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It was a quiet day, and Aspen Polyphemus was very bored indeed.
She'd tried (attempting) to read a book, and had immediately been kicked out of the library, because "even if you put the pages back you are still CHEWING ON THEM!".
They'd tried making a Baked Goods in the kitchen, but hadn't been able to remember how you turned the oven on and knew how hot it was, and had nearly burned off his hand.
She couldn't even go and visit Otterson, since the troll was off kissing King Caius or something. (This statement cannot be confirmed since Otterson was unavailable for comment on account of a private meeting with the King of Clubs)
In short, Aspen had Run Out Of Things To Do. Truly, a terrible happening.
Then, Aspen had an Idea.
If she couldn't think of anything to do himself, why not just go and ask one of the trees Outside! There were many and muchsome, so surely at least ONE would have a suggestion!
And so, off the seven foot tall sillybilly went.
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20 mimutes and a debate with King Dani (Who Has No Bitches) about how no, shoes are for the INSIDE where there is carpet because carpet is evil on the feet, and how eventually she IS going to meet the pidgeon he has hidden in his room, Aspen had made it outside.
Marching purposefully through the forest, and definitely not getting distracted at all by any small shiny things no siree, Aspen reached a small clearing.
This was one of Aspen's favourite Secret Spots in the woods. It had a small pond, with a frog that liked to gossip, and a big very moss and lichenful rock, and several very chatty old trees. One an elegant weeping willow, and the other a grandiose, ancient oak.
"Hello hello!" Aspen says without speaking, the words whisper-worming their way down through the soil and into the intertwined roots of the two trees. Her tail wiggles, brushing over the surface of the long grass. "How are you today? Have there been any exciting weathers happening?"
She listens to the soft and slow creak-rustle responses, nodding happily as the trees tell her of the tremors in the earth and the comings and goings of beetles.
"That is most delightful! I'm happy to hear that you are doing so very well. And yes, I did bring it!"
He carefully picks back up the bright yellow bucket she'd been carrying, and neatly and carefully begins to spread freshly composted plant remains over the area around the two tree's trunks, humming a soft tune.
Their wings have emerged from his back, currently carefully folded so as not to bump into anything.
"Yes, you're right! There are some dandelion this time. There was a patch trying to bloom under Roulx's bed, and I told them not to, but they did it anyway, so I had to take them out."
Aspen finishes the task, and flops back into the grass, wings spreading out behind her like a cape, as she looks up into the leaves of her two conversation partners. Her four purple eyes squint ever so slightly, since it's nearly midday and even with the very nice shade his friends are providing, it's still a bit bright.
"Oh! Before I don't remembering, I have a question for you! I have nothing to do today. Do you have any ideas? I have tried oh so many things, but none of them were right!"
They pause to take a sip of fruits juice, before continuing, lips tinted slightly purple by blackberry juice.
"I am so very boredom filled, but I can think of no things I can do to become unbored!"
The laughter of the trees and the forest is the wind in their branches, shaking their leaves with mirth. It's the lapping of the water in the pond as insects dance over it's surface. And it deeply disgruntles Aspen.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, big-little sapling," The trees whisper in gentle amusement. "You've already solved your problem! Are you not already enjoying yourself simply talking? You seem very unboredomed to us! Sometimes, a problem's answer is so obvious, we miss it because we are so focused on trying to find a solution."
Aspen blinks a few times, processing the words, and then realises that yes! She isn't bored anymore! They'd spent so much of the day trying to find a way to get un-bored, that he hadn't even realised when it happened.
They burst out laughing, collapsing onto her back as she giggles.
"Thank you! I feel much better now!"
They smile.
"You are most welcome, dear big-little sapling. Now, do you have any new Stories for us today?" The trees ask, once Aspen is recovered.
"I do! Do you remember about my small friend Paeden? Well..."
And with that, Aspen launched into telling her friends all the latest exciting happenings from the Castle, and spent the rest of the day Outside with her friends in the forest, feeling much better, and thankful for being bored and unable to solve it.