The Buffet Tables

It's a celebration, and the food says the same! On one side of the hall, there is a wide variety of delicious goodies, from scrumptious trufles to some delectable butterbeer. The table if finely decorated and creatively arranged to invite all the hungry eyes and hungry hands to come over and take a bite. If you feel to indulge in a bit, don't be afraid to do so. Delicious dishes such lasagna, ravioli, lamb kebab,mini bites of chicken quesadilla, jerked chicken from the tropics, apple pie, mini sandwiches with English muffins, a variety of salads whether it had vegetables or exotic fruits, churros from Spain, gelato from Italy and chocolate fountain with mini cake balls on sticks to dip with. It was a spread so delectable one glance will have you mouth watering.

Inez had been to enough parties at the German Ministry to tell that this was an excellent one in comparision. She decided to go forth past the Entrance Hall where so many people had congrigated chatting about each other and what everyone was wearing and go and find the food.

Food was where it was at if you asked Inez. The woman made he way over to the long tables ladened with food, took a plate, and began to take a few pieces of cheese and a chocolate covered strawberry or two.

Caitlyn approached the Buffet table. She observed the food with a sense of longing. Especially the chocolate stuff. But unfortunately she didn't want to ruin her dress. With a sigh she turned to the woman next to her.

"It all looks great doesn't it? Unfortunately this dress doesn't allow me too eat. Poor planning on my part. But I do think I'll chance it with one of these." She reached over and picked up a chocolate covered strawberry. She would die for those things. She turned her gaze back to the woman. Like everyone else she was dressed to her best.

"You look lovely by the way. What department are you in?" She asked kindly.

Corin had dressed in a hurry. The past few days have been hectic to put things mildly. He tried his best to stay neutral during the Cult's reign but the chaotic standoff within the Ministry wasnt something that couldnt be easily ignored.

Or the fact that his own boss was neck deep in the Cult's business.

The return to the hectic pace meant certain things had to be sacrificed. Like meals. Right he's thankful for the event. It means he can finally eat and do his job at the same time.

He saw a lady going about her business at the buffet table. He picked up the plate and made his way towards the main course, giving the lady a polite "Hello". He doesnt remember seeing her around this place before hmm. "Would you recommend anything from this spread?" Ugh, small talk, not quite his specialty.

In the midst of all the comings and goings and various introductions, Alexander had somehow gotten separated from his fiancee. Deciding that his best chance of finding her was to just stay in one place, he wandered over to the buffet tables to maybe take a bit here and there while he looked for her.

Straightening his tie as he walked, he headed over toward the buffet table and stopped when he reached a wide variety of food. Hmm... Maybe he could just eat a bit here and there while he looked for Hecate. Grabbing a plate, he served himself a helping of mini sandwiches with English muffins before moving off to the side to better scan the area.

"Excellent spread," Ian said with a smile as he viewed the buffet table in front of them. "Now THIS is what I expected from a Ministry event. Now the real question--where to start?" he chuckled as he grabbed a plate and started down the line.

Gabi chuckled and rolled her eyes at her date. Typical Ian--always HUNGRY. She had bigger things on her mind than food, however. She spotted Minister Greingoth just a few feet from her, and he was alone. FINALLY a chance to introduce herself to the man! "Ian, you help yourself, I'll be back, I want to introduce myself to the Minister," she explained.

Ian nodded, and Gabi was surprised he didn't want to come with, seeing as how he always prided himself in knowing the most privledged of people. Ah well. Straightening her skirt and smoothing her hair, she put on her most professional face and walked over to the Minister. "Excuse me, Minister Greingoth? My name is Gabriela Schultz, I just transferred from the German Ministry to Accidents and Catastrophes and just wanted to take some time to introduce myself," she said happily, holding out her hand for a shake.

Charmayne approached the buffet table and groaned. Chicken. Chicken. More chicken. Lagsane. Lamb. This was just inedible. Maine couldn't eat this! She was just about to walk away when she found the salad. Sighing, she picked up a plate to gather the Garden Salad on. At least there was salad. And salad would do.

The world never seemed to cater for vegans anymore.

Hmmm the cheese was wonderful. It must be Bree. Hm.

Slightly startled as another woman stood beside her and spoke up about the spread. She seemed hungry herself but hadn't touched anything yet. Probably dieting, not that she needed it or anything--just many women did that these days. Inez had been blessed with good genes and was thankfully eternally thin.

"Oh yes it's just delightful. Oh but surely you must try something." she was just about to suggest a strawberry when the lady took one, she must ahve mind-reading abilities. "Ooh yes, a chocolate-covered strawberry is a good choice if you don't want to make a mess of your gown, they aren't drippy." She said with a chipper little grin before taking a bite of one of her own strawberries.

She did? "Thank you very much dear. You look quite wonderful yourself. Everyone is so nice here." She smoothed the purple fabric on her midsection as she processed the next question. "I'm the new Transportation department head, Inez Grey. Minister Greingoth has hired me after what I have heard was quite a fiasco, have I read about that correctly?" she was of course meaning the Cult stuff that had landed her predecesor out of his job and Inez into it.
Another bite of the amazing chocolate strawberries had sealed it in Inez's mind, she needed at least two more of those things. As she reached down to pick them up from their decorative platter she felt eyes on her and she looked up in time to see a man standing across the table from her, a small smile on his lips, voicing a hello to her.

Now Inez had been uneasy around men who she thought may be hitting on her ever since her fiance had cheated on a few years ago so her gaurd was up as she replied. "Hello there." He was beginning to fumble around with the notion of dinner spreads and Inez's gaurd was instantly dropped a tiny bit--he wasn't very good at conversating it seemed.

"Well let's see. Are you looking for something to make a meal because I would definately suggest some of the Salmon over there with broiled asparaghus. But if you were wanting something lighter there is a fruit and cheese tray right here." she said indicating the tray she had taken the cheese that was currently on her plate from. "And don't get me started on desserts." She giggled a bit, she was a sucker for those.

"Inez Grey, pleasure to meet you." she held out a hand for him to shake.

Elizabeth saw Caitlyn and went over, "Hello." She smiled.

Caitlyn nodded taking another strawberry. "I have an addiction to chocolate." She savored the taste of the magnificent flavor of the velvety chocolate. She thought about all the happenings last year and the fear that surrounded her when many of her collegues wanted to join the Picket Line. She didn't want to risk anything. She had her God Daughter and Fiancee at home to take care of. She didn't need to be convicted of treason if things didn't go the way that was hoped.

"Yes, it wasn't very pretty. I'm just really glad that it's over and the Ministry is now in safe hands. She took another strawberry and sucked the chocolate off before taking a bite of the strawberry. "I never experienced Borr myself but I heard rumors of his corruptness. Men like him should never have any form of power available to them." She said shaking her head slowly. She decided to switch to a lighter topic.

"I want to congratulate you on your new position. Where are you from?" From the way she held herself she didn't seem like she was from the Ministry oringinally. Especially asking about the overthrowing that was something everyone was aware of.

Caitlyn turned around and hugged Elizabeth. "Hey how are you?" She asked trying to keep her balance in the heels she had on.

Elizabeth noticed another lady, and hoping that she wasn't interrupting anything, "Good evening." She smiled. Elizabeth dared not to get anything to nibble on. It might make her sick, "Lovely ball isn't it?"

Elizabeth hugged Caitlyn back, "Doing ok. Having gotton sick lately." She laughed, "Almost due but i'm worried about asking Ms. Gina for a leave this early especially since the strike is over."

Just as Alexander was about to bit into an English muffin, he heard his name being called from somewhere in the crowd. With his mouth wide open and the muffin a mere inch from his mouth, his eyes gazed slightly to the side and caught sight of a young woman introducing herself. He smiled and closed his mouth, putting the muffin back on his plate a moment later.

"Ahh, Miss Schultz," he greeted, grinning and shifting his plate from one arm to other. With his dominant hand now free, he extended it toward the woman. "Well, allow me to officially welcome you to the British Ministry of Magic. What sort of work do you do in Accidents and Catastrophes?" Normally he kept up with all the hirings and firings, but since this hiring seemed recent, he supposed it'd slipped by him in the chaos of the Cult battle.

Gabi smiled. "Thank you, Minister. I've just transferred into the Experimental Charms Committee. Due to all the...commotion recently I've been unable to make a trip to level one to introduce myself so I thought what better time than now to do so?" she explained.

"I also heard through the grapevine that you were a Slytherin during your days at Hogwarts...I myself was a snake while I was at school," she added with a grin. What better way to get on the Minister's good side than to establish a house connection? Plus, he seemed like the kind of man who would...value her being a Slytherin, if that made any sense. Yes. She was certain her house would definitely put her in his good graces, if even just a little bit.

If only her Papa could see her now...smoozing up to the Minister. He'd be so proud!

Daisuke walked to the buffet, he need some snacks to full his empty stomach.

Well, what did he wanted? Since no Japanese food there, he just took a plate of lasagna. YUM!!! The food was very delicious here, Yeah.. he was no regret to join this ball, although he didn't like being in the ball as a stranger.

Oh, he saw the new minister here. Daisuke walked toward them and wanted to say regards from Japanese Ministry of Magic.

"Greingoth san, congratulations." said him politely and bowed to him. "Daisuke Sasaki, Junior Undersecretary of Japanese Ministry of Magic. I came here as representative from Japan." his English was very good, because he had been here for years, maybe that's why the minister asked him to be here.

She chuckled softly. "Oh well there is no shame in that." She was going to call her by her name but she hadn't been informed of it yet. "Um, I must have missed your name." she said quickly, taking a sip of her Champagne.

"Yes, I read some of the reports and the recent Daily Prophet. It really is great that Mr. Bole and Minister Greingoth worked so hard to remove the culprits, if they hadn't succeeded I would still be back in Germany pushing broom regulation permits." That was sort of a meanial task if you ask her. She'd rather fly a broom across the English Channel, alone, then to fill out forms about their flight to wind resistance ratio.

"That is very nice of you, thank you." She grinned pressing a hand to her chest, her diamond bracelet shining against her pale skin. "I'm orinally from the States where I was born and rasied with my family but I attended Beuxbatons for schooling." Inez paused quickly to take another bite of a strawberry, her new favorite it seemed.

"I then got an internship at the German Ministry and finally moved up to the Division Head of their Broom Regulatory Division." She grinned. Now she was here, heading up the whole of Magical Transportation. "What about you dear, what is it that you do?"

Inez rearranged her plate so she would be able to scoop some fruit salad onto it when she was addressed by another person. Everyone was so friendly and ready to speak to the newbies of the Ministry here--she liked it.

"Hello there, it is isn't it? They've certainly done a wonderful job with the decorations." Everything look so grand and astounding, they did have quite a bit to celebrate though. "Inez Grey, newly appointed Department Head of Magical Transportation. It's a pleasure to meet you..." she trailed off allowing for the woman to introduce herself.

Becky left Max at the table, walking towards the buffet. Ooooh, the chocolate fountain looked good. She picked up a plate, and to be healthy, took an exotic fruit, even though she wasn't exactly sure what it was. Then, she couldn't resist picking up a cake thing on a stick and coating it in the gooey, lovely melted chocolate. What? No-one could resist it. Becky put it on her plate, pondering over what else to have. Maybe she could come back? But it was all so...fancy. The new minister knew how to do things properly, she had to admit.

Tim walked up to the Buffet Tables and Smiled.He looked at Becky and said''You know Tori Likes Max.''He said grinning.Hope He liked her for that.He picked up a Plate and Got Some Fruit,Abit of Cake and Meat.

"I agree they did a beautiful job with the decorations and pleasure meeting you as well , Ms. Grey." Elizabeth smiled, "New department head for Transportation? How lovely. I'm Elizabeth McIntyre, I work in International Cooperation as an ambassador." She is much nicer than the old department head there already. Elizabeth held back a laugh at that thought.

Making her way to the buffet table, Roxi smiled. The food looked absolutely delicious and it seemed like there was plenty of it. She picked up a plate before stopping to consider what would be the best to eat in her dress. After all, wouldn't want to drip on it. One, because it was very expensive and two, it was a Ministry Ball, not movie night with friends. Besides, wouldn't she look stupid flirting talking with someone while wearing her food? Keeping this thought in mind, Roxi started looking for a food that wouldn't dribble all over…

Elizabeth smiled when another woman came up to the buffet. "Good evening." She nodded.

Roxi looked up when she heard someone speak. "Good evening," she replied, with a warm smile. Yep, certainly was a good evening. The Cult was gone, there was a new Minister and everything was looking up. But Roxi's main focus right now was finding something to eat… "What would you recommend from this lovely spread?"

Once the exodus had begun, Dorian had already started moving toward the doors again, draining his glass in one swoop. Hopefully he'd be able to find more once they were inside, both for himself and Laurie. If she didn't just decide he was being too frustrating and leave him to himself again before that. It was always possible. "Seems like that's a common thread," he responded to her muttering just as dryly as before, even though he had a feeling she ahdn't expected a response. She thought he didn't talk enough anyway, so at least he could surprise her somehow. "and I'd hope they see us as more than just cattle. This event wouldn't have even happened if it hadn't been for MLE," he added, matter-of-factly, holding the door open so she could pass through, then following her inside.

Only to smile slightly at her next comment, ignoring the decor around them even as he headed for the refreshments. "Just because I don't talk about myself doesn't mean I don't pay attention, Ms. Henderson," he said, a bit more amusedly, as they arrived over at the buffet and he snagged another glass of champagne and a canapé. "Name a topic." As long as it wasn't close to what had brought him to the Ministry in the first place, he could try and be more interesting.

Oi...he heard her. Choosing not to look at him she followed the crowd to the door. "It was a metaphor," she said with a smirk as she walked past him through the door.

Looking around the ballroom she turned back toward Dorian to see him smile and her eyebrows went up. HE SMILED! So he does smile. Interesting. "Never said you didn't pay attention, Mr. Tamerlane," she countered with a smirk as she grabbed another glass of champagne. Well..maybe this wasn't going to be so bad after all. So long as she didn't approach whatever topic it was that had closed him off. Hmmm. "Topic...Hobbies?" Sounded safe to her. "What do you like to do in your spare time when and if you have any."

Dorian let Laurie think he'd accepted her excuse for the comment about MLE. It hadn't been a metaphor, and even if it had been, she wasn't convincing him with that little smirk. At least it had gotten her off his case about not wanting to talk about his history. Even if she apparently thought it was another opening to try and get him to play. It only partially worked, and even then it was only the event getting to him. Or the alcohol.

"Touché," he said lightly, turning to select another canapé as she took her bit of amusement at getting the smile from him. It wasn't like he couldn't not be serious, the past months and even years hadn't given him enough reason to show his sense of humor. Although it had slightly come out a few times in the office, when dealing with the ridiculousness of the other divison leaders. The whole cult problem had just made him focus on the job again. And he took another drink of champagne as she'd ventured another topic. That was innocent enough. "Reading, mostly," he replied. She'd have known that if she'd ever have gotten free of her files long enough to pay attention to the office, as he still had the stash of novels (and "Watchmen") in his desk drawer. "What about you?" She had to do something beyond deal with Wizengamot trials.

Becky smiled as Tim came to the table. There wasn't much veggie stuff. She sighed, taking a load of salad. "Yeah, it doesn't take a genius to work that out," she grinned. "I'm vegetarian and theres nothing except salad," Becky moaned.