Welcome to Gaia! ::

Herzog listened as riddles were exchanged. He liked riddles. Although he doubted he was clever enough to come up with something complicated enough to fool a sphinx. He began thinking and pulled out a small writing book. On one page he took notes and on another he began drafting a riddle of his own. Who knows? If he actually manages to fool a sphinx, he might become famous. That wasn't the brunt of his concentration at the moment. He was preoccupied with rolling his eyes when he heard the Slytherin girl make an attempt at a riddle. It just went on and on and on. Finally, she finished. Before the sphinx could attempt an answer, Herzog said, "A riddle doesn't talk itself in circles." He began to walk towards the front of the group. "A good riddle is short, poetic, and if you can manage it, clever." He didn't know why he insisted on denouncing this one Slytherin. Their houses weren't at a rivalry in any sense. He guessed it was mostly because he was tired of being ignored. He was technically a third year student, but he'd been home schooled for the longest time. By his deduction, he guessed this was probably an attempt to get attention. Either way, the damage had been done.

((sry, I already left the room, said so in my post))

Herzog raised his eyebrow and grinned slightly. One comment and suddenly these women were spitting venom. They both converged nearly simultaneously, so he decided he'd deal with them in the order in which they'd spoken up. Turning first to the raven claw girl, he said, "You misquote me. I said a good riddle. And while I've spoken out of place, I don't think I've done quite enough to deserve that gaze of ice or that dagger of a tongue." He'd have complimented her on her hair, but she didn't seem to be in the mood. Perhaps another time when he didn't genuinely fear having his head ripped off. Turning next to the Slytherin girl, he said, "Neither did I deserve to be threatened. Insulted, sure. Slapped, perhaps. But a threat in front of a teacher, let alone one of the more deadly creatures of the magical world, is hardly appropriate of a girl your age. Allow me to rephrase my criticism. It wasn't a very good riddle. It was a very well thought out conundrum filled with paradoxes that I myself wouldn't have the slightest clue how to find the answer. But most riddles are made to be deceivingly short and entertainingly challenging. Yours is as long as it is complex and challenging to the point of frustration. I hope you'll forgive my honesty." He turned and walked back to his place on the grass and sat. "Oh, and challenging a student several years your junior is hardly fair. I'm smart enough to know you'd best me in most... if not all...contests."

Gryffindor First Year
Hopelessly confused and lost in class, Drago approches Professor Kalle and asked. "Professor, I'm a new student to your class and I have no idea what to do. Can you help me?"

Kalle's eyes lit at the riddle. She was incredibly pleased by Ava's riddle, as it led you in continuous circles of possibilities. The sphinx however, did not seem as keen to hear the riddle as Kalle had. Her eyes narrowed at the Slytherin and she pawed at the ground before sighing. 'Could it be God?' she asked with doubt clear in her eyes. She greatly feared the humiliation it would cause her if she lost this challenge.

Then a boy from the back of the group stepped forward and voiced his own opinion on the riddle. Kalle watched the exchange as Ammy defended the riddle and Ava threatened the new Ravenclaw. 'Ava, be calm,' she said slowly, turning to the boy. 'And although her comment was unnecessary, as was yours,' she said, studying him. 'What is your name? And welcome, both of you,' she added, seeing the young Gryffindor approach her. 'We are currently in a game of riddles, so if you please, take a spot by the rest of the students,' Kalle said with a smile. She then turned to Ava and nodded for her to continue, whilst glancing at Ammy from the corner of her eye. She tried her best to aid her in her calming down by embracing an aura of serenity and peace while awaiting Ava's answer.

Herzog felt somewhat guilty. Ok, a little more than somewhat. He was sure the Slytherin girl had worked long and hard to come up with something clever. He'd have to apologize to both her and the Ravenclaw girl later. Not now. Not when their ferocity matched that of an enraged dragon. Trying to keep the shame and embarasment from his voice, he answered the teacher. "My name is Herzog. Forgive my outburst." With that, he returned to his notebook, scratching away with his quill. His face darkened with concentration. After thinking for a few moments, he flipped the page of his notebook and wrote the final draft of the riddle. This could be it. The nature of this riddle could be the one thing to finally stump the sphinx! He just hoped his turn came before class ended.

Lena

Lena watched as the riddles went on. When the argument between a few students began, she looked at Ava, observing her reaction and realised she seemed a bit angry. She wondered what it took to make a sphinx angry enough to attack and waited for the next riddle.

Fourth Year Gryffindor