SPOILER!!: Alex! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom

"Oh, no, it's nothing. Just too much caffeine today, I think," Alex told her with a chuckle. That was a lot better than I'm a complete wreck of a human being which was the first thought that generally came to mind when people noticed his awkwardness. Here he thought the job at the Ministry had been helping with his nervousness, and instead it was making it worse. Or so he thought. Probably talking to people would help, he supposed, and he hadn't done that very much yet sooo...yeah. Time to start?

"Environmental Protection. I just started there," he told her with a smile. "And you?" he asked. Definitely not from his department. He knew everyone's face, even if he was still learning their names, and he was certain he hadn't seen her around.

Megan laughed. "There are definitely those days when we need lots of that. I think you've had enough for today since you're so jittery.'' The last bit was added as a half tease while she was half serious as well. She didn't know the guy but for some reason she was already looking out for him. Drat her sometimes too caring nature.

But see? She was right! He was one of the 'newbies'. "This is so late but welcome to the Ministry! So you're a tree hugger, are you?'' Megan hoped he wasn't offended by that. She meant it in a good way. "Accidents and Catastrophes. I'm Megan Baines, by the way.'' She sent him another bright smile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Megan laughed. "There are definitely those days when we need lots of that. I think you've had enough for today since you're so jittery.'' The last bit was added as a half tease while she was half serious as well. She didn't know the guy but for some reason she was already looking out for him. Drat her sometimes too caring nature.

But see? She was right! He was one of the 'newbies'. "This is so late but welcome to the Ministry! So you're a tree hugger, are you?'' Megan hoped he wasn't offended by that. She meant it in a good way. "Accidents and Catastrophes. I'm Megan Baines, by the way.'' She sent him another bright smile.

Alex chuckled and push the coffee aside. "Yeah, I'm just...a jittery person too. I guess," he told her. He also pushed his documents to the side as well - he was in a conversation now, so might as well just keep rolling with it.

He laughed at her belated welcome. "Well, thank you. And yeah, I guess so. I used to work with wandmakers, harvesting trees for that and whatnot...so this seemed like the next logical step," he explained. "Accidents and Catastrophes, huh? What do you do there?" he asked. He'd heard...stories of that place, and lots of interesting things had happened there. Certainly way more interesting than PLANTS. Not that plants weren't cool. They were but...catastrophes, man.

"Oh, I'm Alex. Alex Greingoth," he added, holding out his hand for a shake, even though she hadn't done the same but whatever. Courtesy and such.

SPOILER!!: Alex! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom

Alex chuckled and push the coffee aside. "Yeah, I'm just...a jittery person too. I guess," he told her. He also pushed his documents to the side as well - he was in a conversation now, so might as well just keep rolling with it.

He laughed at her belated welcome. "Well, thank you. And yeah, I guess so. I used to work with wandmakers, harvesting trees for that and whatnot...so this seemed like the next logical step," he explained. "Accidents and Catastrophes, huh? What do you do there?" he asked. He'd heard...stories of that place, and lots of interesting things had happened there. Certainly way more interesting than PLANTS. Not that plants weren't cool. They were but...catastrophes, man.

"Oh, I'm Alex. Alex Greingoth," he added, holding out his hand for a shake, even though she hadn't done the same but whatever. Courtesy and such.

Megan raised an amused eyebrow. He really was a jittery person? As in without the extra load of coffee? She didn't come across many persons like that for some reason. But she didn't mind if the guy was like that. The blond was taken in by the job held previously by him. "Wow. You lead an interesting career. Is there any particular trees you're fond of?'' What a tree- hugger question that was! "What I mean is, any type you like harvesting more?''

Megan bobbed her head then took a quick sip of her coffee. "I'm part of a team- The Urgent Response team- that takes care of messy situations. There are some pretty interesting times there.'' Ah, the memories.

She forgot her manners! But never mind. Alex the gentleman hadn't forgotten his. "It's really nice to meet you, Alex,'' she said as she shook his hand. The name was familiar and suddenly she remembered. "You're Alexander Greingoth's son? The Alexander that was Minister?''

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Megan raised an amused eyebrow. He really was a jittery person? As in without the extra load of coffee? She didn't come across many persons like that for some reason. But she didn't mind if the guy was like that. The blond was taken in by the job held previously by him. "Wow. You lead an interesting career. Is there any particular trees you're fond of?'' What a tree- hugger question that was! "What I mean is, any type you like harvesting more?''

Megan bobbed her head then took a quick sip of her coffee. "I'm part of a team- The Urgent Response team- that takes care of messy situations. There are some pretty interesting times there.'' Ah, the memories.

She forgot her manners! But never mind. Alex the gentleman hadn't forgotten his. "It's really nice to meet you, Alex,'' she said as she shook his hand. The name was familiar and suddenly she remembered. "You're Alexander Greingoth's son? The Alexander that was Minister?''

Alex shrugged. "To be honest I was more interested in the rune part of it. You know how you can use the runes to tell you if the tree is worth harvesting or not? That's a lot of what I did. Cherry was usually my favorite - it was almost always good for wandmaking, and real easy to carve in to," he explained with a grin. He wasn't sure if this girl was just being polite or if she was really interested in trees, but it was nice to talk about this stuff with someone for a change!!

Alex was going to ask her to give him some specifics on the whole "interesting times" thing, but then...the name had rung a bell in her brain. Ugh. Alex was used to this now, of course, and obviously he wasn't going to run around telling everyone the story of his true parentage, so he just smiled and nodded. "Yeah, that's me. And my twin sister is Sierra Greingoth," he added. SHE was at least cool, being an ex-Quidditch player and all. Unlike his father, who wasn't all that interesting at all in his opinion...

SPOILER!!: Alex! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom

Alex shrugged. "To be honest I was more interested in the rune part of it. You know how you can use the runes to tell you if the tree is worth harvesting or not? That's a lot of what I did. Cherry was usually my favorite - it was almost always good for wandmaking, and real easy to carve in to," he explained with a grin. He wasn't sure if this girl was just being polite or if she was really interested in trees, but it was nice to talk about this stuff with someone for a change!!

Alex was going to ask her to give him some specifics on the whole "interesting times" thing, but then...the name had rung a bell in her brain. Ugh. Alex was used to this now, of course, and obviously he wasn't going to run around telling everyone the story of his true parentage, so he just smiled and nodded. "Yeah, that's me. And my twin sister is Sierra Greingoth," he added. SHE was at least cool, being an ex-Quidditch player and all. Unlike his father, who wasn't all that interesting at all in his opinion...

Sip... sip... a long sip of coffee happened while Megan listened to Alex. She really did find wandlore interesting. She didn't know much about the processes that was why she was being a bother to the man here. "Runes are complicated. I never wrote it for exams.'' Which meant that Alex must be brilliant. "Exactly how do the runes tell you if the tree is worthy?'' Then she grinned. "My wand happens to be cherry.''

Alex really was the ex Minister's son! Megan did know his sister's name as well. Didn't he come from quite a family? "Are you going to work your way up to becoming Minister someday or are you not interested in that?'' If he did plan on following in his father's footsteps, she could boast that she knew the Minister someday. She smirked slightly to herself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Sip... sip... a long sip of coffee happened while Megan listened to Alex. She really did find wandlore interesting. She didn't know much about the processes that was why she was being a bother to the man here. "Runes are complicated. I never wrote it for exams.'' Which meant that Alex must be brilliant. "Exactly how do the runes tell you if the tree is worthy?'' Then she grinned. "My wand happens to be cherry.''

Alex really was the ex Minister's son! Megan did know his sister's name as well. Didn't he come from quite a family? "Are you going to work your way up to becoming Minister someday or are you not interested in that?'' If he did plan on following in his father's footsteps, she could boast that she knew the Minister someday. She smirked slightly to herself.

Alex grinned. He was pretty darn positive the girl was just being polite, but he was going to get to talk about his favorite thing like EVER so he didn't care. He hadn't talked to anyone about Runes in AGES! "Well, you know how some trees are better for certain types of magic? Well you use the corresponding runes to determine if that tree is strong in that type of magic - if it is, it works for the wands. If not you can still USE it, but it won't be as powerful," he explained. In case she was ever going to go out and harvest her own wand...

Although his excitement deflated just a bit when she started talking about his dad. UGH. He should have known this would happen now that he had come back to England. "No way," he said with a chuckle, shaking his head. "Too much responsibility. And it seems painfully boring," he added with a grin.

SPOILER!!: Alex! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom

Alex grinned. He was pretty darn positive the girl was just being polite, but he was going to get to talk about his favorite thing like EVER so he didn't care. He hadn't talked to anyone about Runes in AGES! "Well, you know how some trees are better for certain types of magic? Well you use the corresponding runes to determine if that tree is strong in that type of magic - if it is, it works for the wands. If not you can still USE it, but it won't be as powerful," he explained. In case she was ever going to go out and harvest her own wand...

Although his excitement deflated just a bit when she started talking about his dad. UGH. He should have known this would happen now that he had come back to England. "No way," he said with a chuckle, shaking his head. "Too much responsibility. And it seems painfully boring," he added with a grin.

Megan refrained a giggle. Alex really did enjoy taking about Runes and wand trees, anyone can see as much as this. Truth be told, she was enjoying listening to everything. She had had a brief fascination with wandlore when she had attended Hogwarts but that had faded. "I get it. You must miss doing that a lot.'' Megan knew she would if she had gotten into that career path. "Care to demonstrate someday?''

So Alex wasn't that ambitious. This was pretty okay in Megan's books since he didn't come across as power crazed. "You sound like a fun guy.'' She laughed. "Not wanting to be burdened with responsibilities tells me that much.''

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Megan refrained a giggle. Alex really did enjoy taking about Runes and wand trees, anyone can see as much as this. Truth be told, she was enjoying listening to everything. She had had a brief fascination with wandlore when she had attended Hogwarts but that had faded. "I get it. You must miss doing that a lot.'' Megan knew she would if she had gotten into that career path. "Care to demonstrate someday?''

So Alex wasn't that ambitious. This was pretty okay in Megan's books since he didn't come across as power crazed. "You sound like a fun guy.'' She laughed. "Not wanting to be burdened with responsibilities tells me that much.''

"Yeah but...it was the right time to move. From Belgium, I mean. That was where I lived and worked," Alex explained. Had he mentioned that before? He couldn't remember. What he was definitely NOT going to mention was the fact that his girlfriend (soon to be fiance) had run off with the Minister's son and that was why he'd thrown all caution to the wind and moved back home. Because that was TOTALLY a healthy reaction to that kind of stuff. Sigh.

Why was he such a mess? Honestly.

"Well I'm glad you think so," he chuckled. "I just saw how tough it was on him, and I don't think I'd be good for the job," he explained. He'd talked about himself for a while now - he wanted to hear more about HER. Plus he was getting squirmy and hoping the conversation about his past wouldn't go any further because all that was left to talk about was the WEIRD stuff and he didn't want to do that, no thank you.

"So what about you? Did you, erm...go to Hogwarts and stuff?" he asked.

SPOILER!!: Alex! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom

"Yeah but...it was the right time to move. From Belgium, I mean. That was where I lived and worked," Alex explained. Had he mentioned that before? He couldn't remember. What he was definitely NOT going to mention was the fact that his girlfriend (soon to be fiance) had run off with the Minister's son and that was why he'd thrown all caution to the wind and moved back home. Because that was TOTALLY a healthy reaction to that kind of stuff. Sigh.

Why was he such a mess? Honestly.

"Well I'm glad you think so," he chuckled. "I just saw how tough it was on him, and I don't think I'd be good for the job," he explained. He'd talked about himself for a while now - he wanted to hear more about HER. Plus he was getting squirmy and hoping the conversation about his past wouldn't go any further because all that was left to talk about was the WEIRD stuff and he didn't want to do that, no thank you.

"So what about you? Did you, erm...go to Hogwarts and stuff?" he asked.

Megan raised her coffee cup to her lips to take another mouthful but got nothing. She raised the lid to peer into the cup. Darn! She had been so caught up in Alex's explanations that she had not realised her coffee was done. She'd just pick up another cup on the way back to her department. "I expect you must have liked it there, in Belgium,'' she replied and placed the lid back on properly. "I hope you have readjusted back here and got into the flow of the Ministry in no time.''

"Well, don't be so hard on yourself, Alex!'' Megan chided brightly. "It's all about putting your mind to doing something but you'll probably be better off doing something else you really love.'' Corny advice but it was true. "My life was pretty boring. Yes, I went to Hogwarts then afterwards, I moved to the USA with my family.'' Which she had hadn't wanted to do but didn't have much of a choice. "I worked with the FBI sometime later; after a lot of training.''

Work at Level Four has started to pour in, but being Mordred Mordaunt he got most, if not all of his work done already. Deciding not to be bothered by any of his superiors, the dragonologist moved to Level 10 to re-fill his tumbler with coffee. His hideout, which wasn’t so secret at all, was the perfect place for him to get his other thing done.

Spotting an empty table, Mordred quickly flicked his wand at one of the mismatched chairs to see if it had been tampered with black magic. A trick he learned from Mr. Black of Mysteries. Where was that man anyway? It had been ages since the last time he saw him.

After taking a long sip from his tumbler, Mordred went on to spread the papers before him and began to fill the blanks. He’s pretty much ahead with this thing of his, so no reason really for him to rush.

What possessed her to think she was cut out for a desk job? Seriously.

Not only was she utterly frustrated with sitting around, but the work she was doing just didn't seem as meaningful as she thought it would be. Was she actually accomplishing anything here? Anything at all? Or was paper-pushing only for the benefit of the government SEEMING to look as if it was doing things?

The Winged Horse community deserved better, they deserved more. But as determined as she was to give it to them, she didn't yet see how.

Massaging the tension out of her neck with one hand, Olympia drank deeply from her cup with the other. At least the coffee here was good... seriously... and the place was super cute in its weirdly odd and rustic way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hera

What possessed her to think she was cut out for a desk job? Seriously.

Not only was she utterly frustrated with sitting around, but the work she was doing just didn't seem as meaningful as she thought it would be. Was she actually accomplishing anything here? Anything at all? Or was paper-pushing only for the benefit of the government SEEMING to look as if it was doing things?

The Winged Horse community deserved better, they deserved more. But as determined as she was to give it to them, she didn't yet see how.

Massaging the tension out of her neck with one hand, Olympia drank deeply from her cup with the other. At least the coffee here was good... seriously... and the place was super cute in its weirdly odd and rustic way.

Not so much a fan of his level's own break room - for no other reason than he was not feeling the aesthetic of the room along with the company of some of his coworkers, Ryu was looking for greener pastures. Pastures that happened to have an ample supply of green tea would be preferred, but he wasn't willing to push his luck on that front just yet. Probably ought to owl Nana about her sending over his favorite blend...

Security report in hand - which was something that he wouldn't be too torn up over if a cup of coffee just so happened to spill on it and made the ink illegible - Ryu strolled into the Underground Coffee Club having heard someone talking about it in the food court a couple of days ago and grabbed himself a cup of coffee before looking for somewhere to sit.

Oh hey...looky here.

"Well well," he chuckled. "Come here often?"

Erec had enough of his office for the morning. He needed to stretch his legs. So the department head grabbed some of the immigration files and headed out of level five. He first thought about heading to level 7 where the game room was and the nice coffee cart, but maybe the food court would be better. Grab an early lunch and then sit and do some work while eating. His mind then went to someone saying there was another coffee stop in the ministry.

Deciding that could be the perfect spot to go and word plus enjoy some coffee Erec made his way to the underground coffee place. Once he had his coffee Erec took his cup and headed for the seating area. The mismatch seating did not do well for his eyes. They couldn't find a better designer for the place? He was going to try to not think about his OCD issues at the moment and took his seat.

It was a day straight out of the deepest pit of hell. Up all night the night before with a fussy toddler just to be saddled with her the following day. If she didn't know any better she'd think she'd done something in the last few days to thoroughly tick the universe off. Her punishment? A kid that threw the largest hissy fit in existence and could not be left at daycare today. Top that off with being late for work and you could just imagine her current mood.

Funny how this fabricated horror seemed to disappear the moment they stepped out of the nursery and Emm was no longer in danger of being left there. Consider the Auror unamused.

She needed at least 3 cups of coffee and another hour away from the general population of the Ministry. That meant coming to the little hole in the wall, seldom crowded, seldom teaming with people she didn't wanna interact with....except, it didn't seem like she'd get that complete solitude she'd been hoping for.

"Oh. I wasn't expecting anyone else in here at this hour." The toddler was allowed onto the floor, free to move about the mismatched furniture as she pleased. "Was hoping to beat the lunch crowd. I take it you were too?"

He was sitting enjoying the quiet and letting his mind think about other things than work. He thought about possibly owling Eryn to see if she'd want to go on another date. Their first seemed to go well, hopefully this was a thing. He hadn't dated since the divorce and he felt that he was ready. B didn't seem to mind what he did, hell she wasn't even speaking to him that much anymore. He couldn't believe his daughter was growing up so fast.

Soon though he wasn't alone and he watched the little one explore the area. Children didn't bother him and truth be told he would have loved to have more than just the one, but it just wasn't in his card to do so. Looking up to the adult he assumed was the mother he gave a bit of a confused look and looked at his watch. "I guess I am. I just needed a moment and thought this place looked like a good place to sit for that."

He watched the little girl again, "How old is she?"

"Well you've come to the right place for that, yeah." Lex nodded, pouring herself a cup of what smelled like fresh coffee. Someone had been in here just before. Here's to hoping they knew their way around a coffee maker. Merlin knew she'd be disappointed otherwise. "You wouldn't happen to have seen the bloke who made the coffee before leaving, would you?"

She watched the toddler over the rim of her mug, making sure she wasn't about to hurt herself or in some way bother the man who had come here for some peace.

Sip. Huh. Not bad at all. Sip.

"16 months." The kid was currently entertaining herself with running from the couch to the stool and back, lost in her own world and giggling away. Not a TEAR DROP IN SIGHT. At this rate, Lex wouldn't have to teach her the art of crying to get what she wanted. Emmerson already had it down pat. "Decided she wasn't feeling the daycare today and made sure everyone knew it."

Another glance was spared at him. He looked familiar. "Level 5, yeah?"

He couldn't help but smile as the young lady had mentioned that it was a good place. "It seems to be. The coffee is good and it isn't very crowded." Though the new company was welcomed. He watched the little girl thinking of his own child at that age. How he had wanted more than just one, but that was then and this was a new chapter in his life. A chapter that seemed like that little one running around was so far away. His thoughts grew a bit sadder thinking about it, but turned to the woman and shook his head, "No, I'm sorry I don't. He did an excellent job whoever it was." He was enjoying it, but could make more if they were running low.

"That is an exhausting, but fun age. I remember feeling like I needed about five of me to keep up with my daughter, now I feel like I need twenty of someone else just to know what is going on in her life." Teenagers they never wanted their parents involved and since he and his daughter didn't see eye to eye with some things it felt the divide was even greater. "She wanted her momma's attention." It was sweet, but he knew how tiring it was.

"Oh yes, how rude of me. Erec Delacroix, Department Head on level 5."

See, he was getting the idea. "Not like the food court. I swear there's always a bunch of people there regardless of the time of day." Back when she'd been a YATI and required to go on patrols throughout the Ministry, she'd taken notice. It was almost as if some people had a second office down there--in fact she wouldn't be surprised if they did. "On a regular day, I can hardly find time to leave my desk, if I'm in office, let alone set up camp and talk away half my day." This, of course, was not regular. Today had been highjacked by the little Cambridge. For her own sanity and the fact she hated seeing her THAT distraught, Alexa would meet her demands.

Merlin he had no idea...except he did because he apparently had his own. "I give on the fun aspect, I like seeing what she's growing into and how she's starting to independently react to the world but it DOES make it exhausting." Like right now, right when Emmerson was still zipping around the furniture. If she had a little more energy in her, she'd have tried to stop her. Coordinated sometimes the kid was not.

It was only a matter of time before she hurt herself. "How old's yours?"

Snorts. "She always wants my attention. You'd think my entire world was meant to revolve around her." Sometimes it did, if she was being honest, but Circe she still liked to have her down time. "And that's where I've seen you. Yeah. I remember." The boss Sleater said gave him permission to go down to Knockturn Alley ALONE.

He could really relate to that. The food court was crazy and even though he did like people and liked socializing he wasn't that big on eating there. He enjoyed going out to eat if he had the chance, but today was a day he just wanted some quiet. He chuckled, "I think some like the atmosphere of the open space and the socializing of other adults. We get caught up in our own work and families we tend to forget there is an outside world, so for some, it might be their way of staying connected." He could see how easy it was especially with young children, you forget there is a world going on around the circus. "As long as they are doing their work,
I guess that's all we can want." If his own employees were slacking though he'd have to get on them.

He laughed, but as he watched the little one he couldn't help but understand where shew as coming from and feel his heart pull a bit for missing it.
"It will be over in a blink of an eye and these are the moments you will miss even though at the time you can't wait for the stage to be over."
He had heard this time and time again. Now he was living it.

"She is sixteen, a sixth year at Beauxbatons." How time did fly.
"She is a very independent and strong young lady. There is nothing she can't do I don't think. Once she gets it in her mind she is going to do it no matter what." His pride for his child did show and he smiled thinking about her. "Their worlds do revolve around you at this age. You are the most amazing peron in her life." The hero in their story, it was always so sweet. "I've been there two years now. It's a great level to work with. "

This place was just as confusing as Hogwarts had been. Which... Was a big problem because Zander needed to find spaces where he could hang out in between the job. He had already managed to rule out places he wouldn't head to: the coffee cart on Level 7 (he hadn't made many friends among his own coworkers quite yet), the atrium (it was far too busy), or anywhere within levels 3-6 (too confusing).

Fortunately, he had managed to find this gem early on. And you know what, Zander liked it for it's personality. The mismatched chairs and funky lighting made him feel more at home. It almost resembled his own flat in London where he and Damien had a collection of strange furniture too. After grabbing a cup of hot coffee, he wondered around the small space before choosing his usual seat on one of the squishy sofas.

The best part about this nook was perhaps the fact that it was so quiet. Zander Adair was definitely a people-person, but... Maybe he just wasn't a Ministry-People kind of person?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

This place was just as confusing as Hogwarts had been. Which... Was a big problem because Zander needed to find spaces where he could hang out in between the job. He had already managed to rule out places he wouldn't head to: the coffee cart on Level 7 (he hadn't made many friends among his own coworkers quite yet), the atrium (it was far too busy), or anywhere within levels 3-6 (too confusing).

Fortunately, he had managed to find this gem early on. And you know what, Zander liked it for it's personality. The mismatched chairs and funky lighting made him feel more at home. It almost resembled his own flat in London where he and Damien had a collection of strange furniture too. After grabbing a cup of hot coffee, he wondered around the small space before choosing his usual seat on one of the squishy sofas.

The best part about this nook was perhaps the fact that it was so quiet. Zander Adair was definitely a people-person, but... Maybe he just wasn't a Ministry-People kind of person?

The thing about working at the Ministry was…there was a ton of people. And while Gideon wasn’t as closed off as he had been the first few years of Hogwarts or immediately after graduation, he was more like his father in preferring smaller, quieter interactions. That’s why a break room that wasn’t quite a break room was ideal in his mind when he had found out about it. No crowd like the level 7 cafeteria and lessened the chance of being found for work in the Level 3 break room. It wasn’t like it was on the beaten path either. Plus, it had the benefit of a hot beverage that wasn’t all too bad.

When he arrived this time, pushing aside the tapestry that mostly hid the passage, Gideon found he wasn’t alone. “Hello,” he greeted simply and politely as he moved to make himself a mug of fresh coffee for his liking.

Coffee. It was his first friend here at the ministry... And for the moment, maybe it was his only friend. Was that pathetic? Maybe. He'd never admit to it out loud, of course. Then he really would be pathetic. Fortunately wizards couldn't read minds, right??? Unless they were, er, legi-- no. Nope. Not going to think about it. LALALALAL.

Where was he? Ah yes. Coffee.

He was only taken out of his absurd thoughts at the sound of someone approaching him. "Er," was he tensing up? Yes. "Hi," that's generally the appropriate response, yeah? WHY WAS THIS SO HARD??? He was way too nervous about this job. It's not like he hadn't worked in a super professional place before. Oh wait. Nope this was the first. "Wonderful, er, weather we're having?"

He was totally a natural.

Um.

Right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

Coffee. It was his first friend here at the ministry... And for the moment, maybe it was his only friend. Was that pathetic? Maybe. He'd never admit to it out loud, of course. Then he really would be pathetic. Fortunately wizards couldn't read minds, right??? Unless they were, er, legi-- no. Nope. Not going to think about it. LALALALAL.

Where was he? Ah yes. Coffee.

He was only taken out of his absurd thoughts at the sound of someone approaching him. "Er," was he tensing up? Yes. "Hi," that's generally the appropriate response, yeah? WHY WAS THIS SO HARD??? He was way too nervous about this job. It's not like he hadn't worked in a super professional place before. Oh wait. Nope this was the first. "Wonderful, er, weather we're having?"

He was totally a natural.

Um.

Right?

His greeting had been returned almost hesitantly and Gideon couldn’t help but wonder if he had bothered the other young man with his presence. Had he interrupted anything? But then his unknown companion pushed the conversation further and the former Gryffindor got a better feel on the matter. It was more of an awkward, nervousness that he had been greeted with rather than something else. Maybe a newbie to the Ministry which Gideon more than understood given his own experiences a few years back.

“Yeah…wonderful,” he answered as he finished making his coffee and turned to debate where to sit. The Level Three employee finally opting for one of the random chairs in the space, close enough to chat with his unsure companion or ignore if it went in that direction. But for now, he was going to take a chance and be nice. “What level do you work on?” Gideon asked, figuring it was as innocent a question as he could ask.

Even though it had been a couple of months, Zander still felt very out of place. It was probably his own fault for cooping himself up in his cubicle just about every day for the first month or so... But he really wanted to make sure he did a good job. This was his first adult job and he needed it to work out. And it was really hard to make friends in the real world??? This wasn't like Hogwarts, he couldn't just chat up his cubicle mate. Everyone already had their friends. Which was what made him so nervous. How do you even talk to fellow employees???

Case and point.

"Uh, Seven," he nodded before taking a sip of his drink. Games and Sports, did he need to say that part? Because Zander didn't recognize the rest of the levels by their number yet..B.
But for all he knew, this guy could be like a ministry veteran or something. And Zander wasn't about to offend anyone. "You?"

Oh, also. "I'm Zander by the way," was he supposed to hold out his hand??? Was this a handshake moment??? The blonde wasn't sure, but he stuck out his hand anyway.

Geez.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

Even though it had been a couple of months, Zander still felt very out of place. It was probably his own fault for cooping himself up in his cubicle just about every day for the first month or so... But he really wanted to make sure he did a good job. This was his first adult job and he needed it to work out. And it was really hard to make friends in the real world??? This wasn't like Hogwarts, he couldn't just chat up his cubicle mate. Everyone already had their friends. Which was what made him so nervous. How do you even talk to fellow employees???

Case and point.

"Uh, Seven," he nodded before taking a sip of his drink. Games and Sports, did he need to say that part? Because Zander didn't recognize the rest of the levels by their number yet..B.
But for all he knew, this guy could be like a ministry veteran or something. And Zander wasn't about to offend anyone. "You?"

Oh, also. "I'm Zander by the way," was he supposed to hold out his hand??? Was this a handshake moment??? The blonde wasn't sure, but he stuck out his hand anyway.

Geez.

There still was hesitance, but at least there was an answer. That was a point in his favor at least, the potioner musing as he sipped on his coffee. Seven…that was games and sports Gideon believed. The department some might have expected him to go into after school given his proclivity for quidditch in his years at Hogwarts. But he had continued to be led by his passion for potions right into the Accidents and Catastrophes department. “I’m up on Level 3,” he answered, supplying his own floor.

And there was the introduction, something Gideon realized he himself had missed. “Gideon…” he supplied, accepting the offered hand and giving it a polite shake before releasing it. Another step down in this act of conversation…perhaps it could work to continue. “So…Games and Sports…” he absently mused over the lip of his mug, covering up the biting of the inside of his cheek. It wasn’t like he himself was the master conversationalist. “What led you to the department?” Weren’t likes and interests another form of conversation icebreakers. And wasn’t it usually something you liked or were good at that led you to work someplace?

So maybe his Slytherin cunning was working.