After Breakfast, the Rock Trolls were meeting up at what appeared to the coast of Volcano Rock City, Val and Demo meeting up with the main group. Val mentioned it was the best night of sleep she had in a while, Demo behind her, carrying their bags onto a Rock Troll Yacht. Poppy let out a smile seeing the huge party boat.
"This thing is inspected for safety, right?" Branch asked carrying a bag The ship was boarded. Barb was the one to address the other Trolls, saying it would a decent length trip to paradise island. She told them there would be games, activities and music to keep everyone entertained.
The group dispersed as Val decided to get some alone time with Poppy, Demo was talking to the other bands and Branch slunk off, saying something about checking the structure and Barb was somewhere.
"Thanks for inviting us to tag along with you, I know I'm sounding repetitive, but it means a lot" she explained as Val nodded, holding a tray of nachos, dipping her chip into the cheese mixture, asking how it was staying in Skull Castle, she had never been invited there.
"It was alright, the three of us had a sleepover" Poppy explained as Val let it slip, she was a bit jealous. Barb did not get close to just anyone and the fact that she was on friend terms with Poppy and Branch stung a small bit. she had lived in Volcano Rock her whole life and it was like Barb barely knew her.
"Maybe try talking to her, I'm sure she wouldn't mind being your friend, it seems like you have a lot in common" Poppy explained as Val just sighed, explaining it was different because Barb was her Queen.
"I mean you're a queen but you're approachable and everyone is your friend, it's more or less expected but we Rock Trolls are different, yes we get along but we're hesitant to be friendly with each other" Val explained. Eventually Branch walked up with a clipboard, claiming there was a ton of things about the ship not up to regulation. from the missing rails to the slick floor, the pyrotechnics on a wooden ship. Branch went on as Val grabbed his clipboard, tossing it behind her, landing in the water with a splash as he reached out for it.
"Hey Captain Buzzkill, it's a party... do NOT kill my buzz" Val retorted as Branch simply huffed walking off, Val calling that he was at a party and should have fun.
"I'm sure Barb has it taken care off" Poppy replied, as she was gonna head to that tattoo booth, a few Rock Trolls were getting temporary tattoos, the one leaving having a neon skull with crossed guitars on his chest as Poppy sat down as the painter asked what she wanted.
"A Butterfly, no wait, flowers...no, a butterfly with wings made out of flowers, flying through a rainbow... wait a double rainbow" Poppy kept changing her request as he get the pen ready. Poppy got her temporary tattoo while Branch was leaning over the railing, moping about his clipboard which Val simply chucked overboard. a crack was heard as the rail broke, Branch gasped, slipping off the edge as an arm held him up, pulling him back on the ship.
"That was close dude" Barb replied, asking Branch what was matter as he looked down, considering he was at a party on heading to Paradise Island. "If it's about last night, that was just a prank." Barb half-heartily apologized for tricking him into cuddling her.
"It's not that, Val chucked my clipboard overboard, and this ship is not up to code, there are violations that violate your violations, those boards are literally held together with Duct tape" Branch continued as Barb bent down picking up a small box that fell out of Branch's vest. She asked was it was before Branch quickly snatched it back.
"It's nothing" he replied defensively putting it back in his vest as Barb crossed her arms, claiming by his reactions it was clearly something, but she wasn't going to force him to tell her, she walked off as Branch was left alone on the edge of the boat. Branch waited until he was sure he was alone as he pulled the small box out of his vest clicking it open. inside the box was indeed empty but there was once a green ring with a blue gemstone in the middle.
This ring was one of Branch's most prized possessions, it belonged to his grandmother which he thought highly off. he has been carrying it around for the past month. he had recently managed to achieve his goal of proposing to Poppy, he even went as far as talking to Peppy about getting permission to ask her hand in marriage, and now the Pop Queen was his fiancée.
Well, technically the reason he had proposed was that he accidentally knocked her up so they decided they would get married before the baby came. Trollstopia knew they two were engaged but as far as Branch knew the Rock Trolls did not yet know, or if they did no one was talking about it. they probably did not want their love life overshadowing this trip about their former Rock Icon.
Eventually it was lunch as the Rock Trolls prepared a buffet. an assortment of food. This was when Barb finally noticed the green ring, bringing it up. Poppy looked around, asking Barb to keep it on the DL.
"Queen to Queen" she replied pouring herself a glass of Lava-ade, a spicy orange flavored drink as Poppy looked around, explaining that about a week ago Branch had proposed to her. if Barb had been drinking, she'd have done a spit take.
"I know you two were an item, but you're engaged?" Barb replied confused yet happy for the pink haired troll as she nodded, rubbing her ring. she explained that show would have told Barb but the whole Leory Thing, she and Branch did not want their news to overshadow the event as Barb respected that.
"When we get back on the mainland, I'm gonna throw you the most amazing bachelorette party ever, it is gonna rock so hard" Barb promised, crossing her arms with her horns out and sticking out her tongue as Poppy chuckled.
"You're certainly invited" Poppy continued as Barb smiled before reflecting on the previous night.
Poppy, I... I mean if I knew you two were engaged... I mean last night-" Barb tried to apologize as Poppy told her it was okay, she meant Branch seemed to be okay. it was her idea.
"Still, I can't believe you're getting married" Barb replied as Poppy reflected on it.
"My Dad told me I was highly restricted when it came to choosing my partner. He could not JUST be my lover, but whoever I married would be my equal, King of the Pop Trolls, able to lead by my side as well to continue the Rainbow Bloodline. but Me and Branch are ready for that together" Poppy explained as Barb huffed.
"You know I never thought about getting married, figured I'd spend my life rocking every night and partying all day. and I've never had in interest in romance, all that gushy feeling stuff" Barb gagged as Poppy chuckled.
"Well, there is no rush, my dad was in his 30s when I was born, yeah it happened quick but we're glad it happened" Poppy replied as she sat with Barb, both eating as Branch held his place and sat beside the Pink Troll.
"Branch, I can't believe you're engaged to Popsqueak" Barb teased as he looked at Poppy who explained taht she saw the ring. plus, the Rock Trolls in Trollstopia knew, they were bond to find out eventually.
"Okay, yes, me and Queen Poppy are engaged now can we put that aside and focus on the reason we're here" Branch said, not used to being in the spotlight. Barb nodded, saying they would be arriving on Paradise Island soon.
There is also a beachside resort we'll be spending the week at, this celebration is about honoring the legendary Leroy Gold" Barb replied, getting the attention off the two Pop trolls as the audience cheered, enjoying their lunch. according to the captain of the boat they would making their destination by sundown.
After Lunch Branch and Poppy were lounging on two pool chairs on the ship as Val snuck up behind them, smiling at the two.
"Guess the secrets out Mrs. and Mr. Rainbow" Val teased as Branch was not used to the name as they were not married yet, but he would have to get used to it. holding a pineapple drink in his hand taking a sip. One of the Trolls walked by asking Poppy if she wanted a drink.
"Nothing for me thanks" Poppy replied, she didn't drink alcohol usually but now she was pregnant so she could not even if she wanted to. asking for a simple juice as the waiter nodded. leaving as he came back with a simple pineapple juice.
She smiled drinking it. one the stage a cover band was playing one of Leroy's old songs as Branch looked Poppy, it seemed the Trolls were dancing as he invited her to dance on the floor which she would obviously take him up on, and dancing was her second favorite activity, after singing and before hugging.
The two made it to the dance floor. Branch led Poppy around as she was impressed with his footwork, he admitted that he had read up on dancing plus as a troll he was natural at it.
The two kept dancing as eventually it grabbed the attention of a few Rock Trolls, watching the couple dance. which went until the sun fell, leaving a golden glow in the sky as the boat finally hit land. Paradise Island was that. a beautiful paradise, of sand, palm trees and forest.
"Okay everyone" we've arrived, I've sent Debbie ahead with a letter, so they are expecting us" Barb explained as they all left to boat, Branch was honestly glad to be off it, while he enjoyed the trip, he remembered how hazardous that boat was, expecting it to sink. the crunching of sand under their toes felt nice, the golden glow surrounding them. Barb led them all to the resort where an old troll around 70 or 80 was standing. he had faded blue skin and messy blonde hair, wearing a shell necklace, and red trousers.
"Greetings Rock Trolls, my name is Buddy, I own this resort and will be your guide to Paradise island, I've lived here most of my life, so let's let you settled in and tomorrow the fun begins, though if you want to have fun before, I won't hold it against you, the natives are having a luau tonight and would not mind you joining" the old guy informed, shaking Barb's Hand as he put a necklace on her.
(A/N: so, this story take place in the same universe as my story 'Branch, Poppy and a Baby' but that's the side plot of this story. Paradise Island is based of Hawaii, as it's the only place away from the mainland Elvis visited)