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Being overworked and overwhelmed is no good for any Ministry employee, and members of Magical Law Enforcement are no exception, much as they might like to think otherwise. When the time comes to take a breather in the middle of the work day, the break room is the best place for Level Two employees to do so. Once you make sure there's nothing urgent that needs your attention, you're encouraged to take breaks and utilise this space to refortify when necessary, and to mix with your fellow employees.
There are some tables, some chairs, a couple of sofas for lounging (or napping, if you want to risk it), and a counter for preparing hot drinks. Careful when making your coffee if you're not used to the stuff on Level Two; by popular demand, it's strong stuff. As well as drinks, there are snacks available on the shelves, magical appliances for drinks and food prep, and two vending machines - one with snacks (put in a request if you want it stocked with something specific, but know it'll be very low down on the list of priorities) another with water and soft drinks, magical and muggle alike.
Shelves and cupboards are installed above and below the counter - charmed to keep food at its optimal storage temperature - for those not yet too suspicious to store their lunch here unattended. Make sure to label anything you bring in; if someone nicks it at least you can say you did that much.
Gabriel was not the suspicious sort. And the more time he spent in the Ministry, the more he doubted anybody would be interested in stealing his lunch. Especially as he usually disguised it to look unappetizing until he was ready to eat it.
Nothing fragrant, mind. Just a nice illusion charm to add the sheen of mold to otherwise perfectly cooked beans, or some spots on his potatoes.
It wasn't particularly creative, but it was also labeled Melo and he had no problem with everybody thinking he was a terrible cook. It would keep him from being volunteered to bring food to events. Or something.
Anyway, he came into the break room, hungry at last, and pulled his lunch out of the cupboard and plopped it onto the table. Time to make it look edible again, yes?
It was seemingly, another rather lovely day at the office. There hadn't been too many disturbances, but it also wasn't like she was stuck in the offices every day. It certainly wasn't boring, that's for sure. There was excitement all around, or something that needed to be looked into, which was exciting in it's own rights to Selene Latimer.
However, everyone, even Merlin himself, had to take breaks to eat. Which is what Selene had found herself going to do right now. She was rather hungry, and her favorite had been packed for today: some exquisite sushi. Walking into the break room, the first thing Selene took note of was one of her fellow coworkers in there as well. But...his lunch was...rotted...? Certainly that mustn't be what he was actually going to eat? "I trust your not actually eating that." The auburn haired woman spoke up, now making her way over to the cupboards to grab her own food.
Taking the sushi out from there, Selene had then made her way over to a vending machine, putting in some money to grab a sprite from it. Turning back to face the man, she nodded towards a chair at the table. "Mind if I join you? The name's Selene, by the way."
Trust...not eating...? Gabriel looked up in confusion at the woman. Of course he was eating...He glanced down at his meal again. Oh. He'd forgotten one of the illusion charms still. Getting his wand back out, he removed his charm, leaving his food looking perfectly normal and absolutely edible.
Nothing gross here.
"No problem, have a seat," he said, gesturing at the chair. "I'm Gabriel." He took a bite of his food and chewed happily. He wasn't a bad cook, after all.
With his feet up and his eyes closed, Jude Joel MacAfee had the look of someone who hadn’t worked a day in his life. On his break, he’d acquainted himself with his usual seat on the sofa with his legs on the arm of the chair. Not the most professional of looks by any stretch of the imagination but what did it matter when you were the only one in the room?
With an almost lazy movement, he reached over to the bag of carrot sticks resting on his chest and grabbed a few, tossing one into his mouth without so much as opening his eyes. Life was good. Whoever said that being the Personal Assistant to the Department Head was difficult clearly hadn’t worked in a pub on New Year’s Eve in the New York.
Was he supposed to be doing something? Maybe…but it could wait until after his break, surely?
Dem Carters | even 🕊🕊 have pride | | Expecto PAWtronum 🐈 | U-NA-GI
Text Cut: teehee
Quote:
Originally Posted by aRogueOne
With his feet up and his eyes closed, Jude Joel MacAfee had the look of someone who hadn’t worked a day in his life. On his break, he’d acquainted himself with his usual seat on the sofa with his legs on the arm of the chair. Not the most professional of looks by any stretch of the imagination but what did it matter when you were the only one in the room?
With an almost lazy movement, he reached over to the bag of carrot sticks resting on his chest and grabbed a few, tossing one into his mouth without so much as opening his eyes. Life was good. Whoever said that being the Personal Assistant to the Department Head was difficult clearly hadn’t worked in a pub on New Year’s Eve in the New York.
Was he supposed to be doing something? Maybe…but it could wait until after his break, surely?
Chance for mischief? Yes, please! And what could be a better opportunity for mischief than a coworker making themselves perfectly at home in the company break room?
Ronan casually tossed his gym bag (filled with fresh from the gym clothes, of course) on top of the lounging assistant and made his way to the vending machines. Choosing some baked potato chips and a water, he carried his snack over to the sofa and flopped down, just missing MacAfee's head. Yes, he was also sitting near his bag, but, you know, auror so he didn't want to be too far from it.
Continuing to act as if MacAfee wasn't there, Ronan opened the chips and popped one in his mouth. Honestly, not quite as tasty as regular chips, but he did have his health to think about. Which did beg the question of why not vegetables but one couldn't be a good boy all the time. Talk about a snooze fest!
It was then and only then that he acknowledged the other person in the room with an inscrutable raised brow.
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Days of Potter 2022: Which Luna Quote Are You?_____________________ ____________ "you're just as sane as I am."
Chance for mischief? Yes, please! And what could be a better opportunity for mischief than a coworker making themselves perfectly at home in the company break room?
Ronan casually tossed his gym bag (filled with fresh from the gym clothes, of course) on top of the lounging assistant and made his way to the vending machines. Choosing some baked potato chips and a water, he carried his snack over to the sofa and flopped down, just missing MacAfee's head. Yes, he was also sitting near his bag, but, you know, auror so he didn't want to be too far from it.
Continuing to act as if MacAfee wasn't there, Ronan opened the chips and popped one in his mouth. Honestly, not quite as tasty as regular chips, but he did have his health to think about. Which did beg the question of why not vegetables but one couldn't be a good boy all the time. Talk about a snooze fest!
It was then and only then that he acknowledged the other person in the room with an inscrutable raised brow.
In life, it is said that a person has many, many things they are both good and not so good at. He, Jude, was one of those people who could NOT drop off to sleep easily unless her wasn’t supposed to be taking a nap in which he found it all too easy. So, by the time said Auror came into the room, Jude had practically dropped off into Never Never Land when out of nowhere, a bag came flying over at him, walloping him in the chest.
Coughing and spluttering in a way only a person who shouldn’t be taking a not so earned nap could, Jude flew into an upright position, his carrot sticks leaving his chest as he did so.
BiiiiiNG!¿! BaaaNG!!!! BoiiNK!!
And just like that, they come back down everywhere. On him. On the floor. Everywhere. Even onto the person who had suddenly apparated next to him because he certainly seemed to be eying up his carrot sticks with an intent to eat! “S’up guy! Can I h-help you?” grunting as he felt the bag that was apparently on top of him for some reason. Did you not notice that I was…” sitting up quickly, letting the bag fly off him and onto the floor, “…here?” a small grin across his lips.
Dem Carters | even 🕊🕊 have pride | | Expecto PAWtronum 🐈 | U-NA-GI
Not even being hit with falling carrots could stop the chuckle from erupting from Ronan's chest at MacAfee's reaction. Though, it was lucky (or good old Auror senses?) that he didn't keep anything fragile in his bag. "Mmm-hmm," was his simple response to the question, after swallowing the chip he'd been chewing. "It's good to know that my sneaking skills are still in working order." Though, he hadn't exactly been sneaking in this instance. But nobody needed to know that.
He continued to ignore the fallen carrots in favor of his chips, popping another in his mouth and chewing slowly. He was amused, truly.
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Days of Potter 2022: Which Luna Quote Are You?_____________________ ____________ "you're just as sane as I am."
Not even being hit with falling carrots could stop the chuckle from erupting from Ronan's chest at MacAfee's reaction. Though, it was lucky (or good old Auror senses?) that he didn't keep anything fragile in his bag. "Mmm-hmm," was his simple response to the question, after swallowing the chip he'd been chewing. "It's good to know that my sneaking skills are still in working order." Though, he hadn't exactly been sneaking in this instance. But nobody needed to know that.
He continued to ignore the fallen carrots in favor of his chips, popping another in his mouth and chewing slowly. He was amused, truly.
Jude didn’t know if he was annoyed or amused at the auror’s chuckle. A part of him and a very small part at that was slightly embarrassed which didn’t happen a lot to him. Whereas another part of him just found the whole situation very amusing. “Oh, they’re still in working order,” he replied with a big grin across his face as slowly got to his feet, acknowledging the fact that there was no way he’d be able to catch a quick five minutes rest away from the big boss man now.
“I honestly don’t know how you did it. I’m like…so aware of things and perceptive usually,” he continued as he stretched up towards the sky and let out a loud yawn. “I could be an auror. I’m like a…” and at the pause in the sentence, he did his best impression of a ninja/spy, karate chopping the air in front of him as if he were incapacitating an invisible foe. “…Ninja. Or a spy. Deadly and dangerous.” Was he being serious? No. Not in the slightest. He knew full well that he should not be left in charge of anything more important that a muggle stapler. “Hey Ninja man, what’s up? I’m Jude,” turning towards the auror boss man now on the sofa with his hand outstretched.
Dem Carters | even 🕊🕊 have pride | | Expecto PAWtronum 🐈 | U-NA-GI
Well, it did take a bit more than ninja skills to be an Auror. Not least MacAfee’s next comment brought a full laugh out of Ronan. ”Looked like you were having a nap to me.” But no worries about being ratted out here. As far as he was concerned, what happened in the break room, stayed in the break room. In the office, however…..
He took the offered hand and shook it, letting it go quickly. ”Ronan. Nice to meet you in person.”
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Days of Potter 2022: Which Luna Quote Are You?_____________________ ____________ "you're just as sane as I am."
Well, it did take a bit more than ninja skills to be an Auror. Not least MacAfee’s next comment brought a full laugh out of Ronan. ”Looked like you were having a nap to me.” But no worries about being ratted out here. As far as he was concerned, what happened in the break room, stayed in the break room. In the office, however…..
He took the offered hand and shook it, letting it go quickly. ”Ronan. Nice to meet you in person.”
This auror clearly had no idea what was going on when he entered the room. He was simply, relaxing in the chair with his eyes closed for concentration and had simply drifted off into a deep sleep the idea that had appeared in his head like the idea of taking a nap in work when it was quiet. “Me? Nap? Pffft! Nooooo. I was simply tossing around a few ideas in my head. Y’know, for the big boss man. Super important stuff.”
Laughing a little just to prove that whilst his bluffing and lies were…well…lies, they were all good natured and full of banter. “It’s nice to meet you m-…In person?” The last part of his sentence confused Jude for a moment as his usual smile froze across his face as endless teasing possibilities popped into his head. “You knew me…not in person? You haven’t been spying on me, have you? I know you auror’s are super sneaky and all but that’s not cool man.” Oh, how he loved to be cheeky. “I might seem scary but I’m actually like, a super cool guy and really chilled, in case you couldn’t tell,” although that should have been made super clear when he’d found him taking a snooze.
Extrovert or no, mixing and mingling and all the rest was not Jake's natural forte, though he had learned to adjust over the years. He didn't think it would be wise to make an entire Event™ of this multi-lunch-hour gathering on Level Two. Not only would it detract from important work that needed doing, but it would draw criticisms about how it was detracting from important work that needed doing, and that would only serve to irritate people (it was him, he was people; it was only okay when he criticised it).
But Level Two was rife with Type A personalities, and even when that didn't apply it was nevertheless a stressful line of work. Rather than risk losing employees to overwork, burnout, and sick leave - and because he cared about their wellbeing, that also - it served to encourage breaks. Today, for example, he could remind everyone to stop and breathe and eat a banana, while also taking his opportunity to check in on the interpersonal dynamics at play in his department. Always important.
He'd set out the promised refreshments on the tables - fruit, and muffins (regular, and various free-from combinations) - and grabbed a sugar-free blueberry option for himself. Jake now stood looking out of the enchanted window, sipping on yet another coffee, which would no doubt send him into the stratosphere given he was set to be stuck in the break room until the work day was done.
Stuck? No. Socialising. Yes. That.
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Days of Potter 2022: Which Luna Quote Are You?_____________________ ____________ "you're just as sane as I am."
Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Mrs. Charlie Weasley | Seneca's Beard | That's So Fetch
If there was free food to be had, one Frankie Paton would be there. One could bet their Galleons on that. Though originally he had rolled his eyes at the sight of the words 'take a break,' his interest nevertheless increased greatly at the sight of 'muffins' and 'fruit.' So, naturally, it was no surprise seeing that he was the first in the breakroom with the bossman.
How convenient that this little shindig was happening right when he was working on a stack of paperwork that he had been putting off needed doing. The paper work would be there later, waiting for his return. The muffins and whatnot, not so much.
"Hello, boss," he told the man, helping himself to a random muffin (the first of many, most likely).
The more Jake thought about it, the more pointless it seemed, staring through these windows. At least in terms of gleaning any helpful information from them; where passing the time and entertaining himself were concerned, he supposed they scored a little higher.
He took a sip of his coffee, turning towards the door at the sound of human activity. "Afternoon, Paton." Come to think of it, was it afternoon yet? Jake snuck a glance at his watch just to be sure, though the fact he'd already said the words out loud meant he'd probably not call attention to his own error, but it was fine.
Except now he had to... make... small talk. Hm. Terrible weather we're having, huh? How's the family? What's your heart's desire? No. No. Definitely not.
Instead: "I may have overestimated the muffin situation. I suppose anything leftover can go upstairs." Leftover and possibly stale baked goods for Genevieve James and her workforce, could be hit or miss.
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Days of Potter 2022: Which Luna Quote Are You?_____________________ ____________ "you're just as sane as I am."
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Hogwarts RPG Name: Jonah Upstead
Ravenclaw
Fifth Year
Hogwarts RPG Name: Jasper Botros
Hufflepuff
Sixth Year
Ministry RPG Name:
Tomasz Łaska
Law Enforcement
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doesn't proofread tweets | #wrongaboutcereal | #siriusly? | emo to the extremo
Tomasz was not big on breaks. On a typical day, he worked through them. Sometimes, when especially tired, he took the time to rest his eyes. But today, he would take his break with the rest of his department. Not because he wanted to, but because Mr. Upstead had put this together for them.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, Tomasz made his way into the breakroom. He paused to wave politely at Paton, and offered Mr. Upstead a small smile. "Hello." Unfortunately Tomasz wouldn't be helping with any overestimated muffin issue, he was not so hungry, but maybe he could take one home for Demetria. "Which flavor is best?" He asked, nodding to the overestimated situation of muffins.
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Days of Potter 2022: Which Luna Quote Are You?_____________________ ____________ "a wrackspurt - they're invisible.
they float in through your ears and make your brain go fuzzy."
Dem Carters | even 🕊🕊 have pride | | Expecto PAWtronum 🐈 | U-NA-GI
He was here, he was here. Not willingly, but here, nonetheless. He didn’t mind breaks, but food that he couldn’t be for certain wasn’t from the ministry’s cafeteria? That he would be avoiding, thanks. Which shouldn’t really be a surprise, everyone knew his personal policy on cafeteria food. And after all the times it had been doctored and the time Goldwasser left one of his victims on the buffet, he was surprised more didn’t follow his lead. Then again, this might be one of those things that only makes sense to an auror. But enough about people and their questionable choices.
Also surprising to Ronan? The lack of one of the ministry’s big to-dos to welcome everyone back. Had his little car stunt at the last one really been that offensive? He hadn’t thought so but then, people could be weird. Or was he the weird one? Oh well. Though he did wish people could be more like him sometimes.
Anyway, he took a seat on the sofa after stopping by the vending machine (as usual, no offense to the muffins) with a ”Hey, guys!”
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Days of Potter 2022: Which Luna Quote Are You?_____________________ ____________ "you're just as sane as I am."
Break Room 
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