one in the center, nearest to him. "Please have a seat. There are a number of things I would like to say to you, but let me open the floor to you first. You've been here only a short period of time. Do you have questions or concerns? Any answers I can help you find?"

João came in, his hands tied behind himself, as he listened to the RUDE woman. It wasn't up to him to criticise the woman, but he didn't approve of such behaviour too. "Of course, sir," he said simply and sat down to the seat he was shown.

"Thank you, sir," he said, "I don't have any problems right now." There were things he wondered, but he could ask them to other people. He was here to assist the Minister, not drown him with his personal questions.

Albert waited, one eyebrow raised in anticipation of whatever it was that he was going to get from Mr. Neves. It was nice to hear he wasn't interested in airing personal business his first day or complaining about office politics, although Albert wondered if his new employee was going to be particularly difficult to know.

"Fine, fine. Now then... I was hoping to tell you a bit about your job, and then get you settled. There's a desk for you in the outer office if you want, but you can tell me what you think might work best. Ostensibly, you serve a dual purpose in this office. You run errands and take care of many of the small tasks that can keep me from doing the heavy lifting in my job - setting up meetings, organizing my schedule, some event and meeting planning, and so on. That's the easy part, to be honest. The other purpose you serve in this office will be, in time, to gain the trust and respect of myself and your peers so that you are able to speak for me with authority in situations it is warranted. In setting up meetings, you will be able to commit my time and attention because you have confidence that the project is worthy of those things." It seemed like a lot, but Albert had hand-selected Mr. Neves and felt strongly the young man could handle it.

"Let's say... if Mr. Isaacs is my right hand - he runs this office in its entirety and without my interference in order to support the work I want to see done, then you are my left hand - you are my presence in the rest of the Ministry and allow me to focus on the big picture. Any questions so far?" Because if not, they'd just move on to the current tasks assigned to Mr. Neves.

Even though the desk wouldn't work for João--he had to spend a few days there to see it--he would still state it after he had gained the full approval of the Minister. He still nodded politely though, and listened to the man with generally looking into his eyes and nodding here and there to show he was giving his full attention.

...

And...his eyes glinted as the corners of his mouth shot upwards slightly. It was a one-instant reaction before his face turned into its usual polite expression as he couldn't contain his excitement. He was the LEFT hand of Minister. HE was the left hand of the man.

'Excitement' wasn't enough to describe his feelings.

He paused for a moment to process it all to think whether he had any questions.

"I don't have any questions now, sir," he said after a second or two. It was pretty obvious anyway. He had to pay his fullest attention to any and every single thing, be cordial with everyone and gain their trust. He could do that.

"I'm not an old man, Mr. Neves, even if I have three grandchildren trying to prove otherwise. You don't have to take it easy on me," Albert sat back in his seat and considered the young man again. Either he was entirely easy going, or he was trying to avoid rocking the boat until he was well settled. Albert wasn't going to press him.

"I'm sure you saw the jobs that were posted for you. One is rather menial, and I apologize for it, although it gives you the opportunity to show your face on other levels and start networking. The other, though, is a pet project I'd like to take up. I'm not willing to entrust changes to the cafeteria to Mr. Isaacs, but if you could do some preliminary research for me..." Albert spread his hands, not needing to say anymore. Credit where credit was due under Albert's watch. The work you did was attributed back to you. "I'd like a report as soon as you are able to provide it."

João chuckled softly. He certainly didn't think so. But he also didn't think Minister was a very patient man. He was THE Minister, not someone casual to listen to everyday problems. "Of course, sir, I'm not," he said and waited for him to continue.

...

"Yes, I believe I'll help redecorating your office and investigate the food court." Minister probably had no idea how many times João read his job description. "So, you want me to start with the food court first?" Just to be 100% sure. He wondered just how many days he would have to 'investigate', but didn't ask it since it would sound childish.

"Yes, start with the cafeteria. There are plenty of people here in the office working on other projects, but you're the only one I have on that particular activity," Albert nodded at the young man's questions. If that was all... then Mr. Nevez could go about his business.

"I'd appreciate your subtlety down there, of course. No need to raise any alarms before we are ready for it." They may be doing everything right, and Albert didn't want anyone running scared. "I'm sure I'll see you again soon."

Is that rain? Snow? Something must be very wrong with the climate controls, because it seems to be precipitating indoors!

João nodded, then said "Okay." He jerked slightly to get up, but halted by Minister's word. "Of course." He wasn't going to 'alarm' anyone, anyway. He bowed with his head and got up.

"Have a nice day, sir," he said and stepped out of the office.

With a slim manila folder in hand, clasped to her side, Emily moved through level one with ease and purpose. She’d offered the Undersec’s a smile and a curt nod by way of greeting, though Gavin recieved most of her attention. He remembered she said she’d be dropping by, right? No matter, she wasn’t here for him. As much as she’d have liked to invade his office space, she was here for the Minister of Magic himself, with soon to be not-so-secret Ministry business.

Halting outside the Minister’s door, Emily righted herself before knocking.

Knock, knock, knock.

Albert didn't bother to request that his visitor enter his office, since he was practically DROWNING in the deluge of water falling from his ceiling. He jerked open his door and glared at the person standing there. Ah... well, then. It was Ms Browne, and they likely had an appointment.

"I feel like a wet rat," he flicked water at her as he moved into the doorway and out of the rain. "Where is my... GAVIN? It is RAINING in my office."

There was something off... about ... things, but she had no reason to suspect anything significant, the exception being the sound of pitter-patter as the door opened.

...

..

Great Circe.

Emily didn't so much as flinch as her face - and eyes - were spattered with water by the Minister. Rather, she raised a finger to wipe it away, casually. She'd have stated the obvious, that it was raining in his office, but it seemed he knew that so there was no need to elaborate. It concerned her though, that things seemed to be continuing to go awry, especially considering this wasn't the first instance of rain today. Emily exchanged a look with the Minister and Gavin before adding a nugget of information to the conversation. "It's raining in the food court too," she started, looking between the men. "I summoned Enviro, but when I left it hadn't been resolved..." and this was not the least bit awkward. On the plus side, the Minister wore wet quite well.

It appeared as though this wasn't a good time. Whoops.

At any rate, she wasn't here to talk about rain. No, her accounts and budgets folder was still firmly clasped in her hand and definitely at the top of her list of things to get done. "Minister, I respect that you're experiencing...poor weather conditions" because that's what it was, clearly, " ...but at your earliest convenience," like nowwww, "would it be possible to continue our meeting elsewhere?" he looked like he needed a good distraction, and this was most definitely good - for the Ministry. Of course, he could offer to reschedule, but she wasn't about to present that as an option, it wasn't ideal for her. Time was money, and the show had to go on. No point in letting a bit of rain spoil the parade. Heh.

"Let us adjourn to the conference room," Albert wrung water out of his jacket with a grimace. His wife would probably be well suited to handle something like this, but Albert was exacting in his appearance and strict about his schedule. Rain in his office just threw him completely.

"It does appear we're having some... issues with climate control. And you've heard about the memos, haven't you?" It was as if someone was sabotaging his tenure on purpose. Could he already have enemies?

After her rather informative (and not in a good way) trip to level 2, Roxanne made her back up to level 1 and the Minister's Office. Normally, she would've sent Alex up here, since the Minister and his rather odd ideas on rudeness she had knocked the last time, thank you very much weren't her favorite, but this was important. And not just because the rain in the man's office.

"Minister Kettleburn," she began, knocking on the door, "I understand you have need of some climate control services?" Note be taken that she had most definitely knocked AND stated her business AND waited to be told to enter this time, so she didn't want any discussion of some imagined rudeness, thank you.

"Enter," Albert sighed from inside the protective bubble he had created around his desk, ostensibly keeping his belongings and himself dry, although the rest of the room was a soggy mess. Bubble life was not ideal. The air grew stale, there was a damp, and occasionally the bubble would spring a leak and dribble water all down his back.

"Yes I absolutely am in need of those services. This is quite a predicament we are finding ourselves in. Have your people identified what is causing all this... precipitation?" And could they stop it... more important question.