CH.2: Branch overboard
"I got this feeling…inside my bones…it goes electric wavy when I turn it on…" Branch was humming to a tune that was sung not that long ago. It was a song deep in his heart that rang out in joy and warmth that he could never be rid of.
Lately he had been exploring…doing stuff he normally would not due to fear of being caught by the Bergen. That was no more, the fear of the Bergen; in fact there was now a tradition of not eating Trolls to find happiness but instead to find happiness within. The Troll community as a whole was quite relieved to hear this and right now they were planning yet another event to celebrate, Christmas.
"I would rather board the trees than sing in with their merriment. I have opened myself to cheer and hugging…but…this is so much cooler!" Branch wore a smile as he made it to his destination.
Breathing in the fresh hue of the morning he held the board in his outstretched hand and could not keep the smile off his face. Having been so gloomy for so long his face was not used to stretching as much as it was. Poppy made it possible for him…and he would be eternally grateful to her. Poppy was…well…she was special to him. The only problem was he never quite knew how to form it into words. It wasn't like he didn't like her, far from it, but with her being Queen he felt he was better out here than standing around waiting for her to have some time.
"I feel the need, the need for boarding…and nothing is going to take that away from me. I have touched so many new places…and there is still so many more I have yet to board to, to embrace. Poppy would understand…she is Queen after all and besides…she probably hasn't even noticed I left the house."
The house he spoke of, well, it was one that he and Poppy lived in together. After their adventure he had realized that living the way he was…it was unhealthy. And so with some help from Biggie and Cooper he relocated his stuff…to Poppy's home. People assumed they were a couple but each of them always seemed uncertain…or denied it…utterly useless at times if one asked him. Poppy was…hmm…perhaps it went better in a song.
Branch: Hey there lady…you look so fine
I like the way you make me feel all the time
When we go out…people shout
There goes a couple we can go on about
Your hair is so fly and you sing real good
You make all the gray days go away
And yet…how do I define, the reasons in my mind
Do I love you? Can I say it…what must I do?
Branch then jumped on his board as he skated along, his blue hair trailing behind him as he held out his arms for balance. The song was nice…but it needed something more to it. Angling his body the right way he jumps up over a low hanging branch and lands back on the board.
Branch (cont): Your beauty is everywhere, your hair so long
I enjoy the way you make me feel
We can dance all night…with no one around
You surround me, bind me, make me feel like clown
I can do nothing wrong…when you are near
And in any given time I have no fear
This feeling you give me…I cannot define
However I will say…lady you look so fine
Branch was lost in time to the beat of the song, the way the surroundings enveloped him gave him hope, gave him serenity. There was something about his future that shined without fault, like he could not go wrong. However such thinking could get him in trouble and he did not wish any of that. The Bergen were good now…which left some bit of the evil they had been facing for so long down the drain. Trolls were not fighters, true they had hair and resilience in nature but that wasn't enough to fight new foes day in and day out.
The next time they truly got in trouble…would a song be enough or even setting up two Bergen from different cultural class? The future was always changing…and it was hard to just stand still and let it come to you…sometimes one had to meet this future head on. He was making his own destiny…just as Poppy was doing by helping the Trolls in their living for today…hugging it all out so nothing is ever left unsaid or expressed. Poppy was already proving to be quite the popular leader.
Branch (cont): In the end what can I say…
These feelings I have will never end
You and I are going places
Take my hand we will…oh…no…
Branch saw the feathers and heard the squawk coming at him before he even noted the obstacle head of him. That was one giant bird…it looked hungry too. Still this distraction cost him dearly as his board ran into the obstacle sending him flying and moving his arms about as the ground was fast approaching.
"Oh no, not good, shoot…my board!" He could reach it with his hair and save it…but…if he did that it would mean he'd hit the ground rather hard. "No no…you have got to be kidding me, ok board or me…board or me…blast!"
There was no way he could reach it with his hands…the board was falling at a rate faster than him. If he reached it with his hair it would take his hair to hold onto…which left him no way of securing hold of the branch closest, not his name, he was an original. Closing his eyes tight he flung his hair up to catch hold of the branch and the board continued on its descent. The crack of the board sent pain shooting throughout his entire body…though…it was his heart that was hurt the most.
"I'm sorry Grandma…I know how hard you worked on that…" Branch opened his eyes as tears began to fall down. His blue body began to turn gray as an overwhelming sadness took him. Down below the board just rested there…no point in going to get it…it was broken. His Grandma had made it for him and only she knew how to make it work…and she was gone.
The Holiday was ruined…there was nothing worth celebrating if he couldn't have his board. Hauling himself up he felt a slight fury over that bird. That bird would pay for breaking his board…which way did he go…right…that way.
Branch: You think you are so clever
You think you are so smart
I am going to get you…mark my word
There is no place you can hide
There is no place you can sleep
I will find you…no matter how long it takes
Storm or rain, sleet or fog
There is no rest for this Troll
I can see you now…cawing in your victory
This won't do, this won't set
Trust me my friend…you are…
What am I saying?
What am I doing?
I should go to Poppy and tell her-
No, the time is now, the time is here
That bird broke my board and he will pay dear
Let all who hear me, let all who see me
Best beware!
Branch followed the bird feeling rage overtake the sadness. Long ago he had let sadness pull him into a funk over his singing and not listening for his Grandma, now, he would take matters into his own hand. He would not work this through with a song or hug…this Troll was going to take it to the sky, avenge the loss of his board. No matter the cost.
Authors note: Branch is heading down a dark path as the Holiday quickly arrives. Meanwhile Poppy is still trying to figure out the perfect gift for Branch. A journey for Poppy is coming and will she be able to catch up to Branch and stop him before he does something he will regret…go where no Troll has gone before?