Harland looked up as he heard the door to Gavin's office opened and indeed it was the man of the hour. Harland returned his new boss's smile and said, "Thank you," as he, with a nod to reinforce his gratitude, went past Gavin and into his new office. Things had changed a bit since the room belonged to Gina, but Harland was pleasantly surprised to find that it still had a somewhat-homey feel to it.

Taking a seat back in his chair, Gavin smiled across at Harland. "So, you were kind of hoping to see if a better position would suit you. Did you have anything particular in mind?" he had decided maybe the best route with placing Harland would be to ask him. "I've looked over your file, and found a few positions that might work for you, but would like to know what your thoughts are first, before I suggest anything."

Harland sat down across from Gavin and, for some odd reason, felt comfortable enough to sit his right leg on top of his left. He listened to his boss and nodded at his words slightly as he did so. Harland sighed very slightly before he started speaking, though there was still the hint of a smile on his face. "I know it's a bit of a long shot, but my eventual goal has always been to make a difference-- which sounds completely cliche, I know. I guess if it were up to me, right now the Economic and Social Council seems most appealing." His smile had gotten a little grimmer as he spoke, since he found the possibility of his wish being granted very remote.

Nodding as Harland spoke, Gavin folded his hands and leaned back in his chair thinking on what he was saying and nodding. "Looking over your initial application, and what you have done in level 5, I see you've had quite a variety, including being in the trading area. You also received an E in arithmancy for your NEWT." So he'd been thinking it'd be a toss between the economic and social council or back to the trading area. But he'd hate to see him backtrack.

"I'd hate to see you backtrack to magical trading personnel. I think your goal is an excellent one to aim for. And we need a fresh new face in the council." Nodding, he looked back at Harland, "You got the position there if you'd like it. I think you'd do very well."

Ahhh, so his Professor was right; pulling an all-nighter before his Arithmancy NEWT turned out to be beneficial after all. That was the first day Harland really got any of what he was doing too - and hey, he turned out to be pretty good at it!

But Gavin was right, backtracking was not something Harland had been hoping to do, and he was happy to hear his boss agree to this. And it was just that easy?? Gavin must have already had that in mind. Harland couldn't believe his luck at actually getting the job he wanted and so quickly! "Wow, really? Thanks so much, I appreciate it," he said with one of his award-winning smiles and reaching out to shake his boss's hand.

Watching as the words sank in, Gavin grinned at the younger guy. "Really, and you are very welcome." Taking the man's hand he shook it. "At the moment there is only Samantha Mackenzie who is also on the British Economic Council, but she knows some of what goes on there. A meeting is held twice a year for 4 weeks each time. Samantha attended the last meeting which occured in August, and she should be able to fill you in there." Hmmm, he still needed to get a hold of those notes, otherwise he'd fill Harland in himself.

Opening the drawer of his desk, he flipped through a few of the folders hanging in there, and pulled out a paper "Here's your new job description. Make sure to find me or Samantha if you have any questions." Passing the paper across to him, "Do you have any questions for me, right now?"

The plot is still happening so keep your eyes peeled!

Prompt, punctual and polite. Charles was definitely nothing if not those things. So, seeing as he was the first and seemingly only one there, he knocked on Gavin's door with his note about meeting in hand. With his free hand, he re-adjusted his tie and looked around, eyeing anyone he saw. Surely Elizabeth would be here soon, since it seemed she was the punctual type too.

Elizabeth fixed her hair before coming over to Gavin's door to his office. She had dyed it blonde in between the orientation and now because of Jack. She smiled at Charles. "Good morning, Charles." She brushed an imaginary wrinkle out of her outfit. "How are you today? Ready to start work?" She chuckled and didnt knock since Charles just did.

Sophie was really quite tired. After a short break form the Ministry, after Gina had retired, Sophie felt like she should have been more rejuvinated returning to the office then she was currently. But now, back in the familiar offices at the Ministry, the brunette was anything but refreshed. Perhaps everything was just weighing too much on her. Maybe, even though she was in her late thirties, she was just too old for this now. She loved her job and did not want to ever give it up, but work had been her life for so long that she all she ever felt like she did.

Stiffening her upper lip, the woman bit her tongue and walked into Gavin's office with a small smile. Nodding to her co-workers who were already tehre, she said, "Morning Charles, morning Elizabeth."

Cornelius waited to meet the Department Head. Being assigned to the Immigration Office was something he was very proud of. This was the first job Cornelius held at the ministry, and he hoped that he would be able to remain in the ministry for awhile. "I hope everything goes well!" He thought to himself.

He was a little nervous on his first day. He wasn't too sure what the Head was like. So far he saw a lot of people content after leaving the Department Head's office.

Rising from his seat when he heard the knock on the door, Gavin headed directly to answer it. Seeing Charles, Elizabeth and Sophie standing there he smiled at them "Come on in and find a seat." he said moving to the side so they could enter "We'll just wait a little longer for Hong, Kat and Jack before we get started."

He was about to turn away when he spotted Cornelius approach. "Hello, can I help you with anything? If it can wait I'll stop by your cubicle in an hour or so." he said kindly.

"Good morning, Sophie." Elizabeth smiled then Gavin opened the door, "Good morning, Gavin." She came in and sat down as he said, "I dont know where Jack is... we left at different times. I dropped the kids off today so I thought he would be here already." She laughed and smiled at her friend/boss.

Looking up as someone approached, Charles saw a familiar face with a completely different hair colour. "Good morning, Elizabeth. I'm well thank you and definitely ready start work, and yourself?" It seemed he'd been right about her being a punctual person. He turned slightly at a greeting from another woman that he didn't know. Should he know her already? How did she know him?! "Good morning Ma'am." Names, anyone?

He caught the woman's name from what Elizabeth had called her, but didn't know what to say now. Thankfully, Gavin distracted him by opening the door. Straight down to business too! He liked that. With a polite nod to the man, Charles waited for both ladies to enter the office first. He sat down as bidden and pulled some parchment, ink and a quill from his inside jacket pocket. He was ready for his meeting and hoped the other three ambassadors would turn up soon. Charles Taylor did NOT like having his time wasted.

Elizabeth nodded, "I am completely ready to start work as well as doing well, thank you." She smiled at him as she shifted slightly in her seat, crossing her legs at the ankle. She glanced at Gavin then smiled back at Charles. She looked at the door, to check to see if the others were coming but then back, smiling at the three others in the room.

"It can wait! Just come by when you would like!!" said Cornelius with a smile.

Nodding he smiled at Cornelius "I'll be there after the meeting." Closing the door behind him after checking one last time for Hong, Jack or Kat, he turned towards the three in the room already. Pulling up a chair he sat back and gazed around at them. "I wanted to make sure our new ambassador Charles here was able to meet everyone, as well as Elizabeth is welcomed back to our team. Charles is taking on the Americas, and Elizabeth will be the ambassador to Africa."

Folding his hands across his chest he chewed his lip thoughtfully "I had hoped the others might join us but I don't want to wait on this, we have a symposium happening soon with level 7. Charles...Elizabeth I know right now you're just getting settled but I'd like to have you find out about flying carpets in your areas. What is their opinion of them. Sophie? How about Australia, have you heard anything? Are they looking at encouraging it as a way of transportation?"

Elizabeth glanced at Gavin and nodded, "I will be sure to try to find out right away." She shifted in the chair and recrossed her ankles. She put a hand on her chin and rested her elbow on the arm of the chair. She was thinking about what he was saying though paying attention as well.

"Good, glad to hear it." Charles nodded to Elizabeth politely, but turned his eyes to the kid Gavin as he sat too. It seemed the meeting was getting started with half of them missing and he did not approve. He gave a polite nod as he was mentioned, but said nothing. He still didn't approve of being called Charles, so he stared at the wall instead, listening intently.

He jotted down about the flying carpets and stared at the parchment for a moment. He had a feeling South America would take to it better than North. He glanced up at Gavin to let him know he'd got the message and ran the edge of the quill over his bottom lip thoughtfully.

Katrina was late. As always. She really needed to work on time management. She quickened her pace, careful to not fall in her heels. She rounded the corner and stubbled a bit. Seriously? She was usually a master at walking in heels, but not today! Katrina made it to the door and knocked. Standing still, for even just a few seconds, were like heaven to her aching feet.

Jack was the last to arrive and seemed awfully flustered...he had an odd morning...his mother gave him some news. News he didn't care for, he was in a bit of a bad mood, but he'd put it off. He had work to do and it was more important than his personal life.

"Hello, everyone sorry i'm late...please forgive me." He said looking at the other Ambassadors and his department head.

"That would be great." he said nodding "I'd like to know about each section about this so I know what to expect when the symposium happens. It'll help me a lot." He caught Charles' nod and nodded back.

Looking up as Kat and Jack both appeared "Welcome, we're just getting started here." Waving his hand at the empty seats, he smiled at them "Kat, Jack you remember Elizabeth? She's our new ambassador to Africa. And Charles here, is our new ambassador to the America's." he said as introduction. "I'd just mentioned that there's a Flying Carpet Symposium coming up and wanted to know what each continent's opinions are of this. Has their attitudes changed to the flying carpet possibilities?"

Jack took a seat, letting his flustered mood leave...or at least forcing it not to show. "Of course i remember, My wife.." He teased Gavin just a bit and hoped it wouldn't make him mad. It was just a little funny and a very silly question, Gavin knew they were married. "Pleasure to meet you, Charles.." He said nodding at the other new Ambassador. "Most of Europe is coming around but i'm having a little trouble with Spain and Italy...But i think they'll change their minds soon." He explained, yes the officials he'd spoken to in both countries were a little stubborn, but Jack was nothing if not tenacious.

Elizabeth laughed when Gavin asked if Jack remembered her. She smiled at Kat, "Hello, again, Kat." She havent seen her in a while, "Nice to see you again." She kissed Jack's cheek and took his hand when he sat down. To Gavin, she said, "Okay, I will make a point in asking each country within Africa their opinion." She hoped he didnt mind the little pda that she did.

"Good morning, everyone." Katrina said. "Yes, I remember Elizabeth. It's nice to see you again, too." She said to Elizabeth. "And a pleasure to meet you, Charles." She smiled and took a seat. Was she supposed to answer that? No, because she dealt with Magical Countries. Not continents. Well, if Gavin turns towards her looking for an answer, then she will answer.