Creek's family has always been a bit, unorthodox to say the least. His father is a scout for the royal family, always away on some mission but lacking a backbone when he finally comes home. Creek has always heard him referred to as a coward by his aunt, the one who primarily takes care of him. Creek has a mom, her name is Cybil, and she's a 'life-coach' but she's so irresponsible when it comes to Creek that he's forced to stay with his aunt on his father's side.
His caregiver's name is Thorn, like the thorn in his side that she makes him feel every time he wants to do something fun. She's overprotective to the max, creating every excuse under the sun to keep Creek indoors away from any potential dangers. She doesn't like his friends, and she especially doesn't like Branch, who she feels 'Makes the whole tribe looks more depressing'.
He's only allowed to call her his mom, as she doesn't recognise Cybil as Creek's real mother. Creek can't blame her though. Cybil always is so with the flow, that many people didn't even know she was pregnant until she gave birth. However it's always been a trait that Creek admired. Her laid back attitude that makes it seem like even the biggest problems can float away with the wind, he wishes he'd inherited that from his mother, instead of the body and hair.
Creek's father, Ted, one of the most boring names Creek knows, is one of the most boring and spineless fools he's witnessed in his life. Sure, he was known as an adventurer and a scout, but he did nothing more than hide in bushes and from wildlife, sowing in fear all the way. He's scared of his own shadow, and more fragile than glass. During the run to camp, he's tripped, fell, and a fist sized rock fell on his leg, breaking it in two places, apparently. Thorn and Creek had to leave him because he started lagging so far behind.
The worst aspect of Ted was that he couldn't properly use his hair. It barely extended, it didn't stick, and even when he tried his hardest, he could barely change the dark blue of his hair one shade lighter or darker. He's the cause of Creek having the same defect.
Too proud to admit it, Creek hadn't told anyone about his lack of hair mobility and color changing properties, that is, until Branch came along. From Creek's pod, he could always see Branch walking alone throughout the tree, talking fearlessly to the king, taking care of the Queen and princess, and being doted on by the three doctors of the tribe. All while being gray, and only a little older than himself.
One day, after getting assigned to the distraction team against Thorns will, Creek began to play with other trollings. It was fun, he was happy and having fun, the noticed Branch approaching. Creek felt excited, he had wanted to talk with Branch and now he had the opportunity. His mother had always said to stay away, but Creek couldn't help but want to be friends with the older, cooler troll.
however, he noticed Branch sneaking peeks to the adults, who gave him scornful looks. It made Creek mad, as far as he knew Branch was still a troll, yet they're so mean to him because he's not a normal color.
Branch set down the princess before retreating before Creek could ask him to play. He was reluctant at first but then played with the little princess and got really happy again. Until she started to cry.
"Poppy, What's wrong?" Biggie asked.
"Branch!" she cried, to the amazement of all.
Creek smiled, knowing he now had a reason to talk to Branch. That was his first encounter with Branch. At first he seemed shy, apprehensive about playing with the trolls, but after some coaxing and protection Creek began to feel really happy while playing.
The cool gray troll easily played with the younger trollings. He effortlessly made everyone feel included while letting the two baby trolls climb over his arms, not letting them fall at all. He was strong, and cool, and when the sun hit his hair just right, downright dazzling with his monochrome colors. His smile made everyone smile with him.
Creek couldn't help but idolize the troll who stood for everything he didn't see in himself. That was until the guards came in a panic. Thorn swept Creek up in an embrace but Creek was still fixated on Branch, whose smiling face turned to fear faster than a blink of an eye.
He ran, so far so fast Creek couldn't even call out to him. Thorn told Creek what had happened on the way to the royal pod, and Creek couldn't think of anything to say. He was a 'lucky one' who hadn't lost a relative to the burgens, while Branch had lost everyone. Creek couldn't sympathize, he didn't know how to.
He felt awkward around Branch now, even looking at him from afar something stored in Creek. Maybe pity, maybe anger, Creek didn't know and it scared him. He would avoid the troll, which wasn't hard. When Branch was nearly taken by a burgen, of course Creek was one of the first on the scene of his pod.
While everyone was away at the entrance to the cave, Creek looked inside the pod. Old, dirty and due to the shift, in shambles. What little was in the pod had shifted so that nothing looked right at all. Creek couldn't help but clean up the bed and side table at least. He had noticed Branch's pack on the ground, and opened it, curious at the contents. He looked past the books and pulled out the two pictures, glossing over the large family portrait and instead focusing on the parents and child.
Looking at the two happy parents looking so lovingly to the child, the awkward feeling returned in Creek's chest. He put the photos back, hanging up the pack before running back to his pod. He didn't hear about Branch again until the first day of running. When they stopped for the first time, it was about five minutes before a gray blur flew past him, followed by much slower trolls.
Creek ran after without Thorn stopping him. He ran until he saw a swarm of adults surrounding a crack in the wall. They murmur among themselves, the he sees the other children he played with. After a week together, he felt close to them.
"Creek." Biggie said to greet him.
"Branch got lost in the tunnel, the adults can't find him." The twins said in unison, a trait they would do when panicked.
"If he was running, it was from something." Suki said pondering the theory over," I mean, I haven't spend much time with him, but he doesn't seem like a troll to run without reason."
"I think one of us should try to find him." Biggie chimed in with the other trollings nodding in agreement.
"How'll we decide?" Creek asked with a laugh going with the flow for once.
"Rock-Paper-Scissors!" Suki yells loudly, only for the adults to shush her, she had a tendency to yell at random times.
"I'm good with that." Satin says," Best two out of three?"
So after a small tournament between the five abled bodied participants, as Smidge was to small to partake, Creek came out as the winner. He took a torch and walked alone into the small cave. It was dark, to dark for Creek who'd only been used to light, well lit places. It was also cold.
"Branch?" He had managed to choke out.
"Creek?" a small voice replied, then from out of nowhere, Branch appeared out of a hole in the side of the tunnel.
'Are we sure he isn't a rock troll in disguise?' Creek thought to himself before taking a breath.
They chatted for s quick second, but Creek knew from the gray trolls answers and lack of eye contact he was lying about his stories. Branch didn't trust Creek, and Creek knew. So Creek thought back to news he'd gotten before being assigned roles in the escape. His mother, Cybil, was pregnant with another child from his father, a thought that kind of disgusted him.
To gain trust, Creek told Branch aout his own troubles. Branch had been through alot, but so had Creek, in his own way. Creek was surprised that Branch listened so intently when he would talk, or make sure to notice every movement, as to acknowledge his existence. It made a sense of comfort come over Creek, even after the refreshing song number.
After Creek was done saying his own woes, Branch comforted him. Hadn't Creek come to comfort Branch? Why did the roles reverse? Why was Creek relieved by the words of the only who could be more pitiful than him?It was when Branch stood up and yelled before smiling to Creek that Creek understood the awkward feelings he had for Branch.
Creek was jealous. Jealous of the orphan for not having overbearing parents, having people who cared for who he really was and didn't care if he was gray. Creek was jealous that even in the face of complete misery and misfortune, Branch still had the courage to move on and help those around him before himself. He didn't care he was Gray, he just cared about the trolls around him associating with a gray troll. He's brave, he's someone to be admired.
Creek admired Branch.
When the two walked out hand in hand, Creek began to think of Branch not as 'the interesting gray troll', but as a 'friend' he'd want to keep with him for as long as possible. The others had thought the same before Creek, based on the way they all greeted each other and played. Truly, they were all in bliss even though Branch was hurt.
Finally, on the last day, when Branch stood up to the scariest doctor in the troll tree, Ash Tree, Creek felt a contagious courage and spoke out. Afterwards he was praised, and he couldn't help but thank Branch profusely in his head for that strength. When Branch suddenly left, he whispered a small promise Creek could somehow pick up about being safe. Creek was bound and determined to be in order to great his friend at the exit of the tunnel.
The snack pack tumbled out of the tunnels then stood back as others rushed out. Everyone waited for different things, a family member, a friend and the king were the top three. The snack pack anxiously waited, their parents coming over to check up on them, but they stayed with their eyes locked on the exit. Creek stood in front, wanting to be the first to greet Branch when he came out.
The large ball of trolls emerged. Creek anxiously looked around the pile, no gray tone to be seen, so his eyes stayed peeled at the entrance. Then King Peppy made his entrance, everyone cheered. Even Creek couldn't help but cheer the king, but still, Peppy said he should be the last out but Branch was still nowhere to be seen. Everyone began to shuffle forwards, taking the kids along.
Creek tried to keep his feet planted, but they kept being forced out from under him. His hope was fleeting, until Yuki and Biggie grab his hands. Together, with Chenille and Satin, they stand strong in a bunch, eyes locked on the cave.
"Children, we need to get moving." Peppy said trying to move them.
"Branch is still in there." Creek said in a defiant manner.
"We aren't going yet, not until Branch come out." Yuki said planting her hair into the ground.
Agreement came from the group, all of them planting their hair down. Creek felt a wave of courage and used all his focus, and he was able to stick his hair to the ground, a feat he hadn't been able to do before. They sat down together, unaware of the panic the adults began to stir.
They see Doctor Spruce being held back by Doctor Ash and King Peppy as he tries to run into the cave. Their parents all try to move them, but give up and sit idly next to the path, using camo to blend into the surroundings. All was silent, until a loud screech hurt everyone's ears.
"Nooo!" the familiar voice screamed.
Minutes later a worn down Branch emerged from the cave. He had tears running down his nealy white face. His hair colored faded even more, but Creek noticed one thing that stood out as dangerous. Branch was known throughout the village for his lack of color yet the vivid red that soaked his hand and wrist struck out against the fading gray of the trolls body. Branch began to rush passed the hidden trollings, but Creek reached out a hand to trip him up. The others all tackled him to stop him from moving, all scared that something might happen if he continues to move. Whatever made him scream, really shook him.
Spruce came over and picked up Branch, both with cold glasy stress filled with a cold that could rival even the worst winter they'd faced. Creek began to sing, to try and calm everyone's nerves, but Spruce's glare quickly shut him and the other up.
When they stopped to make camp, Creek stared at the tent holding his friend, until Thorn forced him to sleep. He couldn't even sleep, he just listened to the breathing in and out of the trolls around him. Before he could even close his eye, the sunlight hurt his eyes, creeping through the leaves of the large hut.
He quickly left the hut to see Branch, a large smile on his face, with a pink bandage around his hand, and the Tree brothers playing with him happily. Creek was relieved, but angry he couldn't do anything to help his friend.
"I'll make sure he doesn't cry again." Creek said quietly to himself, before putting on a smile and running over to play with his friend.