The Atrium Lifts are constantly in motion as they are the only lifts that are used by every member of the Ministry and all visitors, even on the slowest of days you'll be hard pressed to find an empty lift. These lifts will take you to any level in the Ministry with the exception of level ten. You'll have to hop off the lifts and take the stairs to reach the courtrooms. Keep in mind that the lifts move diagonally, horizontally, and a few other directions as well as vertically, so you'll need to hang on when riding.

With no benches in the vicinity, there are more wizards and witches than usual propped up against the walls and standing around waiting for a lift, along with extra prattle. Be careful when stepping on (or off) the lifts, and make sure to press the button that leads to your destined level, else you'll find yourself heading to the wrong department.

Usually Victoria struggled for room near the lifts, but being that she was there super early, she had plenty of room and time. Looking around she knew the area got a lot of traffic, which made it a good place for a poster or even some flyers. She stopped to think about the flyer part. Was there really anywhere to put them? She just wasn't sure.

Walking lightly around she tried to find the best place for a poster. Maybe just inside the lift or even just outside? Maybe one for each. That should get her face out there, now shouldn't it? She moved to stick the posters and then got on the lift to head to her department.

SPOILER!!: Sabel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani

Three? And twins none-the-less. Golly they were growing old. Sabel laughed at the strangeness of it all. Looking back on where they had been and where they were now, it felt like looking at two different lives of different people. Perhaps in some ways, it was.

He grinned at his friend. A time. A good time. A hard time with lots of struggles, but they were here now because of it. Hopefully stronger and smarter. Time be the judge of that. And perhaps Emily Browne.

Sabel made a motion forward for Simon to lead the way, falling in step beside his friend. "Just like old times." Or almost, given the whole kid and age thing. "It'll be good to get reacquainted with this place." He didn't want to say 'a-tour-so-he-wouldn't-get-lost' but that's what it felt like he needed.

His attention trailed over the poster in the atrium for a moment as he worried his bottom lip in thought. "Well, about you and how you are doing." He glanced over at his old flatmate. "Sorry I haven't done well keeping in touch. The work I was doing didn't allow for much time, and any detailed correspondence was...always a bit risky." The nature of the business he supposed.

"And about whatever is going on here," he motioned to the poster, "and with that prosecutor that's giving you trouble."

So in short, Simon Bennett, everything. Everything and anything that the Auror was willing to divulge.

Simon was joined in on the laughter as Sabel seemed to be trying to process what he had told him. He could only imaging if he had told of Carter and Destiny, another fellow Gryffindor and his school sweetheart with their own family. Probably freak him out even more in the long run. Plenty of time for that, as well as the reminiscing of memories.

For now they were moving on and the younger auror seemed to be unknowingly charged with breaking him in to the thick of things once more. At Sabel's motion, Simon obediently took off to lead his friend upstairs, noticing as soon as the older auror fell into step beside him. "Mhmm...just like." Back when Sabel was the senior, more experienced of the team and he was the junior. Nowadays he himself tended to be the senior of a given duo.

He paused in step as they waited for the next free car, waving off his friend's appology. Of all people, he understood that it had to have been hard, what with the nature of their job. "Well I have a girlfriend...named Angelina," Simon said, figuring to start out with the personal information. To prove he wasn't totally slacking in the significant other department. "We've been together for little over two years," he added as he stepped inside the lift, waiting for Sabel before allowing it to close.

As for the ministry... "With elections coming, issues have been raised and security is one of them. Most don't seem that down on it, but a couple have tried to cause trouble." Including said former prosecutor.

Falling into step beside Simon was like falling back into old shoes. Although he had still been an active Auror on his distant assignments, his role and mindset had been slightly different than it had been in London, altered to accommodate each unique situation. The return to that familiar set of habits came as naturally as taking his next breath. While his outer posture remained calm and relaxed, every nerve and sense was high strung on end, taking in and processing as much as was humanly possible.

A good deal of that attention remained on Simon however, eager to hear what news he had to give. To hear how his friend had been doing. Skimpy letters only went so far, and Sabel was relieved when his friend waved off the concern over their lacking content and inquiry.

His grin broadened at the first news that he was given. "That's great news, Simon!" He stepped into the car beside his friend. It was about time that his friend got some good coming to him. The young man deserved it. Deserved the best. "It must be getting pretty serious then?"

He arched a curious eyebrow at his friend. Marriage? Ring? That type of serious?

The eyebrow dropped into a furrowed frown at the news about the ministry. Folding his arms, Sabel leaned back against the wall of the car, unimpressed. "Really? Do they not remember it was the MLE that was largely responsible for saving the entire ministry's hide from the likes of the Cult?" He knew there were other instances too, other reasons, but he hadn't been around for them. "What would they prefer? Replacing us with Dementors?"

SPOILER!!: Dakest

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani

Falling into step beside Simon was like falling back into old shoes. Although he had still been an active Auror on his distant assignments, his role and mindset had been slightly different than it had been in London, altered to accommodate each unique situation. The return to that familiar set of habits came as naturally as taking his next breath. While his outer posture remained calm and relaxed, every nerve and sense was high strung on end, taking in and processing as much as was humanly possible.

A good deal of that attention remained on Simon however, eager to hear what news he had to give. To hear how his friend had been doing. Skimpy letters only went so far, and Sabel was relieved when his friend waved off the concern over their lacking content and inquiry.

His grin broadened at the first news that he was given. "That's great news, Simon!" He stepped into the car beside his friend. It was about time that his friend got some good coming to him. The young man deserved it. Deserved the best. "It must be getting pretty serious then?"

He arched a curious eyebrow at his friend. Marriage? Ring? That type of serious?

The eyebrow dropped into a furrowed frown at the news about the ministry. Folding his arms, Sabel leaned back against the wall of the car, unimpressed. "Really? Do they not remember it was the MLE that was largely responsible for saving the entire ministry's hide from the likes of the Cult?" He knew there were other instances too, other reasons, but he hadn't been around for them. "What would they prefer? Replacing us with Dementors?"

Admittedly Simon was usually on his own when he did rounds around the ministry. They had full trained security officers but not enough to stretch themselves that much. Not that he minded it because it allowed him to see things for himself and not distract him. Sabel's presence however didn't make much difference and not because his friend was bad company. On the contrary, his fellow auror was a good match and reminded him of the past as he let his ears listen to him while his gaze was ready to be focused on his surroundings.

Simon returned the grin sent his way with one his own, nodding in unspoken agreement. Yes, though of his girlfriend did bring a smile to his face. "I suppose so..." he mused, the question and the raised eyebrow making him wonder the implications. Regardless, he hadn't been able to broach the subject of them moving ahead another step to become more serious. The part about Angelina moving in with him or them both going to another place. The auror would feel safer with her near him especially if the case ever developed where his work became dangerous for her.

And then the topic turned to work and the troubles he had touched on. "Apparently not," he remarked with a sigh. "Not quite as drastic. But Roxanne for one felt she had better ways to train us all. When really I believe she's still upset with Emily beating her out for the department head position." It made perfect sense when she left the department not too long after, didn't seem satisfied as Environment head, moved on to MLE in France and seemingly always had a chip on her shoulder for the former auror and everything she represented.

That eyebrow that Sabel had arched went up even further at Simon's half-hearted admittance. Oh no, Bennett. There was no way he was getting off that easy. If Simon didn't think Sabel could see the wheels turning, grinding and nearly smoking, then he had another thing coming. He wouldn't push or force his way into getting details, but that didn't mean he was adverse to prodding.

But that ministry business, the politics and the none-sense of it all. That got an irate huff of air from him. "None of us have died yet, so seems like training is going just fine." Peachy keen. Why did ministers and pre-ministers think it wise to stick their noses in trying to dictate how security issues were run? If they thought they knew how to do better, then perhaps they should have considered alternate career pathways. Or, in this woman's case, tried again later or found other ways to contribute. "Personal vendetta's have no place in politics."

He idly wondered if they could make that an enforceable security rule. There were ways to make it work.

Glancing over at Simon, he let out a slow breath. All that being said, the issue was nothing he should be getting worked up about. It sounded like as frustrating as things were, they were relatively under control. Until they proved otherwise, or his help was needed, it wasn't worth going on a tirade about. Tilting his head back, he watched the numbers on the lift change.

"So...this serious business?" A small smile touched the corners of his lips. "If you need any advice or support or anything .... " You know. He was here. Actually here, and would help if Simon needed anything.

Weaving her way in and out of people, Pem held on tight to the young dwarf Alberta Spruce tree in a blue pot protective as a mother is with her child. She arrived at a lift just in time to get the lift doors shut in her face. "Every single time, this happens." Pem muttered to herself.

Standing there with her baby tree Pem tapped her foot and let out a sigh. She was running late but not really she just felt like she was late.

Nadia let out a accidental loud yawn. She didn't know why she hadn't been getting any sleep lately. She went to bed the same time every single day and woke up at the same time. Maybe something was bugging her. Maybe it was just because she wanted to spend time with her three children but they were out living their life. They were old enough to do that! Besides in nearly two months she would be fifty year old and she wasn't ready for that yet.

Nadia looked around in lift and saw a woman just making it in the lift. She smiled at her and went back to her thoughts for a moment or two

Out of the corner of her eye Pem saw a woman yawn. Instinctively her mouth opened in her own yawn. Normally she didn't feel very tired but yawning somehow made her want her bed more than normal.

Shifting her baby tree to the other arm Pem dug around in her purse. The woman looked lost in thought and Pem always enjoyed a piece of chocolate when she was lost in thought. "Chocolate?" She offered with a smile. Pem wasn't always that adept at interacting with other human beings but she made a good try most of the time. Sometimes the chocolate was where the interaction would stop but they were in a lift for a bit so it wouldn't be that awkward if that was the case.

Besides, there were thousands of employees at the Ministry. Pem could always hide away at her desk if needed.

She needed to remember that she was going to be having a family dinner with her three children soon. Well if Zeppelin would reply to her letters that is. She had a feeling that Zep was ignoring her. She really hoped that, that wasn't the case. Nadia didn't even know what the heck she was going to be doing today. She didn't know if it was going to be a slow day or a long, busy day. Nadia looked over that the woman that was said something to her. She was so lost in her thoughts and her exhaustion that she didn't know what the woman had said. "I'm sorry, I got lost in my thoughts. What did you say?" Nadia asked her.

Pem smiled at the woman. "Would you like some chocolate?" Pem offered the small wrapped treat to the woman in her open palm. "I find it helps on stressful days." Pem added on lightly. The woman looked like she was stressing about something, maybe a big project she was getting ready to go work on. "I'm Pem, by the way. Plant girl who likes to give out chocolate." Pem laughed at herself, and the title she gave herself. This was the most she had talked to a single person that wasn't on her department floor; she was making progress, finally.

Hazel was hungry, so hungry in fact that her brain wasn’t focusing on counting up the inventory or on the end of her calculation for a potential new serum that she was rather excited about… but right now she was just worried about putting the wrong ingredients in the work-in-progress potion that was simmering away on her desk.

Sighing, she ran a hand through her hair as she made her way into one of the lifts to go up to get lunch; that and to see if she could maybe find five minutes with her wife… that would be nice. However when the lift got to the atrium, the lift opens and an inter-department memo flew in for her. With a frown on her face, she read the page faster and faster, her heart skipping out of her chest as she got to the bottom of Mammy’s scribbled writing.

What had happened?

Oh my god. When the lift got to level Seven, she cancelled her request for Accidents and Catastrophes and went back down to level nine to talk to Jasper. ”Mr Mitterbill? Jasper?” She said, hoping somehow that he would hear her and save her the time of having to find him. Come on Uncle Jasper... hear me...

Pem straightened her blazer and brushed dirt from the front of it that wasn't actually there. She sighed as she took a place near the rear of the lift as it loaded up with people. Something didn't feel right today but she couldn't tell what it was and there wasn't anything that was stopping her from continuing her day so there she was with coffee in hand ready to get to work.

I need to go visit Gabby. Pem thought to herself. Gabby usually was able to help her understand what was bothering her deep down even though she didn't know it. Another sigh. It was going to be a long day.

Since there wasn't much for her to do at the moment, Gabby had decided to head over to the greenhouses so that she could see Archer. As he was the Head Botanist she wouldn't get into trouble for doing that. She hadn't yet and she wouldn't in the future either because he was the one in charge. It was very attractive.

Pushing the button for the elevator with her knuckle she made a face. Touching communal things always made her internally shudder. Despite taking measures to keep herself away from germs there was only so much that a person could do. It wasn't being a germaphobe, it was being hygienic; there was a difference though not everyone understood it - or bothered washing their hands. How revolting people could be.

Tapping her feet, she waited for the doors to open. When they did a million years later she was pleasantly surprised to see Pem inside. "Hey! Heading anywhere in particular?" she asked while hoping that they could have a chance to catch up at least a little. It wasn't as if she couldn't see Archer a little later or anything.

As if on cue, Gabby's face appeared in the opening of the lift. "I was just heading to my cubicle." Pem told her. as she moved to make room for Gabby beside her in the lift. "Need to fill out some more paperwork on the field work I did the other day." She added on with a sigh, her job at the ministry was decent but things felt off and she didn't enjoy it as much as before.

Stifling a yawn the best she could, Pem poked Gabby in the arm. "Where you headed to?" She asked. "To visit Archer, perhaps?" Pem lowered her voice to a whisper and shot her friend a smile.

Ah, of course. For a moment Gabby had thought that her friend had been planning on having a visit. Work was work, however. Everyone had to get it done. She herself had just finished a bunch of stuff and that was why she had planned to go down and see her boyfriend in the greenhouses. "Maybe when you are done that we can do something together." Sounded mighty boring in her opinion, but Pem was a good employee and kept on top of things; that was something that Gabby approved of.

She shook her head in amusement as her arm was poked. "You never miss a beat, do you?" Then again it didn't take a genius to work that out..

Pem sighed again. "I got three hours of sleep last night. Jase still wants to expand the farm even though we're in the middle of starting this summer camp thing he wants to do." Closing her eyes Pem exhaled a deep breath and tried to calm herself. She lowered her voice so that only Gabby could hear her. "Apparently, my full time job at the Ministry means nothing. I spend ten or more hours working and then go home to work some more." Pem rolled her eyes.

"Am I overreacting to this?" Pem asked Gabby with another sigh. She had been doing a lot of that.

Pem's face lit up for a moment with a smile. "Well, you know you have said such good things about him...I know it's not just me and my not-so-secret chocolate stash that makes you want to come to level four." Pem laughed.

Oh gosh.

Jase again.

Gabby frowned as she adjusted the strap of her purse and pushed the button to take them to level four. "Why on earth would he want to do THAT?!" Sometimes she didn't get men. She also didn't get why anyone would want to live on a farm, but she was holding her tongue on the matter because of Pem. So long as she didn't have to go near disgusting farm animals she was all good. "That's ridiculous. I hope you set him straight on that matter." Working at the Ministry was a serious thing and not something to take lightly. This was absolutely insane.

"You definitely aren't. I would have done the same thing." Strike that; she would have done WORSE. "Do you want to try out those relaxation pod things? I was just checking them out." They might do the trick. Honestly Gabby didn't REALLY need them at the moment because her life was amazing, but she had heard about them and wanted to see what the fuss was all about.

Of course Gabby had been saying good things about Archer. Pem was right about that. There was nothing but great things to say about him because he was amazing. "Well, maybe I like the occasional chocolate as well," she joked with a laugh. She really enjoyed spending time with Pem; she was her closest friend.

Pem let out a huff. "I have no idea. He said something about "wanting to leave a family legacy other than the old family real estate" and something about his grandparents. I think he's trying to rebel." Pem shrugged her shoulders. Whatever was going on with her husband Pem was trying to be supportive but at this point it was starting to affect their marriage a teeny bit.

"I mean, I love the farm and I absolutely love the idea of opening a summer camp and I would love nothing more than to just quit the Ministry and stay at the farm...but I promised dad that I would settle down and try the Ministry and I love it here." Pem spoke all at once, rushing her words like maybe it would be her last chance to speak her peace. "I just can't give the last five plus years up just like that." Pem snapped her fingers to make a point.

Pem nodded her head. Relaxation pods sounded fantastic. "Do you think we could smuggle one home?" She laughed.

It wasn't nice to see her best friend go through stuff like this. Gabby was slightly worried by how stressed Pem seemed to be. "Are things going okay between you two?" Sounded like they weren't and sometimes it was best to talk about it with someone else. Usually she didn't really care about other people's personal lives but she did when they were important to her.

No comment on that working on a farm bit because Gabby didn't want to offend her friend, but mentally she was making a face at the idea. No matter how disgusting London was she would choose to live there over a farm any day of the week. Archer had a place in the city, so living here could very well become a reality if something came up. Hopefully not because she loved the way that they were living and didn't want to have to give it up to settle into a house. "Does Jase not understand that?" It sounded as if he was being rather selfish.

She laughed at the joke. "Well, we could try to smuggle one out for you." Obviously that was a joke.

Today was one of those days where every single little thing annoyed the heck out of Angelica. Never mind that was most days, but today was certainly one of those days too.

The 50-odd year-old woman walked from the marble fireplaces of Floo Network towards the lifts with a look that seemed like she had dragon dung being held right under her nose. They day had barely started and she was already done.

Standing tall in front of a lift door that was shut, Angelica crossed her arms over her chest and shifted the weight of her body to her right leg as she waited for the lift to arrive.

However, once the lift arrived, the woman, who was first in line, didn't move.

Not even a muscle.

Olly usually took the stairs. Mostly because she hated being locked in a small space with strangers. Or anyone really. It was NOT something she enjoyed, especially since the first few times she'd tried, people had sometimes wanted to make smalltalk with her.

That's when she avoided the lifts like the plague.

Unless she was in a hurry to get somewhere. Which was the case today. Olly was late. And luckily so far there had only been one other person with her in the lift, a man who looked vaguely familiar but who was very busy reading a file. So far, so good. Now she just had to-

....................

Seriously?!

"Excuse me!" Olly had learned that manners were one of the most important things around here but it was moments like this one where keeping her tone polite was DIFFICULT. Some would call it impossible even. So there was definitely a hint of annoyance in her voice as she tried to step out of the lift.

Angelica was still looking towards the lift door that was now open, arms crossed over her chest and body weight fully on her right leg. Her stare was blank, however, and she was still not moving, even after someone spoke to her.

She wasn't exactly a big person, but she wasn't petite either. Her standing where she was would definitely block people's way if they wanted to get in or out of the lift. The chronologist also had places to go and work to get done, and yet, she still did not move.

Suddenly, Angelica raised her right hand with a mighty force as if to stop the lift from leaving without her, accidentally smacking the person who was trying to get past. She blinked repeatedly and looked a bit like a deer in headlights for a second or two.

What the-

Since the woman had not moved - or even REACTED in any way - Olly had taken it upon herself to try and get past her anyway. She wasn't beneath politely shoving her out of the way, either. Honestly, she had somewhere to go and it wasn't her fault that the woman seemed to be a little out of it.

None of that came to be, however, since instead she was...basically slapped."Hey!" Despite now years of practicing good manners and generally being polite to other Ministry employees (no matter if they deserved it or not), Olly definitely forgot all about that right then and glared at the woman. If she hadn't been at least somewhat aware of WHERE they were, she would have had some nice choice words for her as well.

"What's your problem?!" Did she know her?! Had she done that on purpose?!

"Ow!" Angelica finally exclaimed, shaking the hand that had slapped someone since it had hurt her as well. There was no apologetic sign on her expression and if one looked close enough, they might even think she was annoyed. She wasn't going as far as blaming the person because she wasn't an idiot, but that sure hadn't been her fault either.

But now the person was accusing her, so the woman narrowed her eyes in response to the glare and pointed question. "My problem is that someone is in my way. I don't know who you are or what you're like, but I don't like people invading my personal space, thank you very much." Angelica replied, shooting the other woman a disgusted look as if she had just touched a particularly smelly bin.

And she hadn't moved from the lift door either.