What a very regrettable moment to have arrived. "As a consultant? A brilliant idea, and I do so look forward to working together in the future." Her voice was warm, and very soft, and she stepped forward, narrowing the distance between them just enough to keep their conversation somewhat private.

"I am so sorry to interrupt you both, but we were notified that the security here had flagged something suspicious, and thus needed to be certain that you had not encountered trouble." With Edwin's gesture, it seemed that they had the snuffbox itself well in hand, a somewhat reassuring prospect that couldn't rule out all other complications.

"But if everything is well, then I'll leave you two to it." A smile, then she tilted her head somewhat to look around the room. Her earrings dangled back and forth a bit. But she could see nothing, yet, no blatant signs of trouble or observation. The room was crowded, however, far too full to catch all that might be about.

"Yes, I do know her, we go back a long way."

That statement neatly filled him with dread. Morgana released his hand.

"I am so sorry to interrupt you both, but we were notified that the security here had flagged something suspicious... But if everything is well, then I'll leave you two to it."

"Something suspicious?" Edwin asked, his tone a little less sure than his usual smooth self. It would only be easily uncovered shortly if he didn't own up, even if he felt like an arse for doing so as the Department Head.

"Possibly the diversion I put in place. It was that or a few lost fingers on a Muggle." The smoothness of his usual tone had returned and Edwin adopted an air that it was all routine and he hadn't mucked anything up at all. "Either way, the snuffbox has been acquired, and just in the nick of time." Edwin gave a shrug, sure of his actions and instead indicating there was no issue here.

Morgana watched the interaction between them, taking note of the way they spoke. Ministry business was always a distant planet to her, but observing people was ingrained into her so deeply she couldn't help it.

She didn't want to say anything now. It wasn't her business. She was, after all, an external consultant who had no knowledge of the Ministry's workings. Morgana contented herself by nodding in agreement to Edwin's statement.

Secretly, she did so want to give Edwin a lesson on how to pickpocket without being felt and without using magic. Or perhaps he should have let her do the thieving. Either way, it wouldn't have involved any security breach and therefore would not have alerted the Ministry.

But then, that would give the game away and she was looking forward to not actually telling Edwin about her double life.

At this point, she took a step back respectfully to allow the two to continue talking.

"I'm glad to hear it. Lost fingers are a terrible thing." Aisling rubbed hers together unconsciously, and felt a little tension slipping out of her shoulders. Perhaps there wouldn't be a mess for her to clean up, this time.

A hope swiftly dashed by the sight of two men moving very purposefully through the crowd towards them. "It seems that they noticed something, unfortunately." That such was rather to be expected when someone had to come check in didn't make it any more pleasant.

Especially given Edwin's choice of company. Something that, if  Aisling was honest with herself, might just have made him a bit more foolhardy, as much as she might enjoy the prospect of seeing them together. Had to work, for now.

"Can I help you," she asked, stepping forward and lowering her hands. It was her job to tell the lies, after all. There was no shortage of them.

"Damn." Edwin muttered, seeing the two figures heading their way. Hopefully Aisling would be able to confound them enough for them to slip away. "Not quite the morning I'd planned for us, but welcome to my life as a Department Head." He told Morgana as Aisling turned to greet the two men.

"Though normally its paperwork and they try and keep me at the office, can't think why, eh?" He asked her smiling with good humour at the fact his staff were so much more efficient without his interference. They always sought him when required, but he was well aware they preferred him to advise than get involved often.

"If you wanted to slip away, I wouldn't blame you, though hopefully this time we'll save the embarrassment of me getting arrested. I've enjoyed things either way." His smile prevailed until he caught wind of Aisling's expression as he gave Morgana's arm an affectionate squeeze.

When the two men approached, Morgana hesitated, unsure of who they were and their reason for coming here. She'd thought that Edwin and Aisling would have sorted it out. Right now her trained senses were kicking at her to move away, but it was too late. They could probably recognise her face from afar now.

She had to refocus a bit and tell herself that she'd done nothing wrong this time, and then convince herself it wasn't a lie, and yes she actually hadn't done anything of note. Aisling was dealing with it, and if anything a trained Ministry official would diffuse the situation well enough.

Edwin seemed to be sharing the same thoughts as her, although for entirely different reasons. "Not quite the morning I'd planned for us, but welcome to my life as a Department Head." She kept her face blank as she nodded cordially, as if she knew what he was talking about.

"Though normally its paperwork and they try and keep me at the office, can't think why, eh?"

I think I can, but I won't go there, she thought to herself.

"If you wanted to slip away, I wouldn't blame you, though hopefully this time we'll save the embarrassment of me getting arrested. I've enjoyed things either way."

Morgana smiled. "I've enjoyed myself too, I doubt I would want to slip away and leave you be. That would just ruin the moment." She was leaving it to him to decide what that moment was. "Are we continuing the walk, or are you going to stay here and help Ais deal with them? Either way, I can hang around." She smiled at the squeeze, but didn't give any other indication that she'd felt it.

"Excuse me, Miss, I-" The foremost of the security officers moved to step around Aisling, but paused as she waved an ID card at him. Not hers, technically, but it was very official.

"Is there somewhere private we can speak? I'm sorry about the trouble." She turned and sent Edwin an appropriately disapproving look, coupled with a sigh. "You'd best take the afternoon off." It was easy to play the annoyed superior, here, and irritation at Edwin's stunt wasn't hard to pull up.

She extended her hand for the offending snuffbox. This was a very official confiscation complicated by someone being overconfident. That was an easy enough truth to use. Simply needed to leave out the details about magic and bitten fingers.

Exit Aisling

Edwin was touched, despite his biting pocket filler, Morgana was enjoying things. Or perhaps she was being polite. Before he could say much more, Aisling gave him a perfect exit.

His surprised expression at her demand was replaced with a humble nod.
"Yes ma'am," He dug his hand in his pocket and shoved the lid of the snuffbox firmly closed in his fist before removing it and handing it to Aisling with the same grip.

"I'll go write up my report." Edwin dipped his head, casting a glance at the two Muggles who had approached. He trusted Aisling would be able to handle them, but he was still a little protective of her as a friend and her direct manager.

Edwin ushered Morgana away gently, casting furtive glances back over his shoulder at the scene they were departing from.

"Oh dear, that tactic definitely means she wants to give me an earful when we get back to the office. The hazards of having old friends in your Department, they can get away with it." Edwin explained with a shrug. "What would you like to do? Finish a lap of the place and perhaps get something to drink?"

Morgana gave him a look that could only be described as unimpressed as she was gently herded away. "You're familiar with this, it seems. I can only imagine Aisling running around behind you with a broom and other assorted cleaning implements." She wiped the expression from her face as she shook her head. "Next time you could ask me...for advice on that sort of thing." She was tempted to do it herself, but she couldn't. Not this time.

She looked around. "Yes, finishing the place would be nice," she said, her interests taking over. "And a drink would be lovely. How generous of you to offer." This being Morgana, she normally used that phrase in a myriad of ways, emphatic passive-aggressive snarkery included, but this time she was being sincere. "Such a lovely place on a lovely day. I think there should be a little relaxation after that show of yours."

"Show?" Edwin gave an uneasy laugh, casting a glance back in Aisling's direction and feeling incredibly guilty. He'd have to do something to make up for that later if he didn't want his friend to give him the cold shoulder.

"Somewhat unintended, but never mind, what's done is done." He shrugged and brightened his face, beaming at Morgana. It could be worse, he could not have the lovely Morgana by his side, agreeing to a drink even after he'd made priceless items fall to the ground.

He offered Morgana his arm.
"A drink then, with the most lovely witch I've had the chance to take to an auction."


End, we'll pick these lot up later