Chapter Text
It was early morning. almost full moon. Almost Barb was rudely awoken by a fluffy bat, Debbie, flying in her face, wanting to be fed.
“Alright, Debbie. Let’s get you some grub, yea?” she stood and yawned. Lazily going to the kitchen. Riff was nowhere in sight. Good. less she saw him, the better. She gave Debbie her breakfast, a bowl of various insets, and proceeded to pour herself a bowl of her favorite cereal- Rocky Pebbles. She sat down, eating her breakfast, hardly awake at this point. Her bones ached. It was if they knew what coming tomorrow night. And the next two nights. She groaned. She should make herself some coffee. She stood up, going to the coffee maker, preparing herself a cup. Wasn’t there something important happening today? She knew what tomorrow, but today..? She couldn’t recall...
“Queen Barb!” Riff interrupted her train of thought. “You’re up early,” he said, his head tilted to the side in curiosity
“Debbie woke me,” Barb said, taking a sip of freshly brewed coffee, black, the way she liked it.
“Ah.” Riff said “well, um, you should probably get your queen duties done. You have that leader get-together at Pop village, remember?” Riff said. Barbs ears perked up, much like an alert dog. Pop Village... another chance to see Poppy... Barb could feel the faint blush creep up her face like a wolf stalking its prey. How ironic. All Barb could do was nod.
“Rockin’. Riff said, Giving her horns. Barb hesitated.
“... I won’t be coming home until the end of the full moon.”
“What!?”
“....its… safer… this way... Remember what happened last time?” Riff shuttered but nodded in understanding.
“You’re in charge till I get back. Make sure to take care of my dad. If there’s an emergency, send Debbie. Got it?” Barb said, her eyes were hard, but both of them knew she was just trying to cover up the fear both of them had… had of her…
“Me!? Why me?” Riff exclaimed. Barb looked at him with a soft smile.
“Well, ya know Dad can't do it, ‘sides. You’re like a brother to me.” Riff’s face lit up like a firework.
“Ok… I’ll do it!”He said with a beaming smile. But concern also etched his face.“What should I tell the kingdom, your rockness?” Barb thought for a moment.
“Tell ‘em I’m hunting the beast.” Riff looked alarmed. “Don't worry. I’ll come back injured and say I chased it off. From now on, Whenever I go beast, I'll get as far away the day before. No more incidents.” Riff nodded slowly.
“Ima get ready. Do my duties and head out. You got this?” Barb asked, tilting her head, heading out the kitchen past Riff, looking back to him, Debbie fluttering behind her. Riff nodded. ”great. I have a party to attend”
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Barb was the first to arrive. A rare thing for the rocker to do. She was usually one of the later people to arrive. She was greeted by an excited Poppy. An excited poppy who was running towards her, arms wide open. Before she could process the cute troll that was Poppy, she found herself being hugged by the queen of pop.
“BARB!! So glad you can make it!!” The shorter troll said, looking up at Barb, who has been here for only five seconds and was already a blushing mess. “You’re here early! That’s a surprise!! You look red, are you ok? Are you sick?” Poppy bombarded her with just a mountain of cuteness. Barb stared into Poppy’s bright pink eyes before snapping out of it, saying
“What?? Nah. I’m fine, just, change in temperature, ya know? So much different from the Rock kingdom, ya get me?” Poppy nodded excitedly
“I getcha. Can you help me set up? I’m having trouble lifting some of the… er... Heavier items. Normally Branch would help me, but he’s busy today. Pleeease??” She begged, her hands clasped together and her eyes like a kitten. To say Barb melted was an understatement.
“Ok, ok. Ya don’t gotta beg, I’ll help ya.” Barb said, looking around the… party? Was this a party? Knowing poppy, probably. “Whatcha need me to do?” she asked, looking around.
“Oh. I just need you to move that amp to the other side of the room and push the table to the middle. Think you can do this?” Barb nodded. First pushing the table into place, it was long, long enough for all the leaders to have a place to sit. Poppy was bringing out a large cake, waiting for the table to be set. She glanced up, was Poppy staring at her? Nah, probably just her imagination.
“Piece of cake.” She chuckled at her pun. Poppy gave her a wide smile
“You’re a riot, Barb” Poppy said with a wide grin that made Barb want to squee like a lovesick teen
“Oh?” Barb said, raising a brow, deep down she was having a gay panic.
“Yea! You’re so funny” She went on. Going back to setting up the party, Barb picked up the amp and put it where it needed to be. Suddenly, a caterbus pulled up. “Oh! That must be the others!”
Poppy offered to send the caterbus once before, but Barb insisted on using her Beetlebike. The other leaders rolled out of the bus, smiles on their faces, but they slightly faltered once they spotted Barb. she couldn’t blame them. Delta Dawn walked up to Poppy and Barb.
“Barb! Yer here on time” Barb could tell Delta was biting back “for once”, but she didn’t say anything.
“Actually, she was here early! Helped me set up before you guys got here. I’ll be right back, gotta greet everyone else!” Poppy said skipping off to the other leaders, Barb’s gaze following her. She felt a smile spread across her face
“Cute ain’t she,” Delta said, in a low whisper
“Yea…” Barb said, trailing off, her smile got wider. “WAIT-” it was too late. Delta knew too much. That damn cowgirl.
“Dun worry, I ain’t gonna spoil yer little crush on ‘er. Better make a move soon, huh Tumbleweed?” Tumbleweed. Delta’s nickname for the prickly disaster lesbian barb. Yep. checks out. Everyone else was getting in their seats, Delta as well. Barb looked to see where her seat was. Poppy was at the head, seeing as she was hosting. Barb was, well, next to her. Next to barb was delta, across, the king and queen of funk. Perfect.
“Let’s start the meeting!” Poppy’s voice rang like a bell.