Food Buffet


Banner by emjay

Mmm, the best part of these events is definitely the FOOD! A long buffet table stretches across the edge of the ballroom, with numerous dishes from India, Africa, and the Middle East adorning gold and silver platters. Appetizers, main dishes, finger foods, desserts - it's all here! Grab a plate and start filling up, and feel free to come back for seconds (or thirds!)

*SQUUUUUUUEAAAAAAAAAAAAALLS*

Manolo practically made a beeline to the buffet table the second he walked into the symposium. Obviously, the flying carpet debate was a very important and interesting topic and is basically the main reason he's here, but what's important now, at the present time, in the present day, at the present second, was this beauty of a culinary masterpiece.

He totally spotted the flying carpet test area and you can bet your bottom that he was definitely trying that out. HELLO?? SO COOL. However, now at the moment, he was way to busy piling up his plate, which was diminishing in space area by the second. He just might have to carry some food in his mouth. NOM.

Pem smiled when she found herself in the food area. She seemed to always end up at the food at special event things. "You know, my mother used to say that as long as there was food the people would be sure to come." Pem told the guy also at the food table.

She carefully peered at him out of the corner of her eye trying to figure out if she knew him or not. Deciding to keep it safe and not call him by the wrong name or anything she just kept quiet and reached for a plate. There was food that needed her attention after all.

Someone was talking to him? It wasn't the food, right? That'll be quite the wake up call, eh? But, no. He recognized the voice as a woman's and it was definitely coming from the other side of the mountain he had piled up on his plate that was obstructing his view. "Uhhh..." The 23 year-old craned his neck sideways to find a way to look at whoever it was talking, "Well, I always say I won't go unless there's food, heh." Was the same thing? He didn't know. He had food for brains.

She wasn't keen on the event. And she was less keen to be at the event... nevertheless, she was here - more to support her colleagues than anything else. Of course, this was in part, also for work. Security was always a factor with these things, and so she was doing her due diligence in making sure her people were covering everything.

And in covering everything, the buffet table could not be forgotten. No. Emily was taking it upon herself to ensure the food was safe for all those involved. Hovering around the table, a plate in hand... Emily started adding little treats and samples with the intention of testing them all.

Vic had an unreadable expression on his face as he, naturally, moved to the food section of this symposium. He didn't have anyone with him this time, he didn't invite anyone because.. well, no because, he just came here. "Hey." Emily was here thank Heavens, he didn't mind Emily's presence at any time.

Taking a plate, he started scooping some of everything into the dish. Might as well stuff his stomach with food now that he didn't have to lean in and kiss Jan between moments. She was probably with her 'best friend' right now having a secret conversation or whatever. Grump grump.

It didn't surprise her that others too gravitated to the buffet table, honestly, who in their right mind would pass it up over flying carpets? Ludicrous. Still she was teetering on not trying a couple of the selections, they seemed over spiced somehow, but her stomach instructed her otherwise. A familiar voice to her left caught her attention. Lookit that, she found a Bones. "Vic," she greeted in a level tone, though the corner of her lips rose in amusement.

One particular appetiser could not be overlooked, and nor could it be saved. Emily selected two of the meatballs and popped them in her mouth in quick succession, a small bulge forming in her cheek. It went down well enough, even with the coriander overtones.

"How goes it?" she asked, deciding to take a peak at her colleagues selections.

Ember was bouncing around the place like the happiest chihuahua in all the land right now. Her big, lavender eyes were spaaaarkling with interest--THIS WAS THE COOLEST THING EVER. There were like, LEGIT flying carpets--there were talks--there was CONTROVERSY. Was there? That made everything waaaaay more fun, right?

She had been eyeing the buffet since the MOMENT she got in, and she just...had to head this way. She positively BEAMED when she saw Manolo and waved herself silly before trying to decide what in the WORLD(hehehe, pun INTENDED) to eat?! She grabbed a plate and just--well there was a slice of pizza--some rice from SOMEWHERE--who cared?--and she just piled on sooo much food for such a little thing--but she didn't CARE. Nope. She hadn't eaten yet today so--this was a good chance to make UP for that. Hehehehe.

The young woman kind of stood and glanced around once she had all her food...and she wanted to talk to Manny, but he was engrossed with conversation already--it would be rude to jump in, would it NOT? Probably so. So she just...you know...kind of bounced and ate and stuff. NORMAL.

Penelope had heard from Atticus (since he read the Daily Prophet more often than she did) that there was a flying carpet event thing happening, and she'd instantly wanted to go. Because flying carpets, yeah? Those were pretty cool. She'd never ridden one, obviously, but she'd like to. So she would definitely be going over to that testing area...

...but first, the food was calling to her.

She wouldn't eat TOO much yet, since it might not be a good idea to stuff yourself with food and then try to fly, though limiting herself to just a little seemed hard. But...she could manage it. Probably. Yep.

The best thing about this buffet? There looked to be loads of stuff she'd never tried before. Which just made her even more excited to eat it all. Merlin.

She grabbed a plate, moved down the table to put a couple things on it, and then found herself next to a woman who was bouncing and eating and just generally looking very excited. "Is the food that good?" she asked. Because surely that was the main thing to really be bouncy and excited about.

Ember was NOMing so hard on her food she was hardly taking in the sights of all the PEOPLE coming to get FOOD. GAH. She tucked some of her turquoise hair behind her ear and nibbled on the end of some weird, foreign bread thing--and just widened her eyes as someone SPOKE TO HER.

OMG.

Ember BEAAAAMED and nodded quite enthusiastically. "HI!" she said and waved like...a kid. The twenty-two year old was always mistaken for a much younger person--but that just meant she had a youthful spirit! "It's SO good--Some of it was spicy--some of it WEIRD--but no matter! I had to try a little of everything!" Had to, yep. She searched around for some sort of SEATING but was content to stand if there was none.

She now conducted her attention to the girl at hand--she was YOUNG, pretty, and very genuine looking. Ember could TELL she was a nice person. "And I'm Ember by the way--" she said. Ember. Hehe. "Might I aaaaask your name, dear?" Hmm? Names were nice to know! Even if she never saw this lovely again! NAMES.

Things were pretty much mushed onto his plate, he needed a bigger plate obviously. Rationalizing his food portions was also an option, but he felt like he could swallow an ocean today (as if this was a new occurrence). "Good, good." He nodded, trying one of the spicy fingers and instantly regretting it. His eyes watered and he had to deform his face in his attempts to swallow the thing without bursting into flames. Dang it, ugh. "You do not want to try that." He warned his boss out of loyalty.

Finding a tray of water glasses, Vic went and drowned an entire one in ONE go. Ahhhhhh! Much better. He came back to Emily to resume their... silent food scooping.

...

"So, how're you?" He realized he hadn't asked her that, and he realized he meant it literally. How was she? Like, really how?

Penelope briefly questioned whether she should've just stuck with putting food on her plate...but then dismissed that question because that would be boring. And while coming to this event thing on her own was fine, it was also boring. Things were more fun when you had people to talk to, and today that person could be this excitable lady person.

So she nodded. "Yeah, I think that's what I'm gonna do too. Try everything." Whether it was spicy or weird or whatever didn't matter to her. She'd made and eaten a yogurt taco after all. No food was too weird for Penelope Greenwell.

This was probably enough food for her plate for now though, so she turned away from the table to properly face the lady - Ember, apparently. "That's a nice name." Kinda cool and unique. Like her hair. "I'm Penelope." Which wasn't as cool, but yeah.

Ember watched the younger girl curiously, head tilt and everything. HEH. She seemed to be copying Ember--which was GOOD though. Ember was a dazzling wise WOMAN. The thought of her even referring to herself as a WOMAN was enough to send her into a spasm of giggling. Ember was no WOMAN--she was a five-year old stuck in this tiny, adult body. It explained her blue hair and her CRAZY fashion sense and her easy-going ideas. DUH.

"Good choice--OUCH--HOT--" she held her tongue out like a dog and took a few PANTING breaths. "Whatever that is--" and she gestured at one of the rice dishes--"IT'S HOT!" she said, and she giggled a little before grabbing a drink and GULPING it all down. Her tongue was still on fire, but that was okay. Pain was only as strong as you LET it be, right?

BEAM. The girl got a very BEAMY Ember. "I know--and my last name--" she squinted as she laughed--"IS BRIGHTEN! Ember Brighten!" HAHAHAH HAR HAR. Ember dissolved into laughter and had to hold herself UP. "My parents were funny people--ahh--funny--" Were, because now that they were old their senses of humor seemed to have disintegrated, but that was okay. They were still nice people. "Penelope! How lovely to meet you, madam!" she said quite GIDDILY as she shoveled some more of the other foods in her mouth.

Ember was always full of manners.

Good good? Was he trying to convince her or himself? .... Emily didn't make a thing of it, instead she nod in understanding and moved on. Whatever he was trying looked quite good. Though, judging from his expression maybe not? She couldn't help but smirk as she leaned in closer to inspect the dish, sniffing to see if she could detect an aroma. "Really?" she questioned, taking one up with her fingers regardless. "You know I'm a masochist, don't you?" she queried with a light chuckle before popping the bite in her mouth.

It was spicy, so she could understand Vic's reaction to it. It wasn't so bad though, not when you had a taste for fire. "You should try my Uncle's pickled chilies," she teased. A part of her wondered if the man still made them... the possibility seemed slim.

Judging by the audible reaction of another woman, the spice wasn't going down very well. Pansies.

"Adjusting," she replied with a shrug, "but otherwise, quite well." Especially well now that she didn't have to avoid those Healers. Not that having private lunches in her office with the Senior Undersecretary was all that bad, it wasn't.

'Course it was a good- errr, whoa. Apparently that food was REALLY hot. Or the lady was just always crazily expressive and exaggerated. Or both? Either way though, her antics kinda just made Penelope want to try that particular food even more...and she didn't have it on her plate right now, so she quickly scooped a bit onto it. "I like hot. Sometimes, at least." This wasn't something she'd eat every day probably. Spicy hot food was mainly good every now and then.

...Brighten? Penelope laughed a little. "Got a middle name that goes with all that too?" Just to see if Ember's parents went the extra mile with that sense of humor.

And Penelope found she kinda liked being called madam. It was all fancy and awesome sounding. Madam Penelope Greenwell. Heh. Fanceh. "S'nice to meet you too."

Then, after a quick bite of something on her plate and a quick glance around the event area, she continued, "You like flying carpets?" Totally smooth transition to talking about the event. 'Cause she was awesome like that.

"Youaa?" He said around that dang hot pastry in his mouth, watching Emily with wide eyes as she popped one into her mouth too, just like that. Wow. Wowww, Gavin sure had a challenge with his boss-- well, more difficult challenge than Vic had assumed. "Pickled chillies? I think we could use some in interrogation processes." He said sarcastically, drowning another glass of water and shooting daggers at whoever almost took it from him.

"Adjusting to what?" He asked, not sure if he caught what she exactly meant by that. Was there something going out with her that he wasn't aware of? He was ready to feel all kind of lame and guilty at that. Unless it was something personal, then... well, Emily didn't do personal unless she took pity on you and telling you what you wanted. Maybe he should start with the personal talk? That could help. "I have a question for you, actually." He stopped pouring things onto his plate for a minute and turned to lean his butt on the table. "Something that is not related to work." He added, a little shyly.

Ahhh, it was finally time the best part of any event: the buffet. Fresh off his magic carpet ride, William strolled into the buffet and immediately spotted several people he knew and wanted to avoid, including Emily, Vic, and Ember. He actually liked the latter two but didn't feel much like being forced friendly just now. He just really wanted to EAT.

So, to avoid all of them, he grabbed a plate and then deliberately went down the buffet the wrong way, taking TWO of EVERYTHING. It all looked delicious and smelled amazing, honestly, and when it came to food, he was NOT a picky eater. Om nom nom.

Mariel never gave much thought about flying carpets. Floo, apparition, brooms, portkey.. all were perfectly fine forms of travel to her. But somehow flying carpets seemed like a good way for a family to travel and her thoughts had been on more things like that lately so she thought she'd at least check things out at this symposium. Before she could even get to the flying carpets, however, she caught sight of the food.

Food was another thing that seemed to be prevalent in her mind lately as well and she made a beeline for the buffet as she was suddenly very hungry. Grabbing a plate, she took generous helpings of anything starchy or that featured cheese, balancing a couple rolls on top, and avoiding anything with tomatoes. Like whatever that thing was. The brunette wrinkled her nose, feeling a little green, and suddenly turned away, nearly bumping her plate into the person in front of her. Or.. was she in front of him? "Oh.. excuse me," she said, looking at him a little confused. Was he eating for two as well? Though that really wasn't what she was wondering.. had she gone down the line the wrong way? Or had he? Mariel glanced behind her a second. It wouldn't surprise her as she felt a little scatter-brained lately. But the plates were at the end she had just come from, so it must have been him.

Oooh was that tomato-basil bruschetta? William was SO grabbing a piece of that! "No, excuse ME," he murmured as he leaaaaned over the buffet to take a few slices of the crispy and yet fresh lil appetizers. Om nom nom this plate was looking full.

Wait, was the lady he'd cut in front of staring at him now? Maybe she had never seen some of the foods on his plate before. He took a step back and gave her a warm smile. "It's bruschetta. Italian. Antipasto. Delicious." To demonstrate, he took a big bite of one of his pieces. "Wansum? I fink dis type has curry ahhnit," he continued through his mouthful. Yes, curry because everything here had to have the flavor of the countries hosting the symposium. Aha.

Or was she looking at him because she'd gone down the buffet the wrong way? Willy was starting a new trend here, folks, a new way of operating. And eating. Eat ALL the things!

Bhuvana had sensed the Indian food. It smelled like home. And university, for that matter. And her flat. It smelled nice, though not as nice as the food she made, of course. She was bored after watching some insane man fly around on a carpet, and the rest of the people fly after he left. Deciding food would be an apt distraction, she made her way to the buffet, inspecting all the dishes before picking small servings of the Indian food.

Then she saw that idiot man and glared.

Though the heat of the treat warmed her insides in a satisfactory way, it did little to limit her appetite. No, she was still keen to fill her plate, taking bites in between loading. And oh look... a wild Williamson appeared. But back to Vic... "Is this your way of saying our interrogation methods aren't efficient enough?" Because that's what it sounded like, though she knew it wasn't the case. Emily smirked a little, amused by it all. Perhaps a little REtraining in that area wouldn't go astray...

Rearranging some of the food on her plate - piling it to one side to make room for more - Emily offered Vic a shrug. Of course it wouldn't have been obvious to him, but it was obvious to her. "Zeke's started at Hogwarts... home is a little too quiet for my liking." Go figure she didn't enjoy her silent solitude as much as she thought she would. But there was no point dwelling on it, Christmas would be around soon enough, and she'd get to see him again then.

Her curiosity was piqued with the whole having a question for her thing, and so she demonstrated this with an eyebrow raise. "Shoot," she added after Vic's declaration of it not being work related. They weren't in the office, and he was welcome to ask away... she didn't promise he'd have himself an answer. "I'm all ears."

Ember laughed. A lot. "Hot--sometimes fun, yeah?" She asked, and she sipped more of her drink. AHHH. Refreshed and READY TO NOMMMMM. She plowed into another one of the foods--"Isn't this just--the most FASCINATING thing ever?" she asked the younger woman, beaming away as she enjoyed this FOOD. Food was great though. Ember LOVED food. SO much. Almost as much as she loved her little darling cats, kneazle, lizard, AND parrot.

Awww BOO no she didn't have an awesome middle name like that! "Nopes. It's just Rachel. Ember Rachel Brighten." She shrugged and chuckled to herself. "I like my name thought. It's not TOO over the top." At least she didn't think so.

"Yep. Does anyone call you Penny?" Ember was SO into nicknames. "Penny--Penelope--I had a great Aunt Penny once, but her real name WAS Penelope!" she chattered away. She could have went on more about...great aunt Penny...but...alas, she didn't think Penelope wanted to hear about her, no matter how LOONY the woman had been. And how great her stories were.

She ate some more--drank some more--waved at Ole' Willy--and smirked back at Penelope. Oooooh William. Funny bloke. "Oh--yes--I already tried out one--over there--" she pointed. "SO FUN. I HIGHLY recommend it!" she cried, bouncing esssssitedly just at the THOUGHT of it.

Oh, no, what was he doing? Once Mariel turned back to face the proper direction after she realized she wasn't crazy and she was going down the buffet the correct way, she saw the man in front of her grab the one thing that was sure to make her sick. The brunette looked on with eyes wide, feeling very queasy, as he popped the little bread covered with tomatoes into his mouth. Unfortunately she could not return his warm smile, not when she felt that she could toss her cookies at any moment. She was certain that she could smell rancid tomatoes and to make matters worse, he was talking with his mouth full so she could see the chewed up tomatoes as he spoke. So. Gross.

Covering her mouth, she averted her eyes, though she was doing her best to be pleasant and not impolite. "No, no, I understand.. Bruschetta, yes.." she nodded as he explained to her what exactly he was eating. She knew what it was, just couldn't stand the sight/smell/taste of it currently. "Normally very delicious, I just.. have had an aversion to tomatoes recently," she tried to explain. Shame, really, as she loved Italian food, but it wasn't happening for her anytime soon. She took a few deep breaths through her nose, trying to will the nausea away. Mariel really did not want to be sick at this function and she tried to focus on lemondrop ice cream. Was there dessert here? Maybe she just needed to sit down. "I think I need a glass of water.."

He had already eaten half the things on his plate and yet, he was still piling more on. Was he at all full??? NIIIIIIOOOOOOOPPPEEEE. This man had a black hole for a stomach, yessireee.

He should sit down, though...
People are going to start to start to judge. As he moved to go find a seat, he spotted his department buddy, EMMMBBBAAAAHH. Manolo sent a small, yet enthusiastic wave over to her in order not to disturb her conversations.

That's when he saw...*GULP* Mariel. The woman, herself, probably had already forgotten about him, but oh my, how he could never get over the fact he made such a big joke of himself in her prescence. You know? When he volunteered to test drive that love potion for the Ministry, what was it? Two, three, 50 years ago??? Still embarrassing! The man quickly hid himself behind the pile of food on his plate. MEHHHH.

Vic wasn't sure if she was joking entirely, was that a jab or was it a joke? He thought it was a joke, they hadn't lost a case because of him or the team of prosecutors they had so must be a joke. He was awfully touchy today, he blamed the spicy thing, it must've burnt his sense of humor. "That's funny, yes, hilarious." He chuckled nervously and scooped up some food into his mouth. Oh it's William! January's best friend! How ironic he showed up right now, Vic would've smiled at him but he was too late and the man was aaaaaall the way at the end of the table.

Oh back to Emily with her good news, it was probably the first time in this encounter that Vic's mouth twitch into a big smile. "Oh right. He's a brilliant kid, have you heard from him?" Or was he too preoccupied with whatever mischieves his friends and he were coming up with? Heh heh, Vic liked the boy, loved him dearly even.

As for his question, ahem, right. He was suddenly kicking himself for bringing this up, it was silly, teenage girls got those angsty feelings and stuffed their faces with ice cream to make them feel better. He felt like he was on his way there, how scandalous. "Uh well, I wanted to know... how you and Gavin are holding up? Everything's good? Top notch? Smooth ride? No bumps on the way?" Another nervous chuckle.

He failed at life today. More food less words, Vic.