Eyes glanced momentarily to Simon before Sophie responded. "I didn't work here then but I heard and read that those employees who ate and drank the poisonous food and beverages attracted a weird zombie disease and had to be isolated. It was a bad disease." And that was all she knew. Hopefully history wouldn't repeat itself.

Glad for the change of topic Sophie smiled warmly. "Pleasure to meet you Alexa, what does YATI stand for?" It was a term that aurors and MLE employee’s in general used pretty freely but she never understood what it meant. She figured it had to do with training of younger aurors.

"I'm a member of the Potion Accident Response team. I get called out take care of spills, turning contaminated areas into safe environments both indoor and outdoor. I can also be called out to scene of crimes. So we might run into each other in official work situations too." Sophie explained. She left out that she helped Derek with potions and such in the laboratory too.



Sophie had been so focused on her conversation with Alexa that she hadn’t seen or heard Derek walk in until he spoke her name. Flashing a glance in his direction she smiled broadly. "Hi Derek, Did you have a good Christmas break?" To her he seemed calm and collected for once but it could change in a heartbeat. She was there though for him if he needed her.



Turning to Alana she responded. "Okay, I might try that orangey punch later on then." Sophie hadn’t drunk a good punch in years so these ones sounded promising. Nodding she replied. "Yes, that’s exactly what I do. I clean up spills, mostly those caused by or associated with potions or spells and then I work make the environment safe to be used by people. I can also be consulted if a crime has been committed to make sure the scene is safe to investigate." Caution and safety should always be the number one priority in Sophie’s opinion.

Accepting Alana’s apology with a beam she said "Its fine. I don’t need to know if you aren’t allowed to tell me. I was just curious." Laughing Sophie said "I believe that you are not scary just because you have a top secret job." And besides more than one department had employees that did work that nobody spoke of.



On the other end of the buffet table Sophie spotted another co-worker from level 3 with the same idea as her to get some food. "Hi Jasmine!" called out with a hearty wave. They’d catch up properly tomorrow when work officially began.



"Mt father who used to work as an auror too. He is retired now but he still reminds me in every letter to remain vigilant. Is it an occupational hazard?" Sophie wondered. "But, anyways did you do anything fun during Christmas break?" She asked to switch the subject. It wasn’t often that she shared things about her family with people but this was Simon so it came natural.



Accepting the glass of green punch from them man who introduced herself as Sabel she said "Thank you. Pleasure to meet you too Sabel, I gather that you work in MLE too just like Simon and Alexa?" Sophie lifted up the glass to inspect the green substance closer before she took a taste.

When he finished pouring his cup full of punch, Derek looked up and saw this person he'd never seen before give him a small smile. "Hello." He greeted the woman with a sluggish smile.

The 31 year-old drank a bit of his punch and reacted rather slowly to someone yelling his name. He wasn't able to finish turning his head around when someone was giving him a tight hug. It took Derek a moment or two to realise it was Ember who was hugging him. "Oh, hey." He patted her arm and kind of dripped his punch all over them both. "Oops..."

The man looked down and stared at his robes and wondered, for a couple of looonnnng seconds, whether it would stain or not. "Punch. Does it stain?" He asked randomly, almost as if thinking out loud. Derek looked at Ember with basically a question mark stamped on his face. Did it stain?

He was brave? "Oh. Thanks?" He supposed?

....??

Sophie looked happy. "Hi, Sophie." Derek repeated, not realising he had already said that. "Wait. Hi." Wait, he had just said that. Wait a minute.

...

"Oh, Christmas.... great." He nodded his head, turning back to the table looking a bit lost. "I just poured punch..." What had happened to the punch in his cu-- "Oh." His robes. He looked up at Sophie again. "Do you think... it stains?"

Speaking of Penelope, wasn't that her right there? Talk about a coincidence or just a stroke of good luck...or a natural turn of events. This was, afterall, the buffet table. What sort of world would they be living in if Penelope suddenly turned down food? It just wouldn't happen.

"Hey Penelope! We were JUST talking about you." With a pointing motion between her and Ember so her friend wouldn't be confused as to the 'we' she was talking about.



At the mention of it seeming to be only MLE, Lex actually glanced around the buffet table. It...was actually true. For the most part, the people she was surrounded by WERE from MLE. It was grand for her because she was already meeting so many of the people she would be working with but she supposed it'd be odd for an Unspeakable. "Don't reckon you'll see many of them just like that..." Lex mused, sipping at her punch. "I mean, if they're all as secretive as you're making them out to seem...they might be having their own private Orientation." And with that there came another, slightly amusing and definitely fascinating idea. "What if you came to the wrong Orientation because communication is all hush hush?"

See? This was exactly why Lex thought the way she did. Everything was top secret and you couldn't talk about it. How was a girl meant to know then?? "Well...however that whole system works I'm sure it'll be epic. My friend's grandfather--Mr. Shiny New Minister up there--used to be an Unspeakable. He showed us a bell jar. Your Department has all the cool stuff." There was even a rumour about a Death Chamber...but that probably wasn't real...



Between spiked drinks that made you sick and internal investigations, Lex was in awe again. All that happened and does happen and probably WOULD happen. It...it was just so beautiful. The rest of her life was already looking promising. Now all she needed was for someone to do something that required Auror intervention.

"You wouldn't mind me helping with some of that, right? I mean it's a training program and I'll need to know some of that stuff at some point anyway--I won't be in the way or anything and I'm a quick learner." So like...after a while he could even LEAVE some of the work to her and expect it done. Yup. Working towards that.

But hang on, confirmation of the Auror Patrole Officer thing? The guy being a convict for real? Lex was grinning. "You should definitely allow him to places like this more often. It'll do him some good--it'll do me some good too, for you know experience and all that."....Sure, she'd go with that.

"He's not as tame as he looks is he?" That would be a little disappointing but she could work with that. Still, had to learn from the people who were there and already did it.



Despite the look of confusion that could now be found on his face, Lex remained calm. Vickers was hardly the scatter brained type, it would come back...eventually. So she waited and waited until..ah...there we go, it was coming back to him now. "A trip? Where we going? When you say creatures you mean like Chimaeras?" She had yet to meet one in real life even with all the crazy that was Hogwarts, so it would have been nice.

"I don't really mind where we go to be honest, I've been travelling from the moment I left that place." Lots of places with her friends before they started their jobs or went off to Uni. Cassia and Aidan were currently the only ones still free. Huh, funny how she never really realized that she no longer classified as free...now she had to show up to work everyday and couldn't just fly the country....that.....sucked. BUT HOW COOL WAS AUROR LIFE??? "And how've you been. I've heard things about you." Which she vaguely remembered now but that didn't make her unhear it.



That was a lot of food to hold on one plate and it only served to remind Lex that she hadn't tried anything yet. No way was she leaving without sampling at least a little of everything so that purse stuffing was starting to sound better by the minute. The cuddles were greatly appreciated and returned (it'd been a LONG time since this happened). "It still blows my mind that I'm not at Hogwarts anymore and work on YOUR team now--I mean you'll be out on field work a lot and I'll be stuck fetching coffee but...it's sorta the same." Kinda...okay she was ready to be over the training now, thanks.

But wait. Hold up. Stop right there. Lex pulled away from Vivi a little to give her a puzzled look before looking between Simon and Sabel. "He's...he...no convict?" That was possibly the most disappointing thing she'd heard all night. "Not even a petty criminal? Nothing?" Well consider her bubble popped. Slowly she began piling food into what she assumed was a magically extended purse but she was still stuck on the lie. "To think I almost looked up to him."



So now she was left just kinda....just kinda staring at him. He'd gotten her excited about being an ex-convict...spoke about Azakaban....hinted sorta at curses then turned out to be a fake.

Lex felt absolutely scandalized.

Why would you ever even do something like that? It was just plain mean. "Next to my former Charms and CoMC Professors, you Sir, have got to be one of the biggest disappointments of my young life and I feel you should know that because now I'm crushed and I'm gonna have to think long and hard about looking up to you--I ogled you and you're not even real." So excuse her for feeling a bit put out by the whole thing.

Naturally she would take her cupcake back and no she wouldn't shove it in his face (because sugar was sacred and not to be wasted) but she bit into it while looking at him with a fixed gaze. What was one to make of this?

There was a long pause and a sip of the punch he'd gotten her.

"I've decided you're still epic by virtue of being an Auror," and kids back at Hogwarts pulled stuff on the newbs all the time so she should have seen it coming, "but you're a disappointing Auror and I may never look at you the same again." Give it a month. "In fact you owe me a criminal now. I dunno where you'll get one with a face like yours but it's a big pond beyond these walls." JUST SAYING.

From the corner of her eyes she caught someone else approach the table. Alana was right, this WAS the MLE section. It reminded her of back when she was a Gryffindor and food was a thing for the whole house. If food was an Auror thing then she was even more affirmed in the fact that she had chosen the right profession.

Small world it was too. "Welcome to the party, it's a bit disappointing now that we've lost what could have been a brilliant criminal mastermind but I'm sure we'll figure something out."



No way..."Zombies?" Somehow she thought that sort of thing only happened in the Castle all the way over in Scotland but this was brilliant, fantastic, they had ZOMBIES. It wouldn't be that great if she was one of the victims but you know, working the other side of the case, it'd have been epic being one of those expected to keep everyone in check while they worked to fix the problem. "How long have you been working here then?" Since she hadn't been there and all.

Ah and someone else wanting to know what it stood for. "Oh, um, I think it's like Young Auror Training Initiative...or something like that but I didn't read the entire acceptance letter so I can't be too sure." Maybe she shouldn't have said that. Last time she did, the woman looked concerned. No idea why.

Her eyes widened. "Crime scenes?" Was it bad she was getting excited again? "We get to show up on the scene of accidents too?" She'd have never thought but Lex wasn't complaining. The more opportunities to get out in the field the better!

Simon listened as Alexa had some very strong interest in what he himself had to say about his job. There was the offer of help and assistance and the man stayed quiet for a moment as if considering it. "We shall see..." he finally said, figuring it couldn't hurt to stay positive while not making any promises. They really would see. He already knew he wanted to still help Jory out so why couldn't he be able to do so with the young woman as well.

As for Sabel and his convict status..."No...not really," he answered about his overall demeanor. Sabel had his wild shriek as well as every Gryffindor had in some degree.

---------------------------------------

Oh look...another YATI. Yet it wasn't as if Tyler was someone to look forward to seeing. At least the younger man was behaving and actually not saying very much. A change of his usual banter.

As for Sophie...why had he never known about the little tidbit of her father being an auror before. Or had she and he was just forgetting it at the moment? Simon supposed it didn't matter. "Yes indeed it is." It was trained into them from the get-go and from the early trainee to the retired Mr. Connelly it was remembered.

"Well we spent some time away in the country." We meaning him and Angelina of course. "How about you?"

-----------------------------------------

A wish that wasn't to be granted.

Because just as Alexa introduced Genevieve to their mutual coworker, the auror broke Sabel's cover wide open with one sentence. And yes, Simon caught the look she sent his friend though she didn't do anything to him for following along. So much for them playing around with the new trainee which had been amusing while it lasted. Oh well. They would still have plenty to work with given the young woman seemed to have a lot to learn about dealing with criminals.

Certainly not people to learn tricks from.

Simon wasn't sure what to do now that the gig was up. Well other then perhaps returning to their regulary scheduled behavior. He did watch as Sabel acted repentant towards Alexa perhaps in hopes the truth wouldn't be answered too badly. The security man himself sipped on his drink and retrieved a casual bite to eat to look downright innocent of the whole thing. He was only following along okay.

Although there was the reaction of Alexa that bother him...the downfall of her excitement at the whole situation. That was a harsh response. Biggest disappointment of her young life? She was back being totally dramatic it seemed. "My apologies, Miss Cambridge," he offered to be somewhat polite about it.

No hard feelings...hmm?

Turning at the voice of someone asking a question Annabelle noticed a blonde woman (Alana) standing next to her. She had a German accent. "The wine is marvelous." She told the other woman. "The names Annabelle by the way. New Personal Assistant and Liaison in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Giving a nod to the lady.

How lovely, Annabelle was already meeting a new person, and the nights barely even got started! Surely there would be more people to meet. Speaking of which...

Annabelle noticed a rather large group at the buffet table as well. Most of them seemed to be MLE workers. And...what's this talk about...a convict!? Ermmmm....this didn't seem so safe. Even though they would surely out number the person...but still...why would you bring a convict to a Ministry Orientation?? This didn't seem right to Annabelle. Something smelled fishy here, and it wasn't the delicious smoked salmon either. Taking a small step closer she couldn't help but lean a bit of an ear into the conversation.

Though, with her training in stealth Annabelle repositioned herself so she was still facing the woman she was talking to. Her body and head was facing towards her, but her one ear was lined up with the group so that way she could hear the conversation better. If needed, she could possibly use her Metamorphmagus abilities to fake being a Daily Prophet Journalist who just so happened to overhear the conversation, and would like some more information.

Maybe...just maybe...

Vic WAS getting in line to get food and a drink. He was smiling widely at the always fancy dishes on the buffet. He had his plate and fork in hand, waiting for people to make room for him, and despite his impatience he never showed it. Instead, he let out a small sigh and leaned on one leg, looking at his gorgeous fiance.

"Maybe we should fight for it." He commented in a low tone to her. Heh heh heh. He was funny when he was hungry. Did Jan look grumpy to everyone else or was it just him?

Tyler grunted. That was response enough to her right? Blondie was here too..they were ALL here. He folded his arms and looked over all the faces. They seemed to know each other...everyone knew each other. That just confirmed one thing to him....and he sighed.

"What is this a Hogwarts reunion?" Did they have someone on the in that just saved spots for you if you left Hogwarts and wanted to become an auror? Did no one from the other schools aspire to fight crime for this government?

Whoah wait Chimaeras? Vickers' icy blues grew large. He wouldnt want to go waltzing into a Chimaeras' domain, and he wasnt about to put Lex in harm's way either. Lex putting him in harm's way is another matter altogether though and likely what would actually happen.

"Nnn-no, no Chimaeras..." Vickers replied suddenly flustered "aa-at least I hope we wont come across one. Just you know... creatures. In their natural habitat-- without them ever knowing we're around." he added half smiling. Merlin he had forgotten how Gryffindor Lex was.

"So you've been seeing the world? Thats good!" he smiled genuinely this time "Where have you gone? What have you seen?" maybe they have overlapped on a few things where he travelled for his Uni studies. And if not... well, at least this Ravenclaw can live vicariously through this Gryffindor's stories.

How has he been? "I'm ok..... finishing my Uni thesis, getting a job at Transportation, you know.... just the usual Hogwarts grad joining the workforce." he chuckled. She's heard things about him? He looked at her, slightly flustered and mostly bemused. "What kind of things?" he was a Ravenerd, guys like him was hardly remembered much less be the stuff of things to talk about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

"Marvy... marvelous? Nevermind. I'm Genevieve," she had to juggle her towering plate a bit to offer a hand to the other woman. She didn't recognize her, but that didn't necessarily mean the woman was a new employee. It was a big building, and Genevieve spent most of her time outside the building anyway.

"I'm a little passionate when it comes to food. Sorry."

Jasmine mouthed the big O and understood what she meant. She felt a little slow and she nodded and gave her the kind grin. "Hi Genevieve nice to meet you. What department are you from?" she asked curiously. She knew there was so many departments in the ministry she didn't who was with who. She apologized for loving food. She waved off the apology and laughed. "Don't worry I am passionate. I thought I would start with a salad so I wouldn't look like a pig. I am gonna go back for seconds though.." she said looking at the buffet selections.

"Which selection is your favorite?" she asked. She wanted to know what foods she was into maybe they would have something in common. Also small talk was good right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

On the other end of the buffet table Sophie spotted another co-worker from level 3 with the same idea as her to get some food. "Hi Jasmine!" called out with a hearty wave. They’d catch up properly tomorrow when work officially began.

After talking to Genevieve, Jazz heard a familiar voice. She turned around and noticed it was her fellow co worker. She beamed at the familiar face and replied, "Hey Sophie! You excited to go back to work tomorrow?" she smirked. She wasn't too ready she liked her break but she needed to make the money somehow. "How were your holidays?" she asked.

Ah, so she hadn't heard his little tall tale? Good. It hadn't been meant for so many ears, but he supposed that's what happened when a big mouth like his got into a crowded space. Good grief wasn't it a mess?

Sabel offered the woman a polite smile. "I do, as an Auror. And yourself?" More importantly. "How is that flavor?" Cause even though he had served it to her, punch should never be that green.



From the corner of his eyes, Sabel caught sight of yet more people approaching the table. The guy didn't seemed too pleased about life, or perhaps he simply didn't enjoy the crowded food table. Sabel was starting to sympathize with that notion. There were just so many people, and so many voices.

And a woman shifting her position, her facial expression one of concern to cause concern. Sabel's brow twitched in a frown. None of his business.



This, on the other hand. Just....this.

At first, Sabel could understand her frustration. Sure, it hadn't been the nicest trick to play but he hadn't in a million years been expecting such an enthusiastic reaction. Even then, he had played along a little, wondering if she had been pulling his leg too. Apparently, that wasn't the case and all good-mood-feels of the joke vanished when it became obvious that her fanatics were legit.

She almost looked up to him? For being a criminal? No. No he had said ex-con. Maybe that was what she had meant, that she appreciated the ability of someone like that to change.

But her next words had that hope dying where it grew. Biggest disappointment of her young life? Oogled him?! One with a face like his. That, made him laugh. A single, loud bark. He simply couldn't help it and covering his mouth to hold it in came too late. Unlike Simon's tempered approach, Sabel didn't wasn't as good with the immediate management of his expressions or putting that filter in front of his mouth. He appreciated his friend playing along, and had no hard feelings for him backing out with grace. But this, this was just out of hand.

Where did this kid get these delusions? And how in Merlin's beard had she gotten hired as a YATI with them? There had to be a good reason, or an oversight.

But was this really the place to deliver a lecture, or a lesson? Or call her out in front of her new co-workers and ministry workers? It was called an orientation for a reason, but it was also a first meeting and what each of them did here would set the stage for their relationship in the days and months ahead. And he would not do what teachers and mentors loved most to do to their new recruits. So, Sabel schooled his irritation and disbelief, and reminded himself that he had been a fool-headed Gryffindor when he had first started out at the MLE too. Just a different type of fool-headed. Hot-headed and confrontational, where as this one was just too much of an eager beaver. That would need addressing later. For now...

Shaking his head, Sabel lowered his hand and poked himself. "Not real? I certainly feel real." Would she like a poke too? Just to convince herself? "I am sorry for pulling the wool over your eyes, Miss Cambridge."

At least he still had some brownie points with her? Just not as many as being a criminal would have given him. Strange girl. So very strange. Scratching his chin, Sabel considered the girl and his next choice of words, reminding himself not to turn this into a scene. He wasn't a child anymore. He had to try to act like an adult. Saying anything that was on his mind would only tarnish the night for the girl further, and that was no way to start a new career.

"I don't know that I can find a criminal for you." Not besides the one in the making he was looking at right now. "But perhaps I can offer you a dance at some point this evening, instead?"

He could already see the neon sign flashing above his head: Criminal, yes. Fake criminal, hell no.

It was interesting to see how even after a couple years of leaving Hogwarts people were still similar to the people they used to be. Take Vickers for instance, he didn't want to take her to any dangerous creatures back then and he seemed just as opposed to it now. "Well I mean that can work too. We'll run into trouble anyway, no need to push it." Yet. Plenty of time for near death experiences in her current field and she looked forward to each and every one of them. "Mundane creatures? Are we travelling around the Muggle world?" Important to know when planning.

"And I sure have. Searched the Amazon with Cassia, spent a week or something with Lottie in New York and went to Romania with Aidan for the dragons--got to sponsor one too so now I technically own one." Best thing EVER. Shame they wouldn't let her take the egg home with her though.

Oh? "You're working on a thesis thing too? Lou's doing that on some good looking rich guy. Says she's almost done then she'll be full fledged and all that. What's your thesis on?" But then....was it just her or was Vickers getting a little....weird.... "You know, stuff. Stuff that people say. Stuff. Are you better now?" Just curious.



Not very pleasant was he? Not that Lex could remember him ever being pleasant. Always that one guy that whined against the school in his own country in favour of some bloody foreigners. The day Dax got like that, she'd string him up personally. Luckily her cousin had the balance thing right.

"You might say that, yeah." Hogwarts kids tended to stay in their country when finding work, sue them. "This is the British Ministry afterall so it'd be convenient for most of us that leave Hogwarts. Why go work in another country when we live and went to school here?" Not like those other people. Live in Norway, go to school in Norway, then your butt better stay in Norway instead of clogging things up here and making it difficult for others. That went double for those prissy Beauxbaton Alumni.



Lex was still looking between the two. Jokes were one thing, but crushing a girl's dreams the moment she entered the Ministry? Was that how they got their kicks? She could only imagine.

'Least they were decent enough to apologize after, not something she'd have done considering she usually meant what she did and if that was the case apologizing was only a formal lie; still, it was good on them. "Lex." She corrected. If they were going to be working together 'Miss Cambridge' was gonna get old real fast. "You guys can just call me Lex. Shorter, saves you the trouble, builds rapport, whatever you wanna say."

Unless they were adamant about formalities in this place? Merlin she hoped not.

At Sabel's gesture of a poke, Lex poked him too. "Yeah, you're real, real fake." She could feel him and he was standing there in fact but he was standing there as an Auror and not at all an ex-convict. Guess what that made you Sir. Fake.

Then he said he couldn't find her a criminal. They...worked in MLE....they had lock up cells...how could he not get her a criminal? Lex might have challenged this if not for the offer of a dance. Alexa glanced over at the dance floor for a moment while she considered before turning to him again. "Alright, doesn't quite make up for it but it's a start." GRIN.

Hazel eyes fell next on Simon. "And what will you offer me?" Patrols? Yes? YES?

She wasn't getting any food, but she was walking alongside Vic while he was in line to pile food on his plate. She'd pick some stuff off of his plate if she got hungry. January sipped her wine before grinning at her fiance. "I've always admired your dedication to do anything it takes to acquire food." Starting fights, bribing her, flattering her. It was cute, really.

January did perhaps look grumpy, but she was trying not to. "Have you seen Willy yet?" she asked, looking around the area. Not that she wanted to ditch Vic, but she was looking forward to seeing her other best friend that night.

Now this was why he tended to be the serious one and left the hazing to the likes of Legend and even Josh. Simon felt bad as she watched the young woman look between him and Sabel as if trying to decide what to do for them. It felt like when Selina had thought he had forgiotten her when he and Jacob had had to exchange polyjuice potions and lives temporarily. It hit you in the gut. You had to admit though, they both appologized to her and the security man was plenty sure both were totally genuine to the YATI. They hadn't meant to burst her bubble. But then they also hadn't expected her to be completely into it the way she had been.

Simon nodded as she corrected them on her name. "Lex... " he echoed almost subconstiously as if to simply show he was listening and understood her preference. "Got it." The use of title and surname had been a choice of respect and politeness. The department had a tendency to shorten it to simply surname like Browne and Bennett. Firsts were usually reserved until one knew the other better. Former classmates and friends having the advantage here of course. He supposed he could manage it.

Sabel took the gentlemanly way out in the end, offering the girl a dance and he had to fight the urge to snort. His friend was in no way a dancer but he supposed it was a segway to change the mood that had developed after the revelation of falsehood. Or as a way to escape to a quieter venue to which to rectify the conversation. Plus as Alexa herself admitted as she accepted the offer, it helped make up for the act even if only a little bit.

And then her attention was back to him. What was HIS offer? "How about the detailed tour of the Ministry?" And he did mean detailed. Granted he couldn't get her into places like the deep recesses of Level 9 or the Minister's and Undersecretaries' offices but Simon still had a strong knowledge of everywhere else. And it would certainly prove useful at times. And interesting if one was the type who explored Hogwarts castle from turret to dungeon.

Alright, so Annabelle heard enough small talk from that group over there. She needed to get some more inside information on this 'Sabel' person. Nodding her head at Alana the Metamorphmagus said "If you'd excuse me, I must go and use the facilities." With that the woman walked towards the bathroom. Now her plan would be set into motion.

Focus she thought. Sneaking her way back out of the restrooms, the now different looking Annabelle walked over to the large group with Sabel in it. Notebook and quill in her hand. Smiling at the group, the now brunette let go of the notebook and quill, and they floated in the air, quill up, ready to write. "Why hello! Let me introduce myself, Kita Skeeter, journalist at the Daily Prophet." Some of the words more accented and emphasized more than others, making the already loud voice even louder. "I overheard you saying that this man is a convict. Why did you bring him here?" The transformed Annabelle asked. Directing her attention to the others in the group who seemed to have just met the man "What are all of your thoughts on him bringing a convict here to the Ministry Orientation of 2086?" The words loudly and confidently streaming out of her mouth

Rubbing her now tanned skin, Annabelle looked at the bunch. Her gaze quickly shot back down to her left hand. Thankfully the scar was gone. The former claw had almost forgotten that when she uses her ability on her whole body, the scar thankfully disappears. If she wanted to, the woman probably could find a way to use her abilities to get rid of the scar permanently, but even though it was a painful reminder, that scar made her who she was.

Oh, awesome, she was already getting recommendations. "I think I'll try those sliders then," she replied with a nod, putting a couple on her plate. "And the punch too." She would've gone for the wine but...she'd decided she'd try something else for the night. Surely the punch would be fine. "Anything else you'd recommend?" she asked with a grin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

Speaking of Penelope, wasn't that her right there? Talk about a coincidence or just a stroke of good luck...or a natural turn of events. This was, afterall, the buffet table. What sort of world would they be living in if Penelope suddenly turned down food? It just wouldn't happen.

"Hey Penelope! We were JUST talking about you." With a pointing motion between her and Ember so her friend wouldn't be confused as to the 'we' she was talking about.

Oh hey, it was Lex! Penelope hadn't expected to see her there, but it was cool that she'd joined the Ministry too, yeah? Nice to see another familiar face. And Ember too!

"Hey! You were? Good things, I hope?" she asked with a small laugh. Surely them talking about her was good, otherwise Lex wouldn't've mentioned it, right? ...Well maybe she would have, but still. They were friends, so it was probably fine, yeah.

It wasn't hard to tell that the apology was falling on partially closed ears. It seemed that when she had said 'biggest disappointment', she had truly meant it and was basing everything on it. Sabel caught a noisy breath before it could escape him. If he had known it would cause this much trouble, would he have still tried for the prank? Maybe. Foresight was still a thing he was working on, and hindsight didn't do anyone a great deal of good.

Best to just move forward then, as well as they could. But she was correcting them on her name, so that didn't mean she was adverse to ever talking to them again. No Miss. What was it with women in this department and not wanting to be called 'miss'? He wasn't going to ask.

"Alright, Lex--" the 'ee' nearly rolled off his tongue before he could catch it behind the quick snap of his teeth as he clamped his mouth shut. No matter if anyone else heard it or not though, that name rang loud and clear in his ears and he sort of just stared at the blonde, not sure who he was seeing. Especially with that poking business. That was....

Clearing his throat, Sabel shook himself as the offer to dance was accepted. He worked out a small, half-formed smile as his attention refocused on the people in front, and around, him Including Bennett's restrained amusement. We see you Mr. Bennett, we do. "As long as it's a start, Alexa." Yeah, the 'ah' and the 'ah' would be tacked on, beginning and end. Always.

And she wanted something from Simon? Sabel's eyes darted to his friend as his mouth twisted into an apologetic expression. It seemed they were partners in any mess they got themselves into. He was preparing to find the words to try and coax Alexa out of weaseling some apology-payback from Simon, but the man didn't miss a beat and had quite a good offer on the table without a hitch.

Sabel's attention drifted back to Alexa. So, were they good now? He hoped so, because at the moment, standing around and arguing about the weight of apologies while looking at blonde hair was just ... not helpful. Turning to Simon, he clapped his friend on the shoulder. "I'm...just going to get some air." A small smile was sent Alexa's way. "See you on the dance floor then."

Without waiting to have to give an explanation, he turned to slip away from the group, and nearly ran into the woman that joined them.




He halted in his tracks, and blinked rapidly. Daily Prophet. Oh this should be ....wait what?

First reactions were torn between smacking himself on the forehead, snatching the quill and notebook out of the air and snapping some instantaneous retort at the woman. As it was, the division between the three options left him staring at the quill, which seemed to be peering at their little group as eagerly as the woman was.

Breathe. Just breathe. She had only just come into the conversation. It was possible she hadn't heard the truth being spilled. Though, if she had heard the first part and been interested, why wouldn't she have listened to the rest? Or, did news travel that fast through the party? Sabel's eyes skipped over the packed room. Brilliant. Just bloody brilliant Dakest.

He schooled his tone to manageable politeness. After all, he had caused the mess. "I'm not a convict. It was a prank, and a rather ill-advised one, to ... " test competency and thought process? His eyes skipped to Alexa and then back again. "A bad party joke, is all. I'm an Auror with the MLE." Maybe...maybe that part should have been left out. He took a breath. "Not a convict."

Quote. Him. On. That. Please.

For someone who talked in short sentences and never said more than he needed Derek was actually being talkative. Should Sophie take this as a warning sign? Deciding to ignore it for now she continued to sip on her green punch as Derek spilled all of his on his robes. Sympathising she shook her head. "I don’t think it will if you clean the punch off with a quick spell."

"Excited to get back to the lab tomorrow?" She queried with a smile.



"I've been working here for a year now." Sophie said after calculating quickly in her head when she had taken up her position at the ministry. Time flied it seemed. Alexa explained what YATI stood for and to her ears it seemed reasonable enough. She’d have to ask if her father knew differently when she owled him in the morning liked she had promised to do about how the orientation had been.

"Then you're freshly graduated from Hogwarts? Or have you worked somewhere else before you got accepted into the YATI programme?" Sophie asked curiously. She couldn’t help it. If MLE had a special training programme for youth to get them a foot into the job market and experience then how come nothing similar was available in the other departments?

Nodding Sophie said "Yes, I would think you would be called out especially if the accident was um fatal or if someone was injured." She glanced over at Simon and Sabel for support. MLE were those who investigated accidents and crimes. Sophie just cleaned up the messes.



When Simon said 'we' Sophie interpreted it as him and Angelina and that meant that they were still together, which was good for him. "I didn't go anywhere special I just enjoyed my holidays in the company of my family and friends." She had gone on some fun girl’s night outs and had gotten to hear all the gossip about men and clothes to satisfy her for a few weeks. It had made her realize that she should throw herself out on the dating scene again.



Eyes coming to rest on Jazzy she beamed as she responded. "Yes, actually I am excited to get back to work tomorrow. Aren’t you?" Holidays were nice but now that she felt energized and relaxed Sophie wanted to jump back into work things. Even if being on call starting tomorrow morning could mean that she had to get up at the crack of dawn. "My holidays were nice. I spent it with my family and it gave me time to catch up with my elder half brother too."

"How were your holidays Jazz?" Sophie wondered curiously.



Turning to Sabel once more Sophie answered politely. "I work as a Part Urgent Response Officer for the Department of Accidents and Catastrophes, which basically means I get called out day or night to take care of spills of different varieties mostly potion induced. But also to turn contaminated areas into safe environments and that can range from spills in the wilderness to those in houses or public areas."It was interesting work and ever-changing she never what to expect.

Taking bigger sips of the punch trying to discern the flavours in it she said with a smile. "It's quite delicious. I'm not sure why it's so green though. Maybe it's the fruits in it? Aren't you going to try some too?"Or was Sabel one for more refined tastes like Elderflower wine?

SPOILER!!: Sabel and Annabelle

Quote:

Originally Posted by natethegreat

Alright, so Annabelle heard enough small talk from that group over there. She needed to get some more inside information on this 'Sabel' person. Nodding her head at Alana the Metamorphmagus said "If you'd excuse me, I must go and use the facilities." With that the woman walked towards the bathroom. Now her plan would be set into motion.

Focus she thought. Sneaking her way back out of the restrooms, the now different looking Annabelle walked over to the large group with Sabel in it. Notebook and quill in her hand. Smiling at the group, the now brunette let go of the notebook and quill, and they floated in the air, quill up, ready to write. "Why hello! Let me introduce myself, Kita Skeeter, journalist at the Daily Prophet." Some of the words more accented and emphasized more than others, making the already loud voice even louder. "I overheard you saying that this man is a convict. Why did you bring him here?" The transformed Annabelle asked. Directing her attention to the others in the group who seemed to have just met the man "What are all of your thoughts on him bringing a convict here to the Ministry Orientation of 2086?" The words loudly and confidently streaming out of her mouth

Rubbing her now tanned skin, Annabelle looked at the bunch. Her gaze quickly shot back down to her left hand. Thankfully the scar was gone. The former claw had almost forgotten that when she uses her ability on her whole body, the scar thankfully disappears. If she wanted to, the woman probably could find a way to use her abilities to get rid of the scar permanently, but even though it was a painful reminder, that scar made her who she was.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tazenhani

SPOILER!!: Alexa and Simon :)

It wasn't hard to tell that the apology was falling on partially closed ears. It seemed that when she had said 'biggest disappointment', she had truly meant it and was basing everything on it. Sabel caught a noisy breath before it could escape him. If he had known it would cause this much trouble, would he have still tried for the prank? Maybe. Foresight was still a thing he was working on, and hindsight didn't do anyone a great deal of good.

Best to just move forward then, as well as they could. But she was correcting them on her name, so that didn't mean she was adverse to ever talking to them again. No Miss. What was it with women in this department and not wanting to be called 'miss'? He wasn't going to ask.

"Alright, Lex--" the 'ee' nearly rolled off his tongue before he could catch it behind the quick snap of his teeth as he clamped his mouth shut. No matter if anyone else heard it or not though, that name rang loud and clear in his ears and he sort of just stared at the blonde, not sure who he was seeing. Especially with that poking business. That was....

Clearing his throat, Sabel shook himself as the offer to dance was accepted. He worked out a small, half-formed smile as his attention refocused on the people in front, and around, him Including Bennett's restrained amusement. We see you Mr. Bennett, we do. "As long as it's a start, Alexa." Yeah, the 'ah' and the 'ah' would be tacked on, beginning and end. Always.

And she wanted something from Simon? Sabel's eyes darted to his friend as his mouth twisted into an apologetic expression. It seemed they were partners in any mess they got themselves into. He was preparing to find the words to try and coax Alexa out of weaseling some apology-payback from Simon, but the man didn't miss a beat and had quite a good offer on the table without a hitch.

Sabel's attention drifted back to Alexa. So, were they good now? He hoped so, because at the moment, standing around and arguing about the weight of apologies while looking at blonde hair was just ... not helpful. Turning to Simon, he clapped his friend on the shoulder. "I'm...just going to get some air." A small smile was sent Alexa's way. "See you on the dance floor then."

Without waiting to have to give an explanation, he turned to slip away from the group, and nearly ran into the woman that joined them.




He halted in his tracks, and blinked rapidly. Daily Prophet. Oh this should be ....wait what?

First reactions were torn between smacking himself on the forehead, snatching the quill and notebook out of the air and snapping some instantaneous retort at the woman. As it was, the division between the three options left him staring at the quill, which seemed to be peering at their little group as eagerly as the woman was.

Breathe. Just breathe. She had only just come into the conversation. It was possible she hadn't heard the truth being spilled. Though, if she had heard the first part and been interested, why wouldn't she have listened to the rest? Or, did news travel that fast through the party? Sabel's eyes skipped over the packed room. Brilliant. Just bloody brilliant Dakest.

He schooled his tone to manageable politeness. After all, he had caused the mess. "I'm not a convict. It was a prank, and a rather ill-advised one, to ... " test competency and thought process? His eyes skipped to Alexa and then back again. "A bad party joke, is all. I'm an Auror with the MLE." Maybe...maybe that part should have been left out. He took a breath. "Not a convict."

Quote. Him. On. That. Please.

He caught the look from Sabel but he was already reacting to Alexa and her question. It wasn't anything more than what he might of offered anyway, Pkus the knowledge of the ministry was something they all should really know. Even the aurors....like security should know the self-defense techniques of the other division. What took him off guard was the change in his friend's demeanor.

Was it something to do with Alex---Lex he corrected himself? Oh. It was this blend between Alex and Lex that gave Simon a clue. He looked back at the blonde and wondered if his friend was thinking on their other mutual housemate, Alexandra or Lexi. The one that Sabel was close to and was now deceased. He didn't have much time to dwell on the matter however as the other auror moved to take his leave...

Only to nearly crash into someone.

Simon had seen the approach of a new woman, better than Sabel apparently had, yet he didn't think anything of it...until he saw the notebook and quill. The security man had to bite back a groan as she made her introductions to the group. Since when were reporters invited to this kind of thing? Well other than Jorge but he counted as Mariel's plus one so that didn't quite count. And of coruse her attention was on him when the topic was brought up about Sabel being a convict. His eyes flicking towards his friend.

He Soooooo owed him.

Regardless if this situation caused the trouble most dealings with the Daily Prophet or not. He didn't like being in the spotlight and he hated meddlesome reporters and now both were happening. Thankfully Sabel spoke up, taking the task of being the first to speak away from him, which in turn allowed him to think more on how to remedy this situation if need be. He certainly had enough experience in the matter.

"Yes..." he finally spoke, confirming his friend and partner in crime's story. "It was meerly two older members of the department trying to welcome our newer members with a tall tale. " They just hadn't though Alexa would go for it as deeply as she had. Or anyone else for that matter. Hadn't the reporter heard them reveal the truth when Genevieve let the cat out of the bag?

"Well I wouldnt quite put it as mundane... but yes perhaps somethings Muggles might be more familiar with.... since I was thinking of signing up with a tour group. However if you're really that well travelled, maybe we can go with for the less beaten path." Seems like Lex was ready for anything.

With each of Lex' recounting Vickers looked more impressed. He didnt recognize any of the names she mentioned-- friends of hers she probably had after he left-- except one "Oh Lottie! Why yes, how is she? And you both went to New York? Aww it wouldve been nice to have seen you both in my neck of the woods." Instead of him always being on theirs.

Now what was his thesis about?.... He always found it a challenge to explain it where he doesnt send the listener to sleep "Its uhh.... complex." Yeah like that helps "Its like... you know that Piertotum Locomotor spell and its effects on armor? Its a bit like that... kinda?.. No not really." He could try to say big damn robots but thats also an oversimplification.

Peculiar looks at you Lex. "'Stuff people say'.... what like rumors?" Vickers gave a tiny shrug of his shoulder. He's a nobody, his Professor from back there didnt even remember him leading half his class in a dragon egg activity. "Well you know what they say about rumormongers Lex. And yes I'm ok, always had been." Well ok maybe not quite, he had a scar on the side of his head he couldnt remember where it came from, but is it worth mentioning to Lex? Nah, she'd probably just laugh at such a scratch.

Jasmine smiled and loved her co workers energy. She sometimes wished she had it. "I am pretty excited to come back and work with my new partner actually." She trailed off at that because she forgot her partners name but she was still new to the department it would come to her eventually. As she was hearing about her holidays she beamed and found it nice she spent it catching up with her elder half brother. "That is soo sweet I am sure your elder half brother appreciated it." I mean she didn't' have any siblings she was an only child that some called her spoiled which she was but she wanted to be like everyone else and let no one else know she was rich.

Now the question was onto her. "My holidays were really nice actually. I just spent it with my parents for a little bit then I went on a trip with my best friend to the Bahamas..." she grinned. She never liked spending time with her parents because they always made it about them. Typical rich people. But on the other her best friends family was like the family she never had. She loved them to death. "Have you seen anyone else from our department yet?" she asked curiously.