Victor shot a confused, apprehensive look up from his clipboard at Genevieve. He couldn't help but frown slightly as it sounded suspiciously like this woman was suggesting that he leave. "Well, since you've put them there already.." He cleared his throat and blinked, obviously a little confused. "No, I haven't tried the coffee on level one, although I can imagine they'd keep the best coffee up there, what with the Minister's officer and all." he spoke quickly and deliberately.
"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I didn't catch your name. Is there something I can help you with?"

Victor returned the Head Auror's kind welcome with his sincerest of smiles, a bow of his head, and a quiet 'Thank you'. The man addressing the group of Aurors and YATIs was certainly sending mixed signals, and Victor really wasn't sure if it'd behoove him to avoid contact with him as much as possible or if it was just that disrespectful YATIs brought out the worst in him. He supposed - and hoped - the latter.



My, my, the good folks at the MLE had been more welcoming so far than any place of employment he'd ever encountered before. Obviously, that wasn't saying much, but by now, at least two different people had actually approached him. Without a moments hesitation, Victor stood up from his chair and put his clipboard on the desk. The gentleman who had just introduced himself had offered a hand, and he'd be damned if he was going to commit the cardinal sin of accepting it sitting down.

"Victor Sebastian LaCroix." He introduced himself plainly. "Just started work here as a patrol officer." He added, shaking the gentleman's hand. "I understand we'll be working in close proximity to one another, and I certainly hope we can get along." Though his eyes reflected experience and maturity, he spoke with an almost naive sincerity in his voice. He'd realized a long time ago that letting previous experience cloud ones initial judgement of a new workplace and new colleagues was probably the biggest mistake you could make.

RUDE. That was Sky's first impression of the Head Auror. Because he'd started the day off with, well, the way he did. Then he was saying a bunch of stuff that made a lot of sense, stuff about being a team and stuff. And the thing about desks didn't really bother her either. Nope, she wasn't prissy and was perfectly fine with sitting in the floor if need be.

No, the thing that bothered her about Chosen's little speech was the bit about not having any skills. "Right, because everyone knows that you can get through Hogwarts without skills." That was sarcasm, by the way. "Has anyone ever told you that you get more flies with honey than with vinegar?" Her aunt had warned her about this dude and yes, she dared. She and her fellow YATIs are people too, damn it!

Simon listened to Chosen's speech and while he agreed with the first part a little, the second about the treatment of the trainees was harsh. But then that was Legend, someone who didn't exactly care what others thought when speaking or doing. Inwardly he felt bad for Jory getting punished for the younger YATI's action. The younger man in question , obediantly moving forward without question as they were dismissed, a mix of escape and duty no doubt present in his reaction.

The rest however might prove to be a handful.

"Well you're not in Hogwarts anymore," he remarked, finally breaking his silence and speaking up towards the young woman who would be the second rude YATI of the day. Geez....and people thought the likes of his trainee class were bad. Legend, Josh, Sabel and Simon had nothing on these two. "And the quicker you learn the real world isn't always nice the better." Granted Legend had been rude first but it didn't play out tet for tat.

"But if you prefer to use a comparison to your school days how about this...Emily is headmistress. Legend and Josh and the rest of us aurors are professors and you are the students. It would do you well to at least try not to be too disrespectful to those who are currently the ones who will train you to the the aurors you apparently want to become." No house points here but you did need the grades to move on.

It was hard to be annoyed with Legend's ra-ra-ra speech when he was sort of... right. They were definitely lacking in team unity. The lack of cohesion was obvious in the very fact that Genevieve didn't trust any of them with her life. No... she trusted Aspen and Kennedy. She pretty much trusted Legend, especially now that he could send her into danger.

"I'll go," she gave Legend a head tilt. Go in pairs or go alone, she was eager to be out of the office and doing something useful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Compootor

Victor shot a confused, apprehensive look up from his clipboard at Genevieve. He couldn't help but frown slightly as it sounded suspiciously like this woman was suggesting that he leave. "Well, since you've put them there already.." He cleared his throat and blinked, obviously a little confused. "No, I haven't tried the coffee on level one, although I can imagine they'd keep the best coffee up there, what with the Minister's officer and all." he spoke quickly and deliberately.
"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I didn't catch your name. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Genevieve Branxton," she offered a hand. For shaking. He was the suspicious type, which was good for his line of work... and in this particular office. It should serve him well, even if it was a direct rebuff of her attempt to be social.

"Just being friendly. Trying something new. Obviously doesn't suit." She flashed another smile before rolling her chair back towards her desk over near where Legend was lecturing the YATI. Might as well work on her paperwork until Legend gave her permission to head out to Diagon Alley.

Or maybe until Legend murdered a YATI. Whichever. They liked to argue, didn't they? "Everyone here got in with good marks and a recommendation. The skills that got you through Hogwarts and the ones that keep you and your team alive are different. If you respect that you don't know everything yet, you're a lot more likely to make it and earn the respect you think you deserve."

Right, so, the team stuff Penelope could definitely understand and agree with. It was sorta like how Quidditch worked, yeah? Just because one person was super good at whatever position they were in, it didn't really help you win a match if everyone else was horrible or if they only worried about themselves. It was important for everyone to work together and help each other. And this stuff was way more important than Quidditch, so yeah, teamwork was necessary.

Head Auror man could've gone about saying the rest of it a little better, BUT Penelope wouldn't hold it against him. For now. Such a good example of teamwork, she was obviously.

Picking up her bag again since they no longer were allowed desks apparently, she cast a glance over at her fellow YATI when she started protesting and stayed long enough to hear a couple responses from Simon and Vivi. Clearly this wasn't the time to argue, and the two Aurors had good responses ready anyway, but Penelope thought Sky was pretty cool all the same.

She silently headed out after Jory, refusing to be late for her first official meeting.

Jory was off, and Legend gave a nod to the man as he left. It wasn't like he wanted to be mean or anything. He was just being realistic. And he would not put up with YATI's with all bark and no bite.

He was hoping that someone would volunteer quickly and Vivi was on it. "Cool." He smiled at his fellow Auror. "Come back safe or i'll be quick to replace you as Emily's favourite."

Annnd, one of the other YATI's decided to speak. Legend was about to say something before Simon and Vivi spoke up. The woman was lucky too because if his fellow Aurors had said it much nicer than he would have. He sighed. Was he now going to be seen as the big bad wolf? Looking over to the last YATI, the blond half expected her to say something but no. Silent. He took note that she had not uttered a word since he had walked in.

Giving a nod to the rest of the people in the office he walked out.

Merlin, drama with the Auror team, much? Jake glanced over at them for a brief second, completely and utterly amused by the entire situation and sooooooooo wishing he was part of their super special Auror club purely for the reason that he'd have loved to give his own input. But no. Mature adult here, keeping his opinion to himself.

But yeah, new guy. Jake focused on him again.

"Victor, right," the Hit Wizard nodded, shaking his hand firmly as he mentally noted that name. He seemed like the sort of guy who'd appreciate a firm handshake. "I hope so too. Don't see why we shouldn't."

Jake could sort of tell that he was probably being a little too brusque, and tried to seem a little... less Jake-y.

"Where'd you work before coming here?" he asked the other guy, who looked like he had a few more years on the clock than Jake did. Jake himself leaned casually against a nearby desk that was currently unoccupied. He should probably be getting to work soon, and finding jobs to do, but he was making the new guy feel at home, see? That was important too.

Look who had just walked in...Lady Branxton. Good morning to you...Josh was about to say yet it looked like she was not experiencing a perfect morning judging by the face she had just made to the YATIL man. Still, Josh gave her a warm grin in exchange of the face. Would that cheer her up? Surely not. Then the auror turned his attention to Simon instead, now grinning at his words and gave him a nod of agreement. Yeah, justs hellos and mornings for now.

Sitting on his table, and as a result knocking his coffee over the table, Josh watched the people talking and introducing themselves to each other. Nope, he didn't care about the coffee ruining his table and the back of his pants. Yet...it could be kind of a small problem walking around with pant that had a wet back. People could judge that in a way that could be embarrassing for him. But meh..it didn't matter now. If the YATIs would like to think that their YATIL had wet himself, that could be dealt with.

Ignoring the hot wetness of coffee, Josh smiled at Jory and kept watching the others...old and new. Maybe he was supposed to get up and introduce himself as well, however, he was still not sure how he smelled. If the smell of horses was not gone and how would it smell mixed with hot coffee. While half listening to everyone, Josh tried to smell himself hoping to find out if he smelled well enough to be around and close to people.

*sniff sniff sniff*

Yeah...there was that hint of sweat as well however he couldn't be sure if that was too bad to present himself. Eh...maybe he could start using those colognes for more than just his wife. When Legend's voice distracted him though, he stopped smelling himself and looked up to see what was happening. And what was happening made him raise his eyebrows. Oh, so the YATIs had lost their desks. Apparently Josh had missed why while being busy smelling himself. He supposed the new Head Auror would have a reasonable reason. Or not so reasonable but still a reason since this was Legend. He pushed himself off his table, the back of his pants wet with hot coffee, and took a few steps closer to Legend when the aurors were called.

To be honest, he couldn't disagree with anything the head auror said. It was true that no one was guaranteed a position in the office among the YATIs and it was true as black horses that the office lacked team work. But what about his word being law? He could understand if the head auror wanted his word would be law yet Josh had never been that strict with anything. Not just the YATIs. Perhaps, this was everything could work better. He could just try and see.

So YATI meeting in courtroom seven. "Yeah, of course." Josh replied to Legend's question. "Yet lemme go pee first or i will explode. I doubt anyone in this room would like that." and with that the YATIL left the office to run for the loo before the meeting in the courtroom.

"I'm not Emily's favorite. I just bring her coffee. It's so easy, it's laughable," Genevieve made faces at Legend. It made her sound like she got special treatment, and Merlin knew Emily didn't treat any of them differently. Even if one of them brought her coffee.

The blond Auror slid gracefully from her chair and stretched. She wanted to stick her nose into a few of the shops on Knockturn before they got busy, so the earlier she left, the better. "Anything in particular you want me to check up on? I'll bother the usuals, of course, but other than that...?"

Victor's apprehension about the esteemed colleague who had just propped her feet up on his desk had largely faded away, and he was quick to shake the outstretched hand that had been offered in greeting. "Victor LaCroix." he introduced himself politely as was his custom. It occurred to him that his apprehension and confusion may have come across as some form of rejection, and he'd hoped his new-found enthusiasm would be enough to dispel that impression.

"Not at all, I think it suits you rather well!" he was quick to disagree. How could he have been so rude? He scolded himself internally, and tried to think of a way to rectify the situation. "You'll have to show me sometime, how good the coffee is on level 1." he blurted out before closing his eyes, shutting up, and hiding his face in his palm. He had to grumble quietly at his own idiocy, as he most certainly had not meant it that way.



"It's very nice to meet you, Jake." Victor politely smiled at his colleague, certainly appreciating the firm handshake. He'd always thought you could tell a lot about someone by the way they shook hands, and Jake's handshake was strong, loyal, and perhaps a little overenthusiastic. Victor could already tell they'd get along just fine.

Leaning back in his chair, he couldn't help but smile at Jake's question. He'd figured it'd only be a matter of time before someone asked him that. "Before I came here?" he asked, as if to confirm, but didn't even wait for that confirmation to come. "I've been working abroad the last eight years or so." he began to explain, a satisfied grin plastered all over his face. It certainly wasn't his intention to look smug, but he was unable to remember his time abroad as anything but spectacular, and couldn't fight the smile that accompanied the thought. "Made it to the rank of Lieutenant with the MLES in New York." he added nonchalantly, as if that achievement in itself wasn't enough and he'd have liked to have done better. "Not that the rank has any real meaning here. They have a completely different system across the pond."

"What about you?"

There was Genevieve volunteering right of the bat for the task at Diagon Alley and giving off the impression she wasn't looking for a partner on one hand. At least not him seeing as she hadn't been pleased with his earlier comment. And then Legend and Josh were heading off with the YATI down below on the other. Simon took the hint that he was being left alone in the division once more with whatever he had on his plate.

Fine by him.

Might as well go back to looking over the casework that may or may not need to he handled further now that they were back in business. Do auror duties for now see what he could get done while it was quiet. Simon retaking his seat at the desk. No doubt with the handful they gained in the department this year, it might be rarely not crazy. Tomorrow was soon enough to begin security rounds.

As an afterthought, the auror wordlessly summoned Jory's belongings to a small corner of his desk since the YATI had lost his own desk. He could keep an eye on it for now. Then the former Gryffindor took out the latest folder and opened it up to the latest update and began reading.

Octavia wasn’t the most sociable of all the employees working within the department. She was at least a decade older than the majority of them and she felt a little awkward as they interacted with one another. Furthermore the majority of them worked within a different division to her own and being a member of the Wizengamot division the majority of the time left her in a sticky situation. Although it was true that she was offered a secondary position as the Auror Advisor and would be expected to work in close proximity with them anyway.

Arriving at work promptly and perfectly on time, the brunette approached her desk with a quick stride. She pulled out her chair and sat down on the comfy seat, adjusting its height to allow her ample space to work from. Her particular area was quiet and a brief sigh left her lips as she glanced around her fellow employees. Or rather the hordes of youngsters that seemed to infiltrate the Ministry year-by-year. It was lovely to see them taking an active interest in joining one of the, if not THE most important institutions in Britain’s Wizarding World but she really didn’t understand why people didn’t seem to stay around long.

Was it because there was something terribly wrong which you only discovered after years of working here. So far her time had been fine, there was certainly some experiences which she retained in her memory but the Greek had not found any reason to want to leave yet.

Other than being old enough to be a lot of these youngsters mother.

Now that was a scary thought.

The fourty-six year old (yes, so much older than the majority) offered a smile towards those already in discussion, the group that had formed over at the Auror desks. Her desk was wedged somewhere between the two groups considering her current role over both of the departments and she was just close enough to be able to talk to them should needs be.

It wasn't really clear to Genevieve Branxton how she'd made her way all the way back to the Ministry and through Security AND up the lift to the Auror pen. She must have presented her wand and everything, but she didn't even remember doing it.

At least she was back. Safe. Unable to speak, trembling head to toe, and pale as if she'd seen a ghost, but she was back and safe.

Genevieve sank into her chair and put her head down on her desk. She needed to go see Emily, immediately really, but she just... needed a moment. To make sure she didn't cry or anything in front of her favorite boss person. Just... a little moment to breathe. No big deal.

Inbetween tasks at the moment, Simon was back at his desk when Genevieve herself returned to the auror office. He was ready to meerly acknowledge her presence given how they had seemed when she had left but the auror quickly decided against it as soon as he noticed the full condition she had returned in. He was up on his feet and moving closer to her own desk, a look of concern on his face as he came to stand beside it.

"Are you alright?" he asked, trying to seem supportive and not anything that might be deemed negative. Aurors could be quite quick to stand off from people when bothered and or hurt as if it made them weak. In truth it made them appear human and not the brave and sometimes crazy folk other might see them as.

She was not okay, and Genevieve hated having to show this kind of weakness in front of any of her co-workers. She might have been tempted to cross her arms and sulk, but considering the state of her nerves... she couldn't manage it.

Instead, she shook her head vehemently. Not okay. She needed Emily to receive the message and lift the curse, but she wasn't even able to form the words to ask Simon to go for their boss. "E... th... thiiiiiis," the word came out as a snarl, in spite of Genevieve's wide blue eyes.

EEP. She pointed in the direction of Emily's office. Get help, Simon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

She was not okay, and Genevieve hated having to show this kind of weakness in front of any of her co-workers. She might have been tempted to cross her arms and sulk, but considering the state of her nerves... she couldn't manage it.

Instead, she shook her head vehemently. Not okay. She needed Emily to receive the message and lift the curse, but she wasn't even able to form the words to ask Simon to go for their boss. "E... th... thiiiiiis," the word came out as a snarl, in spite of Genevieve's wide blue eyes.

EEP. She pointed in the direction of Emily's office. Get help, Simon.

Okay so maybe his question had been too simplistic or redundant. Her shaking and appearance answered that. But the sharp shakes of her head put more strength behind the obvious. At least she had admitted that much. Simon paid attention as it looked like she was going to speak, frowning instead when what came out seemed like gibberish. "E...hiss" he repeated trying to make sense of what was being said as Genevieve starred wide-eyed at him.

Think Simon...what was she trying to tell you?

The auror followed her point with his own green eyes, identifying it as aiming towards the center of the department. Or at least in that direction. Oh.

Emily's office.

"Emily..." he voiced aloud half-questioning, half identifying, putting the 'e' of the muddled words in context to where the younger auror was pointing. "I'll get her," he said with a nod, tentatively stepping away from his colleague before turning and leaving to do what he thought was right from the clues.

The second she spied Branxton at her desk, it was all too clear that there most certainly was something up with the young Auror, so her pace lengthened to reach her quicker.

"Genevieve?" she questioned, in line with the woman.

She looked like a person that had been locked away for a long period of time and tortured to the brink of constant anxiety - but that wasn't possible, not entirely at least. Though there were other ways to achieve the same effect...

"Where were you?"

With no objection, Simon silently followed suit with Emily back into the auror office where he had left Genevieve. One, because he technically had to return anyway since he had work to finish at his own desk. And two...more importantly...he was concerned for his fellow auror. Despite the way they occasionally got on each others nerves. At least he on hers since Legend and Aspen...and Tyler since they were the only ones who really bothered Simon.

He stood off by his desk to give the two women space but he was there if needed for any reason. The auror's attention alert, curious as well to the details of what had transpired. If the department head could in fact manage to get an answer out of the younger woman.

It was a good thing when Emily finally appeared, although Genevieve wavered on the line between relief that she would finally be able to share her message and horror that Emily and Simon would realize that she'd been completely waylaid by a mad man on Diagon Alley. It made her look terrible professionally, didn't it?

She tried to answer the question Emily posed, but no words would form. Still. Only the message from Peverall, and Genevieve dropped her head into her hands so she wouldn't have to look at them as she delivered it in a mad, snarling voice that was entirely unlike her own.

"THIS IS THE SIDE OF THE DEVILS, KEEP YOUR ANGELS AT BAY! THIS. IS. MY. TERRITORY. NO. MORE. COCKROACHES." She dropped her head to the desk, relieved that she could feel her tongue unlocking now that the message was given to Emily. "Peverall."

Vic was at his desk working on one of the small cases, he could've had one of the new attorneys get it but he needed the distraction. He'd been feeling quite intense lately and--

He heard shouting from the Auror section, and the word 'cockroaches'. In an instant he was on his feet and he ran up to the security desks to find Emily, Simon and Branxton. No one else was here. He'd expected an angry client or a psycho to be present, and Vic thought immediately of issuing an arrest for his disrespect of an officer of the law.

"Wh-what's going on?" He noticed Branxton's depressed expression, his eyes going to Emily.

When one questions an employee, they expected to hear said employees response... but what came from Genevieve's mouth was not her own. She was a vessel for the mans message, that much was clear.

The message itself, was simple enough to understand, but where others might have cowered in their boots, she did not. Peverell. Emily, lips pursed, looked from Genevieve now resting her head on the desk to Simon and then to Vic who happened to be passing.

"Cursed Auror," she replied matter-of-factly, "Peverell."

"Bennett, get chocolate and water." The girl needed energy and hydration at the least.

But more to the point, she needed a proper examination. Wand out, Emily cast her patronus non-verbally in the direction of level three, the African Wild Dog tore through the room and through a wall.

So Genevieve did speak, but not on her own accord, the voice a man's that wasn't unfamiliar to the auror. Simon had indentified it before the girl had identified it as the dark wizard. Looks like Knockturn Alley had been part of her choice of rounds today and Peverell clearly didn't like it. Tough for him. He nodded at understanding of Emily's words as she looked at him and Vic as the prosecutor joined them, moving from his desk at her requests.

Grabbing an empty coffee mug he spotted from a desk he knew to be unprotected, Simon gave it a quick clean before switching his wand to a quiet Aquamenti. That would certainly serve for now he thought, ending the spell and setting the mug on Genevieve's desk. Within easy reach of the young woman but not likely to be knocked over if she moved suddenly from her rest. "Here you go..." he said simply, returning his wand to its holster. He then left the office in search of chocolate from the food court.

"I'm fine," Genevieve insisted, although she only picked up her head enough to turn and stare at the mug of water. Nice. Where'd that come from? She was thirsty, actually, but her arms didn't seem to want to do anything at the moment. Maybe she could just reach it from here with her tongue...?

Nope.

"I didn't approach him or taunt him. I watched my back, I had my wand out the whole time. But he was fast and irrational and if he's out there, we shouldn't be patrolling alone. He'll really hurt someone next time." She wasn't hurt, though. Look, see? Her fingers were wiggling and... okay, there went the water.

"I'm fine," she repeated.

Cursed Auror? Branxton was cursed by that criminal wizard? Vic's face expression turned stony and he watched the young Auror drop her water and insist that she was fine. He put a reassuring hand on the blonde's shoulder and refilled her glass.

Then turned to Emily. "I don't like this. He's never attacked one of our own directly like that. Do you think he's up to something?" The stupid git wasn't even a real villain, he was just a lunatic. Until now.

Where was Aron? Where was the bloody Healer? ...

It was obvious that Branxton had been shaken by the experience, and rightly so. Being cursed was never an easy feat, it wasn't something someone just shrugged off - no matter how hard they tried. "I'm sure you will be," Emily replied to the blonde, though she didn't think the girl was there yet. Why Branxton had gone down without a partner though, was beyond her. Diagon Alley was one thing, but Knockturn Alley was entirely something else. Even if Peverell had proven himself to be a delirious clown that was all bark and no bite, erring on the side of caution was always recommended where that crooked Alley was concerned. She'd have words with Chosen about this... and that begged the question... "Why did you go alone?"

"It's hard to say," she mused in reply to Vic, "but it's definitely worth looking into." She wasn't going to sit back and take orders from a psychopath. She wasn't averse to visiting the Alley herself. It had been some time since she's enjoyed a dram or two at Morribunds.