Annie was definitely not in here because she wanted another look at the handsome Magical Creatures teacher.... noooooooo, no, not at all. She was here because.......... because....................... creatures! Yes! Creatures were cute and cuddly and maybe she needed some comforting or something since she missed her husband and son.

That was all.

The redhead let herself into the playpen area and paused just inside the door. Oh, how thoughtful of him! He had provided aprons for people who didn't wish to dirty their outfits. What a brilliant hire he had been, see? She smiled to herself and tied the apron around her waist, then went off in search of... things to play with, or whatever.

"Heeeere baby kneazles," the redhead called out as she slowly entered the playpen. Slowly, because it was getting colder outside these days, and also slowly because her hip was hurting her today. She must have slept on it funny the past week. "Here kitty kittys! Come out and play!"

Other creatures could come too, but she probably wouldn't be willing to pet them. Germs and stuff, you know.

So Tiara wasn't the world's biggest creature fanatic. But Jason was. So here she was, trying to get a handle on the furry little beasts so she could connect with her boyfriend. She had signed her name, just in case Thompson wanted ALL interested parties to sign, not just students.

Walking up to the playpen, she spied sets of gloves and aprons. An interesting combination. She donned both and entered the pen. "Oh, Anastasia! I wasn't expecting to see anyone here." Hadn't she been a creature person back in the day? This was perfect.

Annie was just debating going back for a bottle or something, since apparently the baby kneazles were playing hard-to-get, when lo and behold.... in walked Not Erin.

Yes, that was what she was going to call her from now on, especially in her head.

"No--- Tiaaaaaaaaaaraaa," oops, almost slipped up there. "What a pleasant surprise." Anastasia smiled sweetly at the broomhead. "Yes, this place is rather empty, isn't it? Maybe he keeps all the cute animals in his hut."

She laughed. Get it, because the CoMC teacher was a cutie too?

Had Anastasia forgotten her name? 'Tiara' definitely did not start with 'no.' This was her second year on staff, so if the Headmistress didn't know her name yet.. well goodness, that would be quite sad. "It is indeed." Pleasant, that is. "In his hut? It would certainly have to be a very large dwelling for so many creatures." Yes, that had been completely lost on the Ravenclaw. "But I did expect more students. I saw several in the stables on my way over here. Perhaps the more, ah.. interesting animals are there." Which was exactly why Tiara wasn't.

And speaking of which.. "I think you very well could be just the person I was in need of, actually." It was entirely possible that the Headmistress would have no desire to help her out whatsoever, but it was certainly worth a try. "I'm looking to expand my horizons a bit, learn some new skills. Creatures have never much interested me, but now.. Well, I have some motivation to learn."

What exactly she wanted Anastasia to do she couldn't exactly say, but Tiara was not anywhere near her comfort zone in this pen.

"I didn't mean that he kept literally ALL of the creatures in his hut, obviously," Anastasia remarked with a bit of a stare in the quidditch official's direction. Must she take everything so literally? Pfft. Clearly this woman was a born Ravenclaw. Nerd alert!

She raised an eyebrow as Tiara said she was the person she needed. "Oh?" She listened and made her way farther into the playpen, her blue eyes still casting about for something cuddly as she walked. Maybe there was a niffler nearby, that she could sic on the frequent flier. "What's your motivation to learn?"

Annie squatted down by a log and sort of tilted her head to peep inside. Furry thingies, come out and play with us!!

"Well naturally not." Apparently it had been such an awful attempt at humor that Anastasia had not even caught it. No matter, Tiara knew she wasn't a very funny person. She made her way further into the pen, making sure to securely close the gate behind her. No creatures would be escaping because of her, thank you very much. Especially in front of the Headmistress.

Tiara shook her head a bit. Annie was walking away from her. Clearly that was the reason Tiara was having trouble hearing her, yes? "I'm sorry, come again?" And this time, face the person you're talking to so they can hear you.

Come again? Was the woman deaf?! Anastasia attempted to turn on her heels, still in the squatting position of course, and found that her legs appeared to be locked in place.

"My...my..." the redhead muttered to herself and reached a hand out to the log as stabilization. "Come here, Tyner, would you?" Surely the oh-so-athletic quidditchophile would be able to help her out. "I think I have a muscle cramp."

Ohhhhhh these old hips of hers!

Had she already repeated herself and Tiara had just missed it? Because... she definitely hadn't heard anything. But she DID hear the next request. "A muscle cramp, you say? Oh dear, that won't do." She had seen too many of those in her day to... In my day? Goodness, I'm not that old. That phrase needs to be gone from my vocabulary. "You just need a bit of a massage is all. Here, let me just get down there."

She bent down to position herself and that's when she felt it. Pop! "Oh... dear. I think it's possible my back just went out."

This.. was awkward.

A bit of a massage?! Anastasia's eyes widened at the mere thought of being touched by Not Erin, and her hands would have gone out to shoo the woman away were they not busy helping her keep her balance beside this log.

Then there was a POP! Quite audible, even to her. "Was... was that your back?" The redhead's eyeballs were positively bulging now. "It can't have been, you're... you're not even forty yet, are you? How did your back just POP out?"

First Flamsteed, now Tyner. She was surrounded by weaklings. Meanwhile, Annie was just positive her legs were losing blood due to circulation being cut off in this awkward squat.

Wow. Internal groan. She.. she was definitely in pain. "Yeeesssss," she managed to get out. "Whether or not you think it could have been, it WAS." And no, she didn't think it necessary to correct Anastasia's misconception about her age. She had the records in her office, and if she was really that curious, she could easily open up the personnel file and see that the official was 44. Temper shorter than normal due to the pain she was currently in, she replied a bit waspishly, "If I knew how it had popped out, then I would just pop it back in."

Time to enter into problem-solving mode. "Okay. So how are we going to get out of these less than desirable poses?" Seeing as neither of them could move without significant pain, that was going to be a hard question to answer. She craned her head around to see if there was anyone in sight. "Ohhhh. Mistake. Ouch."

My my, but the Not Erin could be saucy when she wanted to be. Heh. "Temper, temper, dear, I've a trick up my sleeve." Literally, Anastasia's wand was up her sleeve. She shook it free with a wince --- she really must try not to pivot too much on these hips of hers --- and flourished the wand so Tiara could see.

"I'll just send a patronus to the Creatures expert and he'll help us out in no time." He was a big, strong handsome fellow. Surely he'd be able to solve their little... er... muscle cramps. "Try not to move," the redhead commanded as a nonverbal nundu galloped out her wand. "The same thing happened to the Astronomy nu-- professor last week, did you know?"

Maybe something was going around. Some kind of... nah, that didn't make sense.

Luckily the Play pen just so happened to be a moment away to Javy as he had been in his office. After seeing and hearing the patronus, he made his way out towards where there was an emergency. Walking towards he could see Anastasia and Tiara in a-well.. predicament state as Javy tried to imagine how they ended up like that. "Ladies.." Are you alright? Pssh, like he was going to ask that when they obviously weren't. Instead he just got to the point as he got closer, "..Where does it hurt?" He had mended a few creature's bodies so humans weren't all that different in theory.

Not amusing. She was not a student to be patronized. But it wouldn't do to get snippy with the woman. "Trick? I think we may need more than a trick."

Oh, that's what she meant. Tiara watched the shimmering patronus shoot off towards Thompson's hut for a brief moment while it was in her range of vision. "I think I have the not moving thing down pat, Anastasia." She couldn't go anywhere even if a manticore came charging at them out of the forest. "Flamsteed's back went out? I hadn't heard." Surely that was unusual. He is younger than I am, isn't he?


Her musings were interrupted by the appearance of her new favorite colleague of aaallllll tiiiiiiime. "Oh, thank you for coming so quickly!" Hopefully Anastasia had said it was an emergency. Letting out a groan, Tiara replied for both of them. "EVERYWHERE." That should have been obvious with even a short glance. "Now DO something, Thompson!" Before they were permanently frozen in these positions.

This Not Erin person WAS awfully snippy, Bunz was RIGHT for judging her so quickly. Just look at the attitude she was giving their handsome rescuer!

"Jaaaaaavier, you're simply my new favoritest person ever," the redhead went the honey route instead of the vinegar one. "I seem to have developed a muscle cramp in my....er... thighs...." she cleared her throat for a moment. "If you'll just pull me up I daresay I'll be able to stretch out my legs and be fine."

OR SO SHE HOPED.

"Tyner, on the other hand...." Anastasia shot a LOOK at the woman, "she says she threw out her back. Would you believe that?" Maybe all she needed was a well-placed karate chop to the spine.

Wow. Listen to Anastasia pour it on. Tiara had never been the type to.. er.. woo people that she wanted something from. Muscle cramp in your thighs? Sure it is, Annie. SURE it is.

Tiara managed a grimace smile at the Care of Magical Creatures professor. "Anastasia and I both definitely heard something pop, in the very least. Well it's out or not I don't know." Personally, she had no idea what Javier was going to do about that, so she didn't offer any suggestions. "By all means, take care of our dear Headmistress first. Although.. I think I probably am blocking you from doing so."

Goodness, not that Javy could feel their pain at the moment.. but he could imagine based on the sounds. "Sure thing, you both will be fine in no time." Right, time to be professional even though it would require some.. handling. Ahem.

Since Tiara was closest to him at the moment, and in the worst shape -no pun intended- Javy took his wand out before placing his hand over near her shoulder to maintain a steady grip. "Okay, I'm just going to cool your lower back.. now-" Just to prepare for any sudden tingles. Wordlessly he placed the tip against the small of her back, before sending a icy cool spell onto it. While heat made sores and pain feel good temporarily, and they usually ended up inflaming the damage. "Just breathe and very slowly wiggle around before you can feel the cricks loosen.." Waiting for the results beforehand.

Crouching to where Annie was lying, she insisted on being pulled up, "Alright then.." If she said so. If it didn't work, well, he was strong enough to keep her balanced along with the fence. Best place to fall ever. Taking a hold of her hands into a steady grip, "Ready?" Time to stretchy-stretch.

Well, at least one of them was confident that the two women would escape without permanent damage. She took a deeeeeeeep breath and then exhaled slowly as he put his hand on her back. Mentally steeling herself for whatever pain was about to occur, Tiara said, "Ready. Let's just get this over with."

And before she knew it, her lower back started to get VERY chilly. She followed his instructions, slowly wiggling back and forth. Breathe in, breathe out, wiggle. Breathe in, breathe out, wiggle. In, out, wiggle. "Well, it's starting to go numb, which is certainly better than the pain from before." She kept wriggling around and breathing and eventually she heard a POP! issue from her back.

She attempted to stand up, tentatively feeling the small of her back. Tiara took a step or two, gingerly at first and then more confidently. Looking over, Tiara noticed that Javy was about to work on Anastasia. Surely she was in capable hands, after the magic he had just worked with her own body. "You could have been a Healer, Mr. Thompson." Truly remarkable, it was.

Of course they would be fine. They were in very capable hands right now, and Annie was confident in her former student. That didn't stop her from watching the icy-back-thing with wide, curious blue eyes though, nor did it prevent her from nearly falling over when Tyner's back POP!'d again.

"Well well," she murmured under her breath. "Miracles ARE possible!" Ha, no, only joking. Magic was to thank for that miracle.

And now it was her turn. "Ready," Annie nodded in the affirmative, giving hottie Javier's hands a small squeeze. "Pull me up, please!"

"Easy now.." Javy had watched, to make sure she didn't go overboard on getting her twerk on body popped back into place. Alas, he was feeling warm and quite relieved just as she after seeing her get back on her feet. A healer.. "Thank you, Tiara. I did have a few years working at a Shelter previously that taught me a few tricks." He hadn't expected to ever use them, especially in this event. But oh well, it saved them from further embarrassment.

Now it was onto Annie as their hands were interlocked. "Okay, one-two-" Then Javy began pulling her up.. a little higher than expected as her feet now hovered an inch from the ground. Well.. it enough for her to begin the stretching.. Did it help? After a moment, he gently lowered her feet to meet the ground again.

Sander decided he would visit the other creatures in the playpen today. Grabbing an apron from the gate, he opened the gate and slowly walked in. He was making his way down towards the creatures when he saw the Headmistress, the Flying Professor and the Care of Magical Creatures huddled together.

Trying not to look like he was prying but intrigued at the same time, he quickly glanced over, as he walked past them, and saw that Professor Thompson was seemingly trying to adjust both women's backs? Was that right? Sander thought to himself. He had the craziest urge to approach them and ask Professor Thompson to help do his too. It had been begun aching right after last night's ice hockey practice.

However, not wanting to interrupt the trio, he kept his eyes straight ahead not wanting to be seen having glanced in their direction, Sander hid a smile as he walked on past them and towards a damp ditch where he figured he would find the Flobberworms.

One...two...ohhhhh she was floating, floating off the ground and in the air!

"WhooooAAAAAAAAaaeeeeeEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeEEe!"

The Headmistress made some sort of gleeful sound when she became unstuck. "My, you ARE strong," her blue eyes were locked on Javy's in fascination. "Thank you EVER so much, J-- Professor Thompson." There was a student in the playpens now, so she had to be extra professional. "That... I think that fixed me right."

She touched the formerly sore spot on her hip and didn't feel a thing. "How are you doing, Tyner? Recovered?" What a blessing totally not in disguise this Care of Magical Creatures man was. Mhmmmmmmmm.

So their Care of Magical Creatures professor had experience in this arena? That explained why he did not take long in deciding what needed to be done. "Well I'm grateful for the expertise. I'm just going to stand back and stretch a bit."

She leaned down and attempted to touch her toes but came up quite short. This may take awhile. In the mean time, Anastasia was making some quite... interesting noises. Tiara rolled her eyes as she subsequently sweet talked the man.

How was she? That was a good question. She rubbed her back gingerly and attempted to twist about. "Nearly there, I believe. And yourself"

Well, that was definitely something. Javy after the amusing reaction from Annie and Tiara's appreciation. He was quite glad the two were back in their regular form. "You're welcome.. you both should take it easy for now."

How utterly embarrassing it would've been for the two if it had happened in front of other-oh, there was a student there. Hmm.. He wondered if one of his better students, Sander had seen everything, but he looked to be more interested in that area for flobberworms.. Right. "I think some drinks are in order.. " Javy knew fluids were vital now. He heard of pickle juice being one of the best drinks for the aches, but didn't think either were tempted by that.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Annie exhaled and replied to Tiara. She looked down at her outfit and hurriedly adjusted her top that had risen up. Take it easy... right, well, that had been her plan all along in coming out here. All she'd wanted to do was cuddle with something furry! Was that too much to ask?!

Next time she wanted to pet something furry, she'd just feed Gingersnapple a treat laced with sleeping potion and force him to stay on her lap all night. Hmmph.

"A drink?" Annie looked up from straightening out her outfit and looked over to Thompson. "Something warm sounds lovely, actually."