Seating Area
 

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...psnltaqxuz.gif

Once you’ve gotten all the food you can fit onto a plate, have a seat and enjoy your food while socializing with your colleagues! Each table seats eight, and there are place settings that include all the needed utensils; no need to search for them at the buffet! The seating is located right next to the dance floor, so technically, there’s dinner and entertainment, eh? Maybe after you finish your food you’ll join your colleagues on the dance floor? Or go for seconds? Whatever the options, feel free to take a load off and get comfy at your table!

Charles decided to forego the food this time and sat at the table instead. He set his coat over the back of his chair and just leant back in his seat. This was going to be interesting now Gidyun had left and they had a new department head. Hopefully Charles would meet him or her today and not in the office. That wouldn't be fun.

Whit/Arielle AND ANYONE ELSE!
 

Hello people from DIMC and DMC :3
 

His first two years in the Ministry seemed to have passed way too quickly as he found himself more comfortable in their annual Ministry Orientation shindig. Not that Ryden lacked confidence, but the very idea of working for the government still gave him the chills. The new work year seemed to be a promising one, as it always have been, with the exception of Gidyun no longer in their Department to lead them.

Still, Ryden remained positive and optimistic about the new year, especially now that he’s been promoted to a position he once dreamed of. The newly-minted consul confidently entered the hall and opted to take a seat first, rather than make a beeline for the buffet table. It was never a good idea for him to take in food right after international apparition. Merlin, he really should’ve just booked a plane. Spotting a familiar face, Ryden pulled out the chair next to the man and gave him a pleasant smile. “Hello, Mister Taylor.” Ryden has probably been under numerous supervisors, and none of them were like Charles. He was a very quiet...but efficient man; truly impressive. “I trust you had a good holiday? Rather short, isn’t it?” Because really, if Ryden had it his way, he’d take an extra week off to be with his family in Japan.


The first thing that Mordred got for the day, was a notice from their Department Head, telling them to attend her compulsory meeting. It was enough for the Dragonologist not to attend the Ministry Orientation, thinking that tomorrow’s meeting would be exactly the same in nature. It didn’t make much sense to him really, but given the fact that his wife will not be impressed, Mordred was forced to take the rest of the day off and attend the annual gathering.

The 29 year old sighed as he dragged his feet to the buffet area, gathered a bunch of random food on his plate and made a beeline to one of the tables and sat on one of the empty chairs. Maybe he could skip the mingling part if he’d go for the classic eat and run...perhaps hear a word or two from their new Minister and go home? Sounds like a plan. Besides, the fresh baby dragon scratches that adorned the back of his hand needs attending to.

Hi fellow Level 4 peeps!
 

The scrape of the chair next to him brought Charles out of his headspace. Or happy place. Whatever you chose to call it. His brown eyes turned to the man who was known to him and Charles nodded to him. "Hello, Mr. Reed." Heh. He'd remembered! "I did, it was very productive, thank you. It was shorter than I believe the last few years holidays have been... yet the calendar assures me it's the same amount of time." Meh. He supposed time flew when you were learning a new language. "Did you have a good holiday?" He was sure Ryden had gone to a different country. "And a good journey?" He wasn't sure if he'd gone for the muggle way or managed to secure permission from Magical Transportation to leave the country via portkey or apparition.

Half-way through devouring his pastrami, Mordred took a moment to actually look at his surroundings. Immediately to his left were new faces. The young man closest to him seemed to be too ready to pee his trousers with the look on his face; a dead give-away that he’s new. What department did he end up though? Before he could even take a better look at the man’s company, a set of fingers decided to cross his personal space; and in a very weird spot too.

Quickly pulling away, Mordred gave the intruder a disgusted look. Upon registering who it was, the dragonologist shook his head in disbelief. “Not amused, Beatrice.” He said dropping the rest of the pastrami onto his almost empty plate. Mordred spared her another glance as he drank the water from the goblet, and he almost choked on his drink as Beezus made her introductions. Her outfit was superb, however, the perky attitude? Not so much.


The fact that Charles welcomed his company without question made Ryden more relaxed in his seat, a grin plastered on his face as he listened and agreed to what his supervisor had said. The former Foreign Relations Officer however, was a bit surprised with the revelation that Charles worked during holidays? “Productive? You’ve been working?” Ryden thought he was a busy man, but there was Charles who apparently didn’t let the holidays stop him.

“I really can’t say international apparition equates to a good journey, however, it was a good trip given that I was able to spend my time off with the wife and kids in Japan.” He said as he reached out for his water goblet and took a sip from it. “Although I think my youngest didn’t enjoy his short vacation. He had a nasty accident in Hogwarts and had to use up all his vacation days to recuperate.” Which reminds him, he needs to talk to Miss Campbell of Creatures about those pesky poltergeists.

“By the way, have you heard any news from Gidyun? I haven’t checked with the others since I just got back from the East.” It would be really lovely to see Gid around. “And...have you got any idea about our new Head?” Ryden was usually on top of these things, but given his current situation, he wasn’t entirely updated.

Anyone?
 

She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to be in a dress when jeans were so comfy and she didn't want to while away an evening with people she had absolutely no interest in. Couldn't she go up to the Office and entertain herself there? Her in tray finally had things IN it. She didn't want to be down here with drinks she couldn't drink and music she didn't care for yet here she was.

If Sleater hadn't told her he'd gotten the job here, she might have skipped the whole shindig. You were only a new employee within the Ministry of Magic once and she was actually happy to have another person she could tolerate working in the building.

It didn't take very long after she'd approached the tables to spot the sore thumb sticking out. Lex flopped into the seat by the table he was currently at before giving him an expectant look. "I'm sure not even Security's expected to spend the night standing. Take a load off. We'll be here a while."

Yes, until everyone decided they'd had enough of this meeting and greeting and felt comfortable in their admission of having enough of each other.

He didn't even hear her come up. It was only after she spoke did he turn around to see her sitting there, with that oh-so-bored look on her face. Sleater's eyes briefly took in her outfit. "You don't look bad in a dress." He pulled out the chair next to her and sat down comfortably. "You look good."

The twenty year-old looked around the crowd, a bit curiously, a bit in panic. "Do we...just sit here all night? Is that the orientation?" His eyes caught the dance floor on the other end. "Feel like busting a move?"

This…is a party? Mordred sat back, crossing his arms across his chest and gave Beezus a good stare. “Parties are fun. This however, is what I call an obligatory mingling event. Not fun.” He said giving the place a good look around. “Food is not too shoddy though, so it’s not that bad. I could, however, use some pint before I head home.” He said lazily crossing his legs under the table. What is it going to be next year though? Hopefully it was something more lively, given that they are actually celebrating something. Surprisingly though, the event is rather simple given that they have a newly elected minister, Althea Scabior nee Schirmer; a former professor in Hogwarts.

Mordred gave out a sigh and tilted his head from side to side when he was asked about their Department Head. “She’s normal…compared to how Harmony used to run our department.” The dragonologist however took a moment to internalize that Miss Campbell would also handle DERP. Ah, no wonder she wanted them to have that compulsory meeting. “She’s fine where normalcy is of concern. You’ll get along with her well.” Mordred was too sure of it.

The thing was, Alexa was well aware of the fact that she didn't look bad in dresses. That was never the issue. It was never the reason for not liking them. "Flattery," She said, slouching into her seat. "will get you nowhere. Sugar, on the other hand, has been known to do wonders." She flashed him a grin then, indication enough that she wasn't being a sour puss but it didn't change the fact she'd have preferred to be holed up in the office with a stack of files and the feeling she was close to a break in a case. It was an addicting sort of feeling.

Much like his gaze, hers also traveled around the room. No Emily. No Aron. Lynnie was over there talking to people she didn't think she wanted to know and she'd yet to run into anyone from her own Department. Brilliant night this was turning out to be. "One year they had dementors in a maze but I guess they've learned their lesson since then because now nothing really happens. Unfortunate, isn't it?" Hazel eyes locked on him again. She remembered him saying he didn't like to flirt with danger. Yet another thing that was unfortunate.

Lex shook her head at his question. "I'd rather not. Last time I danced at one of these, Sabel let me stand on his feet and he did all the work. I don't think that'll work this time around." Between her protruding stomach and his limited muscle development, it had bad idea written all over it--and not even the good kind.

Feel free to engage Charles, Ali. <3
 

"I have been working, if that's what you call learning a new language." Charles nodded. "I always try to keep learning new languages and adding to my repertoire. It is a very useful skill for one in a position such as myself." The more languages he knew, the easier it was for him to do his job. He was about to say he assumed Ryden had been spending time with family, but the young man beat him to it and confirmed that anyway. "Oh, that is lovely! Do they live in Japan or did you all just go on holiday there?" Japan was gorgeous. It was polluted like crazy, but so advanced that it was enthralling. "Oh, I do hope your son is okay. It's not nice having an injury and needing that recovery time... especially when it lands on your holidays." Siiiigh.

Gidyun? Oh, the things Charles had heard. "I heard that he moved to Law Enforcement as the department head." Meh. It was probably more exciting than Magical Cooperation. "Our new head... all I got was a name." Charles pulled a note from his inside pocket and checked it once again. "Erec Delacroix." He recited with just a hint of a French accent to the name. It sounded French. Right?

Warren and Beezus ^_^
 

Sleater's fingers drummed against the table, taking in Alexa's words. He tried to imagine a little Alexa, fearless as always, and with that same mischievous grin. "I can do that." He said, suddenly turning to look at her. "I mean, a featherlight charm wouldn't hurt, considering my feet probably won't like the weight of TWO people on them." He smirked, resting his cheek on his palm. "And your shoes, might help if you kick 'em off for a dance, don't you think?" SMILE.

Kat
 

She hadn’t been here five minutes and already she was causing problems, but god he wasn’t carrying anything. She was about to apologize for a second time, but his words shocked her into silence causing her second apology to stopped dead in her throat. How does he know my name? Have we meet before? Well she could have answered both of those questions herself. He probably did know her, but she couldn’t remember him.

Gwen looked up and studied his face with a look of confusion on her own. “How do you know my name?” She finally asked, still unable to recognize him. It was moment likes this that she truly hated because it made things completely awkward on her part when she had to explain that she had couldn’t remember anything pass five years ago. “Have we meet before? When?”

Hi, Ali! :3 *mentions Erec too*
 

Ryden leaned forward as Charles spoke, obviously interested with what he was saying. “I agree, 101% Mr. Taylor. It also helps if you learn other people’s customs.” He was privileged enough to work under a supervisor before who literally covered all the bases. His old boss was the sensitive kind of diplomat, making sure all of his guests are comfortable. “We live in Japan, yes. I married a lovely Japanese woman, and she chose to stay there. My two sons were brought up there too.” He said as he adjusted his tie. “I had no choice but to learn their language and customs as well. Totally different from here.” He said nodding to himself, a pleasant grin on his face. “Oh, thank you sir. He is doing well now, thank Merlin.” He added shaking his head. “My years spent in Hogwarts had been eventful, but not as accident prone as it is today.” He added. “Peeves…apparently has a girlfriend now. Took him a while, to be honest.” He said, giving an exasperated sigh. Just…what is going on in his Alma Mater now, eh?

Shifting in his seat, Ryden reached out for his goblet again to moisten his dry throat. Gidyun Yenorin is now the Head for Magical Law Enforcement? “MLE? Oh wow. Tough man.” He said nodding his head enthusiastically. “Well, MLE is in good hands now. I’m sure Gid is more than capable.” He said, smiling at the thought of Gidyun wearing an Auror’s suit. Not bad at all!

“Erec Delacroix.” Ryden repeated with an impeccable French accent. “A French man, I suppose?” Well, he could be half-French for all they know. “Wouldn’t want to be late in his future meetings. I know the French hates tardiness.” Thankfully, Ryden is never late in important meetings. The Japanese has taught him that being early is a sign of respect. Bless them, really.

It was nice to see that the younger generation these days were interested in learning and understanding other cultures. Few of the people in his own age group were that interested in other people. Thank Merlin the world was moving on from ignorance. "Oh, most definitely. I think the only way to grow as a person is by learning from all cultures and using the best from all of those." The laid back approach to life of the Australians, the work ethic and hardiness of the Asian continent, the endurance of the African countries, the general concern for the world and rules of Europe, the consumerism of North America, the ingenuity and general enjoyment of life from South America and the ability to be comfortable with one's own company that you get from visiting Antarctica. If only more people did that, the world would be a better place.

"Oh, how lovely!" It would be amazing to live in Japan. "I'm very pleased for you. How long have you been married?" Uh... was that getting too personal? "Their language is delightful. The dedication it takes to fit in their way of life says a lot about a person." Maybe Ryden was more committed than Charles had originally pegged him to be. "I think maybe everyone has their own adventures at Hogwarts. Some are more dangerous than others." Wait, did he say Peeves? "Are you talking about that confounding poltergeist?" Charles asked, frowning. Who would willingly attach themselves to that mischievous miscreant?

"Yes, MLE." He'd heard right. "I know Gidyun is capable. His wife used to be Head Auror, then Department Head of MLE in Italy and she isn't afraid to remind him of that. For someone to marry a woman like that, they must have thick skin and a penchant for the dangerous." Merlin knew that Charles stayed away from the woman if he could.

After nodding once again to confirm that Ryden had heard him correctly, Charles shrugged at the sort of question. "I'm not sure. I haven't met him, but the name sounds very French." To be honest, Charles hoped Ryden wouldn't be late to ANYONE'S meetings. "I find most cultures dislike not being punctual. I always aim to be the first in the room." Yeah, maybe Ryden should try to do that more? "I take some work with me so I am not wasting time, but focus once the meeting starts."

There was that persistence she knew. When she'd said what she said, she'd meant it as a solid no. Leave it up to Sleater to think it was more of a...situation that just needed a work around. The fact he mentioned the little person in her stomach? Consider her even less willing.

"No thanks. I usually need three glasses or strong incentive to dance. Right now, I've got neither." In fact one wasn't even an option anymore--not until she got rid of this thing of course but Merlin this was a Circe awful wait. "You can go dancing if you'd like. I'll even snag you a partner. Most people here are willing for some strange reason." Lex had turned down enough dance invitations to know.

So this was a solid no, Sleater. No a maybe. Not a 'convince me'. Just your average, everyday, ordinary, garden variety no.

Gwen could tell that he was just as confused as she was. Friends? Was he about to say friends before he changed it to acquaints? Fifteen years was an awfully long to just be acquainted, which means they had to be friends at some point. There were so many questions racing through her head that she wanted to ask, but she didn’t want to seem too eager like she needed to find answers. Up until now she was content with possible never regaining any memories prior to five years ago, but just maybe it was possible.

She bit down on her lip trying to think of what to say first. It was probably best to just sum everything up in one quick explanation to clear up all confusion, but it was incredibly hard to say because only a hand full of people knew her secret. “I should explain.” She finally replied, swiped a lock of curls from her face as she looked up at Gideon. “I lost my memory so I can’t remember anything pass five years ago. I’m sorry for not remembering you.” Gwen added, feeling as though she should apologize especially if they were indeed friends. "I can't even remember your name."