Feeling a bit peckish? Then you've come to the right spot. Though the lighting may be dim, it's enough to illuminate the elegance and grandeour of the buffet table that's been set up. Stretching down a side of the hall, this table contains everything from sweet to savoury items and is sure to satisfy even the wildest of taste buds. So do help yourself to whatever food tickles your fancy but make sure to steer clear from the French Fancy if you don't have a sweet tooth.

Along with the food items, glasses and cups of hot and cold beverages have been placed along the buffet table as well, ready for you to take. After all, you're going to need something refreshing after having those finger foods.

So grab a plate and a napkin and do be careful. You don't want sauce all over that outfit of yours, do you?

Gabby was happy as she stepped inside hand in hand with Archer, making a beeline towards the buffet. A bit of shoving might have been involved but people really should know to stay out of the way when pregnant women were on a quest for food.

Aaah, this was more like it.

She parked herself in front of the ice cream and set about getting herself a healthy portion of it. Actually... forget that. She took the whole container and dug in from there. If people had a problem with it she didn't care. She would stab them in the hand with a fork; it would teach them a valuable lesson of what happened to people who tried to get in between her and food. The only person she shared that with was her husband.

The first place Megan would always go at one of the Ministry's orientation would be the buffet. She didn't care what anyone said but food was life! She didn't worry about weight because she always worked out so she ate to her heart's content. "Mmm. Everything looks so good,'' she told herself. "It certainly smells so too.'' Blue eyes scanned the table. She wanted to try something new but what?

Heels clicked clacked as she made her way up and and down the length of the table, trying to make up her mind. What to chose, Megan? What to choose? ''A little of everything,'' she answered her own question.

The Christmas break was nice, but sadly it was over. That means she needed to get back to her work. It wasn't that she hated her job, Christina LOVES her job. And not to mention she got better payment here than when she was in Rainbow Unicorn.

Coming together with her cousin to the orientation, the Korean girl decided to separate herself from Micky. She didn't want to get involved with the madness that he might gonna make like last year. Welp, hopefully he wouldn't. She looked at the food buffet and decided to get something to eat. Spotting the scary A&C girl who last year, stepped on her heels at her cousin's foot (Megan) at the queue, Christina just gave a small smile and look at the food selection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squishy

Gabby was happy as she stepped inside hand in hand with Archer, making a beeline towards the buffet. A bit of shoving might have been involved but people really should know to stay out of the way when pregnant women were on a quest for food.

Aaah, this was more like it.

She parked herself in front of the ice cream and set about getting herself a healthy portion of it. Actually... forget that. She took the whole container and dug in from there. If people had a problem with it she didn't care. She would stab them in the hand with a fork; it would teach them a valuable lesson of what happened to people who tried to get in between her and food. The only person she shared that with was her husband.

Lynley was appalled at Gabby right now. She had been watching all of the employees file in, and had most definitely zero'd in on Gabby...and her large stomach, it seemed.

"Have some respect, Gabby, please," she said softly as she walked up behind her. "Merlin, this is civilized function," pregnant or not...

She was only looking out for her friend and employee.

Before heading over to the seating area, Mel decided to grab something eat. She was famished, thanks to her best friend Emma, Mel has had nothing to eat the whole day.

She grabbed a plate and glanced around the buffet table. Everything looked so good! Not caring that she looked like a little piggy, she never does, she grabbed a bit of everything.

As she was getting her food, she couldn't help but glance around and looked at the rest of the people over at the buffet table. She wondered who will be in Department Of Magical Games and Sports along with her.

She saw a couple standing at table , the wife clearly pregnant. Mel smiled at her. She loved children, she always babysit during the summer holidays, and couldn't wait until she had some of her own.

"Hello My name is Melody Epps. It is nice to meet you I am a new employee here. " She glanced at the woman and ask "Is it ok if I ask how far you are?"

Nope, he was not a new employee. The former Gryffindor had actually survived one full year at the Ministry and surprisingly came back for more. And those goody bags didn’t seem like they provided anything that was up his alley. So Gideon completely bypassed that section of the orientation. After that it was the dance floor, a seating area and the buffet, and being on his own he wasn’t about to do any dances. If he even danced at all at any time. So buffet it was to start and the potions master slowly approached the long table laden with food.

It seemed to have attracted a decent crowd already, including a seemingly pushy pregnant woman. But nope…he wasn’t getting involved in that end. Gideon picked up a plate and began exploring the other, occasionally adding a nibble of something to his collection almost absently.

He had left the Germany ministry just a year ago and joined the this Ministry and to be honest Warner wasn't sure it was the right idea for him. His last year with the ministry he didn't feel like he fit into this department well. He didn't really know anyone even after a full year. He knew who they were, their positions, and could name them if he saw them, but that was about it. His position wasn't horribly busy like he was use to in his other position at the other ministry.

Enough thinking about the what ifs and maybe should have. Warner was at this ministry now and there to prove himself. He was glad he wasn't there alone either. With Lynda with him he headed to the Buffet. "Are you hungry?"

Lynda was beyond amazed! This was all a whole new world for her, a world she was still exploring and getting used to. Every new sight felt like a "first" to her. Feeling like a princess in her long orange gown, she smiled and often traced her footsteps, followed by pointing out all the fantastic things her deep and bright blue were seeing. "Wow!" She whispered to herself, holding onto one of Warner's arms as she followed him around. He was looking very handsome tonight, as usual.

Everything smelled so delicious, made her stomach grumble a few times. Already feeling lucky, Warner seemed to be leading her to the buffet. "Oh yes, certainly." Lynda, smiling from ear to ear. "This is so cool! Isn't this all cool?" She looked up at him kind of like a child going to an amusement park for the first time. Hopefully she wasn't embarrassing him too much.

This was it. A new job in a new city.

Gabriela made sure she dressed nicely for the orientation, and hopefully wasn't over dressed. She wanted to make a good impressions on who her new boss was. But first things first, Gabi needed some food in her. Out of nervousness, she skipped lunch and just had some crackers and cheese. Definitely not enough to fill up her large appetite. Walking to a table, and smiling at some people she passed by, Gabi grabbed a plate and some food. Nothing too heavy for the night but something fulfilling. She can always eat something proper later tonight. Her eyes darted around and spotted a girl not to far from her. Her internal debate about whether or not to talk to her began. Gabi wasn't even completely sure on how to approach her. So for now, she just kept to herself and continue her thoughts on how to approach people tonight.

SPOILER!!: Gabs, Lyn and Mel

Quote:

Originally Posted by squishy

gabby was happy as she stepped inside hand in hand with archer, making a beeline towards the buffet. A bit of shoving might have been involved but people really should know to stay out of the way when pregnant women were on a quest for food.

Aaah, this was more like it.

She parked herself in front of the ice cream and set about getting herself a healthy portion of it. Actually... Forget that. She took the whole container and dug in from there. If people had a problem with it she didn't care. She would stab them in the hand with a fork; it would teach them a valuable lesson of what happened to people who tried to get in between her and food. The only person she shared that with was her husband.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayquilz

lynley was appalled at gabby right now. She had been watching all of the employees file in, and had most definitely zero'd in on gabby...and her large stomach, it seemed.

"have some respect, gabby, please," she said softly as she walked up behind her. "merlin, this is civilized function," pregnant or not...

She was only looking out for her friend and employee.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brigranger1990

before heading over to the seating area, mel decided to grab something eat. She was famished, thanks to her best friend emma, mel has had nothing to eat the whole day.

She grabbed a plate and glanced around the buffet table. Everything looked so good! Not caring that she looked like a little piggy, she never does, she grabbed a bit of everything.

As she was getting her food, she couldn't help but glance around and looked at the rest of the people over at the buffet table. She wondered who will be in department of magical games and sports along with her.

She saw a couple standing at table , the wife clearly pregnant. Mel smiled at her. She loved children, she always babysit during the summer holidays, and couldn't wait until she had some of her own.

"hello my name is melody epps. It is nice to meet you i am a new employee here. " she glanced at the woman and ask "is it ok if i ask how far you are?"

If there was one thing that Seb could say about the British Ministry, it would be that they didn't skimp on anything. This was only his second Orientation-party-thing, but both of them had been adequately pleasing. The goody-bags at the door were also a very nice surprise, even if the content was basically from a Muggle-stationary shop.

And seeing that he had been more than pleased with the food of last year, he decided that (along with Anya) that would be their first stop of the evening. Seb could tell that this last month of the pregnancy was going to be the hardest on Anya. Even though she looked exhausted and beyond irritated, he could still tell that she was glad that they had come, making the torture on her feet worthwhile at least.

But when they arrived at their destination, it was a lot more crowded than Seb would have thought. Sure the food was god, but why couldn't people just take their food and go? His question was immediately answered, however, when they drew nearer to the buffet. Archer and Gabby Burton were there, and as Seb quite clearly remembered, that woman was intense when it came to her food. So much so that she had opted for claiming an entire container of ice-cream for her very-pregnant self.

There was another woman there as well, one that Seb remembered meeting briefly and quite adequately. Lynley Stupid-Name Purcell.

He grinned a little and tugged on Anya's hand. "C'mon, let's go say hello." now she would have the chance to fully experience what it was like meeting these two while they were together at work, which was probably going to be one of the most sarcastic moments of her life. Seb shoved his way through the mass of people, Anya's hand still tightly held in his own, until they reached where Lynley seemed to be scolding Gabby for being uncivilized or something. "Archer, Gabby, Lynley, Girl-I-don't-know (Mel)." He included his head towards each respectively in turn. "Are you enjoying yourselves thus far? You remember my wife, Anya?" They had met before obviously, at the Burton New Year's Eve party, when Seb and Anya had gifted them with the House-Elf they had dubbed 'Stannis' for some reason. Gabby hadn't called him a peasant that night, so that was a start at least. . .

She needed to get a good and fulfilling meals since she hadn't had anything since lunchtime. But seriously, this wasn't an easy decision what should she grab. Everything looked great! Well, maybe she's gonna skip the salad. Okay, some pasta... A little bit of ham... A little bit of chicken... A little bit of lamb chop... That's enough. Christina didn't want to be judged by others that she's pigging out or something like that.

Wait, where's the fork? How on earth she forgot to grab a fork? Lucky that she noticed that before leaving the buffet. Quickly the Korean girl grabbed the fork but her hand slipped and dropped the fork to someone's foot. Oops? Why she had to be so clumsy like this? "Sorry...."

Alexandrina Stevens sighed softly as she looked around, she was a bit nervous about being at the ministry, at least this ministry.. The petite blonde looked around as she headed toward the buffet, her pink heels with their red soles were clacking softly as she gracefully moved across the floor.. Food was always a good place to start! She made sure to stay away from the desserts though as she could see a Pregnant Lady going to town on the ice cream..

She chuckled softly as her grey eyes rested on the woman for a moment. She knew those days all too well. Her cravings when she had been pregnant were cinnamon rolls, she couldn't get enough of them.. Hmm.. speaking of.. Maybe she should talk to Jordan about giving Lily a Sibling

She thoughtfully tapped her chin as she looked around and saw a girl who looked like she was having trouble deciding what to get..

"It all looks so amazing doesn't it?" The half veela asked as she chuckled softly.. "I want some of everything."

If there was one thing that Alexandria had learned during her decade (or more? :O) at the Ministry, it was that the Ministry knew how to the throw a welcome party and they never seemed to cut corners. The food was always elegant and delicious... and though she could most certainly afford to buy all this stuff herself now, there was something appealing about having one's employer purchase it for you.

Having somehow separated from the husband, Alex selected a plate and placed a little bit of everything on it. She wasn't going to eat it all now! OR well, maybe she was, but who was to judge her!? It was delicious and there for the eating and she wanted to try it all!

He couldn't believe how excited Lynda was about being at the orientation. He knew she spent plenty of time in the muggle world, but she was a witch. "I could get you an application if you like everyone."He was only joking around of course, he knew she loved her job as a teacher. "Maybe we can go dancing after we eat." He knew she liked to dance and he wanted her to have a good time. Honestly if she hadn't said she'd come with him he was probably going to head to Germany and not come at all.

Placing different items on his plate he couldn't help but chuckle, "Yeah this is cool. The food looks good." Smelled good to. He felt his stomach growl and realized he never ate lunch so he was going to fill his plate up even more. "Looks like there is an empty table over there, does that seem like a good place to you?" He'd introduce her to some of his coworkers if he'd see them, but at the moment he didn't see any.

Lynda giggled and looked up at him, "Oh I don't know, there's too many distractions here." Raising a brow, she grinned and laughed. She believed he acknowledge her profound love as a teacher. It's all she felt she was good at, besides being an artist. Well not professionally. Though it would be interesting working in an environment like this, but it just wasn't her cup of tea. It was more of his thing, she believed Warner was really good at his job. He was good at just about everything, according to her. As far as dancing went, she LOVED it and was glad he mentioned and offered to dance with her. "Sounds lovely, I'd really like that." Beaming, she was grateful that he brought her here. She was really enjoying herself and it hadn't been that long since they'd arrive, she found interest in the tiniest of things.

Letting go of him she helped herself to a plate of her own and began packing on the food, she was starving! STARVING! "It looks fantastic and smells fantastic!" She added a few more eatables onto her plate and grabbed a drink. Looking over to the table he pointed out she nodded in agreement, "Yeah, that table is perfect." Holding a piece of her dress so she wouldn't trip on it, Lynda took the cue to make her way over to the table with plate of food in hand.

Having skipped the last Orientation - and the rest of the year, actually - for babies reasons, Sophie was somewhat glad to be back. Part of her did NOT want to be there because she felt like her children were her responsibility, but the other part of her was excitedly looking forward to working full time again.

And no, she was not a workaholic!!!

Anyhow, there she was, partially happy to be back! Taking a deep breath, she decided she would make the most of it and be fully happy instead. Happiness was a matter of choice, wasn't it?

Right! She was happy! She was excited! It was GREAT to be back working with Charms and all those wonderful A&C people! Sophie was feeling GREAT!

And hungry. Very hungry, for that matter. So hungry that she actually left her husband to sit wherever he pleased as she almost darted towards the buffet table! "Hello!" She immediately greeted someone who was already serving himself, looking rather absent-minded. He looked a bit familiar, actually, but Sophie couldn't connect a name to his face. "I'm Sophie!" She added with a smile as she picked up a plate for herself.

Happiness also came by meeting new people, right? Right!

Pfft.

Could Gabby not eat her ice cream in peace?? Not if Lynley had any say in the matter it seemed. "I have all the respect in the world. There are other containers. This one is mine. Valeria needs this." Did her boss want the baby to starve??? Sure sounded like it. Tutting slightly, the pregnant woman continued digging into HER ice cream.

Okay, a new person was introducing herself. It seemed that everyone flocked towards her when they saw her bump. Well, her beauty did that well enough as it was, but the ability was enhanced now. Gabby was fine with that. "Hello, I'm Gabriella. Nice to meet you too." So far at least... "I'm about seven months." She couldn't wait for the baby to be here. Rubbing her belly, she felt a little kick. It was something she was used to by now but it had felt weird at first.

Hello other pregnant lady. And her husband. "Hello," she greeted the couple while resisting the urge to call him a peasant. That would probably happen very soon because it was fitting. "I'm having a good time. Amazing ice cream." Might have been hunger talking there... "So how's the pregnancy going?" she asked Anya knowing that she was about ready to pop. Yeah, Lynley was having the time of her life trapped with Archer and two women talking about babies.

Sucked to be her.

Evan had strayed away from the wife and sister in search of food. Food and coffee always won out. Sorry ladies but it was the honest truth right now. Plus he didn't feel much need in standing around while the women mingled aND he was left there to say nothing. Nope it wasn't going to happen. So leaving the goody bag area the man made his way towards the buffet. If there was anything he had learned from the previous years orientation was there was going to be good food.

Stepping into line behind a few others he grabbed himself a plate and began the process of selecting a few different foods as he walked along the tables. Might as well get a few different things when it all looked so good! Nearing the dessert table Evan laughed softly when he spotted two women he knew immediately. One being his boss to whom he gave a polite nod of his head and a smile, "Hello Lynley. Ready for a fresh year?" He was she she was. That women was always ready it seemed. The other women got a grin from him. "Gabby, how're you feeling lately?" The women was nearing the end of her pregnancy wasn't she? And no he wouldn't comment on the ice cream. His wife had done the same just months earlier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey Ju

Having skipped the last Orientation - and the rest of the year, actually - for babies reasons, Sophie was somewhat glad to be back. Part of her did NOT want to be there because she felt like her children were her responsibility, but the other part of her was excitedly looking forward to working full time again.

And no, she was not a workaholic!!!

Anyhow, there she was, partially happy to be back! Taking a deep breath, she decided she would make the most of it and be fully happy instead. Happiness was a matter of choice, wasn't it?

Right! She was happy! She was excited! It was GREAT to be back working with Charms and all those wonderful A&C people! Sophie was feeling GREAT!

And hungry. Very hungry, for that matter. So hungry that she actually left her husband to sit wherever he pleased as she almost darted towards the buffet table! "Hello!" She immediately greeted someone who was already serving himself, looking rather absent-minded. He looked a bit familiar, actually, but Sophie couldn't connect a name to his face. "I'm Sophie!" She added with a smile as she picked up a plate for herself.

Happiness also came by meeting new people, right? Right!

He heard the greeting, not sure at first it was aimed at him even as he turned his gaze from the food towards the direction it was coming from. However, the attention he was getting from the woman who was currently looking at him as she introduced herself made it clear that it was. “Um…hello,” Gideon said in return, almost wishing after that he had something in his mouth to use the fact to cover up his awkward sounding remark. But alas, he was out of luck. And looking like the crazy reserved type that he was.

“I mean, nice to meet you Sophie,” the potioner said, trying to recover some air of politeness. “I’m Gideon,” he added to introduce himself in return for her own name. He really should try better in the whole socializing thing. Because he tended to act his mum’s stories on how his father acted when she first dragged him into social gatherings. He just wasn't as outgoing as his siblings were...never was really. The closest he got was when he was prefect and having to help and lead.

Nobody should have been surprised to see Rustin Killick go towards the food first of all. There was too much of a queue where the goodie bags were and besides, his stomach was rumbling already. Hopefully his trousers wouldn't feel overtight once he'd eaten his fill. Really, Rusty wasn't used to being so..... buttoned in. Mar insisted he looked alright though and who was he to argue with a woman?

Not that he was capable of arguing anyway, not when he was hungry enough to eat a horse and his brain sort of got a little fried when he wasn't sated.

"Do you want me to get you a plate, Mar?" He offered this and yet his eyes were hungrily, almost dreamily eyeing up the selection. A bit of everything. And then some. Only after that would he be equipped to go and meet new coworkers. Maybe some new obliviators? That would be great.

No, the fact that they were first approaching a table decked high with food items didn't surprise Marilyn in the slightest. As everyone knew in the Accidents and Catastrophes' family, Rusty Killick would always go for the food above anything else at these events; a fact that caused Marilyn to act preemptively on behalf of his wardrobe for the night. Impervius charms were wonderful things, and the blonde had years of practice with them, thanks to her child. His meticulously selected suit pieces were protected. For the night, at least.

As for herself, she was choosing to be fashion forward this evening; selecting a gown toting an O-Star label. So, yes. Needless to say, she and Rusty were both sufficiently charmed. Not that she herself was a messy eater, but they worked with some disgusting individuals. Merlin forbid if anyone exceeded their "adult beverage" limit and spill something on her. Marilyn WOULD set them on fire.

That wasn't even in jest.

....."Are you sure you don't want me to get you a plate?" Her tone was teasing as she went about helping herself. Rusty was a precious, harmless, FOOD!DEPRIVED (or so you'd think) man. Very thoughtful and lovely, but Marilyn was a strong, independent, capable woman and that dictated she treat herself.

She paused, looking around the venue. "These things are beginning to feel tedious. Is that just me?" Not that the blonde didn't always enjoy meeting the Ministry's "new blood". She was very intensive with the comings and goings of Ministry employees, but...Hmm. Who knew. Surely she wasn't restless....

"I don't think you have enough hands." As in, to carry all the food that he would be wanting. Rusty picked up a plate, eyed it for a moment and then enlarged it just a tad. Better. This he balanced on one hand, and then following along behind Marilyn, began loading it up with a bit of everything. Oh and an ale to wash it down, this he sent to floating just above his plate so that it would follow him to the table without his needing to juggle it with the ever-expanding mountain on his plate. Despite the amount of food, he was very judicious in his choices, never going so far as to clear the last of anything from a platter. That just wouldn't be polite.

Food thus fetched, Rusty took a moment to follow Marilyn's gaze and look around a bit himself. He nodded. "This isn't my usual idea of a good time." But it was what it was. "But I prefer when its nicer like this rather than the bonding games and whatnot." Which there didn't seem to be any in sight. They were harmless, generally, but were somewhat juvenile and unprofessional, he felt.

"Where do you want to sit?" Anywhere. Somewhere. Quick, Mar, before he perished right here with a plate full of food just out of reach. What a tragedy that would be.

Sophie smiled warmly at the awkward greeting. Her husband himself was no socialite and she was really used to people not being overly sociable anyway. It was okay, she could be the full on sociable person in the conversation, she didn't mind at allll! And his name was enough to help her connect things in her head. "Nice to meet you too, Gideon! But I think I remember you. You were the Gryffindor prefect, weren't you?"

Either that or her memory was still a bit messed up. Although having spent over a year away from experimenting with Charms had been probably very good for her brain and memory. "I just came back from maternity leave! I'm in the Accidents and Catastrophes Department! You?" If this guy was anything like Mordred, he would only tell her his department if she asked and not if she only implied curiosity by saying where she worked.

Soooo being straight forward it was!

SPOILER!!: Alex! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by FwooperOnYourLeft

Alexandrina Stevens sighed softly as she looked around, she was a bit nervous about being at the ministry, at least this ministry.. The petite blonde looked around as she headed toward the buffet, her pink heels with their red soles were clacking softly as she gracefully moved across the floor.. Food was always a good place to start! She made sure to stay away from the desserts though as she could see a Pregnant Lady going to town on the ice cream..

She chuckled softly as her grey eyes rested on the woman for a moment. She knew those days all too well. Her cravings when she had been pregnant were cinnamon rolls, she couldn't get enough of them.. Hmm.. speaking of.. Maybe she should talk to Jordan about giving Lily a Sibling

She thoughtfully tapped her chin as she looked around and saw a girl who looked like she was having trouble deciding what to get..

"It all looks so amazing doesn't it?" The half veela asked as she chuckled softly.. "I want some of everything."

Getting a little of everything would mean she needed lots more plates, you know. If it really did came to that, Megan figured she could just levitate them over to a table. Yeah, she was that serious about the food. She began putting a little of this and a little of that on her plate, trying to resist the urge to start gobbling everything there and then from the table it self. She couldn't help it if she was such a food junkie.

The blond heard someone saying something about the food but at first she didn't pay attention, so focused she was on the food. But then she looked up as she didn't want to be rude in case the person was talking to her. And yes! She was being addressed. "Hi! Yes, it does!'' Megan laughed. "You sound like me. I think that's what I'm doing though I may need a lot more plates. Care to join me?''