Feeling famished? A buffet table has been set up against the far wall of the space, dark wood with white linen draped over the top. Plates, napkins, and cutlery are placed at the start for your convenience. Pendant lights illuminate the food display, calling attention to the delectable finger food and fork food, set up on raised platters for your convenience. The stuffed Piquillo Peppers with Goat Cheese seem to be a crowd favorite so be sure to snag some of those before they're all gone.

A small bar serving hot and cold beverages is set up nearby. Simply tap your wand on the table top and ask for what you'd like. In a moment or two, your beverage of choice will appear before you, garnished to perfection.

Raised round tables and stools have been situated here and there once you've gotten your fill of food and drink, though no one is expected to sit for too long. You'll want to get up and mingle with the ministry members before the night is through!

Where else would he be but here? Rusty of course gravitated toward the food. He had no plans to sign up for any of the games because he had a particularly trying caseload coming off of the holidays, and wouldn't be around for silly games. Also, he was distracted regarding Lola, aka his daughter, aka the strange alien creature that had returned to him over the Christmas break and was now back at Beauxbatons.

..... he really needed to buy Marilyn a bottle of wine or something. He owed her big time for helping him out. Ahem.

Rustin loaded up his plate with a selection of things, got himself a drink, and found a table at which to sit and focus entirely on the business of eating. Not out of antisocialness but rather out of hunger. He'd be much better company with a full belly.

Kang Micky, always handsome as usual.

The only thing that he enjoyed at the Ministry orientation was food. They had a very glorious and yummy food here. That's why the buffet was his very first destination. Maybe later he could meet and mingle with fellow employees, preferably girls of course. Walking to the buffet, he grabbed some appetizers and enjoyed them. MERLIN, the shrimp one was absolutely DELICIOUS! It was fresh, juicy, and make him want to grab more. Micky loves shrimps very much and felt bad for those who has an allergy with this seafood. Seriously, they're missing something good.

Charles was back with a new suit in tow. He was getting some juice when he noticed a group of men pointing at him with an amused-like expression. He did not care for them, but his sharp ears could pick up snidely remarks especially it they were directed towards his suit. "Yes,gentlemen.. take a picture.. it will last longer. By the way, you ought to cover your sweat under your armpits...its showing." With a fix of his black tie, he left that 'smelly' part of the area and head to the banquet table. Nobody insulted the suit...stupid bumbling trolls. He muttered angrily under his breath. His mind was preoccupied with spell curses that he didn't see his colleague was in front him.

"Oh sorry.." He muttered half-heartedly.He looked up to see who it was .Oh...it was only Micky...nevermind then. He glanced down onto his plate,"Do you know how much calories is in that?"Charles merely commented.

If Logan was going to brave participating in the speed dating exercise he needed to stock up on food courage first. He wasn't bad at dating, not really, he just hadn't met the right woman yet. His family mostly Hazel and his mother had sent him on some blind dates over the years which Logan sincerely had begged them both to stop with. The memories of those weren't all that pleasant.

Making his way over to the buffet table Logan helped himself to a plate of a variety of food items before he headed for one of the raised round tables. There was nothing like some tasty food to start off orientation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Symphora

Charles was back with a new suit in tow. He was getting some juice when he noticed a group of men pointing at him with an amused-like expression. He did not care for them, but his sharp ears could pick up snidely remarks especially it they were directed towards his suit. "Yes,gentlemen.. take a picture.. it will last longer. By the way, you ought to cover your sweat under your armpits...its showing." With a fix of his black tie, he left that 'smelly' part of the area and head to the banquet table. Nobody insulted the suit...stupid bumbling trolls. He muttered angrily under his breath. His mind was preoccupied with spell curses that he didn't see his colleague was in front him.

"Oh sorry.." He muttered half-heartedly.He looked up to see who it was .Oh...it was only Micky...nevermind then. He glanced down onto his plate,"Do you know how much calories is in that?"Charles merely commented.

Micky approved the shrimp. Now it's time to try the other appetizer on his plate: Crab cake!

The Korean guy dipped the cake into a sauce and put it into his mouth. Nom nom nom... It's also great. The crab was so fresh and juicy, the sauce made it taste better. This was just the appetizer and bet that the main course would taste delicious too. But while he enjoyed the food, there's someone asking about the calories. PFFFFFFFTTTTT!!! Seriously, dude. Who the fudge cares about calories? Kang Micky was not afraid to gain weight because he always did an exercise... at least three times a week. Didn't he see the muscle that he'd gained? Oops, he's wearing a long-sleeve, no wonder that guy couldn't see that.

Then he realized that the guy was co-worker. "Charlie, Wassup?" He casually greeted him. "Well, I don't really know and I don't really care because the calorie wouldn't last long in my body." Micky answered. "And don't worry, eating this will still keep your suit fit on you. Don't be a girl, dude." That's why he worried about calories, right?

Now that everything seemed to be falling back into place in her life, Megan was slowly but surely regaining her healthy appetite. The heavenly smells wafting around as she approached the buffet got her stomach rumbling. She needed food to calm the organ.

The new employee got herself a plate before making a selection of finger foods. A girl had to eat, right? Wanting to get to know more of the employees, Megan set off hoping to do just that.

You know what's the best thing about a party?

... the food.

Thomas dragged himself towards the area where the smell is tempting He can't help but take a short glance at the feast. It all looked so delicious and not to mention appetizing. He grabbed himself one of those small plates and filled it up with anything he can grab. After which he walked to the raised round tables, putting his plate down and looked around. He shrugged his shoulder, picked up the mini sandwich and ate it in one big bite. YUM. He smiled lightly, he knew for sure he wanted more of this one.

Charles looked up,"The ceiling,apparently..that is what's 'up'. I assume that is what you are asking of me."He replied with a straight face and a slightly raised eyebrows at the korean man. He didn't wait for his colleague's response though as he continued browsing the food menus available in there. Naturally, he was none too pleased in the end. He almost gagged when he found excess oil in one of those 'delightful' dishes.No..no..absolutely no way he would eat that. Just chicken salad for him please..thank you.

*coughs* "I'm sure you don't..." He didn't need to explain to the man why one should particularly care. He guessed it was up to the individual what kind of diet he chose to be for himself. Charles rolled his eyes as if he wasn't at all affected by his blunt remark about him.."I hope you don't relay that kind of message to an actual girl or a woman, they might get easily offended." he replied simply.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Now that everything seemed to be falling back into place in her life, Megan was slowly but surely regaining her healthy appetite. The heavenly smells wafting around as she approached the buffet got her stomach rumbling. She needed food to calm the organ.

The new employee got herself a plate before making a selection of finger foods. A girl had to eat, right? Wanting to get to know more of the employees, Megan set off hoping to do just that.

Zhenya was quite excited today, being that it was Orientation for her new job and all. And her stomach had that empty angry feeling, as if it were just about to rumble. So that's where she decided to start first; the food buffet.

She picked out some bits and put them on her plate, and then started the walk around to see if she noticed anyone. Her brief glance around told her that no, she did not recognise anyone. So the best approach she could thing of was to talk to the first person she saw.

"Hi," Zhenya said. How else does one break the ice? "Uh... I'm Zhenya. First day. Are you new or returning?"

Orientation time again.

And as such Simon was back at work, where the orientation was being held, caught between keeping his eyes out in observation and full on actual mingling. The auror-turned-security man wasn't all to into any of the ideas he found at various points of the area. Creative faux buildings and speed-meeting coworkers. Well, he had signed up for the ministry-wide game, but that was for AFTER the actual orientation.

Oh how he wished this was one of those orientations where guests were invited and allowed. Ang made not-so-comfortable get-togethers bearable. So instead the man had headed to the food. The Ministry did always remember to them well feed at these things. At least he could grab a bite and a glass and see whatever randomly developed past that. One plate in hand, Simon surveyed the various tidbits offered.

Harmony was happier than a healthy Hippogriff to be back with her ministry family! She'd missed them, y'know? Not that her holiday hadn't been appreciated, of course. She'd went on a yoga retreat and learned the latest about breathing techniques, tips and tricks she'd share with her employees, no doubt. Plus she'd clipped and saved so many healthy recipes that she'd added to her recipe book, one of which she'd used to make the delectable spinach and feta hummus in a bright yellow Tupperware container she'd pulled from her purse.

After removing the lid and placing the hummus on the table, she plucked some bread from one of the platters and helped herself to it. "Mm, delicious!"

Oh how she missed the days of the elegant balls the Ministry was once known to put together for orientation when she could attend with her gorgeous husband and she'd be ensured a memorable time. But those days seemed to be a thing of the past, though she still felt an obligation to attend (and she would still dress to the nines). There were new employees in her department that needed acclimated and she at least needed to make an appearance. And that's exactly what she would do. It was hard to come back after a month in Brazil, but Mariel knew she was good at her job and it was time to get back at it.

The buffet table would be the obvious first choice. She could get herself something to eat while keeping an eye out for her new additions before discreetly excusing herself. And wine... was there wine here? Mariel picked up a plate for herself, adding a few selections of food, as she noticed a familiar looking person in line ahead of her. "Hello, Simon," she said lightly as she spooned some pasta onto her plate. "How was your holiday?" Like herself, she assumed the man still had some work to do while they were technically off. "And how's married life treating you?" She paused from serving herself to look up and give him a genuine smile. She knew that was something of a cliche question that she heard enough when she was a newlywed, but she had truly hoped that he found the same happiness that she had for herself. And with as busy as she had been with her family and work before the close of the Ministry, she hadn't seen much of him since the wedding to ask.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjay

Oh how she missed the days of the elegant balls the Ministry was once known to put together for orientation when she could attend with her gorgeous husband and she'd be ensured a memorable time. But those days seemed to be a thing of the past, though she still felt an obligation to attend (and she would still dress to the nines). There were new employees in her department that needed acclimated and she at least needed to make an appearance. And that's exactly what she would do. It was hard to come back after a month in Brazil, but Mariel knew she was good at her job and it was time to get back at it.

The buffet table would be the obvious first choice. She could get herself something to eat while keeping an eye out for her new additions before discreetly excusing herself. And wine... was there wine here? Mariel picked up a plate for herself, adding a few selections of food, as she noticed a familiar looking person in line ahead of her. "Hello, Simon," she said lightly as she spooned some pasta onto her plate. "How was your holiday?" Like herself, she assumed the man still had some work to do while they were technically off. "And how's married life treating you?" She paused from serving herself to look up and give him a genuine smile. She knew that was something of a cliche question that she heard enough when she was a newlywed, but she had truly hoped that he found the same happiness that she had for herself. And with as busy as she had been with her family and work before the close of the Ministry, she hadn't seen much of him since the wedding to ask.

A sampling across the board seemed the best way as Simon decided on what he was adding to his plate. The man was doing his best to focus on it rather than flicker his gaze around. He was still technically MOSTLY off duty in this situation and not quite as paranoid as others of his years in the MLE. So when he heard his name, Simon turned to spot someone he hadn't already readily noticed in the vicinity. "Hello Mariel." He figured as department head, the woman had probably reentered the game before this evening's gathering.

"Pretty good in the case of both," he answered with a smile at the thought. "Managed to survive a chanced holiday encounter with the in-laws." That had been interesting to say the least but then Angelina and her family had slipped apart in the early years of her adulthood. "How about your holiday?" Had to be a whole bunch of different excitement with kids around.

Gid was walking around orientation looking for his new employee, he'd seen her around the ministry but was looking forward to seeing another security type person in his level. He got along well with Dmitry, and thought Sky would be a great addition to level 5. He still hadn't spotted her around orientation so decided to move off to the food area and grabbed himself a plate of food and a drink before moving to find a spot to sit. There were a few people around the food area, but no one that really caught his eye.

Finally, he went towards one of the men sitting alone at one of the tables. "May I join you?" he asked kindly hoping he'd not be turned down. He didn't much like sitting alone, though he would when there was no one with him or available.

Strolling in with his hands in the back pocket of his jeans, Aron bypassed all the kumbaya aspects of orientation and headed straight for sustenance. Grabbing a plate, he began to pile the food on it. A few stuffed peppers, a few grilled vegetables, and a few strips of flank steak to start. He was still cheating his diet, but it was hard to go back to being a strict vegan after having given in to temptation years ago.

Rather than sitting down, the department head decided to just chill by the buffet. Easier this way than having to get up and down every time he emptied his plate.

Did he just say the ceiling is what's up?

HAHAHAHA, so funny Demetri.

The Korean man just shook his head. Why on earth his colleague was so grumpy? Was he suffering a bad hair day? or PMS? Or maybe a quarter-life crisis? "Oh, come on Charlie. Don't be such a grumpus. This was a party, and you are welcome to feel festive and.. forget about everything that makes you grumpy." Live while we're young, bro!

And the grumpy pants said WHAAAAT???

"I'd never insult a woman, Charlie." Micky said and smug a little bit. "You're the one who act like a woman, worrying about calories. You know that real man, doesn't worry about calories. Real man, do some exercise and go to the gym so that's why they'd never worried about calories, my brother!" He tapped that guy's shoulder. "Maybe you should go to the gym with me." Hey, it's a good idea!


Alright, so while he's having a very NICE conversation with the Demetri grumpy pants, Micky spotted two young ladies not very far from them. It seemed like they're new employees. And as a person who had been worked her for three years, he should make a move. Introducing himself and being nice to them, of course. "Watch this, Demetri." He put his plate away and grabbed a glass of wine. Then he walked closer to the ladies. "Hello, beautiful. Both of you must be new around here." Smooth move, Kang. "I'm Kang Micky, Junior Reversal Agent for Accidents and Catastrophes." Politely he introduced himself.

Soooo, avoiding the speed dating and the teenager-like assassination exercise, and also avoiding the 'team building' nonsense left Charles with but two options. Go home and risk being complained at for not turning up, or stick by the food table and hope no one spoke to him or wanted anything. He seemed to be doing well enough for now, he'd managed to get a table to himself and successfully scare anyone away from sitting by using his 'nope' face. It seemed he hadn't been paying attention though, because a man sat at his table. Charles just looked at him and then down at his plate and picked at the food. Merlin, he missed home. Letting out a long-suffering sigh, Charles looked around the room.

Jasper knew what he was looking for but it wasn't necessarily the food table but rather the courage to try the target exercise. It seemed excessively violent to him. Muggle weapons. He was no stranger to them, but that didn't mean he favoured even the fake ones. They made him a bit jittery about the nerves. He managed to sneak away from his present company to find the wine. Alas no luck, but some lovely instructions on food summoning were.

He pulled up to an empty seat nearby and did not notice his nephew, Logan as he took his wand to the table with a tap. "Mojito." Would that work? The salt 'n peppery wizard wore an expectant smile.

Focused on sticking his teeth into a stuffed piquillo peeper Logan didn't realize that he had chosen a table that already had an occupant before he sat down on the stool and his company moved. Taking in the older man's appearance Logan said mouth still full of pepper. "I hope you didn't mind the company?" The grumpy facial expression wasn't exactly inviting but Logan wasn't moving tables. "I'm Logan by the way. Have you tried the stuffed peppers?"

Next minute his uncle showed up and took the seat next to him ordering a mojito from the beverage bar. Blinking Logan said just a hint of surprise to his tone. "Hello uncle Jasper!" Ordering a sparkling cider with a tap of his wand he asked "Why do we need to do bonding exercises this orientation?" Uncle Jasper would know since he was one of the ones in charge.

Just like a fungi, the tall, bright drink sprung up from the table the umbrella emphasizing the effect and making it look even more mushroom-like. Jasper lifted the glass to his mouth and took a deep sip from it.

S p i i i toooey! CoughcoughCough!

Someone recognized him! And saw him with a drink. "Don't tell my wii..." He said in his deeply timbered voice as he turned in the direction of the young male voice. "Oh, Logan! It's you." He said sounding relieved. Heather hadn't met all his family. There again, being more or less related to Astoria Ward gave him such an extended family that he was certain he hadn't met them all himself. "Well...", Jasper began, clearing his throat. "Ideally, we'd have them all of the time. They help foster trust and team spirit so that we can all work together to achieve a common goal. Why are you curious about that, Logan? Aren't you going to do them?"

The best thing about these shindigs was definitely always the food. And now that Lola was away for school most of the time, it got a little tedious cooking on his own, and if he was honest he got lazy about it, rather than making things from scratch. And this stuff, even being finger food, was much better than microwaveable ready meals.

Rusty looked up as he heard a voice and then nodded, recognizing the man as the International Cooperation department head. Not that he'd met him, that he recalled, but obviously there were certain names and faces you tended to know, and his was one of them.

"Sure thing, knock yourself out. Its Gidyun isn't it? I'm Rusty. Obliviator on Level 3." Well, Senior Obliviator but who was going to quibble about that really.

Cassie had an eye on the activities at the orientation, but she didn't join it. At least, not right away. She probably would, but that wouldn't be her first stop. Because her first stop was the food. The first thing she did was acquire some coffee. It was a nice setup. All she had to do was tap her wand on the table and tell it what she wanted and before she knew it there was a cup of coffee sitting in front of her. Just the way she liked it, too. She had to look in to having something like that in her apartment.

Food. That was something else that should be happening. Cassie was probably hungry. But she hadn't even started drinking her coffee yet, so she didn't really know. If she wanted food later, she knew where to get it. For the time being, she leaned against a wall casually drinking her coffee. People watching was a totally normal way to pass the time. It was not creepy at all. She was merely an observer. There were a few people she recognized. Gid got a wave. But Cassie was struck with the realization that she barely knew any ministry employees besides the one that worked in her department. Huh.

It was really time to go back to work? Victoria was always glad she loved her job, but when she had all her children and husband home for an extended time she didn't want it to end. Going back to work meant Bart went back to Australia and Cossy went back to Hogwarts. No, she would much rather be at home enjoying the break with all her family. She was here though and so she was ready to get back at it. Though as the quidditch manager she never really got the break the other ministry employees did. The Quidditch season did not take a break so she could not either. She just worked at home while the ministry was on shut down.

Walking towards the food she noticed a young man standing alone near it. "Anything good?" With a small smile she greeted him, still not sure whom was her staff and whom were other ministry people. "They usually have great food at these things." Though she couldn't say for last year. She hadn't come because of her children. She saw Mariel out of the corner of her eye and gave a wave. She'd speak to her boss later.

Turning her head back to the man standing closest to her she though she should introduce herself. "Victoria Culloden, Manager of the Quidditch Division."

Thomas enjoyed himself as he kept on munching the mini sandwiches and not mention the brownies that is a must-eat at the buffet table. Of course there is definitely seconds for this. Why not? The food is great and he hasn't mingled that much yet. Startled, he heard a woman's voice talking to him. He glanced over and flashed a soft smile at her. Nodding to her question"I suggest the chocolate brownies. It has caramel inside, the taste is just delicious." he replied.

He wasn't exaggerating of course. He knew for a fact if ladies enjoys some chocolate in their lives then this brownie is definitely something they will enjoy eating. "I'm new here so that is at least a great sign. I enjoy good gourmet." he chuckled and nods when the woman introduced herself. He took out his handkerchief and wipe his hand before introducing himself as well. "Pleasure to meet you Victoria Culloden. Ahh, Games and Sports department. I'm Thomas Hugh Leofric, Ministry Scribe in Level 1." he smiled. "I'm pretty sure your job is much more fun than mine." he joked.

"I'm getting drinks, do you want anything from the bar?" he asked.