Naturally, Branch could hear Poppy coming long before she approached him. He groaned inwardly, mustering all his willpower to put on a bright grin for her.

"Branch!" she cried happily, throwing her arms around him. He returned the hug willingly enough, but was grateful that she kept this one brief. "I thought you weren't coming."

"I wasn't," he confessed, "but I decided it might be time to give it a shot. I'm not getting any younger, you know," he added with a chuckle. His eyes hadn't left Poppy for an instant. Her dress fascinated him - the intricate designs of the gold ribbon on the airy white fabric complemented her magenta skin, reminding him of an idyllic sunrise.

"So...you don't mind...?" Poppy ventured.

"Mind what?"

"Me joining the search!"

"Poppy, you're the Queen. You can do whatever you want!" Branch reassured her, forcing himself not to choke on his words. To be honest, he had been looking forward to this day too. In previous Springs, he had merely rolled his eyes at the frolicsome antics of his fellow Trolls, but Poppy's absence from the bunch had not escaped his attention. As much as he knew that every eligible Troll would probably be on her like slime on a snail, he had decided it might be time to cast aside his doubts and throw his name into the mix. He loved her - oh, how he loved her more than anything in the world - but he would let it be her choice, not his. If she deemed him unworthy, then who was he to tell her differently?

Poppy took his hand and led him back to the mushroom, then stopped. Something was different about him. "Branch," she whispered, sniffing the air, "are you wearing...musk?"

His blue face flushed until it was nearly as dark as his hair. She'd noticed the scent he had rubbed on himself in an attempt to shed the image of the old, sweaty, reclusive Branch. He had thought about asking Satin and Chenille to make him a new pair of trousers to replace his patchwork shorts, but by the time he decided to actually participate, there was no time left. So he had settled for boiling down some spruce needles with a little rubbing alcohol, and after a quick bath, the homemade cologne was ready.

Poppy inhaled the scent, and a grin spread across her face. "It suits you, Branch," she assured him. "Now come on - let's go!" She resumed her stride, still leading him by the hand to the mushroom where she'd left her friends only a short while ago. Cooper had left to follow Smidge, and Fuzzbert was wandering through the young Trolls with his kazoo held up...somehow.

"What's with Biggie?" Branch inquired.

"Oh, he saw a Troll he really liked," Chenille began.

"...but she went off with Guy Diamond instead." Satin finished.

Oh, boy, thought Branch. This won't end well...

Biggie had put the strawberry tart back in the basket, and was now staring morosely at the ground. Poppy eyed him worriedly, hoping he would be able to overcome his heartbreak before the end of the day. In the distance, she could see Zia and Guy Diamond still dancing. DJ Suki had atempted to follow them on her Wooferbug, but they were spinning and stepping so fast, even she couldn't seem to keep up. Finally, the Wooferbug trudged back to the rest of the Snack Pack, emitting a shrill wheeze as if out of breath. Seeing that Branch had joined the group, DJ waved to him. "Smellin' good there!" she called out.

"Uh...thanks?" Branch blushed again, hunching into his vest a little. "So...Biggie...what sort of goodies did you bring for the ladies?"

Still focused on the ground, Biggie mechanically reached into the basket and pulled out a creampuff, handing it to Branch. He examined it questioningly, tilting his head in confusion. "Wow, you're really taking this bad, aren't you? So Guy just waltzed in and stole her out from under your nose?"

Biggie shook his head. "It's only fair - he made the first move."

Branch did the only logical thing he could think of - he took a bite out of the creampuff. The pastry was still warm, and he closed his eyes as the rich cream melted on his tongue. "Mmmmm," he murmured. "She doesn't know what she's missing."

Now it was Poppy's - and the rest of the group's - turn to tilt their heads at Branch. He was known for having a sweet tooth, but it seemed he was enjoying that creampuff just a little too much. As he swallowed the last bit of pastry, he felt everyone's eyes on him. "What?" he snapped. "It was delicious! If that girl doesn't appreciate Biggie's baking, she doesn't deserve him!"

"She had one," Biggie murmured sadly.

"And you just let her get away with it?" Branch scoffed. "C'mon, man - where's your sense of pride? Show her that you're just as worth it as Guy Diamond is!" He jumped up and clapped his hands sharply. "Put your chest out!"

Biggie rose to his feet, drew in a breath, and puffed out his chest as instructed. After a minute, he couldn't hold it in anymore, the breath escaping him like a deflated balloon.

"Good start," Branch noted. "How many of those creampuffs do you have left?"

"Branch!" Poppy protested. "He needs those!"

"I didn't mean for me!" Branch shot back. "There's bound to be another girl or two around here with a craving for pastries. Maybe if she realizes there's competition, she'll work a little harder to get him back. You don't really think Guy Diamond is the only Troll she's interested in, do you?"

"Uh...Branch?" Poppy tugged at his vest, causing him to turn his head. Guy Diamond was glaring at him from about six feet away, while Zia had a horrified look on her face. Her pretty yellow cheeks were flushing pink, and her knees wavered slightly as her large turquoise eyes began to fill with tears.

"Thank you, Branch!" Guy Diamond's voice was low and angry. Without another word, he whirled around and marched toward his pod. Zia turned to watch him go, but did not follow.

Poppy ran up to Zia and surrounded her in a comforting embrace. "Please excuse Branch," she begged, glaring at him from the side. "He didn't mean any harm - he's still learning to be social."

Branch glared back at the harshness in how she had said his name, but he knew she was right. He slumped against the stalk of the mushroom in guilt, not wanting to stay, but not willing to leave.

Over Poppy's shoulder, Zia could see Biggie gazing at her wistfully. This was her first Springtime as well, and she certainly hadn't planned on it going like this. Guy Diamond was charming, true, but there was something about Biggie that made her heart smile. Silently, she broke free of Poppy's hug and stepped cautiously toward him.

"I...enjoyed the creampuff," she whispered shyly. "Thank you again."

"Don't mention it, " replied Biggie with a sigh. "There's plenty more where that came from."

"Do you think," Zia began, "that I could maybe sample more of your pastries sometime? I really do love strawberries, and I'd be interested to see what you can make with them."

Biggie's heart leapt into his throat. His hand hovered over the basket, ready to produce the strawberry tart. But something made him hesitate. "I'd like that, Zia," he smiled gently at the young Troll. "But the day isn't over yet. Go and enjoy yourself, and if you haven't found someone by sunset, I'll be here. If you're still interested, that is."

Zia smiled again - a real smile, as bright as the Southwestern sun. "Thank you!" she cried. "I'll see you around, Biggie - I can't wait to try more of those pastries!"

Biggie watched her go, then gave Mr. Dinkles a squeeze. The chartreuse worm nuzzled into his master's arm lovingly. Walking over to Branch, Biggie set the basket on the ground. "Here - I won't be needing these anymore."

"What?" Branch was shocked. "But - you worked hard on those! Are you sure there isn't another girl you might even have a hint of interest in?"

"I don't think so," Biggie murmured. "My heart has never felt like this before, Branch. Zia makes it glow. No one else has ever had that effect on me."

"Hint hint!" DJ sauntered over, prodding an elbow into Branch's side. "All these years you've avoided this shindig, and you finally decide to join in at the same time Poppy does? You're not fooling anyone, Mr. Spruce Musk!"

"Do you have to call me that?" groaned Branch.

"Quiet!" Satin and Chenille ordered simultaneously. "You've got work to do! Now take these and go change!" From out of nowhere, the twins produced a fine pair of black trousers and a loose white shirt with blue and gold trim around the collar and sleeves. Branch was about to ask if Poppy had put them up to it - when he whirled his head around and realized she wasn't there.

Oh, great, he thought.