Helena wandered into the Cafeteria, feeling quite hungry. She was quite proud of herself, for helping JJ Starr learn the Bubble Head charm like that. Quickly buying herself a pot of pasta, Helena went in search to find an empty table.

Seeing that the table her, Laura, Birce and Daemon were sat at on the day she met Ryan was empty, Helena smiled to helself and walked on over to it.

The woman sat down, and took her copy of the Daily Prophet out of her seemingly too small handbag.

"Umm hello."She didn't real seem up for a conversation, or maybe was it just her day."Are you new here?I've never seen you before.Who are you?"Nils asked her all these questions but hadn't introduced himself."I'm Nils King."He said putting his hand out.

"Um...hi." Emerald said uncertainly. She shook his hand. It wasn't that she's nervous or anything, she loves meeting new people. But have anyone ever noticed that she's in a bad mood today? But she kept smiling like always! It's always good to be in a positive additude. "I'm not new, but I bet we're in different department. That's probably why."

Katalin was enjoying her first day back at work, she had left Amelia with a babysitter and William was at school. She sat down and opened her lunch, she knew that her husband was away on an assignment.

Martel, like any man, had an appetite. He just happened to think there was a time and a place for eating and meetings with cookies offered by kindly old ladies was not that place. He hadn't missed the looks Gina had sent him either, but that was neither here nor there. She was no threat, no concern. Perhaps he'd speak to her later.

Perhaps.

for now though, Martel found the cafeteria sat down at an empty table with a plate of food.

Ministry food here was, he could tell already just by looking, not as good as that provided in France.

Erica didn't get hungry that often, and she wasn't particularly hungry right now either. But once again something was drawing her towards the Ministry's cafeteria. Besides it was somewhere she hadn't actually explored yet so she might as well of taken a look.

Her eyes widened however as she walked on in and saw who was sat at one of the tables. That was Martel right? From the meeting? Erica's eyes were instantly drawn so she walked on over. A little apprehensively albeit, but still, if the Minister trusted him, so did she.

"Hello" the Blonde smiled as she approached, rubbish greeting she knew but what else was there to say to someone you hardly knew.

Martel looked up from his meal, which he hadn't quite started yet and smiled widely, all white teeth and charm.

"Ah." He placed his fork to one side and stood up politely. "Erica Radley. Will you join me?" There were many things they could discuss. Many things. He was quite sure the woman must have... a few opinions which would align with his own.

Eh there was another one that liked politeness. See, that was one thing she loved about her department, everyone, especially the males, had politeness towards her. And it seemed like Martel did too. Well good. She would sit just because of that.

The Blonde sat opposite, tilting her head slightly to look at him. She wasn't at all suspicious, she didn't really know what to think of him, nor the others. "Erm...Of course" she spoke politely.

Martel sat down again. "You don't mind if I eat?" It was a cafeteria, sure, but it was rude to eat in front of someone who wasn't eating, themselves.

He wasn't sure he'd blame her if she was not choosing to eat here.

"Tell me, Erica, you are... new here yourself are you not?" He launched into casual conversation.

"No of course not. This is a cafeteria is it not? Its purpose IS to eat in.. I'm not hungry anyway, I just thought I'd.. Explore" She didn't know if that was the right word but it was kinda true. She'd eat later, in the comfort of her own home, rather than risk the Ministry's food.

She glanced around quickly at the surroundings. There was hardly anybody in there. Either very few liked Ministry food or people were VERY busy at this time. Hopefully the latter.

"I am.. Hired only recently" she answered with a smile. Was this necessary information then? "Not as new as you are but yes...." she continued on.

"Explore?" Martel smiled at her. "Do be careful with your explorations my dear. Perhaps it would be a good idea to speak with Gevrik, not to ask permission so much as to inform him of your explorations so that he does not suspect you of anything nefarious." Only partly joking.

He began to eat without tasting the food in front of him. Impeccable table manners. Martel paused as she spoke again. "Yes, I believe I read that somewhere. Where were you working before? I myself worked in the French Ministry. It is... surprisingly different." He paused, "More... organised in France. More effective. But then, with new employees such as yourself... I'm quite sure the change that is to come, will be for the better."

She found nothing wrong with going to explore, particularly seeing as it was on level 4 she was on and that was actually the floor of her department. Speak to Gevrik? Oh she had already gone through that. "I don't need to" she stated, a smile on her face. "I've already had the.. pleasure.. of being caught out on his level" she informed him, not that it was bad. There was no way the Department Head would get into trouble. She WAS allowed to look around the Ministry.

"I started off at the American Ministry, didn't stay particularly long, suppose I had caught the traveling bug" she laughed a little at her last comment. "I joined a group, perfectly legal, we went all over Europe, occasionally crossing to other Continents," and that was all he needed to know. Organised? Effective? Now those were two words the Blonde particularly liked. "The change that is to come?" she repeated, almost as a question, not quite sure exactly what this was referring to.

"Ah yes. He's very effective. And a good friend of mine, you know." Martel smiled in return. "A very loyal friend. Certainly the kind of man that a person should try to keep on their side." And not the type to be trifled with.

Well that was interesting, her need to point out that her travel group had been legal.

"There is nothing like seeing the world to learn how to appreciate it in all its glorious and natural beauty." Martel responded quietly, giving her a charming smile. "I have travelled myself, though I stayed away from big cities, and I suppose you might say it was more adventuring than travelling."

"Change. Yes of course. Unity is important. As is security. Communication. And effective leadership? It comes from these things, and from experience naturally. Minister Carlton may be young but she's eager to do well and I, at least, shall do my best to help her forge a more active, more involved, and more effective Magical government; one where the concerns of the Wizarding public are addressed, and where the Ministry gives back to the people, and the world we live in."

"Well I have no intentions of getting on his wrong side" she stated an eyebrow raised slightly. He was, intimidating maybe, but she certainly knew well enough not to get on his bad side. Besides, some of the things he said in his office, she certainly agreed with, the concerns about the environment that was.

"It was part of my job, but I certainly learned a lot from it" like how others respected the creatures and their environments. Some well and others most definitely not.

Erica liked everything he was saying. All she could simply do was nod in agreement. He was a talker, that was definite, Erica didn't usually have much to say, she was more of a listener. "Well, all that certainly sounds good, if you are able to achieve it that is" she smiled. "Which I'm sure you probably could.." she stated.

"Of course not." Martel agreed smoothly. "Perhaps you might even decide to cultivate a friendship with him." It would only benefit her after all. Martel smiled, obviously interested in what she was saying. He chewed his food quietly but his focus was on the conversation.

"Nothing that you learn from could ever be a wasted experience." He responded.

"I'm sure I can. Of course, theres only so much that one man can do. But we are all in this together and I'm sure I'm not the only one who dreams of such things. What can I say? I suppose I am an idealist. I just wish...." He sighed somewhat theatrically, but no less genuine for it, "Never mind."

"Well it depends whether he wanted to make a friendship with me" she stated. Whether she was up to his security standards or whatever it was he was interested in. Though their little meeting didn't seem to be too bad, she'd got away with any, exploring she was doing.

"Course not" she replied simply. That had probably been her best job, she certainly loved it, even if it was exhausting.

"No, I agree with you too" she smiled back. "And i'm fairly certain there are many others that would do too" she continued on. Her head tilted when he stopped mid sentence, her eyebrow furrowing slightly. "Please continue" she looked at him, more interested then she had ever been. "You wish...?" the blonde started off his answer.

"I can't see why he wouldn't." Martel answered, smiling at Erica and then looking down at his food. "You seem like the type of woman any man would be lucky to count as a friend." He pushed his plate away, it wasn't quite empty but it was nearly empty.

"Thats what I like to hear. I've always been one to use any small power I have for good, and less for my own gain. It worries me when it seems so many are out for themselves." He glanced up, expression appearing almost embarassed. "What I'd like to see, my one wish, my pipe dream," He paused, "I'd like it if we, as magical people, could use our magic to benefit all the world. Not in the sense of catering to the greed of the masses, more to protect the world, protect nature and the environment. Be sure that habitats are safe and intact, that the creatures which inhabit them can live and grow without harm befalling them. More than that, imagine, what diseases and illnesses might we be able to prevent? Our charms, our potions, our skilled healers, how might they be able to increase the quality of life for all?"

He sat up straight and looked at Erica. "Of course, as I said, that is a pipe dream. There is the statute..." He sighed. "There is little we can do with the statute. Though of course it does allow for us to take and develop muggle sciences for our own use." He shook his head. "Seems awfully unfair to me. Selfish even."

Oh dear. A faint blush came to the Creatures heads cheeks at his words. Any guy be like? Oh she wished. "Well, thank you" Erica smiled, more like grinned, genuinely back.

After every sentence, the Blonde's eyes were literally lighting up. She couldn't get a word in but she didn't really need to, everything he was saying she could only agree with. But it was the mentions of the Environment, protecting Magical creatures. "I couldn't agree more" she stated. This guy could certainly talk her over. Helping others was something that meant a lot to her, which is why she enjoyed the Ministry position, helping those younger, less experience, but the opportunity to help a lot more people, and when magical creatures were involved, Erica was drawn instantly.

"I speak only the truth as I see it, Erica. You... don't mind if I call you by your first name do you? It is only... I feel I know you, that we understand each other." He met her eyes and held them with a sincere gaze.

"Ah!" Apparently Martel was relieved by this, he relaxed and smiled enigmatically. "Perhaps you might be interested in... meeting some like-minded individuals? A few friends of mine who also believe that we should use the power we have in a positive way."

"No I don't mind at all, in fact I'd much prefer it" that's what she had been telling all her employees anyway, that she preferred it the informal way, otherwise she'd feel, excluded almost. Besides it just didn't sound right. Miss Radley.

"Sounds good. I'd love to come" the Blonde stated at his invitation to meet like minded people. So there WERE others that agreed.

"Well it was lovely meeting you, Martel" she could call him by his first name too right?

"Excellent. Erica is such a lovely name, it suits you and would be a waste not to use it." Martel answered, smiling at her gently.

"Is tonight too soon?" He asked courteously, "I could perhaps meet you after work and escort you to the meeting." Nothing like getting to know new friends.

"And you Erica. Very much so." He'd finished eating, so now she was all that kept him seated.

The colour once again returned to Erica's cheeks as he complimented her name. "Thank you" she smiled softly. What a charmer. He was as bad as some of the men on her level.

"No that's fine. I haven't exactly got anything planned" she informed him. Because her social life certainly wasn't great at the moment. She spent most of the time doing her work. "How thoughtful. How about in the Atrium then?" she suggested. Perfect. Otherwise she'd probably end up lost somewhere.

"Well if you excuse me I have some employees to attend to" the Blonde laughed a little, stood up and swiftly left the room.

Katalin walked into the cafeteria, she looked round for somewhere to sit! Maybe her husband was here somewhere, she rubbed her tiny bump.

He smiled pleasantly but did not otherwise comment.

"Excellent. I shall see you there and look forward to it for the remainder of the day." Martel stood waited politely for Erica to leave before vanishing his empty plate and exiting the cafeteria himself.

Kennedy left the office and came to the cafeteria. She neede a cup of coffee and a sandwhich to get her through the rest of the day. Since she started her job at the ministry she had nothing but trouble. Nor has she met any good friends nor men for that matter. Kennedy laughed, why was getting married always on her mind, she was young she had time yet.

She paid for her coffee and sandwhich and sat down pulling out a muggle book she liked to read and would some day finish. She gave a heavy sigh and took a sip of coffee.