A door on the wall beside the cubicles leads to a Conference Room where the Transportation employees will meet to discuss important matters. When a meeting is called EVERYONE will report here when directed to unless other tasks have been assigned. The center of the room is taken up by a large square table with enough chairs around it to accomidate everyone and there are more in a closet if they are needed. The walls are covered with stlyish art and a white board to use in presentations.

Taking notes during meetings is a good idea and would be much appreciated, you may need them for the assigments that will be given.

With her dark brown hair up in to a loose bun, Misa made her way to the conference room after reading about the meeting on the announcement board. She held her notebook in her arms and had tucked a muggle pen behind her ear. The click-clack of her heels sounding through the corridor.

Reaching the room, Misa looked inside and was surprised that she was the first one here. She had to treat herself to a cup of tea later for that heh. Entering the conference room, Misa rolled back one of the many chairs and sat down at the table. She then crossed her legs and began flipping through her notes while she waited for the others.

Gabi walked into the conference room, wearing a new little black dress with matching heels and carrying a vegetable tray in her perfectly manicured hands. As she walked in, she blinked in surprise when she realized she WASN'T the first person here! WHAT?! That was a first!

"Hello Misa, you beat me to the meeting today, eh?" she said with a chuckle as she set the vegetable tray down on the table. Healthy snacks for everyone!

Now onto the real business...Gabi turned and took out her wand, waving it and watching as the dry erase marker scribbled magically on the white board:

Quote:

FLYING CARPET SYMPOSIUM
Meeting Agenda:

• Overview of event
• List of confirmed guests
• Committees
• Sign ups and questions!

Now just to wait for the rest of her employees...

After taking that horrid break when she was pregnant Sky was back but this time however she couldn't be found on level two she was on level six....She was looking forward to the new job even if Benjy had mentioned over and over that it sounded boring. With coffee in her hand, Sky made her way into the conference room where the meeting was to be held. There was two people there, surprisingly she was early for a meeting for once!

"Good Morning Gabi, welcome back." The other one looked familiar too, um Marie? Musa? "Good morning to you to...Misa." She added trying to not make the name sound like a question. Its not like she really talked to any one on Level Six it was really just what she heard in the cafeteria or from Benjy.

Remembering she was actually early, Sky took a seat, happy that she actually got to sit for once. Maybe Transportation would be a good level after all. Flying Carpet Symposium, now that sounded like fun.

When Blake'd woken up today on the floor of his bedroom instead of his bed, he'd known the day would be nothing short of interesting. What he hadn't expected was to find his mum, fluttering about in the kitchen, whipping up breakfast for him. The shriek — if you could even call it that — that had left his mouth alarmed his neighbors enough to check up on him. What followed after is better left unsaid, but suffice it to say, he ended up being late on his first day at the Ministry.

That, and he had such an appetite, a dozen jelly doughnuts accompanied him to work and into the conference room. "Morning . . . " Blake trailed off, pleasantly surprised upon seeing the ladies, ". . . everyone." He gently placed the box of doughnuts on the table, a small smile never leaving his lips. No men thus far. Really!? This could either be the best thing since Hogwarts, or a complete and utter disaster. His money was on the latter.

He sunk in a chair next to the Asian lady, and rested his clasped hands on the table, leaning forward, "I'm Blake Wright, doughnut fairy. Please, knock yourselves out." He gestured at the box with a sweeping motion of his hand, before reaching over to flick open the box.

However, it was then that he noticed them, the unwanted, also know as vegetables. There was no room for them at his home or in his heart. In fact, they shouldn't even be on the table at the same time as doughnuts. Such disrespect.

Gabi was not in a very patient mood today. Not at all. The fact that she had a room of only three people was an annoyance in itself - and then one of her new employees, a man whose name she hadn't bothered to remember, came in carrying DOUGHNUTS. AKA STRAIGHT-TO-YOUR-HIPS FRIED DOUGH.

Helloooooo, she was trying to keep her employees HEALTHY and free of HEART ATTACKS thank you very much. She pushed that issue to the back of her brain, however - she'd deal with his terrible eating habits later. She had more important issues to discuss but her pulse was still through the roof just THINKING about those fatty pastries next to her vegetables.

"Hello Blake, thank you for joining us. Everyone, this is Blake, a new employee in Brooms. I'm Miss Schultz," she said, introducing herself although she was sure he knew who she was. How could he NOT? "And of course I'd like to welcome our newest transfer, Sky, over from Level Two," she added, unable to hide a small smirk at the satisfaction of taking an employee from Emily Browne. Hehe.

Alright, onto business!

"Normally I'd wait for more employees to begin our meeting, but I will deal with their tardiness later," she said with a smile. "As you can see from our agenda, we have a very fun and exciting event coming up that we have been put in charge of planning! The Flying Carpet Symposium will be a weekend long event where witches and wizards from the UK can meet with flying carpet vendors and transportation officials to learn more about flying carpets and the rules regarding them in other countries. As you all know, flying carpets are banned, and as such, we have no need for a division to regulate them," she told them. Obviously they knew that, right?

"However lately, there has been talk of getting rid of the law all together, and while I've had numerous," and she meant NUMEROUS, "suggestions on how to go about this in my mail, the Minister and I both agree that getting rid of this law in one big swoop is not the way to go. So we are going to let the PEOPLE decide. After the symposium, during the next election, we will be charged with coming up with a new law that either replaces the old one, or makes amendments to the current law," she explained.

"Any questions before I continue?" she asked. She knew she had said a LOT, but hoped that they would be able to keep up with it all.

Keegan had walked into the meeting just as Gabi was introducing the new people, he hadn't intended on being late but this morning was just odd. Keegan immediately sat down and pulled out his parchment and quill and started scribbling

SPOILER!!:

Flying carpet symposium
Law against flying carpets
Election to change law

Questions? No Keegan had no questions but he really wanted to see and also try out a flying carpet. Keegan rested his chin against his hand as he waited for Gabi to continue.

What was that man carrying? Was it doughnuts!! Sky looked at him why would he bring fattening foods to flaunt in front of her face. She was trying to get back her figure, the twins had did their work!! And it was not good!! She looked at the doughnuts and then back over at the doughnut fairy, she would have to talk to him about bringing unhealthy foods maybe after she had her body back. But not now.

Sky reached out and grabbed a carrot and looked over at the man once again. Keep your fat food.

So Blake was his name...Hmm...She would remember him. Hearing her name she gave a small wave and smiled that was her. Level six better prove itself she was already missing Level Two.

Questions? No questions from her she was used to having to retain information in an instance. She grabbed another carrot all the time eyeing those doughnuts she wanted one but that would throw her back a whole week.

Misa looked up from flipping through her notes and smiled at the Department Head. "I guess i did, i'm surprised myself" she answered since she was usually on the late side. She watched the tray of vegetable snacks as it was placed on the table. Well, it was there to eat and not for show right? So she reached for a radish and ate it when more arrived at the meeting.

The next was a female who she knew was new to this level. Not new to the Ministry though. Misa smiled back politely "Good morning" she greeted and was about to say something more when a male employee entered the room.

And he sat next to her? Well then. Misa turned her chair juuuust a little so that she was slightly facing him and gave him a charming smile. What? He was handsome! Too bad for the doughnuts though. Bad for your health! "Did you make them yourself?" she asked, not grabbing a doughnut..maybe later..MAYBE.

Meeting began and Misa chuckled lightly because Keegan had JUST been on time. He looked at the female named Sky as their Department Head introduced her. Misa knew she had seen her before!

Looking at the board, the lead apparition instructor listened, making notes here and there and then put the muggle pen back behind her ear. As for questions? She had a few but she was sure they were going to be answered if Gabi talked further so she simply shook her head no. And grabbed another radish.

Cold, much? The entire conference room fixed their disapproving stares at him as if he were the Dark Lord reincarnated. What in Merlin's beard was wrong with these people? He brought doughnuts! DOUGHNUTS! And when you're offered these perfectly rotund sugary delights, guess what, you eat them! Apparently not on level six. Here, they'd rather nibble on bland sticks meant for rabbits. Know what, he'd eat the entire box alone in all their deadly, heart-attack inducing glory.

Fuming on the inside, but on the outside, an ever-smiling, oh-so-glad-to-be-here expression adorned his face. "Thank you for having me, Miss Schultz." He flashed boss lady a grin, and waved at his colleagues; one was noshing on carrots, and the one he sat next to was enjoying a radish. Noooo. Brows furrowed, he turned to the Asian lady, unable to hide his disquiet as he eyed the veggie in her hand. "Yes . . ." He lied on impulse, but then remembered the giant logo of the bakery covering the box. Hastily he added, "No . . . err . . . no, it's a shame, but I did not make them . . . sadly." And sighed.

Merlin, He was famished; another second and he'd sink to the floor. Since he was no more in a mood of sharing, thanks to the health freaks, he grabbed the box and slid it closer to himself. And the meeting began.

Flying Carpet Symposium? Really now? A question loomed in his mind, poking at him to be released. He kept on ignoring it as he munched on a jelly doughnut, the strawberry filling sticking to the corner of his mouth. When the itch to question did not subside, Blake opened his mouth to interrupt right when Miss Schultz opened the floor for discussion. "Why?" He blurted out, the strawberry jelly still occupying the corner of his lips. "Brooms, as we all know, have undergone tremendous transformation; they're now comfortable, faster, and better equipped to seat multiple passengers. So, what purpose does it serve to revive Flying Carpets?" Sounding like a git, wasn't he? If it's any consolation, he wasn't trying to be one. "If we do lift the ban on carpets, a regulatory subdivision would need establishing, a clear hassle, no? Not to mention, the issue of muggle sighting and affordability still stands." He leaned back in the plush chair, eagerly awaiting a response as he slightly loosened his tie.

Keegan watched as the ladies in the department kept eyeing Blake and his donuts, Keegan gave him an apologetic smile. This department, mainly Gabi, were insanely health conscious. Personally he watched what he ate but one donut wouldn't hurt and he could run off the pastry later tonight.

"Mind if I have one?" Keegan unbuttoned his sleeves as he offer his hand to Blake, "I'm Keegan Soles."

He knew that Gabi was giving him a disapproving look since he had asked for a donut! he looked at her and gave her a smile before looking in Misa's direction "Good morning Misa." He waved at her.

"Okay Keegan, focus on the meeting."

Gabi hated to admit it, but she had hoped someone would ask that question - just not HIM with the fatty doughnuts and whatnot. She smiled though and nodded.

"Good question, Blake. The reason we are looking at the ban again is because the actual foundations of the ban are...outdated," she explained. At least, in her opinion they were. "The law was based more on protecting the muggle artifacts - basically, the carpets - and they were banned to protect old carpets that were being enchanted. To protect muggle history, you see."

"However, you bring up good points, as there are many things that must be considered if we lift the ban. Our confirmed guests will be coming to speak about their own flying carpet experiences in their own country so wizards here in London can here the pros and cons from people who have actually experienced them first hand," she explained. There would be plenty of info for them to digest so when it came time to vote next year, they'd be ready!

Alright, continuing on!

"I'm addition to the panel with carpet experts, we will have vendors from foreign lands selling merchandise and even some carpets for people to try flying...in a controlled environment, of course," she added. Like apparition lessons at the school, yeah?

Keegan snapped to attention at the mention of muggle artifacts, after all his job was muggle item research. Muggle History the subject fascinated him, they honestly had a very colorful history even if most of them didn't know it. Gabi was moving a little quicker than he had wanted her to but he had a serious question that needed to be addressed.

"Gabi, not trying to backtrack but what about the fakes? You know, the carpets that some will try to pass off as original, expensive, and rare muggle carpets? Obviously the law isn't being reversed right this second but it's something that we should be discussing I think, or is that to be left to law enforcement?"

Keegan wasn't entirely sure if he was overstepping talking about this but didn't the transportation department handle everything to do with transportation laws? And let's be honest, Keegan had grown rather protective of muggle artifacts.

Blake's struggle with the knot of his tie ended when one of his colleagues, a man, apparently, called for his attention. How come he didn't notice him before? The sight of all of these ladies must have clouded his vision and presence of mind. Not good. Feeling a sense of camaraderie with the other man, Blake placed the box of doughnuts on his lap, and with a grin plastered on his face, slid his chair towards his soon-to-be friend. "Oh, I'll mind," He said, giving the man a firm, manly handshake. "If you only ate one." Finishing off with a smile, he deposited the box on the table, and gestured for Keegan to go ahead. "Blake Wright, joined today."

And back to the meeting.

Miss Schultz seemed a bit in haste. Blake blinked as words began to shoot out of her mouth, and this continued for some time. He processed the overdose of new information at a leisurely pace, whilst enjoying his hunk of fried dough. Well, her answers satisfied his itch, and he quite honestly had nothing to complain about. But someone else did have a point to raise. Giving Keegan a chance to put forth his point, Blake waited for him to finish before stating his own question, which, he was sure, Miss Schultz would have explained eventually. "So where do we come in in all of this?" He asked, sitting up a little straighter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danielle_Daughn

Keegan snapped to attention at the mention of muggle artifacts, after all his job was muggle item research. Muggle History the subject fascinated him, they honestly had a very colorful history even if most of them didn't know it. Gabi was moving a little quicker than he had wanted her to but he had a serious question that needed to be addressed.

"Gabi, not trying to backtrack but what about the fakes? You know, the carpets that some will try to pass off as original, expensive, and rare muggle carpets? Obviously the law isn't being reversed right this second but it's something that we should be discussing I think, or is that to be left to law enforcement?"

Keegan wasn't entirely sure if he was overstepping talking about this but didn't the transportation department handle everything to do with transportation laws? And let's be honest, Keegan had grown rather protective of muggle artifacts.

Ah, so many questions! Gabi liked how attentive everyone was about all this - she hadn't realized that her employees had such a passion for carpets! She smiled and nodded. "Yes, that has been an issue in the past, although not necessarily on OUR end..."

Knowing that she was going to need to explain a lot, she carefully prepared her words before going into her speech. "Let me give you some more background on the law. Arthur Weasley, probably the one and ONLY noteable wizard to come from the Muggle Artifacts division, was very concerned that muggle rugs were being looted from museums to be charmed into flying carpets. To put a stop to the thieving and to protect their history, Weasley fought - and was successful - in getting the ban put into place. Knowing that, fake carpets would be more of a muggle problem, I believe, as they would be concerned about whether or not the carpet was historically significant for their museums. Any carpet can be charmed to fly, even the one in this room," she explained, gesturing to her feet. "If a carpet was fake, it wouldn't really matter to the wizards unless the selling price was being inflated due to it's 'authenticity'. In that case, that would be a fraud issue, and would fall into the hands of MLE," she added.

So long story short - they didn't need to worry. Questions?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yusrieee

Blake's struggle with the knot of his tie ended when one of his colleagues, a man, apparently, called for his attention. How come he didn't notice him before? The sight of all of these ladies must have clouded his vision and presence of mind. Not good. Feeling a sense of camaraderie with the other man, Blake placed the box of doughnuts on his lap, and with a grin plastered on his face, slid his chair towards his soon-to-be friend. "Oh, I'll mind," He said, giving the man a firm, manly handshake. "If you only ate one." Finishing off with a smile, he deposited the box on the table, and gestured for Keegan to go ahead. "Blake Wright, joined today."

And back to the meeting.

Miss Schultz seemed a bit in haste. Blake blinked as words began to shoot out of her mouth, and this continued for some time. He processed the overdose of new information at a leisurely pace, whilst enjoying his hunk of fried dough. Well, her answers satisfied his itch, and he quite honestly had nothing to complain about. But someone else did have a point to raise. Giving Keegan a chance to put forth his point, Blake waited for him to finish before stating his own question, which, he was sure, Miss Schultz would have explained eventually. "So where do we come in in all of this?" He asked, sitting up a little straighter.

Ah, the heart of it all. Blake was really getting the grasp of things quickly around here - maybe he'd soon learn about Gabi's distaste for fried dough.

"Good question. We are in charge of planning the event and assuring that everyone has a good time at the event! Security from MLE will be helping us to make sure our foreign guests are all protected and no one attempts to steal anything from the venue," she explained.

"So far, we have only one confirmed guest - his name is Milton Janssen, and he is a delegate from the South African Ministry who has worked with carpets for the past decade," she told them. She turned around and tapped the whiteboard with her wand:

Quote:

Milton Janssen - South African Transportation Head

"You will all have an opportunity today to sign up for committees to assist with the planning. In addition to having our delegates hold a Q&A amongst the visitors, we will have a flying carpet test station, food from around the world, and vendors selling souvenirs and bringing models of carpets to show off, NOT for actual purchase," she told them. She turned to her whiteboard again and added the following information:

Quote:

Committees:
-Forming questions/collecting questions from visitors at the symposium to ask during the Q&A
-Coming up with a menu of foreign food for buffet
-Assisting with the flying carpet test station
-Giving tours of Ministry to delegates

"FINALLY, after the symposium is held, we will use the information gathered from the symposium and our delegates to revisit the law and add changes to it. Do we want to leave it as it is? Do we want to uplift the ban entirely? Allow some carpets but still have restricts? These are all things we will be able to decide on after our visitors leave, having left us with plenty of information to use when coming up with our decision," she explained.

"Any questions?" she asked. She knew that had been a LOT. Like, a LOT a lot.

Keegan smiled at Gabi, "okay as long as someone is going to be looking after the fraudulent carpets." He the reached over into Blake's box of donuts and took one before Gabi banned them from the room.

Carefully, Keegan looked over the list of committees, he really wanted to be on the tour committee. Absentmindedly he spate his donut while waiting to see if other had questions.

Despite the obvious information overload, a small smile crept upon his face. Miss Schultz had just appreciated his question again — second time, to be precise. Was he, after all, good at this? Could he possibly fit in here, a stuffy office filled with fancy people holding fancier degrees? Perhaps, he had been unreasonably judgmental towards the ministry in the past. Perhaps, he had been wrong . . .

The further Miss Schultz explained the general idea behind the symposium, the more it grew on him. An event of such caliber would require extensive planning. And by the sound of it, his boss had taken care of it considerably, leaving them to deal with the fun parts; he was impressed.

More words materialized on the whiteboard, and the list of committees caught his attention. Now, food obviously counted as fun. And so did a flying carpet station. "[B]I really admire your thoroughness, Miss Scultz," He smiled at the lady, mentally cringing at how mature he sounded. Helena would probably tease him about it; he was simply trying to be civilized. Merlin knew how he much he wanted to drop the act, and just be himself.

Was he annoying her with his questions? Hopefully not, for he had another one at the ready for her. "I am just wondering, do we get to vote?" He asked, both eyebrows lifted. Probably not, he thought.

Hm. Did Blake REALLY admire how much work she'd put into all this, or was he just trying to make a good impression on his first day? Probably the latter, especially if he was anything like Gabi.

"Yes, you will get to vote. The entire wizarding community will get to vote - like a referendum," she explained. "So once we have the whole law written out after the symposium, it'll appear on the ballot and people can vote to pass it or not. Obviously if it doesn't pass - regardless of what it is - the law will remain unchanged," she told them.

Alright, now that they had all the dry info out of the way...

"So, does anyone have any committees they'd like to be on?" she asked. Hands up, people!

Sky eyed the doughnuts, this Blake guy sucked she thought as she grabbed a doughnut. Curse him and his fried dough. The doughnuts were yummy though, it was just to bad that it would set her back about a week or two.

Get to vote, mm should be interesting. It was cool that the wizarding community's voices would be heard. She gave a nod it would be interesting whether it would be changed, or not. She had rode on one when she went to India now that was pretty amazing. But was it India? She couldn't remember...It was on one of her undercover missions for the DMLE.

Committees! Yes she did! She gave a small hand and said, "I would be happy to be on the foreign food menu." She was a pretty awesome cook and she knew a great deal about foreign food. So it would be perfect for her.

Keegan took a bite of this donut, seriously these things were wonderful. *Chew, chew, chew* He smiled in Blake's direction, unsure if he was even looking... Keegan thought he probably could eat the entire box that was sitting there.

Gabi continued on about the committees, explaining about the vote... "I'd love to give ministry tours" He smiled at Gabi.

Oh, it'd be fun to vote for something he helped orchestrate. And, you know, what else would be fun? "I wouldn't mind hanging around the test station." He added with a shrug, and glanced at Sky, smiling cheekily at the doughnut in her hand. How do you like your rabbit sticks now, huh? he thought, narrowing his eyes at her, smile still lingering on his face.