Chapter Text
Poppy paced her pod. She was concerned. Barb… announced... That a creature that attacked her village. She was worried about Barb’s safety. It was dark. She had a hand on her chin. Pacing back and forth across her soft floor. She remembered the conversation she and Barb had on her beetlebike...
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"So, tell me about this beast," Poppy said, concern in her voice. "You said it attacked the city?" The Beetlebike came to a halt. Barb looked tense.
"...Yea, why do you want to know?"
"I'm worried, maybe Milton, our critternarian, knows what it is and we can help stop it?"
"Don't worry, Popcorn" Barb turned around to face her, a grin on her face that made Poppy's heart beat a little bit faster, though she didn't know why. "I got this" She flexed her arm, Poppy felt like someone lit her cheeks on fire. Stop staring, Poppy.
"Alright, just, let me know if there's any way I can help, 'kay?" Poppy said, her eyes turned into Puppy-dog eyes. Barbs smile softened as a funny blush spread across the Queen of Rock's face.
"Ok, Popcorn."
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There was a thud in the other room. Poppy was shaken out of her trance, hair going on end. Maybe it was just Branch or cloud guy.
"Or the beast Barb told you about", said a tiny voice in her head, Poppy quickly shook that thought out of head, creeping to the source of the noise. She saw something. a creature. Muddy reddish-pink with a bright red mane, a long, snakelike tail, horns, and...earrings? one of the ears was torn. Poppy has never seen anything like it. the creature was stuck in the window. Poppy approached.
"Are you stuck? do you need help, little fella?" Poppy said, slowly stepping forwards trying not to shake, she couldn't help but notice its massive claws. The creature growled, it raised its paw, scratching her, barely grazing the skin of her arm, she winced holding where she had been scratched. it wasn't bleeding. The beast folded its ears back, and whined in what poppy could assume was an apology.
"It's ok, I'm not going to hurt you," Poppy said. the creature froze. "do you want to come in?" Poppy asked the creature, which seemed to nod. "ok." She lassoed her hair around the animal's waist, and with a hearty tug, she pulled the critter inside, falling back, with the creature landing on top of her. it was wagging its tail, and panting happily, as Poppy pulled herself out from underneath the wolf.
"Arnt you a cutie!" Poppy exclaimed, petting the beast's mane, which was surprisingly soft. It wagged its tail, then stopped, pressing its nose against the scratch it gave Poppy. "Oh. it's ok, Uh, guess I should call you something other than just variations of the word 'Creature'..." She said. It licked the scratch. Poppy smiled. "Ya know, you remind me of someone.... how about I call you... Barbie?" Barbie looked at her with what Poppy knew was irritation but Poppy ignored it.
"Oh! You can stay as long as you need to! I don't why you're here, but, still!" Barbie just looked at her. Poppy melted at the cuteness of the pup. "OOOH ARNT YOU CUTE!" She ran over and hugged Barbie who started wagging its tail. and put an arm around Poppy, in a weird wolf-way of hugging back.
"I wonder what you are though... Maybe Milton knows... It's late though, I'll have to ask him tomorrow....so for now.." Poppy looked at Barbie with a mischievous grin... "MAKEOVER TIME!" She pulled out a makeover kit from seemingly out of nowhere. Barbie stood up and bolted out of the room. Poppy chased her.
"You can run but you can't hide!" Poppy said as Barbie ran away from her. Barbie ran into cabinets, shelves, and just being a clumsy puppy as she ran away from Poppy, who didn't even stop to pick up the mess Barbie left behind. But then, Barbie was cornered. She whined.
"...Alright, fine. I can see that you don't want a make-over" Poppy said with a sigh as she put away her make-up kit. The Wolf-creature tilted its head but didn't move from its corner. "I'm sorry Barbie." She gently outstretched her hand slowly, petting Barbie. "I shouldn't have done that." Barbie leaned into the pets. Poppy hoped that meant she was forgiven.
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After cleaning up, it was late, about 2 or 3 AM. Poppy yawned, she turned to Barbie.
"I can make you a dog bed if ya want." Barbie tilted her head. Poppy took that as a yes. She got spare blankets and pillows, making them into a sort of nest for the massive beast.
"There." she said, going to her bed after turning off the lights.
"Goodnight Barbie!" she called, as she barely saw the creature's glowing eyes go over to the 'nest' Poppy made for it and flopping down, as its eyes closed.
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Poppy woke up around 8 am, she was startled to find that Barbie, the wolf-beast she befriended last night, was no where to be seen. she frowned in dissapointment. She hoped that It'd return tonight, maybe. She yawned, got ready (with a song,duh) and heads to the libary. She wants to find if she can get anything on what Barbie is. shes never seen anything like the large wolf-beast.
At the libary, Poppy had a pile of books all about animals. She was in the middle of a book called "Wild and Wacky Animals: Volume 22" She sighed. she wasnt getting anything. this was boring. Branch would help her, but he was on a date with Hickory. She needed to let him have fun. She stuck out her tounge in frustation. shed have to ask someone else. She got up, closing the book. She left the libary, not even seeing the troll in running through the woods......