"Ten years with Tutshill," Rex replied. "I made the team shortly after graduating from Hogwarts. During my playing days, I was the top Chaser in the league."

He took another bite of his fish and washed it down with a sip of iced tea. "How's your salad, Tamara?

FINALLY!

A food court! This is what the Ministry had been lacking the whole time she had been doing her training. A decent place to get food and coffee and more food and more coffee!

After BROWSING every single platter of food and every drink stand, Emily settled herself down at a table in the main seating area with a cup of strong coffee and a bacon sandwich. Mmmm BACON! She loooved bacon. Crispy, crunchy slightly burned bacon was best. Holding it in BOTH of her hands, Emily raised the delicious meal to her lips and ...

NOM!

... she chewed slowly, watching people gather at tables and socialise.
Pfft.. tables were for eating at, or working at. Durr.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hera

FINALLY!

A food court! This is what the Ministry had been lacking the whole time she had been doing her training. A decent place to get food and coffee and more food and more coffee!

After BROWSING every single platter of food and every drink stand, Emily settled herself down at a table in the main seating area with a cup of strong coffee and a bacon sandwich. Mmmm BACON! She loooved bacon. Crispy, crunchy slightly burned bacon was best. Holding it in BOTH of her hands, Emily raised the delicious meal to her lips and ...

NOM!

... she chewed slowly, watching people gather at tables and socialise.
Pfft.. tables were for eating at, or working at. Durr.

A break from work AND a nice place to enjoy some food. It seemed the ministry's new food court was a great idea, the place already quite busy. After grabbing a drink and some food, Simon made his way from the buffet to the tables. Once again, when faced with silence and a chance to think, his mind jumped around.

You know what would make this better...being able to share a lunch break with Kyle.

Even with worry of being caught?

Yes! Who cares...we would be spending time together.

Simon sighed finishing up his inner monologue to find a spot to sit at. Flitting between groups of friends and co-workers and the ones alone, the YATI didn't very much like the prospect of being one of the latter. While he was one of the quiet ones, he had enough alone time when he wasn't at work. Finally he spotted a familiar face...Emily.

Would she be put off if he asked to join her? The former Gryffindor mentally debated the options looking around the seating area once more before making his way over to her. "Um...mind if I sit here?"

Her hands were dripping with bacon grease and bread crumbs fell to the table each time she took a bite. It was DELICIOUS... but messy. Or maybe it was just her. Oh well. She'd managed to eat half of her sandwich and was about to strategically move her meal into her right hand only, so that she could chug her coffee with the left when a voice interrupted her thought process.

Huh?

Sit with her?

Emily shrugged. "Knock yourself out."
She didn't mean it, literally, but was highly amused at the thought of the boy smashing his head against the table repeatedly. Heh.
"Whatchu got there?" she asked, craning her head to look at his FOOD. Cause she wanted to sample EVERYTHING by the end of the week. It was her goal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hera

Her hands were dripping with bacon grease and bread crumbs fell to the table each time she took a bite. It was DELICIOUS... but messy. Or maybe it was just her. Oh well. She'd managed to eat half of her sandwich and was about to strategically move her meal into her right hand only, so that she could chug her coffee with the left when a voice interrupted her thought process.

Huh?

Sit with her?

Emily shrugged. "Knock yourself out."
She didn't mean it, literally, but was highly amused at the thought of the boy smashing his head against the table repeatedly. Heh.
"Whatchu got there?" she asked, craning her head to look at his FOOD. Cause she wanted to sample EVERYTHING by the end of the week. It was her goal.

Simon fought the urge to raise an eyebrow, but instead took that response as a yes seeing as there wasn't a totally negative tone in her words. Surely if she wanted to she could have threatened him with bodily harm which would have been an emphatic no...having him do harm to himself wasn't totally her style. Sitting down across from her, he looked up to find his fellow auror looking over at his own food interested.

"Roast beef," he answered before taking a sip from his water glass. For emphasis, the YATI turned his plate slightly on the tray so she could see it a little better. "What about you?" he asked as he took up half of his lunch and took a bite.

Kyleigh wasn't looking when she walked into the seating area, her tray poised carelessly on one arm as she brushed her hair out of the way. This was truly her asking for disaster to come and bite her in the bum. Looking up she felt her heart pang slightly, just slightly after all it had been a good few weeks since she had broken it off with him.

Her eyes rested on Simon for a moment when she stood up and brushed her hair out of her face. The weight of the turkey and cheddar cheese wrap with the side Caesar she had ordered was becoming too much for just one hand. Quickly she moved her other hand back to hold the tray - her hand smacking into her cup of hot apple cider slipped to the side of the tray. She swayed to keep it from falling.

It worked for a moment, she took another step forward but the luck she had just exhibited seemed to falter quickly. Because the moment she stepped forward the entire cup decided to teeter over the edge of her tray and pour all over Simon.

Perfect.

"Seriously?" She whispered and put the tray down quickly handing him her napkins. "S-sorry" she gulped nervously. "I didn't mean t-to spill that on you" she gulped.

Looking up she glanced over to Emily who was sitting next to Simon and felt herself smile. "E-Emily?" She asked, happily. "I haven't seen you in ages since school h-how are you? It ugh Kyle Manning" she smiled.

His back stiffened as soon as he felt the hot liquid dropped upon him. Simon hadn't even registered that the young woman he had been wondering about just minutes before was right beside him at first just the fact he was now drenched from top of his head all down his arm and back.

With thankfully not scalding hot...cider?

At least thats what it smelled like, not coffee and certainly more spicy then anything sweet. And then Simon caught the voice...with the familiar words. Kyle had certainly said the five letter word of appology enough times in their last conversation. Of all the places and the situations the two of them had to find themselves in, he should have known it would involve an accident. Though he probably should have been grateful it wasn't a fall...where he caught her and held her before having to let her go.

"Um...its okay..." the YATI said when he finally could form words, wincing and moving as whatever it had been seemed through his clothes. "It was an accident." He accepted her napkins patting his arm to dry it which proved almost futile before finally shrugging off his damp outer layer. Nothing a good drying charm couldn't fix now that the majority of the wet was away from him, though he might need to check in a mirror later that he didn't have a burn on his skin above the collar.

Emily pursed her lips, eyeing off the roast beef. Cause the beef looked good. It wasn't bacon, but it was beef, and anything that started with B was an automatic yes in her book. Bacon, Beef, Brownies, Bruschetta, Bagels, Baked Beans, Bakewell Puddings, Banana Bread, Barbecued Ribs/Other, andd the list went on. It seemed to be the same with men, to an extent. Blaise, Brad ... ugh... B's!

She looked down at what remained of her bacon sandwich in her right hand, and then looked at her coffee, which she still needed right now. Hastily wiping her hand on a napkin, "Bacon sandwich and a coffee." Yeah. Cause she was a cool kid with BACON!
"You want some? Trade ya for a bita beef?"

Beside the fact that her sandwich was half eaten, her cooties were pretty epic, being from her of course.

Uhh............................................... ............... awkward!

Emily drank from her coffee as the exchange took place. She recognised Kyle straight away, because obviously, she wasn't the type to forget a face, particularly one whom she liked.

"Kyle! Of course I remember you ya goof. Come join us... I was just asking Simon if he wanted to trade food." This wasn't a problem was it?

Speaking of food. Forget the lost cider.
"So Kyle... what food YOU got there?"

So he was kind of an older distinguished gentleman with possible brain damage. Could be worse... "Top chaser? That's fascinating. So you can handle a broom really well." Tamara was not a fan of quidditch, really. BUT she was married long enough and had a son so she learned to feign interest. Heh.

Tam had been picking at her salad a bit here and there, but honestly didn't pay much attention. "It's great, thank you for asking." Yep. POLITE MAN.

"Pardon my being so forward, but why is an obviously successful, handsome man like yourself single?" she asked with a smirk. Was he a nutcase? SHE NEEDED TO KNOW.

SPOILER!!: Emily & Simon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macavity

His back stiffened as soon as he felt the hot liquid dropped upon him. Simon hadn't even registered that the young woman he had been wondering about just minutes before was right beside him at first just the fact he was now drenched from top of his head all down his arm and back.

With thankfully not scalding hot...cider?

At least thats what it smelled like, not coffee and certainly more spicy then anything sweet. And then Simon caught the voice...with the familiar words. Kyle had certainly said the five letter word of appology enough times in their last conversation. Of all the places and the situations the two of them had to find themselves in, he should have known it would involve an accident. Though he probably should have been grateful it wasn't a fall...where he caught her and held her before having to let her go.

"Um...its okay..." the YATI said when he finally could form words, wincing and moving as whatever it had been seemed through his clothes. "It was an accident." He accepted her napkins patting his arm to dry it which proved almost futile before finally shrugging off his damp outer layer. Nothing a good drying charm couldn't fix now that the majority of the wet was away from him, though he might need to check in a mirror later that he didn't have a burn on his skin above the collar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hera

Emily pursed her lips, eyeing off the roast beef. Cause the beef looked good. It wasn't bacon, but it was beef, and anything that started with B was an automatic yes in her book. Bacon, Beef, Brownies, Bruschetta, Bagels, Baked Beans, Bakewell Puddings, Banana Bread, Barbecued Ribs/Other, andd the list went on. It seemed to be the same with men, to an extent. Blaise, Brad ... ugh... B's!

She looked down at what remained of her bacon sandwich in her right hand, and then looked at her coffee, which she still needed right now. Hastily wiping her hand on a napkin, "Bacon sandwich and a coffee." Yeah. Cause she was a cool kid with BACON!
"You want some? Trade ya for a bita beef?"

Beside the fact that her sandwich was half eaten, her cooties were pretty epic, being from her of course.





Uhh............................................... ............... awkward!

Emily drank from her coffee as the exchange took place. She recognised Kyle straight away, because obviously, she wasn't the type to forget a face, particularly one whom she liked.

"Kyle! Of course I remember you ya goof. Come join us... I was just asking Simon if he wanted to trade food." This wasn't a problem was it?

Speaking of food. Forget the lost cider.
"So Kyle... what food YOU got there?"

Kyle was glad that Simon was understanding that it had been an accident. It seemed her life was a series of accidents strung together. She couldn't help but smiled when Emily said she did remember her of course she had because Kyle was clumsy and awesome - well, she hoped she was awesome at least.

"Mmmm yes its always fun to find out what foods you can trade off with" she smiled over to her. "Well, i've got a turkey and cheddar wrap - best part, it has apple slices on it!" she smiled as she sat down at the table with them.

Aww it was nice to catch up. And things weren't going to be awkward that was her plan. She and Simon were just friends. Friends who had been on secret dates - and well, yeah dated for a while.

"Ooh i've also got a side Caesar salad because...well I wasn't in a mood for a side of chips or crisps" she shrugged. "So how are things on Level two?" She asked excitedly smiling over to Emily and then back over to Simon.

"You want me to cast a um...drying spell if you want" she offered feebly.

SPOILER!!: Emily and Kyle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hera

Emily pursed her lips, eyeing off the roast beef. Cause the beef looked good. It wasn't bacon, but it was beef, and anything that started with B was an automatic yes in her book. Bacon, Beef, Brownies, Bruschetta, Bagels, Baked Beans, Bakewell Puddings, Banana Bread, Barbecued Ribs/Other, andd the list went on. It seemed to be the same with men, to an extent. Blaise, Brad ... ugh... B's!

She looked down at what remained of her bacon sandwich in her right hand, and then looked at her coffee, which she still needed right now. Hastily wiping her hand on a napkin, "Bacon sandwich and a coffee." Yeah. Cause she was a cool kid with BACON!
"You want some? Trade ya for a bita beef?"

Beside the fact that her sandwich was half eaten, her cooties were pretty epic, being from her of course.





Uhh............................................... ............... awkward!

Emily drank from her coffee as the exchange took place. She recognised Kyle straight away, because obviously, she wasn't the type to forget a face, particularly one whom she liked.

"Kyle! Of course I remember you ya goof. Come join us... I was just asking Simon if he wanted to trade food." This wasn't a problem was it?

Speaking of food. Forget the lost cider.
"So Kyle... what food YOU got there?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by McFeisty

SPOILER!!: Emily & Simon

Kyle was glad that Simon was understanding that it had been an accident. It seemed her life was a series of accidents strung together. She couldn't help but smiled when Emily said she did remember her of course she had because Kyle was clumsy and awesome - well, she hoped she was awesome at least.

"Mmmm yes its always fun to find out what foods you can trade off with" she smiled over to her. "Well, i've got a turkey and cheddar wrap - best part, it has apple slices on it!" she smiled as she sat down at the table with them.

Aww it was nice to catch up. And things weren't going to be awkward that was her plan. She and Simon were just friends. Friends who had been on secret dates - and well, yeah dated for a while.

"Ooh i've also got a side Caesar salad because...well I wasn't in a mood for a side of chips or crisps" she shrugged. "So how are things on Level two?" She asked excitedly smiling over to Emily and then back over to Simon.

"You want me to cast a um...drying spell if you want" she offered feebly.

Did he want to trade sandwiches...roast beef for bacon? It wasn't like it was too much of a switch and her offering was something he actually ate. He glanced down at his half-eaten piece as well as the fresh half that would be what was "If you want..." he answered with a slight shrug willing to go through with the deal but leaving it up to Emily.

However the lunch swap was forgotten as he dealt with the drying out. Simon had his wand out drying his sleeve as the two girls talked apparently getting reaquainted. Of course...they were both Ravenclaws and Emily would have been a year before them like Sabel was. Food was brought back to mind as the older auror questioned what Kyle brought to the table, the YATI's gaze falling on Kyle once more. So there were currently three different sandwiches and wraps up for grabs...just needed to decided which was going where. His thoughts interupted once more by his girl---friend's question.

Drying spell? Huh?

Oh right...hot cider...the jacket now currently hanging off the back of his chair since he had taken it off as well as the back of his shirt that he couldn't quite reach himself.

"Yeah...that might be good...thanks," Simon answered offering her a friendly smile as he rubbed the back of his neck. His hair not too damp so he left it alone, lowering his hand when he registered the action might make him appear sheepish.

Whatever the awkwardness was between these two, she didn't care. Nope. They were in the food court, there was food to be had and drink to be drunk, ergo.... nothing else mattered.

However it did please her that Simon was up for the swap. Good YATI. He just earned himself a brownie point. "Brilliant!" she said swiping his sandwich and replacing it with hers.

BEEEEEEF! Glorious roast BEEF!

Emily took a good measured mouthful of the stuff and chewed. Besides, she wasn't all that interested in the process of who was going to dry off Simon's jacket and what not. Those two could sort that out without her.
Halfway through what she'd taken, she offered it to Kyke. "Swap withya too?" she asked "That turkey stuff looks good". Cause they were all friends here. And the more food Emily had the better.

How were things on level two? They were.. interesting enough. With all the changes and the whole non-training thing was good.
"Mmm things are going well," she mused, smirking slightly as she wondered whether Simon had told Kyle that she was his LEADER. Yeah that's right LEADER. Emily Browne was officially recognised as a leader, and rightfully so.
"How about you? ... Uuhh... What do you do exactly?"

Famished. That one word described Roxanne's mood perfectly right then. So when she'd heard that the Ministry food court was finally opened, she'd hurried right down. Surprisingly enough, there weren't very many people here, considering it was lunch time. She was actually thankful for that, since it meant less of a wait. And less chance that she would pass out in front of everybody. Honestly, why had she skipped breakfast?

Exiting the buffet area carrying a tray with chicken parm, a small Cesar salad and a gillywater, she looked around for a seat. Finding one rather quickly, she sat her tray down on the table in front, then slipped in. Digging in, she hoped that she'd be joined by someone soon. Someone interesting. Because the only thing that she hated more than eating alone in a cafeteria type situation was trying to make conversation with a boring person.

Honestly, she should've asked someone from the office to come with her...

"Now that is the million Galleon question," Rex grinned. "I believe it has something to do with the other half wanting to be adored by the public while spending my money, or the one who thought I could make her a Quidditch star." He laughed. "I guess I've done a poor job when it comes to selecting the right mate. Many women don't seem to understand the complexities of the job and how I might have to cancel dinner because I'm needed in Oslo for a meeting in the morning. You see, my job does require me to travel . . . a lot. And you know from working in the Ministry, sometimes we just can't escape work no matter how hard we try."

Tamara nodded as she listened, shoving a dainty forkful of salad in her mouth. Chewing slowly she nodded once more. "I wouldn't say you have done a poor job. Perhaps you just followed a different part of your anatomy than your brain. Your heart, maybe? It happens to us all at some point, Rex. Now the question is- Will you make better choices in the future?" She smiled at the man across from her and reached out to pat his hand.

"Well aside from the Ministry I am still hands on with the Wizarding Modeling Agency that I helped found and get off of the ground. I do indeed understand having to cancel plans at the last minute and how important work should be... The kids don't always understand, but it is easier to smooth things over with them than it is with a significant other," she said with a shrug. "Have you any children?"

Taking out her wand Kyle quickly cast a spell to dry Simon's clothing. His hair could suffer right now she didn't mind that - but dripping cider on work and especially around Jax would not be a good idea.

When he finished rubbing his hand on the back of his neck she just shrugged and gave him a quiet smile it wasn't her normal infectious one it was different. Muted. "Better? You are ugh welcome..." she trailed off.

Kyle turned to Emily and just smiled when she asked about the sandwich "Of course swapping sounds great" she smiled over to Emily. "Thats great i'm glad things are going well!" She smiled, and then when Emily turned the question back to her she shrugged and ran her hand through her hair. "I'm a scribe so basically any important meetings i take notes must say I'm glad i took all together detailed of notes back at school of this would have been...well, not a great job for me" she laughed a bit.

"I haven't done much scribing yet but i think as soon as things really get going i'll probably be following the minister around like a little dog after its master...things got off to a slow start because no one went to the orientation meeting its mandatory and i think five people showed including myself"

The new food court wasn't too bad, Elinor decided. And why should it be-- what with the money they pumped into building it. Usually, Elinor had lunch at her desk. But she chose, today, to grace the food court with her presence.

The lab tech wore one of her signature outfits today-- a purple blazer over a white blouse, and a purple skirt. She let down her hair for lunch-- usually being pulled up and away from her face. On her tray was a simple chicken wrap, a small side of salad, and a vanilla cappuccino.

She had been headed for a sat all by herself, when she caught a glimpse of Roxxanne-- A co-worker from her department, looking like she was in need of someone to talk to. So, Elinor changed her path.

"Hey," she greeted with a smile. "You look like you could use some company. You mind if I sit here?"

Manners, always.

And speaking of the office...

"Not all all," Roxanne replied with a smile of her own. "Honestly, probably just saved me taking this all the way back upstairs." And that was saying something, since she didn't think chicken parm and legal papers would make a good combination. Gillywater either. "So, have you heard any interesting office gossip recently?" She was curious and besides that, who really wants to talk about work on their lunchbreak?

Elinor smiled and set down her tray as she lowered herself into the chair. She took an eager sip of the cappuccino before setting it back down. "Not at all. I mean, usually I don't get into office politics and things like that-- I'm usually the last to hear about anything, but MLE has been such a bore since Mister Bole left! While he was here it was all 'Transportation this' and 'Environmeltal that'. It was actually interesting office gossip!"

She paused to take a bite of food, hey eyes darting around for a second. "I mean, Mister Bole and I rarely spoke, but I actually really miss him!" Miss Danvers really wasn't one for gossip... but she was a woman, and it was high time for her to get her fix of news. She turned the question around eagerly. "You?"

"I haven't heard anything either! It's been soooo boring around here lately. Since Wes and Isobel's wedding, anyway. It almost makes makes me think that somethings going to spring up out of nowhere..." Although what or when Roxanne couldn't figure out. Though, as bad as it sounded, she kind of hoped something would happen soon, just to spice things up.

"Yeah, I never really knew Mr. Bole that well either, but I kind of miss him too. Although Wes is doing a pretty good job..." After all, he was the one that gave her her promotion.

"Mm," Elinor nodded, confirming that she was listening as she took another bite of her lunch. She swallowed quickly to get her sentence out. "But then, again, that wasn't even really news. Everyone knew about that, it wasn't really interesting, if you ask me..." Her eyes swept the room as she took a sip of her drink. Old habits and stuff. Back to Roxanne.

"Yeah? I haven't had a chance to talk to him really. I don't know much at all about him. But I don't think I appreciate some of the new employees here. I've been working at the Ministry for ten years--" You are not old--you are not old-- you are not old--"--And they keep hiring younger and younger people. I mean, in other departments, that might be okay. We work in Law Enforcement, that means experience. That's not to say they shouldn't be here-- They seem bright, and that's great. But when I see 21-year-olds walking around here, I have to wonder..."

...Elinor suddenly felt reeeeeally old...

...How about a change of subject?

"Anyway... I have to wonder where all the money to build this food court came from. I'm not sure how I feel about it... I'm used to eating at my desk or visiting Diagon Alley on my break."

I wonder what Nigel is doing right now...?

What is wrong with you??

Krys wandered into the food court at lunch time, yawning slightly. He was tired... it was alright though - he'd just had the best weekend ever and it was totally worth being shattered. He adjusted the strings on his hoodie with his free hand and looked for somewhere to sit down... Hmm.

He found a table and put his plate down, flopping into a seat and picking up a fork. This chicken needed eating. Yup. He ran a hand through his red curls and pushed his glasses up his nose - he was going to have to revive himself somehow, he still had the rest of the day to stay awake through... Hmm. Coffee maybe. After lunch.

"Not mention some of the young ones seem to have an attitude, like they're so special because they got into the MLE..." Roxanne was thinking mostly of one Mr. Carter. No relation to her of course. Which he should be thankful for after his display during training. She and her brother had been raised to have respect for ones bosses. Which Josh didn't seem to have... "Plus, youth doesn't exactly inspire confidence, which people should have in their Law Enforcement officers." Well, neither did freaking out because ones boss was leaving, but she chose to forget that little bit.

"Taxes?" Wasn't that usually where governments got their money? Or maybe some secret benefactor made a donation...?

After grabbing some juice from the Juice Bar, Vic went to the seating area to relax a bit. Resting the grape juice on the table, Vicky sat down and pulled a book out from her jacket pocket. She had been trying to read for some time now but work didn't allow it.

She looked around at the others chattering with each other. That was when she realized she may be the Minister's right hand but she was still the new kid on the block.

At his lunch break, Mason made his way down to the new food court again. It was pretty crowded, especially at this time of day. Which was a good sign. He was pretty excited that the project was a huge success.

After getting himself a salad and some fettuccine, Mason looked around for an empty table... with little luck. Maybe they should have added more tables... But Mason spotted someone possibly a bit younger than him sitting alone at a table, so he decided to be friendly. "Mind if I sit here?" he asked with a small smile.