"Valdis has to be as big as it is so I can have a full wing between the boys and anyone sane at all times," Martel notes, probably kidding ... well, mostly kidding, anyway, carrying his glass and taking in the view. 'Positively medieval' is not only a good description, it's probably one of the reasons he's as comfortable here as he is - a little of the familiar goes a long way.

He would be hard-pressed to describe Severus as a 'friendly face' without choking on his own laughter, though, so open indications of their admittedly sort of close friendship are almost certainly out of the question.

"And I'm more social than you are."

The fact that he can say this and, despite the 'aggressive fuck off' wards, have it be true may say more about Severus than it does about Martel.

(Who is merely in denial about being a social creature, actually.)