new babe in town (sebastian)

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So, there was a new Minster, eh? A girl, Victoire Weasley, younger than Hestia by more than ten years. The thought was strange, the Wizarding World in the UK being at the hands of a child. Still, Hestia didn't involve herself too much with government affairs. She was too busy dealing with her own life. However, the Ministers team had contacted her to help with a little project at the Ministry. Minister Weasley, it seemed, wanted to remodel the office to something that suited her a little better. Something was a little more user friendly with less mirrors. Minister Cain was a vain man, that was no secret, and apparently had made some rather strange changes to the office because of this. Victoire would just remove them herself, they said, but she needed someone to help her make the right changes.

So, Hestia was to meet a member of her team today to show her around the office. A @sebastian . She didn't know much about the guy and she could really care less. She had a job to do and thats what she was here for. He was merely there so some stranger wasn't walking into the Ministers office unattended. Not that Hestia would do anything crazy, but it was a wise precaution considering things that had been happening. The new minister seemed uninterested in messing around...

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Things hadn't really calmed down at the Ministry even with Victoire's announcement as the new Minister for Magic. Perhaps it was because she was so young, but many also talked that it was a Weasley. Seb supposed it was a big deal in the pureblood world, a Weasley as Minister. It must be a huge honor for her family. A family she still had to juggle on top of the demanding schedule of a Minister in a world supposedly under attack. Sebastian had to hand it to her though; she was handling it like a natural. And in an effort to (or at least what Seb thought) distract from all the goings on, she wanted her office redone. He couldn't blame her. While Victoire was beautiful, he figured staring at oneself all day had to be annoying. So the mirrors that Cain had put in were to go. But Victorie was far too busy to oversee a remodel so an expert was called in.

Sebastian was waiting in the main lobby of the Ministry, his hands behind his back as he stood straight and tall in a gray suit. He held his chin high, as always. He was proud of the position he wore at the Ministry and even more proud that he was serving someone who would actually do well for their community again. He finally had hope in the Ministry once more. It had been years since he had seen the lobby this busy, though.

He was waiting for Hestia Carrow, a reknown architect in the wizarding community. She would be the one remodeling Victoire's office for her, and it was his job to see to it that she knew the way in and out of the Minister's office. One of the interns had printed out a photo of Miss Carrow for Sebastian to use as a reference in searching for her in the lobby, he took it out of his breast pocket and briefly examined the woman in the photo then looked up to see that exact woman approaching him only a few feet away. He glanced back at the photo and then back at her. The photo did not do her justice. This woman was... breath taking. From her hair, to the professional and confident way she carried herself... Sebastian caught himself holding in a breath before he stuffed the picture back into his pocket and used his right hand to give her one simple wave.

"Miss Carrow?"

@hestia

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Hestia slowed when someone said her name, giving him an obvious look over. He was handsome, there was no doubt about it. Professionally dressed, classy amount of scruff. Hmm. "Rockefellar, I assume? Excellent, shall we?" she didn't hesitate to walk right past him in the direction of the Ministers office. She slowed her walk enough that he could walk beside her if he so chose. Immediately, as she always did, Hestia was already analyzing the architectural design of the hallway. It was impressive, as the entire ministry was.

As for the gentleman guiding her, she didn't really give herself much chance to form an opinion of him. So wrapped up in herself and her own thoughts, it was hard for Hestia to really take notice of the people around her. People left, moved and didn't commit. Buildings stayed in one place forever and were always there for yo. People weren't worth the time and effort.

@sebastian

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Sebastian was just about to open his mouth to formally introduce himself when instead the woman walked right past him. Seb turned and watched for a moment as she began to walk down the hallway to the office, his mouth hanging open slightly in awe. What had just happened? Did she brush him off or was she eager to get to work? He shook his head to regain his composure and then quickly began to catch up with her. Within a moment, he was at her side and walking at her pace. "It's nice to finally meet you, Miss Carrow," he spoke professionally as they walked along the hallways. "Miss Weasley has been awaiting your arrival most anxiously." He added. He looked down at her a moment and noticed her eyes seemed to be anywhere but ahead of them. Was she even listening? Why did Sebastian care so much?

For the remainder of their short walk, Sebastian kept quiet and led them down the hall and through the departments to the Minister's office. When they finally reached it, Seb stepped in and held the door open for the woman. He closed the door behind them and watched her, waiting for her to finally speak. He was glad, however, that Victoire wasn't in the room... there was enough awkwardness in there already.

@hestia

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It took him long enough to catch up to her but she didn't stop walking. He said it was nice to meet her, that was cute. The way he said the Ministers name was rather special too, causing a smirk to grow on her face. "Oh, anxiously? I'm sure. A bunch of old men in that office before her. She probably needs something a little more female friendly," she explained as if she knew exactly what was going on in the young ministers head. She had done her research, of course. The girl was a ball buster, sure, but she liked the color pink and Hestia knew the best way to work with that was to go with burgundy, the perfect mix between the two.
 
"It must be so gloomy in there for her, hopefully we can brighten that office up a bit," she added, talking more to herself than to the man beside her.
As they reached the door and Seb opened it, she stepped in without hesitation or invitation. He hadn't said anything so he had probably caught onto her personality by now.

She didn't say anything for a solid ten minutes, walking around the room and assessing things in an architectural and interior design manner. Yes, this place clearly wasn't suiting for Victoire. "And how long is she willing to have the office under construction? Does she have a temporary office she can use?"



@sebastian

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Sebastian wasn't entirely phased when the woman did not slow at all as they walked, but it was still odd for him. He had never met another person, save Victoire and himself, who acted so professional. He had to admire it. He raised an eyebrow slightly at the woman as she spoke again. "Erm... yes," he said uncertainly. It was true that the mirrors in Victoire's new office were quite bothersome to her, but there was just something about this architect...

Sebastian stood with his hands behind his back as he watched the dark haired woman in silence. For ten whole minutes he watched as she examined the room. It was admirable how she seemed to look at each corner of the room, piecing it all together and constructing something new in her mind. He had never watched how an architect's mind work but he could see by the look on her face how seriously she took her job. When she spoke again, she caught Sebastian by surprise.

"Uh, yes," he said after a moment. He had to think for a moment just what office Victoire would have to use but then realized for the sake of answering the woman's question, he could easily offer up his own to Victoire need be. That wouldn't be so bad. "Yes. She has one she can use until the construction is done." He spoke more confidently. Sebastian took a few steps into the room toward Miss Carrow. "How long are you estimating this will take?" He asked, keeping it professional.

@hestia

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"Oh, not long. I need to go over plans and ideas with Miss Weasley and then I can give an estimation. My guess is about three days, which shouldn't be too bad. It really depends on how she wants things to function," she explained, facing the man square on with her arms folded over her chest as she did so. She was sure that the Minster would want things to be simple and easy to work with, the blonde girl seemed the type. Still, if she wanted anything elaborate it would take a bit longer.

"Thank you for meeting with me and showing me the office. When will I be able to discuss this with the Minister?" she felt a small half smile creep onto her lips as something crossed her mind. Ministress? No, that sounds too much like 'Mistress', and she was sure Victoire wasn't anybody's mistress. Wouldn't that be a fun little twist?

@sebastian

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Sebastian offered up a professional smile, which he found wasn't hard to do in the presence of the brunette. "Oh, I can assure you Miss Weasley will want things functioning smoothly and quickly," he said lightly. It was Seb's attempt at a joke... if one could even call it that. His sense of humor was very dry, especially in the workplace. He gave a cough to recover himself after such a flop and looked away from the woman to assess the room himself. Victoire had given him specific instructions to tell the architect and before, Seb had been positive that he could deliver them but now... now he was feeling nervous to.

When the brunette spoke directly to him again, Sebastian turned back around to face her. He, too, gave a small half smile as he looked down at his feet briefly then looked back at the architect. "Unfortunately, Miss Weasley is occupied with meetings and such at the moment and will be unable to meet with you," he said, his voice oddly wavering to him. "I will be overseeing the remodel." He gave a little nod but his smile now looked much more forced and weak. What was it about this woman that made Sebastian feel nervous?

@hestia

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Hestia smiled and nodded as he said he was sure the Minister would want things to function smoothly and quickly. She cracked a small smile, but didn't give him a laugh of any sort. Then he coughed, which she thought was warranted, and he went on to say that the Minsister was occupied and that he would be overseeing the remodel.

She smiled wider. "Awe, perfect. I can respect a woman who delegates," she said, one hundred percent serious. She cross over to him, her heels clacking on the office floor, "I can have some renderings drawn up by this evening. Shall we meet for dinner?" it wasn't really toned like a question, even though it was phrased like one.

@sebastian

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Sebastian had to admit, he was both impressed and relieved. He had worried that perhaps when Miss Carrow found out that the Minister would not be overseeing the work done in her own office, to delegate what she wanted, that she would react poorly or something. Her reaction of professional respect was admirable and Seb had always had a thing for professional women...

Instinctively, Sebastian smiled along with Hestia. He wasn't quite aware that he couldn't really help it. He was a little surprised by the prospect of dinner that evening, though. He had to take a moment to mentally picture his schedule. "Erm," he hesitated for a moment. The woman's tone was not one of asking, but rather saying she already had planned it. Seb figured he didn't really have a choice in the matter. "That sounds lovely." He smiled again. What was dinner with a beautiful professional woman going to hurt?

@hestia
Shall we skip to that evening or save for another thread?

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--later--

Hestia had a good time visiting the Ministers office today. And the man she was going to be working with? She couldn't deny that he was, well, incredibly handsome. Hestia had no issue with mixing business with pleasure and she was almost positive she was going to have to do a little mixing with this one. But, business first, of course.

Straightened hair, light make up and a skintight white dress later, she was waiting for him at the designated meeting place. She arrived early, as she always did, and told the greeter at the front to direct Sebastian to her usual table. She waited, legs cross under the table and a glass of red wine in hand.

@sebastian (question answered XD)

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For the rest of the afternoon at work, Sebastian had found his thoughts weirdly clouded by Miss Hestia Carrow, the architect. For the first time in a long time, Sebastian found himself actually not being able to stop himself from letting his mind wander to how dinner was going to go that evening with her. She seemed to be a lot like him; very focused on her profession and her work and for Seb, there was truly nothing more attractive than a girl who loved her work and took it very seriously.

Later that evening, wearing a different plain black casual suit, Sebastian was walking into the restaurant she had directed him to. Seb had always had a knack for showing up between ten and fifteen minutes early to everything so when the host led him to the table and he saw Hestia already there, Seb was quite surprised. He came up to the table and stood behind his chair for a moment, finding himself unable to take his eyes off of her. In her white dress, she looked absolutely stunning. Seb opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. After an awkward pause, Seb finally found words. "Good evening, Miss Carrow," he nodded a greeting and gestured toward her. "You look... dashing!" He blurted out, instantly regretting it. It was so unlike him to comment so blatantly on the look of someone he was doing business with but... it was hard not to with her.

@hestia

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As he arrived, standing behind his chair, Hestia eyed him up and down. She didn't find his silence uncomfortable by any means, but she wouldn't be the one to speak first. At last, he said good evening and complimented her on her dashing looks. The right side of her lip curved up into a smile and she gestured to the seat across from her, the one that he was standing behind. "Thank you, Mr. Rockefellar," she waited until he was seated before speaking again, however long that may be. "You don't look bad yourself," she said, raising the glass that was already placed in front of her in salute before taking a gentle sip.

"I must admit, I'm rather pleased that I get to work with someone so... collected." Yes, it was a minor jest at the fact that he had seemed rather uncollected a moment ago the way he burst out that compliment.

@sebastian