Benji had finally arrived, he wasn't going to mention that he thought having an Orientation for everyone was silly in his opinion when there was work to be done but whatever.

Honestly it seemed more like a welcome party...who titled these things? He took a look around the garden. Food, food would be good, right? Right. So toward the table's he ventured, he hadn't been gone all that long but he felt like a lot had happened. He was getting married..something he thought would never ever happen and was actually excited about it.

Speaking of weddings he knew he had to congratulate Vic in person and maybe ask her what she knew about the new faces in their department. He assumed with Langen gone he'd be getting a new partner?

Enzo looked around, how could everyone be happy about this. Here lets have a party to celebrate the new and current employee's. Doesn't the ministry have more serious matters to attend too? Enzo wasn't the happiest person about his new job but heck maybe next year he can be a manager of a Quidditch team and get out of this place. He really just didn't like the department he was in but it was the only department with an opening and he just didn't feel like sitting around doing nothing all day. The former Pro-Quiddich Player looked around more closely at the people but his blue eyes fell upon someone that looked just like him. Not physically but emotionally. ANOTHER GRUMP! That guy didn't seem like he wanted to be here either. Which was a good thing because he thought he was the only one.

Enzo walked over to the man. "Hey mate. Don't you think there are more pressing matters going on at the Ministry than a stupid party?" There's one way to break the ice.

What was this man even talking about? Could he tell that he didn't care what he was saying? Save it for work time not personal time at this boring party. Enzo was still trying to wrap his head around this gathering. What was the point? If it has nothing to do with Quidditch or sports then it was clearly a boring party. A drinking part would be good but he knew that he wasn't getting that here.

The twenty-nine year old just gave his boss a nod. He had a gut feeling what the man was thinking and it had everything to do with his name because he had seen that look before. "Legally my name is Lorenzo. It's a hideous name but Enzo is just easier to say and rolls off the tongue." Yeah sure. He knew the guy didn't want to hear this but if he is truly his boss then Enzo would be taking this time to bore the guy before work starts and this guy bores him.

"See you."

He looked at the man that nodded and gave a weak nod back. Was this his new head then? That was really his only reason for coming here, to meet him and then hopefully be on his way before Robbie complained about him being late. He went over to him, "Vincent Wither." Yes. Vincent... Not Vince or whatever other nickname people would try to give him.

Well, Thought Krel as she stepped inside the archway to the Garden Party. This is going to be interesting. She tapped her hand against her thigh as she stepped around a pair of gentleman chatting. From the looks of it, they appeared to be nearing the end of their conversation, but Krel wasn’t one to interrupt. She gave them a bright smile and a nod as she passed by, but she stopped not too far past them. It seemed the Ministry had arranged quite the party. She was glad she hadn’t packed away all of her summer clothes for her move back to London (once she found a place to rent). Most of the clothing she had left out for winter ware wouldn’t have been appropriate for a garden party.

She turned in a circle wondering if Edward had arrived yet. He wasn’t a new employee, but she had asked him to attend with her thinking he would be able to introduce her to some people and help her make some connections. Alas, she did not seem him. Determined to not let that deter her from making acquaintances, she idled up to one of the men she had just passed. “Excuse me Enzo was it?” she said with a smile. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop; I heard it when I was passing by.” She held out a hand as she introduced herself. “I’m Krel. You look to be a new employee as well.”

Now that the conversation with his boss was nearing an end he had better things to do. Well not really but he liked to think he did but of course he had to make an appearance her at this gathering of sorts. Enzo felt as though he was blabbering in his own mind. he felt like he thought about the same things over and over again. It had been years since he had lived in London and being back made it just seem so much different but at the same time everything was the same just with different faces. He knew none of his friends from Durmstrang and Hogwarts were here. Even after leaving Durmstrang at the end of his first year he still kept in touch with the friends he made there and he knew that none of them were here. So it was a new slate. This should be fun.

Not that long after his conversation was done with his boss he had heard his name. Maybe it was fan? But then he had listened to what else this female voice was saying and he knew that it wasn't a fan at all. Enzo turned to the woman and gave her a slight smile. Not really a warm, friendly smile but also not a cold, mean smile. Just a smile that meant little to nothing. "Yes, it's Enzo." He gave her a small nod. Enzo shook the woman's hand and looked her in the eyes when he did. Eye contact was very important. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Krel. Yes, I am new here."

Well, Lara certainly didn't get a guide but she did get a buddy whom she could snoop around with and figure out all the things. This was actually more fun than having someone who knew everything to do. Where's the fun in that, trying and exploring was far more interesting. "Sounds like a great plan," Lara said in her native british accent but with a hint of American one for the professional ear to detect. "I'm Lara Black," Lara smiled back at Amythest and her smile grew larger when she learned where the other lady was hired. "I'm to work there as well," She announced brightening up at the thought that coincidence allowed her to meet someone from the same department as her.

What a wonderful start.

"So, did you just get here?" she asked casting another quick look around. Most people seemed to have entered, others were still lingering keeping up with conversations. Lara wondered if she'd be seeing Mister Gavin. Well, he was most likely to make an appearance so she better stay alert as to not miss her new boss. But aside from that, the blonde was excited to step inside and see what was in store.

Ezra gave the man a nod and raised an eyebrow. Auror training, eh? And a nice handshake, too. He smiled appreciatively, stopping himself from inquiring about the man's age because that would be highly unprofessional. Duh.

He put on his most professional smile and straightened his already-straight tie. Oh yes, the public eye. That was him. "Oh, it's grand," he replied pompously. Being the center of attention all the time? He'd take that any day. "Just got to make sure not to trip in front of the cameras." Chuckle. That would be a disaster. He grimaced just at the thought of his clumsiness assaulting him at work. That would be baaad news. "Are you just starting this year or...?" Aha! Maybe that could clue him in his age. Nice thinking, Bellamy. "Auror training must be intense." And definitely not for him. Stealth was soo not his thing. HE needed to be NOTICED.

Krel wasn’t expected a red carpet welcome, but she had expected a little more pleasantness in the gentleman’s response. This was, after all, supposed to be a meet and great. It wasn’t to say the man was cold, but he had as much warmth as an empty fireplace. Krel, however screwed a bright and friendly smile on her face, pretending not to notice the remoteness of the man in front of her. “Pleasure to meet you,” she said shaking his hand firmly. She let go and then clasped her hands together in front of her, noting his intense eye contact. “May I ask what department you shall be working in? I’m afraid I don’t know many people here and it’d be nice to make a confrère or two before work officially begins.”

Benji heard another voice, just as he was starting to think that just last year his soon to be wife was also here at this very same party. But she was doing very well as a translator, she was happier with that and he was happy for her.

But back to the voice, he looked around and spotted who had to be another ministry Employee. "Apparently not, after being closed for the holidays we can afford a day of this." He shrugged a little, getting a good look at the guy. He seemed familiar. "I'm Benji Remmington.. i Think we've met you used to play quidditch, right? I used to be a writer for a quidditch magazine." He felt like maybe he'd interviewed the guy before? "Can't remember your name though, sorry?"

Edward walked through the archway, trying to look out for Krel. Spotting the wonderful woman as she spoke to another person, he walked over and stood beside her in her line of sight. He smiled at her, waiting for a break in the conversation to see if she needed 'rescuing'.

"The pleasure is all mine." She had come across his name with a few files she was rearranging in the office. Glancing around the entrance she had noticed Benji walk in and gave him a wave. Turning her eyes back to Enzo, she had to chuckle at his words. "Spoken like a true professional player, but a desk job might not be too bad. We have many retired players around the ministry." Mariel was certainly one, so it was possible. "What department are you going to be working in?" She was curious where he had been placed.


No need to apologize well that was good, she figured people understood, but it still seemed weird to forget your own last name. No need to discuss any further her lack of remembering, though she could use her kids as the excuse of forgetting things. Three last names to keep track of was a bit much. She hated that part about things, but what could she do. "We've had many different ones actually, there was just a banquet dinner once, last year it was this very fancy dinner and dance at a Quidditch museum." Which was very nice indeed.

"Oh the ministers office, you will work under Gavin then. You will enjoy being there I think. He is a very good man, though he would hate me saying that." Gavin was one of her closer friends and she did adore the man. Anyone was lucky to work under him.


The Botanical Gardens? Victoria looked at her and wasn't sure exactly what she was talking about for a moment and then it hit her. Oh yes, she knew what that was. "I've been to the States once, but it was Florida." Bart had talked them into a family vacation just to hang out with his friends. Very expensive vacation, but she had needed the time away.

She smiled happy that Mercedes didn't mind working under her. "I promise I'm not a horrible manager." She chuckled, "You could probably ask Benji though, he's the regulations specialist in the department." She didn't think he'd say anything bad about her. She thought she was a pretty laid back manager most of the time.

"She'll be around, Mariel wouldn't miss meeting her new employees. She's a great department head." She couldn't say enough about her boss and well it probably helped that she was her best friend.

Conversations were always welcome, especially when they very well might have led to finding people she could hopefully consider a friend. At the very least, Amethyst wanted to find someone she could talk to, simply so she wasn’t dealing with her new job alone. It was going to be strange enough going back to work without feeling like she was on the outside looking in. Even though physically at the moment she still was on the outside looking into the event itself. There were enough others still wandering around the entrance and congregating there that she wasn’t alone, and besides, she had the two women she was talking to. “At least we wouldn’t be stumbling around alone, right?,” she replied with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you Lara.” If they were going to discover how the Ministry worked together, she decided they hardly needed to be formal. Not to mention she didn’t look significantly older than herself.


“Well that’s a nice surprise,” she added, once it came out that Lara would be working on the same level. That would certainly make it easier for them to hopefully find their way. Plus, it was a happy coincidence that the first person who had approached her was going to be working with her in some capacity. “May I ask what you were hired for?,” she continued, curious. Maybe they really would be working together. “And I haven’t been here long. I’ve just been trying to get comfortable enough to head inside.” It wouldn’t work very well if she made a fool of herself on her first day, after all.

So far, things seemed to be going alright. No one had appeared to think she was too awkward, but then Amethyst hadn’t forgotten her own name. Of course, neither had Mrs. Culloden, in the strictest sense, and that was why she’d said there was no need to apologize. New situations always took time to adjust to. She knew that quite well by now. There had been enough of that in her own life, without name changes. “We?,” she asked, curious at the wording. “So this seems to be a bit more casual then. At least, since it’s during the day,” she concluded. In a way she was relieved. Fancy dress had never been something she’d been comfortable with in the past, and she felt awkward enough here without the added pressure of that.

Apparently speaking with the woman would be helpful, too. She obviously knew her way around. “So I believe. Gavin Isaacs, correct? He sent the letter informing me of my hiring,” she said, pausing slightly as the last half of the statement had been made. “Why would he hate that?” Why would anyone not want to be considered a good man? The concept actually started to make her worry a bit. There needed to be a level of confidence in holding a high position, but arrogance wasn’t something she dealt with well.

Jory had not missed the way Ezra straightened his already perfect tie. Was it possible his smile grew wider too? The YATI wouldn't be surprised if the man actually did pull that off. Yes, being in the public eye did suit the man. "Has that ever happened to you?'' He was curious. Somehow he could picture a much younger Ezra on his first day of the job being all nervous and then take a great embarrassing trip or worse, a fall. "What about stuttering? Has that ever happened?''

"No, this is my third year.'' Jory had had two great years of training. Much excitement happened at the Ministry and he was always meeting interesting people. Speaking of interesting people... he happened to look around, spotting Simon, Auror and Co-worker. Jory gestured to Simon to join them. Maybe Ezra and Simon knew each other? "It is,'' he continued as he turned his attention back to Ezra. "But it's what I like doing. What's it like working in the Minister's Office?'' Hearing all the news before it actually became news and stuff like that must be cool.

Charlotte made her way to the garden party.This was so exciting, she hadn't been this excited for ages. So she was a UWI now...working for the ministry. Of course werewolves weren't dragons but she could learn a lot and gain experience. It was good to set goals. First step was made.

Seemed like moving to London would be their last move for a while. It was surprising that Piper took it so well...they hadn't fought in ages. Not that she wanted to fight, the harmony was kinda nice.

Looking around her eyes landed on the one person she wanted to see within seconds.Tyler was already here. Them doing this step together made it a lot easier. "Hey there", she smiled and nudged him playfully, " fancy here isnt it?"

Ah...so he had been spotted.

Simon approached more normally as Jory motioned for him to join the party. It wasn't like he could deny seeing the attention of the YATI directed his way and he wasn't about to be totally antisocial. The mention of Minister's office did offer some relief in providing identity to the other man in the equation. So not one of Jorge's colleagues but one of theirs it appeared. Gavin's department to be specific, one floor above them. All information that provided to be useful specifically in security-wise.

"Good day, Gentlemen," he greeted with a polite nod as he made his presence known instead of remaining sneaky about it. "Simon Bennett, MLE," he introduced to the unfamiliar man, offering a friendly hand. No sense in appearing to just be interrupting. No, he was being welcoming and acknowledging a co-worker...like noticing Victoria from Games and Sports over the man's shoulder. Another returning face.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PuppySara

Vincent glanced over, was there a girl talking to herself? He raised a brow but went over to her. She actually looked close to his age. That was rare to him anymore, everyone seemed to be old and boring and just ugh... Maybe he would have more reason than just making sure he had a back up should his band's plan's fall apart. He smiled slightly and looked at her, "Hey there." He nodded to the girl, "Vincent, and you are?"

As Jasmine was giving herself a pep talk, she looked around and noticed a guy who was just the same age as her. Hmm she didn't see that too much around in the ministry. She smiled and nodded back. "Hello...." she began. "I am Jasmine." she introduced herself. "Are you new to the ministry?" she asked curiously. "It is just I never seen you around.." she smiled kindly.

"Yeah, I see!" Penelope replied with a laugh. She hadn't thought to ask where Ember worked the last time they had met, so this was a cool surprise. "And I do. My first day today." For the most part, at least. Since this party thing wasn't really work, but it was her first day at an actual Ministry thing.

"What department d'you work in?" Seemed unlikely Ember would be in MLE too but...you never know? And Penelope was curious either way.

Oh, whoops, had she cut him off? That was...probably rude. Not quite the impression Penelope wanted to give on her first day, even if he wasn't someone she'd be working with often.

"Sorry," she turned back to him with another quick smile. "I'm Penelope." Introductions were appropriate, right?

Patrick licked the salsa from his tie as he wandered into the garden party thingy. Lovely. It had a hint of mango to it. YUM. Smoothing it down he smacked his lips and cast a glance around. Would the girl from the cafe be there? HMMMMM? She was a mysterious sort and he LIKED that. Now... where was the food and where were the people he knew? Not that he actually KNEW anyone from the Ministry despite his several years in its employ. SIGHS. BUT he put on big smiles and waved at random people in a rather friendly manner. Yep. Orient himself with others and get to eat free food...YEAH.

Enzo nodded at the woman. "That may be true for some but I cannot sit around all day and do nothing." To him a desk job was doing nothing all day just serious business that was meant for someone that enjoyed that kind of work. He was not one to enjoy such jobs like this. As much as Enzo didn't want to retire and wouldn't admit to himself that he retired he would just have truck along and deal with it. "I'll be working in Magical Transportation." Sadly. "It was the only department that had open spots. I think I might change departments sometime in the future though." He had this gut feeling that he wouldn't enjoy this department at all.

Enzo let out a light chuckle. "I guess throwing parties are more important than getting jobs done around here." No wonder why nothing seemed to get done or got done way too late. "Nice to meet you, Benji." That was an interesting name but then again so was his in a way. Enzo grinned, it was about time that someone noticed him and a smart man as well. "Yes. I played for the as a keeper for the Fitchburg Finches and beater for the Puddlemere United. I think I've seen you before. " Enzo gave the man a nod. Now looked at the Benji guy more he seemed a bit familar as well. "The names Enzo Abernathy."

The honest truth about Enzo was he was horrible at first impressions and he normally was never this grumpy but then again he was having a bad day and he might just have to apologize to this woman about it. "I must apologize for my grumpiness, ma'am." should he add that he isn't having the best day? No because he didn't want to bother the woman with his woes. When the woman let go of his hand he put both of them in his pockets. "I'm in Magical Transportation. What department are you in?" Enzo nodded. "I don't know anyone here either."

The Minister for Magic stepped into the room and took a very long pause, waiting to adjust to all the activity and the plethora of sounds and smells. The planning committee had done such a nice job with this event, and he reminded himself to praise them in person later.

Where was someone from his office? He'd remind them instead. Now then... mingling. Anyone want to shake his hand?

"Yes, We as in the entire ministry. You are a part of that we now." She gave the woman a grin. Victoria always took pride in working for the ministry and even though she didn't help plan, which she would have loved to, but it wasn't her job, she still took pride in it being their event. The entire ministry was here and they were all doing the same thing, so we was fitting. "Oh yes much more casual then last years. Though it was fun dressing up, but sadly since my husband is a professor at Hogwarts he couldn't join me, which made it a little less fun to be at." Everyone was dancing the night a way or enjoying their dates and she had went alone, which she hated until Jamie saved her. So a great friend he was. She wondered if he was there yet.

"Yes that's correct, Gavin Isaacs." She chuckled, unless you knew Gavin you wouldn't understand why she would say he would hate her calling him that. "He's not as social as I am, hence why he needs me as a friend." she was just joking of course, but she valued that friendship more then anything. "I'm just kidding about needing me as a friend, but you will soon find out what I mean. You are very lucky to have him as a boss. Though from what I've seen and heard most of the Department Heads are great to work for." She really hadn't heard any negative about them and the ones she did weren't there anymore.

She listened to Enzo, who didn't seem as thrilled to start his new job as she thought. "Only department with opening spots." How interesting that was. A ministry so big she would think there would be more spots, but maybe people loved their job like she did and didn't leave that much. "Well keep a positive attitude and maybe you will end up liking it. If not like you said when a position opens you can always change. I was going to do that once a while ago, but I love my position and the people I work with." Moving to another department and starting at the bottom again just didn't seem fitting for how hard she had worked to be where she was in sports.

"Well if you ever do need anything feel free to venture up to level seven, I'm usually easy to find in the quidditch offices." She'd be more then willing to help if he needed and if she could actually help. She'd certainly keep an eye open for a spot in their department, because he had enough quidditch background to be qualified.

After finishing her talk with Enzo, Victoria turned to walk into another are and walked right into someone. "Oh my I'm so sorrrrr..." Her face lit up like a tomato, she did not just run into the minister himself. How ridiculous was she looking right now. "'I'm so sorry sir, I didn't hurt you did I?" Did she step on his foot or anything.

Pushing her hair back she composed herself a bit more, "Thank you for the lovely welcome back orientation. They are always so nice." Him and the department heads always outdo themselves. She wasn't sure if she should introduce herself or not, she knew she had worked there for six years, but she figured he didn't know who she was, but at the same time she didn't want to look stupid introducing herself either. So many decisions, had she went through with the meeting she wanted with him last year he would have really known her name, but it was better that she didn't. "I hope you had a lovely holiday." Yeah smooth Victoria real smooth.

Tabitha turned and saw the Minister of Magic himself and decided it was best to try and make a good impression. She excused herself from Paxton and walked up to the Minister.

"Good day, Minister. My name's Tabitha Stephens," Tabitha said as she extended her hand if the Minister wanted to shake her hand.

It wasn't like he was invisible or something, and Albert grimaced when the woman stepped on his toes. He put up an arm to ward her off, biting off any hard words. She'd hurt him but MORE... she'd scuffed his shoes. It was pretty much unforgivable.

"It's... fine. No real harm done." She was blathering a bit, but Albert had that impact on people. The curse of being the Minister, he supposed. "The planning committee does a marvelous job. I've been thinking about sending them a gift basket myself. You are... Ms. Maroon, yes? Helped organize the Quidditch event last year?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginevra

Tabitha turned and saw the Minister of Magic himself and decided it was best to try and make a good impression. She excused herself from Paxton and walked up to the Minister.

"Good day, Minister. My name's Tabitha Stephens," Tabitha said as she extended her hand if the Minister wanted to shake her hand.

"Stephens?" Albert took the woman's hand and gave it a firm shake. Good manners, this one. Polite, well spoken. And he thought he recognized her name. "Stephens, you say? You're newly assigned to my office, aren't you? I believe you'll enjoy working up there. We have a very... cordial environment."

Which basically meant everyone got along and no one caused trouble or drama. Thank Merlin.

Enzo listened to what she had to say. He nodded slowly. "Unless I was being lied to about there being zero openings in Games and Sports and was forced to be in the department I am in now." Enzo didn't think about that until now and that actually made him very angry. If that was the case he would give someone his mind. "Me getting along with people is one thing and me not liking the department I was placed in is a whole other thing that I would rather not want to deal with but alas I must." Enzo gave her a soft smile and nodded again. He might just take the woman up on that offer one of these days. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Culloden."

When his conversation was done with Mrs. Culloden, Enzo looked around and was about to walk into the party when he noticed a man. He knew that man. Well he didn't know the man personally but he knew his name and his face. Just like people knew his own name and face from playing professional Quidditch for ten years straight. "Hello, Sir." Enzo stuck out his hand for the man to shake. "It's a great honor to meet the Minister for Magic in the flesh." Enzo smiled at the man. He was cutting in but it wasn't in a rude fashion but it's not everyday that one gets to meet the Minister for Magic. It truly is an honor to Enzo.

"Charmed, I'm sure." He smiled at her, for once not adding on his smart alec side show with his typical 'Though it's more your pleasure'. Hey, the girl should feel lucky to talk to him. He was the greatest after all. He had his job here, and was starting to hit the road as the lead singer in his band... She should really be in awe of such an amazing guy. Vincent shook his head to her question though, "I've been here three years now... Just don't venture around much." Not that he had time to anyways, again, he was important. He didn't have time to try to be buddy buddy with people... Normally anyways, Jasmine just got lucky.