The Trolls left the Anglerbus, most of them happy to be back home. Val looked at Poppy, saying she was gonna catch up with a few of her friends. waving to the group. Poppy barely had the chance to say anything before Val was out of sight.
"Don't worry she'll be at the assembly" Demo informed, breathing in the hot and stuffy air, which smelt of soot. Branch still found it uncomfortable they lived next to a Volcano as one of the rock Trolls approached them, Poppy recognized him as Riff, Barb's drummer as he looked at them, Poppy assumed because his hat was covering his eyes.
he informed them at the Queen wanted to speak with them personally as Branch crossed his arm, huffing as Poppy reminded him to keep an open mind as she and Branch followed the drummer. He led them to Skull Castle, where the Royal family lived, standing at the mouth of the Volcano, inside was a huge castle, the gate resembled a skull, earning the castle its name as the stone jaw lowered, acting as a drawbridge.
"Of course, they'd put their castle in the mouth of a Volcano" Branch commented, walking over the bridge into the castle, looking over the edge, seeing the boiling lava below them. the three entered the castle, they finally met up with Barb in the main room, welcoming the two to her home.
"Queen Poppy, Branch" Barb simply welcomed extending her hand, sensing the air was tense, again she apologized for her earlier actions especially putting Branch under mind control as he simply shrugged as Poppy gently nudged his shoulder.
Branch put his hand out, shaking Barb's saying he was going against his instinct by giving her a second chance as he looked at her. Barb wasn't going to make excuses, know what she did was wrong and hoping in time she could make amends for it.
"So, you've heard, what this celebration is about, paying respects to Leroy Gold?" Barb asked as Poppy nodded, she mentioned that Val let her listen to him record and admitted it was beautiful, unlike and Rock music she heard as Barb chuckled.
"Yeah, Leroy was old school, and real OG, he was actually the King before my dad" Barb admitted as Branch looked at her, asking if they were related, assuming Leroy was her grandfather from the revelation as Brab looked down.
"No actually, he died at a young age, so my dad was crowned after his passing as he had no family. they were friends" Barb admitted. she looked at her guests, telling her they were leaving for Paradise Island first thing tomorrow morning, which was where the celebration would be held.
"Paradise Island, never heard of it" Branch commented, he had studied maps since the discovery of the other tribes but never even heard of the place Barb was talking about. She smirked and chuckled, saying it wasn't on most maps.
She mentioned it was a beach island, with soothing waves, and soft sand, bring up it was where Leroy had his last concert. with this revelation it was clear the island was special to the Rock Trolls.
"On his trip back to Volcano City his boat was sunk, and his body was lost at sea" Barb admitted, actually reflected on the story, claiming she never met the guy, but he was really close with her father and as such Barb grew up listening to his music.
"It's softer than I prefer... but it has a special spot in my heart" she admitted as Poppy let out an aww at the Rock Queen's confession as she snapped out of it, regaining her tough girl attitude.
She informed them they could stay at the castle for tonight as she would give them a guest room, asking if they were together or wanted separate rooms. Poppy did not mind sharing with Branch as they had slept together before.
Barb nodded, as Branch promised they'd keep it down as Barb chuckled.
"With my speakers, I won't be able to hear you anyways. you can screw your heads off for all I care" Barb replied, making the two Pop Trolls embarrassed. she showed them upstairs to the guest room, telling them dinner was at nine and they would be up and leaving at 10.
Branch looked at her, confused as she just told them they were leaving first thing in the morning. Barb simply looked at him, explaining most Rock Trolls don't get up until noon as they like sleeping in after a big party.
"Nine is like, super early for us" Brab explained, showing them their room. Branch set his bag on, looking at Poppy, asking how they were gonna do this as there was only one bed. he asked what side she wanted as Poppy pondered. she decided she wanted the side next to the wall and window.
Branch agreed with that, as he did not like the morning sun on his face, they both unpacked as Branch looked at the plushie Poppy pulled from her bag, asking if he serious brought a stuffed animal with her.
"If I'm going to be spending a week away from the Village, I need to bring Lord Prickles, i can only go a few nights without him" Poppy replied squeezing her little friend as branch chuckled, pointing out how cute it was.
"You still sleep with a plushie, so you don't really have the ground to call me out" Poppy defended as Branch countered, saying that Croco, his stuffed alligator was a gift from his late grandmother.
"Besides, it's not like I brought him here" Branch defended as Poppy reached into Branch's hair, pulling out the green plushie as Branch got red with embarrassment. there was some awkward silence as they laughed at each other and themselves as Branch turned to poppy, remembering he did not bring any pajamas, as his only pair was pink with bunny ears, and would not dare wear them outside the bunker.
"So, I hope you don't mind me sleeping in my trousers" Branch stated as she was okay with it, under the condition that Branch lose the vest, as leaves were itchy to which he agreed with. after unpacking. a Troll came up knocking on the door as Poppy opened it.
"The Queen told me it was time to get you for dinner" an older female said with purple skin and dark indigo hair. as Poppy thanking her, trailing on as she did not know her name to thank her properly. "Oh, It's Eclipsa, I'm Queen Barb's advisor"
Poppy introduced herself as the Pop Queen and her boyfriend. Eclipsa looked at them analyzing as she nodded, telling them to enjoy their time in Skull castle, leaving the two as they headed downstairs. Poppy saying, she could eat as Branch was hungry, having only eaten a sandwich earlier as they followed the older Troll down through the building.
The group passed another older troll, wheeling a cart with trays on it. "Hey Sis, who's is your company?" the other Troll asked as Eclipsa looked at her. Introducing the Trolls. " This is my little sister Lava, the royal chef. Lava this is Queen Poppy of the Pop Trolls. I'm sorry I never caught your name" Eclipsa said, looking at Branch as he gave his name, the moment was cut off as Lava dropped a plate.
"Sorry, clumsy me" Lava said picking up the metal plate, setting it on a coffee table to send back later. Poppy looked at them, saying it was nice to meet them and thanked Eclipsa for leading them to the dining room where the royal family and friends were eating. Both Poppy and Branch were familiar with Barb and her father, the retired King Thrash as well as Carol and Riff, Barb's bandmates and friends.
Barb gestured for them to set down as they did. Poppy complimented the spread around the table as Lava smiled, pleased with the praise.
"She's right Mom, this looks amazing" Carol complimented as Barb gave everyone permission to dig in. the food was nicely prepared and tasted great a bit different from what the Pop Trolls usually ate but they seemed to enjoy it. Poppy thought it was a bit spicy for her taste, but Branch seemed to like it.
"Just to clear things up, we're cool right Poppy, about the whole World Tour and trying to brainwash everyone" Barb called out, bringing the beast out in the open as Poppy seemed to have forgiven her. Branch admitted he was on the fence. considering she actually did Brainwash him. "You turned me into a Rock Troll, it'll be a while before I trust you"
Branch was justifiably skeptical, but it seemed that Barb was willing to try to start over, and he promised Poppy he was going to give her a chance as the meal continued. The rest of the meal was uneventful until dessert was rolled out.
"Is that what I think it is?" Branch's mouth watered and the blue dish was wheeled out. it was a Fluffleberry cake, something that Branch hadn't had since he was a Trolling. his grandmother used to bake it all the time. apparent he was the only Troll who actually liked it.
Lava explained the dish was a Rock Troll standard dessert, cutting it with a knife, handing the first slice to Barb who thanked her, digging in. all the Rock Trolls seemed to enjoy the dish. Poppy remembered the last time she tried the dish, stomaching the awfully sour taste as she ate it, to not be rude.
"Nice cake" Poppy complimented, washing it down with a glass of water, she looked at her boyfriend, who's eyes light up like revisiting his childhood. Lava called out how her boyfriend seemed to like it, complimenting the chef.
"It tastes just like my grandmother used to make" Branch responded as Lava blushed, claiming it must have been a cosmic coincidence. In reality Lava knew the Truth and so did Eclipsa. That Branch was Eclipsa's son. and Eclipsa gave Rosiepuff the recipe as she knew Branch liked the dessert.
Despite Eclipsa finally finding her son she and Lava did not say anything about this. This would not be the best time to drop such a bomb on him, that she was his mother who he thought died years ago or worse walked out, which ever Branch thought.
"So, about this Leroy Gold, what's the plans for paradise Island?" Poppy asked, taking the conversation away from the stomach-turning cake to in ceremony as Barb smiled. she said it would be epic. a week of lounging on the beach, bonfires, luaus, parties, tons of artists paying tribute.
Poppy smiled, saying she wished she knew about this earlier, and was glad Val let her and Branch come to celebrate. she hoped they we're intruding, Barb smiled. saying was all okay and she was glad Poppy decided to attend, it would be great bonding activity.
After Dessert the two headed upstairs to get some rest.
(A/N: so, this story shares some elements from 'Branch the Rock Troll' one being that Eclipsa is Branch's mother. if you haven't read to story, she ended up at the Tree, hooked up with Branch's father before getting thrown out by the Bergens who found Rock Trolls disgusting. also, Fluffleberry cake being a Rock Dish explains by Branch is the only 'Pop' Troll who likes it)