where the wood nymphs grow {ivy}

[aspen]

so i'll waste my time and i'll burn my mind
ON MISS NOTHING, MISS EVERYTHING
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Long, slender legs dangled over the side of the branch, swinging back and forth lazily. Aspen’s currently slate gray eyes were focused on the ground below…On leaves dancing across the dirt with the urging of the wind. It was a gentle breeze, and it made Aspen long for some sort of company, even if it were the sky nymphs. She had been sitting up here all morning, as the centaurs were all in horrid moods and decided they wanted to fight today. She considered alerting Chiron to the matter, but he had campers to deal with and she wasn’t sure how well the more sophisticated centaur would deal with his outrageous family. They would settle down eventually, they always did, but it was always safest to stay out of their way. Poor Briar had been injured by them last year. The centaurs could be good fun when they weren’t drunk and at everyone’s throats, but it seemed a rare occasion that they were calm enough to socialize with.

The woods had been calm for a while now, so Aspen finally deemed it safe enough to hop off of her branch, landing easily and gracefully on the ground below. She needed company, craved some sort of socialization before she went crazy! There wasn’t much to do around the year. There were very few Year Rounders at camp and it was therefore more difficult to find one in the forest or even go out to visit any of them. Besides, it seemed as if all of her favorite people were the Summer kids. It really was too bad, as she did enjoy the company of the demigods, but she at least still had her sisters and cousins around to play with, the centaurs when they were in better moods, and the satyrs now and then. There was even the great Dionysus, Mr. D., when he visited his garden, but he was never in good moods, and while his temper would make him fun to toy with, even nymphs knew not to anger the gods. Maybe he was earth-bound for a while, but he was still a god, and an important one at that.

She didn’t have to walk long before sensing the presence of another. Aspen smiled giddily and bounced on the balls of her feet through a couple of trees. “Hellooooo? Ivyyyyyy!” she sang, throwing her arms around her sister. “Did you see them?” she asked with a giggle, pulling away and glancing in the direction she had last seen the centaurs. When you were fresh out of the way and out of harm, the way they acted was somewhat amusing. Some acted just like buffoons! She only wished she knew what silly thing they were fighting over this time.

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Miss Nothing - The Pretty Reckless;; lyrics
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[ivy]

Ivy laughed as she sprinted through the woods, the sound floating over the angry thundering of hooves behind her. Her dark hair streamed behind her, as did her mid-length skirt. The pearly green, semi-translucent dress was one of her favorites, but both it and her skin was now speckled with dirt from playing with the centaurs - considering that they weren't at all in a playful mood.

One of the stuffy centaur elders, Thor, was convinced yet again that the woodland centaurs were under attack by the mountain clan. Centaurs were noble warriors, but they weren't all good by any means. A fighting rage coursed through their very blood, and it didn't take much to send it boiling to the surface. Ivy knew this, and she had dropped in on serious Thor as he attempted to instruct the younger centaur boys on battle tactics and self-defense - literally. She had crawled silently along an overhanging tree branch and fallen accidentally on purpose onto the centaur's back. He had reared in surprise and Ivy laughed and hung on for dear life. His hooves had slammed back to earth with a deafening thud, and by that time, nothing was to be found of Ivy but laughter in the trees. Thor had snorted and tried valiantly to go on with his lessons, even as Ivy popped in and out, tickling the students and shooting dull, harmless arrows at the teacher. The students found her to be a hilarious breath of fresh air, but not Thor. She could practically see the fury bubbling higher in the palomino's body, and when she had dipped in for a sharp tug at Thor's tail, that had been the last straw. With a loud yell, he had taken off after her, his students galloping behind to see what would happen. Centaurs were fast, but as a wood nymph Ivy was faster, lighter, and much more nimble. She had sprinted through the woods, laughing and loving the feel of the soft grass beneath her bare feet. She weaved in and out of the trees, and kept running until she heard the pounding of hooves begin to diminish. Only once they had faded almost entirely did she slow down.

Finally, Ivy halted, breathless from laughter and running. She pushed her dark hair out of her eyes and giggled, confident that she was no longer being pursued. She sighed deeply, proud of her work, and turned to walk almost straight into Aspen.

Ivy laughed and hugged her sister back, her eyes still bright and twinkling. "See them? I suppose you could say that..." Ivy answered her with a wink, mischief evident in her tone. She giggled, tugging at her sister's hand. "You should have been there! Oh, it was so funny. I don't think I've ever seen Thor that angry. At least those poor boys got some relief from his constant droning," she said, swinging Aspen's hand playfully.


tagged! aspen!
outfit! click!
notes! yay!
credits! carolyn's sweet blasphemy *

[aspen]

so i'll waste my time and i'll burn my mind
ON MISS NOTHING, MISS EVERYTHING
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aspen smiled uncertainly and shook her head at Ivy. She enjoyed playing with the centaurs as much as the next person…The centaurs and satyrs and other nature lovers, but there were just times when even a wood nymph had to say no. “After what happened to Briar and Maple before her, I wouldn’t get near them when they’re like that,” she said with an uncertain laugh. Nymphs were renowned for their fun and carefree spirits, but even they had to learn caution at times…And after what had happened with her caretakers before coming here, Aspen knew that better than anyone. They were talented, sure, and immortal…But immortality and invincibility were two different concepts entirely. “Briar was begging the gods for hours to be reborn into a cherry tree,” she recalled with a small laugh. Her sister had been so certain she was going to die, and honestly Aspen had thought along the same lines. Her body had been so mangled after being trampled on by the whole pack of centaurs. Ever since Briar was a bit hostile towards the centaurs, as Maple had been before her. Maple had left Camp Half Blood entirely after that.

“Everyone would think I should be reborn as an Aspen tree, but I think a willow would be much nicer. The godlings do so love playing around the willow tree,” she said with a bright smile. Every summer the godlings would love to dance around or hide beneath the willow tree, and Aspen was always there with them, giggling and letting them chase her, and climbing the tree higher than any of the silly demigods dared. She’d once hidden Bradley Schuster’s clothes at the very top and dared him to climb all the way up to retrieve them, and merely laughed when he was too frightened to do so. He just left them there for a few days until the other campers complained about his smell and he begged her for an hour to get them down before she relented and tossed them (accidentally) into a pile of fire ants. Just because it was an accident, though, didn’t mean she didn’t laugh merrily when he began screaming his head off.

“They’re so much worse when they’re drunk, I don’t get it. Other beings, they lose abilities…They seem to be more brutal and talented than ever when drinking,” she pointed out with a giggle, this time more amused and lighthearted than the other ones. She was feeling in a better mood now that they were gone. She didn’t mind it most days, but today had reminded her very much of the day Briar had gotten hurt. “I bet Briar’s shaking her limbs off in a tree somewhere! I wish there were more godlings around, they’re always so much fun to play with! What shall we do now, Ivy?” she chattered on, her spirits increasing drastically the more time that passed. It wasn’t hard to get over little bouts of fear and paranoia…There was too much fun to be had on a beautiful day like this to be cooped up in a tree somewhere like Briar.

ivy;; tag
this;; wearing
fill in;; wordcount
yay =D;; notes
Miss Nothing - The Pretty Reckless;; lyrics
emilita of caution 2.0;; credit

[ivy]

Ivy rolled her eyes fondly at Aspen's warning, flashing her a bright and amused grin. Even after what had happened to Briar and Maple, there was little that intimidated Ivy. Even though she had been solemn and sorrowful when the event actually occurred, by now she was convinced that she was much to quick and nimble to suffer the fate of the other two. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the centaurs' reactions were much more intense when they were already riled up about something, and that was one of Ivy's favorite times to play with them, whether they liked it or not. They usually didn't.

"Oh, Aspen," Ivy giggled, shaking her head dismissively. She knew her sister was only concerned for her well-being, and Ivy really was grateful. But there was no need for her to be so worried.

The subject turned to that of trees, and what sort of tree Aspen would turn into. At first Ivy would have laughed and given the obvious choice as an answer, but as Aspen went on, Ivy thought about the subject a bit more deeply. "You're right... I think a willow tree would suit you much better," Ivy decided. "What sort of tree would I be?" she asked with a laugh, giving a twirl in front of her sister so she could get a good look.

Suddenly the topic returned to that of centaurs, and Ivy giggled at the way Aspen's conversations were jumping back and forth all over the place. Nymphs were usually hyperactive by mortal standards, it was part of what made them so amusing. Once Ivy had even found one of the demigods' secret stash of candy, and had stolen nearly every piece. She had even left a playful little thank-you note, though she had been smart enough not to sign it. She hadn't, however, been smart enough to pace herself with her new rations. She had become instantly addicted to the treats and had eaten every last one, resulting in a sugar rush to remember... in fact, Ivy hadn't slept at all that night.

"Well, I for one wouldn't mind getting cleaned up," Ivy replied, laughing as she looked down at her dirtied dress and mud-speckled skin. Thor had kicked up a good bit of earth trying to get her away from him, and while Ivy had been quick enough to dodge his sharp hooves, she had still been splattered with dirt.

"Let's race to the creek!" Ivy suddenly announced, taking off before Aspen could even think of a reply. She had rested long enough to get her breath back, and was already aching for some sort of activity. She laughed, loving the feel of the wind in her hair and the ground flying beneath her feet. It was almost like flying.


tagged! aspen!
outfit! click!
notes! yay!
credits! carolyn's sweet blasphemy *