The Final Room

[lemondrop13]

You enter the final room of the challenge and your eyes struggle to adjust to the dim lighting. A faint light focuses on two bodies sitting at a table on the far side of the room, their faces unable to be seen from this distance. You step closer to get a better look, to identify the people and determine the threat level. They are chatting amongst themselves and do not acknowledge your approach. Your eyes widen as you realize who they are and you announce your presence...


Winners Jack Mannequin and rubindo


Winner - SenoritaMaxie


Winners - cullendiggory, Zellanna


Winners - individual, SilverTiger, Esme, Golden Monkey, Cinn-O-Bunn


OOC: You're now free to wear the appropriate siggy above! Congratulations to all the winners and THANK YOU for your hard work and dedication.

[Anna Banana]

A slight popping noise echoed throughout the nearly empty room, indicating that someone had just arrived via apparition. Senior Undersecretary Allie Carlton blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. Had it been necessary to void the room of this much light?

"Ahh, Minister Taylor," she said, the corners of her lips tugging up into a wide smile. "Merlin am I happy to see you. I've just broken the news to the Ministry employees. I imagine by now everyone from the Daily Prophet to the muggle Prime Minister has gotten word." She climbed atop a table towards the back of the room and grew silent as she watched her feet swing back and forth.

Lexi was going to freak...

[lemondrop13]

Minister Taylor sat at the table with her legs crossed, inspecting her very high heels for something to do, when she heard a popping noise right beside her. With a welcoming smile upon her face, she greeted the new arrival, "Senior Undersecretary Carlton, good to see you in the flesh for once!" Reagan extended her hand to shake because even though they'd spoken numerous times via fireplace, they'd never once actually met in person.

She listened as Allie described the start of the fair, "And did you make it sound believable? Were you able to inspect their faces as you delivered the news? I bet people freaked out when you went missing too!" Reagan laughed mischieviously.

[Anna Banana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemondrop13

Minister Taylor sat at the table with her legs crossed, inspecting her very high heels for something to do, when she heard a popping noise right beside her. With a welcoming smile upon her face, she greeted the new arrival, "Senior Undersecretary Carlton, good to see you in the flesh for once!" Reagan extended her hand to shake because even though they'd spoken numerous times via fireplace, they'd never once actually met in person.

She listened as Allie described the start of the fair, "And did you make it sound believable? Were you able to inspect their faces as you delivered the news? I bet people freaked out when you went missing too!" Reagan laughed mischieviously.

By the time the Minister had greeted Allie, the Senior Undersecretary had had time to forget all about how her twin sister would feel about her 'disappearance'. Maybe by the time word could even get to Lexi, Allie and the Minister would both be found. With that thought in mind, she turned back to the Minister with a small smile.

To be honest, she was a little nervous to officially meet her new boss. True, they'd communicated via magical means for a while now, but there was nothing quite like meeting the Minister of Magic in person. "Oh, Minister Taylor, it's nice to officially meet you, too. Please, though, you can call me Allie if you'd like," she replied. "My name is Alexandra, but no one really calls me that." Allie didn't really know if her new boss was a first-name-basis kind of person or not, but it felt right to give her the option.

She nodded her head a few times as she said, "Oh, it was definitely believable. So much so, in fact, that I almost believed it myself," she admitted. Allie had actually gotten so worked up over that speech she had to give, that her fear and facial expressions had actually been real.

[lemondrop13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

To be honest, she was a little nervous to officially meet her new boss. True, they'd communicated via magical means for a while now, but there was nothing quite like meeting the Minister of Magic in person. "Oh, Minister Taylor, it's nice to officially meet you, too. Please, though, you can call me Allie if you'd like," she replied. "My name is Alexandra, but no one really calls me that." Allie didn't really know if her new boss was a first-name-basis kind of person or not, but it felt right to give her the option.

She nodded her head a few times as she said, "Oh, it was definitely believable. So much so, in fact, that I almost believed it myself," she admitted. Allie had actually gotten so worked up over that speech she had to give, that her fear and facial expressions had actually been real.

Minister Taylor listened eagerly as Allie described how everyone seemed to believe her fearful delivery of the news of Reagan's unknown whereabouts. She laughed loudly, "Brilliant! Bravo!" Sighing happily as her laughter subsided, Reagan gestured to the chair across from her, "Please Allie, have a seat. Let's chat a bit while we wait for our most dedicated and talented Ministry employees rescue us." Reagan smirked in amusement once more, before stating, "I'm sorry your first few months here have left you alone in our office. I'm normally there much more regularly. You seem to have transitioned in at a very unusual time. I look forward to us working together."

[Anna Banana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemondrop13

Minister Taylor listened eagerly as Allie described how everyone seemed to believe her fearful delivery of the news of Reagan's unknown whereabouts. She laughed loudly, "Brilliant! Bravo!" Sighing happily as her laughter subsided, Reagan gestured to the chair across from her, "Please Allie, have a seat. Let's chat a bit while we wait for our most dedicated and talented Ministry employees rescue us." Reagan smirked in amusement once more, before stating, "I'm sorry your first few months here have left you alone in our office. I'm normally there much more regularly. You seem to have transitioned in at a very unusual time. I look forward to us working together."

Allie laughed right along with Minister Taylor. She was happy to see that the minister was pleased with her speech and fake disappearance. It would have been a mess for her to have messed up on her first big assignment since the minister's return. "I'm a little concerned about my twin sister's reaction, though. If the Daily Prophet gets wind of this, it'll be printed within hours," she said, even though she knew the minister already knew that much. "I just hope she doesn't freak out. Well, not too much, at least."

She took the seat the Minister offered. "Oh, it really wasn't any trouble. I've had lots of experience, since I was the Senior Undersecretary in the American Ministry of Magic, as well," she said. "The only terrifying part was when I realized you might be in trouble. That didn't last long, though---me thinking you were in trouble, I mean." The Minister seemed really easy to get along with...and she was even calling Allie Allie rather than Senior Undersecretary Carlton! "Oh, I look forward to working with you, too, Minister Taylor."

[Siriusly Moony]

Ronan Cavanaugh stepped into the room and saw two women talking together in dim lighting. He approached them after murmuring a 'Lumos' with a curious glance in his eyes.

"Excuse me, but could you tell me what I'm supposed to be doing here?" the young man asked looking from one woman to the other.

For some reason, it seemed like they were the two women they were supposed to be looking for, and yet they seemed so relaxed about this entire situation.

[Boy Wonder]

Benjamin walked into the room. The dim lighting irked a reflex. Lumos! Ben silently lit his wand as approached the two people.

"MY GOSH!" Ben said out load rushing to them. "Are you two okay???" He looked at both of them. THen waved his wand, Lumos Maxima! The room lit. He quickly scanned the room for any traps, when he looked back at the two kidnapees. Then he realized they weren't tied up or anything. His honed detective skill immediately kicked in.

"Um... Are you two ACTUALLY kidnapped?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Mannequin

Ronan stepped into the room and saw two women talking together. He approached them with a curious glance in his eyes.

"Excuse me, but could you tell me what we're supposed to be doing here?" the young man asked looking from one woman to the other.

For some reason, it seemed like they were the two women they were supposed to be looking for, and yet they seemed so relaxed about this entire situation.

"Your KIDDING me..." Ben said to the man. "THis is the minister and the senior undersecretary!!!!!!!!" This guy coulda had a V8. "They're... 'kidnapped.'

[Siriusly Moony]

Ronan looked over to the man and blinked at him dumbfounded that there was a reason that he was actually yelling at him. Given the dim lighting, it was an honest mistake.

"I realized that now thank you sir, there is no reason to shout at me." he said turning his attention back to the two woman.

"Minister, Miss Senior Undersecretary, is there anything thing you need? I thought that you were supposed to have been kidnapped by someone...and well obviously, you haven't."

The young man was still relatively confused over why they were sitting there chatting as if they were gossping over tea.

[Boy Wonder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Mannequin

Ronan looked over to the man and glared him down.

"I realized that now thank you sir, there is no reason to shout at me." he said turning his attention back to the two woman.

"Minister, Miss Senior Undersecretary, is there anything thing you need? I thought that you were supposed to have been kidnapped by someone...and well obviously, you haven't."

The young man was still relatively confused over why they were sitting there chatting as if they were gossping over tea.

"...Sorry," Ben said about his over reaction.

"Obviously," Ben said knowing that this man heard him and just restated what he said. "We were set up. These both were involved. Why? I don't know. Motivation? Could be anything." Ben looked at the Minister and the SU waiting for them to explain themselves.

[Anna Banana]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Mannequin

Ronan Cavanaugh stepped into the room and saw two women talking together in dim lighting. He approached them after murmuring a 'Lumos' with a curious glance in his eyes.

"Excuse me, but could you tell me what I'm supposed to be doing here?" the young man asked looking from one woman to the other.

For some reason, it seemed like they were the two women they were supposed to be looking for, and yet they seemed so relaxed about this entire situation.

At first, Allie wasn't even aware that a visitor had stepped into the darkness and joined them in the final room. She'd been focused on her conversation with the Minister and had been just about to reply when she heard the casting of lumos. She shielded her eyes from the sudden light until they'd had time to adjust. A man---an employee---had joined them...and was of course questioning the matter.

She opened her mouth to reply to him, but as she did, another man entered the room and cast lumos, as well. Now the room was exceptionally bright---at least, more so than it was a minute earlier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubindo

Benjamin walked into the room. The dim lighting irked a reflex. Lumos! Ben silently lit his wand as approached the two people.

"MY GOSH!" Ben said out load rushing to them. "Are you two okay???" He looked at both of them. THen waved his wand, Lumos Maxima! The room lit. He quickly scanned the room for any traps, when he looked back at the two kidnapees. Then he realized they weren't tied up or anything. His honed detective skill immediately kicked in.

"Um... Are you two ACTUALLY kidnapped?"

Allie couldn't help but smile as she watched the second man rush about the room. Her eyes flickered to the Minister to see her reaction, but she couldn't tell the woman's expression from this angle. "Yes, yes, we're just fine, thank you," she answered, turning her attention back to the second woman. "You can relax now. We're just fine and haven't been kidnapped...or harmed in any way." Well, save for the sudden blinding light they'd both had to get used to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Mannequin

Ronan looked over to the man and blinked at him dumbfounded that there was a reason that he was actually yelling at him. Given the dim lighting, it was an honest mistake.

"I realized that now thank you sir, there is no reason to shout at me." he said turning his attention back to the two woman.

"Minister, Miss Senior Undersecretary, is there anything thing you need? I thought that you were supposed to have been kidnapped by someone...and well obviously, you haven't."

The young man was still relatively confused over why they were sitting there chatting as if they were gossping over tea.

Allie looked thoughtful for a moment. Was there anything they needed, hmm? Actually... There was just one final task she and Minister could leave these two men with. "Yes, there is something we both need," she stated. "Tell me, what have you learned throughout this challenge? We're both aware of what each department head had you do before he or she left you with a key---but what did you learn?" She gave each man a small smile as she waited patiently for their reply.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubindo

"...Sorry," Ben said about his over reaction.

"Obviously," Ben said knowing that this man heard him and just restated what he said. "We were set up. These both were involved. Why? I don't know. Motivation? Could be anything." Ben looked at the Minister and the SU waiting for them to explain themselves.

"...and you? What have you learned?" she asked the second man. Surely the two men had come to some sort of conclusion as they climbed their way through the challenges. Surely they could say that they'd walked out of each level knowing just a little something more than they did before.

[Siriusly Moony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

Allie looked thoughtful for a moment. Was there anything they needed, hmm? Actually... There was just one final task she and Minister could leave these two men with. "Yes, there is something we both need," she stated. "Tell me, what have you learned throughout this challenge? We're both aware of what each department head had you do before he or she left you with a key---but what did you learn?" She gave each man a small smile as she waited patiently for their reply.

'Tell me, what have you learned throughout this challenge?'

Ronan looked to the smiling woman deciding what they had all learned throughout this entire process. 'Basic spells, using your detective skills, teamwork.' He thought over the challenges to come up with his answer.

"We've learned to become better wizards in our own ways. Learning tasks that we, as employees of the Ministry, will have to face every day." the young man began hoping that he wasn't starting to sound too generic.

"And that we all must respect each other's work in each department. Going through all these challenges gave us the opportunity to see what each department works on every day in their field of expertise. I can see that we all work hard to help the Wizarding community run smoothly." Ronan added and then he began to contemplate over whether there was something else he wanted to add.

"This was a unifying experience for the entire Ministry; set upon to achieve the one goal of acquire you, Miss Senior Undersecratary, and you, Minister, back to safety."

He gave a resounding smile to the two women and finished off saying, "That is what I have learned from this entire experience, and I do believe it has changed me for the better."

[Boy Wonder]

ben thought about it.

"We learned about the entire Ministry of Magic, and how we all should know what happens in each department to become one better Ministry." Hopefully that would suffice. Ben couldn't think of anything else except, "Oh! I also learned that the Senior Undersecretary cries wolf." Ben smiled.

[Maxilocks]

The turn of the key, and she was inside. BUT! Surprise, surprise. The first person she saw was Ronan and, the second, the Minister herself -- and then, of course, she saw the Senior Undersecretary.

"Um." Marina wasn't exactly sure what to say. "It's good to see you're alright, Minister - Miss Carlton." So this had been a set-up. That was nice, actually. Nothing to worry about, you know.

No duels or cat-fights or other stuff of that sort, either.

Right?

[lemondrop13]

Minister Taylor had reserved comment while Allie conversed with the employees who had proven they were most capable and determined to find the 'missing' Minister and Senior Undersecretary. When a third employee appeared, Reagan decided it might be an appropriate time to address them.

"As you have astutely noticed, Senior Undersecretary Carlton and I have not been kidnapped. But do not think that this task has been for nothing! It was important that we test you all under stress and provide the impetus for you all to truly pay attention to what was being taught and how you could be forced to use it in a real life situation.

"You three have performed beyond the rest and have proven yourselves as valuable employees of the Ministry and assets to its protection. You should be very very proud of yourselves. I am extremely pleased with you," Reagan beamed at them.

[Siriusly Moony]

Ronan turned his attention to the Minister as he addressed the three of them; himself, his old boss Marina, and the man that had been his challenger all along.

He returned the smile to the women before him and replied, "I am just pleased to know that your safety is indeed secure. I do agree that the tasks put before us have tested our strengths and skills as wizards and it was a great experience."

One of his hands went to his pockets as the other still held the illuminated wand so that they could all see each other.

He looked around to the four other faces; three female and one male looking to each of their expressions waiting for someone to announce what they were to do next.

[Boy Wonder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemondrop13

Minister Taylor had reserved comment while Allie conversed with the employees who had proven they were most capable and determined to find the 'missing' Minister and Senior Undersecretary. When a third employee appeared, Reagan decided it might be an appropriate time to address them.

"As you have astutely noticed, Senior Undersecretary Carlton and I have not been kidnapped. But do not think that this task has been for nothing! It was important that we test you all under stress and provide the impetus for you all to truly pay attention to what was being taught and how you could be forced to use it in a real life situation.

"You three have performed beyond the rest and have proven yourselves as valuable employees of the Ministry and assets to its protection. You should be very very proud of yourselves. I am extremely pleased with you," Reagan beamed at them.

Ben grinned widely as he was complimented. He then rolled his eyes in his head as the suck up next to him was being all, 'oh, it was the best thing ever. You're te best person ever. Please like me and let me win. *blink blink*'

"Thank you so much, Minister Taylor." He waited to see if anything else was going to happen.

[Maxilocks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemondrop13

Minister Taylor had reserved comment while Allie conversed with the employees who had proven they were most capable and determined to find the 'missing' Minister and Senior Undersecretary. When a third employee appeared, Reagan decided it might be an appropriate time to address them.

"As you have astutely noticed, Senior Undersecretary Carlton and I have not been kidnapped. But do not think that this task has been for nothing! It was important that we test you all under stress and provide the impetus for you all to truly pay attention to what was being taught and how you could be forced to use it in a real life situation.

"You three have performed beyond the rest and have proven yourselves as valuable employees of the Ministry and assets to its protection. You should be very very proud of yourselves. I am extremely pleased with you," Reagan beamed at them.

Mm.

That was nice. Marina had the right to feel good, no? Well, she did. It was pretty to know that she was, right now, the only lady who had managed to make it past all those obstacles. Completed some of the tasks the most quickly, too. It made her feel nice. Warm, on the inside.

"Thank you, Minister," she said politely. "I must say, I loved the entire set-up. It was very well planned-out, very educative - showed how much time and effort has been put into it all, too."

[Anna Banana]

With her eyes straight ahead and focused on the three employees, Allie first listened as they answered her question then listened as they replied to Reagan, as well. She did shoot the second man a sort of joking glare, though, just before laughing lightly. "A crying wolf, hmm? I trust by now, after hearing from Minister Taylor, you understand why this was done," she said. He seemed to have, though. All three employees gave excellent answers and were quite worthy of the awards they were about to receive.

"This room, as you may have guessed, contains no challenge. It's...a reward room, if you will---a room to celebrate the challenges you've overcome and the background you now have to overcome the challenges you may face in the future," she added. "I have to agree with Minister Taylor and say that you've performed well. There are three of you here today...quite a small number compared to the number in the conference room when this began."

[Siriusly Moony]

Ronan grinned excitedly as the Senior Undersecretary spoke again.

'This is rather thrilling.' the young man thought to himself as he listened to how proud she and the Minister of Magic were of him and the two other Ministry employees in presence with them.

'I wish Pandora could see me now.' he thought with a fond smile thinking of his pregnant wife confined to their house until the birth of their twin children.

[Boy Wonder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

With her eyes straight ahead and focused on the three employees, Allie first listened as they answered her question then listened as they replied to Reagan, as well. She did shoot the second man a sort of joking glare, though, just before laughing lightly. "A crying wolf, hmm? I trust by now, after hearing from Minister Taylor, you understand why this was done," she said. He seemed to have, though. All three employees gave excellent answers and were quite worthy of the awards they were about to receive.

"This room, as you may have guessed, contains no challenge. It's...a reward room, if you will---a room to celebrate the challenges you've overcome and the background you now have to overcome the challenges you may face in the future," she added. "I have to agree with Minister Taylor and say that you've performed well. There are three of you here today...quite a small number compared to the number in the conference room when this began."

Ben grinned. "Of course," he said to the SU.

"Thank you." Ben said relaxing. He looked around the room, back at the other two next to him, and then at the Minister and the SU before saying. "Um, by the way. Just out of curiosity... Who won?"

[Zellanna]

Armand finally made his way into the room, and saw everyone casually standing around and talking. Well, casual to him. He couldn't help a knowing smile as he walked up to them. "I knew something seemed strange in those challenges. I'd vaguely wondered if this was all a set-up, though I figured it would be a better idea to try and perceive everything, including the challenges, as real. I am glad to see that my initial response was correct, however, and that everyone is safe and in good health."

He glanced over to the man who had run neck-and-neck with him for quite some time. The man had easily earned his respect... which was quite a feat in and of itself. He would have to go to lunch with him sometime. After he next saw Cassandra, anyhow.

[Maxilocks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

"This room, as you may have guessed, contains no challenge. It's...a reward room, if you will---a room to celebrate the challenges you've overcome and the background you now have to overcome the challenges you may face in the future," she added. "I have to agree with Minister Taylor and say that you've performed well. There are three of you here today...quite a small number compared to the number in the conference room when this began."

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubindo

Ben grinned. "Of course," he said to the SU.

"Thank you." Ben said relaxing. He looked around the room, back at the other two next to him, and then at the Minister and the SU before saying. "Um, by the way. Just out of curiosity... Who won?"

Reward? That was nice. Marina smiled politely, but then Ben spoke, and she resisted the urge to narrow her eyes. Was this a 'win or loss' situation to Benjamin, then? The man had won Marina's respect, but she felt as if he had this all wrong - this was about learning, not about ranks. It did not matter that some of the people might still be on level one - they were learning, picking up something new and, in a way, this was a win-win situation for them, too. For Marina, it was the wisdom that stays with one, that matters.

Not material rewards.

"I think everybody who participated in this won, Ben," she said politely, looking at him with the bright, blue eyes that she prided on. "I'm pretty sure we all learned something wonderful and helpful."

[Boy Wonder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SenoritaMaxie

Reward? That was nice. Marina smiled politely, but then Ben spoke, and she resisted the urge to narrow her eyes. Was this a 'win or loss' situation to Benjamin, then? The man had won Marina's respect, but she felt as if he had this all wrong - this was about learning, not about ranks. It did not matter that some of the people might still be on level one - they were learning, picking up something new and, in a way, this was a win-win situation for them, too. For Marina, it was the wisdom that stays with one, that matters.

Not material rewards.

"I think everybody who participated in this won, Ben," she said politely, looking at him with the bright, blue eyes that she prided on. "I'm pretty sure we all learned something wonderful and helpful."

Eyebrow raise.

She's sucking up! Everyone was thinking it. Ben had the gall to say it. "Don't get me wrong. I appreciate education in every way, but come on. This was a competition and... Winning's fun." He looked at the SU and the minister with a look that said, 'I mean come on.'

[Maxilocks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubindo

Eyebrow raise.

She's sucking up! Everyone was thinking it. Ben had the gall to say it. "Don't get me wrong. I appreciate education in every way, but come on. This was a competition and... Winning's fun." He looked at the SU and the minister with a look that said, 'I mean come on.'

Eh? What had he raised that eyebrow for? Marina shrugged inwardly. She should have realized before, that just because she had been here to learn, did not mean no one else would was interested in 'winning.' The fact was, wanting to win is natural, for most people - it had been silly of Marina to think that, just because she was more interested in learning and delving into new things and peeking into new worlds - there was a reason she worked in the Department of Mysteries - everyone might be.

"I guess to each, their own," she laughed. "I agree that it's fun to be at the top, but it's a lot more fun to know you're doing a good job, to help others." That was what her work at the Ministry was majorly like - helping people live, unlocking the mysteries of life and death for them. Maybe that was why she wanted to go from here, with knowledge that would aid her in helping others. But, of course, people could differ. That was only natural, and totally alright. Two opposing viewpoints can both be somehwat true.