"It was very good actually thank you. Rowan and i went to new Zealand for 3 weeks. Cave searching and black water rafting. we had a god time." she smiled up at her after kissing her husband on the cheek "we missed everyone very much, but it was nice to just get away from everything & everyone and focus on us. you know"? yeah elizabeth understood. her and jack were always off doing things alone adn stuff

"Yeah. I moved here from the states...." Annalise giggled, smiling up at the woman. How could that woman NOT have heard her Midwestern accent? "Oh. Well... at least you have things keeping you busy," Annalise laughed again. "I really love gardening, I also really enjoy running.." She added, her voice trailing off as she looked around the room.

"I'm enjoying it so far!" Annalise laughed, smiling at Victoria. "That's really nice," She smiled, nodding at the woman. "I really am enjoying meeting all the new people, they all seem very.... extroverted..." Annalise giggled. It was really nice that SO many people were coming up to greet her. "So... did you enjoy your holidays?"

Elizabeth smiled, "That sounds like it was an amazing time, Millie." She laughed, "Yeah, I do know." She nodded, "It's what keeps a marriage strong." She twisted her ring again but her face was bright with a shining smile.


Elizabeth smiled, "Oh thats nice. I am from South France." She laughed, "Yeah... especially right now..." She grimaced but then was smiling again. "Oh gardening is fun! Running? Hmm I admire that because I hate it." She chuckled and looked around the room as well.

He could feel a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips at the woman's evident shock. That Herbology story was one of his favourites to tell. It never failed to give him a good laugh afterwards--but of course he wouldn't be laughing now because then she'd think there was something wrong with him.

For a moment she seemed at a loss of words. Good. Now she would know how he was feeling. He never felt more awkward than when he was told to go interacting with others. It was just such a strange thing for him to do and honestly he was no good at it.

"Yes, that's the room!" So she'd heard about it. When he first heard that that was where he'd be working he thought it was a joke...unfortunately it wasn't. "It's quite a funny thought actually. How can you keep love in a room?" A curious thing, it was. "And what exactly will you be doing in your department?" Though he believed he should always be the centre of a conversation, he felt he needed to make her feel like she belonged in the conversation too otherwise she'd walk away then he would be back to square one.

"I hope so too." He'd already left his home and his family; he'd better like it--hell, he'd better never want to leave!

"Oh? What made it awful?"

Though after hearing the rest of what she had to say he felt he had the answer. She'd gotten married and even worse she'd gone off and had a kid. Who wouldn't find their year home awful? As far as he was concerned she was lucky to be back without even a trace of baby fat. Not many woman were that lucky--but it wasn't his place to point that out.

"Oh I cant stand being at home all day, cleaning and cooking like a good stay-at-home wife." She had a little sneer, "Making sure I look pretty and have dinner on the table for when my husband comes home." Elizabeth wrinkled her nose and moved her hands slightly, twisting her ring. "Sorry... I had a rough month..." She rubbed her forehead and sighed, "But have you always lived in London or are you new here?"

It's like this man has never heard of the Love Chamber. If he hasn't, why was he planning to work at the Everlocked Room? Tsssssss. "I've heard that the Everlocked Room had a fountain of amortentia inside." Ivee said as a matter-of-factly. "Amortentia, the love potion you know." Just in case Mister Love Chamber doesn't know.

"I've been given the job as Senior Botanist in the Experimental Breeders Headquarters," Ivee replied. Hopefully this man who doesn't seem to have a clue on Herbology understands what she meant.

Yep, yep, yep!*

Gia did indeed live in Italy! It was a great place, indeed. "I did!" she said, laughing a little bit. "It was definitely a great place! You're SO right. I have to admit, the food was one of my favorite parts too!" Remember how she lived there 20+ years. Must make it all pretty good, huh?? It definitely was!! England was just as good though. Okay okay. Italy is first, and England. Fair enough??

Why DID she transfer?? Gia never really had a set meaning on that. *Her life was near perfect over there, so why change it??? "I transferred because......I needed a break from Italy, believe it or not. I had legit lived their my whole entire life before now. I really needed to get out more and visit new places," She explained, as together as possible. She really did feel that way. Of course, there were other reasons too, but we don't need to go into them.

All that matters is that we're here!

"Oh, okay. That makes more sense," Gia said, holding in her bitterness about that department, after seeing the man's reaction to her irritation. Hmmm, better not run into that again. She wasn't here to make enemies. At least he didn't assume she was a MoM office worker just by looking at her or something. That would be just...horrid!! Oh, and don't worry if you are in the department. She's just referring from what she's experienced from that department at the Italian ministry. It's not you!

EEP!! She got so excited and worked up when people asked her about her job. She loved it like her own best friend!! Oh, and just to warn you, she can go on andl on about it, and I mean on and on!! "I guess you could say that! It's not actually that dangerous, believe it or not. At least, it hasn't been for me." Well, it's the truth! She hadn't experienced that much danger in her job, sadly. It did kind of disappoint her, but she was quite alright with just doing simple cases. She wasn't a fan of drama. No, not at all.

What they do in there? "Well...," Gia began, trying to think of the best way to say this. She had only been in there once, about two years ago, do she could hardly remember. It was at the Italian ministry, anyways. She could make a whole list about why she despised the minister's office! "Well, I don't know too much about what they do, but, they were like, the noisiest department ever, back in Italy!! Ugh, I could barely focus with their loud antics. They were THAT loud. Quite the party people, mind you. I almost got fired because of them...." Well, one of them. She wasn't going to go into compete detail about it. Trust me, it wasn't pretty.

"We have very busy times of year, that's for sure. When students are at Hogwarts, our Trace investigation is fairly slow, but there's never a dull moment for breaking the International Statute." People loved to flaunt the rules all year long.

But this gentleman was going to be in MMAO? "I think you'll enjoy your work. Lots of research and investigation involved in it. Do you have any experience in the field?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

"Well I wouldn't call it strange..." Gavin mused. He wouldn't call it perfectly normal either so he left that where it was. Women were strange creatures and he wasn't in the mood to have this one explode on him for his choice of words.

Such a wide smile as she stated her job. Someone was happy with their career. He thought to comment on her mention of the acronyms but he couldn't be bothered to. Socializing was hard enough without the more mundane aspects of a conversation.

"Oh by all means, stab away!" It would be a refreshing change. Finally, someone who knew how to treat a new person. Now he could relax and wait to be entertained; something he should have been doing from the beginning. A crash course on 'Ways of making Gavin Isaacs feel comfortable' was in order for the rest of employees in this room, regardless of whether or not they were new themselves.

Success! She'd been correct in assuming the man didn't want to talk about his job, regardless of the fact that it was new and he should be much more excited about starting at the Ministry. In her opinion, at least.

So a new conversation topic, one that was completely unique? Cade considered her options. Anything work related was out, as was the weather. Holidays were just past, but she didn't think that as a particularly unique topic. Quidditch was easy, but overdone as well.

"Did you know that all polar bears are left handed?" Yes... interesting fact thanks to Cade's seven-year-old daughter.

Ivee nodded. "I guess I have the same reason as well, on why my family transferred here," the woman said. "But I live alone now. My parents, they live with my aunt." It's true. A twenty-eight year old living with her parents is just strange to think about.

Anyway... Ivee had nothing else to talk about. She just felt good that she got to meet someone as new as her in the Ministry. SHE WAS NOT ALONE!

EEK, NEWBIES!! Lights loved the newbies! Newbies meant new friends, new laughter and new surprised faces when she suddenly turned into a creamy labrador! Plus the fact that she'd actually missed the Ministry while on holiday. She'd taken Bellissa and Ezekiel to visit her sister and brothers in Swansea, and then left them there for a week (much to the delight of her younger brothers, who were home from Hogwarts for Christmas and seemed committed to turning Zek into more of a troublemaker than he already was). She and Ethan had been on their own for the longest since the twins were born, and Lights had loved every second of it. She adored her kids, of course, but she also missed being alone with Ethan like crazy.

But alas, the holidays were over and it was back to work and school time for the Lennoxes. But that's okay, cause there's a party going on here! Armed with the Scavenger Hunt questions, Lights drifted through the throngs of people, searching for friends, colleagues and unknown people whom she could talk to and fill in answers on the sheet. She could have put her name down for a good few of the items listed, but it said she couldn't put her own name down ...

"Hello Mariel. It's really nice to meet you too? Did I hear that you're also in Games and Sports. Isn't Victoria in that Department too? What will you be doing there?" Melissa asked interested in knowing what they did in that department.



Melissa smiled,"Thanks for saying that. I know that it's tough work. But someone has got to do it right?" Melissa silently wished that she didn't have to start at the bottom, but if it meant learning along the way until she got to where she wanted to be, then she'd do it. No one said things would be easy starting over again.

"So do you like what you're doing, Charles?" she asked.



Melissa grinned. "Great. Gavin it is and sure you can call me Melissa." She was pleased to hear that he had been an undercover buyer like she had been when she first started out. "You were an uncover buyer yourself? Wasn't it great getting to do the things we did? I had to leave because I was having my first child." Melissa smiled remembering when she found out about that.

"I know I could have stayed but I didn't want my family to worry about me every time I went undercover. Now that they're all grown up, I wouldn't mind getting another chance to feel that thrill again."



Melissa quickly turned around when the woman she had bumped against spoke to her. "Oh um...Yes...I mean no I'm not new. I mean I've been with the Ministry for three years. I just haven't had the time to meet anybody."Melissa blushed knowing that it was her fault that she never had the opportunity to meet her fellow co-workers.

"So I guess you could technically say I'm new." she grinned at her.



Melissa laughed, "Okay thanks for being so understanding. I'm definitely looking forward to working with you too."

"Do I know anyone else? Well there's that lady over there."Melissa pointed to Mariel. "She works for Games and Sports." and then pointed over to their Department Head."That man over there of course you now is our boss, Mr. Ferguson. He seems nice so far."

"So you mentioned your brother is he in the Ministry too? My husband is an Auror with the American branch of the Ministry and my two sons are training to be Aurors." Melissa blushed again realizing that she had told a stranger about her family. "I'm sorry too much information right?"



Then Melissa glanced over and saw a guy leaning against the wall. He looked lonely and knowing how that felt, she walked up slowly to him. "Hello is everything okay?"



Melissa noticed someone nodding to her and nodded back at her before waving back. She wasn't sure whether she should approach her or not and then decided what the heck. Smiling she slowly strolled up to the woman not wanting to make it obvious that she wanted to get to know her, and when she got near enough, she turned to her and said, "Hi. I don't remember the Ministry having a meet a greet when I first joined. I think that it's a great idea." Melissa smiled at the lady.

"I know I've seen you around in our department but I'm ashamed to say that I don't know most of you." Melissa blushed before sticking out her hand to shake the other woman's.



Melissa turned to see a woman talking with a man. The way she was smiling and talking with him it was obvious that they were both in love with each other. She wondered whether they were married. Melissa smiled reminiscing how she and James would act with each other when they ran into each other in the Ministry. She sighed. She was starting to miss him and her family again.

Melissa tried to catch the woman's attention by smiling and waving before she realized what she was doing. "Melissa if you keep waving your hands like that people are going to think that you've lost your marbles.' Melissa laughed at the thought.

American Ambassador? So this grumpy man was also a new employee for International Cooperation?

In one side, Dimitri felt quite impressed. Being an Ambassador was cool, you know? But in the other side.. Sigh. So this old-grumpy man was in the same office as him? Oh my God! This skinny guy kinda disapproved this. It wasn't fun to have a fellow worker who seemed unfriendly (and grumpy).

His job? "I'm the Undercover buyer, sir." Then he extended his hand and gave a smile to him (and showed his sharpened canine teeth). "Dimitri Burton is on your service." said him proudly. Yeah! Who doesn't feel so proud about this job? Undercover buyer was so challenging but fun rather than Immigration officer and he just got it only had been working for a year!

His brown bloodshot eyes stared at the woman who had bumped it. Uuuuuuugh! Thankfully that he's not a man who get angry and annoyed easily because of accidental bumping. Besides that, maybe he could do that too since he was slightly clumsy. (Remember what did he face when his first day last year? Accidentally he tripped over at his own shoelace.)

"Oh, That's okay." said him cool. Noticed that she extended her hand, Dimitri grabbed and shook it. "Pleasure to meet you." Gia? Nice name. Hehehe. "I'm Dimitri Burton. Undercover buyer for International Cooperation." said him (again) so proud!

He looked pretty poorly before, really? Dimitri wondered how could those weird symptoms attack him suddenly. Huh.. For now it was still a mystery. "Oh." suddenly he said. "I don't think I could help you much for training the newbies, Boss." OOOOPS! WHATDIDHEJUSTSAY? "I.. I'm sorry. I don't mean to say that." Okay, what's wrong with you again, Dima?

And suddenly his face turned pale. So pale. It looked so contrast since now he's slightly tan due to the result of 2-years travelling. Uh oh.. What's wrong again with him? He didn't feel sick. He was completely healthy! So, how could he suddenly look pale? And those word? Why? Why he could speak like that? WHY???

Nodding "Same here, I usually try and throw myself into a conversation with the language I'm learning and go from there. Books don't do nothing for me personally languagewise. they tell you a little about the pronunciation but it don't help much." Yep he'd learned that first hand in his travels!

Hadn't Elizabeth already said what she'd spoken? Hmm, old age maybe? He definitely was at least 50 maybe 60? "British English and American English, Spanish, German, Japanese, and Tagalog, French, Mandarin (Chinese), Gobbledegook, Welsch, and mermish."

Nodding he smiled "I would say that will work well." Sighing lightly he looked around them again. Wondering where the rest of his team was. He'd seen Dimitri, but Kat still wasn't there and he'd not seen anymore from level 5 other then Jack.

Rowan smiled down at her about to respond when Elizabeth walked up, "Hey Elizabeth," He gave a kind smile, "Or is it going to be the way Millie thinks I should address her, and say Mrs. Lupin?" He chuckled, remembering how Millie had specifically told him to never call her by her first name in front of the other members of their department, unprofessional and can lead to the rumors of favoritism and blah blah blah... He'd honestly zoned out at that point, letting the two of them talk.

Kensi was feeling...worse. WAY worse. Ever since she had gone on vacation...her symptoms had only gotten MORE. She was extremely pale right now as she walked into the new orientation thing. The redhead did NOT feel like being here. Not at ALL. She walked without a purpose, her legs just walking..

Her eyes blankly stared around, her mouth formed into a slight frown. She had her purse in one arm...and suddenly, she stopped, right in the middle of the floor, and began to drool..her eyes were unfocused and her mouth was wide open...she looked like...like a zombie or something,

She began to mumble incoherently....and her cheeks had noo color whatsoever...her eyes didn't blink...and she felt like she might vomit..

Ew.

Elizabeth was walking around a little bored and feeling down. She just wanted to go home but she had to be here. She had talked to a few people here and there as well as her boss/ friend. She rather be home with the kids than here at the moment.


Elizabeth smiled at Gavin, "Glad to hear it." She laughed, "Have you traveled much?" She looked at him then looked around. She refused to let herself look sad at least in front of these people...


Elizabeth walked around and saw a sick looking lady. She went up and frowned in sympathy. "Ms... do you need to go see a healer? You dont look too good right now... maybe you should sit down instead of being on your feet." She held out a napkin to the lady so the lady could wipe the drool away.

"Oh, very nice!" So she was like... REALLY close to the Minister? Hm. He glanced down at his scavenger hunt list. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but... do you fit into any of these categories?" Just so he could write her name.





Well he wasn't going to say 'you're welcome'. Charles nodded in response to her question, and when the conversation turned to him, replied with "I do. I actually stepped down from a higher position to do this, so, I'm extremely pleased to be able to go out there and talk to people." Especially ones with respect, which she seemed to have dropped.



Ha, still liked the 'Sir' coming from the kid's mouth. "An interesting job, indeed." It'd be strange to go into a shop and buy stuff purely because it was your job. Taking and shaking his hand, Charles learned his name and that he had extremely sharp canine teeth. O__o He'd watched the kid interact with Gavin and the fact that he looked like someone had painted him white was worrysome. Charles looked at Gavin curiously, but said nothing. The kid didn't need to know his tan was ruined.



Of course it was. Conversing was the equivalent of teaching a snotbag (child) to learn a language by listening. "I find books help, but you learn much more about a dialect by listening to it and how they structure their sentences." The French, for example, did everything back to front.

The self control Charles exerted for not rolling his eyes, sighing in exasperation or S L O W L Y telling Elizabeth he wanted to be told what languages she knew was extreme. He should have got a medal for it. "I see, so you speak French and English mostly?" A perfectly level voice too. His medal was surely coming and it would read: 'Most Patient Man in the World.'

"We have a few mutual languages." He nodded to Gavin politely, impressed he knew so many eastern languages. "I speak English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Latin, German, Mermish and Gobbledegook. I sign British Sign Language and American Sign Language." He nodded to them. "But I'm currently learning Fairy and Troll, it seems hardly anyone speaks them." Like their good selves.



An eyebrow raised at the woman who was... DROOLING? Ugh. They let any old riff raff into this place. Some people were too stupid to even close their mouths, apparently. All he wanted to do was call St. Mungo's crazy ward just for her. A niiiiice comfy bed in a locked room would do her well. And it save the rest of them from enduring that awful sight of someone drooling over herself.

"I agree books help BUT conversing helps more." She laughed then saw the look that Charles had and frowned, "Oh, did I need to repeat the languages which I speak? I mean I did tell you all earlier." Elizabeth laughed and looked at him, twirling a dark curl around her finger.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassandra

Elizabeth walked around and saw a sick looking lady. She went up and frowned in sympathy. "Ms... do you need to go see a healer? You dont look too good right now... maybe you should sit down instead of being on your feet." She held out a napkin to the lady so the lady could wipe the drool away.

Kensi just stared.

And stared.

And stared.

And drooled. DROOOOOLED.

The American then snapped out of it, and looked at the woman, startled...she was dazed, confused. "Wha-what?" she asked, looking absolutely terrified. "Where...what is this?" she asked, looking arond..work..."Why am I at work?" she asked confusedly, scratching her head...she then glanced at the lady..."I-I- did I...Did I just zone out?" she asked, looking worried...like, really worried...

She grinded her teeth nervously...they felt weird, lately. Almost..sharper? It was odd. Very odd.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becky

An eyebrow raised at the woman who was... DROOLING? Ugh. They let any old riff raff into this place. Some people were too stupid to even close their mouths, apparently. All he wanted to do was call St. Mungo's crazy ward just for her. A niiiiice comfy bed in a locked room would do her well. And it save the rest of them from enduring that awful sight of someone drooling over herself.

The redhead noticed this man...from the corner of her eye..and she immediately scowled..."What are YOU looking at?!?" she snapped, clearly NOT in the mood.

She would totally bite his head off if he didn't stop looking at her like that.

Literally, she just might.

"it really was we had a good time.. lots of fun too. nothing like being active for us." cause adventure was FUUUNNN who cared that she was 26 years old.. your never too old for fun.. nope never.

then Millie caught something out of the corner of her eye.. was that woman okay.. she squinted a bit.. OH Lord Melissa.. didnt she yell in the office a few months ago.. putting her hand up she gave the woman a wave.. why didn't she come over here if she just wanted to talk.. geesh..

Turning back to elizah.... hey where'd she go? she scanned the room till she saw her talking to someone who .. looked.. ill.. eww Elizabeth get away from her.. then she noticed.. drooling.. pale.. was she muttering.. o.0 zombie!?

Elizabeth looked at the lady, "Are you okay, Ms.? Yeah you kinda of zoned out a little. I think you need to get to a healer." She was still holding out a napkin so the lady could wipe the drool away. She glanced over and saw Millie's face and was a little confused so she glanced back at the girl. Worry showed on her face... but not because of anything but that the girl might be sick and that would be sad.

Kensi just stared at her for a long time, her brain soo not functioning right now. NOt processing this. She saw the napkin..and took it. she went to wipe her mouth but then..she suddenly pulled them away from her mouth again..and stared, confusedly, at them..."Wh-what? Why...was..what was I doing...?" she asked, staring...and then, it happened again..the spacing out. Her eyes glazed. Her mouth drooled. And she began to mumble nonsense. She took a step forward, but only a step..walking was hard..for her...

She then snapped out of it, and shook her head...what? She glanced back at the woman...and she noticed a ...another lady staring at her...why? "I-I'm so lost..." she said, looking freaked out, now. "Who are you?" she asked the woman...why was she talking to her? Kensi glanced at the napkins in her hand..why did she..why did she had napkins in her hand...

"What are YOU looking at?!" she snapped at the other lady, the one staring, too. SERIOUSLY?!

Kensi knew she was gorgeous and all..but...she was scared and these people were being MEAN!

Melissa looked around and saw a lady who looked bored and as she was about to approach her, she saw her helping another lady who didn't look too well. So she went over to offer her help. "Uh hi. She doesn't look too well does she. Should we get a Healer in here?" Melissa asked looking around for one not like she would even know who the Healer was in the Ministry even if they were standing in front of her.



Melissa nodded listening with interest when he told her that he liked what he did then. But then he mentioned about him stepping down from his high position, and Melissa groaned silently and blushed when she realized that she had forgotten who he was and had called him by his first name without first asking his permission to do so. 'Good one Melissa. Time to move on before you end up insulting someone else.' Melissa silently chided herself.

"Anyway, it was nice to meet you. Sir...I mean...Mr. Taylor...I mean Sir. I had a nice time talking with you." Melissa stammered before making a quick retreat.



Melissa waved again before she realized belatedly that she knew this woman. She was there when Melissa had lost her temper and made a scene. 'Great Melissa. Here's hoping that she has forgotten what you did the last time you were in the office.' Melissa forced a smile and walked over to her.

"Hi again. It's good to see you again. Did you enjoy your holiday break?"

'Yes Melissa make small talk. Hopefully she'll forget that you made a fool of yourself and will give you a second chance to redeem yourself' Melissa thought to herself hoping that would be the case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awarlesta Black

"Eh, it was just a childhood memory, no biggie." He laughed. "Well, I feel like it'll be a great pleasure working for you, Miss Ella."

Miss Ella seemed to draw in another employee. She seemed young, maybe his age? He hasn't found anyone near his age yet. He decided he'd make conversation with her since they were there. He held out his hand, "Hello other miss."

Ella was impressed and pleased with this man's politeness. The world could use a few men like him, she thought to herself. "I must agree." And since he seemed to insist on calling her 'Miss Ella', she wouldn't disagree with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazelStone101

"Hello, I'm Annalise! I'm the new Junior Plant Removal Assistant." She grinned, happy to have more people willing to speak with her. At least they weren't looking down on her for being a noob... yet. "Have you been working here long?" She asked.

And this young woman was quite chipper! Lovely to see on the first day, really. Ella smiled at her introduction. "Lovely to meet you, Annalise." Ella extended her hand for the woman to shake. "Ella Wellington, Magical Creatures Department Head," she introduced, with a small hint of pride in her voice. She didn't mean to boast by any means, it was just... cool.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayquilz

Kensi was feeling...worse. WAY worse. Ever since she had gone on vacation...her symptoms had only gotten MORE. She was extremely pale right now as she walked into the new orientation thing. The redhead did NOT feel like being here. Not at ALL. She walked without a purpose, her legs just walking..

Her eyes blankly stared around, her mouth formed into a slight frown. She had her purse in one arm...and suddenly, she stopped, right in the middle of the floor, and began to drool..her eyes were unfocused and her mouth was wide open...she looked like...like a zombie or something,

She began to mumble incoherently....and her cheeks had noo color whatsoever...her eyes didn't blink...and she felt like she might vomit..

Ew.

After another moment, Ella spotted a face wandering aimlessly. It was almost hard to tell, but Ella knew it was Kensi. And she did not look very good. In fact she looked about five times worse since the Ministry closed for the holidays.

Ella approached the woman warily and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. Oh dear, she was drooling again. "Hello, Kensi... Lovely to see you again." Just not in her current state. Ella looked at her worriedly. "Have you by chance seen a healer lately? Gone to St. Mungos?" Because really... it wasn't a bad idea.

Elizabeth glanced at the lady, "Why dont you just calm down. I can take you to a healer... you really should go to one... You dont look so well..." She glanced over as another lady joined them. She replied dryly, "Oh, I never thought of that." She frowned. Did the lady think she was stupid? What did she think she was trying to do? Play with her? She held back an eyeroll and turned her attention back to the lady she was trying to get to go to the healer. "Here... take my hand... I will bring you to a healer." Elizabeth took a step toward the lady.