Damon give a nod as Rafael agreed with the plant idea but no so much the party decoration idea. Perhaps they should keep business and pleasure separate for the sake of keeping the Department under control.

Damon was about to start jotting down some potential plants that might be a good idea to position around the place when the sound of rather loud and heavy footsteps distracted him. He looked up to see Rain sprinting into the room with more enthusiasm than Damon thought was possible for one human being to possess...What in the world?

Damon had a hard time keeping up with the man's words due to how quickly and excitedly he was sputtering them out at everyone. Damon leaned forward slightly in his seat, thinking that maybe if he could see Rain's mouth clearly he would understand him better. After a couple of moments Damon leaned back in his chair, eyeing the man curiously as he exclaimed how great it would be to have a fountain (which Damon himself agreed with) and suggested statues.

One of mother nature? Damon assumed that was appropriate given it being the Environmental Department....

"You're not late, Rain." He inclined his head towards the man in greeting as he stomped into the large room. The flies.... he didn't need them in his work room and so close to his greenhouses. Rafael waved his hand and silently vanished the pests.

The stench he could stand. Especially considering who their Minister was.

It was nothing compared to Lord Borr.

"I suppose we could fit a fountain into the corridor... or somewhere." He grew silent as Rain continued to speak. They would need a larger space if his people were going to get so creative. Which he was approving of highly. "Swaying plants.... and statues. Some of Borr I suppose and other important figures." He mused, eyes scanning the room. Did the others have anything to contribute?

Another meeting, 4th one of the day. Medea felt great; she loved being busy.

She had received Mr. Belmonte’s memo and made her way to his office, err scratch that his work rooms. Enviromental... wait a hot minute... Her stomach lurched. Medea suddenly realized Noah worked on this level. Noah the man she recently broke up with but not before using him to get to his best friend who she was now dating. Oh Merlin. Why was her love life such a soap opera?!

Wasn’t Noah a Botanist or something? She scanned the room.

Please don’t let Noah be here. Medea didn’t readily see him so for the moment she breathed a sigh of relief.

The woman showed no sign of worry or insecurity as she approached and spoke to the people in the room. ”Excuse me; I’m looking for Mr. Belmonte.” Business, all business.

"You found him." Rafael turned his eyes from his oddly quiet employees to the woman who'd just entered. "How can I help you?"

Hopefully this interruption was an important one.

Short, sweet to the point. Wonderful, this man would be easy to work with. "Great." The woman scanned the room once more, maybe Noah was out today. Thank Merlin!

"Yes Mr. Belmonte, I am Medea Ward. I am the one that requested time to speak with you about appointing someone to the position of Magical Environment Regulation and Protection Liaison." The dark haired woman wondered if the random workers within earshot heard her. This is somewhat of a promotion for them. Granted they'd have to manage their current position and the Liaison position, but a promotion never the less. Promotion means more money, and more responsibility.

Medea waited; did the Department Head really want to discuss this in front of all these people? They would need to review the employee’s files, personal information and education level. Surely this was a conversation for his office, unless of course he has already decided upon a person.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grangerfan8

Rafael raised a brow at Kaishu and sighed mentally. "There are showers in the bathroom if you need freshening up." He quipped lightly. It was his way of saying, no, there would be no salon in his department. "And there is music in the break room, but I suppose we could add some... somewhere." He'd yet to decide if he wanted any music in the work areas. The last thing he needed was another distraction in his department.

Kaishu frowned, but only slightly. He figured that that would be the man's response. Still, it wouldn't hurt SOME people to freshening up a bit more often. He shot a glance at Water-buffalo man who had come stomping in only moments earlier. "Just to clarify, I am not implying that we have any sort of heavy metal blaring in the background," he nodded. "Something classic with a little bit of rhythm. Something that sounds earthy and authentic." He knew of a few underground Wizarding groups that fit this category. The Hippogriff's Talon, Tears of the Phoenix, Cabbage Chompers...all had studied tribal music before creating their own unique sound.

He then furrowed his brow a bit more as he listened to the other comments. "Perhaps, what we need is something more on the social side of things. Something small," he swiveled around in his chair to look around a bit. "I think we can all agree that we have the liviest of offices in the Ministry, and adding too much may take away from the nature and plants we already have." No need to make the poor plants feel bad. Merlin....WHAT WAS HE SAYING?! Water-buffalo man was rubbing off on him. "Something small to increase work ethic. For example, perhaps starting a candy bowl in the office that can stay some other central location. Rotate the task of filling the candy bowl each week so we can each contribute. Or, perhaps set up a toy basketball hoop or a dartboard like Muggles have somewhere in a central location so we can take a shot as we walk by. We could even keep a scoreboard by the game to make things interesting. Friendly competition never hurt anyone and besides, all work and no play will quickly turn us all into shriveled weeds."

Again with the plant analogies...CLEARLY Buffalo was to blame.

Kaishu's attention was swayed with a pretty little miss entered the office and he bowed his head to her. Oh, she was hear to speak with the boss. Kaishu took a sip of his water and continued to observe.

Perhaps she wanted a CD? Yes?

Ah. That right. Rafael remembered receiving that owl. Removing his wand from its holster, he flicked it at his office door that clicked unlocked. "I remember Miss Ward. If you'll step into my office I'll be there in a moment to discuss the position." He spared the woman the faintest of smiles before turning his attention back to his employees.

Who were now speaking. Or at least one of them. Rafael considered Kaishu's words for a moment before replying. "I wouldn't be opposed to a candy bowl in the waiting room for visitors, and all of you are more than welcome to have candy or small snacks on your desks. However. The moment they attract bugs, they go. All of it." The LAST thing he wanted in his work room was bugs.

And creatures.

"Your other ideas seem more suited for our break room." Because that was just too much of a distraction to have in his work room, but he could compromise. "There currently are no games there. A few games wouldn't hurt." He mused as he shifted off the wall and glanced at all his workers.

"I have business that needs tending to, but I'd like for you guys to go ahead and start working on the game room, corridor, and waiting area." He looked at his Ranger Director. "Kaishu, I'd like you to take the other Rangers, Permitting Officers, Executives, and Elias to the break room and work on that area. You'll be overseeing the assignment. Only the things we agreed on though." No salons.

He turned his gaze to Rainbow. "Rain, I'm leaving you in charge of the rest of the divisions to decorate the corridor. Nothing to extravagant or too big." He paused briefly to consider his next set of words. "I'll let you two mature men decide who'll place an appropriate amount of candy in the waiting area."

Now he should go see to the woman heading to his office, he waved his employees off dismissively. "You may start working now. I expect something to be started by the time my meeting is over." Turning his back to his workers, trusting they could be left alone, he headed into his office.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grangerfan8

Who were now speaking. Or at least one of them. Rafael considered Kaishu's words for a moment before replying. "I wouldn't be opposed to a candy bowl in the waiting room for visitors, and all of you are more than welcome to have candy or small snacks on your desks. However. The moment they attract bugs, they go. All of it." The LAST thing he wanted in his work room was bugs.

And creatures.

"Your other ideas seem more suited for our break room." Because that was just too much of a distraction to have in his work room, but he could compromise. "There currently are no games there. A few games wouldn't hurt." He mused as he shifted off the wall and glanced at all his workers.

"I have business that needs tending to, but I'd like for you guys to go ahead and start working on the game room, corridor, and waiting area." He looked at his Ranger Director. "Kaishu, I'd like you to take the other Rangers, Permitting Officers, Executives, and Elias to the break room and work on that area. You'll be overseeing the assignment. Only the things we agreed on though." No salons.

Kaishu nodded and kept his usual charming smile on his face despite in inner dialogue calling his boss a sort of a party pooper. Still, this time he seemed to have agreed with some of his suggestions instead of passively shooting them down. He still thought a hair salon would have been a good idea.

Kaishu gave the man a two finger salute and a wink. “Roger that,” he said turning to his little Rangers and those who would be following him into the Break Room for further discussion. "One hair salon coming right up," he said clapping his hands together and looking at Rafael and winking. The man knew that he was only pulling his leg, right?

“If you would all please accompany me to the Break Room,” he said with a slight nod of the head. “I need to take care of some business first, but I will be along shortly.” That business being his perfect hair of course. Kaishu grabbed his guitar case and slung the strap over his shoulder. Nothing like some music to lighten the mood and help people work, right?

He then shot one more look at Buffalo-man and could have run over to Rafael and hugged the man for making sure that they were not working together. Kaishu WOULD have broken his promise to not shampoo anyone else in the work space. The man smelled worse than Hippogriff dung that had been out in the beating sun for two weeks and then sprinkled with mold. Kaishu wrinkled his nose at the thought of him doing more manual labor.

He then left his desk area and headed towards the Break Room making an oh so subtle sudden change in directions towards the restrooms.

Rain was busy writing notes, more notes for more decorations when he noticed a woman walk into the room (ALL SUSPICIOUS LIKE) and wanted to get word with him. Whatever that was, the big man was immediately distracted by Kaishu aka the man who had the perfect hair--so perfect--that Rain was starting to doubt how it was mysteriously environmentally perfect.

That hair. THAT hair.

Burn it. BURN IT ALL.

MAKE IT BE ONE WITH NATURE.

He resisted the urge to make his hair even more perfect (in his opinion).

He turned his head when Boss Man turned his head (at him!) and said the few sentences that made him open his mouth in the most surprised way as possible. Him?! LEADER?! It had given him hope! The infernal hope of trust between him and this man--the inner Mother Nature inside Rainbow Boogie was swaying with passion as this position of leadership was too much for the man. Suddenly, he was met with more pressure and sweated even more, creating an aroma of... well you can guess what it is.

"ME?! Thank you sir! Thank you! I will not disappoint Mother Nature! We will do our best, sir! My first leader task in here! I'm so honored! SO HONORED! I COULD..." he immediately took out two wads of used tissue in his pocket (what? it wasn't all used), "CRY!" And the big buffalo of a man blew his nose, standing up and showing everyone his tears!

HIS TEARS OF PASSION!

Immediately he turned to those who had been in his group. "Let's go, my friends! My peers! We must all learn to love and cherish each other, by the way. For peace and love is the true answer to all life's problems!"

See his wonderful words of wisdom? "Let's go, children! To the Break Room!"

Rufin walked through the door of the Environmental Department and looked around, searching for his desk.

He ran a hand through his black curly hair and blinked, his dark eyes taking in his surroundings;He smiled at the appearance of the place, there was soil on the floor and many of the desks were strewn with paper work, just like the indoor work room in his own house.

He walked through the department and found his desk, sporting his name on the front with an empty in-tray and probably the most tidy it would ever be and sat down, arranging his things on the table.

Rafa didn't expect to see anyone in the work room since all of his workers should be off in their groups 'livening up' the level. So he was a bit surprised when he not only saw someone who didn't look familiar, but someone who was settling into one of the newbies desk.

Didn't take him long to put two and two together.

He walked over to the man, stopping short of his desk to read the nameplate. "Rufin Stewart.... " The department head's brows furrowed in confusion. Did the man not notice half of the department in the corridor, or his other boss? Rainbow was hard to miss.

"Rafael Belmonte."

This is it. She would be working at the ministry and at a wonderful department too, plus she gets to be a junior ranger! It said so at the mail she received. Camellia felt really excited.

She looked inside the place, shyness creeping up her spine. There were already people here, well duh, of course, it's working hours already. But what made her really nervous were her thoughts. Would she like it here? Would they like her here? Get a grip Camellia. Of course they would, and of course you would! Now calm down and get in, look for someone and submit your file. The letter did say she had to report.

So here she is, yep. Here we go.

"Excuse me." she called out, to anyone in particular, keeping a smile on her face. It's no use having to not smile when someone approaches her. It gives off a bad impression.

Another one... or at least he assumed this one to be another one of his new employees. "Yes?" Rafa glanced up from his two employee to young woman just entering.

Leon was thrilled, after three whole years working a boring usual muggle job, he finally made it to the Ministry of Magic. We walked nervously in to the department's workroom feeling a bit insecure of himself, but he didn't show his feelings to anyone in the room. He didn't want to make a bad impression on his first day, already.

He looked around the room not knowing what to do, he didn't recognize anyone in the room, but hopefully he'll make friend. He scratched his head feeling a bit awkward, for not knowing what to do, but in the letter the ministry sent him it said that he be working in the position of helping the export and import in the UK. He didn't know if he should start working or to start a conversation with someone, so in the meanwhile he leaned on the wall waiting for something to happen.

Rufin had to stop himself from slapping his hand to his forehead. He had been so much in his own world that he had completely passed over the other people in the room and now it seemed like he'd made an awful impression already. He jumped up to his full six feet and held his right hand out to shake, "Yes, I mean - Hello, Rufin Stewart. Sorry... I... well I'm a little nervous." he shrugged, he had been working for himself for three years and was a little out of place with the whole office customs. "I was going to come and greet you." he said feebly, cringing inside. "I thought I should come inside and put my things down before I found out what was going on." he added. Stop babbling Rufin, stop babbling Rufin... for Merlin's sake, why can't you stop babbling? He shut his mouth and ran his left hand through his black curly hair nervously. Oh Rufin, stop it, you're not usually this nervous he thought.

Zelda entered the work room, her purse in hand. She had noticed several other of her co-workers gathered in the break room. Perhaps they were working on a new assignment? She thought she'd better ask the department head just to be sure. She didn't want to anything wrong and make a bad impressions on her first day on the job. "Good Day, Mr. Belmonte." She greeted her boss politely. Oh no. What did he like to be called? Mr. Belmonte? Sir? Rafael? "Zelda Kinzler-Import/Export Executive." She straightened out her skirt. Now what should she say? She didn't want to sound like a complete idiot. "Should I join my co-workers in the break room?" She hoped she didn't sound to annoying. Or stupid. Oops. Maybe she shouldn't have said anything at all! That did sound stupid, didn't it?

Breathe, Zelda. Just breathe. She was never this nervous before.

Hm.

Another one.

The department head greeted this one with a head nod. "Rafael Belmonte." He looked at the man expectantly. "I'm assuming your one of my new employees... Oliver Berry?" At least that's who he took the man to be, going by the memory of his file.

Dark eyes widening a bit at the man's sudden movement, Rafael stuck his hand out and shook the proffered hand. "No need to worry, Rufin. I was just curious as to if you noticed the group gathered in the corridor." Raf dropped the man's hand and slipped his own into his pockets. "Your thinking is logical, and now that you are settled, I'd like you to head out to the corridor and report to Rain, he'll fill you in on what's being done. You may greet me properly after that task is completed, though it's not necessary."

Unless he wanted to meet privately with him, Rafael didn't mind meetings with his employees.

Raf turned his attention to the newest addition to this small gathering. And she seemed to know a bit about what was going on, that or she was over-excited to get to work. A good thing he supposed, so long as she did her job well. "Rafael, please." He inclinded his head to her in greeting. "Glad to have you on our team Zelda, and yes. Head to the break room and report to Kaishu. He'll fill you in."

"Thank you, Rafael," replied Zelda. He sounded like a very nice man. She set her purse beside her desk and headed over to the break room, ready for whatever her new job had in store for her.

Wearing her beige and green sweater with matching scarf and cap, Marina got into the crowded room. She hugged a pad to her chest and smiled awkwardly. Belmonte, her boss, must be one of those people.

"Umm excuse me.." Huh? What the heck they all probably going to be her co-workers so she cleared her throat quickly and added,"I mean, Hi. I'm looking for Mr. Belmonte. I'm Marina Stewart, a new employee." She stood near the door glancing around the room. And she, so soon, figured out that her To-Be coworkers mostly were... not so feminine. Not that she cared but a note must be... noted.

Rafael watched one of his newest employees walk off to start her job. She was a good one, really they all were. After all, he only picked the best. When he was certain she was heading into the right room, he turned his attention to the other employees.

"Please, just call me Rafael." He faced the woman, nodding politely since... she was rather fond of her pad. "Glad to have you, Marina. First task, head to the break room and report to Kasihu, he'll tell what the others are working on right now." Yup, sending them right off to work so he could get back to work.

Camellia almost jumped, but glad she didn't, when a man turned to her, obviously catching his attention. She smiled at him, and walked a bit nearer, but not so near that she could be considered invading space. "Hello, I'm a new employee. I'm looking for Mr. Belmonte. I was told to report here immediately." she said politely

Yes, it is Ryu's first day of work in the Ministry. He got the letter 2 days ago and immediately was ready for work. He was suppose to be going to Italy and take that photography job but die to the fact that his work completely sucks there, entering the ministry was his last chance.

He walked around and just observed, Ryu is not much of a talker. He entered the work are and tried to find himself a good working place. One that really is comfortable.

He is getting eager with his new job. He hasn't been hired by the ministry before, heck he hasn't even worked in the wizarding world before. All his life he worked in the muggle community. So this is really a change for him. Plus, he is too dependent on magic so going to work in the wizarding world felt like home for him.

As soon as he found himself a great work area. He put his bag on the table and sat down on the chair. Ahhh yes, comfortable indeed.

He's going to like this place.

So, she has a nice down to earth boss? Her luck must be on these days. Marina smiled brightly and nodded, thinking whether she can shake his hand or not, eventually Marina repeated unnecessarily, "Rafael."

Listening to his directions she nodded again. "All right. Thank you." Not sure how to respond to that. Not that she was clumsy or anything but working at the MoM for the first time did that to a person. Marina, still hugging her pad, retreated to the door and got out of the room searching for what he called 'the break room' because, yeah, her tour in this level was yet to come.

As Leon waited for something to happen the head of department introduced himself to him, "Hi, Mr. Belmonte," he said rather nervous, not knowing what to say after that. "You can call me just Leon," he said. He preferred the name Leon or Leo more than the name he was given, Oliver. "So are we supposed to start working or just hang-out for a while?" he asked becoming less nervous every second, but he really didn't feel like working.

"You've found him, miss..." Rafael offered her a hand. Yes, he was tired of trying to match the names with the faces, even if there weren't many. Surely they were capable of just giving him their names.

As a tired afterthought. "And please, just Rafael."

He hadn't been counting the employees as they entered the work room, but maybe he should have in order to know when this line was ending. Strolling over to the man, he offered him a hand. "Rafael Belmonte." He said, looking at him expectantly. Your name please?

Maybe he should point out which room is which to make certain she wouldn't get lost. Then again, they were all accessible through the work room, and the bathroom was even labeled... so that wasn't necessary, right? Raf watched her for a moment with a wary eye.