Mona looked at Sergio, a simultaneously incredulous and adoring look creeping across her face. "Did you...really...not wear the cologne? I was just...truthfully...trying not to breathe." She blinked, relaxed in her chair, and smiled sweetly at him. "You didn't have to do that, reeeaaally."

"Yes, yes, of course we can begin," she said brusquely, straightening up in her chair and shaking her head slightly, put off Sergio's...act of kindness and mercy? Chivalry? "So tell me, poppets," she said, clasping her hands in front of me. "How're things? We can begin with you, Sienna. Remember that this-"

Mona paused and drew her wand from a pocket, and pointed it at the door; it swung shut with a snap.

"-is a closed meeting, so feel free to say whatever is on your minds."

Greaaaaat. Sergio was out of focus for now. And it was so nice of Mona to say they could start with her. It was also nice that Sienna already had the status of the articles planned for this issue.

"Sure, I'll go ahead" she said, and straightened herself in the chair, "First of all, my article is getting a few details corrected, but other than that it's pretty much good to go" she placed a piece of parchment away from the few she was holding in her hands, "Now, the rest of the articles that are supposed to be done, are most likely to be ready too...because they only have to stop by editing" which was her and Mona, of course, "The only one I've been having trouble with..." she eyed the door, which was way beyond closed, "...is with Miss Carlisle, who seemed to disappear for a while, but I assume her article could be done in time" what was the other option beside that one? Not fulfilling deadlines? And what did that mean?

"And the ads are coming pretty good, too" but that's not the area she's suppose to be talking about, right? Yet again, she was a 'photojournalist'. "The only thing I could say we have problems on was to get a picture of the Minister...but Ian is working on that" he wasn't going to get the camera, this was the one thing she could do for him....a mention in a meeting.

Sienna scanned the few parchments left and simply shrugged, "Other than that, I say we're on the right path for delivering this next issue" she said, with a nod. Yesterday, she'd notice that maybe a few more articles could be useful, but quality was better than quantity...and there were a few on staff.

Sergio looked at Mona. She seemed... grateful. She was hardly the beast he recalled from their first encounter, she was actually pleasant. "Oh... well, it wouldn't be right to let a lady like you suffer," he said charmingly, looking his superior straight in the eyes.

But it was back to business. He checked inside his bag to ensure his assistant had left his notes and plans as he instructed. Sergio had no doubt that his employee had done a brilliant job at creating a nice structure for the next issue.

NEW MEETING FROM THIS POST ON

*No, Sienna is not here yet*

Nathan sauntered into the conference room uncharacteristically early for this meeting. Stifling a yawn, he headed over to bagsy himself the most comfortable chair in the room. Early bird catches the worm an' all that... He tried a couple for comfort then settled on one with a misshapen brown cushion pad to the seat and a dirty yellow back. Never judge a book by it's cover. He sat and looked rather pleased with himself - smug almost... Ah comfy. ..and waited patiently for the other staff to arrive.

Of course Nathan beat her to work that day. For someone who hated getting up in the morning the prospect of all the children being at home at the same time and having to get them off to see their grandmother in Ghana had spurred Nathan's early departure. Afia had personally come to pick the children up and Egypt was glad Nathan was gone. Her mother wasn't in the best of moods and Paris had not helped her mood with a few well placed comments.

Nevertheless, the entire Greenwood clan was off for 2 weeks in sun drenched Ghana and Egypt was breezing into the office in a yellow sundress and red pumps. She had the tiniest hint of a baby bump and she loved wearing sundresses when she pregnant. She didn't know why she just did. She set her things down at her desk and noticed the announcement for a staff meeting. She should have brought some pastries. Staff meetings and food were always a good combination, but there wasn't time. She sighed, this was not a good start to her day. Egypt was a fir believer that if you day started off great the rest of the day would be great, but this wasn't a great start. She closed her eyes and took a deep breathe. "Get it together Greenwood," she told herself as she took a few more deep breaths. "There," she smiled opening her eyes. "Right as rain." She pulled out a quill and her notebook and made her way over to the conference room.

Egypt walked into the conference room and looked around and spotted her husband looking rather pleased with himself over something. She walked over to him with a smile of her own. She sat beside him and placed her hand on his leg. "If I were a betting woman sir I would say you ducked out on me this morning," she grinned as she leaned over and pecked him quickly on the cheek.

Addie wandered into the conference room, caught in a dream. Why must music videos always do this to her? Now she was caught between trying to decode nonsensical lyrics and trying to get into 'business' mode. She would definitley be with Kris or Alicia, but this was fine. She should do some kind of work besides articles, right?

She noticed Nathan and Egypt already in their seats. She should...probably join them. Addie walked and sat into an ugly blue chair that said 'Goblinz Rule' in ink. "Hello!" she greeted them cheerily.

Ana walked into the Conference Room, looking around to see nathan and Egypt already seated, and Addie just taking her seat. she went over to join them.

"Hi again," she said. "Any idea what this is about? Probably to see if we're planning our next articles right..." she mused aloud.

Arjuna was rather nervous, very nervous actually. Not only was this the first time she would be meeting her coworkers, but her spoken English was still a little shaky. Not to mention she didn't know anyone here and she was sure no one spoke her language. Added to that the fact that she was wearing a Kandyan sari and attracted a lot of stares on the way over(she preferred muggle transportation), she was sure people would hate her. Or worse, laugh at her. But no, she didn't care. Not one bit. Okay, maybe a little. It would have been wiser to have worn something less conspicuous and more 'Western'. Bit late for that though.

Clutching her bag to her, and wondering whether she would have done better to bring along her Canon EOS 7D digital SLR as well, she pushed open the door to the conference room, which was kindly pointed out by a map. Standing in the doorway a second too long, she adjusted the fall of her sari and smiled briefly at them all. She placed her bag at one of the empty seats along the table-she could never sit at the head-before turning to those presently in the room.

"Good morning to you all," she said, her voice young and her accent almost girlish and sing-song. "I...am having the name 'Arjuna Dilini Fonseka'. It is a pleasure to be meeting you all." So, yes, her English wasn't exemplary, but she was very professional. And to prove it, she walked around the table shaking hands with everyone. "Pleased to meet you," she repeated each time, now remembering the correct phrase to use.

She then returned to her seat, making sure the pleats of the front of the sari were immaculate before sitting down. Her bag now in her lap-how could she put her beloved camera on the floor?-she sat up straight and waited patiently for the meeting to start.

Thinking for a moment longer, she pulled out a muggle pen and a small note pad from her bag and placed them on the table. It would be better to have notes. One, because she might forget something. Two, she might not understand something until looking in the dictionary. Three, she was used to taking notes.

Rubbing his eyes and forehead with his hand, Tristan walked into the conference room. He was tired and he was getting a killer headache from trying to figure out last issue's layout. Tristan was too anxious to even think about the layout for the next paper.
He had spent the last ten minutes rummaging through his desk, searching for some good old fashioned muggle aspirin.
But, no luck.

"Hey everyone..." Tristan greeted the other staffers with a tired smile. He sat down on an empty chair, rested his head on his folded arms on the table, and rested his eyes.

He'd be alert when the meeting began. That is, if he doesn't fall asleep.

First meeting! Score! Hunter slid into a chair near the door and gave those near her a cheerful look. The ra-ra girl attitude wouldn't last forever, but she was feeling very enthusiastic about gainful employment right now.

Daphne sheepishly slid into the conference room. She felt all the eyes turn to her as she sat in an empty seat. She took out a legal pad and a quill and planned to keep her head low until addressed.

Yes! There was still one comfortable chair in the room. Life couldn't be better.

Er, well, yes. After greeting the new girl in the Entrance, and picking up some notes in the office, Sienna decided it was time for her to enter the Conference Room. She was slightly disappointed that Enrico wasn't here yet, even if this meant she wouldn't arrive late, but just imagining he was still busy in his office was...let's just say she wanted to know what was going on.

"Hello everyone!" she greeted, and noticed a new person she hadn't seen so far. Ha. Another new DP peep she didn't know about, actually...TWO, because she already knew about Daphne (like minutes ago). She'll have to talk to Enrico about that. "And, welcome to those new faces" a smile brightened her face, and she finally settled in a comfy chair.

"Heyyy people," Rico called out in a somewhat cheerful tone, strolling into the conference room with a stack of papers under one arm. He had just finished with the Minster (yes, believe it or not, he was working for once) and thus was slightly tardy.

But just slightly.

Rico dumped his pile of Busy Work by a chair at the top of the table but didn't set down just yet. He took a long minute to glance at the people already assembled in the room, trying to figure out who was missing and who was... who was that??! The man's eyebrows wiggled about his forehead for a second as he took in a curiously dressed woman in a Sari, another woman all lit up like a cheerful Christmas tree, and a third even younger girl looking nervous.

"Erm, greetings, employees, new and old," he announced belatedly, rubbing his chin so as to not look too surprised. He had hired these people, after all. Maybe. "You must be the new photographer...?" The question was directed at the lady in the sari, followed by a nod to the younger-looking two, "And one of you is in Sports and the other Lifestyle, am I right? Who's who?"

A little introduction never hurt anyone, if they would speak up kindly. If Rico had to hazard another guess, he'd say the happy one was in Sports and the timid one was in Lifestyle, but eh, what did he know. He was still expecting some man named 'Hunter' to show up and where in Merlin's pants was Ian?

Frowning slightly to himself, Rico settled into the squishy chair there and rested his hands behind his head, turning slightly to say something to Sienna. "Have you seen Hoshino today? And aren't we missing a Sports writer or something?" He was in no rush, but it would be nice if people arrived before he did.

For all she knew, Sienna could be sketching an owl on her paper as she waited for more people, especially the Editor, to enter the room, which is why she almost jumped when Enrico showed up.

Smooth way of making an entrance. Startling the woman.

Sienna smiled momentarily, and made a mental note of not becoming unfocused again. Yet, her face looked puzzled. Puzzled by the fact that she didn't even notice the Minister leaving (not that she cared, she was a Cooper girl). Puzzled by the confusion look on Enrico's face as he took in the new people in the room. Puzzled by the way he didn't know 'exactly' who they were. However, the look changed almost immediately when she realized she wasn't the only one that didn't know these brand new faces.

Oooooh...a new photographer?! How...amazing! Sienna wanted to see the woman's photographs already. Never mind the talk Enrico had with the Minister, she wanted to check out the quality of the photographs, and what camera she had?! Oh! Oh! Was that bulky packaging on the floor her camera? Yes, she could be such a kid sometimes, but she didn't show it. The smooth exterior said it all. Professionalism.

Wait...If Daphne was the Sports Editor, then that would make the other woman...Lifestyle. Aha. Interesting....perhaps they should exchange positions, right? Because she didn't see Daphne as a sporty person, but she was hired for some reason, better not bring it up.

Sienna listened closely as Enrico asked her....Oh, my! Ian! Did he...get lost? Her eyes suddenly widened in surprise, she'd forgotten Ian wasn't here. "I saw him earlier, when I went to greet Miss Jones" yes, a secretary's job, "But...well, maybe he went out to get some coffee" she resumed, "I'm sure I let him know about the meeting...It's so unlike him to be late" actually, if the meeting wasn't a priority to him, he'll be late.

And...about the Sports writer. Sienna shrugged. Yes, they were missing Jordan, weren't they?

Entering the room stealthily as possible, Hoshino rubbed the tip of his nose with the back of his hand. There hadn't been a meeting he had ever been late to.

The world was full of first times apparently, even for someone like Ian Hoshino.

"I got delayed," he remarked pointlessly for Enrico and Sienna's benefit more than everyone else; they clearly didn't need an excuse from him. "I apalogize."

Taking a seat, he allowed his brown eyes to rest on Hunter briefly before he swept his gaze towards Sienna.

"At least I'm not the last one in?"

With a jerk, Tristan looked up from his snooze at the sound of Sienna's greeting. Straightening up he tried to blink away the sleepyness and leaned back on his chair just as Rico entered.

Huh, new people? frowning, he turned his head to look at the people inside the room and indeed there were new staffers here. That was interesting, Tristan was curious to see what they would bring to the...table.

And soon Ian entered the room aswell. Hasn't this meeting started already??
Tristan rested his head on his elbows and started to massage his temples. Frickin' headache...

"Lifestyle," Hunter piped up, wiggling her fingers at him with a smirk. "Hunter Bones? Pleased to... I can't find my desk," she told him candidly, quite plainly worried about the fact that she might be expected to write from the floor somewhere.

And then Ian was there, and Hunter gave him an eyebrow raise. It was nice to see a familiar face.

Iaaaannn! Yes! Sienna didn't forget to tell him. Perfect. And he apologized. She simply nodded.

"No, we have one journalist missing" she said, but corrected her sentence, "I mean, late" or so she thought, Jordan didn't owl in sick or anything, and she didn't see her today in the desks area. Sienna was the Managing Editor, she had to make sure the Prophet worked perfectly, this could be a misunderstanding of hours or something.

Her eyes left Ian and turned to the woman speaking. Yes, Lifestyle, as Sienna had thought. Hunter? What an unusual name...for a woman. However, the true unusual part was the question she asked. Where was her desk? With the rest of them in the desks area...where else, right? Really? She couldn't find it? Odd.

Sienna's gaze didn't remain in the woman for long. Let her bring her own desk if she wishes to.

Speak of the devil and there he would be. "Ian," Rico passively greeted the other man. Merlin he was dull. 'I was delayed.' Seriously. Snob.

Whatever. They were mostly assembled now...and ah, a n00b was speaking up already!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

"Lifestyle," Hunter piped up, wiggling her fingers at him with a smirk. "Hunter Bones? Pleased to... I can't find my desk," she told him candidly, quite plainly worried about the fact that she might be expected to write from the floor somewhere.

And then Ian was there, and Hunter gave him an eyebrow raise. It was nice to see a familiar face.

"Oh, YOU'RE Hunter. Hmm." He slowly nodded at the woman, smiling nonetheless. Not what he was expecting but she'd do, if she could find her desk.

Or not. "You can't find a desk? Didn't I leave an empty one...? They're just kind of clustered together out there, no real rhyme or reason to it... we don't have assigned seats.... uh..."

He'd cleaned out his own desk, hadn't he? Yeah, yeah Rico remembered doing it because the box of photo frames and quills was still sitting on one of the shelves in Getti's his new office.

He scratched the back of his neck and blinked at Hunter. "Are there no empty desks out there? That could be a problem for when the new hires arrive."

Which reminded him: "Hey Sienna, er, and Ian, I hired some new people," Rico added, sitting up and grinning suddenly at the Managing Editor. "One layout editor, the photographer there," he nodded at Ms. Sari, "another photographer, some Sports people, a few news hounds, lifestyle section... lots of fresh blood!"

Rico rubbed his hands together with obvious enthusiasm. "They relied to an ad in last week's Evening Prophet. Should be arriving soon." And he should have probably mentioned the hires earlier, but eh, life was busy. Things slip the mind.

The talk about desks bored her. Because such a thing could be easily dealt with. Bring one, buy one, or make someone gives you theirs. There, easy. It wasn't something to become complicated about.

HOWEVER...

'That could be a problem for when the new hires arrive'. Huh? Oh, yes, the two other new people sitting in here, besides Hunter. But, if Daphne was replacing Sergio, then she'll have a desk, and the photographer didn't precisely need one. Ian worked perfectly well from the Photographer's area, did he not? Well, he never complained, out loud.

Her name brought the attention back to whatever Enrico was saying now. 'I hired some new people'. Wow. Really? No kidding! She guessed that when she saw these three new people. Aha. Layout editor...

Wait...

There was no Layout editor in here...

Wait...

Sports...News...Lifestyle... !!! ...

And HE was letting HER know about it just NOW?! She didn't mind being the one with the pretty hair in the Prophet, but she was sure being the Managing Editor had other responsibilities too! Hiring, for Merlin's sake! She should've known about it!

"Oh! Perfect!" she said, nodding, it actually wasn't perfect. The irony.

Sienna will have a talk with Enrico soon. Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockhartian

"Hello everyone!" she greeted, and noticed a new person she hadn't seen so far. Ha. Another new DP peep she didn't know about, actually...TWO, because she already knew about Daphne (like minutes ago). She'll have to talk to Enrico about that. "And, welcome to those new faces" a smile brightened her face, and she finally settled in a comfy chair.

As another woman entered the room, Arjuna nodded her head. She smiled graciously as the woman welcomed her. "Thank you very much," she said slowly. English was hard to string together. Now what was that word..? Ah, right. "I am very honored to be working with you all."

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Rico dumped his pile of Busy Work by a chair at the top of the table but didn't set down just yet. He took a long minute to glance at the people already assembled in the room, trying to figure out who was missing and who was... who was that??! The man's eyebrows wiggled about his forehead for a second as he took in a curiously dressed woman in a Sari, another woman all lit up like a cheerful Christmas tree, and a third even younger girl looking nervous.

"Erm, greetings, employees, new and old," he announced belatedly, rubbing his chin so as to not look too surprised. He had hired these people, after all. Maybe. "You must be the new photographer...?" The question was directed at the lady in the sari, followed by a nod to the younger-looking two, "And one of you is in Sports and the other Lifestyle, am I right? Who's who?"

Arjuna watched as the man came in, surprised at his easiness of manner and open, joyful persona. When he placed his stack of papers on the chair at the head of the table, she realized that this would be the Head. The Boss. The...Editor, was it not? She smiled nervously as he looked at her, trying to repress a giggle at the odd expression on his face. She had never seen a Sri Lankan man with that expression before. She was just trying to decide whether it was alright to speak out of turn when the man address her. "Oh, ah...yes. I am an photographer." Her nervousness in front of the Editor was apparent in her voice, and it made her English even worse-if that was possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

Which reminded him: "Hey Sienna, er, and Ian, I hired some new people," Rico added, sitting up and grinning suddenly at the Managing Editor. "One layout editor, the photographer there," he nodded at Ms. Sari, "another photographer, some Sports people, a few news hounds, lifestyle section... lots of fresh blood!"

It was then that Arjuna realized she hadn't introduced herself to her boss. How rude of her! How disrespectful! "Oh, I am being so vely, vely, sorry!" Oh. No. She mispronounced something! She was going to have to relax. People on this side of the world were much kinder to employees. So she had read. "My name is 'Arjuna Dilini Fonseka'. I have...the pleasure...to meet you, sir." She placed her hands together and bowed her head in apology. Hopefully, he would not hold it against her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockhartian

'That could be a problem for when the new hires arrive'. Huh? Oh, yes, the two other new people sitting in here, besides Hunter. But, if Daphne was replacing Sergio, then she'll have a desk, and the photographer didn't precisely need one. Ian worked perfectly well from the Photographer's area, did he not? Well, he never complained, out loud.

"Oh! Perfect!" she said, nodding, it actually wasn't perfect. The irony.

Arjuna was not following the conversation the Editor was having with one of the other women, but when one cried out in so disrespectful a manner, she could not help but stare. She had gathered from what Mr. Enrico had said that were many new people coming on board. So it was natural for people to be quiet reserved. Except her. And that other man who came late. She looked away at one of the other women the Editor had been talking to. Hunter was her name, wasn't it? She too seemed quiet loud and...mad. Perhaps.

Was this really how things worked over here?

Ivy walked into the Conference Room, awkwardly peeking around the door. It seemed like she was late. The person speaking took a pause, and she took advantage of it. "Umm...sorry I'm late. A certain wizard on the first floor pointed me in the wrong direction." She kept her eyes down and took her seat.

Daphne felt somewhat relieved that she wasn't the only new person at the Prophet. It actually appeared that there were several new people in the Sports section. Perhaps then she could fake her experience, she wasn't about to admit she had just graduated Hogwarts. Nothing could hide her age, though. She looked very young despite her mature attire. Something about her demeanor and her face screamed "youth" and there wasn't much Daphne could do to hide this.

Enrico just seemed incredibly pleased to see him. Smirking at his own thoughts, Ian simply nodded in acknowledgment at his words. Of course, he would have hired an entire fleet of new workers and not bother to tell him--at all--about the new photographers.

Because it obviously had nothing to do with him.

However he was both appropriately distracted by Sienna's golden hair and the way it was just never ever flat, and Hunter Bones' brassy little brow. How did the woman get so much volume? And was Bones...

"I had already met Miss Bones before," he announced before smiling at Sienna. Then a few more new hires entered and the man tilted his head at the excuse one gave.

Man on the first floor?