Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinky

Oh no no no. Tamara REFUSED to make an appointment to see her COUSIN. Yes indeed she did! Heh.

Approaching the door the middle aged woman raised a perfectly manicured hand and rapped on the door. Mhm. Smoothing first her hair and then the grey pencil skirt she had donned that morning she couldn't help but smile slightly. She was SO proud of Thea and was anxious to see her. She had SO MUCH to tell her after all.

Althea opened the door, ice-queen expression in place ready to tell whoever it was off for disturbi-- ah! It was Tam! That was okay. The frosty look melted away and she smiled. "Come on in."

She ushered her inside and shut the door behind her.

"Is this a social visit, or work-related?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinky

Crossing her ankles and angling her body just so in her seat Tamara took the drink and nodded her thanks to Thea.

"Shaking things up around here, no doubt," Mrs. Scam said approvingly. Heh. She knew Althea well enough to know she probably came in and cleaned house.

"We haven't spoken in a while." Fact. "Deid is home with me now. Lucian and I have patched things to a certain extent and well Dale... she is an angel as always," she said by way of bringing her up to speed. No mention of Jonah yet. Heh. "How is your... err... personal life at the moment, dear?" She turned her scrutinizing mommy eyes on Althea as she sipped her drink and waited.

"It keeps me busy." And distracted from less pleasant things. Althea sat primly in her own chair and listened to the family update.

"What did you do for Christmas? I'm sorry I couldn't pop in. Mum and Dad and my sisters all came to my place, and it was... full on." As usual. Sigh. And then... unusually so too. Her jaw clenched a little as she thought about one particular visitor and the results of that visit. Hmmph.

"But I'll assume you got the gift basket?" With the wine. And the nibbles. And the wine. "And that the girls got the gifts mum said she sent." Ariane, Thea's mother and Tamara's aunt, had sent trinkets for the girls, on behalf of the Schirmer branch of the family. And likely sent money in a card for Lucian.

....

......

....... her personal life.

Althea grimly pressed her lips together and forced a smile. Where did she start? Restraining Order? The douche that left and didn't owl her because he didn't like hearing the truth? Or the one that was back in the country and basically the perfect man except for the fact that she wasn't sure she deserved him and she much preferred the jerk who had the capacity to make her crazy and possibly cause her to contemplate murder? You know, if he ever spoke to her again and Merlin-be-damned but why the hell would she listen if he did? Why? He'd only be using her anyway and she shouldn't care and didn't want to think about it and so she wouldn't.

Just wouldn't.

She sipped her drink instead. "Did my mother tell you to ask that?" She asked suspiciously, suddenly wondering if Tamara had heard about the events on Christmas day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinky

Christmas. It had been interesting. To say the very least. "Christmas was... eventful. Jonah came around and well..." she let that comment hang in the air and shrugged her shoulders slightly. That meant all hell had broken loose at the the dinner table and then she had sent the girls to bed and Lucian on his way. Heh. "Yes I did. It was lovely. You know I love Moscato," she said with a small smirk. "I assume everyone got our gifts as well? Sorry we didn't make it to see you lot this year. With Deidra just getting back to us I thought..." well it had not gone according to plan, but whatever. "I sent Aunt Ariane a thank you card and all."

Speaking of Aunt Ariane... Tamara did not look embarrassed in the slightest at Althea's question. She merely gave a stiff nod and sipped her drink once more. "We worry about you, Thea. That's all. I for other reasons than she, but nonetheless." Seeing as Tam had more insight into that... SITUATION than Thea's mum and all. "Don't be angry with her, she means well. She came around for dinner and drilled me the same ways. Darling why have you not gotten Jonah back?! you know... the usual."

"And Lucian didn't leave? Sounds like he might be finally growing up." Althea eyed her cousin and then slipped her heels off and curled her feet up underneath herself. Comfy. If not then he was more like his father than he thought. Sigh. That kid was troubled. Poor Lucian. She wished she could help. And it was good that Deidra was back, she knew Tamara had missed her elder daughter.

Smirk. "I DO know you do." Research had been done. Hands on research. "And we did. The boys loved their scooters. I mean, it was snowing pretty heavily outside, but Joely had me charm the hallway so they could scoot up and down. Maxy picked it up pretty quick. And Laura loved her teddy-bear. I don't think she's let go of it yet."

Sigh. "I know she does. It doesn't mean I have to like it." Her mum did. Her sister... less so. Natasha was still making it her life goal to get a rise out of her. And it worked. Olivia insisted it was jealousy but that was ridiculous. Natasha had a good job, a husband who loved her, and two beautiful sons; there was no reason to be jealous of Althea.

"Strange question, but have you ever thought about telling that other woman about things with Jonah?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinky

Tam pursed her lips at the mention of Lucian and the whole Christmas fiasco. It had been... terrible. The arguing there toward the end and Lucian's foul mouth. Jonah had been no better, really, but still. SIGHS. "He and I had a heart to heart awhile back and well... he doesn't think much of Jonah as you know. I think he blames ME when his father comes around. I just don't know," she said in a reserved tone. It was all crazy, ALL OF IT. She just wished she could wave her wand and make it all better....

Tam's lips UNpursed as Thea went on about the kids loving their gifts. "Well Dale and Deidra picked it all out, they are to thank for that. I think they were pretty excited about the gifts, really," she went on with a smile.

And yes. She HAD noticed Thea slipped her shoes off and pulled her feet up... it looked amazingly comfortable. Hehe. After awhile Tamara followed suit and did the same.

"Thea, I know it's maddening... I KNOW." She not only had to deal with Althea's mum, but her OWN as well. Double whammy. It was infuriating. "At least you can speak to me openly." That counted for something, right? Tam gave her cousin a genuine smile this time.

What the... Tamara's face fell and she shook her head vehemently. "Absolutely not! We are adults... we have an understanding. It... hurts me sometimes, but this works for us. Why try to fix something that is no longer broken."

"I can talk to him, if you like." Althea offered. She meant Lucian. In her opinion it was time the boy let it GO. It was a big step but one that would be necessary for him to make that leap to become a man and not a butthurt little boy. She'd even go into the club to do it.

"They're good girls, Tamara. Are they getting along better then? Since Deid has been back?"

... openly. Sure. "Since when have I ever been inclined to speak openly about personal crap? I'm not sure exactly what mum told you, but its all true. And I haven't seen him since by the way. They scared him off completely. Or well... no. It was my fault. So I guess he's done." Her expression darkened, clearly on the verge of working herself into an angry snark of a mood, though Tamara's smile did help dissipate that some.

Thea eyed her cousin and then stood up, went to the book case, took down a book and flicked through it. When she sat down again she pushed what was actually a dictionary in front of the other woman and pointed.

Quote:

bro·ken/ˈbrōkən/
Adjective:

1. Having been fractured or damaged and no longer in one piece or in working order.
2. Rejected, defeated, or despairing.

It was broken. Tamara could say what the hell she wanted, but it WAS broken. She intentionally averted her eyes from the second part. Those words were... unpleasant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinky

Thea talk to Lucian... Tamara shook her head politely. There was no need for Althea to get involved in the Scamander mess. "Jonah and he will work it out or stay the hell away from one another. They are both grown men. They have to work it out for themselves." End of story. "And please... don't go to that... PLACE. My boy... he is too good and smart and EVERYTHING to be in a place like that," she said quietly as she looked away. He was, you know. Too good.

The girls. Now they brought the smallest of smiles to her face. "Deidra is much better now. Seems to have gotten her stuff together. The girls seem to be getting on much better now, yes." At least in front of mum anyway... she had no idea what happens behind closed doors.

Then Thea turned ICE QUEEN on her. HMPH. "Listen here, Althea Schirmer... I am not the one to be haughty with. I am a concerned family member... not a harpy like the others who want to make you miserable. I merely meant to come and check on you. Whether you are accustomed to speaking openly or not, you know that I am always here to listen. No judgement, sealed lips," Tamara said sharply. She loathed when her LITTLE cousin tried to get snappish with her. Sighing quietly she shifted in her seat as she watched the younger one go to a shelf and pluck out...

A dictionary. How clever. Rolling her eyes fiercely she pushed the book back across the table at Althea. "I am well aware of the book definition of the word broken." She had been a Ravenclaw after all. "Althea... I don't expect you or anyone else to understand, but it works for us right now. I love my husband... if you could even consider him that anymore. I love him dearly and shall never truly love another man. We just cannot live together. Jonah wanted his freedom and I wanted mine. This works." Most of the time. Tamara couldn't hide the wounded tone to her voice of the look in her eyes. She and Jonah had issues... but she was sure he would never come home. And if he did that would mean she would likely lose Lucian. If she had to choose between her husband and her first born child. Well it was a no brainer.

"I hope you're right." But it seemed to her that Lucian went out of his way to act out, like a little boy. He was too old for that sort of carry on. She did smile slightly at mention of that PLACE. She wasn't nearly so bothered by it as Tamara. She would leave it alone though.

"That's a help." Better than the two of them fighting, which Tamara didn't need.

... Althea didn't answer that whole thing. She had no intention of talking to anyone about anything. She was fine. Just fine.

She gave her cousin a sharp look. She wasn't dumb. But she did let it go. Tamara could continue lying to herself for all she cared - it wouldn't make it more true.

"Well I have to get back to work."

Althea opened the door with an honest to goodness smile. Something that was more common these days, but she had a specific reason for it at that moment. An anniversary-type reason that was probably silly to get all enthused over but... well. She was. So.

"Gabriela, Angela. Come in, do." She held the door open and stepped aside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nups21

Angela entered in, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. Well, she had always been intimidated by Althea Schirmer, but that when added to the rich-feel office, was enough to make her nervous. But this wasn't the time for that.. How come she had never visited this office for the whole of the past year?

Waiting for Althea to return to her seat, Angela took a deep breath, "Good morning." she said with a smile and looking straight at her boss, who actually seemed to be in quite a good mood. Someone had enjoyed their break, it seemed. "Had a good break, I suppose?" Angela asked her. She herself had been almost bored, and had been itching to get back to work.

Anyways, back to work. "So.. Is this about the liaison application that I had sent in earlier?" Yep, straight to the point was how she liked. And plus, there wasn't any other reason for being called by the department head, was there?

"I did actually." She paused as if she was about to say more but then simply smiled to herself. Well, she HAD had a good break, her and Dash had spent the time together, with Kyroh, and at various points, with various members of their respective families. That part had been less fun, but... well, she'd been with Dash.

So it had been good indeed.

"Yes, it is." She looked from Angela over to Gabriela and smiled again, like she found something amusing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom

Gabriela resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Angela was nice enough, but she couldn't even pronounce her name right! Before she could correct her, however, the door opened and the Department Head beckoned them in. Apparently, Angela seemed to be her competition with the liaison position. Well, bring it ON Angela, she thought to herself with a small smirk. My resume HAS to outshine hers. It outshines almost everyone!

"Actually, Althea, that was what I came to speak to you about as well," she said with a nod. "I saw that you were looking for someone and came to inquire about it. I'm glad to see it's sparking interest across the level," she said, nodding at Angela with a small smile.

"Mmmm as am I." Althea said whimsically. She WAS glad that there was interest.

They didn't need to know yet that she actually wanted BOTH of them. No, they could.... duke it out a bit. It would be entertaining AND test their mettle.

She was about to speak again when a memo came through....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

A purple paper airplane, complete with the emblem of the Ministry of Magic stamped along its sides, makes its ways through the lifts and corridors of the Ministry of Magic. Reaching its destination, the interdepartmental memo comes to rest in front of its intended recipient.

When unfolded, it reads:

Althea barely let it come to rest in front of her, rather she snatched the thing neatly and with an apologetic smile at the other women, unfolded the plane and scanned it.

Mmm.

Right. 1pm. She put the memo aside and made a mental note to go grab Derek at some point in the next hour or so, and ensure he cleared his lunch hour AND his afternoon. He WOULD be going with her. Yes he would.

... right, where was she? Oh yes. Liaisons.

She cleared her throat and looked between the two women.

"So, if you both wouldn't mind," Smile, "Perhaps you'd humour me with a few words on why you think you are the best candidate for the liaison role."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom

Gabi had been momentarily distracted by the memo that flew in to the office--was that the Minister's seal she'd spotted as it flew past her? She was pretty sure it was. OOOOOH gossip! Something important! She was dying to ask what it was about, but then she reminded herself that she wasn't here for that. She was here for a promotion. A promotion she very well deserved.

But...she was going to have to argue her case in front of her opponent? That was quite unconventional! She didn't want poor Angela to be embarrassed when she heard just how qualified Gabi was and she realized she didn't have a chance at all against her. Then it would just make things awkward around level three.

"Well, if you don't mind, I'll go first," she said with a smile to Angela. She didn't wait for a response, however, and went right in to it. "I feel I'm very qualified for this job because I'm quite friendly and chat with many different people from all the different divisions on this level. You probably also remember that I was in charge for a bit while we were in between department heads, so I know the ins and outs of Accidents and Catastrophes. I'd be more than qualified to give reports on what's going on across our level to the Minster's office. I'm very detailed oriented and would take great notes on what's going on across the Ministry to bring back to you," she added with a smile. "And, the Minister and I are on friendly terms, as am I with other department heads," aka her boyfriend. "Plus, it's just something I'd love to do, to help the Ministry and our level get back on track after the remodeling," she added.

Alright. BOOM. Your move, Angela.

No, Althea didn't mind. She sat back and listened attentively, a small smile on her face.

"Thank you for that, Gabi. I must say, you are very qualified for the position."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enigma

Angela smiled, nodding slightly. And was suddenly distracted by the memo. The memo did seem pretty important, considering how her boss nearly grabbed it. Althea's face certainly gave nothing away. Oh well, nothing that concerned her.

Humor her? Angela actually had to assert herself against Gabriela, who if she wasn't mistaken, looked very competitive. Well, if she had to bicker a little, she would. And she certainly wasn't about to be intimidated by her coworker. Though Gabi did throw a bomb of her resume. Seriously? Angela narrowed her eyes at her, yet was being amazed. How was Angela supposed to contest that?

That was one hell of a resume for liaison. But Angela wasn't too far behind. Casting a glance at Gabriela, she smirked and started, "I have to agree that Gabriela does have more experience at this.." Well, that was plain obvious, and she wasn't going to say anything otherwise. "But, yes, I too am equally qualified for this job. I have an open mind and a passion to learn. My greatest strength is my ability to work with many different people. I enjoy learning from everyone I meet, and in this position I believe that will enhance my ability to perform on the team." Yep, all she wanted to say, was that she didn't have lots of contacts, but she did have the required qualities.

Gesturing towards her fellow coworker, Angela continued, "I know that she has been in this department far longer than me. But I have the added experience of having worked on Level 5 before, and I'm sure that helps too." Smiling more confidently, she said, "If I am made the liaison, I'm sure I can pretty quickly develop a rapport with whoever required and prove to be an asset to this department."

She had said enough, hadn't she? So it was now up to Althea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaos.Doodles

He didn't have anything on him. Carrying gifts through floo would be impractical. Plus, Dash and gifts at all. No.

He simply had free time and decided to make use of said time by visiting someone he actually could stand to be in the same room with. As he whirled through different fireplaces he finally came to a halt, and the soot settled around him. Dash never thought once, or twice about travelling to Althea's office. Why would anyone be in it except for her?

....Except this time...there were people. Two others.

"Am I interrupting?" He asked as he stepped out of the fireplace, cutting the silence that the room was filled with. The answer would probably be yes, not that he cared.

She couldn't actually stop the genuine smile from flooding her face, though she did school it somewhat at the question.

"You are, actually. Unlike some people, I have work to do every morning." Still, her words lacked the acid they might have carried in the past, or to anyone else.

"I'll be right with you." She held up one finger and then pointed over at the couch. He knew that couch. He should be well comfortable waiting there.

When she turned her attention back to Gabi and Angela, it was clear that she was anxious for them to leave, even if she was trying to hide it and carry on professionally. Ahem.

"I'd like to offer BOTH of you positions as department liaison. We're a large department, and our work has us interacting with every other level. That's quite the workload. We'll have to talk about how best to divide that up, and I'd like for the two of you to discuss how to implement a more efficient liaison relationship with other departments. The role offers an additional 200 Galleons a month on top of your current rates, by the way, with room for bonuses for outstanding work." She glanced over at Dash, hid another smile and then more sternly returned her attention to the women.

"Gabi, I have another task for you actually: Your division has a new assistant, Cora Greenwell. I'd like for you to take her under your wing, show her the ropes, help her figure out if she wants to aim for Research or Development in the future, give her some tasks. Mentor her, basically."

Paaause.

"And Angela, today at some point, if you wouldn't mind, please send a memo to Mr Amoroso and let him know that you and Gabriela are available as DMAC's liaisons. I'll leave the rest up to the two of you, and have the contracts on your desks by five pm." So she'd do that as soon as she was done with the meeting later on. Sigh.