Sleep Yoga Errand Finished

Mentioning: @Jack Burnett & @Hjørdis Jensen

The lure of house points had lost its enticing draw over time, leaving all the work of riveting attraction to the pure premise of any coming errands. Astronomical amounts could be awarded for tasks as simple as preparing another wilted bouquet and Persephone wouldn’t so much as twitch. Maintaining complete stillness in the grave that had been dug for her, ready to endure the hurricane as it wailed, the allure of such tranquility was imprisoning. To bring the animal into the sun in spite of its shadow, it would take immense effort, and that alone was enough to keep the tired fanatics away.

Sleep yoga, an activity defined by two others that Persephone rarely invested time in, wouldn’t bring her by itself. To sleep was to surrender to a nameless enemy that carried its destruction from the inside out, seething through each organ system until they’d all recessed and failed. Admittedly, the treacherous cycle was matched by the idea of a refreshing nigh not roaming under the unrelenting flicker of a million stars, utter serenity. That is, until the terror resurfaced, and the odds were once again stacked against it. Yoga, on the other hand, was merely an exercise for those with no interest in movement, or who took great pride in displaying their flexibility to the population. Combine the two, regardless of accuracy, and it sounded a recipe for discomfort and diminishing dignity. Yes, logic said this errand wouldn’t bring Persephone forth. Not without a tempting invite.

Jack Burnett, perhaps, wasn’t much of a talker. While he’d exhibited this in the many letters written with her name scrawled across the top, Persy knew it to be incredibly untrue. In fact, his words buried him under the earthly soil of questions and concerns, to be answered with a shovel that instead brought the demon closer to the iron core. A suppressed part of the Slytherin girl wondered how his approach differed with her or even related to others in a manner she was unaware of, why he hadn’t formulated a sentence to die in instead of writing a note. It was elementary, my dear. But it was written in the essence of fascination, curiosity, feigned concern or compassion that made his neck look like a glow stick to be activated. It was enough, just barely; the girl pocketed it and left the dense Great Hall to dress in a more breathable outfit. All grey, obviously.

Since meeting her angel in the Rehearsal Room, Persephone had made a point to visit now and again, dance with its architecture and drown in its stunningly crafted acoustics. It sang before those in it, took steps before their eyes, lived and breathed as one of them, more than that. Tonight, it was decorated differently, tile hidden by mats and spectacle drained by the presence of so many flies. Of course, the majority had ceased this opportunity, she’d expected no different, though that anticipation didn’t alleviate the disappointment. Just as all other aspects of the monumental universe, nothing ever lasted, and nothing would be composed of loveliness up until its demise.

In an inner war, the snake took her place beside the ginger, who’d already been present upon her own arrival. If the purpose of something as ridiculously titled as sleep yoga was to suffocate one into an everlasting slumber, the inviting ease of fatigue would be combated by his presence. Not only would he remain in her peripherals, as if a monstrous danger, but the muggle-born would occupy a deep crevice in the girl’s thoughts. Out of all the shattered students with habits of ‘overthinking’ (his words), why choose a personified grim reaper? To ruin his ‘relaxation’? The inquiry wouldn’t be graced with an answer, she supposed, though it wouldn’t wither in the cold.

Persephone sharply shook her head as they began, taking a starting position. A sense of bliss hadn’t been expected, to feel as a feather in the beautiful world. But it had come, a crashing tidal wave as soon as the professor’s voice radiated across the attendants. Deep breaths. Both inhaling and exhaling burned, as though the air had turned to water since her eyes closed so trustingly. Still, she didn’t hover, clearly pressed against the floor in an upright fashion as she took those fiery breaths. In very little time, Professor Jensen’s voice had melted into directional music, keeping time with their silent gasps for comforting air, a metronome. When her shimmering emerald eyes fluttered open again, their head of house had shifted on the mat, speaking as she did so with that strong voice. Directing them, Persephone following along grudgingly but with caution to glide correctly. With her legs in such an awkward position, breathing had become a labored thing. Sleeping swan, they should really find a different way to sleep.

Following that discomfort, Professor Jensen instructed them to a new position, standing forward fold. Every movement was meant to be performed with such grace, a dancer in the Rehearsal Room with subtle tapping of their heels to the floor, but now just silence. Quiet rolling and moving with such ease as water flowed on a river, something that couldn’t be replicated even by someone like Persephone. Yet, staring at the head of house, it was a sublime sight of complete control. The blonde would try, regardless, body tense and uncomfortable. Yoga, only perhaps, took more effort than once believed, though this credit would not be granted out of pure spite. The purpose of ‘sleep yoga’ was still relatively unclear, Persy far too awake to drift off as it seemed a few other students may have, ungrateful of Professor Jensen’s effort for the evening. Relax our bodies and minds, she’d said. It sounded so simple.

The next few moments were an indistinct blur, parting her feet as instructed and folding herself over to be put away. Standing forward fold was, without an ounce of doubt, oddly painful but doable. Everything within felt pulled and strained, as though the blonde was becoming exhausted from simple stretches. The relieving pain was only slightly soothed by gentle sways from side to side, listening to the professor as their evening continued on its course of poses. No matter what she would say, as her hands grazed the floor, a small, minuscule part of the blackening soul was glad she’d come.

WC: 1057/1000 (Errand Complete!)

Reducio

I apologize for how late I've joined. Thank you for the errand, as always!

Hjørdis smiled over at @Ivy Bellamy and nodded, "Sleeping is completely fine," She whispered back. It was kind of sweet to see how many people had started to doze off. Her eyes scanned the room - pausing as they fell onto her fellow Head of House. Quirking an eyebrow, she could not help but smirk at the sign. He... had also fallen asleep? Well then. The man was laying flat on his belly, sleeping. That was... rather unexpected. She had not really anticipated anyone to actually fall asleep right now, rather just help make them a little sleepy but it appeared to have worked wonders on quite a few people.

Those that were still awake were invited to continue. They worked their way through a few more moves, before going into the corpse pose. Here, they laid down on their backs and closed their legs. They stayed in this position for twenty minutes, whilst she gently told them to focus on different things. Like their breathe, seeing how it flowed through their body, focusing on the inhalations and exhalations. Or their body felt. Her tone of voice was softer than it usually was as she guided them through it.

After the exercise, she thanked everyone and allowed them to leave whenever they were ready to get up. Silently, she sat there for... a while. Perhaps another fifteen minutes, allowing time for people to wake up and head back to their dorm rooms. Covering her mouth, she yawned. Her silvery eyes scanned the room, there only two people remaining. One was the smallest Hufflepuff she had seen and the other was their Hufflepuff's dad figure. The pair of them were sleeping so soundly.

It was hard to fight back the laugh that wanted to escape. @Jake Morris looked utterly adorable, fallen asleep with his little teddy by him. He was actually in a restorative yoga position that was great during different forms of yoga where you might need a break. It was rather cute. The papa badger was... just laying flat on his belly, without a care in the world it seemed. She almost felt bad waking the pair up but... it was getting to curfew and she needed to get the room cleaned up.

Moving the remaining mats with magic to stack in the corner. She figured she would give Caradoc a break and clean up herself. After she was done, she moved to him, gently shaking him awake with her hand on his shoulder, "Hey... Cara?" She whispered softly as she shook him awake. He stirred in a moment or two, "Sorry... The session is over... Can I get you to take Mister Morris back to his dorms?" She asked, motioning over to the sleeping child with her eyes.

Though he might have been sleepy, he nodded, mumbling out some words. She saw him carry out the young badger, smiling to herself at the sight. Jake was utterly adorable. She shook her head, smiling to herself as she picked up the remaining mats. Cleaning up the room, she then carried the stack of mats out - with magic, of course - to put them away. It was probably fair, after she made the hufflepuff head carry them all - without magic. This was karma. But she could not even be annoyed. She was just glad that so many people seemed to find the session useful. Hopefully it would help them all get a good night's sleep. They could use one.

[Permission obtained to godmod Caradoc]
[THREAD FINISHED]