A/N: This is the same short note for Shadgirl2. Again, I thank you for expressing your insight on the "Born To Die" debacle. I never gave a second thought that most country songs (if not all) could be joyful or somber when the occasion called for it, so I apologize for that. I always appreciated the heart and soul Country Music is constructed rather than the tone of them. which I felt was reflected in the Country Trolls. However, reading your interview gave time to think how to handle the Country Trolls chapter, so I decided on this: have the Country Trolls, specifically Delta Dawn, come to acknowledge that music can sometimes need a little fun injected into them. My opinion is this: I felt that "Born To Die" was important in terms of the story because it introduces the Country Trolls and their lifestyle with a solemn passion. With that said, I'm not saying your opinion is wrong, but rather I respect it. If you wish not to read anymore, then I won't force you. I will, however, do my best to introduce more lighthearted country chapters.
WARNING: The following chapter contains references of death, suicide, and nihilism.
Just to the left of the road leading into the town, Sheila landed on the outskirts of Lonesome Flats. Digging through her hair (careful to not to accidentally cut her hand on her newly acquired knife), Poppy pulled out the map of the Troll Kingdom and glanced between the town and its place on the chart.
"This must be where the Country Trolls live. Meadow?"
"Yes?" Meadow looked up from her plant tending.
"Do you think you can stay here and watch over Trollzart and Pennywhistle? Branch, Biggie, Mr. Dinkles, and I will check out Lonesome Flats."
"Sure," Meadow placed her plant under the sun and pulled Branch's medical supplies out of his hair, "I don't wanna be there when it happens."
"When what happens?" Branch tilted his head in intrigue.
"Oh, nothing important, Branch. You, on the other hand, need to stick by Poppy's side and talk some sense into her when she goes off the plan."
Branch was very lucky that Meadow whispered that last part and nodded, "Right. Got it."
"Then go. They're already halfway there."
Turning to find Meadow's statement proven correct, Branch took off after the trio as Meadow chuckled in amusement before she tended to a still unconscious Trollzart.
"Excuse me, Miss Meadow?"
"Yes?" Meadow turned toward a curious Pennywhistle.
"I don't mean to ask, but you don't want to be there when what happens?"
"Poppy will convince her friends to perform a pop medley in an attempt to cheer up the Country Trolls."
"And you're not convinced it will work?"
"Not in the slightest."
"Why not?"
"You see, the Country Trolls thrive on the heart and soul of what they believe is music. There's nothing wrong with that, though. It's more along the lines of...their opinions on what music is or should be are purely subjective."
"Golly. Do you think the Country Trolls appreciate Classical Music?"
"I'm sure they will...possibly more so than Pop Music."
As Poppy, Branch, Biggie, and Mr. Dinkles entered Lonesome Flats, the atmosphere became much and much drearier, all of whom haviing different variants of the same opinions on it. In short, they felt sympathy and compassion with a hint of fear and curiosity.
"Cock-a-doodle... Oh, never mind," muttered a dejected rooster.
("Born To Die" - Kelly Clarkson & Elizabeth Olsen)
The primary clock tower hit high noon just in time for a Country Troll to exit out wielding her banjo. She had orange skin, large orange-red curled hair, a white-and-green plaid shirt, white pants, a brown leather belt with a circular buckle, and a small white hat with a golden star. Like the rest of her fellow Country Trolls, what made her unique was the lower portion of her body granting her the appearance of a centaur with their horse-style legs. When strumming the first notes of their introductory song, a pecuilar bright orange string could be visible if one looked clear enough.
This Country Troll was Mayor/Sheriff Delta Dawn.
[Verse 1]
We don't hope for makin' things better
All we want is to keep it together
Every day is a rainy day, no changin' the weather
This kind of life has made our hearts as hard as leather
As Delta sung, a Country Troll gave birth just to her left, the newborn chirping happily as she cracked out out of her egg and was brought into the new world.
"Happy birthday, honey," the father smiled remorsefully, "Time to get to work."
"Okay, Daddy," the newborn proudly responded into acceptance as she joined her two siblings into milking their pet buffalo.
At the same time, a pair of children chased around a tumbleweed that seemed to be from the tip of their fingers. However, as it slowed, the tumbleweed turned around and began to chase them down, sending them running away accompanied by appropriate screams of fear. Meanwhile, an elderly farmer began to cry for no apparent reason, perhaps being moved by his ruler's empathetic song of despair and hardship. One tear in particular seemed to agree, as he cried along with his owner. In addition, a BBQ establishment revealed their secret recipe: living and breathing oxes as they ambled forward to meet their inevitable fate.
[Chorus]
And all these tears are from the dust in our eyes
And all these years just keep on passin' us by
And all this misery makes it hard to deny
We all know that we're just born to die
That's the way it goes when you're just born to die...
Poppy, Branch, Biggie, and Mr. Dinkles watched from their hiding spots as the Country Trolls went along with their daily business. Meanwhile, having snuck out of Sheila, Meadow carried a sleeping Trollzart in her arms and a wide awake Pennywhistle in her hair.
"Miss Meadow... Can you sing?"
"Sometimes, but I prefer not to."
"Please?"
"No, Pennywhistle."
"Pretty please?"
"I said no, Pennywhistle."
"Pretty please with a poppy on top?"
. . .
"Ugh. You just had to go there."
Sighing in resignation, Meadow then set down Trollzart and Pennywhistle as she smoothed out her dress. Slowly stepping out of the shadows and into the light, she saw whom she presumed to be the ruler of Lonesome Flats leading a growing group of Country Trolls in a line dance. What she did not see was Poppy, Branch, Biggie, and Mr. Dinkles watching on in confusion as their companion joined the Country Trolls for the second verse.
[Verse 2]
I hear the voice of a whip-poor-will singin'
She don't know all the comfort she's bringin'
We all know the sound of when the truth is ringin'
Yeah, it hurts your soul just like a bumblebee stingin'
With equal parts disbelief and admiration, Delta and the watched on as Meadow sang along. Despite her misgivings towards Pop Trolls and the Pop Genre, she had to admit that this particular Troll could belt out a tune or two. As her attention was caught by the Mayor/Sheriff, Meadow was surprised when Delta motioned for her to come over but did so out of confusion. It only increased when Delta handed her a fiddle and finally diminished she got the hint. Meadow gently took the fiddle and played along.
[Chorus]
All these tears are from the dust in our eyes
(And all these years just keep on passin' us by)
And all this misery makes it hard to deny
(We all know that we're just born to die)
[That's the way it goes when you're just born to die]
Delta and Meadow shared acknowledging glances of respect as the latter joined the former in leading the line dance.
[Instrumental Break]
"Meadow enjoys this?" Poppy asked in bewilderment, "This song is so sad."
"Yeah, it is sad," Branch agreed before adding, "But life is sad sometimes, so I kinda like it."
"You do?" Poppy continued after Branch shrugged, "Huh. But it's so different. Wait... They must not know that music is supposed to make you happy. Oh, that's awful."
As the quartet advanced, they witnessed two Country Trolls about to throw down before they recognized each other and danced along. An elderly Country Troll was in the middle of the dance when he suffered a heart attack and stumbled into a conveniently placed coffin. They eventually noticed everybody in Lonesome Flats had joined in the line dance, and Delta, Meadow, and the epic men's chorus were their leaders.
[Chorus]
All these tears are from the dust in our eyes
And all these years just keep on passin' us by
And all this misery makes it hard to deny
We all know that we're just born to die
'Cause we all know that we're just born to die
That's the way it goes when you're just born to die...
Delta walked over to the coffin of her fellow Country Troll and paid her final respects before closing it, bowing her head.
The Country Trolls then engaged in small talk, with Delta complimenting Meadow.
"Well, that's mighty fine belting, young lady."
"Oh, thank you, ma'am, although I prefer to reside outside the spotlight."
"Ah, a wallflower, huh? Don't worry, I understand you."
"That was amazing, Miss Meadow!"
The two of them turned to find Pennywhistle hopping towards them, a now wide awake Trollzart flying behind her as he rubbed his head.
"Ugh, what happened?"
"And who is this adorable little one?" Delta leaned down so a giggling Pennywhistle could hop into her hands.
"The name's Pennywhistle, ma'am! And this..." The flute gestured behind a still disoriented Trollzart, "...is my master, Wolfgang Amadeus Trollzart!"
"Yes..." The leader of the Classical Trolls groaned, "That is me. Um...where am we again?"
"You're in Lonesome Flats, Mr. Trollzart," Meadow calmly explained, "You see, we rescued you and Pennywhistle after Symphonyville was destroyed."
"Oh..." Trollzart's memories came back as he nodded in understanding, "Thank you, madam."
"Growl..."
Everybody turned to a dull pink-skinned Country Troll with green hair and a matching tail, eyebrows, and mustache. He narrowed eyes at a particularly colorful group of Trolls unlike their own. One was bright pink, one was bright blue, and one was green with a hint of grey. Meadow gulped, "Oh, no..."
"Is this the part where...?" Pennywhistle whispered.
"Oh, yeah..."
"Growly, growly, growl," the mustached Country Troll muttered in distrust.
"Now, take it easy, Growly Pete," Delta calmed him down, "I feel bad for them. It looks like they got beat up by a rainbow. Uh, no offense, wallflower."
"None taken," Meadow approached, "Yeah, I'm sorry. They're with me, but I can promise you that they are the most conventional, cooperative, and civilized Pop Trolls you'll ever meet."
Delta had to process what Meadow had stated as she turned to face her again with disbelief, "Pop Trolls...?"