Off to the left of the Creature Holding Room, you will see a door you probably haven't noticed before if you've been around Level 4 for awhile. When you open the door, you will find yourself in a short white hallway that curves a bit to the right before opening up into a very expansive room with raised ceilings and extra lighting and echoing with the sounds of barking dogs.

To the right along the wall, there is a line of a dozen large kennels, each containing a single albino bloodhound. These large dogs are decidedly not your average pure white bloodhound, if there is such a thing, as they have been bred and trained for the sole purpose of hunting nogtails. However, they are, for the most part, friendly creatures that enjoy the company of humans - mainly, those that work with them. So if you are one of their handlers, they will probably be especially happy to see you. The dogs tend to blend in with their environment, the entire place having been painted a rich white with the exception of the floors outside the kennels and enchanted windows. They may have spilled their food and water bowls in their excitement to see you (assuming they haven't consumed all their food and water beforehand), so make sure to clean their messes up if need be. On the wall to the left of the kennels is a door, behind which is stored the food and supplies for the dogs.

On the far side of the room, across from the kennels, is the large enclosed arena where most of the bloodhounds' training will take place. The arena can be charmed and enchanted to feel and appear as any surrounding that the dogs could be in when working on a job. When the arena isn't charmed, the floors are covered with faux grass, with wall-to-wall enchanted windows to give the place more of an outdoorsy feel. On the wall to the right of the arena is a door with all the equipment needed to train, including fake nogtails and piglets.

Only those charged with caring for these creatures have access to this room. All others need to first gain permission from the Department Head and Bloodhound Team Leader to have supervised access.

Atticus entered the room for the albino bloodhounds silently, wanting to check out as much of level four as possible before actually heading to his office. The creatures were what he wanted to see most, and his first stop was the bloodhounds. Besides, coming now was necessary as he had received an owl telling him that someone had a new albino bloodhound puppy who was to be added to the team in place of a much older dog that needed to retire. So of course, this was what he wanted to attend to first. The sooner the dog was allowed to get the rest and relaxation he deserved after all his hard work over the years, the better.

He turned towards the kennels as the dogs barked their greetings. It seemed he was the only one here right now, so while he waited, he peered into the dogs' kennels to make sure they all still had food and water. They did - but a couple had overturned their food bowls at some point, perhaps when they had noticed him come in. He levitated their bowls back onto their right side, cleaned up the food mess with a wave of his wand, then turned and headed for the room that stored the dogs' food, and was hidden from view for a moment.

Rafael made his was down the white hallway with the white bloodhound pup, ready to be rid of her. The thing had attempted to destroy everything in his office that wasn't protected by a charm, didn't know how to hold her bladder, and constantly howled for no known reason. Even now she didn't seem to want to be held, and squirmed to be let down.

It was someone else's turn to play pupsitter.

The change in the noise level went completely unnoticed by the man. Dogs were always noisy. He did however, glance down with a frown at the little girl when she squirmed even more and began barking at all the creatures when they came into view. Where was that new department head?

He conjured up a chair and settled into it with the pup, prepared to wait as long as it took for the new creatures head to arrive.

As he scooped out some new food for the dogs, a new, high-pitched sort of barking reached his ears. Either one of the dogs had changed the pitch of its barking or the new pup had arrived. Atticus assumed the latter. Taking the two bowls with the new food, one in each hand, he exited the storage room and immediately spotted the man sitting in a chair that wasn't there before, a squirming ball of white in his arms.

"Hello," Atticus said with a polite smile as he approached the man. "This is our new addition, I take it?" He nodded to the wriggling puppy.

She had started chewing on his watch in what he believed to be protest, but whatever kept her still she could have right now. He was almost done with his pupsitting. Spotting movement that wasn't caged, he glanced over at the tall man, returning the smile with one of his own as he stood. "And I take it your the new creatures head." He couldn't offer a hand, but he did offer up the pup. "She's a playful thing, think you have a good one for chasing nogtails." Nogtails, feet, fixed objects.

Atticus shifted the bowl in his right hand to his left and balanced them in that one hand as he drew his wand once more and, with a wave of his wand, levitated the bowls into their appropriate kennels. The two dogs' barking ceased as they watched the food float down to them, and they immediately began digging in. As if the thought of not eating when those two dogs were was unthinkable, the other dogs set to eating the food they still had in their bowls. Well that took care of the barking, didn't it?

"Yes, that's me," he said with a nod as he turned to the man. "Atticus Aldredge." He would've shaken the man's hand, but he had the little puppy in his hands. Still, Atticus extended his hand to take the pup, still smiling. "Excellent. I'm sure the team is excited to work with her."

He waited patiently for the man to empty his arms to that he could take the wriggling puppy away from him, visually pleased when his own arms were free again. And the silence, he was grateful for it.

Rafa filed the man's name to memory with a small nod. "Rafael Angel Belmonte." He glanced at the munching dogs. "I'm sure they are. I head Environment, and have been overseeing your department as well. A report on the ongoings is on your desk, but I'm right across the way if you need me or my people for anything." He surveyed the bite marks to his watch absently.

The puppy's mood did not change even when Atticus took her into his arms. She squirmed and wriggled and yipped at the dogs eating in their kennels. Atticus figured she must be hungry as well - and she certainly didn't want to be held - so he quickly conjured up a new kennel similar to the one the other dogs had, though this one would only be temporary. Once he got the dog she would be replacing out and into its new home, the puppy would take her place there. This would do until then though.

He was opening the kennel door and letting the puppy bound excitedly in as the man introduced himself. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Belmonte." He closed the kennel door as the pup began sniffing eagerly at her new surroundings. Ah, so this was the Head of the department with whom he'd be sharing this level - and he'd served as the Head of the Creatures department as well. Quite impressive, in Atticus's opinion. Surely running two departments wasn't an easy job, even if they were on the same level. "Thank you. I really appreciate that." He supposed he'd head for his office next to check out the report and other things.

His eyes then followed Rafael's and he noticed the bite marks on the man's watch, presumably from the pup he'd been holding only moments ago. "Do you need me to repair that for you? Or replace it?" Since it was, in a way, Atticus's fault for any damage to the man's possessions while he'd looked after the puppy for him, so it would be his responsibility to replace or fix them if he could.

Rafael watched the man as he conjured up a temporary kennel for the puppy, and wondered why he hadn't done the same when he was pupsitting before. He watched the little girl for a moment before turning his attention back to Atticus. "Please, just Rafael." He wasn't sure anyone addressed him by his last name in the ministry. Rafa waved off the thanks. "It was the least I could do, and no thank you."

His eyes returned to the watch. "I was just admiring her handy work before fixing it myself." He did so again before drawing his wand and repairing the wand easily. Of course he removed the dog drool as well. Definitely wasn't going to miss that. "If that's all you need from me, I should be heading back to my side of the level." Plus he was certain the man had some settling in to do in his new department.

She was exhausted. Only two weeks into her position as the Team Leader for the Albino Bloodhound trainers and she could quite happily go back to her mundane job at the Department of Mysteries... WHAT ON EARTH WAS SHE THINKING?! No freaking way could she ever go back. This was where she was meant to be. Surrounded by massive dogs that everyone else believed were vicious, whereas she and her co-workers/team knew otherwise. Being a Great Dane owner herself, Alyss was well aware of the softness of dogs, the bigger the teeth, the nicer the dog.

Pushing open the door to the kennel room, the tiny brunette smiled. Most of the bloodhounds were still asleep. Walking swiftly up to one of the few which were desperately pawing at his cage, she smiled widely, "Hello gorgeous! My, look at you!" Opening the door to the kennel, she was instantly greeted enthusiastically. Laughing as the creature slobbered all over her shirt and jacket, she caught the male by the scruff and began to lead him to the grassy area. Her amusement was soon added to as the bloodhound began to roll and play in the training patch. She'd leave him for a while to get the instant hype out, and start when he'd calmed down.

Hoisting herself up onto a work surface but keeping a firm eye on the dog, she relaxed against the wall. It had become a good part of her life now and actually helped a great deal with all her stress. Plus, the hunting trips abroad were fantastic.

Manolo walked into the all-around white room. He smiled at a nearby bloodhound who was looking at him curiously. He wanted to pet him, but didn't want to do anything without permission. He looked around for any sign of authority. He knew his division had to go sniff out the Ministry, but he didn't want to take a bloodhound without permission! Hello?! Someone?! I'M JUST AN INTERN!

Rafael moved through the white hall silently, hands deep in his pockets as his eyes passed over each kennel. He'd checked up on his employees to make certain they were settling, and now he was here to see how that once little pup he'd been temporarily charged with was doing, having not visited her in a few months now.

All the bloodhounds were vociferous, but one was a notch above the others when spotting him, and not in such an offensive way. "You've gotten bigger, little girl." He reached her kennel with a soft smile, and opened the door to greet her properly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8feetunderground

Rafael moved through the white hall silently, hands deep in his pockets as his eyes passed over each kennel. He'd checked up on his employees to make certain they were settling, and now he was here to see how that once little pup he'd been temporarily charged with was doing, having not visited her in a few months now.

All the bloodhounds were vociferous, but one was a notch above the others when spotting him, and not in such an offensive way. "You've gotten bigger, little girl." He reached her kennel with a soft smile, and opened the door to greet her properly.

With a small sigh, Ella made her way down the white hallway. She could hear the dogs being loud, but that was usually the case. They were probably just barking at each other. Or because they were bored, but luckily they were about to get some good work done around the Ministry. Hopefully soon.

As Ella rounded the corner into the room where all the dogs were, she was surprised to see someone in there. Someone who was not one of her employees. "Oh-" she began, slightly startled before she realized who it was. "Rafael." She sighed with quiet relief. "I didn't expect to see you here." Ella smiled a little and walked over to him and the Bloodhound he was visiting. He must have remembered her from when he was over her department before.

Rafael wasn't surprised to see the woman, however, as this was her territory, and simply transferred his smile to her as he greeted the young bloodhound. She still liked his watch. "Just visiting an old friend." He tugged at her ears slightly and she turned her chewing into licking. Rafael wasn't an animal lover, or even a pet person, but he did have a certain fondness for the female bloodhound.

"I hope I'm not bother. Are you checking up on the pack?" Before the assignment he meant. The Spaniard had seen the assignment in passing and wondered if this girl was ready for such tasks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8feetunderground

Rafael wasn't surprised to see the woman, however, as this was her territory, and simply transferred his smile to her as he greeted the young bloodhound. She still liked his watch. "Just visiting an old friend." He tugged at her ears slightly and she turned her chewing into licking. Rafael wasn't an animal lover, or even a pet person, but he did have a certain fondness for the female bloodhound.

"I hope I'm not bother. Are you checking up on the pack?" Before the assignment he meant. The Spaniard had seen the assignment in passing and wondered if this girl was ready for such tasks.

Watching the younger bloodhound show such affection to Rafael made Ella smile. 'Old friend.' That was cute. "Well, she definitely likes you." That was apparent with the many kisses Rafael was getting from the bloodhound.

"Of course you're not a bother," she said with a wave of her hand. She liked the company. She had told Althea before that she enjoyed sharing a level with someone so it wasn't just her and her few employees that weren't out on assignment all the time. She liked being around people. Ella offered a nod. "Yes. We've got some snooping around to do." Ella reached inside the kennel next to the one Rafael was at and let the bloodhound sniff her hand before she pet his snout.

"She likes my watch more," But Rafael had grown wise on that long ago and always protected his watch (and forearm) with charms before even entering the large training kennel.

It was cramped in the kennel built for one dog, and so Rafa opened the door wide enough for the dog to run out, and once he'd joined her, pace around him. "Working on finding something from all the sick employees, yes? Are any of them yours?" He tried to recall, but most he was almost sure were from other levels.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8feetunderground

"She likes my watch more," But Rafael had grown wise on that long ago and always protected his watch (and forearm) with charms before even entering the large training kennel.

It was cramped in the kennel built for one dog, and so Rafa opened the door wide enough for the dog to run out, and once he'd joined her, pace around him. "Working on finding something from all the sick employees, yes? Are any of them yours?" He tried to recall, but most he was almost sure were from other levels.

"Maybe she likes shiny things," she mused with a small smile. Either way, she seemed rather friendly with him. And it was cute.

Ella grinned a little when Rafael let the dog out of the kennel. She watched the bloodhound run around and laughed a little. Yeah, it was definitely time to get them back into action and Ella was rather excited. Minus the whole strange sickness thing, though. Standing up straight again, Ella tucked her fingers into her pants pockets and nodded. "Yeah, it's rather strange. I saw some Law Enforcement people taking drool samples at the Orientation, so I thought I'd do whatever I can to help out with this research." As far as her employees... Ella shook her head. "No, thankfully not. Are any of them yours?" Well, she had one girl who acted rather odd before the holiday... but she was kind of just hoping for the best.

It was possible. Rafa never bothered with trying to figure what she liked when she was in his care, being too busy with keeping her teeth off of all his personal items.

"My botanist are working on helping to find a cure for it, of course that's easier said than done since we don't know the cause." Rafael had heard all that talk too, but he didn't have all the information, which was why he was sending his people to the other departments.

He shook his head, and conjured up a ball for Lady. "None of mine. Thankfully most are out in the field, so I don't have to much worry about it spreading with my people." Tossing the ball towards the training arena, he flicked his wand to open the door so Lady wouldn't run straight into it. "Though I do plan on calling a few back for this... issue. The ones who preferred to stay on the job over the holiday."

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8feetunderground

It was possible. Rafa never bothered with trying to figure what she liked when she was in his care, being too busy with keeping her teeth off of all his personal items.

"My botanist are working on helping to find a cure for it, of course that's easier said than done since we don't know the cause." Rafael had heard all that talk too, but he didn't have all the information, which was why he was sending his people to the other departments.

He shook his head, and conjured up a ball for Lady. "None of mine. Thankfully most are out in the field, so I don't have to much worry about it spreading with my people." Tossing the ball towards the training arena, he flicked his wand to open the door so Lady wouldn't run straight into it. "Though I do plan on calling a few back for this... issue. The ones who preferred to stay on the job over the holiday."

Trying to figure out a cure for something you didn't know the cause of was probably a difficult task. "Well, good luck to them. Hopefully we'll figure something out soon." With the drool samples and the search that Ella and her bloodhounds were going to do, hopefully they would get some kind of information soon and work on a cure.

Ella nodded, and watched the bloodhound chase the ball into the arena. "I have quite a few out in the field as well," she stated, walking towards the arena to watch the cute little dog retrieve the ball. For a moment, she let her mind wander until she remembered something from several months ago. "You know, I think you still owe me that tour you promised."

Rafael nodded in agreement. He couldn't make any guarantees on what success they would have so early in the project, but he had some of the best and believed they were up for the challenge.

"Do I?" He looked over at her with a raised brow and good natured half-smile. It had been a while hadn't it? And Rafa wasn't sure she still needed a tour of the place, but then he had promised her one. Hm. "We should bring Lady along with us." He motioned to the happy albino hound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8feetunderground

Rafael nodded in agreement. He couldn't make any guarantees on what success they would have so early in the project, but he had some of the best and believed they were up for the challenge.

"Do I?" He looked over at her with a raised brow and good natured half-smile. It had been a while hadn't it? And Rafa wasn't sure she still needed a tour of the place, but then he had promised her one. Hm. "We should bring Lady along with us." He motioned to the happy albino hound.

"Only if you still want to," she added quietly. Of course, he didn't have to if he was busy. But he was in here, so Ella figured he couldn't be too busy...

Ella raised her eyebrows slightly. Lady? "Is that her name?" A smile played at her lips. That was cute nice that Rafael had named her. Ella had been working in the Ministry for several months without thinking about names for the Bloodhounds. Either way, "Yes, let's take her with us." Ella didn't mind one bit.

Manolo walked into kennels, a little calmer and less stressed than usual. He walked back and forth through the aisle before stopping before a bloodhound in one of the middle kennels. He knelt down and held out his hand to the creature. "Hi there, fella." He smiled.

"I'd be honored to," He smiled at her and motioned for the door. Ladies first. There wasn't... too much work he had to do. Nothing that couldn't wait for a moment at least.

The dog returned with the ball and Rafa cleaned and pocketed the toy, nodding his head at Ella. "Needed something to call her while she was in my care." And he'd wanted something he wouldn't grow too attached too, though that'd proven pointless. "I think she's grown into the name."

Oooh, honored even? Wow. Ella tried to hide her excessive smiling. "Well, thank you. I appreciate it." When he motioned for the door, Ella turned and walked out of it and back into the hallway, turning her head back to make sure Rafael and Lady were following her.

"Well, that was rather sweet of you. She seems very fond of it." Ella whistled at the dog and watched with a grin as she bounded down the hall after her. Hmm. Maybe she should name the other dogs. Maybe they already HAD names that she didn't even know about. She would have to ask Alyss when she came back into the office.

Manolo strolled into the kennel, "Helloooo, puppies! I missed you!" He reached to pet a couple of the hounds. "I've got your new Spring nibbles!" He waved his wand to summon their bowls. "Here we go." He filled each one with the Spring formula and with a wave of his wand, the bowls went back to their place. He checked each of them were fed. "Okay, puppies! I've got to get back to the reception desk. See you later!"