Two Kinds of Solace PV: Alexx Closed

@Alexx Séverin

When night fell, consuming an endless sky in a black void with scattered stars igniting what would otherwise be empty, the demons and the angels went to bed, leaving nothing but a hollow Persephone to revel in what they created. Sleeping was daunting, pointless, and most of all, abhorred by the blonde girl, whose no longer nightly rests were plagued by the heavenly creatures that remained awake, bringing unknown coldness to that which should be warm. Refreshing and replenishing. Instead, sleeping somehow left her more tired, exhausted from slaying the creatures and fighting away the symptoms of the plague. Even laying in the bed became futile, the incessant staring at what lay above and leaving space for scavenging thoughts becoming just as agonizing as the act associated with it.

On this night, similar to the quiet ones before it, Persy eased away from her dorm, the sounds of the dormmates gentle breaths (and one in particular that snored) hopefully masking the noise of her receding footsteps followed by the squeal of an unwilling door. It seemed that only in the moments you wished it wouldn’t that a door decided to scream at your departure or arrival, like it missed you. Like it wanted you to be seen. Pushing this aside and finally exiting the Common Room with a thankfully empty mind, the first year started her gradual route to the Courtyard, illuminated by a sea of constellations that swam in it, just as it had been the previous times.

It was no secret that the outdoors was her haven, a safe place ironically enough, where no one could find her, trap the girl in their teeth. Nature wasn’t on her side, but nor did it rule in an opponent's favor, a completely morally grey force that not only worked on its own, but inspired Persephone to do the same. Not to act in the favor of another, a routine she’d become rather accustomed to. Feelings were associated with that, and those were a monster that fed on impulse. The air on her skin, producing goosebumps along her arms, yanked her from this tormenting train of thought. Sunshine, moonlight, rain, snow, or hail, it was all beautiful in its unique manner, a timeless distraction from the woes of existing among the living.

Moving to sit on the grass, allowing her pale fingers to brush through it, feel it between them and support her endlessly, a relaxed smile fell upon her face for the first time in draining weeks. The soul that was slowly being deprived of that which it thrived on felt replenished in one glance from a crescent moon, a consistent observant confined to no limits, a black hole of galaxy. Isolation could only contribute to this, a rather populated setting of the school finally empty at her wishes, though more credited to the fact that curfew had vanished with the will of the wind. If this state could be maintained, forever alone and never lonely, that would be the entirety of an ideal world that would never bleed into this forsaken reality. For the rest of eternity, disruptions would emerge in solitude, quiet consuming those who yearned for noise.

The light of the moon and stars that shone above enlightening her face, Persephone closed her eyes, allowing it to seep into her pores. Gentle breathing almost like those who were able to slumber in comfort, her lips moved wordlessly, forming unspoken words. This was, after everything else, the only time in life that didn’t require the assistance of her chaos. Two kinds of solace existed, havoc you controlled, and the peace you created. Most times, she preferred the former.