Closed Strawberries to Share PV Tuesday

Tuesday had earmarked a page in his edition of 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.' At first, he thought it a good idea to mark down the page, but every time he ran his fingers down the pages of the book, that single crease bothered him ever so much. The man never really had an issue with clutteredness or disorganization. Look at his office- plants everywhere, papers flung lazily across his desk, and books opened half open. But this singular earmark was driving him crazy. He dragged his thumb over and back against the bent corner of the page as he inspected the contents of the page. He had read this book hundreds of times, like every other book in his collection, but he had still made it a habit to look through them in his free time.

As he read and reread the words on that singular page, Tuesday could feel the soft ache in his belly. He sighed, leaning back in his seat. The Herbology professor always had issues with eating regularly. His mind tended to be busy with the nonsense of one type or another. Yet, breathing in the soft scent of fresh dirt and grass that filled his office, Tuesday couldn't help but feel content in his little word, at least for a while.

A faint tap-tap-tap on his office door pulled the man out of his thoughts and back into reality. "Come i-" was all he managed before the door to his office was open. Standing there with treats in her hands, Tuesday recognized the new potions professor. Strawberries? It was tough for Tuesday to resist the fruit, and he couldn't say no to the company. Orion is a fantastic guest, but he had the knack of always talking about sweets. Standing up, the man would gesture to the seat opposite his own. "You can't read minds, can you?" He asked jokingly, "Strawberries are one of my favorites." Then, gesturing with his hand, he would walk around his desk to pull out the chair. It was only the polite thing to do. "If I didn't know any better, it would seem like you were trying to bribe me." The playful tone in his melodic voice made it evident that he wasn't being serious.

@Méabh Regan

The smile on Méabh's face widened just a touch at the humour in Tuesday's response and she stepped further into the room, letting the door fall shut behind her. He didn't seem put out by her sudden visit, which was a good sign; Méabh wasn't necessarily the most organised person at all times, be it in her office, scheduling, or the fact that she frequently forgot to bring her wand when she left her rooms. There were only two things she was meticulous about; her potions, and her study of people.

"Perhaps I can," she replied, her tone even, although she let her amusement bleed through in her expression. "Or perhaps it's my secret superpower to sense when handsome men are in need of strawberries."

Méabh would have likely made herself at home even without further invitation but followed his gesture willingly, setting down her bowl on one of the few free spots on the desk. Tuesday had rounded the table in the meantime and she looked up, curious, only to give him a first full smile when he pulled out the chair for her. "And he's a gentleman, too! I knew it was a good choice to come here first."

Taking the offered seat, Méabh immediately made herself comfortable, tucking one leg in underneath her, and leaned forward to pick one of the strawberries out of the bowl. A smaller one, those tended to be the best ones, anyway.

"Oh, I am definitely trying to bribe you," she replied, her voice absolutely serious. "Shamelessly buying my way into your good graces." She bit into the fruit, then made a pleased noise. It was sweet and juicy, without being overripe. A good batch, she'd have to thank the elves for providing them. "I am attempting to trade strawberries for access to your greenhouses, and for a potential favour every now and then when I need more esoteric ingredients where your expertise might come in handy." There were plenty of potions that asked for ingredients that needed to be harvested at the right time of day (or night), the right moon phase, or in the right weather. Offering strawberries in exchange for his help in collecting a plant in the middle of a thunderstorm during a new moon seemed like a perfectly fair trade, didn't it? "Don't tell Tala, because I'll be asking her the same favours but she's not getting any strawberries."

Biting into another strawberry, Méabh leaned back in the chair, looking over the man on the other side of the table. Her eyes were intent now, observing, categorising. That was another thing she'd come for, beyond meeting a new colleague; but it was something she wanted from anyone she met. Méabh liked reading people, finding out their stories, their ticks. It was a habit formed from years of observing, practising her very special skillset. "So, Tuesday," she said, swallowing and then licking the taste of strawberries off her lips, "your dialect tells me you're not from around here. What brings you to teaching at our lovely old castle?"

@Tuesday Irons

The Herbology professor was always used to either students or Orion just randomly popping into his office, so it was hard to stay perturbed by sudden appearances. However, the man was never perfect in receiving compliments, and as Meabh chose to call him handsome, Tuesday had to cover his face with a hand in fear that his face was turning as red as the strawberries on his desk. However, he would attempt to mask it as he was just rubbing the tiredness from his eyes. Finally, after pulling out the chair, he returned to his adjacent to the potions professor. "I love good company, and treats will get you far. Though, if you had gone to Orion with plain strawberries, he might have just demanded that they be smothered in chocolate. That man is obsessed with candy." His southern accent made his melodic baritone voice seem somewhat silly, but he couldn't help but smile at his joke at Orion's expense.

Well, you brought right in, but I will need more strawberries." Finally, Tuesday reached out his callused hand to gently snag one of the colorful fruits before taking a bite. "Though, you will have to follow my rules, just as the students do. I may ask for a favor in return, too." His lazy smile grew more playful, and he leaned forward in his chair. "Even if you are incredibly charming" As the woman mentioned another new hire, Tuesday couldn't help but feel that he should get around to interacting with the staff more often. He hadn't had the pleasure of meeting Tala, the new Care of magical creatures professor.

Tuesday held himself in a relaxed posture with a soft, lazy smile, yet something cold and stoney was hidden behind his baby blues. Yet beyond that, Tuesday was something of an expert at hiding his true feelings. Maybe it was years as an Auror that helped build his own skillset. But, honestly, he sometimes had to force his laid-back, carefree persona, though thankfully, he was a good actor. "Oh, a detective we have here." The man said jokingly, "Yeah, I'm no Englishman, but I was recommended the position by a higher-up in the ministry. So, naturally, I jumped at the opportunity. What about you, Miss? Alumni, I assume?" Mr. Irons was purposefully vague on who gave him the recommendation, and he subtly shifted the topic of conversation away from himself.

Having a lovely chat with @Méabh Regan

Méabh hummed, a cheeky smile tugging on her lips. The strawberries had been chosen based on her own preferences, although she'd decided there was a decent chance that Tuesday would appreciate them as well. If not, she would have just eaten them herself; but it was still just a touch satisfying to know her instincts had been right.

"Orion, you say?" she asked, mentally sorting through the catalogue of faces that she had met last night. "Tall, pretty-lookin' fella, French accent? Teaches..." She paused, frowning. Meeting twenty new colleagues in one night had been a little much for remembering every single face, name, and job, so she'd focused on names and those that held particular interest for her. Like Tuesday. But this Orion had been next to the Herbology professor, hadn't he?

Brightening up, Méabh held up a finger. "Defence against the dark arts! Right?" Obviously pleased with herself, she let the hand drop. "Noted, if Orion ever gets to enjoy my company, he can have the chocolate, and I will reserve the strawberries just for you." She smiled, offering Tuesday a conspiratorial wink. "Only the best for my new favourite colleague."

Relaxing a little, Méabh let herself watch the Herbology professor, the smile still playing about her lips. He had a nice smile, she decided, there was something relaxing about him that reminded her of Tala. Méabh was more intense, usually, more calculating, ever watching. "More strawberries I can do," she promised. "As long as you share them with me."

When Tuesday leaned forward a bit, Méabh mirrored the motion, amused. Was he flirting with her? Between compliment and body language, she thought he might be, not that she minded; she'd been flirting a little, after all, light-hearted. "I don't play by rules too well," she admitted. Which was funny considering she'd worked in the Auror's department until not too long ago, but it was true all the same. "But I'll try my best to follow yours." She narrowed her eyes, smile widening. "If we're trading favours, what am I getting for the strawberries, then?"

Something felt like it changed when she asked about Tuesday's past and what had led him here, although she couldn't quite put her finger on it. The smile was still there, and he hadn't moved, perhaps she was imagining it. Yet his answer remained as vague as it could be, and Méabh leaned back, suddenly intrigued for more than playful banter and pretty blue eyes. Nothing like a secret to catch her attention. "Yes, I'm quite proud of my observational skills," she quipped back. Which was true, although they certainly hadn't been necessary to notice his accent. He asked about her instead, that was only fair; and she didn't mind sharing.

"Caught me," she replied cheerfully. Her own Irish accent was just as much of a giveaway as his American drawl. "Alumni of ye old and proud House of Slytherin." She reached for another strawberry, chewing thoughtfully. "I was just thinking earlier that it's weird being back here. I travelled for a while after graduating, and then spent the last few years first training as an auror before working for the ministry. Wasn't the job for me, though, they kept me locked away too much, apparently my talent for potions was more valuable than my skill in the field. Tala's the reason I'm here now."

Time to turn the conversation back to him; if what had led him here was off limits, perhaps he'd be willing to talk about something longer past? "You attended Ilvermorny then?" Méabh asked, although it was an obvious assumption, barely a question. She bit her lip, mischief in her eyes. "Supposed to be a good school, although obviously not as good as Hogwarts."

@Tuesday Irons