Department of International Magical Cooperation | December 2002
Lorin was nervous beyond nervous. She had been thinking about this for weeks, moths even. She had been in talks with Jonathan for a while now, but it was finally time for her interview with the Department of International Magical Cooperation. In some ways, this was a step down. She was already part of the illusive Department of
Mysteries, but she was a far cry from a fully-fledged unspeakable. She was just a secretary—albeit one with a good deal of power. She put away files and made tea and coffee for the staff. She coordinated
ice cream Thursdays, not that that really was something worth mentioning in her resume. No, she would never move up in that department. Not to mention that she wasn’t particularly interested in it. She was far more interested in political intrigue, working with diplomats (or, maybe one day, becoming one). The Department of International Magical Cooperation was a great fit for her, plus she would be an official of her own right. She looked forward to having a job that her friends hadn’t pulled strings for her to get. Yes, her family knew the Emersons, but that didn’t mean they were going to get her the position. She would need to work for it.
She was dressed professionally, in a skirt-suit with a jacket. This was more than she usually wore—as she preferred feminine dresses—but she was in this to make a point. Her blouse was ruffled around the higher-than-usual neckline, and her heels were polished shiny. Her hair was up in a braided bun, with small curled wisps around her face to soften the look. On her arm she wore a delicate silver watch, and on her fingers she only wore the one ring her brother had given her. This was much less accessorizing than she usually did, too, but she had heard that less is more. She was wearing makeup, but steered away from her bold look for a more natural makeup look, a medium matte mauve lip finished her off. She was sweating, though, and worried her makeup might melt off even though it was freezing outside. She was very nervous, and trying not to be. If she didn’t get this job, it wasn’t as if she would lose her other one. She had nothing to lose and everything to gain, but it was hard talking herself out of her own anxiety.
She breathed through her mouth a few times, letting the air out slowly, as she sat in the waiting room. She clutched her resume in its folder and crossed and uncrossed her legs a few times. She was trying to get comfortable and talk herself down. She could handle this. She would be a great addition to the team. She was smart and talented in many things. She was diplomatic. She was a quick learner and good at taking instruction. She was reliable and responsible. She could handle anything. She reminded herself of that until the secretary called her back and led her into the office. She hoped she would be meeting with Jonathan directly, and not one of his colleagues. She knew of him, and they had been corresponding, so she felt more comfortable with him than anyone else she didn’t know.
The office was empty when she came in. She didn’t take a seat, though, remembering it was best to wait until a seat was offered. She stood in the empty office for a few moments, practicing her breathing, and reminding herself that she could handle this—she could handle anything.
@Jonathan Emerson 
