Disclaimer: We don't own Trolls. Larry, Robert, and Junior belong to us. The songs in this chapter are "Who Wouldn't Wanna be Me" by Keith Urban and "International Harvester" by Craig Morgan.
In Lonesome Flats, Larry introduced Poppy to many country songs that didn't meet her expectations about them at all. They were more lively and emotional than she thought, not just depressing or bluegrass. Some of them were mood-lifters, as fate would have it. In fact, she was actually getting really into it as she sang one such mood-lifter.
"And the sun is shinin'" Poppy and Larry sang as they danced around their cell happily. "This road keeps windin' through the prettiest country from Georgia to Tennessee."
Growly Pete poked his head in, smiling at them, and joined (in a growl) as they sang on, "And I got the one I love beside me, my troubles behind me."
This song reminded Poppy of her song, "Get Back up Again," and she loved it. Really, who wouldn't want to be the guy in this song?
Pete sang the next line alone in a low growl, "I'm alive and I'm free." Poppy and Larry happily rejoined, finishing, "Who wouldn't wanna be me?"
"Oh, man! Who knew country music could be so much fun!?" Poppy laughed, dancing around. The genre actually wasn't the worst ever.
Larry smiled proudly, still strumming on his guitar. He glanced at Pete, who gave a proud smile right back at him. Apparently, the only time the two of them could get along was if Larry was teaching a Pop Troll to like country music. Go figure.
"Growly growly growly!"
Larry smiled at the guard and tried to start the next verse, glad the Pop queen wasn't so bad. She was just a little naive, and there was nothing wrong with that. However, at the same moment, a zip beetle scurried up to Pete, a letter in its mouth. It looked like it wanted in the jail, and that could only mean one thing: one of the prisoners had mail.
Pete took it, wondering who was trying to reach the Pop queen. Heaven knew it wasn't for Larry—no one sent him anything, not even his own mother. "Growly growl growl?"
"Now she's strummin' on my—" Larry and Poppy started to sing happily.
Startled, Pete cried out, "Growl growly growl!?"
Of all the things he expected from a letter to the Pop queen, this was definitely not on the list. Even worse, it was a real problem. Couldn't Pop Trolls stay out of trouble for at least a day?
Larry and Poppy stopped singing and looked at each other curiously.
"Somethin' wrong, Pete?" Larry asked, and he actually looked mildly concerned for a change.
"Yeah. Why'd you scream for?" Poppy added as she moved toward the door, an eyebrow raised.
In answer, Pete held the letter out to Poppy. "Growly growly growl growly!"
Poppy took the letter and read it as Larry just watched with a raised eyebrow.
The letter read:
To Queen Poppy,
Smidge is here in United City on trial for party supply theft. She claims to be innocent, sent by you to help us rebuild. But we find that hard to believe without proof. Therefore, by the authority vested in me, President Oak, I request your presence in my courtroom soon to testify. Bring your other subordinates along with you. Smidge says they were all sent out to do the same, so they're as much valuable witnesses as you are. Hope to see you soon.
Sincerely,
President Oak of United City.
Poppy gasped, eyes wide. She'd never thought Smidge would need help. She was visiting other Pop Trolls! Why did they accuse her of theft?
"Oh, no! Smidge!" She started prancing around anxiously. "Oh, this is bad!" She stopped and looked at the letter again, eyes wide in panic. "Real bad!" She looked up, holding the letter at arms' length, and said, "I need to speak with Mayor Delta right away!" She turned to Pete, desperation in her eyes. "Can you please get her for me? This is an emergency!"
Pete tipped his hat slightly, nodding once. "Growly growly growly growl!" he answered, eyes wide with worry himself, and he took off quickly. He could sense the urgency here just as well as Poppy could.
Looking slightly concerned, Larry approached Poppy, asking, "Somethin' wrong, honey?"
Poppy whirled on him with a worried look about her as she answered, "It's my friend Smidge! She's gotten into a huge bind with some other Pop Trolls and needs my help right away!"
Larry looked tired now in addition to concerned. "Dang doodly. That don't sound good. Too bad yer stuck in here for the next several years, huh?"
Poppy groaned, throwing her head in annoyance. This was definitely not good. Some crazed Pop Trolls had arrested her best friend, and there was nothing she could do about it right now! She hoped Mayor Delta could be more reasonable at a time like this. She couldn't be that heartless.
Out in the fields (and feeling like he'd bundled well over 40 bales of hay by now), Branch wiped the sweat from his brow. These guys work harder than me, and that's saying something!
It was almost 1 in the afternoon by this time, and Junior looked tired, too. "Whoo-ee! Glad that's all done," he said. "I hate shovelin' hay. It's almost as bad as shovelin' manure. Which reminds me." He sighed, less than thrilled about his next chore. "I best be getting' on over to the puffalo stables now." He walked over to his lunch box and thermos and picked them both up off the ground. He figured he'd eat lunch before doing that, but it was next on his list. Thanks to the urgency of this hay order, it was well past lunchtime, and he was starving! "Later, Branch! Have a good day, bud! Perhaps I'll see ya at the bonfire, if yer lucky!" He waved as he headed off to, apparently, shovel puffalo poo.
"Yeah, maybe," Branch answered. At the rate things were going, he'd be too tired for this bonfire, even if he was invited. He sighed and said to himself, "I'd better go find Robert and see what he wants me to do now."
And he headed off, with Wendy following him. The annoying thing about her was that she, the troll whose only job was to follow Branch everywhere and watch his every move, was sipping on some ice-cold lemonade that she had left Branch alone so she could get, even though he was the one working up a sweat.
Ignoring his parole officer, Branch approached the farmer. Robert was right outside the barn with his pickup bug, seemingly doing a maintenance check.
Branch said, "Hey, Robert, I'm all done with the hay. What do you want me to do next?"
Robert looked at the Pop Troll, impressed. He didn't think the boy had it in him. "Well, slap my knee and call me Shirley! Yer a mighty hard worker for a Pop Troll. I reckon you can help me load up the hay and take it into town."
Wendy looked at him a moment, then shrugged. "Sure. Why not. No skin off my nose." She climbed into the back of the pickup bug and sat on a pile of hay bales that Robert had already loaded on.
"Alright, Branch, why don't you start bringin' that hay out here and get it loaded onto the bug?" Robert asked, pointing back toward the barn.
"Yeah, sure," Branch answered, though he wanted to scream. Do these guys ever stop? Do they eat!?
He'd been working all morning. The only time he'd had even a short break was when Junior got him some water earlier, and it was looking like he'd be skipping lunch entirely.
However, the plus side was he hadn't been made to do any of this work completely by himself, and this was no exception. Robert helped him load up the hay, saying as he did, "I reckon we get this hay delivered, we can head on back and grab a bite. Sorry we couldn't eat earlier, but this needs delivered before 2."
So they would be eating lunch sometime today! Well, at least he wouldn't have to take a working lunch break...he hoped. "Right," Branch answered with disinterest as he picked up a bale of hay.
Was it just him, or were hay bales actually kind of heavy?
Robert started singing "Amarillo Sky" himself, apparently happy and unfazed by the weight of his merchandise.
"Ugh..." Branch groaned as he hefted his hay bale onto the bug. In a mutter, he complained, "Thanks, Poppy, this was a great idea. Visiting the other trolls is so much fun. Can't wait to spend the rest of my life here!"
Hearing the grumbling, Robert looked at Branch in concern. He hadn't been able to make out the words, but that definitely sounded like disgruntled grumbling. "Say somethin', Branch?" he asked.
"No, nothing. Just...wish my supposed girlfriend was better at listening," he answered, briefly wondering if she and Larry had started dating in his absence. Muttering, he added, "Might have fewer mishaps like this if she was."
Robert chuckled. It figured it had to do with a lady friend. "Aw, well, women can be wild. My wife don't listen too good, either. Then again, she'd say it's me that don't listen!" He laughed as he and Branch finished loading the last bales of hay into the bug. "Alright, boy, hop in the back with Wendy, there."
"Fantastic," Branch grumbled as he climbed in. He didn't want to sit on bales of hay with his parole officer who drank lemonade while he died of dehydration.
Robert climbed into the driver's seat and drove into town.
"Ya doin' okay there, boy?" Wendy asked Branch.
Was he doing okay? Sure, aside from the fact that everything was aching, especially his arms. And how could he forget the fact that he still wasn't done!?
Rubbing his arms and refusing to whine, he answered, "Yeah."
Wendy gave him a knowing grin and said, "Not as easy as it looks, is it?"
"Especially not in this heat," Branch admitted. "I mean, I've done my fair share of work back in Troll Village, but it's never this hot there!"
"Ah, ya get used to it. Perhaps we can get ya a tall glass of water once we get back. How's that suit ya?"
"Sounds great." Muttering, Branch said, "Next time Poppy wants to go on an adventure, I'm tying her up, no questions."
She'd be safer if she couldn't run off and do something crazy, and he'd let her go when the urge to get in trouble passed.
The bug moved along steadily, giving Branch a chance for a little rest, for which he was extremely grateful.
Back in town, Delta made her way to the jail, looking somewhat concerned. Clampers, tagging along as always, looked worried herself. It wasn't every day they had foreigners in their jail, but even rarer was Growly Pete fetching her because of an urgent problem with a foreigner in their jail. Given that he hadn't dragged her in again, it wasn't a jailbreak.
"Somethin' wrong, Pop Queen?" the mayor asked, looking in at her.
"Growly Pete said there was an emergency!" Clampers added, hopping up onto her aunt's head so she could see their prisoner.
"Hair, yeah, there is!" Poppy answered, throwing her hands out to the sides. She grabbed the bars, leaning forward slightly, and continued, "My best friend Smidge got arrested for something I asked her to do!"
Delta crossed her arms. That didn't surprise her in the least. "Oh, really? Do tell."
"Well, like I've been trying to tell you, I set out with my friends yesterday to try and help everyone deal with the Party Crashers! So I gathered up a ton of party supplies and sent everyone out to deliver them! But, apparently, some Pop Trolls got the way wrong idea and threw Smidge in jail instead!"
Delta's expression softened a fraction in concern. "Oh, my stars. That is terrible."
It was one thing for other tribes not to trust the Pop Trolls, but for other Pop Trolls not to trust their own tribe? Were Pop Trolls just antisocial, or was she missing something here?
"Pop Trolls don't get along with each other?" Clampers asked, confused. She thought they'd get along fine.
"Hair if I know, Clampers. Sounds doggy to me."
After all, the Pop queen was claiming her own tribe was divided, and it was the only one of the six with that problem. Everyone else could get along with their own tribe, so how could Pop be the exception to the rule? Besides, the timing was just too convenient. Was this just another attempt to get out of jail early? Maybe she'd been wrong to give them—or, rather, Branch—a chance.
"Right!?" Poppy agreed, wondering why any Pop Trolls would be acting like that. Who did these guys think they were, Branch? "So, anyway, they sent me a letter that I can't believe was able to find me all the way out here, saying they wanted my friends and me to appear in court on Smidge's behalf right away so—"
"Sorry, hon!" Delta cut her off firmly. "But that's not gonna happen! For one, how do I know this here story's even the truth?" She crossed her arms as she looked at the foreign queen with suspicion. "What if yer just sayin' that to get out of jail quicker?"
"Yeah!" Clampers agreed.
"Because! I've got the letter right here!" Poppy held it out for the mayor, annoyed and frustrated." See!?"
Could this troll be any more difficult? And Poppy had thought Branch was stubborn!
Delta took the letter and read it curiously. Her eyes widened and she trampled around a bit. "Oh, my stars! Ya are serious!"
"I told you! Smidge is in trouble, and—"
"Alright, alright!" Delta said, giving a placating gesture. "Calm yourself down! Listen. Here's the willy nilly of it. I can't send you over there for obvious reasons. But I can pass this here letter along to one of yer little friends so's they can go testify for ya."
Poppy sighed in defeat. Of course, that would be her answer. Mayor Delta was as much a stickler for the rules as Branch.
"Sure. Why not? Well, then, you might as well send it off to Guy Diamond. He's good with trolls and tough enough to take care of himself, so he's the best I've got. I sent him to the Funk Trolls, so he might still be there."
Delta grinned, looking pleased, and said, "Honey, that might just about be the first intelligent choice ya've made all week."
She knew the Funky family really well these days, thanks to their son's desire to travel and experiment, and they were pretty good at sorting out things like this. If anyone could handle a Pop Troll mess, it was them.
She whistled, and a small bird of prey came flying over. "Take this here letter to Vibe City," she instructed as she quickly pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled down another letter. She handed both this and the letter from United City to the critter as she added, "Tell 'em the Pop Queen can't make an appearance right now due to breakin' the law herself!"
The bird took both letters in its talons and flew off.
"There," Delta said, turning back to Poppy. "That solve yer little problem?"
Poppy sighed. "I guess..."
"Good." With the emergency handled, Delta headed back off to work.
Poppy just sighed in defeat, flopping down on the floor. "Agh. This really bites... I sure hope Guy can handle it. Smidge is sunk for sure if he can't."
As Robert drove into town, he saw a carrier duck hawk flying off into the sky. These messenger birds were usually only sent for important communications.
"Criminy! Hope everything's alright," he said to himself.
Wendy looked up, curious. "...Huh," she said, watching the bird fly off.
"What?" Branch asked. Obviously, that bird was kind of a big deal, but he didn't get how or why.
"Eh. Who knows," Wendy said calmly, shrugging. "Probably nothin' serious."
"Never you mind that, boy!" Robert called back excitedly, changing the subject. "I reckon we might as well enjoy some tunes on our way through town! What do ya say?"
"Uh...why?" Branch asked, raising an eyebrow. Was he seriously asking if the Pop Troll wanted to sing? Wasn't he worried he'd be hearing the very music they seemed to hate here?
"Ya've got a great voice, boy, and it'd be a crime to hide it from everyone!"
That was amusing. Branch wondered how Robert would react if he knew that Branch had hid that voice from everyone for a good 20 years.
"Just don't go singin' no pop! Won't go over well 'round these parts!" the farmer added.
Branch rolled his eyes and muttered, "Yeah, at the moment, won't go over well with me, either." He knew full well that any genre other than country would be met with hostility, and he didn't respond well to anything hostile. "What did you have in mind?" Branch asked. "I don't know a lot of country songs, you know."
"Shoot, I can help with that!" Robert answered, and he started tapping out a beat. "I'm the son of a third-generation farmer!" he sang. "I been married 10 years to the farmer's daughter!"
Branch rolled his eyes. Of course, a farming song again. Why not? But he didn't have anything better to do, and he wanted to show these guys he wasn't going to force them to turn into Pop Trolls, so he joined.
"I'm a God-fearin', hard-workin' combine driver, hoggin' up the road on my p-p-p-p-plower," Robert and Branch sang together.
Some Country Trolls peered out of their homes and the saloon, curious. The last time they'd heard one of those voices, it had been singing pop music.
"Chug-a-lug-a-luggin' five miles an hour...on my International Harvester."
The Country Trolls came out to line the road then, their curiosity growing. Even Pete and Larry looked.
"Growly growl growl?" Pete raised a curious eyebrow.
"Hot Diggity! Is that who I think it is?" Larry asked, his eyes widening in surprise as he leaped up suddenly.
Poppy stared, eyes widening at the passing voices, too. "What? T-that couldn't be—" She cut herself off and came to peer out the door, holding the bars.
Robert smiled and stopped singing. He'd given the Pop Troll a song to sing, and now he'd just let Branch take it from here...for now, at least. See how good the guy actually was.
"Three miles of cars, layin' on their horns, fallin' on deaf ears of corn," Branch sang, actually kind of getting into it.
Poppy gasped. She couldn't believe her ears. "No... He didn't—"
Branch had told her he was going to turn country, but she didn't know he'd take it this far.
Delta, exasperated, came out to see what the excitement was this time. "Oh, now what's—" She stopped, wide-eyed in awe, as she saw the other Pop Troll enjoying country music.
Clampers poked out, gnawing on a stuffed buffalo. She stopped long enough to ask, "What's goin' on, Aunt Delta?"
"Lined up behind me like a big parade of late to work, road-raged jerks, shoutin' obscene words, flippin' me the bird," Branch sang on.
Poppy covered her mouth. She could hardly believe the mouth on her boyfriend right now. She gasped. "Branch! Watch your words, there are kids watching you!" She gripped the bars tighter, looking at him with wide eyes, and clenched her teeth.
There was nothing worse than a troll using swear words or talking about such vile behaviors, especially around young children. Several of the Country Trolls gathered were kids, not just Clampers. Had Branch lost his mind?
The trolls lining the road clapped along, tapped their feet, rocked side to side a bit, and just generally enjoyed themselves.
Delta grinned. "...Huh. Not bad, Pop Troll. Not bad at all." She joined in, clapping, rocking, and dancing along to the song, and Clampers leaped off her head to join in as well.
Branch was definitely getting into it by this point as he started dancing and sang on, "Well, you may be on a state-paved road, but that blacktop runs through my payload." Catching sight of the mayor, he went for some minor payback. He threw his arms out to the sides, leaning toward her slightly, and sang, "Excuse me for tryin' to do my job," he turned back to the crowd as he continued, "but this year ain't been no bumper crop!" Looking around, he thought, I can't believe this is actually working! Guess going country was the right choice... Poppy's not going to be happy, but who cares?
Delta put her hands on her hips, giving him a lame look for that one. Clampers laughed—she was actually starting to like this Pop Troll.
Branch looked at the trolls behind the truck now, focusing more on the entire crowd. Apparently, he was now the day's entertainment, but this was actually fun for him, too, so he wasn't complaining.
"If you don't like the way I'm a-drivin', get back on the interstate," he sang, hitching a thumb to indicate they should leave this road. "Otherwise sit tight and be nice, and quit yer honkin' at me that way!" He leaned forward, hands on hips and looking annoyed.
The Country Trolls started laughing at this jokester, shaking their heads.
Now in the center of town, Robert decided to park for a bit and got out of the driver's seat to stand on the hood of the pickup bug, dancing happily.
"'Cause I'm the son of a third-generation farmer," Branch and Robert sang together again. "I've been married 10 years to the farmer's daughter. I got two boys in the county 4-H, I'm a lifetime sponsor of the FFA. Hey!"
Branch had no idea what 4-H or the FFA were, but he didn't need to know to sing the song.
The Country Trolls, Mayor Delta included, started actually dancing now. Even Larry and Pete joined in, leaving Poppy very stunned.
Oh, my hair, she thought. What is Branch doing? He's got a twang in his voice now, even!
It was true—he'd even started using the accent she'd been hearing from most of these guys, that Southern drawl, as Larry had called it. This was getting out of hand. She had to step in and stop that one. Sure, she'd been singing some country songs today, too, but she hadn't gone that far.
She called out in annoyance and frustration, hoping he'd hear her over everyone singing the refrain, "BRANCH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? YOU'RE A POP TROLL, FOR SUGAR'S SAKE! SO WHAT'S WITH THE TWANG AND TRASH-TALKING!? THAT'S NOT HOW WE BEHAVE AT ALL!"
Branch turned to face the jail, looking irritated with her. Yeah, like she has any right to be so irritated! She's the one who got us into this! he thought.
Ignoring her, he sang along with the rest of Lonesome Flats, "That's a-what I make. I make a lotta hay—"
That's where they deviated slightly. The Country Trolls sang the actual line: "for little pay!"
Branch, however, sang his own version as he gave Poppy a pointed look. "For zero pay!"
Poppy slapped her face in annoyance. "Ugh. Touche."
Now back to singing the same lines, Branch and the Country Trolls sang, "But I'm proud to say I'm a God-fearin', hard-workin' combine driver, hoggin' up the road on my p-p-p-p-plower, chug-a-lug-a-luggin' five miles an hour...on my International Harvester!"
The Country Trolls were really loving this spontaneous show, so much so that they seemed to have started a makeshift block party because of it. Delta herself was leaping around, looking like she was just a teenager. Everybody was having a great time.
Of course, now Larry was jealous. "Aw, man! That looks like a ton of fun! Boy, do I wish I could join in! How 'bout ya?" He looked at his cellmate eagerly.
Poppy just gave him a lame look, the words "be quiet" written all over her face.
"Well, I know you got your own deadlines," Branch sang alone again, "but cussin' at me won't save you no time, hoss."
Poppy slapped herself in the face again, exasperated. "Oh, for the—" Figuring he hadn't heard her the first time, she called out in frustration, "BRANCH! WATCH YOUR MOUTH! THERE ARE KIDS WATCHING YOU!"
Seriously, wasn't it bad enough he was doing that at all?
Branch smiled "politely" at her as if she was one of the people in the song that was cussing at him. "This big-wheeled, wide load ain't goin' any faster, so just smile and wave and tip your hat to the troll up on the tractor," he sang, waving at her pointedly.
Several of the Country Trolls, including Delta, laughed.
"Oh, my stars!" Delta said through her laughter. "He's a sassy one, ain't he?"
"Sure is, Aunt Delta!" Clampers agreed, bouncing around. "I kinda like him!"
Poppy glared at Branch in annoyance, crossing her arms. "OH, BE QUIET!"
"'Cause I'm the son of a third-generation farmer," Branch sang with a shrug, giving Poppy a look that reminded her this was her fault in the first place.
She sighed in defeat. "Ugh. That guy."
Everyone but Poppy joined the song, "I've been married 10 years to the farmer's daughter."
As the song continued, Branch took a moment to appreciate the fact that Country Trolls enjoyed his singing as much as Pop. Apparently, if I sing the right genre, I'm a hit around here. Go figure.
"I got two boys in the county 4-H, I'm a lifetime sponsor of the FFA. Hey!"
"OH, YOU ARE NOT, YA POP/COUNTRY WEIRDO!" Poppy shouted above the crowd again. "JUST WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU DOING, BRANCH!? YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'VE BEEN ROASTING IN THE SUN FOR TOO LONG, YOU KNOW THAT!?"
Branch cocked his head to the side, slightly frustrated, as he gave her a slight glare. Yeah, I have, Poppy.
He already knew he'd gotten himself a sunburn today. He didn't need reminding.
"That's a-what I make, I make a lotta hay," the trolls all sang together again, once more splitting here. "For little pay," sang the Country Trolls.
Branch once again directed his line at Poppy. He put his hands on his hips and glared right at her, really annoyed this time, as he sang, "For zero pay."
This time the Country Trolls all laughed.
"Oh, my stars!" Delta laughed.
There was nothing quite like a sassy troll telling off his rude girlfriend in a playful, teasing manner. The two sounded like an old married couple.
Poppy blushed, suddenly realizing that he had been roasting in the sun for too long...because he was trying to work their way out of trouble that she had gotten them into. "U-UH, RIGHT! MY BAD!?" she called, embarrassed.
Branch's problems were her fault. When would she learn to look before she leaped? The last time had nearly cost her her boyfriend. How many times would she have to get in trouble before she realized that judging others was wrong?
The Country Trolls laughed at that, too. Her face was priceless.
"Yeah, it is!" Branch called back to her, throwing his arms out to the sides.
The Country Trolls kept right on laughing. Honestly, that was the cutest thing they'd ever seen Pop Trolls do.
"But I'm proud to say," Branch sang on, and the Country Trolls rejoined him, "I'm a God-fearin', hard-workin' combine driver, hoggin' up the road on my p-p-p-p-plower, chug-a-lug-a-luggin' five miles an hour...on my International Harvester!"
"Uh, yeah! Right!" Poppy called out to Branch again, "SORRY ABOUT THAT!"
The trolls all danced to the music, several clapping along again. Some threw their hands over their heads and leaped around as if this were a concert.
Eventually, they all sang, "I'm a God-fearin', hard-workin' combine driver, hoggin' up the road on my p-p-p-p-plower, chug-a-lug-a-luggin' five miles an hour...on my International Harvester!"
All of the Country Trolls cheered, arms up in the air, and leaped around or whistled in excitement. The foreigner was pretty good with their music, and they wouldn't be opposed to hearing more—in fact, they wanted to.
Robert laughed and moved to put a hand on Branch's shoulder, looking proud. "Y'know, yer alright, for a Pop Troll."
He wasn't at all what Robert thought of when he thought of that tribe. Given the history, he'd expected Pop Trolls to be all kinds of judgmental, refusing to accept anything different.
"Thanks," Branch said. He looked toward the jail and said, "We're not all like our queen."
"Hey!" Poppy protested. Sure, she might have gotten them both arrested, but that was still a low blow.
Delta pushed to the front of the crowd then, saying, "Alright, alright, people! That's enough! Ya already had a singin' work break today, and it's still a few hours til 5!" She whipped her head around toward the jail, looking stern, and added, "No comments, if'n ya don't mind, Lazy Larry!"
"Yeah, keep yours to yourself, too, for once, Poppy!" Branch added.
Startled, Poppy's eyes widened. She wasn't planning on saying anything! "What!? Branch! I didn't—"
Delta whirled back to the rest of town as she said, "So I suggest y'all get back to work! There's gonna be a huge bonfire tonight, and ya don't wanna miss it by bein' assigned overtime!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Robert answered, putting a hand to the brim of his hat. He hopped back into the driver's seat.
Branch went back to his perch on the hay in the bed of the bug as the other Country Trolls all went back to work.
Delta, however, didn't leave right away. She approached Branch, smiling at him slightly, with Clampers running up to stand beside her. "My, my, my," the mayor said. "Quite the show ya just put on there. Didn't know ya Pop Trolls had it in ya."
That had to be the most entertaining thing she'd seen all week. The guy knew how to make the best of a bad situation and have fun with it all at the same time, not to mention he had some spunk, which was actually kind of attractive...when he wasn't using it to stir up trouble, at least.
"Ya can say that again, Aunt Delta!" Clampers said, jumping excitedly. She moved forward a bit, looking right at Branch, and added, "Uncle Branch, you really know how to sing!"
"Ah, thanks. I guess I'm not your typical Pop Troll," he answered.
Looking pleased, Delta put her hands on her hips. "Ya don't say?"
"Yeah. I mean, growing up, I heard how different I was a lot," Branch said. She doesn't need to know why, though. It doesn't change the fact that I still am different.
"Hmm... I see, I see..." Delta smiled slightly.
If he wasn't a normal Pop Troll, that might explain why he wasn't acting like one. He was being far more accepting of their way of life than his queen, after all.
Poppy just rolled her eyes and muttered, "Yeah, he was. Didn't sing, dance, hug, or do anything Pop Trolls usually do. And now he's gone and—" She cut herself off and put a hand on her head, annoyed. "Agh."
Branch was different enough without turning into a cowboy or something. Why did he have to go changing on her when she'd barely figured out how to accept him the way he was?
"I'm no stranger to hard work. Sadly I often find myself babysitting my own queen."
"Hey!" Poppy protested, insulted. She didn't need a babysitter as often as he did. Who was it that couldn't get along with new neighbors or ask if he could play squish-ball with everyone?
Branch gave her a "you know it's true" look, then turned an apologetic look back to the mayor. "I really am sorry about yesterday. I did try to talk her out of...all of it, but she rarely listens to me. And I'm sorry about trying to break out of jail. Living with Poppy can be...stressful, and Larry wasn't helping any."
Flirting with his girlfriend, singing lazy and annoying songs all day, non-stop... Yeah, Larry was a pain. Branch fully sympathized with Delta in that regard.
Delta shook her head, looking exasperated. She did appreciate the fact that Branch, their Pop visitor, looked as irritated with that lazy sack of bones as she usually was. "I hear that, son. Believe me," she said, giving an annoyed look to the jail.
Larry poked his head into the window, looking lost. "What?"
Delta gave him an annoyed look as Clampers pointed at him and said, "You need to stop causin' my Aunt Delta so much trouble, Larry!"
"And speaking of 'trouble-makers'..." Delta said, turning back to face Branch with a stern, serious look.
Branch blinked and straightened up, wondering what the problem was now. Delta stared him down for a bit, her expression never changing. Branch just waited as the child joined her aunt, giving him that same look and making him extremely uncomfortable.
Finally, Delta smiled brightly at him and said, "I like yer style, honey! Care to show us all some more of it at tonight's big bonfire party?"
Poppy's eyes bugged out, stunned. "What!? B-but I—he—"
Since when was Branch the popular one? Everyone always liked her!
Branch smiled, glad that was all she wanted to say. "Sure, if you're sure you want me there."
Delta walked up and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Honey, I'll let ya in on a little secret. I would much rather have a hard-workin', country-lovin' Pop Troll at my parties than a lazy, good-for-nothin' deadbeat Country Troll like Lazy Larry any day!" She rolled her eyes in exasperation there at the end.
"Ain't that the truth, Aunt Delta!" Clampers turned to Branch, looking eager, and asked, "Will you come, Uncle Branch?"
Branch looked at the child, then smiled at Delta and answered, "Great! I'll be there."
"What!?" Poppy asked, feeling slightly jealous now. Why was Branch getting to have fun while she was stuck? That wasn't fair at all!
Delta grinned proudly, letting go of him slowly. "Good. Wouldn't have it any other way." She backed off a bit, saying, "Welp! I won't keep ya, seein's as ya still got a ton of work to do before the big night. Catch ya later..." She paused a moment, grinning mischievously. Then she winked at him and finished, "sugar."
Branch could have sworn she was flirting with him there.
She started walking off, calling back with an affectionate grin, "Oh. And before I forget. Let me know if she ever becomes too much for ya and ya decide to start seeing...someone else." She batted her eyes flirtatiously.
This guy seemed to know the importance of hard work and seemed responsible enough to make sure it got done right. He'd make a good sheriff if he didn't live in another town. Delta could tell he was a fun-loving born leader—her kind of troll.
Yep, she was definitely flirting with him, Branch realized.
Poppy blinked, eyes widening. Even she could tell the mayor was flirting with her boyfriend. She growled, gripping the bars as she glared at Delta. "Hey! I saw that, you sneaky, not nice troll, you! Branch is my boyfriend, so you'd better—"
More to remind Poppy that she had been oblivious to a guy flirting with her than for any other reason, Branch called after the mayor, "Yeah, okay! More accurately it's if she ever decides to start seeing someone else, I'll let you know."
Poppy blinked, startled. "What's that supposed to mean!? I'd never—"
Robert, amused though he was at the situation between Branch and Poppy, started driving as Delta walked off, laughing in amusement. The way he told that girl of his to lay off was just too cute sometimes. Sure, he seemed irritated, but he was teasing her good-naturedly about it.
"Alright, boy!" Robert said. "You and yer lady friend can have yer little lovers' tit later. Right now, I got a bug-load'a hay to deliver."
"Fine by me," Branch said. He cupped a hand to the side of his mouth and called to Poppy, "Do me a favor and slap Larry for me!"
"What!? Why!?"
She seriously didn't get it. What did Larry do to Branch now?
Robert just grinned, amused. Everyone wanted to hit that guy.
Branch rolled his eyes and called back a little louder, "Uh, for flirting with you and having you help him get us arrested!?"
Poppy sweat, looking sheepish. How had she missed that? "Right... U-uh, SORRY, BRANCH! DIDN'T MEAN IT!" she yelled so he could hear her.
"UH-HUH! SURE!" he called back.
He knew she didn't mean it, but he could still be annoyed about it.
Poppy sighed, giving up for now. "Right. I forgot. He can hold a grudge something awful. Better get to work on the big, elaborate apology scheme before he leaves me again. Now, let's see... Where do I start this time?"
She spent a fair amount of time that afternoon trying to figure out how to get Branch to forgive her for this one. She didn't want another performance of "Stitches." It was hard enough to "Turn Back Time" the last time he'd sang that to her, and she didn't know if she could handle it again. Maybe she should just ask him why he was so upset with her in the future. Then they could avoid these problems. Staying in Branch's good graces was harder than she'd thought it'd be, but she'd figure it out eventually. One way or another, this relationship was going to work. She loved Branch too much to give it up.
Wendy, meanwhile, looked at Branch in concern. "Trouble in paradise?" she asked as she reclined against the hay, a hand resting on her knee.
Branch crossed his arms, looking annoyed. It wasn't her business, was it? "Not the first time," he answered. "There are days when I wonder if she wouldn't be happier with somebody more like her."
"So, what? Ya thinkin' of takin' Mayor Delta up on her offer, then? I'm sure ya'd make a fine sheriff, no doubt."
Branch shook his head. That hadn't even crossed his mind, given how Country Trolls liked to jump the gun and arrest everyone. Besides, unless Poppy said she wanted out so she could find a boyfriend she had more in common with, he wasn't going to break it off. "No. I mean, no offense, but I don't really want to move in. Besides, Troll Village—and their reckless queen—wouldn't last long without me."
Wendy grinned knowingly. "Ah. I see. Yer in it to protect her and yer people from themselves."
Branch narrowed his eyes at her. The look she was giving implied that she didn't believe that. "What are you thinking?"
Wendy just grinned, raising an eyebrow at him, and, yeah, Branch now knew she didn't believe that.
He glared at her and said, "For the record, I broke up with her before, thinking she'd rather have her traitorous ex-boyfriend back! She wouldn't leave me alone until I at least accepted her apology, and our friends kidnapped us both in a crazy scheme to get us back together! I am not in this relationship for power!"
Wendy waved an arm through the air, amused. "Alright, alright. Have it yer way, son. Just joshin' ya, anyhow." She laughed slightly at his reaction.
Branch humphed, crossing his arms in annoyance.