Normally Ainsley was not one to get snippy. She did what she needed to do without much confortation. She took her work and work quality very seriously. Mr. Gavin, Mr. Issacs, Gavin or whatever he wanted to be called did not ask her what her project was. Nope, he asked about uniforms and redecorating the office. Call her crazy, but as much as she loved to help people, that was not exactly her job description. She chalked it up to him not knowing her just yet, but he would. He would be amazed by the end of the year. She continued to smile. She would just have to prove what she is worth. "Yes, I am the Media Liason." Pause. "Thank you for the clarification. I will get right on it." She had the perfect personality for winning people over. That would be a walk in the park for her.

She listened to what Zach had to say about the uniforms and she too agreed with what he was saying. "I too think that different departments should have their own distinct uniform." She though everybody having the same uniform across the board would be boring. "It would be easier for people to know who belonged where." That way if she had to chase down somebody from a particular department she could at least narrow down the field a bit. Plus, colors was sooo pretty.

Victoria took the woman's hand in hers and smiled at her. One thing a secretary did best was greeting people warmly. "The pleasure is mine. I look forward to working with you," and that was true. She was quite used to meeting new comrades.
Wasn't this young man nice and cute. The blond secretary flashed him a huge smile and shook his hand. The one she gave all the time sitting at her office and greeting people. She could tell he was new. Simply because she knew almost everyone around here. "Well, then, welcome aboard," she told him smile never leaving her face. Naaah. Her cheeks were used to the motion.


And here it was the man she looked forwards to meet most. Exciting as always to get to know her new bosses. She nodded at the man gratefully. He seemed to be ready to get onto business. She remained in her seat and listened on.

Her eyes flickered to the door as Zack entered, she returned his smile. Then the Minister himself joined them and she rose from her seat and nodded in greeting before listening carefully to his words.

Then they were getting to business and it was time for her to speak. Hearing what Zack suggested, Victoria waited for him to finish before she chimed in. "I do agree on that," she started off referring to the junior undersecretary's words "It would be very helpful that each level has its own uniform for the sake of being easily recognized and not confused with someone else." It would all save time. "Except maybe for exceptional occasions in which anonymity is required," the MLE must face such occasions. As for Level one that wasn't likely. But who knew what might be required someday? "Perhaps we can come up with as many options as we can and put them all up for voting, in a ballot?" After all, the people who were going to wear the uniforms had the right to get a say in it.

They were all in agreement with this implementing of uniforms. That was fantastic but he wasn't aware it was up for discussion. To his understanding, they were meant to be working on it then getting it approved by the Minister. Still, it was good to know they were all in agreement with what they were about to force on the rest of the Ministry.

Now about this dress code. Their ideas fit in with each other's as they all had a similar idea of what they wanted to see around the Ministry. Uniformity. A standard thing. Just to be sure he wasn't misinterpreting, he flipped through until he found that particular task. "It says here, we'll need something universal, something straight across the board, but I understand your concern where certain Departments that thrive on field work are concerned." Couldn't very well expect an Auror to run around in a knee-length skirt now could they? "Now seeing as the dress code is meant to go for everyone, I'm proposing a second, more adaptable set for field work. In this case they would have to dress appropriately in the Office and make the necessary change before heading out to the field."

Just how many emergencies could one have that would make it impossible to take five minutes to get into something more fieldwork appropriate. "For now, let's think 'work area'. I'm going to ask that those of you set with this task bring in your suggestions at the earliest convenience so we can get this underway." Earliest because they were the same ones working on the new decor for the Minister. He could only expect so much. "Once it's signed and set into place of course we'll need patrol. Not everyone will be as keen on following this dress code for some time."

Gavin took another sip of his coffee. "Thoughts on this? Anything else we feel needs discussion before we go?"

Zach was a little bit amused that they think that the uniform will be different. Or maybe that was what he implied on his statement earlier. His bad.

Zach raised his hand and said, "If I may, the agreement will be for two sets of uniform, one is for office attire and the other will be for outside use. Is it alright if we put a simple difference in lapel colour or something that make it distinct for every department like for example a gold lapel for a robe for the member of the Minister's office? Just a thought. But that is about that, I mean in summary, is it?" he said trying to summarize and grasp the idea of the meeting.

"In terms of implementation, we are aiming to elicit the help of all departments, and use some people of the Specialty Area as hall monitors so that we won't need to have more employees to pay saving us money." he said ending his piece.

Ainsley was glad that Victoria seemed to have some manners after all. They were in the middle of a meeting so she didn't have time to worry about that just now. She listened intently to what the junior and senior undersecretary had to say. She was in agreement with everything that was being said. Of course she had already voiced that so she just took notes.

She didn't think that she needed to add anything to the conversation. It all seemed pretty clear to her, besides she had her own work that she needed to get started on. She already had an idea with how she was going to go about meeting the press. Ainsley secretly hoped that who she had to deal with would be a man because they way to a man's heart was through his stomach, and Ainsley could bake and cook like nobody else. She would have good press for the ministry without much effort. Not to mention that she had an education and special training in advising so yeah. "That sums it up for me sir." She was ready to get to her office and officially make herself at home.

João was HAPPY to see someone who knew politics in here, and he understood it quite well that if he played his cards well, he would be promoted. That sounded easy enough. He didn't let any of his emotions show on his face as always, and just listened to the discussions. He only nodded once when Mr. Isaacs addressed him. They WERE clear on this. He KNEW his job description already, he just hadn't had the time to get on it.

Anyways. They were discussing business already.

He just listened because it wasn't entirely his job, and also because he understood little of clothes. Once the Senior Undersecretary asked whether there was something they would like to add, he shook his head.

"That's all for me too, Mister Isaacs." Could they go?

Albert held up a hand again, once again halting things. He hated to interrupt, but he needed to clarify his position, since he had obviously explained himself badly when working out his policies with Gavin's predecessor. Not at all Gavin's fault.

"I should clarify before we get underway, Mr. Isaacs. I'm concerned at the lack of formality and professionalism in the Ministry. It is a workplace and should be treated like it. We will all perform our jobs with greater skill if we can view our work as a profession and not as drudgery to get through. One of the major ways to instill that sense of professionalism is to establish common standards of dress. A dress code, if you like. I'm not interested in uniforms. This is not a sports team. We are a place of business. We need standards, but people are free to be themselves within those standards. Am I understood?"

Ah, and that being said, Albert turned his attention to Mr. Neves. "I would like to see you in my office once we are adjourned. We should be properly introduced, and I want to set you up with a work space."

Gavin was liking the ideas Mr. MacMillan was putting out. If anything, they were well thought through, at least to a great extent. His eyes swept the meeting room. They all understood, they said they did. There was no reason to keep them here much longer, so....

Gavin waited an extra minute in case there was more to be added by the Minister. Good he did because the man went clarifying. Rght. It was as he'd thought when he read through the notes. Dress code. Nothing too restrictive but professional enough to give the Ministry that edge. Was this clear with everyone else? Yes?

"Alright, I'll let you get back to your work. Meeting adjourned."

He took a final swig of his coffee, finishing everything in the cup before standing and giving them all a departing nod. No doubt that stack of papers in his office was calling to him. He needed to get them worked through and sent off as soon as possible.

The people he was working with were competent, that much he got. No need for him to worry about what he delegated to who. It would all work out. Gavin gave a final nod to the Minister then headed back to his office.

João wasn't required to make comments about this dressing issue, was he? He hoped not. He didn't say anything again about it, but nodded at the Minister.

"Of course, sir." It was a bit weird that he didn't have a working space yet, but the office was being redecorated? Yeah... it must be because of it. And this 'proper' meeeting part? He liked it.

He vaguely wondered what Aspen was doing before his thoughts were fully on this 'introduction' again and once they were adjourned, he got out only after Minister did.

Victoria listened to the discussion and noted the minister's words. So they needed dress code and not uniforms. She could see the reason behind that. She didn't need to write down anything she was able to remember the words later. The secretary developed this ability over the years.

Nodding along, she remained silent since she had nothing to input that'd be much of importance. And they definitely weren't here to chat and randomly talk. Everyone had jobs to preform and see to.

Once it was declared that the meeting was adjourned, she stood up, gathered her stuffs then nodded at the present people. "Have a good day," Not that the day had ended but they were all in different offices.

The conference room it was. Emily was happy to oblige, not wasting any time dilly dallying in the hall any longer. "Yes, I have," she acknowledged with a nod, "Gavin's been keeping me posted, and I'm sad to say we're experiencing similar issues on level two." It was incredibly inconvenient.

But really, between the rain, the memos, the lift and things going missing... it couldn't be a coincidence. "I have security on the lookout for anything suspicious..." but so far, nothing. This was a good thing, lesser of two evils so to speak. Emily cocked her head to the side, a lazy shrug. She was stumped as far as the crazies were concerned.

Albert was happy to take a DRY seat well away from the mess that was becoming his office. He would leave it to his administrative staff and Mr. Neves to make sure nothing was really ruined. In the meantime... Ms. Browne.

"Have a seat," he gestured to one of the chairs before gingerly taking another. Damp on the cushions was just... terrible, but there was nothing for it. "I trust your people will let us know if there's anything to report. What else do you have for me today?"

"Thank you," she replied without haste, making herself comfortable and immediately opening the folder she was carrying to extract some notes. Of course it went without saying that if they uncovered anything significant, he would be made aware of it, so moving right onto business. "Actually... the department budget review," she supplied. Honestly, it was more interesting than it sounded.

"I found some alarming discrepancies, and really.. it's no wonder we've been having resourcing issues." Poorly allocated funds, was definitely not helping their case. In addition to resource management, her employees were likely big-headed from making more money than they were worth. "I'm proposing salary cuts to rectify the issue, I wanted to get your thoughts before enacting them." And bring it to his attention in general. Perhaps MLE weren't the only ones overspending, something to think about. Emily slid a sheet of parchment along the table to him, the figures spoke for themselves. Cuts to every division in the MLE, as well as a substantial cut to her own salary. After all, it was wildly uncouth to earn more than the Minister himself.

Albert was eager to take the parchment from her, especially when Ms. Browne relayed that she had found discrepancies. It was as they suspected, really, and one of the key reasons he needed her in place. His eyes roved the page, taking in the tidy columns that shared all sorts of un-tidy secrets with him. Yes, that was alarming.

"Salary cuts are approved, and I want you to put a strict kibosh on all unnecessary spending. We're digging ourselves into a hole, especially with all the repairs that will be required following the mutant incidents." Which, it so happened, was coming out of A&C's budget for 2083. He hadn't broken that to Aron just yet. "In fact, see if you can't get YATI to do some repair work as part of their training exercises. Free labor."

Approved. It was a beautiful word, and one she hadn't doubted would come. This was all merely a formality. Emily nod her head in understanding a small smile softening her expression, "Of course, Minister," she acknowledged, "additional cuts are already being processed, so consider it done." MLE could benefit from a little tough love and belt tightening, she wasn't one for molly coddling. Of course considering they were all in a bit of a hole, it would be prudent if all department heads went over their budget with a fine tooth comb, she could think of one or two that could benefit from it, though she wouldn't say that out loud. She wasn't one for tattling either.

Closing the folder, her palms clasping together, Emily considered the Minister's proposal. The YATI.. it would be right up their alley. It could serve to toughen one of them up, and teach another some manners... at the least. "I'm certain they'll appreciate the opportunity, I'll get them onto it right away," she agreed, though even if they didn't like the idea, they wouldn't have a choice.

And at this stage she didn't have anything to add, so it was time to take her leave. He was busy, she was busy and there was work to be done. "Thank you for meeting with me, I hope I haven't taken up too much of your time," she announced, standing and extending her hand to shake.

Among other things, Albert also appreciated Ms. Browne's succinctness, and he rose and took her hand when she did. Polite and well-mannered, clever, ambitious, and respectful of his time. Was it any surprise that Albert had hand picked her as Wes's replacement in MLE? It helped that Wes had approved of Emily.

"Excellent. Thank you for your time, Ms. Browne. Let's plan to reconvene on this issue in the new year, and you can update me on your progress at that time. If there's nothing else, you are free to go." He gave her hand a firm shake.

There was little not to like about Kettleburn, he was approachable, dynamic and most certainly a visionary. All those qualities one wanted in a leader, and heck, he made politics seem appealing too. That was no easy feat.

"It's no problem at all," she replied, after all she had been the one to intrude on his time, so he didn't need to thank her for hers. "Of course, I'll keep in touch and tee things up with Gavin as soon as things fall into place." After returning the firm shake, Emily took up her folder, securing it in the crook of her arm and moved to depart the conference room, "have a good day, sir," she added before slipping out.

She was tempted to go bother Gavin now, but she had an announcement to post out... so that visit would have to wait for a more appropriate time.