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sweetpinkpixie · #1 (**permalink**) 06-02-2021, 09:15 AM

Upon exiting the lifts, you are greeted by a clean, well-lit lobby with a contemporary design. To your right are bathrooms. Straight ahead is a security desk permanently occupied by two members of Ministry security. All visitors and employees must sign in here before proceeding to the reception area; if they are not cleared by security, there is no further access to this floor.

Further into the lobby is the large marble reception desk and a waiting area with a cluster of modern and traditional furniture. Feel free to take a seat, though be sure to check-in with the receptionist first as you will be directed to where you need to go or escorted to your destination if necessary. The lobby's handsomely paneled walls feature paintings from British wizards and Muggles, including the softly snoozing portraits of retired undersecretaries. Accents of blue, gray, and mahogany round out the room, along with pops of green from the fresh potted plants on each end table. While you wait, do not hesitate to hydrate! A narrow marble sideboard with a glass water dispenser and reusable, recyclable cups is located on the right-hand wall.

Behind the reception desk are two open doorways serving as the entry points to this level. The doorway on the left opens onto a long, wide corridor that runs from the Level One Security Desk to the Minister's Office, the Senior Undersecretary's Office, the break room, and several private offices. If you go through the doorway on the right, you will bypass these restricted work areas, and instead find yourself in the open floor plan of the main work areas, the Level One archives, and the conference and meeting rooms.

OOC: The receptionist is currently a witch named Alana Potter. Please do not RP for her, although the NPC security officers are fair game!

Bazinga · 03-01-2022, 06:28 PM

Today was one of those days were Alana wished something exciting would happen. She loved her job and more and more she was feeling like she belong there, but today, today was just a slower day and she found herself organizing the desk, organizing the memos, and then starting over and organizing again.

Getting up to refresh her coffee she found a memo on the floor that seemed to have fallen off. Looking it over she flied it where it needed to go and decided she would organize them once more to make sure they were all there. Setting her empty coffee mug aside she began this task.

Cassirin · 03-03-2022, 02:26 AM

Vivi clipped out of her office and almost took a paper airplane memo right to the eye. That... would have hurt terribly. Awfully and terribly. She might have lost the whole eye.

It made her feel a bit suspicious, in that moment, that someone was trying to impair her sense of sight so she couldn't keep the Minister safe. "Alana. Could we... Oh, let's start with hello."

Vivi dropped her elbows on the woman's work station and smiled gamely. "Hello. Can we ban pointy ends to memos, do you think? Who was that from? Was it suspicious? I feel like it might have been suspicious."

Bazinga · 03-04-2022, 04:38 PM

"Oh gosh, are you okay? I mean, Hello, but are you okay?" She wasn't sure if her boss was joking or not. She hadn't figured that sort of stuff out yet, but she worried so much about making a good impression to hide her lack of magic that she might have missed opportunities to read people better.

"Can, can we do that?" She wouldn't mind getting rid of them, but she wasn't sure that was a thing. "I could suggestion something new to the minister if you want." Unless she was joking the Alana smiled a little to seem as if she was joking too.

Lifting the memo she read it over, "Not suspicious, just a request for a meeting or something." She handed it over to boss lady so that she could see it.

Cassirin · 03-12-2022, 02:05 AM

"If anyone in this whole building can ban something like pointy murderous memos, it would be our office, right?" Vivi sighed and shoved back off the desk top. Didn't sound suspicious, but that was the best way to hide suspect behavior. Make it seem safe.

"Well. Set up the meeting for us. Is it for me, or for the Minister? We'll have to go through security protocols if it's for the Minister. I want all meeting in his office, so we can secure the floor before, during, and after the meeting. Any snacks or drinks have to be provided by us... I'll trust you with that task, but no one else. Have Kaiser assist." Vivi sighed again and tapped her fingernails on the desk.

"Maybe magical maintenance can set up a wind buffer that will drop messages into a basket by the lift. I really don't like those things flying around the office."

Bazinga · 03-18-2022, 08:07 PM

Sooo.... not joking, no, she didn't seem like she was joking at all. "I.. I guess we could, I mean if any department we should be able to. " They were in the same area as the minister and who would doubt the minister if he decided to change something or make something new. She moved around the papers on the desk to fidget more than anything else.

Her boss made her nervous and she could never figure out a way to stop feeling that anxiety when she was around. Alana was use to the feeling when she was around new people, but she usually got comfortable, but her boss was a different story.

Looking again at the note it seemed the meeting was for both and she nodded listening to the directions she was being given. "It is for you and the minister. I will reply asking for the meeting here and will get the snacks and things all set up." She bit her lip when her friend was mentioned, she was always glad when he was brought in to help. Now that was someone she felt comfortable with and he never really made her feel like she wasn't doing things wrong or that she didn't fit in, for that she was grateful.

"I like the idea of a basket and things. That would keep it more organized too. I feel like the memos just land where they want most of the time."

*Holmesian Feline* · 02-24-2023, 01:01 AM

This was it…his first day of work.

Noah had begged off of traveling with his dad, settling for advice on certain steps along the way. He had made it into the Ministry proper…gotten his wand weighed…and traveled on one of the lifts with a bunch of other early employees to get to the upper levels. He did have his father’s work ethic, having opted to arrive early to check things out. Like getting off at Level 1 by his lonesome and coming up to the security desk he had been warned about.

“Name and reason to be here?” asked the nearest security officer.

“Noah Bennett…” he stated, inwardly hoping the surname Bennett was common enough for the man not to raise any thoughts. “New personal assistant.”

The man looked to his list for the name and Noah did his best to stay patient as it seemed to be hard to find. Which was unusual given it usually popped up on top starting with B. “Sorry...I’m not seeing it.”

The nerves Noah had been feeling about starting something new were returning, wondering what was up and how to fix it…preferably without using certain connections. “Bennett with a B…starting today as a new employee,” he nudged, wondering if maybe the security man had somehow heard him wrong and looked for another name.

“Of course…like my boss.

Right…his boss. Which Noah knew of course. “Yes, like your boss,” he absently agreed without really thinking on it.

“Say…you wouldn’t happen to be connected to him?”

Dare he admit it? Noah supposed it was either that or go down a level to find him on the rare chance he wasn’t doing rounds in a million other places. The former Hufflepuff sighed resignedly and nodded. “He’s my father.”

“Found you…” the security man announced as he was looking at the sign in again like it suddenly appeared. The man handing over the clipboard for Noah to sign.

Cassirin · 02-25-2023, 03:07 AM

Genevieve James never moved slowly, and she generally didn't pause in her morning commute from the Atrium to the lift to her office. She didn't pause now, just slowing slightly to flick a her slick blonde ponytail off her shoulder and assess the situation. No real surprises here.

"Bennett? Pick up those feet and come with me. We walk while we talk around here or nothing gets done. You have your employment paperwork in already? All settled with the human resources witches? I'd rather waste my time now and get it done right then waste it later because you forgot to do it."

*Holmesian Feline* · 02-25-2023, 03:31 AM

Just as he had handed over the clipboard with his sign in, Noah heard his surname and turned. Mrs. James. The personal assistant would have recognized his boss just from his father’s description if she hadn’t caught him off guard and beat him to it with her command of the moment. He supposed he might have to follow the MLE instructions of constant vigilance around the trained auror.

“Yes ma’am,” he confirmed her questioning tone. He mentally ran through the paperwork she mentioned before nodding and moving to follow her as directed. “All taken care off.”

Cassirin · 02-26-2023, 12:58 AM

"Excellent. I'm Genevieve James. You can call me Ms. James or just James, or I suppose you can call me ma'am. We'll work up to nicknames, but let's start formal and see where we land." Vivi paused near the receptionist's desk. Even with walking and talking happening, this was a moment they probably needed to do up right.

She thrust a hand at him, offering a shake. "It's good to have you on board. I need you to understand that our primary business up here is just making the Minister happy and keeping him safe. We keep him moving, and that keeps the whole building moving. His safety is more important than any of our comfort, so if you feel like I'm ever harsh or demanding, just remember that he's the boss. Not you, not me. Got it?"

*Holmesian Feline* · 02-26-2023, 04:02 AM

Noah simply nodded as he listened to her introduce herself properly, giving the choices of address. He almost regretted the ma’am but at least she wasn’t annoyed with him for choosing it off the bat. Ms. James he supposed it would be as it was the way that seemed most natural to him. And gathering from how she had greeted him from the get-go, the surname was her choice. Just as long as he and his dad weren’t both in the same place at the same time. Which given the elder Bennett’s multiple roles with the ministry was entirely possible.

“It’s good to be on board,” he returned as he accepted the hand and the shake. Maybe just maybe he’d feel more comfortable here than trying to absently navigate university with no clear path. As for her further words, the personal assistant definitely understood what she was saying. “Of course,” he remarked in agreement. For the safety and happiness of the minister. With or without him practically considered his third grandfather.

sweetpinkpixie · 03-26-2023, 02:38 PM

It did not take much to keep one Charles Hollingberry happy, so in that regard he made that job quite easy and practically effortless. Though he did suspect that his poignant firecracker of a Senior Undersecretary would have a few pepper imps to spit when it came to the ease (or lack there of) of keeping him safe. She had been tough as leather with him since the war and his subsequent hospitalization, but all water under the bridge now, surely! He did not even require the assistance of his lion headed cane all the time, just on occasion. Typically Thursdays.

Charles has always preferred Sundays, in case anyone was curious.

Strolling out from his office with a couple of scrolls tucked under his arm and his glasses perched on the bridge of his nose while he read over the contents of yet another scroll he was meant to sign, the Minister smiled mostly to himself when he heard dear sweet Genevieve offering her porcupine guidance to a certain delightful young man.

"A spot of tea accompanied by some gingersnaps with good company would be delightful right about now, wouldn't you say?" he mused without lifting his gaze from the diplomacy in his hands. He dearly needed to brush up on his Mermish again.

Cassirin · 03-29-2023, 01:19 AM

"Happy to oblige, sir," Vivi immediately stood to attention, even though that was precisely the sort of thing that would make Charles chuckle and roll his eyes in exasperation. It wasn't that she didn't like him or hadn't warmed to him after all this time. It was just that one had to retain some professional distance or else people DIED.

"Bennett here was just being warmed up to the task of pretasting your tea from now on. I've added it to the job description. Just one cup per pot, because Merlin knows HR will come down on me if I make people alternate sips with you." Again.

*Holmesian Feline* · 03-29-2023, 01:58 AM

Now of course said minister would make his appearance at that moment. Adding a touch of softness to the intensity of his immediate superior. The jump to attention Ms. James did nearly caused him to raise an eyebrow. Noah had been mentally comparing her tone and actions to his father and while he could be…on guard…that wasn’t something he fully expected from him. Though nowadays being that stiff would likely make the auror-turned-security man live to regret it after his own injuries he had had to recover from.

Pretesting the man’s tea…interesting.

Even if it hadn’t already been something they had been talking about really. “Suppose it’s a good thing enjoying a cup of tea was something instilled in me.” He was warned that was likely a good thing unless you enjoyed runs to the nearest café given what some people made in the ministry and named coffee. And to be careful around the cafeteria.

sweetpinkpixie · 04-10-2023, 03:05 PM

Oh dear sweet brutally diligent Genevieve. He did appreciated her dedication as much as he appreciated her wit, which was to say he appreciated it all on the same level as he did yogurt covered raisins. Her humor was another lovely quality and her sudden jolt to attention like a suit of armour was one of those colorful displays. There was no roll of the eyes, but the Minister did chuckle and pat her upon the shoulder thrice. "I think my
daughter refreshed the cookie jar last she visited..."

"I see, well, in that case...I hope Mr. Bennett also enjoys his tea with two sugars. I do presume you want those inspected as well," Charles hummed as he slowly moved towards the reception desk, thought not before offering the young personal assistant a cherry picking wink and plucked from it a couple of memos that were laid out. "Oh, and I have been prescribed to try and utilize a dash of oat milk rather than cream for my tea."

Cassirin · 04-24-2023, 01:22 AM

"Oat milk is disgusting. Sir." Vivi alternated her scowls for Charles, who was really going to make her buy oat milk for the coffee cart? and Bennett, who didn't seem to be taking this very seriously at all. He could at least be a bit sweaty about it like a good little minion.

"And I'm going to sample the cookies... I mean pretaste the cookies... by myself. I write the protocols, so I get the cookies." Honestly, these men brought out the worst in her. Where was anyone's dignity?

*Holmesian Feline* · 04-26-2023, 12:42 AM

That was it…he was in the midst of a round of banter between the other two, there clearly a high level of familiarity between them which Noah totally understood. And the minister knew just how to get his senior undersecretary to stand down. Cookies. Which the young man easily put together as the product of the infamous cookie-baking Kurumi that his father told him about. So, he could understand the tactic as it was being used given how good they were supposed to be. Ms. James can have them…for now. But he should certainly be allowed to try one at some point, even if he had to sneak it later.

As for the tea, he could handle the sugars, even if honey was his preferred sweetener in his tea most of the time. But oat milk…oat milk was a new thing. Something Noah wasn’t sure what to make of, though judging by his immediate boss’ reaction, it wasn’t the best addition to a mug of tea. At least from her perspective. The personal assistant swallowed and looked between the two of them trying to think of how to respond in this situation. The whole finding a balance between doing his duty of keeping the minister happy and keeping the minister safe.

Where did oak milk fall?

sweetpinkpixie · 05-07-2023, 02:11 AM

Charles couldn't quite help himself and clutched his chest at Genevieve's blasphemy. And, for the record, he could purchase his own oat milk for the cart and was certain that their vegan co-workers would appreciate the option for their morning, afternoon, and evening brews. "You should not say such hurtful things. You will elicit a tear or two one of these days. I am only trying to do my part for the environment. You also should not make such faces, my dear. Save it for the interrogations," he hummed while giving her a couple of ginger pats upon her shoulder.

"Sample and pretaste to both your heart's content. I imagine she will be along again soon enough to replenish the jar. I've put in a request for some absolutely divine Oatmeal Chocolate-Chip Peanut-Butter Banana Breakfast Cookies."

badger_boy_93 · 04-28-2025, 11:31 PM

Damocles stepped off the lifts and took a look around. He saw a fancy reception desk a few feet away and approached it. He suddenly got a bit nervous, but he held himself steady and decided to project confidence. As he approached the counter at the reception desk, he said "Good Morning. My name is Damocles Cadwallader. I'd like to talk with the Minister or the Under Secretary, if they are available." He then took half a step back and waited for a reply.

sweetpinkpixie · 04-30-2025, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badger_boy_93

Damocles stepped off the lifts and took a look around. He saw a fancy reception desk a few feet away and approached it. He suddenly got a bit nervous, but he held himself steady and decided to project confidence. As he approached the counter at the reception desk, he said "Good Morning. My name is Damocles Cadwallader. I'd like to talk with the Minister or the Under Secretary, if they are available." He then took half a step back and waited for a reply.

A loud, sudden sneeze echoed from somewhere just behind the reception desk, followed by a startled clatter—like someone had dropped something soft and peculiar.

"Bless me sideways," came a familiar voice, muffled at first, then clearer as a tall figure rounded the corner from the corridor just off from the breakroom. Minister Charles Hollingberry emerged with a tartan teapot cozy draped like a hat over his head and a small potted shrub in one arm—a bonsai, to be exact, balanced a touch precariously on a ceramic saucer shaped like a flower. The cozy would have been in his other hand were it not occupied by his lion head cane ― his knees were having a bad day which meant his appointment at Mungo's this evening was bound to be an unpleasant one.

His eyes landed on the young man at reception, blinking behind round spectacles. "Were you talking about me just now? I sneezed, you see—bit of an old superstition, that. Means someone’s chatting about you, and lo! Here you are!"

He gently set the bonsai down on the reception counter, carefully brushing a stray bit of moss from its base. "You're in luck, young man. The Undersecretary is buried under a paper mountain today, but the Minister," he puffed up a little theatrically, "is gloriously free. Or as free as a man can be when he’s got three policy meetings, one staff birthday to remember, and a suspiciously ticking tea kettle in his office." He held out a hand, warm and callused. "Charles Hollingberry. A pleasure. I’ve got just the biscuits for a good chat if you have the time and you’re partial to oat and ginger."

badger_boy_93 · 04-30-2025, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

A loud, sudden sneeze echoed from somewhere just behind the reception desk, followed by a startled clatter—like someone had dropped something soft and peculiar.

"Bless me sideways," came a familiar voice, muffled at first, then clearer as a tall figure rounded the corner from the corridor just off from the breakroom. Minister Charles Hollingberry emerged with a tartan teapot cozy draped like a hat over his head and a small potted shrub in one arm—a bonsai, to be exact, balanced a touch precariously on a ceramic saucer shaped like a flower. The cozy would have been in his other hand were it not occupied by his lion head cane ― his knees were having a bad day which meant his appointment at Mungo's this evening was bound to be an unpleasant one.

His eyes landed on the young man at reception, blinking behind round spectacles. "Were you talking about me just now? I sneezed, you see—bit of an old superstition, that. Means someone’s chatting about you, and lo! Here you are!"

He gently set the bonsai down on the reception counter, carefully brushing a stray bit of moss from its base. "You're in luck, young man. The Undersecretary is buried under a paper mountain today, but the Minister," he puffed up a little theatrically, "is gloriously free. Or as free as a man can be when he’s got three policy meetings, one staff birthday to remember, and a suspiciously ticking tea kettle in his office." He held out a hand, warm and callused. "Charles Hollingberry. A pleasure. I’ve got just the biscuits for a good chat if you have the time and you’re partial to oat and ginger."

Damocles just stared at the man for a few brief moments. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to meet the MINISTER OF MAGIC almost immediately after entering the ministry. He had sort of been counting on encountering an underling first, or at the very least the Under Secretary. This would have given him ample opportunity to rehearse what he wanted to say before engaging in conversation with the most powerful man in the whole country. But caution and shyness be damned. This is what Damocles was good at: working under pressure. “Hello Minister” he said firmly, stretching out his hand to shake the Minister’s own. “My name is Damocles Cadwallader. And of course I would fancy come biscuits….and a touch of conversation with you. Where would you like to go for our chat and for those delicious sounding oat and ginger biscuits? ”

sweetpinkpixie · 05-01-2025, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badger_boy_93

Damocles just stared at the man for a few brief moments. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to meet the MINISTER OF MAGIC almost immediately after entering the ministry. He had sort of been counting on encountering an underling first, or at the very least the Under Secretary. This would have given him ample opportunity to rehearse what he wanted to say before engaging in conversation with the most powerful man in the whole country. But caution and shyness be damned. This is what Damocles was good at: working under pressure. “Hello Minister” he said firmly, stretching out his hand to shake the Minister’s own. “My name is Damocles Cadwallader. And of course I would fancy come biscuits….and a touch of conversation with you. Where would you like to go for our chat and for those delicious sounding oat and ginger biscuits? ”

Charles blinked once, then twice, in surprise—not just at the firm handshake, but at the entire boldness of the introduction. He could admire someone who leapt headfirst into a conversation, even if it bordered on pushy—confidence, when wielded with sincerity, had its own kind of charm. It reminded him, not unkindly, of his eldest, Ryu. Young, determined, and utterly unshakable when he set his mind to something, Charles still remembered the carefully prepared presentation he had delivered—complete with charts, citations, and a compelling (if slightly dramatic) conclusion—arguing for an education at Hogwarts and a life beyond the borders of Japan. It had been bold, heartfelt, and entirely impossible to refuse ― even for Yukie who had initially been against them receiving any wizarding education at all. This moment, unexpected as it was, carried a whisper of that same energy.

"Mr. Damocles Cadwallader," he repeated thoughtfully, still shaking the man’s hand, his tone a mix of curiosity and amusement. "Merlin’s beard, you don’t waste time." He could admire someone who dove straight into conversation, even if it skirted the edge of forward—it took a certain bravery to skip the preamble, and Charles had always had a soft spot for bravery. He also had a soft spot for preamble and small talk, but that likely came with a certain proficiency for filling silence. "Conference room is likely best," Charles said with an affable nod, adjusting his grip on the delicate bonsai pot as the saucer beneath it wobbled slightly. The ticking teapot in his office was a bit maddening at the moment, ears positively ringing. "It’s... quieter, and I’ll swing back around with the oat and ginger biscuits from the break room and fetch a kettle while I’m at it." The tartan teapot cozy slid askew on his head as he turned, making him look rather like a garden gnome in ceremonial headwear ― perhaps not too unlike one of those on display at Noltie's last time he passed by there. "Shall we then, Mr. Cadwallader?"

He moved with the lion-head cane tapping rhythmically with each step, remarkably not even slightly bothered by the odd assortment of items in his possession — if anything, he seemed quite at ease, as though there were nothing at all unusual about conducting official business with a potted shrub and a cozy balanced on his person.

badger_boy_93 · 05-01-2025, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Charles blinked once, then twice, in surprise—not just at the firm handshake, but at the entire boldness of the introduction. He could admire someone who leapt headfirst into a conversation, even if it bordered on pushy—confidence, when wielded with sincerity, had its own kind of charm. It reminded him, not unkindly, of his eldest, Ryu. Young, determined, and utterly unshakable when he set his mind to something, Charles still remembered the carefully prepared presentation he had delivered—complete with charts, citations, and a compelling (if slightly dramatic) conclusion—arguing for an education at Hogwarts and a life beyond the borders of Japan. It had been bold, heartfelt, and entirely impossible to refuse ― even for Yukie who had initially been against them receiving any wizarding education at all. This moment, unexpected as it was, carried a whisper of that same energy.

"Mr. Damocles Cadwallader," he repeated thoughtfully, still shaking the man’s hand, his tone a mix of curiosity and amusement. "Merlin’s beard, you don’t waste time." He could admire someone who dove straight into conversation, even if it skirted the edge of forward—it took a certain bravery to skip the preamble, and Charles had always had a soft spot for bravery. He also had a soft spot for preamble and small talk, but that likely came with a certain proficiency for filling silence. "Conference room is likely best," Charles said with an affable nod, adjusting his grip on the delicate bonsai pot as the saucer beneath it wobbled slightly. The ticking teapot in his office was a bit maddening at the moment, ears positively ringing. "It’s... quieter, and I’ll swing back around with the oat and ginger biscuits from the break room and fetch a kettle while I’m at it." The tartan teapot cozy slid askew on his head as he turned, making him look rather like a garden gnome in ceremonial headwear ― perhaps not too unlike one of those on display at Noltie's last time he passed by there. "Shall we then, Mr. Cadwallader?"

He moved with the lion-head cane tapping rhythmically with each step, remarkably not even slightly bothered by the odd assortment of items in his possession — if anything, he seemed quite at ease, as though there were nothing at all unusual about conducting official business with a potted shrub and a cozy balanced on his person.

“Yes Minister. It would be my pleasure. I shall wait for you in the Conference Room then, shall I?” Damocles said politely. He was certainly aware that he may have come off a tiny bit forward in his introduction. But he had always hated holding conversations while standing. He found that extremely awkward. He always preferred a desk or table between them. It created a physical buffer that mirrored the personal distance that exists between strangers.

Damocles then made his way to conference room, reviewing the specifics of the request he was about to make.

sweetpinkpixie · 05-04-2025, 11:39 PM

Charles watched the man stride away with the crisp purpose of someone convinced the world was just waiting for them to deliver its next great idea. He lingered in the lobby for a moment, the bonsai now settled in the crook of one arm, saucer wobbling slightly with each breath. "Well then," he murmured with a twinkle in his eye, adjusting the tartan cozy that had begun to droop over one ear. "Bit like a lad on the first day of term then isn't he? Nerves hidden beneath quite a bit of protocol." He gave a soft chuckle, almost entirely to himself, then turned back in the direction of the break room. "Oat and ginger, Charles, don’t forget," he reminded aloud, one finger raised like a professor reinforcing a vital lesson. "Can’t be sitting down to hear someone’s great pitch on an empty stomach—mine or his. Tea without a biscuit’s no way to treat a guest."

With a final amused glance at the empty space where Cadwallader had vanished, he adjusted the bonsai under his arm, patted his coat pocket for the third time that morning, and resumed his way back toward the break room, cozy still perched like a crown, entirely unbothered by the odd little procession of items that had somehow become his signature for the day. Though he did think he would be leaving the bonsai in the break room seeing as the space could use a bit of greenery to spruce it up a bit.

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