It was becoming more and more unbearable, not saying anything. Star stared at the human and troll interacting. They were talking about Techno Reef, though the conversation had originally started with the three of them, Star had started to feel like a third wheel and excused herself. Though being the noisy person she is, she didn't move too far. When Ash started laughing loudly and leaned closer to the King, Star frowned. I should've stayed within listening distance. She thought bitterly.

"I really don't want to leave Star, but honestly, I'd like a break from the nonstop pop music." Ash sighed as she glanced at Star doing a horrible job at trying to be inconspicuous. "You don't like pop music?" "No, I do. I just liked it more when I was younger, I even went through a phase as a preteen where I was obsessed with boy bands. She blushed to remember how embarrassing she acted during that stage. "There was this one member, I was so sure I was going to marry him. I even thoroughly planned our wedding." Ash covered her face as she spoke, her face heating up more just remembering that awkward time. Trollex grinned as he waited for her to continue. "I'm pretty sure I've got a scrapbook somewhere at home where I planned out my wedding to him, I was so in love." She laughed at herself, thinking about a photo of ten-year-old her and a teenage boy from the pop band, their faces glued on a bride and groom. "But when I got to high school, I moved on to rock music. It's currently my favorite genre." "What's high school?" "Oh, we start high school at fourteen or fifteen. Typically, people finish by the time they're nineteen, some people finish at seventeen." Trollex looked thoughtful for a moment. "So, do you want to marry someone in a rock band now?" "I mean, I've had crushes on certain members of bands I like, but I'm not planning any wedding. I'm a tad bit more realistic now. I'd be lucky to even meet them." She laughed awkwardly. "Anyway, I'll probably be staying in Pop Village because I doubt Star will want to live in Rock City. She said she'll visit but knowing her she'll start to mope because she really doesn't want to live there." Ash turned to see if Star was still watching them. Guess the weirdo finally left, she thought when she didn't see the blonde. "What about Techno Reef? If you can breathe." "Do you play music all day like Pop Village?" Trollex shook his head. "Mainly only at night." I could deal with it if it's only at night. I might even like the music. She thought. Trollex grinned when he noticed she was seriously considering it. "I could find someone to make your cappuccinos." He teased. "Cappuccinos and a realistic amount of music?" He nodded. Well shit, I hope we can breathe underwater. "I really hope we can breathe underwater; it sounds perfect. Honestly, I wouldn't mind Pop Village if they just sang at night." Trollex watched the pop trolls performing the final song of the night. "It's getting late." Ash nodded. "Yeah, we should go to bed. I can't believe they wake up at sunrise and start singing. I miss sleeping in." She pouted. The king stood and offered his hand to Ash, his hand was warm and oddly soft. It was surprisingly similar to the other trolls. "Thank you."

"I can't keep quiet any longer!" Ash fell off her bed when Star let herself in without knocking. "What the hell Star?" "Look, I tried to keep quiet. I really did, but it's too much. Every time he's near you and doesn't say anything. Every time you walk away from him still clueless of something so obvious I-" "Are you referring to the fact Trollex is interested in me." "I just want to grab your shoulders and, wait, what did you just say?" The look of disbelief on Star's face made Ash wish she had her phone to take a photo. Ash laughed. "You're referring to the fact he's interested in me, right?" Honestly, that was the last thing Star expected to come out of Ash's mouth at the moment. She was so sure her best friend was completely oblivious regarding the situation. "Uh, yeah. So, um, when did you figure this out?" Ash shrugged. "The last conversation I had with him. He was really interested to learn more about me. Beyond the basic stuff, all the trolls here want to know, he wasn't really asking about our world. He wanted to know about me." Star tossed Ash an odd look. "And?" "And what?" "He wants you to go to Techno Reef, he wants you to live there. You've told him that it's on your list. Isn't that leading him on?" "I'm a new exotic being. Once he realizes I'm not really that interesting his small crush will fade. It's no big deal, if we move there it might even help him realize sooner that I'm actually not that interesting."

Star fidgeted. "Have you thought about, you know…." She trailed off staring at the floor. "No, I don't know." Lifting her head, she glared at the brunette, who just raised a brow in return. "You do know what I'm trying to say." Still, Ash refused to say anything. "If there isn't a way home, I don't want to die old and alone, you know? I feel like it's weird like it's crossing a line. Yet when I speak to them, I almost forget they're different than us." Star frowned when the brunette continued to stare at her with a blank expression. Ash was really going to make her say it. "Watching the way he interacts with you. Hickory and Branch have noticed, and they didn't seem phased at all that King Trollex seems to have a crush on you. I'm sure Queen Poppy has noticed but she hasn't acted bothered either. So, I don't think anyone here would think it's weird or be put off by it." The two sat in silence for a moment. "You're such an asshole sometimes. Have you thought about having a romantic relationship with a troll? Like in the future if we aren't able to return." "No."

To call her out on the lie or to not call her out on the lie?

"Liar, I know it's had to cross your mind and-" Ash cut her off "We need to focus on getting home. Not whatever weird fantasy you're starting to create in your mind." Her tone was sharp, leaving no room for argument. Star knew Ash was right, but she couldn't help but let the thought cross her mind. She scoffed. Whatever, I'm sure it has actually crossed her mind. "I was about to go to sleep; can you leave now?" Star frowned. "You couldn't say that in a nicer way?"

"You're the one that burst into my room without knocking. Knock next time."

The the smell of old books was overwhelming and the silence disturbing. Is this some kind of antique library? Ash wondered to herself as she glanced around the room. All four walls were lined with books and there was a large wooden desk in the center. She stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, unsure of what she should do. After a few minutes, she decided to take a look around. The bookcases covered the walls ceiling to floor and the room was lit by lamps placed on the walls where there were gaps in the bookcases and one larger lamp on the desk. She stepped to the center of a bookcase and pulled a dark book down. It wasn't in English. She reached for another, then another, and another. None of them were in English. Ash frowned as she stared at the text in the book, they were all in the same language it seemed, though she didn't recognize the alphabet. The lack of windows made her more uncomfortable. No windows and the door wasn't open. When she stepped closer to one of the lamps on the wall, she felt her stomach twist. It was a gas lamp. Without giving it much thought she quickly rushed to open the door. Locked. Not only was it locked, but it was a solid door, as she pushed on the and pounded it didn't move and it barely made a sound. The only thing she accomplished was bruising her hands. "I'm going to die if I can't get this door open." She mumbled to herself, fearing that that gas lamps could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. A recent news story from her hometown played through her mind as she tugged once more on the door. Suddenly, the temperature in the room dropped. She wrapped her arms around herself and frowned, realizing for the first time she was only wearing a thin white gown. This isn't mine. "You seem comfortable with the trolls, I'm surprised." A nonchalant voice came from behind the brunette. She glanced over her shoulder to see a woman with long black hair. The stranger wore an emerald green Victorian-style dress. The way she held herself and the look she gave Ash made the brunette feel small and less than. "Trolls?" What is she talking about? Who is she? The woman raised a brow. "How disappointing." She sounded more irritated than disappointed; the woman stepped closer to Ash. "I have no need of you if you have no memory at the moment. Leave me." Before Ash could question the odd statement, everything went black.

~Do you remember, 21st night of September?
Love was changing the mind of pretenders
While chasing the clouds away
Our hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing
As we danced in the night
Remember, how the stars stole the night away~
Groaning, Ash sat up in her bed. What time is it? They start this way too early. She thought to herself as the pop trolls sang outside. As she rubbed the sleep from her eyes someone started beating on her door. "Damnit Star. It's too early." She yelled at the door. "Well, you're awake now so open the door." Ash scoffed. "Leave me alone." As soon as the words left her lips the dream caught up with her. 'I have no need of you if you have no memory at the moment. Leave me.' The words echoed in her mind. She frowned, why did the dream seem so real? Ash called for Star to open the door.
"What's up? You look pale." Ash glanced towards the blonde. "I just woke up. Sorry I don't look like I'm about to walk the runway."
"No, I mean you look weird."
"Thanks, Star."
"No, I mean-"
"I had a weird dream, that's all."
"Ooooh tell me more." Star grinned and sat on the foot of the bed.
As she told the story of the dream and the odd comment the woman made, Star's eyes widened. "Oh wow, I wonder what it means?" Ash just shook her head. "I doubt it means anything. Just a weird dream." "All dreams have meanings." "Well, let me know if you figure out what my dream meant okay? Anyway, I'm going to find Hickory. I need a cappuccino. Get out so I can get dressed." As Star left Ash glanced down at her hands, her chest tightened painfully at the sight of the bruises.

While walking around Pop Village with Barb a loud scream rang throughout the village. "I'm having a baby!" A green troll ran out into the middle of the village. "I'm having a baby!" They cried once more and sat on the ground. Ash stared in confusion. If that troll is having a baby, why isn't someone helping take them to a more private location? The confusion turned into concern as nobody seemed to be helping the troll. A few trolls had stopped but nobody was actually doing anything other than watching. Ash turned Barb to ask what the hell was going on and what was wrong with everyone when she heard a loud "Oh!" it was the troll. She looked back towards the troll in time to see an egg pop out of its hair. The blue egg had blue hair sticking out the top. The troll grinned and set the egg down in front of them, a moment later a baby popped out of the egg.
What

The

Hell

As the troll decided on a name and the baby started talking Ash just stared with her mouth open. "Uh, is something wrong?" Barb nudged her. "How?" Ash motioned towards the troll and his new baby. Queen Barb seemed a bit confused by the question but explained everything anyway. The male trolled laid an egg, from his hair? Well okay then. It was best not to think too much into it right now, especially with Barb tugging her away from the troll. However, Ash soon noticed Star a good distance away, and despite the fact she had decided not to think too much about it at the moment, she couldn't help it. "Sorry Barb, I have to talk to Star. Catch up later?" Barb shrugged. "Sure, later." As soon as Barb turned her back Ash rushed to Star. "I need to talk to you." "About what?" "Let's go back to my room."

"Wait what?" Star sat on the bed looking beyond confused. For once they were in her room instead of Ash's. "Yeah! Trolls reproduce asexually. Apparently, males and females can do it. It was crazy, the egg popped from his hair and hatched. Then the baby started talking." She did crazy motions as she told the story. "Wait, they reproduce asexually?" Star got a thoughtful look on her face as she processed this new information. "So, if they reproduce asexually, I wonder what their romantic relationships are like? Obviously, the King and Queen of funk are in a romantic relationship, and Branch is Queen Poppy's boyfriend. But I wonder how romantic relationships differ from the romantic relationships in our world." Star stared at the wall and as she thought more. "I don't think I've seen anyone here kiss or anything." Ash shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I'm leaving now. Bye." Why couldn't Star just listen to the interesting new tidbit about the trolls? She always overthinks, Ash didn't want to listen to Star go on and on with theories about the trolls' romantic lives at the moment.

Watching the king and queen were so mesmerizing, they looked so in love. Watching the two of them interact it was obvious to her that trolls loved just as humans did. As Ash continued to watch the two of them dance, King Trollex sat down next to her. She almost laughed at the curiosity on his face, she probably looked like a weirdo staring that them that way. "They remind me of my grandparents." She answered his unspoken question. "My grandparents were the only two people I've ever seen with such pure love. Still so in love after so many years. The King and Queen give off the same aurora my grandparents did." The king turned his full attention to the human. "Do they like to dance?" He questioned. She shrugged. "I don't remember them dancing when I was younger, my grandfather had an accident and couldn't walk the last few years. They both passed away when I was younger." Before he could get a word in, she changed the subject. "This world is like a fairytale land or something." She bit her lip thinking about how she should word the next sentence. "I know there were the bergens, but are there any other dangerous beings in this world? Even creatures or something from old stories?" Trollex looked thoughtful for a moment. "The only real danger we've faced recently not counting the bergens, was the rock trolls." "Rock trolls?" Trollex nodded. "Yeah, Queen Barb went on a world tour to capture everyone and make them rock zombies-" "Rock Zombies?" Ash cut him off, her eyes wide. Trollex laughed awkwardly, his eyes darted around for either Queen Poppy or Queen Barb. It would probably be best if one of them explained it.
"Rock zombies?" She nudged the king as she questioned him once again.
"Yeah…."
"Why? How?"
"Well…" he doubted he could explain it better than Queen Barb or Queen Poppy. When at least one of the two queens still didn't appear, he figured he'd explain what he could and they could just fill in any blanks he left, he turned back to the human ready to speak and froze. Was she always this close? He gulped, completely forgetting what he was going to say. "I'm sorry." He mumbled and appeared on the other side of her.
"Anyway, they're no longer any danger to us." He motioned to a rock troll and country troll chatting. "There isn't anything else, at least nothing has come up." Ash frowned. "Wait back up, what happened with the rock trolls." She turned back to the king, once again moving closer. "We once had strings that represented our music…"

Once he completed the story Ash just stared at the ground for a moment with a blank expression. God, this place is so weird. Strings? Needing the strings for their music? Changing all the strings to rock, then the strings being destroyed. "Wait, you were a rock troll? Do you remember it?" Trollex grinned at the question. "That's the first question you're asking?" "Well, do you?" The king shrugged and thought about it a moment. "Kind of, but it wasn't a long amount of time so there isn't much of that to remember. During those moments though it's a bit foggy." There were a lot of gaps Ash was curious about, however, being the first tribe attacked Trollex couldn't offer much to fill in those spaces. After the story, she didn't feel comfortable bringing up the history with Barb, and she didn't know how it'd go if she brought it up with Poppy. I can't ask either of them, it would be rude and I'm still a stranger even if they are insanely welcoming. She thought to herself. "So, are there any stories you grew up with?" Ash paused trying to figure out how to word it. "Like warnings or something? If you don't do XYZ a witch or something evil might get you? Any stories with that type of thing?" When Trollex just seemed confused she decided to offer one from her childhood.

"So, when I was younger all the kids talked about Bloody Mary. It was said if you light candles and stand in front of the bathroom mirror at night and say Bloody Mary three times she'd appear in the mirror." When Trollex looked confused she quickly added more details. "She's an old queen. She was supposed to appear in the mirror covered in blood and looked terrifying." His confusion morphed into concern. "What happened when she appeared?" Ash opened her mouth only to close it a moment later. I haven't thought about Bloody Mary since I was like ten. She thought to herself while trying to remember what exactly was supposed to happen other than scaring the shit out of kids with her appearance? "I don't remember." She laughed awkwardly. "I was always way too much of a coward to even try it anyway." Trollex laughed. "Cowardice or common sense?" "I didn't think about that when I was ten years old and my friends were teasing me, yeah, it should be common sense not to test things like-" Ash paused. Wait a minute. Trollex jumped when Ash suddenly slapped her own forehead. "Are you okay?" She waved off his question. The fact she and Star didn't use common sense and instead tested things like that were flashing through her mind. "Well, at least it's nothing like Bloody Mary." She mumbled to herself, confusing the king beside her. "Anyway, so do you have any stories like that?"
Trollex glanced off to the side, wracking his brain for any stories that might fit what she was referring to. "Oh, actually there's one."