Yep. Rusty could take a joke. And Aron didn't mind a bit of humour in the workplace as long as the job was getting done so all in all there wasn't any trouble with it was there?

"That is proooobably not wise." And Lola would insist she could do it NOW. Merlin. That would be trouble.

Rusty was glad that Eliora didn't make any references to his apparent age and that of his daughter, he was young to have a nine year old, undeniably, though he'd hardly call himself young anymore, not much left in his twenties and really he hadn't done them justice given he'd had to get serious right quick when Lola was born and then when her mum took off. He'd wanted to put off being a grown up a little longer but it hadn't been up to him of course, and he supposed he wouldn't change it now. Not for the world.

He chuckled quietly and saluted her with his cup as she moved away to sit down. Would extra toes make you more aerodynamic?

... right. Down to business then...

......?

...

......

Aaaand anything for the office of misinformation? Anything specifically for Obliviator HQ or was it just going to be business as usual? They never got the fun stuff. Except they did on a regular basis so he supposed he didn't mind. But actually he did have an idea, something that had been stewing a bit since that whole training event thing they'd done about not getting spotted.

"What about a statute breech prevention awareness event? Given that upholding the statute is our primary concern as a department, we could run simulations in which the public have to avoid the 'muggles'." He made air quotes around the word, "And get to a finish line or accomplish certain tasks. " Law enforcement would probably wanna get in on that, it'd be fun. "Or if the Minister's office get touchy about the risk involved to participants, we could arrange it as a demonstration." He wouldn't mind obliviating a few muggles publicly. "Even come up with a few hypothetical scenarios, get people to decide how they should best tackle them, and the best ideas win or whatever. Hell it might be a way of getting some kids thinking about level 3 as a good place career-wise." Could even do something at Hogwarts as a job fair type situation, who knew?

Anyway that was the entirety of his contribution.



.... maybe newbie over there needed less coffee. Rusty looked around. "We're people." He said mildly, grinning slightly and indicating the others in the room.

Once the niceties were over, Aron began the meeting.

Jade nodded as she listened, wincing when he mentioned the Chizpurfles. Just the thought of those creatures gave her the creepies. She made a mental note to make sure that one of the bottles with the pesticide was nearby. She couldn't help but feel pity for Derek that he still had to deal with the mutants. She was glad that it wasn't her who had to do that.

The next issue had to do with community involvement. Hmm that could be interesting...

She smiled at Eloira's exclamation and nodded along at Rusty's ideas.

"What Rusty says makes sense." She commented

Didn't take long for the meeting to start after she arrived. Excellent.

Cora munched on her pastries as she listened. Definitely glad chizpurfles were gone, also glad she wasn't one of the ones that had to still deal with those mutants. Community events? Could be interesting. She wasn't as excited about "people" as that one new woman seemed to be, but Rusty's ideas could be good perhaps. Cora didn't have any suggestions of her own right now though, so she merely nodded in agreement with Jade and took a sip of her coffee.

Forrowing his brow a little as it seemed the majority of his employees were electing to remain silent - although Derek doing so did not surprise him in the least - he folded his hands on the table and shifted his attention first to Rusty when he spoke.

Of course, naturally. But they had just held a training session for this last year and he was hoping the department would branch out a bit and show its versatility some. Just as MLE wasn't all Aurors, DMAC wasn't all Obliviators. Still, not an idea that should be dismissed, certainly. "Last year, Browne and I had actually planned something similar for Ministry employees to participate in utilizing a local muggle shopping center. Unfortunately, time constraints and other obligations didn't allow for it." Disappointing, of course, but since they had managed to get back into the Ministry and handled the accident there he wasn't going to lament the loss too much. "I would prefer we took a small gap year between the Ministry training and holding a public one and show other aspects of the department in the meantime. The public knows that it is our job to uphold the statute, but there are others areas that are overshadowed and overlooked."

He did send his assistant a quick wink, you know, to encourage the note taking for the meeting and all that.

"We are also responsible for the the safe and structured expansion of spells and charms known to the wizarding world," he continued, eyes falling on all division four employees. Surely they wanted to promote their jobs and conjure up interest, yeah?

And then the people...outburst/exclamation happened. Aron mentally headdesked and forced an unamused smile on his face towards Eliora. "Since you seem especially eager there, Eliora, do you have any thoughts on how to pull this off?" Surely she had throw a event or two together over there at her previous job.

And she TOTALLY was on top of the note taking. Once she'd gotten another coffee since he seemed to think the first was for him (it wasn't, but he was hot so it was okay), she'd settled down with a self-writing quill and notepad, and took sips while it started doing minutes for the meeting, managing to get every everything that was being said by the seasoned employees.

For the new ones she had a different notepad that she had to write down everything on. Alani would combine them later after the meeting, and make them more organized, but for right now this would do. At least she had a free hand for coffee still, and an interest in the conversation.

Uhuh yeah well obviously, but making spells wasn't his area so he had nothing to contribute along those lines. Obviously his own suggestions would relate to his own division, and his own office. He didn't precisely mean that whole evasion training situation from the previous year either. Besides it was less about the public knowing it was DMAC's job to uphold the statute and more about making sure they knew their own role in doing so.

But the shopping center thing.... like a zombie experience but with muggles? See that was more along the lines of his thinking. Trust Emily to come up with such a thing and too bad it wasn't getting any play.

He went back to nomming pastries in silence. Go ahead division four, talk about your stuff.

Munching on her scone and drinking her coffee while it was still somewhat hot Tasha listened attentively as Aron opened the meeting saying that they had been tasked to organize a spell invention competition or work shop to the public. Before Tasha had even gotten time to come up with any ideas Rusty spilled out a few ideas that Aron didn’t seem to take a liking to. "I suppose we could go for a spell invention competition for say the most useful household charm or something."

After a short pause to drink more coffee Tasha continued to share her thoughts, "I imagine that there are quite a few wizards and witches out there amongst the general public who have come up with smart, inventive ways to make their everyday chores and lives easier. They should get the chance to bring their charms in to the light to get the recognition they deserve. Most aren’t bothered to owl the ministry with a description of their spell and its uses for approval. I think a competition with a suitable prize could definitely interest many people."

Picking up her scone again Tasha waited to see if Aron liked or disliked the idea.

Aron was finding himself grumbling internally again about how training hadn't gone the way they had planned. Then again, what ever went according to plan in the Ministry? Or anywhere for that matter. Merlin knew that he had heard enough about Hogwarts from his wife. The school was like a carnivorous plant that fed off of danger to keep going. Maybe that was why Seren liked working there so much. She did have a bias towards foliage of the flesh eating variety.

But his thoughts getting off topic. Point was he wished the training had happened because not only could Ministry employees have benefited from it but also, and rather selfishly, that was his concept to execute. Modifying his initial design to fit the public was very plausible however. Something he could talk up with Rusty and the other Obliviators at a later date.

And holy holly he was in a room full of quiet people. First day jitters? Perhaps he should have spike the coffee with Babbling Beverage? Actually, no...he wasn't sure he wanted to endure a department meeting with everyone under the influence of that brew. Although, it could be interesting to see what Derek would do under such circumstances.

Blue eyes restingon Tasha as she spoke, the department head raised an eyebrow at her suggestion. Not that it was bad, but at the implications that there were witches and wizards out there using unregistered spells purely because they lacked the initiative to properly submit them to the spell registry. Laziness was not an excuse. Unregistered magic (animagi anyone?) was against the law for a reason. Was she hinting that she knew people who were doing this? Something he would need to seriously discuss with her during their meeting later.

"I would certainly hope that any spells that have been created would have been properly registered and documented by our Spell Registry already," he stressed, the implication of not having done so heavily implied by his tone. He would get to the rest of her comment in just a moment, however.

"Since this is a matter for the Experimental Charms Committee," he announced to the room - and since no one outside of the committee seemed keen to chime in. "Those of you not in Division Four are welcome to leave. "Division two employees should head over to Creatures as soon as possible to get some fresh DNA samples and begin working on a possible cure. The rest of you should continue with your everyday tasks and assignments. I will be sending out memos with more important information and specific assignments tomorrow. Take another pastry on your way out if you want it."

And his coffee mug was empty again. Ug.

They were people? Oh, of couuurse. Mr. Metal got another cup tip his way and Eli went back to just listening to the lack of responses and attempting to come up with her own. She even tapped her brain in response to boss pirate man and shrugged. Gosh, give a girl a minute. Maybe he wouldn't ask for her thoughts and ideas if she got him a parrot. Pirates had parrots and he clearly didn't have one right now.

She'd get him wings, a wand and a tiara too. For dress up days.

People were going to be leaving. So long as people walked slowly so she could pay full attention to things. Might as well find something or someone to appreciate enough if she was going to be here permanently, which she was. She didn't have short term jobs. Not at all. Never.

Unless you counted the babysitting job that lasted half an hour when she was thirteen.

But yes. People to appreciate. People to put on a list. C'mon. Bum wiggles as they left would be definitely appreciated too.

He was dismissing people? Did that mean she got to leave too? But then who would she stare at when she got bored with her work in the office?

Alani silently elected to stay while others left, and since she was totally watching him while taking notes like the awesome assistant that she was, she noticed he was lacking coffee and so got up and got him (and herself) another cup.

He got a smile with his coffee for his hot hardworking self and then she was sitting again and waiting for the meeting to continue.

As much as Derek was partially interested in that whole spell invention workshop competition, he couldn't be bothered to know more deailts about it. He wanted to get on with his own work in his lab.

He was expecting the meeting to last for at least one hour and was pleasantly surprised when Aron dismissed them, saying that Division Two people - aka him alone - should go to the Creatures Department as soon as possible to get samples and start working on a cure. Start working. Key words for Derek. He was ready.

But he would wait until a few others left so he wouldn't be the first and call all the attention to himself.

Lots of silence. Of course, Cora was contributing to it, but still, it felt a little strange that almost everyone was as quiet as Derek. Maybe it was something in the pastries. Because there couldn't be anything wrong with the coffee, it was perfect.

She listened to Tasha's suggestion and didn't really see too much of a problem with it, though she saw Aron's point. "Perhaps it's a way to remind the public that spells have to be registered," she offered. "I'm sure most people register their spells, but there could be a few who haven't because they forgot it's necessary or just recently created it and haven't had time or some other excuse. Doesn't mean it's right, but it probably happens occasionally." Shrug. People were forgetful and didn't pay attention to rules they weren't reminded of 24/7. "So in order to register for the competition, it could be required that their spell is already documented in the registry or they register it when they sign up." Just a suggestion if they actually wanted to do something like that.

She took another sip of coffee and then continued as another idea hit her. "Or we could also have a contest for ideas for new spells. So if people have an idea for a spell but don't know how to go about creating it or whatever, they submit those and then we can work on them and whenever one ends up actually becoming a spell, they'll get part of the credit for it." Something like that. Wasn't as much of an event as other things suggested though.

That was all she had for now though, so she went back to sipping her coffee.

Maps of the wizarding village rolled up and tucked under one arm and a box of breakfast pastries (savory and sweet), Aron literally kicked open the door to the conference room due to a lack of free hands and strut over to the table. Setting the food down first, and pleased to see that the coffee was already in place thanks to Ursula, Aron set to unrolling the maps and sticking them to the white board so there would be no risk of someone spilling coffee on them.

Now just to see who showed up. He had a few specific people in mind for this task - and should they not show he would personally hunt them down and pseudo threaten their livelihood to join the team - but first, coffee. A nice bit mug of it.

After having some donuts and coffee at the break room, Kang Micky walked to the conference room where the meeting will be held. He's not a big fan of meeting but this one sounded a little bit interesting since they're gonna do an investigation. Maybe he should join to the team. Been working in this department for a year, he hadn't got any challenging yet interesting task yet. Entering the conference room, the Korean boy noticed that only the bossman was already here.

"'Sup, boss?" He casually greeted the department head. Oh, look. The breakfast pastries were already provided by the bossman. Casually he grabbed a cheese croissant and took a seat. Glad that he just had donuts for his light breakfast.

Apparently one of the perks of having someone you live with working at the same ministry, they shoved you out the door to actually be on time for work. Though Mammy wouldn't exactly call it a perk per say. She had a system before, and now, it was being interrupted. If she hadn't perfected the grumpy face before, she certainly would have now during the last week or so.

"'Ey..." she forced out as a greeting to those...two...in the room. Two? Squint. Did Leza even KNOW what she was doing to her now? She was arriving to meetings ON TIME. What next... getting paperwork done in a timely manner??

Coffee. Need. Again.

Charles received the announcement that there would be having a meeting here. He was a newbie and he wondered if they were involved in this operation. He let himself in and noticed a few had already arrived including his department head division.

"Hello,I'm Charles Demetri,"he greeted as he stood with his hands firmly placed behind him. He regarded the rest of his colleagues,"I'm the new curse reversal specialist in this department, I'm honoured to finally meet the team,"he added with a nod.

A month flew by fast Logan contemplated as he headed into the conference room for the department wide meeting on this late January morning. Taking off his shades, he waved to his boss respectfully. "Good morning, Mr Ashburry-Hawthorne!" Hopefully he’d be able to amend the impression his employer had gotten off him at orientation. Bringing those medallions had been a fun idea that hadn’t exactly panned out like Logan had wanted.

Walking closer to the table, he flashed smiles to the two other gentlemen present in turn. "Good morning, I'm Logan Entienne, new obliviator. It’s exciting to finally meet my new co-workers properly." And not just shout greetings or wave at people as you came or left the level.

Grabbing two croissants in passing Logan went over and nudged Mammy brotherly in the shoulder before he slipped into the vacant seat next to her. Offering his 'sister' one of the croissants he murmured quietly. "Morning Mammy, did you read the memo we're going on a real investigation...." He was literally brimming with excitement.

New people...

Eliora let herself into the conference room after a few others and moved to secure herself a seat before looking up carefully at the maps on the whiteboard without addressing those in the room already. She'd make conversation when she'd sussed them out and they'd potentially given ideas on whatever they were here to talk about. Plus, she couldn't manage any words right now because someone in here was eating some sort of cheese-like food and it was turning her stomach in somersaults and up into her throat.

Gross.

She held her hand over her mouth carefully and waited for the intros to die down. Now, please?

Yawning as she retrieved a cup of coffee, she stirred the dark liquid despite not adding any cream or sugar. It gave her hands something to do. And the new arrivals gave her thoughts something to do.

"Sup," she half nodded at the newcomer, Charles. Honored, yes. Not in her division though.

This young man here, however, was. "'Tis why I'm here, little bro," she nudged him back, mumbling a thanks as she took the offered croissant. She couldn't help but smile somewhat though. Logan's excitement was amusing and... heart warming? Was that the feeling?

It was early, but Kai was already wide awake. It was time for the first meeting since she had been hired and she was excited. Perhaps she would get to do some field work? Either way, at least she would get to meet the rest of her department. Kai swung the door open with a charismatic smile as she saw a few people already in he room. Her sky blue dress like robes fluttered as she entered. "Good Morning." She chirped somewhat cheerfully with a wave to all of the new faces. "Annette Fern, reporting for duty."Oh, there was one familiar face at least....Seeing Charles she decided to sit by him. Still in a suit......was that his whole wardrobe? She had not paid close enough attention to someone else to realize that she would recognize him.

Relax, boss man, Rusty was here.

... he was also making a beeline for the coffee, of course. He poured himself one, downed half of it in one go, then topped his cup up again before examining the pastries on offer. A little finger wiggle over the piles of pastries heralded which one he had his eye on just before he actually reached for it and popped that straight in his mouth too, the end hanging half-out. A couple more went on a plate, and thus furnished with the necessary supplies for the meeting ahead, Rusty went over and took his usual seat, stretching out comfortably and busying himself with finishing that first pastry and washing it down with coffee.

So basically the usual.

Also, was something wrong with Eliora? She wasn't double-fisting coffee like her life depended on it.

Huh. Weird.

Charles acknowledged their greetings and took his seat as well. He wasn't a coffee drinker like the rest of his colleagues were, he preferred tea or fresh vegetable juice over coffee. He also decided to pass on the confectioneries available because it wouldn't do well for his diet, thank you very much but no...besides he already had a healthy breakfast beforehand. He didn't say anything more and just waited patiently for the rest of the team to fill in. The woman he met at the orientation lunch gathering was here too and apparently,she decided to seat beside him today.He reacted by discreetly scooting his seat a little bit without her knowing,making sure there was space in between them. They only met once but that didn't mean they should get all friendly towards each other. What merit was there? He made a scrutinizing face at her dress for a second..."Seriously woman...what in the merlin wardrobe are you wearing?"he thought,dismayed at her choice in fashion. It was bad enough she had to wear the green halloween dress when they first met and now this blue one? He rolled his eyes and looked away, straightening his dark navy tie as he did so.

Mmm, Marilyn was running a tad behind this morning, which was very unlike the blonde. Olivia had accompanied her to work, however, and her mini-me was under the impression that time stood still while she pitched a fit about clothing and her hair. So, after that fiasco and dropping her daughter at the daycare center, she made her way to the third floor.

Meetings. So much fun.

No, really. Marilyn enjoyed meetings. They gave her a sense of organization in her world of chaos. It was much appreciated...was the general gist. So, entering the conference room, the blonde tossed an easy smile around at her colleagues and took a seat; steaming coffee in hand. She knew some would be provided...but preferred her Italian roast from home.

Also, the maps were an interesting addition. "Good morning, everyone."

Finishing off his first cup of coffee - which, unlike others, he had been taking his time getting through - the department head gave the room a cursory look over and grunted his good mornings as each employee entered. While residents and other officials over there in Hogsmeade had insisted that things were not terribly urgent, the Australian felt like he had an itch that he couldn't reach.

"Alright, let's get this show on the road," he said after nodding his head towards the latest employee, Marilyn, had entered. "There was a bit of a situation in Hogsmeade back in November. Someone on Hogwarts staff turned in a couple of items to Lost & Found over there and never claimed them," he explained as he set two clear sealed bags on the table with said items, a badly damaged camera and a hat. "These were found in the back alley in Hogsmeade by a couple of students...and belonged to a muggle whose whereabouts are currently unknown."

Let's just let all that sink in for a moment, shall we?

"Annette," he said suddenly after a few moments. "You got anything there in the lab you can use to develop muggle film?" If Derek were still here the answer would obviously be yes, but the newbie needed to prove her skillset before he could make those types of assumptions about her.

Kai didn't partake in any of the sweets and was far too wound up for coffee. As soon as the Department Head started speaking her attention shot over to him. It was go time show on the road all hands on deck, time to see what they were there for. Hogsmeade......and they were found by students...........wait....unknown whereabouts? Said muggle was not accounted for? She looked over the contents of the bags as best she could from where she was sitting.

'Annette' was surprised to suddenly hear her name and her gaze returned to.....her boss. Develop film? He asked absolutely the right girl for this. She tried to keep a more serious face and did her best to squish the eager smile that threatened to creep onto her lips."Absolutely." She answered assuredly , the start of the smile beginning to prevail. "And if there is anything that I am missing I can get it from my flat." She had only been messing around with muggle cameras and film since childhood.