Harper always felt sort of odd at these types of events. Mixing socializing with work always seemed like a recipe for disaster. He was of course, always on his best behavior at parties, but this one felt like a test of sorts to see if he could truly uphold the ministry values and other nonsense.

Still he was here because he headed a department and he rather thought Mrs. Dempsey might personally hunt him down if he refused.

At least the them was fun. Feeling as though he was underwater was a new sensation he sort of enjoyed. Everything was a little kitschy but he sort of liked it. The decorations and the drinks; Emmett could always get behind a good theme. It was a pity that it wasn't a costume ball. Still, he had put on a nice suit in a deep greenish-blue, so it fit at the very least. He'd found himself chatting with colleagues for most of the evening, enjoying a couple of drinks, but nothing in excess. There was little to complain about really and he had relaxed into the evening eventually. It was hard not to when he got to chat with other departments he rarely saw and laughed his way through the fact that they all suffered the same sort of bullshit every day.

Excusing himself to get some fresh air, Emmett wandered toward one of the large doors to the terrace, thinking he could use a cigarette. "Oh sorry, I didn't realize someone else was out here." He chuckled, raising his hands in surrender at the figure already occupying the balcony.