Armen was not the least bit happy that Minister Carlton had decided to side with the creepy new Security Head over him , on his concern as to why the levels needed to be checked. He didn't know how many times he was going to think this, but he was definately, for real, 100% sure he did NOT like this man, and he still was iffy on the dude's relative, who was apparently a body-gaurd/personal assitant.

He was about to protest again, trying to trip up Gevrik and actully find out what the guy was looking for, so he could make note of it actually and fix whatever it would be, no matter how fictious it sounded, before the man came to visit Level 6. The 34-year old Department Head was beaten to the punch by his newish friend Rex. 'Yess take that!' Armen shouted in his head and wished he could do a victory dance right there, he was pretty sure old Gina would join him, but he refrained. Instead he turned his head questioningly towards the Security Head.

The plump woman was pushing her cookies and herself on Charles, the head of Magical Games and Sports was now also mispronouncing his name, and worst of all, there were the echoes of a 34-year-old child shouting in his head about... nothing. Ikenna took in all of it, easily, and processed the nutty behaviour of the so-called "leaders" of this Ministry with a blank expression.

He sensed Armen Recard waiting for a response and did not disappoint, giving the man a piercing, disdainful look before turning toward Vindictus. This man was more guarded than the immature head of Transportation but it was still easy to read the discontent radiating from his bulky frame.

"Mr. Vindictus, please. Either call me Ikenna or pronounce my last name correctly." Obviously he was not welcome to address Ikenna by his first name but the way Gevrik spoke calmly implied otherwise. He leaned in toward the table, his hands casually folded before him, and spoke as plainly and politely as possible for the man. There was no telling how many bludgers had addled this one. It would be best to appear patient and 'understanding' of his apparent discomfort in the forthcoming changes.

And onto the changes. "My standards are of the highest possible, as you will soon come to learn. I have no problem sharing my plans for tightened security, specifically around the Ministry's entrance as you have pointed out, but first I must personally clear each and every one of you, since you are the designated leaders of this country." His gaze briefly slid from Rex to Martel and then the Minister before flitting around to each of the people seated at the table.

"I agree, for the most part, that perhaps you are not directly to blame for the repeated history of random attacks and infiltrations to your Ministry." Ikenna's eyes seemed amused at his own use of the word 'infiltrations' but he continued in the same mild tone. "However, you can be blamed for hiring unsatisfactory employees with questionable motives. Security problems often begin in a trickle-down pattern and one of my standards is that none of the Department Heads employed by this Ministry will be what I and the Minister deem a problem."

Gevrik's gaze had come back to rest on Rex and he tilted his head just slightly at the end of his speech. Was that transparent enough? If not well... that was just too damn bad.

*prods college* Apologieeeees. <3
 

He just stared blankly at the man as he casually sipped his coffee. When Gevrik finished speaking, he placed his cup back on the table.

"Well do you have a plan or not, Mr. Gevrik? It sounds like you'd rather accuse every single person in this room of incompetency than enlighten us on your brilliant plan," Rex replied rather cockily and leaned back in his chair. "I know that I'm interested considering it will affect everyone associated with our Ministry."

Ikenna was quickly becoming bored of the repetition and redundancy evident in the questions of his colleagues, if they were even worthy of the distinction 'colleague,' and had to stifle both a sigh and a yawn as they carried on without an end in sight.

"I am certain I am not the problem, Bole." Gevrik turned his cold eyes on the other man and clearly communicated the consequences that would result from his asking such a stupid, insolent question. "And you will find that Minister and her more trusted employees agree."

He had been hired for a reason and there was not a thing these twitchy people could do about it.

"I did no accusing, merely a restating of the facts, Vindictus." The caustic inflection of Ikenna's tone had now entirely replaced the patient manner of speaking from before. The Head of Security seemed to ignore the rest of the man's taunting question as he rose from his chair and buttoned the bottom of his snazzy grey suit. He stepped out from his chair and crossed to the door near the Minister and Martel in a few long, smooth strides.

"This may be difficult for all of you to comprehend, Recard, Vindictus, but there is no point of a security screening if you have ample time to prepare yourselves and your offices in advance. The brilliance of my plan means that you will have no time to hide whatever it is you are so nervous I will discover and that you will just have to adapt and accept, if you are capable, to the tightening of security around this Ministry in whichever way I see fit.

"My work here begins now."

With that, he turned the knob of the door behind him and disappeared from the conference room like a ghost.

Rex shook his head in disbelief as the self-proclaimed security 'expert' left the room. "He really needs to do his homework - the Vindictus he should be worried about is at Hogwarts and not the Ministry," he joked and turned his chair towards Armen. "It's true. My little brother lives by the credo that rules are made to be broken."

Martel nodded around when the Minister spoke of him, holding the eyes of one Sion Jetza and offering the young woman a charming smile. He also looked closely at Erica, department head of creatures? So she must be one who supports caring for the environment, fighting for those who can not fight for themselves? Martel D'Isigny believed this whole heartedly himself. He smiled genuinely at the woman. Friendly smile.

The man listened politely to introductions, and to discussions, occassionally reaching out to brush his fingertips against the minister's shoulder, as if brushing away specks of dirt or dust. It was a gentle thing, more like a parent to a child, than any other sort of relationship, as if he held nothing but respect for the woman and perhaps an element of pride.

"I am at your disposal." He murmured as she spoke to support him, speaking to her and yet looking around at each of the dept heads and catching their eyes sincerely, overtures of friendship perhaps?




"I believe, if Mr. Gevrik is the 'problem' it would be your job to follow that up." Martel pointed out mildly. "In a legal sense, of course."

Martel touched the minister's shoulder again and then, as she dismissed everyone he spoke briefly.

"I would expect you would each be glad to have your dept. cleared and free of security breaches. And too, if all employees are subject to the same investigations, is it not fair that you yourselves are held to the same standards, and higher? That in the interest of fairness, and of consistancy and unity, that you will allow yourselves to undergo the same scrutiny that the regular employees will have to undergo. It is galling, I know, but it is not personal. Not at all personal. It is for Wizarding Britain."He cleared his throat and fell silent, waiting for the Minister to stand so he could escort her back to her office.

Hogwarts?

Evander perked up somewhat. Interested for a certain reason.

A certain someone, that was.



His thoughts of Lilyan were interrupted when the Minster spoke again and Evander was pleased that the meeting was over, even if other things were irritating beyond belief. He smiled tensely and stood up.

"Duly noted." Evander responded in an equally mild tone, though the smile he'd been sporting grew smug. Thats right Ikenna Gevrik, you watch your back. I certainly will be. He paused where he stood, listening as Martel spoke. The man had a good point. Or several really.

As usual.

Unfortunately.

Evander grunted a bit sourly to himself and then left the room, only pausing mid-step to nod at one or two of his new peers before heading down to level 2.

She narrowed her eyes at the disappearing man. He was creepy.

"I have nothing to hide, Minister," she said smiling.

Hmmm, The mother in Gina was concerned about the way this man, who did NOT take a cookie, was looking at the other women in the room.

She would meet up with the children... yes, they were children to Gina, and tell them that a man who wouldn't take a cookie is one to keep an eye on.

She smirked at the man. "That's a fairly good credo." She whispered and winked at Rex, slipping her arm through his. "Mister Vindicus, be a dear and escort me back to the fifth floor, please?"

Sorry School and work took control the past two days! Pretend this is b4 Anna left!
 

Armen was NOT happy with the answer Ikenna had given Rex. He was tryign to make it out that all of the Department Heads were in the wrong about these so-called Security failures, how was that?

The new Security Dept Head then swiftly left the room to go start on the inspections! What a spiteful man! Armen was 99.9% sure where he was headed first and and tensed his fists on the arms of his chair. He had nothing to hide now....that was the past.

Armen tried to stay consentrated on what else was being said, but the majority of the talking was done by the Minister, who seemed not herself, and Ikenna's creepy and just as shifty relative who was the new Minister's assistant. Armen's eyebrows crossed as he thought about how the Minister had completely and utterly allowed Ikenna to badger Rex and himself like he did. But his mind then flew back to that horrible man down in his Level with his unwarned employees. Finally the meeting ended.

He stood up quickly and walked out of the room as fast as possible without bringing too much attention to himself and turned on the spot at the edge of the door. Armen then appareated to level 6 with a flash.