Bradley nodded. "I hear that." Even though his work was quite enjoyable, it was still difficult at times. And definitely was wearing him down to some extent.

Brad smiled. Cool. He didn't even have to ask. "Brad's fine. And I wish I could. I'm only about half way there." That sounded really good right now though. Maybe he'd go out later.

He let his eyes wander over to where Stephen's were and the blonde that seemed to be holding his attention. "Good taste." Sure he was in a relationship, but he could still look and appreciate right?

Stephen grimaced turning back to brad I feel it for you bro,Tell you what I'll be at the bar for awhile (possibly all night) Stop by and i'll definitely order a round or ten for you he said this while plastering on his biggest smile.

Well I do know fine wine when I see it he now said commenting on what brad had previously said about the blonde vixen,he glanced over his shoulder hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of the blonde before she fully left. Only to realize that she had changed directions and was actually heading towards them a sultry smile on her face.

Arriving at their location she bent over and slipped what he could only assume was a piece of paper in his pocket. then whispered in his ear For you she backed up slowly gave him one last smile then started making her retreat.
He could definitely get use to this place he thought as a contented smile now on his face.

Ryan looked around the room. She had no idea what she was going to do next. "I haven't spoke to anyone for ages either." Ryan sighed. "I used to live in a muggle environment." Ryan had been in the army there but he hadn't done well and had decided that he would come back to being a wizard again.

Ryan looked at the woman. "Well if you want, we can catch a movie and then I'll buy us coffee somewhere." He hadn't seen a movie or anything for a while. "That's if you want to anyway." Ryan thought it might be cool to spend time with someone else, instead of watching t.v on his own.

Someone who knew her suffering in a way. Heather allowed the chair to fall back onto all fours and she gave a smiled. "Well I'll hold you to it Ryan. Movie and coffee." It sounded like a good way to get out again.

She glanced at her watch and finished the last of the dregs that were at the bottom of the cup. She stood up and with a few flicks of her wand the trash was gone and she was ready to head back to her desk. "Just send me a memo. Heather Malfoy. Level two."

Brad smiled. "I might have to take you up on that. Depending on whether or not I can walk at the end of the day." Because that was a real thing now. Who knew working in the day care could be so crazy?

Brad smirked. He was going to say something when the blonde came over and handed Stephen a piece of paper. Man. He wasn't gonna lie. He missed when the nurses or other healer students would do that. But he was a grown up in a grown up relationship now. Even though the gesture would still be nice.

"Gotta love when you don't even have to ask."

"Come on don't be so such a downer I'm sure you can muscle up enough energy to make it to the bar". As far as Stephen was concerned going to the bar was his solution to just about anything, there was nothing on this earth that couldn't be fixed with alcohol.

.Stephen smirked.

"It certainly makes things easier,that's for sure" And less complicated for that matter he thought to himself. Just then a flash of Auburn hair flashed through his mind, He mentally shook himself now was just not the time to relive those old memories. He'd had enough of torturing himself.

Victoria was already running plans through her head. They could meet at the restaurant for dinner and drinks and then if they wanted they could move to the pub on the corner or catch a movie if the girls would want. She would need to discuss this with Mariel at some point too. “Alright that sounds like a plan then. Once the twins are here I’ll find a night I can slip away and check with Mariel as well. “ She beamed excited for the change to go out with just the girls and to celebrate a friends accomplishments. She thought for a moment what was the man’s name, “I think it was Simon.” She could have been wrong though. “He scared me a bit. I was in the office alone and all the sudden there was some man in there.” She chuckled remembering.


That was so sweet of Emily to think of her getting away, but Victoria knew it would be hard, “Maybe, I had a spa day not too horribly long ago that was a gift for my birthday, but another relaxing day would probably be nice.” She would have her hands even fuller soon, Emily might be right that she should get away. She did have some vacation time, it was something she really would think about.


She could actually laugh about what happened as well now. Surprisingly she was never too upset over it. She knew her son didn’t mean to do it even if the school though he had from some previous events. “Well he’s moving back home to be with Charely and I so I’m going to send him to Hogwarts. They handled his father so I would think they could handle him.” Jon was a little hyperactive in his day so she felt they probably could deal best with her son. Now a full laugh escaped Victoria as much as she didn’t want to admit it she loved the idea. Not that she felt Bart was horribly bad, but he had his moments and maybe something like that would help keep him on the better path. “I would love to take you up on that one day. I could gladly volunteer him for a scared to stay good adventure.” She would have given up Luc as well if it wasn’t for recent events and now his parents in jail themselves, probably not the best thing for the child.
Attacked his face, “I did no such thing.. If the man cannot handle a little kissing..” She shook her head laughing. “He did explain I was under a love potion didn’t he? I wouldn’t have just kissed him or yelled about how brilliant he was in the café just for my own doings.” Goodness no Victoria was usually more shy around men than that. The potion had complicated things for a bit, Charely she still wasn’t sure was friendly toward Gavin, but she enjoyed the man. He was nice to look at if nothing else, even taken pregnant women had eyes still and could look. “I bet..He has always come off as the control type. I bet that could be fun though.” She gave out another chuckle. She really should stop messing with him. It really wasn’t nice, but it was fun.

And there would be no backing out of this... this... girl catch up celebratory thing. It had been decided, and essentially set in stone. "Done," she confirmed with a nod. After all, at least she wasn't expected to make the plans, just go along with them. That was easy enough. Of course she wasn't surprised at her mention of Bennett, he was one of the few she expected to be poking around other levels, "Apologies," she stated briefly, her eyes scanning the faces in the seating area before returning to Victoria. "You can expect to see him around more regularly, other security personnel too," she informed with a nod, "the division has gone soft over the years, but rest assured if you should need anything..." that they were there.

She could tell Vic wasn't too confident on that point. The maybe was heavy with uncertainty, which was a shame, because if anyone ever needed a break it was when expecting twins. Again, mind boggling. "Oh... happy belated birthday," she congratulated, unsure of whether she should have known about this or not. Most people did celebrate their ageing. "You should do it," she encouraged, "go for it." Because really, what was the worst thing that could go wrong? At any rate, it was her decision, and personally she wouldn't be tempted by such things, she'd get bored too quickly.

"Oh he'll be fine then," she chimed in. Hogwarts was as good a school as any, and closer to home than Australia, so it had its perks. "Durmstrang would be a suitable alternative if things don't work out," she added as an after thought. The school was notoriously strict. She would know. Emily chuckled at Vic's appreciation for her offer. It was rather generous of her, she had to admit to herself - but it would also be amusing in that self-fulfilling way. She simply nodded, with nothing further to add on the matter.

Emily was smirking at Vic's denial. No face attacking then? Heh. "Well he didn't see it that way, but I had a feeling he was exaggerating." It didn't take a genius to figure that one out. "He did, and I have to ask... what possessed you to participate in the trial in the first place?" It was the most ridiculous thing she'd heard, and there was nothing, nobody, not even Izzy would convince her to try the darn thing. The controlling part got her attention, but she narrowed her brows in thought on it.. she could see that, in part, but she would hardly call him a control freak - at least, not to the extent of some MLEers. "Fun? How?" she wondered out loud at the last bit.

Bradley smiled. He liked this guy. He reminded Brad a lot of himself. Well, himself before he got thrown with so much responsibility. Geez. Was he really growing up? He wasn't sure if he liked that idea just yet. "We'll see."

Brad nodded. "Even though sometimes the chase is the best part." It definitely made for some interesting situations.

Victoria gave a slight shrug, “No reason for apologies. I was just busy with my work and wasn’t aware anyone had come in is all. He hadn’t done anything wrong for me to be frightened. Just always on guard I guess.” Which really she wasn’t usually a very trusting person, maybe it was the babies that made her mamma bear protection jump higher. Oh more personnel around. She thought about the reason behind this, but didn’t think long when Emily started to explain. “Is it because of that woman getting away? They don’t think she is still around the area do they?” Honestly she had read things, but wasn’t sure what to believe plus if Bart was going to school at Hogwarts was it safe. “I’m not sure what they would actually find up in our area, but I don’t mind seeing more security.” Anything to keep them safe made this thirty four year old feel better.

She gave a small smile as Em gave a happy birthday, “Oh thank you, it wasn’t much of a day really. So much was going on with Charely’s nephew it was just kind of pushed aside.” Bart remembered so that’s what counted and her best friend the rest wasn’t really that big of a deal. “Oh you’re probably right I should get away. A weekend of relaxation does sound kind of nice. Maybe the next time I go to the healer I’ll make sure it’s fine for a trip and then go.” She wouldn’t want to go somewhere and end up in labor or something. That wouldn’t be good. “Don’t forget to take your own advice at times. Get away and relax. I bet you haven’t stopped since getting this position.” Emily seemed to be a worker that really didn’t give herself enough time to relax.

She cringed at the thought o Durmstrang, that’s where Luc had been. No she would never send a child there ever. “Hogwarts will be fine. His father threatened a muggle school I think that threat alone made him decide he had to force selfcontrol.” Not that muggle schools were horrible, but what wizard would want to go to one of those if they had a wand and magic. None that she could think of at least.

“Gavin exaggerate..” She laughed the man was afraid of probably his own mothers touch of course a woman kissing him would flip him out to know end. When she asked the question Vic laughed out loud, “Oh.. that.” Yes why would a single mother participate in some silly love potion. “Bored really. I had been here for two years didn’t really know anyone and decided it was time to get out and try something new.” She continued to laugh thinking about it. “Wouldn’t you know the day I signed up for it was the day I met Charely. Talk about awkward. So we go on our first date and I have to tell him that the next day I would be taking some silly love potion.” Luckily Charely didn’t mind and stuck with her through it even after her kissing another man. She gave Emily a brow raise to her questioning the fun part. Really did her friend live at the ministry and not date.. Hmm she shook her head, “Oh I don’t know. Mess with him a bit to push his buttons. Control freaks can be a bit fun in relationships at times.” She shrugged well she thought so at least.

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

Emily tilted her head to the side, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "Her escape was something that could not be ignored, but it's not my sole reason for reviewing the division..." she expected the best, and they had been under performing, were even lazy in the way they conducted themselves. There was no method to the madness, just mess. "You'd be surprised," she added, smirking. "The Atrium is Securities hot spot, but it's only one level." Besides, who was to say security issues were restricted to people getting in and out of the main entrance? Or that threats came from outside? Hhhhmmmm?

Pushed aside, the way Vic said that made it sound like a bad thing. Like birthdays shouldn't go unnoticed. While Emily was sympathetic to her friend - to an extent, she couldn't really commit enough to pass comment. Birthdays were overrated. Besides, age was just a number. She smiled again, nodding. Yes, pregnant ladies should get away, put their feet up, and then wait for the impending doom that was birth. Had she not been given that advice before, Emily would have laughed in Vic's face. "I'm not the holidaying type," she mused, though that wasn't entirely true. She did get away, and travel... for work purposes, or at least close to. Her project had been abandoned though, the trail was cold, and there was only a dead end in sight. "I like to keep busy, I tend to go mad if I'm not preoccupied." So her new position was a blessing to her. It kept her busy enough while still affording her the luxury of working to her own schedule - should she want to, or need to.

Muggle school! HA! Hilarious. Not that there was anything wrong with geography, arithmetic and grammar studies... except that it wasn't magic. Well good luck to them.

Gavin, exaggerating was an amusing topic, so Emily was perfectly comfortable with chuckling along with Vic on that one -- for a short time, then she stopped. She'd witnessed his exaggerating first hand and on numerous occasions, it was just one of his many quirks - and one that she found amusing. For the life of her though, she couldn't fathom why anyone would willingly subject themselves to testing a love potion... the thought in itself was completely ridiculous and vile. "... It didn't occur to you to get a hobby?" she asked, still confused about WHY she participated. "At least, it worked out?" she finished. Considering they managed to date, and... produce fetuses... it wasn't a bad outcome. For them.

Vic's mention of pushing buttons she understood, yes, that was fun, especially with control freaks... but relationships? "You don't need to be in a relationship to do that," she pointed out. Or was she missing something? Unless she was talking about other buttons... .... .... in which case. Moving on.

She'd been about to change the topic, and was about to check the time to see how long she had left of her break when....

...

Emily looked up, light drops of... liquid... dripping on her face, and in her hair, and on her clothes. Merlin. Was it raining?

With the slightest flick of her wrist, Emily summoned her wand into her palm and directed it to the ceiling, "Finite!" What. Was. This. Maddness?! HUUHHH?!?! WHY WAS IT RAINING INSIDE?!

...

"Eeeerrrrr...."

Victoria raised a curious brow, not the only reason? Hmm that was interesting. “Well maybe it was a good thing that other guy stepped down then. If things were getting soft I mean.” Emily might look like a beautiful lady, but Victoria knew she could have a rough and tough side when needed. Not that she saw it first hand, but to be in the position her friend was in she had to be. She listened to all the places security was pushed up, places she would expect. “Well I hope it helps and I hope you find that woman. She gave me the creeps at the trial. So smiley and confident. It was just unnerving.” She didn’t like the woman at all and now that she was loose Vic hated the thought.


“Oh nonsense Emily you have to get away sometimes. How do you not get burned out if all you do is work.” She needed to teach her friend how to relax, but she wasn’t sure she even knew what that word was anymore. “You could go somewhere to relax and take a book or do some sightseeing that would be relaxing and keep you busy.” It was a perfect sounding vacation to her at least.

She saw the look of amusement on her friends face, “My thoughts exactly, but it scared him so it worked I guess.” She hoped it did at least. He wasn’t getting into too much trouble that she was aware of while he had been home.

“A hobby?” What on earth hoppy would she take up, “I have gobbstones and Quidditch, I was in a town that I hadn’t lived in since I was seventeen and knew really one person well.” Mariel was her first and best friend at the ministry. “Figured it wouldn’t hurt and it didn’t. I had some fun with Gavin, you should have seen the look on his face when I screamed about how great he was in the café. I still can’t believe I did that.” She shook her head, but she really didn’t have a choice now did she. “Plus it didn’t stop Charely.” She grinned glancing at her overly huge belly.

A laughter spread through her and louder than she would have liked, “No you don’t have to be in a relationship I guess.” That was about as far as she was taking that conversation. She enjoyed pushing the man’s buttons and could only imagine what someone else could do to drive him crazy. Her thoughts were interrupted though, “Raining?” She blinked towards the ceiling. Brown eyes focusing back on Emily she watched as she flicked her wand. Hopefully that would stop the rain but how did it start?

Emily shrugged. Wes stepping down wasn't necessarily a good thing, she respected her former bossman and friend, but she certainly wasn't complaining. He and Izzy were well in Australia, and she got this fantastic opportunity. No complaints, even if she was changing things up and putting her own stamp on the department, a more sever stamp. "It will, and don't worry... she can't hide forever..." it was only a matter of time before they caught her, or someone put an end to her. "She's psychotic... must be her dementia setting in after all those years."

As for getting away and talk of getting burned out, Emily grimaced, emitting a low grunt. She wouldn't get burned out, there was nothing to burn her out with. Work was work, and there was nothing else competing for her attention and time, ergo, with no competition, there would be no burning. "I'm used to it," she replied after a brief pause, "to the work... it's all I've ever known." So it wasn't a problem. If anything, it would be a problem preventing her from working all the time - it would drive her mad. Though Gavin was slowly changing that, with his bright suggestions and the whole distracting her thing.

And speaking of...

She still didn't see the appeal, or the sense in the whole situation. Not at all. "Yeah, you know, read a book? yoga? knitting? painting?" things that you could do without subjecting yourself to a loss of control of desires and potentially humiliating yourself as well as others. From her point of view, almost anything was better than Amortentia testing. Almost anything. The bit abouthaving fun with Gavin, irked her on the insidejealousy, though she continued to wear her easy smile. "I can only imagine," she mused at the thoughts.

It soon became clear that the rain was not the product of a poor joke, but rather, it was something else entirely. "I think... the climate controls are wonky..." and it wasn't the first thing to be going wrong in the Ministry. Circe. Emily cast a silent water repelling charm on herself and Vic, there was no need for them to soak to the bone in this, and she proceeded by conjuring her patronus, the silvery African wild dog bounding off for level four.

It was just another day at the Ministry of checking climate controls, but the last thing on Earth she expected was for something to actually be WRONG. After all, she'd just checked the controls yesterday and everything was fine ... so why in the name of Pluto was it raining in the food court? Obviously some trick or prank. Nonetheless, Alex took off from level four and headed down to the food court to investigate - taking the stairs, naturally, given the unreliability of the lifts these days.

Quickly casting a water repelling charm over herself before entering the seating area, she blinked in shock that it was indeed precipitating!

"Victoria." Alex greeted politely, and nodded to the other woman present. No time for chatter though, she was here on business.

"Meteolojinx Recanto," Alex said, pointing her wand at the bizarre rain clouds overhead. Hopefully that ought to do the trick ....

SPOILER!!: Emily and Alex

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hera

Emily shrugged. Wes stepping down wasn't necessarily a good thing, she respected her former bossman and friend, but she certainly wasn't complaining. He and Izzy were well in Australia, and she got this fantastic opportunity. No complaints, even if she was changing things up and putting her own stamp on the department, a more sever stamp. "It will, and don't worry... she can't hide forever..." it was only a matter of time before they caught her, or someone put an end to her. "She's psychotic... must be her dementia setting in after all those years."

As for getting away and talk of getting burned out, Emily grimaced, emitting a low grunt. She wouldn't get burned out, there was nothing to burn her out with. Work was work, and there was nothing else competing for her attention and time, ergo, with no competition, there would be no burning. "I'm used to it," she replied after a brief pause, "to the work... it's all I've ever known." So it wasn't a problem. If anything, it would be a problem preventing her from working all the time - it would drive her mad. Though Gavin was slowly changing that, with his bright suggestions and the whole distracting her thing.

And speaking of...

She still didn't see the appeal, or the sense in the whole situation. Not at all. "Yeah, you know, read a book? yoga? knitting? painting?" things that you could do without subjecting yourself to a loss of control of desires and potentially humiliating yourself as well as others. From her point of view, almost anything was better than Amortentia testing. Almost anything. The bit abouthaving fun with Gavin, irked her on the insidejealousy, though she continued to wear her easy smile. "I can only imagine," she mused at the thoughts.

It soon became clear that the rain was not the product of a poor joke, but rather, it was something else entirely. "I think... the climate controls are wonky..." and it wasn't the first thing to be going wrong in the Ministry. Circe. Emily cast a silent water repelling charm on herself and Vic, there was no need for them to soak to the bone in this, and she proceeded by conjuring her patronus, the silvery African wild dog bounding off for level four.

Well that was reassuring. She trusted Emily a lot actually, she wasn’t sure why, but Emily seemed like someone you could depend on no matter what. Victoria always felt she had a pretty good judge of character, but that instinct seemed to fail her with her own husband at the time, so she wasn’t to up on her own instincts since. “Well I hope she’s caught soon. I worry about the children. That is just an awful thing she does to them.” Hand to her belly she just shook her head. A chuckle escaped to her words, “How old is she really?” Maybe they said during the trial, but Victoria couldn’t remember at the moment.

“Well that just tells me we need to get you out more.” She grinned, honestly though everyone needed away from the job to have some fun. She wondered what her friend could be afraid of, fun? Socializing? Possibly meeting someone? Whatever it was she was going to try to help her relax more. “Just because it’s what you know doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have some fun away from it. I know lots of things and I know I need breaks from them all every once in awhile. Recharge and feel renewed.” She always felt better about her work after those small breaks as well. Maybe that was the problem in MLE all workaholics and they weren’t on top of things because they needed the break.
She didn’t seem to believe Vic didn’t mind the love potion, “Oh I know and I do those things, but this got me to meet other people at the ministry and honestly at the moment I wasn’t dating anyone so what did I have to lose. How was I supposed to know the man I would end up with would walk into my life right after I started the potion.” She shook her head laughing a bit, “It all worked out so no harm done.” Plus Gavin and her were still friends so it seemed successful in her eyes.

Looking up at the rain Victoria nodded, “They must be.” She watched Em cast the spell, “Thank you that’s all I need to look like a wet beached whale instead of just beached whale.” Just then she heard a voice and looked over, “Hi Alex, how are you doing.” Other than getting wet and dealing with the ceiling which if she remembered correctly might be right up her new department. “Any idea what’s going on?”

Now the rain was still falling around the two women, only instead of hitting them, it was bouncing off an invisible barrier.

Now, if only the climate control witch had had the same success. But it was still raining in the Seating Area. Maybe try making the 'strings' of the original spell visible....?

This, wasn't how she imagined her day would go. Rain, why? Why now? Why here? Why on them? It wasn't as big a deal as it could have been, but it wasn't ideal for visibility, it was just annoying. "Mmm... old," she said simply, not going into details. She wasn't in a mood for details, not now, not when the Ministry was falling apart... because this is clearly what was happening.

She also chose to ignore the getting out bit, and all that jazz. Emily didn't want to fall into some ridiculous plan to get her rubbing shoulders with people who meant nothing to her, or wasting time in a way she didn't want to. "I like my life, a lot... and I don't burn out easy," was her only response. She was happy to move on to other ....


Oh lookit! Enviro were speedy, this was good, impressive even.

Emily returned the woman's nod, finding it interesting that the woman and Vic were familiar. Good for them. She watched curiously as the woman had a go a rectifying the issue... to no avail. How unfortunate.
"Good luck with that," she mused, rising to her feet.

"Apologies, Vic... but I should be getting going..." she wanted out of the rain, and there was work to be done. "I'll catch you later though yeah?" And she'd visit her friend once the twins came too.

After she cast the spell to try and slow things down with the rain and get it to stop, she turned her attention over to Victoria and shook her head. "Not a clue. But if I had to guess, I'd say its more than just 'faulty weather charms'. Things don't just break without a cause. There's some reason behind it." Especially considering her Meteolojinx didn't have have any effect like at all. Whatever the other woman did at least the rain was going around them...

"Revelio" she cast, flicking her wand into the air. And then, what?! she was just going to leave like that? "Thanks. I'll do my best," she murmured. Impatience, was what the woman had, no doubt.

And do her best she would. Fortunately for her, this was not a part of her job description, and she hoped Enviro were capable of sorting the mess... Emily had a pile of her own to get through. So without further ado, she gave the women a parting nod - not that they'd notice.. it was raining, and then left.

A coffee on the way, loo break, and then to her office and meetings for the day. All the fun stuff no doubt.

Upon making the charm visible, you find that a part of it seems to be........ missing? Like something very small chewed it's way through.

What could possibly do that?

All of this was so strange Victoria looked at both women and so soon Emily was getting up to leave. "Oh it's fine. I'll let you know when I talk to Mariel days that work for girls nights and hopefully we can get together shortly after the twins are born." She watched as her friend left the area.

Turning her attention to Alex she pulled her self up off the chair and waddled over. Resting her hand upon her belly she looked at the rain. "So anything I can do to help?" Pulling out her wand she was hoping there was something she could do. This just seemed to be a mess. Looking as Alex did a charm it seemed to work, but not the full way. That was weird from what she knew of Alex she was good with her wand so what was going on.

"This just doesn't make sense." She shook her head watching. What could she do she hated being in the way and she didn't know how to help.

Alright. If there was thing Alex was CERTAIN of was that there was more to what was going on than simply 'climate charms gone awry'.

"Termites. Pests. Or something. I have no idea. But this is ... beyond climate control..." Alex trailed off, gazing at the gaping hole, stunned.

As the women continued to stare, question and run for the hills, it continues to rain. Maybe a well placed meteorological fixing type charm would fix it?

So the typical meteolojinx had no affect. Rubbing at her temple thoughtfully, she wracked her brain for some other spell. Alex had the distinct feeling like 'reparo' would have no effect either. There was another repair type charm, but it wasn't used very commonly. It was a long shot too if it would work....

But in the meanwhile everything was getting soaked with freezing rain and if she didn't attempt it soon, who would?

Deep breath.

Hard look at Victoria.

Close eyes. Open eyes. Squinting into the rain, Alex raised her wand arm and pointed in the general direction of the broken piece.

"Aeneas Summanus!"

But would it work? She had no idea.