Chapter Text
She had woken up early that morning in a good mood wrapped up in her warm spider silk sheets. She had spent most of her night personalizing each invitation, especially since this was the party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her father saving everyone from the terrible Bergens.
This always happened when a new party came up and the excitement would feel like it was thrumming through her body thus make her lose sleep. She would be running on fumes later on unless she found somewhere nice and comfy to take a nap, her mind sluggish and body even slower. She may be the most energetic Troll with her seemingly endless energy from nowhere but she did have her moments.
Rolling onto her right side and huddled even more into her blankets, the previous position of laying on her back pinched her muscles uncomfortably making it hard not to squirm while waiting for the sun to come up and place its warm rays on her village the previous bright colors dulled by the night only to be resurrected by the light that would soon to be flooding through her windows so she could finally get up and get the day going to leave her anxious thoughts.
She had so many invitations to hand out and so little time. Wanting to get the day going but still feeling the pull of her relaxing bed she snuggled further into her sheets, the mixes of the various plants and grasses placed inside her mattress filling her senses with the impression of home.
During time in bed with her thoughts time had passed rather quickly she got up and got to business about fixing herself up like usual. Getting into the shower wouldn't be so bad considering she had lots of time still, the rays of light gently sparing their warmth and pushing their way into her home to light her way across the hallway.
She skipped to the bathroom that was just opposite to her bedroom quickly stripped herself of her dress and underwear and stepped into the shower the warmth making her muscles visibly sag in relief.
A tune came into her mind and while acknowledging the fact that she would be working up a sweat in just an hour or so with her throat soon to be sore from projecting the music of her heart so far in hope of it reaching every Troll, she decided she may as well do it as a bit of a warm up.
Maybe she could hum instead? 'A little warm up would be pretty fun!'
It always calmed her to sing, hum or even dance a bit due to her being on edge to be doing something productive for her people or friends.
If not she would be off the walls fiddling with her hands or doing some odd things like weird concoctions of her foods, like the time she had pseudo assassinated the king with a sandwich purely made from the slime excreted by the common Jubju slug which while was harmless definitely was not to be eaten.
Oh boy he was so sick afterwards.
When she was done washing up she twisted the knob and the spray of water slowed to a stop. She then walked back to her room, not after a towel was placed on her head, chest and waist to prevent a water trail following after her steps.
Drying up entirely and disposing of the towels she then walked to the closet and chose her usual dress, the thick shoulder strap that came diagonally across her chest left to right to clasp on with a piece of string in the middle and the bottom of the skirt slightly flaring outwards - the fabrics soft, generally having a fuzz like quality that her people adored to the point it became a popular trend - the aqua blue at the bottom of her dress with little light blue flowers rising up into the plain darker shade because hey, it's her style. She was not going to break that now.
'Not to mention it's my FAVOURITE color!'
She then began to style her hair up into her normal ponytail that rested on the top of her head, the blue elastic wrapped tight to keep her hair in place and to ensure that no stray hairs appeared later on in the day causing her to take out her elastic and style it again because come on it's such a pain to do that.
Placing her normal flower crown on, the small band fitted perfectly to her head enough not to make it stand out and be disguised as a headband of sorts.
Fixing one of the flowers on the band that had turned slightly astray from its original position she nodded and decided she looked nice enough to come out of her house-pod.
Walking into her kitchen she pulled out a few vegetables and fruits from her cooler unit, never liking sweets in the morning when the chunks of sugar kept getting between her teeth, stuck to the sides and roof of her mouth. It had left a bad taste in her mouth more than once and by the end of the day her mouth smelled awkward, which was one way to say it.
Lunch was another time she loved her vegetables, but usually her favorite part of the meal was when Dragon fruit was involved. Her dearly loved fruit and even the colors on the outside was appealing! Supper was not an issue because really who was she kidding at that point, she would eat anything. Literally.
When she was young probably about four years old, maybe two or three years before the whole sandwich incident, she ate a whole tube of glitter just to vomit it up an hour later and get cheered on like a champion at the colorful sparkle vomit produced.
Ah, good times those were.
Most Trolls only ate sweets as they were nutritious but it did not seem like it was okay to eat them day in and out like most did. She figured that is why she had more energy than most to use or put away. She had never forced any habits of hers on other Trolls as most would not bother to change and she couldn’t blame them, honestly.
Maybe when she became Queen it could be a rule to put more healthy foods out for everyone or balance between the two!
Standing at the opening of her pod she took a deep breath and brushed off the nostalgia this morning brought to her. Shaking her body head to toe, the shaking making it look like a wave came through her body and got lost somewhere in the floor. Talking herself up usually into doing things helped her gather her thoughts and relax.
"Oh this is going to be so much fun!" She pushed the petal of her pod open with a gigantic smile that only she could pull off as genuine, on anybody else it would look like it hurt. Opening her mouth wide to project what she was singing, she started.
“She calls out to the man on the street
'Sir, can you help me?’
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?'
He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street,"
At this point Poppy was getting weird looks from other Troll’s on her choice of music but she flashed them a bright smile and a come hither motion with her hands and arms at any who looked doubtful to encourage them to keep going or join with her song. It spurred the rest of the Troll’s on more but not quite enough yet. The bolder ones joined Poppy, creating a perfect harmony between them all the beautiful voices whether young or old, off or on the note, the voices molded the song and beat like calloused feet stepping in mud to create a direction and deciding where they wanted to go.
The rest deciding to join her and the others, she seen her friends off coming towards the mixing of Trolls in the distance being with most the village in her choice of song and hesitant with how slow it was. But they could never resist the temptation of a full on village wide song just like the rest.
She lost them somewhere in the back after her vision was blocked by the mass of Trolls mixing together creating a mass of heat that was almost visible to the eye, the smell of sweat coming from all directions as people waved their arms and bodies around giving it their all, even though it didn't fit everyone was partying hard and having fun.
“Seems embarrassed to be there
Oh think twice, it's another day for you and me in paradise
Oh think twice, 'cause it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise, think about it
She calls out to the man on the street
He can see she's been crying
She's got blisters on the soles of her feet
She can't walk but she's trying
Oh think twice, 'cause it's another day for you and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise, think about it
Oh Lord, is there nothing more anybody can do
Oh Lord, there must be something you can say
You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that she's been there
Probably been moved on from every place
Cause she didn't fit in there.”
This whole song had started as a slow one, the beat malleable to her and the Trolls harmonious natures. But she did not suspect it could ever get so out of control like this. Everyone is in on it this time and Trolls at this point are ignoring everyone but themselves and the ones they are dancing with singing at different times, beats AND notes. Most a semitone off but others are and entire chord down!
She laughed loud and happy, the sound not even making it past a few feet as this sort of chaos in songs are actually pretty rare even for their exuberant nature and only happen when people get pretty pumped up after a slow start.
She had Branch in her mind originally for this song when she had suspected the days they sang the 80's he was less grouchy and after a few experiments it turns out she was right. Liking to think that she could make his day even a bit better for however much he complained.
"Oh think twice, 'cause another day for you and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise, just think about it, think about it
it's just another day for you and me in paradise
it's just another day for you and me in paradise, paradise
Just think about it, paradise, just think about it
Paradise, paradise, paradise.”
When she stopped with her chest heaving and body thrumming she was filled with an indescribable feeling after everyone was joined in and gave it their all.
Pink faced from all the blood rushing to her cheeks she yelled out, "Okay everyone! That was a great warm up! Go home and take a breather because tonight is going to be amazing!"
A resounding "Yoohoo!" and other cheers was thrown around the crowd with Troll's of all colors and sizes clapping, hugging and celebrating more in excitement of what was to come. Of course a disgusted face or two was made when a particularly sweaty troll hugged another.
"Princess Poppy's-... to live for!"
"I wonder if there is-... the sparkly juice they had there last time there..."
"She must be tired-... making all of those invitations. Look at the bags on her eyes, the-..."
She had stopped mid step and her ears flicked towards where she had heard the words. With voices cutting in and out of each other and with so many she couldn't tell. Did she really have that bad of bags?
This morning they had been only slight from what she remembers. But if the other Troll's really are noticing than she must have a nap soon. She nodded to herself, spinning on her heel to head out and give everyone their respective invites but a slow, sarcastic clapping made her stop.
"Unbelievable guys, really. Really great. Good job. Only problem? I could hear you a mile away!" The voice started off as sarcastic, leading off into a disgruntled hiss as to not be too loud to alert anything near them.
If sarcasm and disbelief was a poison, you would be dead ten times over.
"Really? That's great I was worried we weren't projecting enough." She said in a wheezy voice still trying to regain her breathe. Being the lead singer in a lot stuff was hard on one's voice, y'know?
"If I can hear you so can the Bergens!" He hissed again still speaking quietly, eyes shifting around, his ears swinging around this way and that way listening for anything like a Bergen or a predator could barge in any second.
She watched his ears for a second really admiring the way he could do that. No other troll could move their ears in any direction his usually did from what she knew. His ears were also more pointed than any other that made him look more, how could she say it? Animalistic. If that was even a word.
If not she would just decree it as one as soon as she was Queen that it would be. She just chalked it up to him being born like that or the years in the wilderness made him change physically somehow along with mentally. 'Definitely mentally,' she added. It would only make sense with how doe like his actions were.
"Oh boy," She heard Guy Diamond speak his accent flowing distinctly behind her making her jump slightly. When did they get there?
"Here we go again." Said Cooper to finish Guys sentence.
"Oh Branch." Came Biggies lilting voice in exasperation.
"You always ruin everything," Came Satin followed by Chenille. "Warning us about the Bergens."
"No I don't." Branch replied his face twisted in confusion showed he didn't know what she was talking about.
"Come on! We haven't seen a Bergen in 20 years Branch. They aren't gonna find us." She put an emphasis on twenty years hoping that anytime soon it would get through his head.
"No, they aren't going to find me. Because I'll be in my highly camouflaged, heavily fortified Bergen proof survival bunker."
"...You mean you aren't coming to the party tonight?"
"But it's gonna be the biggest..." Satin and Chenille started off.
"The loudest...!" Continued DJ Suki.
"...Craziest party ever!" Cooper cut her off in a shout completing the sentence.
A chorus of cheers rang through the air as everyone got excited at the prospect of the party occurring later on tonight.
"Big? Loud? Crazy? You're just gonna lead the Bergens right to us!" His voice cracked in the middle of his sentence with frustration with his arms waving for more emphasis on the matter.
Cooper leaned in and whispered into her ear and like any Troll he didn't know how to keep it quiet and subtle. "Do you really want this party pooper to poop on your party?" Well Branch definitely heard that one if his expression was enough to go by.
"Yeeess I believe everyone deserves to be happy." Poppy pointedly looked at Branch with a smile on her face.
"I don't do happy." He sent her a dark scowl in what seems to be an attempt to ward off her bright look. Too bad it wasn't going to work.
"Branch. I know you have happiness inside you, you just need," she waved to all of her friends around her, "To find it!"
Poppy brought the invitation out from her hair to show Branch and as soon as she stopped moving she popped open the side to reveal a green felt Branch with black hair holding heart surrounded by green grass, on each side a circular flower. It went on to exclaim 'Celllllebrate freedom from the Bergens!'
After the little tune was over it sprayed sparkles all over Branch's face, all the while he didn't even flinch. He patiently waited until the stream was over, a very long stream of sparkles thank you, and the last little pump of sparkles floated down to the ground. He held his hands towards her and she looked at them with a little surprise.
'Please don't let him destroy this one.'
She sneaked a peek at his face to try to predict his actions but it stayed neutral, his eyes blank and the smile on his face looked wrong. He took it from her gently his fingers barely brushing against hers and the warmth that came off was surprising for such an emotionally cold Troll.
She guessed that everything seemed so cold about him to her most times that even his body would feel cold. His hands that looked so strong that looked like they would easily break any other Troll's wrist and his arms subtly moved with muscle every which way he moved, the typical chubbier male Troll body mostly covering it but not with total success.
Doing a lot of weight lifting in the wilderness with sticks, branches and boulders would do that to one she guessed.
As she gotten caught up in her thoughts he had taken the time to study her invitation with an inkling of interest though that did not stop him. In a blink of an eye it had been carelessly thrown down on the ground and his foot descended on it with such an angry force it made her flinch.
His heel crudely stomped it into the ground filth rubbed into the once vibrant colors now made dull with dirt, every movement causing her heart to ache and her eyes to get wetter. She was so sure the sparkles would at least show him. She put so much effort in it for him and maybe give that push for him to come.
Loud gasps were heard behind her along with a deep "Oh my god" but that is not what she was concerned about at the moment.
"Let me get this straight," He paused for a minute to take in a mouthful of air and exhale, "I wouldn't be caught dead at your party. But you will be caught, and dead."
A buzzing sounded in everyone's ears before they heard a, "Easy Branch, easy!" I was Creek! He would know what to do. Creek let the bug leave with a quick "Namaste" and a bow with his hands pressed together before addressing Branch in his easy going way with a smile and calm demeanour.
"Okay first of all mate. Thanks for sharing your unique perspective on things. Again." Creek gave a look back, making Biggie and Cooper giggle. She didn't get it.
"But just for now why don't you just try some positivity eh? A little positivity might go along with that vest!" Creek mocked. Branch narrowed his eyes at Creek the air turning colder than before.
"Okay, fine. I'm positive you are all going to get eaten." He said with a wave and a smile faker than plastic.
He promptly turned to leave but the chorus of the bells on everyone's bracelets made him stop and tense, each one ringing a different tune right after the other but still creating harmony. Her heart jumped for joy and grabbed the Troll closest to her, trying to get away had turned his back towards her.
Her front molded against his back comfortably, the feeling of his soft back made her feel warm and when she started to lean on him to get more of that feeling he supported some of her weight and that is when she felt the concealed muscle under his vest clench in a small effort to keep them upright. His warmth seeping through his vest and through her dress to tease her skin and make her want more.
She didn't feel the rest jump in with her and Branch and wondered why until she heard the content 'hm's' and 'hah's!' behind her from them. It seems they decided not to join in on her hug with Branch. While she really did enjoy being smothered to death by them she was okay with not having the group squeeze the life out of her at the moment as long as it stayed just her and Branch.
The way his back never tensed while they were embracing and even seemed to just relax made her day a little brighter. Giving her a sneaky thought to try out later on just like her '80's experiment'. 'A true conspiracy that one.'
Cracking the code and lining up the clues just one conclusion had been hard and if she must say so, she is good at picking up emotions. He finally shrugged her off gently with a roll of his shoulders to turn around and push a few inches away, but that was all it took for her to see the blush on his face, an unidentifiable color she could not for the life of her put her finger on that seemed to just barely conceal his true color, his teal eyes still so bright with color when the rest of his body was dull and almost lifeless in a way.
He seemed to startle away from her in a hurry of embarrassment of being caught staring but not before grabbing his sticks and running full speed for the woods and successfully getting away, blending in quickly and disappearing before her eyes. Caught indeed, she smothered her enormous smile.
Turns out she had got him in a weak moment for the first time since she has known him. She had some invitations to hand out and a plan now to set in place.