The Seating Area (Cult Plot)
 

Anyone?
 

"I guess we're one of the first here, honey."Melissa told her husband, James. "I guess we have a choice of where to sit," she laughed with him. "Let's just sit here. Hopefully, everyone will show up soon."

Anyone?
 

Aubrie sat down at a table by herself. Why couldn't she be a cheerful bubbly person who went around and introduced her to everyone as soon as she got to the ministry? Her people skills were exceptionally good, at least good enough to get her a liason job for her department. Plus she had helped bring down the Cult, that counted for something didn't it. Well the truth was that she would probably be sitting at this table all by herself, lonely the whole entire night, and she would have to deal with it.

Vicky made her way in. She didn't know everybody just yet but decided to take a seat. She saw a young lady sitting by herself and headed over to say hello."Hi, do you mind if I sit here? I'm Victoria." she said quietly.

She didn't want to surprise the girl so she spoke in hush tones.


Dacs made her way in and headed toward the sitting area. She saw a familiar face abd decided to say hello. She strode over to where the Transport employee sat. When she got close enough she said,"Hey. Katrina right? I remember you from the Apparition fiasco. How are you?" with a charming smile and her hand in her pocket. "Is this sea taken?"

Adele sat down at one of the tables, taking extra care not to fall backward or trip or do anything else that would embarrass her or put her or her unborn child in any sort of danger. "Are you coming William?" She called out to her husband impatiently. "I am soo starved! I can't wait to eat." She groaned, small grumbling noises coming from her stomach.

"Miss Dacosta," Katrina said, the name from the clipboard popping into mind. She hadn't seen the woman in a while though the woman had probably been involved in the fight. She smiled at her. "Yes, that would be me," she said, confirming the woman's thoughts. Just lil ol' her, Katrina Rayne. "No, oh, uhm, feel free to sit," she said, gesturing at the table filled with empty seats.

"Yep, take as long as you need," she raised her eyebrow, sarcastically. Becky sat down, at an empty table, smoothing her long dress. It felt weird to be at the Ministry and not work. The place looked really different, too. Hopefully Tim and Tori would join them, soon. Tim had looked really upset when he went to make that call. LIGHTBULB! It must've been something to do with Ryan's parents. Ohhh.

"Why are we sitting at a table for four?" Max asked, absent-mindedly. "Oh yeah, Tim and Tori," he remembered. "Becky, I really like Tori," he smiled, thinking of her beautiful face. "But I don't think she liked me back. I mean, she barely payed any attention to me at all," Max frowned, then smiled, picturing her again.

Tori ran up to Tim and tapped him on the Shoulder.''Um Tim,I like Max alot.''She said smiling.

Tim looked at her ith a shock face''Okay then,C'mon lets go.''He said ushering her.''We'll talk about the Call later.''

"Is everything alright?" Becky asked, concerned for Tim and Tori. "You don't need to tell me the details, it's just it doesn't look like everything is sunshine and rainbows," she said. "Sit down," the woman offered, indicating the two empty seats next to her.

Max went red with Tori right next to him. She was sooo pretty. He tried to speak, but found he couldn't get the words out of his mouth. He gave Becky a look, showing that he was lovestruck.

''I was talking to Ryan's father.''He said frowing.''Tell you the rest later.'''He said looking around.''Thanks.''He said sitting down.

Tori looked at Tim and mouthed He's so Pretty.Trying to start conversation she said''So Max were you the only Slytherin.''

Becky seemed to be the only one to notice what Tori mouthed, as by Max's face, she could tell he was in dreamland. She put her hand over her mouth to cover her giggle. The woman winked at Tim, noddind towards their siblings. "Yes, I thought it might be something to do with that," Becky nodded, dryly.

"Nope, we all were," he said proudly. "Except Hayley," Max added quitely. He was ashamed of his younger sister and glad that she wouldn't get in contact. A blood traitor was what she was. Filth.

''It's real boring.''He said frowning.''Hey is everything alright because I heard you saying something about Hayley.''He said holding her hands.

Tori looked back at up Max and said''Ah I loved Slytherin.''he said smiling.

Anyone (:
 

She's harmless, really ^_^
 

"Alright dear, don't be too long." Kissing her fiance on the cheek before allowing him to go and freshen up. Now.. Where to sit??? Oh, there was a beautiful looking woman sitting. *CLICK* *CLICK* *CLICK* Went her heels as she approached. Ohhh her dress looked gorgeous, but now this girl sitting had style and class! "What a lovely ensemble!" Plopping down to a seat nearby. Oh dear Ruby, where are your manners. Deep breathes... INHALE.... EXHALE... silently of course, no need to breathe all over a potential acquaintance. "Oh, I-I'm sorry, my manners-" Standing up to bow deeply, thankfully her hat had a temporarily sticking charm so it wouldn't fall down tonight. Now she sat down in the same chair after her display of apology "I am Ruby, and I commend your style." Looking around taking in the perfection in decoration. "Looks like it'll be quite a show, what department may I ask do you serve?" If things go right she may be able to bring some sweets for everyone! Yes, Ruby liked sharing..

Aubrie looked up as someone sat down at the table she was sitting at. "Not at all," Aubrie said. "I'm Aubrie Hampson, part of Magical Law Enforcement." Yep that was her job and she should be proud of it. Now she had introduced herself completely she had to find out where Victoria worked. "Where do you work in the Ministry?" Aubrie asked, hopefully she wasn't part of MLE also, that would be embarrassing.

Katrina and Aubrie
 

Dacs nodded and sat next to her."I know we probably got off to a bad start but the situation wasn't accommodating to a better start. But that doesn't mean I can't let it go." she said. Although she wasn't working there anymore it didn't mean she couldn't still have friends there.

She looked around and said,"I think I need call in the decorator to re-do my house. Don't you think?" she asked with a chuckle. Making small talk was not a preferred choice of communication. She preferred to aim her wand. That usually got the point across.

"Thank you Aubrie." she replied,"I'm Victoria Daniels. I'm work in the Minister's Office. I'm a little new here." She was new but not oblivious. That the advantage of working in the Minister's Office you hear everything especially in her capacity.

"So how long have you been working here?" she asked her with a warm smile.

Phe leaned over and tugged TJ's tie loose, "If your mother asks, I'll tell her that you were a perfect gentleman with a perfectly tied tie." Yep. She would.

"How much will I need to bribe you with to get you to dance with me and tell me over and over how beautiful I look?" Grin.

With Kenzie's hand in his he escorted her into the ballroom with a smile and looked around. Not to bad considering it was the Atrium. "Well unless ye want ta stand around all day. Might be wise," he teased with a smirk and squeezed her hand.

"Ye know this is the first time we've been out in awhile, love." And probably for awhile considering they were expecting again. "Maybe I'll take ye out fer a spin on the dance floor," he said with a grin as he found a table and pulled a chair out for her.

"Of course I can." She lied, "Or have you forgotten how fabulous I am?" No, how COULD he forget? Absurd!

Phe pouted at him, "That was the part where you were supposed to say you don't NEED a bribe to dance with me and tell me how beautiful I look!" Sigh. Boys! "What did I bring you for if you're not going to do those things?"

She tried to hide her grin, but failed. She WAS teasing. Mostly. She was kind of serious about the dancing and compliments part though.

Blake was in high spirits. She was in the new dress and apparently there was a party going on and she was invited. Blake felt positively festive in her party dress and her heels. After all she didn't dress like that everyday.

She wandered around the ball looking for a friendly face. Or at least someone she worked with.

She knew. She was pretty confident and easy going, but tonight she just WANTED it. "Because it's not often that I get to dress fancy and look like a proper lady."

She was SURE he would have a comment on that proper lady bit.

With a raised eyebrow, she countered a question with a question, "Why do you THINK I brought you?" Hmmmmmmm?

Tasha was walking slower then normal due to yet again the heels. While Gavin and Sam were chatting and he head her husband saying hello she just nodded, she couldn't get to the chair faster and "Awwww Gavin, your too sweet" she said instantly sitting down and shucking her shoes off her feet under the table, she would have to remember to put them back on if she ever got up and right now that only time would to use the washroom.

"Sam, im sure your boss will allow you to bring in your daughter." she said with a wink and she also patted the chair beside her for Gavin to sit. He was always such a gentleman.

Aubrie smiled, "Well welcome to the Ministry Victoria." Ohhh Minister's Office, Aubrie wondered if she worked with old fatty. "So were you here for the rebellion against the cult?" she asked to confirm whether or not she was here when old fatty was. Aubrie had only ever been near him once, and that was to attack him basically.

"Oh well lets see...it has been a year already. Though it has gone by quickly and I still feel quite new," wow was all that Aubrie could think of when she realized that it was a year.

"I know more about being a proper lady than you do about being a gentleman." SO HAH. Phe reached out and stole his glass. She could just get her own, but stealing from TJ was more fun.

Then she raised his her glass at him, "Bravo. You guessed right." She grinned and took a sip of the bubbly. "Also because I like you. For SOME reason that escapes me at the moment."

Returning his squeeze she smiled adoringly up at him, then stuck out her tongue when he teased her. "Not much has changed." she murmured looking around.

"It is!" she loved being out with Chris and taking him with but she wanted to spend more time with just her husband. She planned on enjoying every minute of it too! Taking the seat he pulled out for her, she grinned at his words "That'd be wonderful!" she loved dancing and hoped he would. "Wait not a literal spin I hope!" she teased settling into the chair.

Vicky responded with a smile and said,"Thank you. Oh no, I came right after.". Victoria wasn't going to discuss those details. She nodded as she listened to Aubrie."Oh, well time flies when you are enjoying what you are doing. Soon enough you will have been here for 10 years, moving up the ranks."

Victoria found this lady quite nice."So, how is it that such a beautiful lady like you is sitting here by herself? I can hardly believe it even as I sit here." Vicky asked her with a smirk. She could see that Aubrie was pretty and a lovely girl.

"What if I never had it in the first place?" She grinned, not even buying THAT one herself.

"Your legs broken?" Phe nudged his leg, then poked his knee. She probably would make a plate for him, she needed more champagne anyway.

Becky blinked. Max was such an idiot. Just to say it out loud. "Well, yeah. She was a Hufflepuff. Remember I told you earlier?" she said, eyes watering. How could her heartless brother not even care that his sister was living alone with barely any money. Becky squeezed Tim's hand, eyes filling up with water, now. She was not, not, not going to cry.

Max raised his eyebrows at his dumb little sister. Becky should forget about the blood traitor- she was gone. And a good thing it was too. Disobeying their kind mother and running away- filthy muggle lover. When he saw Tori talking to him he turned towards her. "Yeah, me too. Slytherin rocks," Max nodded. I love it nearly as much as Tori, he thought.

Rose couldn't help but think that this ball was going to be a complete disaster. She couldn't believe that he wouldn't even bother to answer her question. Huh.

She made her away to one of the empty tables nearby and sat down, a frown settling down between her brows. Honestly, all she wanted to do now was get up and leave. She didn't know how to sort out this problem with Konrad, who just didn't seem to care at all. She leaned back and stared at the table in front of her. Rose wasn't going to say a word. She was going to let him do the talking.

Following Rose to the empty table she had chosen, Konrad couldn't take his eyes off her while she was not looking. Whether things were going to be alright or not, he still loved her.

A bit disappointed because she took a seat before he could hold the chair for her, he sat down beside her and waited, but nothing came. This couldn't possibly get any better. He was getting the silence treatment now. Fine. "What do you want, Rose, to happen? Or what do you want me to do?" There. Straight and to the point. "You left, we didn't talk, and now you are back," he spoke defeatedly, tired of all this drama. "I really don't see what there is to talk about, other than you telling me how you have been in this time," he finished with a smile, holding a hand across the table in the hope she'd take it. If not... well, let's think positive.

Rose waited for him to speak but..he didn't say anything. She was just about to say something when he said that she left and they didn't talk. "Um..wait. You can't just blame this on me, Konrad. I mean..yes, it's my fault but..uh." Rose stopped talking and shook her head. She really didn't want to have an argument. She gave a faint smile when she took hold of his outstretched hand. "I don't know what to say."

Blaming her?

Gaining confidence at the touch of Rose's hand, Konrad felt the corners of his mouth twitch up into a large smile, and he intended on keeping it like that. "I never said I blamed you. It was just a..." He bit his lower lip for a moment, looking for something suitable to say. "Long story short. And I will never blame anything on you," he finished with a gentle squeeze of her hand.

"Now, if you agree, I am more than happy to forget about everything and start over. What do you think?" He also had to hold back a 'we can skip this drama' comment, because he knew she would somehow misunderstand it and then they'd start arguing, and it really didn't have to be that way.

"Your welcome," Aubrie said to Victoria. "That's a shame, I found that the rebellion was the biggest thing I had done in the Ministry. It felt good to be part of something so big," Aubrie smiled. She was glad that she was here when the rebellion went on. It definitely brought out some of her talents that had been hidden since her school years.

How come she was sitting alone? Well Aubrie didn't really know that. She was like able enough wasn't she? And her people skills were good? "It's probably the fact that I am still new here and don't know many people," Aubrie tried to explain. "What do you do in the Minister of Magic's Office?" she asked. She wanted to find out what people did in there.

Sam too
 

Gavin smiled at Tasha's words commenting on his behavior. He was always sweet...at least to her so his actions shouldn't come at a surprise and he doubted she was taken back by his gentlemanly actions. "Well I do try to be," he replied in half-jest complimenting his response with a gentle chuckle.

At her gesture for him to take the seat beside her, the charms worker nodded and obediantly moved from behind her. Pulling the chair out like its twin, he came around it and took a seat beside his wife, the man just barely registering the discrete movement of her shoes beneath the table. "And with Borr gone...no worries about her being eaten," he quietly joked adding to what Tasha had said to Sam about bringing the girl to work to visit. Making a menatl note of the missing footwear, Gavin would be on his best behavior to accomodate anything that would otherwise require her to get up if he could.

Tim loistened to Everything that she said and replied with''Right.''he said smiling.''So Becky Saving a dance for me.''He whispered in her ear.

''Someone who thinks that.''She said smiling at him.She looked at Tim and wondered if He would ever giver her,The family for not telling him.

Vicky couldn't help but chuckle a bit. "Well, I can see you're in the right profession. I can hear the passion for justice in your tone. Hold on to that." she said.

Smiling at her she said,"Oh come now. I'm new and I'm talking to you. Don't worry. Time will fix that. I mean I can be one of your friends. I surely need a few myself." as she reached over a gave her a friendly pat on the arm.

"Oh I work with the Minister as Senior Undersecretary. Don't tell anyone. " she said quietly before she giggles and said,"I'm just kidding but I am the Senior Undersecretary." Vicky did have a fun side that she wasn't afraid to show.

She was not paying attention to him, or what he hoped they could do. She had something planned.

Medea held securely to his hand and weaved her way through the crowd. She stopped at a table in a corner that looked as though someone might have been sitting there previously. The Junior Undersecretary picked up their belongings and moved them to the neighboring table.

My!Table!

The woman took a break and smiled softly, ”Here.”

The woman again checked the bag on her arm, still there with its contents. Both hands then found their way to the table top. Her fingers entwined themselves over and over again in a nervous fashion.

”Soo umm it’s nice.” Ok, she could not sound more awkward. ”I mean they’ve dressed the room up nice.” Medea made sure not to look at him; if she did she might just cry…. Or blurt out those 4 little words….

Aubrie smiled at this comment. "Thank you. I find my job to be very enjoyable and hope I won't have to lose it for some reason," Aubrie planned on keeping this job for a while.

Aubrie smiled at Victoria. She was quite a nice person, Aubrie was glad that she just happened to sit down next to her. "Well I would love to be one of your friends," Aubrie said cheerfully.

Wow. She was the new senior undersecretary. "I see, that is a wonderful job and I'm sure you are wonderful at it, plus it's good to see old fatty out of the ministry," Aubrie giggled. No more Borr would be such a wonderful change to the ministry. "So what did you do before you came here?"

Well this was... different. Mason couldn't help but notice that Medea seemed very anxious to get to a table. Maybe she should have worn twenty-inch heels! At least they seemed that tall to him. 'Cause men didn't know anything.

Mason was a little confused when Medea stopped at the table in the corner that was obviously already taken by someone else. And then he just watched her as she picked up whoever's belongings they were and moved them to a different table. Well, alrighty then.

Sitting down, Mason took another deep breath in hopes to calm down his nerves. He looked across the table at Medea to see that her hands were going crazy. She kind of seemed nervous too...? Mason nodded at her words and looked around at the room. Yes, it was all very nice and sparkly. Just like the ring in his pocket. "Yes, I think they did a nice job..." He murmured quietly until his eyes wandered back to Medea.

Another deep breath. It was now or never, right. "You look stunning, Medea." Absolutely. "I'm so lucky to be with you." And then his words caught in his throat and he suddenly couldn't remember what he was going to say. But he kept his cool, because he was good at that. He would just... be patient with his brain until the words came back.

Deeeeep breaths...

Rose smiled although for some reason, she wasn't really happy with his reaction. She'd expected him to yell at her or something so that she would feel better but this..? Weird. "Thank you. What I said..was a bit of an overreaction..let's just forget about it, alright?"

"Well, okay. I'm happy to do that as well." Rose grinned although she was a little worried that they might face the same problems again. Anyway, she was willing to just let go for the evening. She had intended to enjoy herself at the ball and she planned on doing just that.

Phe leaned over and grabbed the legs of TJ's chair, pulling him closer to her again, "I remember a lot of things." Like she remembered that he'd PROMISED to help her move.

"I won't break your legs, you haven't danced with me yet." Grin.

He just couldn't stop grinning like a fool once his mouth widened into a large smile. Things were finally better between them, and he was as happy as he could be. "Forget about what?" He joked, winking at Rose. He said he'd forget, and that was exactly what he had done.

"Now tell me how you've been lately," he said with a mischievous smile playing on his lips, "or better, you can tell me that on the dance floor." He raised their clasped hands suggestively, wondering if it was a bad idea or a very bad idea. He hadn't danced in a long time, but let's just hope that he didn't forget how not to step on a lady's feet.

"Actually, that was what I was thinking," a huge smile spread across Becky's face. "Shall we go down to the dance floor," she asked, holding out her hand. "Leave these two here to...talk?"

''Great then.''He samiling at her.He took her hand and said''They'll be fine.''He said laughing.

Kath :)
 

She kept her eyes firmly planted on the people on the dance floor, ignoring the sound of nearing footsteps until he right in front of her, blocking the view that she really wasn't looking at.

The woman blinked, shaking herself subtly out of her stupor and glanced up at the man in front of her who had then taken her hand and kissed the back of it. For a moment, she was surprised to see him, after all, it had been a while since they saw one another...since that lunch date of theirs as a matter of fact. But then she had to remind herself that he had every right to be there too. "Thank you." She said with a smile as she felt her cheeks heating up slightly at the compliment "You don't look so bad either." She joked as she chuckled. Glad to see that he was still the same Kaishu.

"So, why aren't you dancing?" She asked, sparing a glance at the dance floor once mor before turning back towards him.

anyone want to meet the (weird) Japanese representative? XD
 

Breath… Breath… Remember to breath.

As he spoke she looked at him, taking everything in. How he looked, how he spoke and the romantic words he said. Now or never right? Medea didn’t want this lingering over her head all night. She wanted to get it over with quickly. ”I’m the lucky one, Leo.”

Here’s goes nothing… and everything.

”Mason, remember the portrait of my Grandmother that was in the warehouse?” This was important to her story, her build up. Nervously she moved a piece of hair to behind her ear. The dark haired woman was trying to not choke up… it wasn’t working.

She fought back the tears and cleared her throat. ”She was a very well known seer.” Medea reached across the tabletop to him, placing her hand on top of his. ”She made a prophecy when I was young about me…. And as it turns out you.”

A long pause took its hold. She slowly pulled the small purse from her shoulder and placed it on the table. Looking at it she fussed with the clasp, not quite ready to open it. ”I’ve known you were the one for a long time. I love you so much.”

With a quick look up at him she started to open the purse.

She was the lucky one? No, no, she wasn't supposed to disagree with him. Mason was supposed to continue talking about how much he loved her and then she would nod and smile and possibly shed a few tears just as he pulled the special box out of his pocket. But that wasn't what was happening. Medea kept talking.

The portrait of her grandmother, yes, Mason remembered. He nodded and smiled when she put her hand on his. He upturned his hand so he could hold hers as he brushed his thumb across her hand. "Yes, I know," he said patiently. Mason continued to listen to her, but he really just wanted to speak up and ask her the question.

His other hand reached into his suit pocket as soon as she mentioned that her grandmother made a prophesy. And it was... him? Mason's hand froze around the box in his pocket and he stared at Medea. "Cora..." He whispered as he watched her pull her purse out. What was she doing?

I’ve known you were the one for a long time. I love you so much.

Mason swallowed nervously. "I love you too. More than anything." He replied, grasping the box in his pocket again. His heart was pounding out of his chest. "Which is why..." Mason pulled the box out of his pocket. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Millie walked in & just took a seat at a table by herself. she put her clutch down on the table & just watched everyone having fun

She nodded nervously agreeing with everything he said. Medea thought nothing into him divulging his feeling about her, he did it regularly. There was no doubt Medea knew exactly how Mason felt about her. She felt the same way about him.

The woman’s finger slipped in to the bag and touched the cool metal of the ring. ”I wish to spend my life with you Leo. Which is why…” She stopped, looked up at her lover and pulled out the ring. She held it between her thumb and forefinger.

”Which is why I’m asking you to…” The woman’s voice escaped her. The emotion of the situation was getting to be very heavy.

Phe just laughed at him. She was sort of amused that TJ had decided her being a girl was cute. "Am I? I AM a girl, you know." So that meant she was more girly than usual? Hmm. She was feeling more girly tonight. Maybe it was the dress? The shoes too, probably.

"Besides." She sipped more champagne, "I know I'm cute. I'm adorable."

"You're cute too." Phe made a kissy face at him. "Adorable." See? They were PERFECTLY awesome together. Totally adorable. So why was he pushing her away again?

"You're going the wrong way, didn't you know?" Sigh. Fine. Phe stood up and planted herself on his lap. Try to push her away NOW!

Mason's heart jumped happily when he heard Medea say she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. And she called him Leo. A smile lit up his face. This really wasn't how he planned on doing things; Medea seemed very talkative for some reason. But at least she was reflecting his same feelings.

Lifting the box, Mason held it between them just as he saw Medea pull a silver ring out of her purse. He stopped, waiting for her to continue. But she didn't. His eyes flashed up to hers. Well, now that she had stopped...

Mason slid off his chair and got down on one knee. He held the small, black box in front of him and Medea. His Cora. "I'm a somewhat traditional bloke, and this isn't at all what I had planned. We're pretty far from tradition, you and me. But... I know I love you. And that you are the one for me, Cora." And then there he went.

Opening the box to reveal a sparkly ring, Mason put one of his hands on Medea's. "Will you marry me?"

Medea was shocked to see Mason on his knee with a ring asking her to marry him. This was so unlike him.

He held her left hand, while in her right hand she held his ring. Medea couldn’t believe her eyes; they both were set to propose tonight. The odds of that happening are so unlikely; it’s almost as if someone had scripted the whole event. Either way she was elated.

She sat there motionless, seconds passed although they felt like minutes. ”Yes. Of course Leo.”

Medea wasn’t sure what to do next, but the weight of the world had indeed been lifted off her shoulders.

”I was going to ask you the same.” She motioned to the ring with black diamonds still in her grasp.

This was... unexpected. And unbelievable. But it was in all the best ways possible. Mason's eyes flashed back and forth between the ring in her hand and the ring in his box. It was kind of funny that Medea had proposed to him and he wasn't really surprised at all. It seemed like a Medea Ward thing to do.

Mason waited for hours it seemed, even though he new it was only seconds, until she finally said yes. The biggest of grins appeared on his face. He took her left hand and slid the diamond ring onto her ring finger. It looked perfect. She looked perfect.

Looking at the silver and black ring in her hand, Mason shook his head with a smile. "I should have known. Was I taking too long to ask?" He teased with a light chuckle.

By spreading her palm under her plate, Morrigan was able to get a hand free to hold onto his elbow. The novelty of taking arms and being led still had a long way to go before it wore out for her.

"Dance first, nap later," she agreed, setting down the plate at a free table. "I'm going to soak up all the experiences I can now, so I can tell them to my sister later." And convince said sister that getting a job meant awesome parties like this one.

"And how old is this sister? Is she young enough that balls still seem interesting and romantic? Or is she old enough to require descriptions of all the dresses you saw and how charming I was and whether the music was decent or not?" He set his own plate down when they reached the table and hovered a moment to see if Morrigan needed assistance before pulling out her chair.

"My sister is here, so... I guess I don't have anyone to tell. Maybe my niece. She's five."

"She's both," Morrigan gave her eyes permission to roll slightly, all the visual aid needed to show what she thought of her sister. She loved the girl dearly, but honestly... twenty-two was time to grow up. "She'll especially want to know about you, I think. But I might be selfish and not tell her that part."

She accepted his offer of a chair, taking care to smooth her dress before sitting. Failing to do so was a mistake she'd only had to make once, "Thank you. Are you going to tell your niece about cake-pops? I bet she'd love them."

"You can make stuff up. It won't hurt my reputation." Not so long as they were good stories, at least. "I was actually going to bring you flowers, but then I thought that was just selfish on my part. You'd have to handle them when we were in a hurry to leave and it would be confusing and... you can have flowers on our next date."

If she would go out with him, of course. "My poor niece doesn't get much sugar. Cadey regulates her diet."

"Oh." Morrigan considered this before musing, "When I was five, I was already licking the spoon when my mom made pudding and cake." And wrestling her younger siblings for the privilege, but she didn't mention that bit out loud.

She picked up her more-dry-than-before cake-pop and took a bite, emerging from the encounter smudge-free and proud of it. With a wink, she informed him, "I would have managed. I'm not sure the flowers would have come out of it in the best shape, though. They'll need a less frenzied environment."

Catching the frown on his face, and the tone of his voice, her own smile slid off her face as her eyebrows furrowed together, wondering what ruined his mood. He seemed fine a few minutes ago, what happened?

"Is something wrong?" She asked worriedly, her face filled with nothing but concern. Did something happen? Between his son and him? Any of his daughters? His late wife? Then she shrugged, as if the reason was unimportant or anything "I don't fancy dancing alone." She admitted with a small smile. "Besides, its so much more fun to watch people you've worked with make total fools of themselves on the dance floor after a couple of drinks."

Catharina then sighed as she looked away from the crowded dance floor and back down on her glass as she swirled its contents around, simply letting the silence stretch between them for the moment.

The woman laughed, "No, I just know this kinda thing isn't your thing." And she also knew that she was more of an I-am-in-control kinda woman. After the ring was placed on her finger she held it up and admired it, "You have good taste Leo." The ring was beautiful.

Medea instantly felt insecure of the choice she made for him, and clasped the ring in her hand trying to slip it into the bag. She'd more certainly have to get him something grander. Hopefully he wouldn't notice her taking the ring back. She placed the bag in the middle of table and turned her attention back to Mason.

To try and ensure his distraction she leaned over to him, "I love you Leo." With that she placed both her hands on each side of his face and sealed her promise to marry him with a kiss.

After a couple moments she pulled from the kiss - it was a work function after all. "Now you get up!" She said with a huge grin on her face.

While Natalia was awaiting some more friendly faces, a woman came up to her and complimented her on her attire. "Thank you so much, you look quite graceful as well." She said, feeling even more confident than ever. It seemed strange to Natalia, for she hadn't met such upfront and nice people at the Ministry. Then again, she wasn't one to really introduce herself to people anyways. She mentally blamed that on herself.

While Ruby began to talk she noticed Gavin nod towards her and she gave a smile back as he walked away to talk to someone else. She returned her attention back to Ruby and answered, "It's nice to meet you, Ruby. I love your name, by the way. I used to have a best friend named Ruby when I was younger." Unfortunately, she had no idea where her best friend was at this very moment. "Anyways, my name is Natalia and I commend your style as well." She said, giving a little laugh. She nodded in agreement that the celebration would be quite the show. "I serve the department of accidents and catastrophes. Which department do you serve?" She asked, watching as more and more guests arrived.

Mason grinned at his woman's laugh. Yeah, this wasn't really his thing. Typical man with typical man issues. Trouble expressing feelings, trouble understanding what women wanted. But apparently he understood this time. Thank Merlin. Oh, and he had good taste too? "Well, it's actually my mother's wedding ring," he told her. "My father gave it to me after she died and said that she would have wanted it to belong to my future wife... You." Mason smiled up at her.

"I love you too." And he was pleasantly surprised when Medea took his face in her hands and kissed him. After a moment, they both pulled away and Mason laughed as Medea commanded him to get up. He loved her smile. "Yes, ma'am," Mason said with a chuckle. "Or should I say, future Mrs. Everard?" Heh. Wink wink.

After sitting back in his seat, he remembered seeing a ring in Medea's hand earlier... but now it was gone and her purse was aside. His eyes flashed back and forth between Medea, her hand, and her purse. "You had a ring..." He started, looking back up at her.

To Jess
 

Oh she too enjoyed Ruby's dress, so her fiance was right! *Blink, blink* She now felt silly after the previous hours searching for the most PERFECT dress. Oh yes. "You are too kind!" First the dress, and now the name! Oh she was definitely bringing her cookies to her department. "Ohh, that's so sweet of you to say Natalie!" And now Ruby listened to her details of her department. Accidents! Well then, "Wow, that sounds important, well it's a good thing you have shown up." Words will not describe her clumsiness but perhaps she dealt with more serious matters. No matter.

"Oh, I'm in Maintenance," Some might not like working under the head, but not Ruby. No, a job was a job and she showed it with pride!! "We are working to introduce a resourceful area that will provide nourishment!" She didn't wish to detail too much information since some of it was still in the works, but nonetheless her eyes brightened in excitement before closing her hands in a clap. "Oh, you must come when it is complete and your friends!! Looking around for her date, perhaps she should introduce but Dennis didn't appear to be back yet. "It is so nice to work under a cleaner place now!" Feeling it was safe to discuss the horrids of the old leader. "I'm not sure how it affected your level, but it definitely feels much more..calming!" Yes! Not relaxing, cause then that would mean slacking!

Rhys shrugged. Carrigan wasn't all denied and organic-fed or anything, it was just that his sister was remarkably literal about the whole food pyramid thing. Whatever.

He watched the cake pop eating with some interest before tackling the jerked chicken on his own plate. "Your home is frenzied?" She'd get her flowers.

She'd meant the ballroom, but mused over the question before answering, "Sometimes? The dogs get into rumbles pretty frequently." And on some occasions the cats joined in, along with Morrigan herself. Dressing up like this really was a difference from the norm.

"But if you can nail down your furniture for my cooking, I can definitely glue down a vase for flowers."

"You favor dogs over roommates? I can appreciate that. Amos is plenty good company, although cold nose on my toes first thing in the morning is unpleasant. I'd have trouble sharing half my fridge and the bookshelves with someone splitting the rent." Although perhaps that meant he'd be a terrible person to marry someday?

"Chicken is good. Did you want some?"

"Sure!" The way she wielded her fork may not have been as graceful as other ladies in the room, but she didn't really care, "I did the roommates thing when I went to university. I'd do it again if I had to, but..." She shrugged, "There are only so many females you can have in one house, you know?"

That said, she proceeded to eat the chicken she'd speared, and there was a smile on her face before she'd even pulled the fork out of her mouth. "This is good. Someday, I'm going to take a cooking class for food from different countries." And yes, she'd just decided that on the spot.

"I'll take it with you," Rhys gave her the rest of his chicken, since she obviously had enjoyed it, and he stole half of some pasta dish on her plate in trade. It was only fair, after all.

"I can make some basic dishes, and I have a housekeeper when she feels like working, but there's something satisfying about preparing a dish for other people to enjoy. Plus I can know what I'm talking about when I say one of my vintages goes well with beef or chicken."

"I don't even consider matching drinks with food." Morrigan didn't know whether to be embarrassed at herself or impressed at him, so she went with the latter, "How many different kinds of wine do you... grow? manufacture? You use different kinds of grapes, right?"

With the presence of more chicken, she didn't miss the pasta in the least, "I don't have a housekeeper, but I do get frequent visits from my mother. She makes my inner housekeeper feel like working."

"I have to consider it," Rhys laughed. "Just like someone trying to sell a racing broom needs to know how it performs in different weather conditions and someone who tells potion ingredients should know whether they blow up when heated." It wasn't just snobby knowledge... it was his livelihood.

"Mine is terrible. Or... she's a charming old French woman who gets very grumpy with me from time to time and refuses to do anything when she's grumpy."

Morrigan thought of how many times she'd had to use potion ingredients and chemicals in her training, and gave a small shudder, "Yeah, that seems like a really, really good thing to be aware of. I'd rather not be blown up."

She was making steady progress through her food, and occasionally some of his, and observed the people on the dance floor. Thankfully, it seemed there was a whole range of talent out there, from those who'd obviously taken classes to those who were busy apologizing for stepping on feet.

"How could anyone get grumpy at you?" It was only partially teasing. He seemed grump-proof to her.

"I leave my socks on the floor. It is apparently criminal behavior," Rhys laughed it off. He was pretty easy to take care of, actually, and when his housekeeper went on strike, he just took care of himself until she nursed her wounds and came back to him.

"You want to dance. I can tell."

"So do you," she pointed out with a grin. Down went the fork, and she held out her hand for him, "I used to leave clothes on the floor. Puppies helped cure me, especially when they chewed the more expensive stuff."

There really was nothing like waking up to find an expensive, impulse-buy skirt shredded, a piece of it still in the puppy's mouth.

"There's nothing funny about puppy-destroyed clothing," Rhys said, although the smile belied the statement. As it turned out... that was quite funny. Amos had never tried to eat his clothes.

He stood and took Morrigan's hand, giving her a little spin and pulling her in to his side. "I do want to dance."

"Excellent." She kept right on grinning, and managed the spin without difficulty. "My balance is good but my pattern-work is pretty much not in existence. Just so you know."

So he could spin her, but if he did one of those out-to-the-side-and-back maneuvers there was a very high chance the 'back' part would fail to occur. It seemed fair to give him the heads-up.

Medea listened carefully as Mason talked about the ring and his mother, she could tell his mother meant a great deal to him. Not to be callus, but not having a mother-in-law wasn't such a bad thing. Medea had never been close to her family so it was really no skin of her nose. She was hoping they could run off and get eloped; a large wedding was not on her agenda. Not to mention, a large wedding at her age? Not appropriate. Hopefully Mason wouldn’t want a traditional wedding.

She leaned back into her chair as he stood and got settled in to his chair. Without thinking about her response she answered back, ”Mrs. Everard? Huh?” She not once had considered the tradition of taking his name. The shock was evident, as was the confusion and loss of words. Medea never thought she’d be anything but a ‘Ward’. And really the name fit her so well, it was so close to the word ‘warden’.

Dang it! The ring. She sheepishly collected it from the bag, ”Yes, it just pales in comparison of the one you gave me.” The woman handed it to him on her open palm.

On entering the hall, Nala made her way to the seating area.Her feet were already killing. Placing her clutch onto the chair next to her, Nala bent forward and undid the strap of her left shoe. Sliding it off, she proceeded to rub her foot, cringing slightly. Nala didn't like feet. Bleurgh.

Sighing, she tried to tuck her dark hair behind her ears as it flew into her eyes. Sitting up once more, she flexed the toes of her sore foot. She smiled as her eyes scanned the room and she found the dance floor. Tapping her feet, she swayed in her seat to the music. It wasn't too fast, just nice.

Hawk Ebony sat in the nearest chair. He was in an especially good mood, now with the Cult down. He saw that someone just finished their talk on the stage. He recognized her from the American Ministry wherre he used to work. He had never met her, but he certainly knew about her.

Mason was excited now. Well, he was excited ever since he decided that he really was going to ask Medea to marry him. But now she had the ring. They were officially engaged. Heh. Mason liked that word. Now all they had to do was plan a big wedding. He was hoping for a big, traditional wedding. He had no idea what Medea wanted. He had no idea that he would be in for a surprise on that one.

And she seemed... confused? And slightly shocked. "Mrs. Everard? That's you. Or will be, soon enough." He sound a bit wary. Medea did realize they were going to get married, right? Mason had to double check and make sure he actually asked her to marry him and that he just hadn't said something random. But he did ask her. And she said yes. And marriage involved the woman changing her last name. "You're okay with that, right?" Please?

Mason smiled at the look on her face, and at the ring. It was very... Medea. And Mason loved it. "It does not. I love it, really." He took the ring from his fiance's palm and slipped it on his left ring finger. "I love it," Mason repeated and put his hand back on hers.