Riddlesome PV Caradoc Browne Closed

23 September 2020, lunchtime

It had been about two weeks now since his appointment as Ravenclaw's Head of House, and Marcus Iwasaki was getting quite good at riddles. The tower being guarded by a door of riddles had been a frustrating development for the man, who had not regularly done logic puzzles in almost two decades. However, he was tackling the problem head-on. He had taken to carrying around a book of riddles everywhere he went these days, although usually disguising the front so no one knew the title. He was getting better with them the more he practiced - his mind was regaining its sharpness, while his body continued to rest and recuperate from the encounter at the end of August. This was a good pastime for him considering he was still adjusting to the numbness of his chest and neck. Not being able to feel the muscles there was disorienting for him, and without training to occupy his time, he focused himself on his new Head of House duties instead. And being able to easily access the common room was his top priority, of course.

Marcus entered the Great Hall as he had for the past couple weeks - with his nose in a book. He walked without fear, though, knowing that any lingering students would move out of his way out of pure instinct to avoid his intimidating form. When he finally reached the staff table, Marcus took a seat beside the familiar form of @Caradoc Browne.

"Good afternoon," Marcus greeted, only briefly raising his eyes to acknowledge his colleague. The two men were well-acquainted with each other, having spent some time over the summer in each other's company, in particular healing after the events of the hag encounter. They also had a kinship with the Slytherin Head of House - although each of their relationships with her was very different in nature - who had also been scarred during the trek into the dungeons. Although she was a common link between them, Marcus acknowledged that he was also drawn to Caradoc's bright nature even without Nora. Browne reminded him of a childhood friend. He was a good person to laugh with when things felt too serious.

Since being back at the castle, Marcus would often say hello and occasionally ask the Hufflepuff Head of House advice on things. Like paperwork. The paperwork in this job was ridiculous. And the children were... interesting. He was tempted to tell Browne about the "welcome party" a few Ravenclaws had thrown him, but he had a feeling the Hufflepuff's reaction would have been much different. And then there was the dress code. Before as caretaker, Marcus had enjoyed the luxury of leather jackets and jeans and relatively comfy muggle clothing. Now as a Head of House beside the normally brown-suited Caradoc Browne, he realized he had to step up his game. He was not quite ready to say goodbye to the comfort of his Henley t-shirts yet, but he had changed to wearing dress pants today. Dark dress pants with a dark long-sleeved Henley. The Ravenclaw Head of House was making progress.

Marcus finished reading one particularly interesting riddle, and a thought occurred to him. "Are you any good at riddles, Browne?" he wondered, lowering the book from his eye line as he turned to the man beside him with a small grin.

Marcus' Intimidation is in effect.

It is a sentiment that enters people's hearts when they are in your presence. They feel dis-ease when you are present, even if the interaction is casual or even friendly.