Yes, it took me that long to ask because I had to make sure I wasn't making a mistake.
. . .
And it turns out I was.
Specifically, it was exactly when DJ finally arrived at Volcano Rock City with Barb that she began to have second thoughts. The city in question was so far detached from her understanding of Rock Music and basic lifestyles in general that her mind was running circles and creating a fire whirl. And she had absolutely no idea in the slightest what a fire whirl even was.
There was little-to-no color to go around. And whatever color there was, it was severely downplayed in favor of the central color scheme of black, grey, and white; even so, the additional colors were red, blue, and blond, which was also the hair color of a fair few. Speaking of which, their hair often stuck straight up with the ends falling down, giving them a far more wilder look than the other five Tribes she took note of. When the strands were not falling down, they were styled into spiked peaks, which not only displayed their fierce behavior, but also their height difference in comparison to their main competitor. Even though they stood well on their own, the Rock Trolls also had smaller bodies and longer legs to contrast the Pop Trolls.
Another key difference that separated the Rock Tribe from the others were the choice of outfits they donned, which were far more darker and grittier. The material that made the clothing was primarily leather and the occasional denim, and (true to form) they were ripped, tattered, and battered much like themselves. The tears and stitches were left unattended, leaving precariously close enough to expose their skin and further highlighting their rebellious side. Whatever tears and stitches they may have stretched out were surprisingly sewn scrupulously for them to resemble a battle scar or held together by safety pins. The accessories worn along with their "outfits" were also (in her opinion) incredibly dangerous, what with the numerous spikes on their jackets, studded bracelets, and even their collars.
In one such restaurant of many where some of the Rock Trolls desired a good time, their food seemed to be mostly packaged, an endless stack of brown boxes and plastic containers as they were tossed into a microwave for an easy-quick meal. The only legitimate source of refreshment was a fast-food establishment (whatever that was), the enchanting aroma of which was tickling DJ's nose and wanting her to ask Queen Barb to buy her some in order to satisfy her hunger and quench her thirst. Of course, she could not. Not just because of her being too afraid to ask, but also the long line would do them no wonders at all. In fact, the long line had many awaiting customers shoving and pushing each other as a means to get ahead, which did not go over well for those who were unfortunate enough to remain less patient than their peers.
To put it into perspective, despite the Rock Tribe resembling the Pop Tribe in terms of physical appearances the most, their personalities and overall tastes resembled the Pop Tribe the least. These Rock Trolls were capable of having fun for sure, but knowing when to dial it down (let alone stop) made her heart race...and most definitely notin a good way.
"You're nervous?" Queen Barb glanced over her shoulder, a look of amusement growing on her face as DJ's train of thought was promptly derailed.
"Don't worry, toots," Barb continued, "I get it. Rock isn't, as Conductor Trollzart once said, everyone's cup of tea. The least you can do is acknowledge it and its quirks instead of outright ignoring it. It's what he called a...professional courtesy or something."
"Okay...?" DJ Suki frowned as she continued looking around, "To be honest, I'm not disgusted as I am concerned for the safety of your people."
"I never asked if you were disgusted, but thank you for offering your honest opinion," Barb chuckled as she pulled her along, "Again, don't worry. We lived in this domain long enough to grow accustomed to the surroundings. We trained ourselves to hunt, fight, and even develop a high heat tolerance."
"Seriously?" DJ's eyes widened as she tilted her head, "The hunting and fighting I can get, but the high heat tolerance?"
"You would be surprised," Barb merely shrugged as they reached her living quarters, a large castle that, in addition to being more tidier than Volcano Rock City would suggest, was connected to the main auditorium. The walking distance involved two flights of stairs, but DJ took it in stride, noting to herself that she at least got her exercise for one day. And the large luggage she carried on her back (she left behind her beloved Wooferbug because she believed it would be just a week-long trip) helped with her posture.
Knocking on the door, it eventually opened to reveal a violet-grey Rock Troll with long black hair and a pink nose that was oddly larger compared to the Rock Trolls she had seen thus far. He donned a rocker outfit consisting of a black beanie hat that obscured his eyes, jean vest, white shirt, torn black pants, fingerless leather gloves, and a red handkerchief with a skull print tucked into said torn black pants. Although his eyes were covered by the hat, the rest of his facial features clearly expressed surprise at the sudden appearance of his Queen.
"Oh, your Rockness! You're back! With a friend...?"
"Yeppers," Barb smirked, "Riff, this is, uh...DJ, was it?"
When DJ nodded, Barb continued, "She's going to be staying with us for a while. She wants to know how to become a Rock Troll and I want you, Carol, and Sid to help show her the ropes, okay?"
"Umm, yeah..." Riff nervously scratched the back of his head, "About that..."
Barb's smirk immediately fell into a frown, "Oh, no. What happened this time?"
"Well...Carol and Sid had a very bad accident."
"How bad?"
"Like... "They-probably-won't-be-able-to-walk-again-for-the-next-few-months-because-of-spray-cheese-and-a-machete" bad."
"Again?" Barb groaned as she rubbed her head and muttered to herself, "Those two will be the death of us..."
This time? Again?
DJ glanced between Queen Barb and Riff.
Spray cheese? A machete? Just how hardcore are these Rock Trolls?
"Although we still have those two Rock Trolls from–"
"Nope. Absolutely not."
"Oh, come on, your Rockness! Just give them a chance!"
"Me giving them a chance is exactly how I temporarily lost control of the kingdom!"
"But we've learned our lesson since then!"
"We actually sent an apology cake or two!"
. . .
"And...they're already here. Why?"
"You know me, your Rockness. They seemed genuinely apologetic and want to make amends. Like...the Pop Tribe."
Like the Pop Tribe? Why would they make amends?
Her eyebrows knitting together in confusion, DJ watched as Barb shook her head and pinched her nose bridge.
"Fine. If it means getting this done much sooner than later. No offense, DJ."
"None taken," DJ smiled despite her confusion, "I just don't know what's happening right now."
"I'll explain later. Let's go inside."
Following Queen Barb and Riff inside, DJ glanced around her as her surroundings began to diminish in terms of lighting. She had to stick very close to the Rock Queen in order not to lose her way. Thankfully, the walk did not last longer than it should have and they entered her sleeping quarters, which was surprisingly tidy compared to the rest of the town. Sprawled out on the bed was a female Rock Troll with purple hair with several white streaks that styled into two pigtails with red skull-shaped hairbands, light blue skin, red eyes, a purple hoop earring on her left ear, two hoop earrings colored red and blue on her right, a purple stud, and purple lipstick. She wore a tank-top that exposed her navel and was similar to her own, but with the color of black that served as a backdrop for a red heart and crossbones motif; a purple skirt, a black studded belt with matching bracelets, blue fingerless gloves, a black armband on her left upper arm, and a purple-and-red leg warmer on her left leg. On the recliner was a male Rock Troll with dark blue hair in a large spiky style, muddy blue skin, a soul patch on his chin, and black ear studs. He wore a white vest, a purple and black stripped necktie, wine-colored pants and a black studded belt.
"We did learn our lesson, right, Val?" The male Rock Troll threw his question over to the female Rock Troll.
"Of course not, Demo," The female Rock Troll now known as "Val" chuckled at the male Rock Troll named "Demo", "We probably might do crazy stuff like this again, next time right under Barb's nose!"
"I sure hope that will definitely not be the case," Queen Barb gritted her teeth together, causing Val and Demo to look up in alarm and turn their attention to the doorway.
"Oh! Queen Barb!" Val shot up perfectly from the bed, while Demo...did not. In fact, his quick standing up resulted in him falling down.
"How's my favorite Rock Goddess?" Val shot finger guns at Barb, whose facial expression was a cross between an amused smirk and a bemused frown.
"I'm the only Rock Goddess there is," Barb feigned confusion before drawing her attention and Demo's to DJ, "Guys, this is DJ Suki, a member of the Pop Trolls. She wants to learn the Rock Troll ways just in time for Fall-O-Ween...or is it Hairloween? Whatever. I trust you two to whip her into shape by the celebrations come around, okay?"
"Don't worry, Your Rockness," Demo smiled and nodded first, "Miss Suki will be in good hands."
"Yeah..." Val stared attentively at DJ, who immediately noticed her back, "Queen Barb, a word?"
Sighing in acknowledgement, Barb walked with Val to a far-enough corner of the room, "I know what you're going to say, Val. The Pop Trolls aren't trying to attack us again after my World Tour."
"Not even after you publicly placed Pop in the blame? I seriously doubt that."
"Believe me, Pop and the other Tribes, ours included, are good now. We're off to a start. It's a rocky start for sure, but it's a start. Also, I don't think I saw her for the duration of the World Tour, and I seriously doubt anybody else saw her, either. Plus, look at her, I don't see a mean bone in her body. She's practically harmless and oblivious to her surroundings."
"Yes, I am, but did you have to say that?"
Barb and Val turned their gaze at a nervously-smiling DJ, whose wave of 'Hi' matched her current composure. They then turned back to each other.
"Sure, she's harmless now, but what if our teachings cause her to be harmful later? Especially during a time like this?"
"That's why you have Demo. Believe me, this is your time to prove yourself."
Giving her Queen's words of wisdom a thought, Val slowly smiled and nodded, "You're right. This is my time!"
"Our time..." Demo deadpanned, causing her to blush.
"Oops. Our time. My bad, Demo. Don't worry, Queen Barb. We won't let you down."
"I know you won't," Barb smiled threateningly at the duo, who nervously gulped and returned the smile back as she turned to leave.
"Listen to their words, don't do what they always say, and...try to have fun," Barb patted DJ's shoulder as a means of reassurance, "Otherwise, what's the point?"
DJ nodded as Barb walked past her, "Wait, where are you going?"
"I have to help your precious Popsqueak plan out the parties for Fall-O-Ween...or is it Hairloween? Whatever the case, I'll keep tabs on you! Rock on!"
Barb flashed the devil's horns to DJ as she slid out of view. The Pop Troll awkwardly attempted to return the hand gesture the Rock Troll flashed at her. It...did not work.
"Well, on the bright side..." Demo approached and offered her a kind smile, "You're off to a great start. It's a rocky start for sure, but it's a start."
"Huh..." DJ smiled and walked back inside the room as Val slowly closed the door behind her.
"All right, Pop Troll...let's get started..."
"All right, Troll Tribes...let's get started!"
The Trolls cheered in excitement and enthusiasm as they went to perform their respective jobs. Hustling and bustling about, they hung up posters and banners that encouraged them to get their fright on. They cooked entrees and baked confectionaries that highlighted the fall/autumn season as well as those that shared a distinctive spooky scary motif. Their costumes were perhaps the difficult and elaborate...which is why most of them settled for dime-store caliber knockoffs instead. Those who did not mind the hard work and attention to detail were rewarded with artistic masterpieces for their efforts.
In a nearby tent, Branch was standing on a pedestal in a T-pose as Satin & Chenille draped a model suit jacket over him and wrote down his measurements.
"Tell us, Branch..." Satin started.
"No, Satin."
"No? But you didn't let me finish my question."
"I don't have to, Chenille, because I know what you and Chenille are going to ask me."
"Really?" Chenille smirked, "Pray tell, dear Branch."
"You two are...or were...going to ask me whether or not I will ask Poppy out for the first Fall-O-Ween/Hairloween party onward. The answer is no, because I'm going to let her ask me out first so we can take turns asking each other out afterwards. It's a pattern we're trying out now that we're...dating."
Barely able to contain their excitement, Satin & Chenille exchanged knowing glances before switching up gears.
"Actually..." Satin giggled, "Me and Chenille were trying to agree on your skin color. First, it was bluish-grey, then it was green, and now it's light blue?"
"Tell us..." Chenille smiled wide, "does your skin color depend on your mood and/or lighting?"
It was Branch's turn to be stumped, "Um...yes. Along with my hair."
"They probably revert when I'm around," Poppy entered the tent and waved at her new boyfriend, a joyful expression plastered on her face like always, "Hi, Branchifer."
"Hey...Poppifer," Branch nervously grinned and returned the greeting at his new girlfriend. He then withheld a heavy blush when she planted a kiss on his cheek, but that did nothing to stop himself from smiling bashfully and the twins from giggling in delight.
"You girls treating Branch good?"
"Very good," Satin smirked.
"But not too good," Chenille clarified, "because we respect you too much."
"What are you dressing up as, Branch?"
"Well...I want to keep it as a surprise for the party. What about you, Poppy?"
"Well...I want to keep it as a surprise for the party."
His eyebrows knitting together, Branch smiled smugly at Poppy, who returned the smug smile with one of her own.
"Oh! Speaking of which, the parties have combined into one big one at the end of this month."
"What happened?" Satin & Chenille asked simultaneously.
"Well... Apparently, the Tribe Leaders said there were budget cuts, meaning that even with all their money combined, they have certain limitations on what they can afford."
"And I guess combining the parties was your idea?" Branch smiled.
"You guess correctly," Poppy again returned the smile.
"That's good news!"
Poppy, Branch, Satin & Chenille all jumped in appropriate fright as Cooper appeared out of nowhere in the tent, where he neatly rummaged through the clothes, searching for some specifics.
"Uh, Cooper..." Branch frowned, "What are you doing?"
"Poppy, my parents, and the rest of the Tribe Leaders combining the parties together is a good idea! It gives me enough time to work out my costume! What do you think DJ would like?"
"Well, knowing DJ, she would probably like..."
Her words immediately ceasing, Poppy processed the question Cooper asked and she gasped in surprise.
"Gasp! DJ is here? She's back?"
"Yeah," Cooper nodded, "I just saw her yesterday after the rave hosted by Darnell and King Trollex. I don't know where she is now, but..."
Immediately throwing out all additional thoughts out the mental window, Poppy squealed in delight and helped Cooper jettison any and all clothes her friend would like, "If DJ's here, then little CJ should be as here as well! Come on, we can help them plan out the festivities with us!"
Poppy and Cooper rushed out the tent as a confused Branch, Satin & Chenille watched on.
"Uh... Who's DJ?"
Branch turned to the twins and gaped at them in shock.
"You two really don't remember who DJ is here? You know her more than me."
When Satin & Chenille shrugged, Branch groaned and attempted to clarify, "DJ Suki. Pop Village's resident disc jockey? Capable of DJing like no other Troll?"
Satin & Chenille offered Branch a look of sympathetic ignorance, which prompted the survivalist Troll to groan and shake his head.
"You girls don't remember who DJ is?"
Turning back to the entrance, the remaining trio found Gia Grooves entering the tent with a look of sadness and confusion.
"And you do?" Chenille genuinely reciprocated that confusion.
"Honestly, I don't think DJ had that much of a personality," Satin voiced her opinion.
"Gia, you remember DJ?" Branch said with hope.
"And it looks like I'm not the only one..."