Mariel continued staring at the gummy worms in her hand, somewhat bemused by the entire exchange, then slowly lifted her eyes to peer at the odd little woman in front of her. And just how did she know her name?! The brunette was convinced this little YATI was a psycho stalker now.. And no way was she going to be eating these suspicious gummy worms any time soon.

Soon..? "I'll make sure to stock up on my produce next time I'm out for groceries in that case then," she said lightly as she turned her green eyes back to her folder when the woman stepped towards the lift. Then Mariel headed in the opposite direction, depositing the sure to be tainted candy in the nearest trash receptacle on her way down the corridor. Weirdo.

So perhaps Alex had been optimistic in hoping that a patronus would work, but when nothing happened, the brunette couldn't help but feel nervous and anxious and slightly deflated. With a solemn nod at Ainsley and then at Edward, she disappeared from the lobby and headed off to Law Enforcement first - holstering her wand as she moved - considering there was little point.

Merlin. She never felt so useless. "So a quick stop at Miss Browne's office ..." She wondered if every floor was as destroyed as level one had been, but guessed yes.

Edward followed Alex, curious what they would encounter. He also wasn't sure how they'd generate more light.

Walking through the corridor, he was slightly creeped out and didn't have a good feeling about what was to come. He reached down inside his jacket and was comforted to feel the weight of his insurance for unexpected circumstances.

Following Alex and Edward out into the hallway, Ainsley couldn't help but to feel uneasy even though she tried her best to keep a smile firmly placed on her face at all times. Maybe her optimism would rub off on others.

"Yes... I think so." Even though she really wasn't looking forward to seeing her especially in these circumstances. Without fully intending to, Ainsley stayed a tad bit closer to Edward just in case anything crazy happened.

Edward went to reach out against the walls. It was a rather dim light that showed them the way. This area wasn't exactly the most well kept either. One would have expected better in the Minister's wing. He turned to Ainsley and asked, Wouldn't the minister have had better magical protections in his own area of the Ministry? Seems rather silly his would be the least protected. It appears almost as if there were absolutely no charms placed here to protect the minister.

Edward had some very valid points, and that got her to thinking. "You would expect better protection." This much was true, but maybe he DID have more protection than most? "We don't know who or what we are dealing with really." For all they knew this could be a powerful dark wizard who very well could have penetrated through heavier magic. Of course that could be a stretch, but you could never know for sure what was going on in other people's heads.

They were coming up on the stairs that would take them to level two and Ainsley was not looking forward to climbing them especially in the near dark conditions. She turned to Alex and Edward hoping that one of them would take her look as a hint to go first.

Edward put his wand away and reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the penlight he kept there for emergencies. He'd started doing it in South America because of the remoteness of the some of places he went and his desire not to incite the local populace with magic use. He clicked it on and proceeded forward. You're more than welcome to walk beside me. I'd hate to face whatever it is one handed.

Ainsley liked the fact that Edward seemed to be prepared for every situation. Maybe she should take notes from him. The blonde was sure that him being well traveled had something to do with his preparedness, but either way it was dead useful.

Side by side, sure she could do that. Ainsley would just have to put her big girl panties on and bite the bullet. She had no idea why she was being so wimpy. She took a deep breath and help her head a bit higher. "Two people are almost always better than one." Ainsley stood side by side with Edward and looked to Alex to make sure she was still coming.

He nodded as he walked forward, shining the light here and there. It certainly was a dreary place with no light. He wondered if perhaps there'd be some grand beasty skulking about, waiting for unsuspecting prey to be about. He made sure to have a good grip on the pig-sticker he'd purchased while going through Argentina. He had been in the mountains and run across more than one rather large non-magical creature and so being able to take care of them without magic had been useful and for him, a little more quiet. He'd become prone to fairly spectacular uses of magic when handling some of the more challenging positions he'd found himself in. It generally kept others from trying to repeat their acts of aggression. Removing his hand from within his pocket, he reached around to grab Ainsley's hand and looked at her You ok?

Alex had only really been half listening to what Edward and Ainsley were saying behind her... half listening mostly because Ainsley had the parchment, so without it - without her following - there was little point in Alex leading the way.

"If we come across something, unless it sneaks up from behind, well, it's going to get me first." Just saying. "But I think whatever it is that we're dealing with is something we need to be on guard for if it was able to penetrate the ministry's protections."

She sighed, her brain trying to process all the possibilities. She was adept in Defense, but Astronomy and Charms were her stronger points; there was a reason she didn't pursue law enforcement. This sort of detective work was just foreign for her. "What do you guys think might have done this?"

Lawrence stepped along the corridor, making sure that this was the first floor. This was his first time in the real ministry, and was bound to make mistakes. Just like he blew up the roof of the phone booth. Or worse.

He could hear voices and footsteps from nearby and turned around a corner. Two ladies and one wizard. One of them he recognized as his department colleague, what was her name again? He approached the three cautiously.

Lawrence just caught what the other woman was saying. "Hello, do you mind if I join you?" Hopefully not. "Excuse me? What did what?" Something horrible happened?

Edward had been so busy with Ainsley, he'd nearly forgotten the other woman with them. He turned and shrugged. I'm not sure. Whatever it is, it doesn't look like a terribly organized thing. Very chaotic, the way it just destroys everything in a seemingly random way.

Registering the hand holding from Edward, Ainsley was forced to meet his eyes. "I'm fine." she said and hoped that her face didn't give her away. Interviewing people and getting stories was her thing. While being on the scene of a juicy story was nice, she didn't particularly enjoy being in the middle of a death threat and in the dark. She squeezed his hand in an attempt to show him that she would make it through this one step at a time.

"We are almost there." Well, almost to the Ms. Browne's office and that was a start. For some reason she thought that she would feel better once she was on the law department level. Surely they would be able to think on their toes if some creature or boogeyman decided to pop out at them.

Ainsley turned as she heard a new voice float down to her and smiled at the newcomer. "Hello there." He wanted to join them? Well, that was just fine in her book. Safety in numbers yes? "Please do." This would work out better. Now they could both have pairs and watch each other's backs more effectively.

He didn't know? "Well the ministry is in disarray." she said while holding out her arm, showing off the room around her. "We just received this." Ainsley pointed at the letter and let the man have a look. "We're heading to see Ms. Browne now before we make our way to Games and Sports." All filled in there? They needed to keep moving.

True points, Alex made true points. "Valid point. Now with this gentleman joining us perhaps we can pair up." Did that make sense? "Stay together of course, but we can have two guarding the front and two guarding the back." That way they had every angle covered, and between the 4 of them they would hopefully be able to take on an attacker. They definitely should be on guard.

"I really don't know. A creature of some kind looks like it tore it's way through here, but there has to be a wizard behind it." Surely a wizard didn't go and leave bite marks on the furniture. That would be scarier to face than some sort of creature in her opinion. "Who would care so much about Quidditch though?" She wondered out loud. It just didn't make sense. "It seems like such a silly thing to threaten death over." Maybe a disgruntled ex-quidditch professor at Hogwarts or something?

Jasmine decided to explore more of the ministry and get off of her floor. She decided to branch out and see what else is in the ministry. She walked down to the level 1 corridor and she noticed there were portraits of the minister and such. She never realized they were here! She stood there examining them and reading their histories. Why didn't she see these before. Being the history nerd Jasmine was, she never backed down from learning new information.

Ronnie had never been around the whole Ministry now that she thought about it as she made her way down the corridor of Level One. In fact, she had only been in the entry way and her own level. It was odd, she had extra time on her hands so often but she had never gone exploring around the place, which she really should do more often because it was such a pretty place.

Thankfully today was one of those days she had more time, so, the red head found herself looking at all the portraits along the wall, nearly bumping into someone as she did. "Oh! I'm sorry!" She said, realizing it was her friend, Jazz. A smile spread across her face. "Oh, hey Jazz!" Ronnie laughed.

As Jasmine was beginning to admire the paintings and such, she felt someone bump into her. Bloody merlin.....could they at LEAST watch where they were going. If it is a guy she would give them a piece of her mind. In fact she was gonna do that now. "Hey watch it!" she said and then realized it was Ronnie and her mouth went into the big O shape.

"Oh my goodness Ronnie I didn't know it was you!" she squealed. "I am so sorry for the before.." she said and admitted to being a little snippy. "I was just admiring the paintings and walking around the ministry. Did you know they had a fitness room here as well?" she asked. I mean she would go there now if she could. Maybe she could ask Ronnie.

Ronnie laughed, waving a hand. "It's no biggie, I probably would have reacted the same." She told Jazz. Her reaction had kind of startled her though, to be honest. The red head then gave her friend a thoughtful look, shaking her head. "No, I didn't know that! You wanna check it out sometime?" She asked with a smile. A fitness room sounded awesome!

Jazz smiled and then realized that she wanted to check something else out! "You know what I wanna do, let's go play some video games. I saw there is this really cool place to check out.." she said and took Ronnie's hand and lead her towards the technology place she found. This was gonna be fun!

Here was a place that he hadn't spent much time in his rounds, at least before Gavin had left. Level One. The former senior undersecretary having requested the boundary against security and only allowing Emily access. Unless Simon had come up for department liaison activites which couldn't be worked against since the woman herself had trusted him with that assignment.

But now that the new administration had settled in, the restriction had lifted and Simon was free to begin rounds once more. And he was the only one he trusted to do then given the recent circumstances. Him and Jory anyway, the younger man along for the ride today. Hopefully it would help him not look so sneaky if he wasn't alone. "At least it seems pretty quiet so far,"he mused quietly to his companion as they approached the corridor from the lifts.

SPOILER!!: Simon! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline

Here was a place that he hadn't spent much time in his rounds, at least before Gavin had left. Level One. The former senior undersecretary having requested the boundary against security and only allowing Emily access. Unless Simon had come up for department liaison activites which couldn't be worked against since the woman herself had trusted him with that assignment.

But now that the new administration had settled in, the restriction had lifted and Simon was free to begin rounds once more. And he was the only one he trusted to do then given the recent circumstances. Him and Jory anyway, the younger man along for the ride today. Hopefully it would help him not look so sneaky if he wasn't alone. "At least it seems pretty quiet so far,"he mused quietly to his companion as they approached the corridor from the lifts.

Level one. This was on the list of today's rounds. Normally, Jory enjoyed these because he got to tag along with the second person in the world whom he looked up to. There was always something new to learn from Simon and Jory aimed to one day be at least as half as much of an Auror as his trainer was. But today he was distracted. He was lost in his own thoughts so it took a moment for his companion's statement to register.

"Yes, I wish there was something more distracting to do,'' he replied when he caught on to what Simon meant. Jory really wanted to tell Simon what was going on with him but what if he was judged? He couldn't help what he was feeling and he needed to talk to someone. "Simon?'' Huh? What was that, Jory? You sound like a whimp. "Simon?'' Good. That was much better. "Have you ever had feelings for one girl but then you realise you have feelings for another?'' Jory focused on walking along as he scrutinised things.

Simon was going to judge him now. He could feel it.

SPOILER!!: Jory

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Level one. This was on the list of today's rounds. Normally, Jory enjoyed these because he got to tag along with the second person in the world whom he looked up to. There was always something new to learn from Simon and Jory aimed to one day be at least as half as much of an Auror as his trainer was. But today he was distracted. He was lost in his own thoughts so it took a moment for his companion's statement to register.

"Yes, I wish there was something more distracting to do,'' he replied when he caught on to what Simon meant. Jory really wanted to tell Simon what was going on with him but what if he was judged? He couldn't help what he was feeling and he needed to talk to someone. "Simon?'' Huh? What was that, Jory? You sound like a whimp. "Simon?'' Good. That was much better. "Have you ever had feelings for one girl but then you realise you have feelings for another?'' Jory focused on walking along as he scrutinised things.

Simon was going to judge him now. He could feel it.

Simon nodded in agreement when Jory finally responded to his musing, the younger man clearly having gotten distracted by something but he wasn't going to push. It was the quiet moments you always had to be concerned about. The calm before the storm, or the point in time where the activity was merely hidden from those who were either unobservant or just out of reach of the truth.

Like potential cultist activity within the walls of the Ministry.

His own thoughts going in that direction, he didn't catch the quiet version of his name being called. The former auror only turning when it was repeated, louder this time. "Hmmm..." he mused before the question was raised before him. Now where did that come from? Was the other man getting cold feet?

"Can't say I have..." he finally answered after thinking about it. He had been over Kyle when he started liking Angelina...right?

SPOILER!!: This guy! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline

Simon nodded in agreement when Jory finally responded to his musing, the younger man clearly having gotten distracted by something but he wasn't going to push. It was the quiet moments you always had to be concerned about. The calm before the storm, or the point in time where the activity was merely hidden from those who were either unobservant or just out of reach of the truth.

Like potential cultist activity within the walls of the Ministry.

His own thoughts going in that direction, he didn't catch the quiet version of his name being called. The former auror only turning when it was repeated, louder this time. "Hmmm..." he mused before the question was raised before him. Now where did that come from? Was the other man getting cold feet?

"Can't say I have..." he finally answered after thinking about it. He had been over Kyle when he started liking Angelina...right?

Jory refused to look at Simon. No, it was not happening. He was far too afraid to do so. He could practically picture himself falling from grace in Simon's eyes. He expected that answer from the man. Angelina was lucky to have someone like him.

The younger man cleared his throat nervously. Simon was the only one he could confide in right now. "I still like Ronnie but lately... I've been feeling different. My best friend, Gwen, came back from France recently and well... I've started having more than best friend feelings for her. I'm confused right now about it.'' Jory took a chance to steal a look at Simon. Oh boy, he couldn't wait to see the expression on his face.

Ugh.

This ENTIRE building was in need of a major makeover. Tiffany decided that a LONG time ago. Only she had to makeover her own cubicle first, duh. And these things took time. Time and effort. Oh and an eye for beautiful things, which luckily Tiffany had.

So naturally something had to be done about these horrid corridors. They were so bland, even the portraits were falling asleep. So this morning when Tiffany arrived to work, she had a few HUGE bags in hand. Nothing new actually, she did this a lot. Only most of the time her bags were filled with things such as her noon outfit, mid afternoon outfit, just before closing outfit, and the walk home outfit. But today out of the goodness of her heart, she would sacrifice her outfit space to bring decorations.

So yes it would mean only sporting one outfit for the day (don't worry, she chose wisley), but it ALSO meant that she could only have one pair of shoes (the nude pumps).

Right after getting off the lift she traveled not too far down the corridor still in plain sight and began taking things out of the bags. A few artistic pictures of the city, a vintage looking map of the London Underground, and a picture of herself of course. She also had some other goodies hidden in the bag, but first she'd start with trying to hang up the poster-sized photos. Blown up for dramatic effect, obviously.

.... Was this straight enough or?

Lynley needed to see the minister... She was on her way to his office to bombard him with questions and such, about the legislation she was still working on with her department. They had a lot of stuff figured out, but what one of her employees, CJ, was it? had said...well it'd stuck with her. And so...here she was.

But she was mightily distracted by all the portraits here.

Walking more slowly, she glanced at the past ministers...hmm...so interesting. She'd love to hold a conversation with one of them, of course, but she merely read the names on the plates under the portraits, stopping at one or two as she went.

How very...interesting. Sherman's portrait would be along here....right? Hmm. Clipboard in hand, she thought how nice it would be to one day have a portrait here. But Lynley doubted her competency to run the entire ministry. Handling one department was enough work.

His break had been over a bit too fast for his liking but what could he do about? Become Minister himself and give longer breaks? A nice thought but also very laughable. He couldn't even handle his old classmates let alone a whole country.

Daichi quickened his pace as he walked through the corridor with the portraits of the old ministers. He knew that his department head was pretty laid back but he hated being late to something. But as he checked his watch he realised that he still had some minutes before he needed to get back to work.

As he looked up, he passed a woman looking at the portraits, stopped and looked back. Wasn't she the Department head from ..somewhere? He checked if he looked presentable like an employee for the minister's office should be and walked backwards. "Can i help you with something?" he asked