Her first day of work and Mariel could not believe she forgot to bring her lunch. She could picture the small sack of food just still sitting on her kitchen table at home. Sigh. She blamed it on first-day jitters. Oh well, at least the Ministry had a food court.

The young woman decided on a steak salad - the kind that she developed a taste for when she was a teenager and visited her friend Lasca in the States.. a bowl piled high with leafy greens, fresh vegetables, topped with french fries and slivers of steak. Yum. Once acquired from the buffet, Mariel took her salad to an empty table. All the others were full of chatty people, and as she didn't really know anyone, she didn't feel like interrupting anyone's conversation today.

Tyler entered the seating area not having brought a lunch bag with him, he wasnt too hungry since he had been so nervous about his first day at work. But he knew that he needed something to eat to keep him going through the day sooo he went upto the buffet and saw some fries.... OH! and there was a pizza too.. so he took some fries and a slice of pizza.. still not very hungry though. He looked around to see where to sit when he saw a woman sitting alone, she wouldnt mind if he joined her right? He hoped not!

He walked over to her and as he got nearer he started to feel as if the woman was very familiar to him, from where though?! From where!? he rummaged around in his brain memory to place this woman before he got there! He tried really hard and he still couldnt place her, he got to her "Hi do you mind if I sit here" and thats when it clicked to him.. it was that Games and Sports woman Mariel "Mariel? You looked a little lonely so I though I would join you" he said putting his lunch onto the table hoping she didnt mind. Afterall they werent strangers they had met at the orientation so they knew each other, maybe time to get to know each other more as colleagues and as friends too?

Having got his Salad Saul looked over the seating area. it was bustling with a lot of other Ministry workers. Something Saul would avoid for now. At the moment he would try and figure with case he'd rather set his mind on. Some De Talone lady, or zombies.

He was currently leaning towards De Talone, because...zombies. For real what was going on around here, he had to start his job at the Ministry the moment a Zombie breakout began. He would need some good convincing to consider even researching the breakout.

Choosing a seat far off in the corner Saul set his Salad plate down and began munching on just the croutons.

The only thing that occupied Derek's mind for the past weeks had been the zombie incident. It seemed the symptoms had gotten worse and the people were even lacking magical abilities or something now! That was dangerous...

The former Gryffindor had come to the food court innumerous times since it had all started and there he was again. Obviously, he wasn't going to eat anything the Ministry offered... Derek mentally shook his head whenever he saw people doing it nowadays. How could they even consider doing something like that after the zombie incid-

Person. Eating. Eye roll.

Why were people so stupid, really? Derek started to walk a bit faster towards the person, pulling out his wand and quickly casting a simple shield over the person's plate. The random bloke was already eating, but well, if he could stop him from eating the rest, he would.

When he finally reached the table, Derek went to the front of the guy. "Sorry, security purposes." He stated before realising who that was. "I'm Derek Meriwether, from the Accidents and Catastrophes Department." He introduced himself without looking at the person.

He was more interested in the person's food, really. "Did you get this salad from the Ministry's food court? Or did you bring-" He finally looked at the guy.

Wait... was that...?

He wasn't even using his fork, or didn't even bother spreading the dressing over his salad that he put off to the side. He just went for the croutons. Then his hand was repelled back back a shield over his plate. His eyes widened in shock at the sudden appearance of the shield. Although it could use some work. "Security purposes? On a Salad?" Saul said to the familiar voice that was now looming over him.

This made him feel uncomfortable so he stood up and looked this guy in the eyes as he introduced himself. "I KNOW YOU!" Saul shouted as he finally recognized his friend and former housemate. "Derek, it's been too long!" He lifted his thick-rimmed glasses to get a better look at him.

Derek completely ignored the person's question about security on the salad. Didn't that guy work in the Ministry? Wasn't he aware of what was going on lately? Honestly.

The son to be 25 year-old lifted the spell and was about to analyse the salad a bit, but yeah, he should at least explain why he was doing that to the food's owner... even though he didn't feel like it.

I KNOW YOU! The shouting and the voice were both very familiar to Derek, though it wasn't until he actually looked at his face that he recognized "Saul!" The tenth. Wow. "It has." Derek raised his eyebrows at his friend, not quite sure how to react to all this. Should they shake hands or...? But they weren't just random acquaintances... they had been roommates and all. And Saul was not the kind of person Derek used to avoid, so no need to be awkward towards him. But uh... well. That was weird.

"Um, how have you been?" He finally said, switching his wand to his left hand. Oh, right. "Sorry about the shield. You just have to be careful with the Ministry food these days." Did Saul even know about the zombie thing? "How long have you been here?" In the Ministry. In... England. And all.

You know. ...Yeah.

It was finally good to see a familiar face again. Now he wouldn't have to be a total loner here at the British Ministry, not like at the Andorran Ministry.

He scratched his head at the question of "how's it been", How has it been? "It's been..." Saul paused as he still hadn't thought of a proper response to this question. "Tedious, to say the least." his glasses fell back down to his face as he finished scratching his head. "The Salad Shield? It's no big deal. You must have had good reason." He paused for a moment to think again on the next question that Derek asked. He lifted his glasses again as which has become something of a habit since he began wearing them a year ago.
"I came back to London a few months ago." Saul answered figuring that Derek had meant more to his question then he let on. "I started working yesterday." Yup, second day on his job and he's already running into familiar faces. Maybe the next few he recognizes he would avoid.

"I assume that you're trying to make sure I don't get zombified? Or whatever the reason was for shielding his Salad from him was for. Was it bad? His glasses fell back to his face as he eyed the salad, maybe he should focus more on this zombie case now that this salad may have turned him if Derek didn't step in. "You said you're in Accident and Catastrophes? I'm in the MLE. Saul said as he once again lifted his glass from his face, only this time he removed them completely and stuffed them in his shirt pocket. "We're working closely with you guys, or so I've overheard since I've started here."

Tedious, really? Derek was expecting something completely different. "Well, that's weird." Not that his life had been any more exciting. It had probably been as tedious, if it wasn't for his precious Potions.

Of course Derek has had a good reason. Not that that salad could be infected, but you never knew. Better safe than sorry. "Yeah, I believe I just saved your life." Oh look, Derek could make jokes. Hah.

Or maybe not.

He started yesterday? "I hope you're aware of what's been going on here then." Saul's Head of Department should have alerted them all alredy. Hopefully. It was their job too, after all.

Oh, he knew. Good. "Exactly." Derek replied simply. So Saul has heard about the zombie incident and was still eating the food served in the Ministry? Really, Saul?? Hasn't changed a bit, now has he? "You be careful with what you eat here." No need to have more zombies running around though Derek would indeed love to have more samples.

Saul was in the MLE. Derek nodded at that comment. Interesting Department. "I'll have a meeting with someone from your Department tomorrow to try and figure this out. Aron Ashburry-Hawthorne." Maybe Saul knew this man already? Derek really wouldn't know, since he wasn't sure about what was this man's job, to be honest. "You can come along if you're interested. And if your Head of Department says it's okay." Obviously. Saul wouldn't want to get in trouble on his first week in the Ministry, would he?

Since Derek was in charge of the lab - or so he thought, ahem - it wouldn't be such a big deal to have Saul there. Besides, it would be nice to have a friendly face there. Someone else to cope with those mental people that he worked with. "Third level. You can find me in the lab."

Oh this salad was so good... Mariel made a mental note to "forget" her packed lunch more often. She had to visit this food court on a regular basis.

Catching a movement out of the corner of her eye, the young woman inconspicuously watched someone heading in her general vicinity as she worked on finishing her lunch. It was sort of fun sitting here and people watching.. but this one had a familiarity about him. Mariel looked up a little more obviously as he approached her table. The woman gave the man a smile and gestured to the chair across from her as he spoke. "Be my guest.." She gave him an amused chuckle at his next words. "It is Mariel, yes.." she nodded at the man she remembered from the orientation. "Tyler, right?" She thought so at least as she was pretty good with names.. "Well, I'm thankful for the company then.. How's your first day, so far?" After all, she remembered the man was new here too..

Tyler smiled and sat down and nodded "Yeah.. nice of you to remember me." cause he was forgettable right.. cause they had only met that day and not after so he would not have been surprised if she had forgotten him. He smiled once more "Yeah? well I am glad I turned up at just the right time before you might.. you know.. leave this area to be precise" he said to her as she asked how his first day was going "Its going good, being thrown straight into the fun aspects of this job. Well I find investigating zombies fun, so thats what I have been assigned. May be dirty and unpleasant at times but I mean how many times do you get to investigate zombies!" ok so he was being a total guy right now with his fascination for zombies but who could blame him, after years of working in the Muggle Law Enforcement he was really excited to be working in MAGICAL Law Enforcement now. "How about yours? good day so far?" he asked her in return cause it was just nice and polite and Tyler was both

Mariel smiled and shrugged as Tyler sat down. "I'm pretty good with remembering names and faces." Yes, that was pretty much a gift of hers.. and even though they hadn't spoken all that much, it wasn't very long ago that they had met so the day of the orientation was still pretty fresh in her mind. The brunette took another bite of salad and turned her eyes on him as he spoke of his first day.It was just too bad that she had no idea what he was going on about.

Mariel narrowed her eyes slightly at him and furrowed her brow in confusion. "Zombies? What in Merlin's scraggly beard are you talking about? ...those are what Muggles call Inferi, right?" The young woman stared at him for a moment, somewhat bewildered. This sounded like something out of one of those horrible Muggle movies she had been talked into seeing. "That is what your job entails?" She hoped Tyler would explain because she actually was curious.. even if she did find what he was saying to be very, very odd.

The young woman gave the man across from her a wary smile as he asked about her day as well. "Quite well, I suppose. Just working on enforcing some Quidditch regulations.. nothing as exciting as all that." Or as bizarre..

He smiled as she said that she was good with remembering names and faces Thats cool that you do, wouldn't want you to start forgetting things" he said chuckling. He then saw her narrow her eyes at him asking him what he meant, he nodded "Yes those! You can tell I have been in the muggle world for too long! " had he started to forgot these things he had hoped not. He nodded "Yes that is what my current task is right now, even though its not part of my division. But I think they needed all hands on deck for that mission. We are supposed to investigate them, taking samples from them and sending to be analysed." he said explaining to her what he was supposed doing for her mission. He nodded as she talked about her first day on the job "Oh? Are these new regulations? Or old that need re-enforcing?" he asked her wondering if these were new ones, if so he would need to know them IF he were ever sent out to provide security at a match or two. "Well those can be pretty exciting too" yeah just knowing that you are the first to know of new regulations even before anyone else, that had to feel a bit exciting knowing that people would be asking you about the new regulations.... no?

Mariel simply stared at Tyler as he spoke.. and merely confirmed what he had said earlier. Well, that wasn't any kind of an explanation, now was it? She still didn't understand what he was going on about and she wanted answers because this seemed most unsettling to the woman. Though Tyler seemed so nonchalant about it.. maybe it was nothing to be alarmed about. But still..

"Okay, so you're supposed to be investigating them," she repeated his words, trying to keep her own voice more even than before. "But why? Is there some sort of.. outbreak?" She wasn't sure if that was the best word she should use, but it was the only one she could think of at the time. And obviously it was some sort of concern or Tyler's job duties wouldn't include them.. right? She glanced over her shoulder quickly, out of paranoia she supposed, before turning back to him. Hopefully now he would explain.. and hopefully put her mind at ease. These things couldn't be running around here, could they?

Mariel leaned back in her seat and waited for the man across from her to explain further. While she waited, she answered his own questions directed to her. "Oh, a couple old ones.. There are a few teams in particular that are getting a bit.. um, bold with the current regulations." Would it be gossip if she told him which teams? Uh, yeah, probably. "And because of that.. I also need to look in creating some new ones, possibly.. in addition to enforcing the old." Such tedious work..

He noticed that she was staring at him, did he say something wrong. He nodded as she repeated his words with an added question on the end that he was not sure how to answer since he didnt want to give away too much before they had even started the investigation "No.. no outbreak" at least he was hoping not "Just.. wanting to know where they came from that sort of thing" he smiled before he saw her looking over her shoulder quickly, unknowingly he clasped her hand in his "Its nothing to worry about" for now anyways it seemed.. since he couldnt see any of those weird people around them. He then looked at his hand around hers.. and instantly felt embarrassed and let go of her hand and put it near his other hand. "Sorry" he mumbled as he just stared at his plate of food before he looked at her as she answered his questions.

He nodded along as she answered his questions, he raised his eyebrows "They are? Mm yes I can see why you may need to create some new ones." he nodded a bit more, he wondered which teams were getting bold with the regulations.. he was kinda hoping it wouldnt be his team that he was a fan of secretly for years, being married to a muggle it was not easy to follow the quidditch news and standings. "So.. when do these new ones get enforced?" you know just a heads up on if it could be happening to his team or not.. just a hint?

Mariel sat, still staring somewhat in bewilderment, trying to make some sort of sense in what Tyler was saying. Where they came from? She still wasn't certain why he needed to be investigating these.. things. She glanced down suddenly as she felt a warmth around her hand.. then looked over at Tyler as he withdrew his hand as quickly as he had offered it. "Oh.. it's fine," she said, giving him a small smile to try to ease his apparent embarrassment. She saw it as a comforting gesture anyway.. no need to feel weird about it. And she didn't press the issue about the zombies.. or whatever they were.. any further. Tyler obviously didn't think it was a big deal, so she figured it just wasn't. Probably some dumb precautionary thing his department made him do to make sure there weren't any ever around. And she didn't know why there would be.

The young woman nodded happily as they continued their discussion about Quidditch. She wasn't sure if he was as interested in the sport as she was.. or if he was just humoring her.. but she didn't care. She was always happy to talk about it. She raised her eyes to his at his question. "Oh.. not for a while, I'm sure. Plenty of paperwork and red tape before any of that can take effect.. you know how that is, I'm sure." Mariel gave him a little smile and shrug. Seemed to be the way with anything.. things took forever, usually with a lot of the unnecessary, to get done..

He couldnt believe he had done that! They hadnt met that long ago and he was doing that! thats what being lonely did to you.. made you run after women like there was no tomorrow.. but he would not do that.. he would.. find the right one first.. besides.. he planned to concentrate on his job first.. then women! He looked at her in disbelief.. did.. did she just say it was fine? and she was smiling too?! Ok.. he.. he wasnt expecting that for sure! "Well.. I..er.. I am glad you .. er.. werent freaked out or anything by that. I know.. that some can feel a little.. weirded out by things like that" like holding hands when you dont even know the guy! She seemed to have stopped worrying about his investigation.. and thats what he wanted.. his department couldnt handle everyone freaking out when they werent even sure who these people were and how they had become zombies and things.

He watched her nod along as he talked about quidditch, now having been brought up in the magical world that was one sport that he loved alot! He saw her look up at him as he questioned her, now it was his turn to nod to what she was saying. He nodded he did know what that meant.. law enforcement.. magical OR muggle was also like that! before they could do things or even after they had mounds of paperwork to get through. Write reports and things on any raids they went on and things! "Yes I do that.. law enforcement also require paperwork to be sent to various people for approval or something else. But paperwork will be there no matter what job or department you work in" so he knew what she was talking about that was for sure! "Been to any games lately?" he asked... really enjoying talking about quidditch since it had been years since he had being in the muggle world alot!

Mariel tilted her head and watched Tyler as he stumbled over his words. It was clear that he was embarrassed by his actions and thought she would be upset. Seriously, he needed to relax. "Tyler, let's not make a bigger deal of this than it is.." she began. "It's clear you were only trying to set my mind at ease.. nothing more." And nothing to get worked up about. Let's change the subject..

She offered him a small smile as he agreed about the endless mounds of paperwork his department had as well. "Yes, I suppose you're right.. any department here would have its share." The perks of having a real job, she supposed.. Her face lit up a bit as he continued. "Did I tell you I played professionally?" The brunette couldn't remember if she did or not.. she talked to quite a few people at that meet and greet.. and she didn't want to seem like she was bragging. "But other than that.. yes, I saw the Harriers play recently when I went to visit my sister. She lives in Heidelberg." And that had been an intense game. Almost made her wish she was still playing. "What about you? Seen any games recently?"

He saw her tilt her head as he talked to her, he really looked at her as she called out his name. He nodded as she began "Ok.. thats fine with me" cause he was all up for not making it a bigger issue than it was anyways. He nodded some more "Yeah.. thats what I was doing." cause that was the last thing his department needed.. employees running around like headless chickens the moment they hear about what is going on.

He nodded "Yeah it would! But what can we do.. just gotta get through them" couldnt exactly throw them out the window.. so no choice other than to do them. He looked at her.. did her face just.. brighten up? He looked surprised as he shook his head "No you did not.. but do tell" he had to know if she was like a celebrity.. professional player and all.. maybe a signed autograph or something. Darn! he just had to leave his quill in his office! She then went on to tell him about a game she had been to "Oh yeah? and how was that game?" he asked her wondering before she asked him about the games he had been to "Well.. since my son Dylan was joining Hogwarts this year I decided to take him to a few games as a treat.. we went and saw the Falmouth Falcons, lucky enough to be able to fly out to the US to watch the Fitchburg Finches and finally Wollongong Warriors were playing a game here in Britain so went to see that as well. Basically giving him some fun before he went off to school" he said as he wondered what kind of trouble he was causing "Have some father-son time before he went off.. although thats all I had been doing for the past 7 years" he chuckled a little as he remembered the summer they had spent doing all of this.

Good.. he seemed to agree with her about dropping the subject and hopefully that would be the end of the awkwardness. And on to Quidditch.. "Yes.. I played Keeper for the Moutohora Macaws.. well, when I would get called up from the Reserves.." It was a shame, she thought, that she hadn't a starting position during her short time there.. but it did make it easier to come back to London. "Are you familiar with the Macaws? They're out of New Zealand.. I played just a few years with them while I was working part-time in the Ministry there."

The brunette thought back to the last game she saw. It had actually been a while.. "Oh it was a great game," she began with a reminiscent smile.. but they all were really. "End of last summer when I visited Germany.. and then I was busy with my old job.. well, jobs really.. so I haven't been to a game in a little while." Which was probably scandalous, given her current occupation.. but that could easily be changed.

Mariel tilted her head slightly as Tyler continued, and raised a brow almost imperceptibly. "Oh, I didn't realize you had a son.. Is it his first year at Hogwarts?" Smiling as he talked of the games, she continued with a nod. "Those are a couple of great teams.. How nice he got to see them.. I'm sure he enjoyed them?"

He listened as she said that she played as a keeper, he smiled and raised his eyebrows "You.. you played for them? wow! Well you were still playing even if from reserves" he chuckled not believing that he had a pro quidditch player right in front of him! Who would have thought that he would meet a pro one day "I need to get your autograph then, sorry.. dont have a quill and parchment on me right now.. but when I do.. I will be coming to you" he chuckled some more still trying to wrap his head around this new information. He nodded "I am familiar with them, yes.. yes the New Zealanders" he nodded more "Ah ok. well at least you still played.. not many of us can say that we actually played pro.. I know I cant!" being stuck at home with a kid did that to you after settling down maybe a little too early.

He listened as she talked about a great game "Yeah? thats great! its good that it was.. wouldnt want it to be a bad game" he smiled as she continued "Ah ok.. no? oh you have to go to a game soon then! You are over-due for one!" he said to her. He wondered what it must feel like not going to a game, probably horrible. But it was not her fault that she was working and couldnt go, but now maybe she would find more time to go to a game or two!

He watched her as she raised an eyebrow and asked about Dylan, Tyler nodded his head "I do have a son, and yes he is in his first year. Which was the reason I decided to join the ministry. I thought rather than me being at home alone while he is at school.. I might as well work here" he smiled as she listened to him talk about the games "Yes they are! Yeah it was a kind of treat for him before he went off to school, us spending some time together and having a bit of fun for once" he chuckled "Oh yeah! he did! he was like a kid in a candy store or something.. he talked about the games constantly for days afterwards. He did enjoy them" Tyler smiled as he remembered the games they went to.

Elizabeth sat down at the seating area with a grilled cheese. She pushed it aside and started working on the things she needed down at work. Eliza was growing thinner and she was starting to look older and older.

Spotting Elizabeth at one of the tables, and was walking past with a bowl of dragon stew and looking for a spot to sit. "Mind if I join you?" he asked. He really hated sitting alone and hoped she wouldn't mind! "how's Tay doing?"

Elizabeth gestured without looking up or paying much attention. She didnt really hear what her boss said but offered the seat to him with the gestured. Eliza was focused completely on her work. Her grilled cheese sat there uneaten.

His gaze flickered over her as he started eating his stew. She was quite focused wasn't she. He wondered if maybe he could lure her from her thoughts. "You know it's a very bad habit to get into work during your lunch hour." he teased. His face showing amusement as he reached for his bottle of water he'd brought unscrewing the cap and taking a drink.

Elizabeth didnt look up and just kept working. "Hmmhmm, is that right?" She obviously didnt hear what he said. Her hair was starting to fall and curtain her face as she worked and didnt even so glance at her food.