The days fade into weeks and the weeks fade into months and those months into years. In a what seems like a flash, the new village finally lifts its final pod into the trees. Every branch has some form of brightly colored strand connected to a vibrant pod. Many new slides and walking routes have been implemented into the design of the village.
Another pleasant surprise for the troll populace is the discovery that the changing of the seasons is not nearly as harsh as it was in the Burgan's town. The fall only saw a slight drop in temperature ad the winter brought small flurries in place of full-blown blizzards. This truly is a paradise for the new troll community to live and thrive.
King Peppy sits at the front of his pod, watching as the citizens of his tribe walk along and play happily in the trees and on the forest floor. He can't help but smile at the site of the populace. There's a feeling of hope in the air that never could have existed in his previous thirty years, and he feels a pride swell inside of his heart. He's brought back to reality when he hears sounds coming from the kitchen behind him. He stands and dusts himself off.
He navigates through the large pod into the kitchen. There doesn't appear to be anyone within the walls, but there's a mighty mess covering the counters and walls and, the ceiling somehow? He looks a little harder, before a puff of hot pink hair peaks over the kitchen island. Its bods from side to side, along with a clang of pots and pans. The king chuckles to himself. He carefully sneaks around the island to see the little princess digging in a cupboard with her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth.
"It's in here somewhere, I know it." She says quietly to herself.
"What's in there, honey?" Peppy says, shocking the pink princess and causing her to smack her head on the top of the cupboard. Peppy quickly walks over to her, ready to comfort her if she starts to cry. Instead he sees her purse her lips, her eyes watering, and breathing heavily.
"I'm looking for the froster doohickeys." Poppy says with a shaky voice while touching her head," I need them."
"Froster doohickeys?" Peppy asks, trying not to smile at her brave front.
"Yeah, the thing the holds frosting to decorate cakes. I saw Dr. Plum use it before. I'm certain I saw them around here." Poppy takes a deep breath in and rummages around in the cabinet again.
"Do you mean, the frosting bags and tips?" Peppy asks.
"Yes!" Poppy outstretches her arms in an exasperated way," Ted and Toffee laughed at me when I tried to explain it. Someone finally understands me!"/p
"What are you trying to decorate?" Peppy asks, going to the upper cabinets to help his daughter.
"Well, you can see right over there." Poppy points to the oven, where a set of charred black muffin tins sit with equally singed lumps of coal resting in each pit," I made cupcakes for my tea party tonight. I wanted to make them myself, so that way they'd be extra special."
"Peppy looks in slight horror at the cupcakes and can only sympathize with the little trollings who will have to stomach that coal to avoid Poppy's tears. He opens a cupboard and retrieves the frosting bags and tips, before walking over to Poppy and tapping her shoulder.
"That's all well and good, but what about getting Sugarsweet to bring over her famous cupcakes again?" Peppy asks as Poppy looks up and happily snatches the bags from her fathers' hands," Wouldn't it be easier for you? It would also give you more time to get the party area set up."
"No, I have to make them myself today." Poppy says, stepping onto her stool to mix her slightly hardened frosting back into its softer state," It's going to be Branch's first tea party. I want to make it special."
"Branch is coming?" Peppy asks, watching his daughter clumsily spoon frosting into the bag.
"Yeah, he triple-pinky promised to come to this tea party. I'm super excited! I sent him a card and everything!" Poppy says happily licking the frosting spoon before digging another large scoop into the bag before sealing it up.
"Oh, a triple-pinky promise is a pretty big deal. I'm sure he'll love these cupcakes." Peppy says, ruffling Poppy's hair lovingly," How about I help you frost these puppies?"
"I don't know papa, you're pretty clumsy."
"Well, I want to make Branch smile as well. Plus, I think this'll be even more fun for the both of us, and we'll get it done twice as fast!"
"Can't argue with that." Poppy laughs and hands Peppy her full frosting bag and fills another with her blue-grey frosting mixture.
"It's been three years since the escape from the Troll Tree Prison, but Branch just can't seem to get the image of the large female Burgen out of his nightmares. He sees her in the farthest outskirts of the village, in the rustling of the trees, in the darker nights of the new moon. He knows that even though there's a sense of safety in this established home, there's no guarantee it will last. Which is why he's been reading his fathers old books cover to cover almost weekly in order to absorb all their knowledge.
He still visits the village twice a week to exchange wild berries and herbs with his dad and uncle, as well as to continue with his education through them. However, he's also been taking to mapping out and scouting the surrounding forest for potential threats of blind spots where a predator could lurk. He hasn't gone farther than half a mile in any direction, as he knows he'll get in major trouble with his guardians if he ventures any further. However, he can't help but wonder what other information he should learn about in this environment he's been living in. He knew one way to find out information about creatures that may cause harm to his home, but the possibility Spruce or Ash would let him acquire it would be slim to nil. Hence his visit for today.
He stands below the medical pod, pacing back and forth, trying to figure out the exact words to say to try and gain approval. He breaths in and out, muttering to himself.
"So, if you let me go, it'll benefit the lot of the tribe in the long run." Branch mutters to himself as he begins to bite his knuckles," No, maybe more specific, like the medical pod? No if it's successful I can return enough to enrich many more. I think it's a good idea."
"What's a good idea?" Creek's voice startles Branch into tripping forwards. Branch sighs and flops onto his back.
"Hey Creek." Branch says with a smile," I'm trying to come up with a way to ask permission to go on, well, I guess a 'field trip' is the best description."
"Ooohhhh, sounds fun." Creek offers a hand to Branch, who takes it to hoist himself onto his feet," But knowing you, and your skewed interpretations of well know idioms, what does a 'field trip' involve?"
"Reading me like a book like always." Branch chuckles before a small twinge of darkness set across his face," I'll tell you if I can get it passed by those guys."
Creek looks at Branch, knowing that no matter the question, he'll get a vague response. He shrugs and looks around, before finding a large stump beetle sitting quietly in the shade of the medical pod. He lets out a high pitch whistle and the bug scurries over before cementing itself beside Creek.
"If I'm going to go into the life coach practice, I have to at least be able to read my best friend." Creek laughs," Now sit down and take a sip of water, you look like you're about to pass out." Branch jumps onto the stump beetles back and pulls out a small canteen. He takes a long sip before taking in another breath.
"I heard you're coming to the emroyal /emtea party today." Creek says, jumping up to lead on Branch's back," That's a rare move for you."
"Yeah, I just felt like I should show up to at least one, so Poppy can stop sending me those invitation cards all the time." Branch says tilting his head back," I don't know how she can so easily come to my house. Let alone get in past all the traps to set it in my bed for a glitter surprise bomb."
"Oh trolls, she puts them in your bed?" Creek laughs.
"I've resorted to sleeping in a different bed in my basement, leaving the one in my house open to those sorts of pranks." Branch sighs loudly.
"Isn't it cold in that cave? Why not ask her to stop?"
"You try telling the princess of pop that you don't appreciate the cards she makes. Even I tell her to stop, do you think she will? That Poppy?"
"You're right, that's my bad for offering such a wild suggestion." Creek lays out on the stump beetle, and watches the medical pod slowly begin to lower to the ground," Looks like that important conversation you need to have is going to happen soon." Branch looks up silently, his gaze hardening to the cold stare Creek was too used to seeing on his friend's face," I'll stay if you need me here."
"Nah." Branch peaks over and pats Creek on the stomach," Go and get ready for the tea party. I'll head over there as soon as my lesson and talks are over."
"Creek looks to Branch once more. Almost every fiber in his body is screaming at him to stay, to be a pillar of support for his friend in this obvious time of need. He wants Branch to know he can be counted on, even though he doesn't know what's going on. But there's another voice in his head, a singular voice.
'Just let him deal with it, it's not your problem.'/em The voice speaks to him. He doesn't know what to do but looking in Branch's dark eyes only makes the small voice grow louder. He's been hearing the voice a lot more lately.
Creek smiles gently. Once Branch hops off the stump bug, Creek sits up and whistles. The stump bug emerges and begins to walk to the royal pod.
"If you don't show up, I know where you live!" Creek yells.
Branch waves and disappears into the medical pod.
The tea party was set to start at the sixth hug time of the day. Yet it's been nearly thirty minutes after hug time, and Branch has yet to show up. Sure, his lessons sometimes went over time, but never this much. The Snack Pack sit in silence around the large table, snacks untouched and tea not yet poured. Poppy sits at the head of the table looking towards the door, tapping her fingers on the table in anticipation.
"Can we please eat? I've been craving these cupcakes ever since I came in." Biggie says, drooping down in his chair.
"No, not yet." Poppy says quickly.
"Poppy, maybe Branch won't be coming today." Creek says softly," He said he had something important to discuss with his dad. Maybe he went home after fighting with him."
"Branch wouldn't bail because of a fight with Doctor Spruce." Satin chimes in.
"Especially not with a promise to Poppy on the line." Chenille agrees.
"I say we give him ten more minutes before we dig in." Suki says from her upside-down position in her chair.
"Agreed" Smidge replies, mimicking Suki.
"I think we should hear our new friends' opinion on the matter." Guy Diamond says loudly," Fuzz Bert, the floor is yours."
The small mass of green hair on little orange legs just sits still as the group looks to him.
"So silent, yet so wise." Satin says dreamily resting her head on her hand.
"Guys, let's just wait a little bit." Poppy says hopefully," I know he'll come."
Soon the sound of rushing footsteps echoes in the royal pod. Suddenly Branch bursts into the room gasping for air. He huffs and puffs before sitting down and sighing loudly. Everyone stands to start talking, but Branch silences them by raising his hand.
"I'm so, so sorry for being late." Branch says," But I've got exciting news."
Before Branch can say another word, Poppy jumps onto the table and grabs a cupcake. She walks over to Branch and shoves it into his mouth, before kneeling in front of him. Branch instinctively bites down. His eyes go wide for a moment, before he stares into Poppy's eyes. He chews and swallows laboriously, taking deep breaths after he swallowed the whole thing.
"Wow Poppy, you made these all by yourself, didn't you?" Branch asks with a shy smile, trying to hide his disgust.
"You can tell?" Poppy beams. She happily skips back to her seat," Everyone can start eating now!"
Everyone glances at Branch. He nods slightly before grabbing the rest of the cupcakes, leaving the other snacks for the Snack Pack. There are many thankful nods in his direction as he chokes down another rock-hard chunk of cupcake.
"What was that good news Branch?" Creek asks," Does it have to do with this morning?"
"Oh right." Branch coughs, before forcefully swallowing another bite of cupcake," I came here to tell you guys that I'm going to be going on a trip."
"A trip? To where?" Satin asks as she takes a bite of a sugar cookie.
"That's the fun part. I'm going back to the troll tree." Branch says as he takes a sip of freshly poured tea.
Silence. No one even moves a muscle except for the grey troll who gulps down the white tea like his life depends on it, which it kinda does.
"No." Creek says sternly.
"What?" Branch says finally lowering his teacup.
"You aren't going to the troll tree." Creek says, slamming down a brownie," I won't let you."
"Why would you possibly want to go back?" Biggie asks," I don't have many memories of that place, but I do know it wasn't a nice place."/p
"I'm going to go and bring back a few books from the old Troll Library. We were in that prison for two hundred years, yet we were barely allowed to take anything from the tree when we left. I wanted to get some of the old records, to help establish a new library in this village." Branch looks down to the cupcakes, knowing he's rambling and hoping another bite will stop him from giving to many details.
"Did you even ask King Peppy if you could go?" Guy Diamond asks, his gaze firmly on Branch.
"I asked my dad and uncle first, because they would most likely act as my guide to the tree. I think I'll ne allowed to go if he knows they're coming with me the first time." Branch quickly covers his mouth.
"What do you mean, 'first time'?" Chenille yells, slamming her hands on the table.
"There's hundreds of books in the old library, if I want to bring them all out here, I'll need to make several trips."
"Do you think we're stupid Branch?" Creek yells," I might not know everything about the tree, I might not even remember all my time there. But I know that you'll only get more hurt if you try to go there again!"
"Let the adults go, you should stay here!" Satin chimes in as she joins her sister in standing.
"I'm the only one with ample free time. All the adults have their own job. Trust me guys this is beneficial for everyone! You'll be able to read your favorite stories or learn about troll culture far more in depth once I get those books."
"I'd rather have you alive then the books, Branch." Creek says, covering his face as he quietly sobs.
"Silence falls once more around the table.
"You won't listen to us no matter what we say, will you Branch?" Poppy finally speaks up, and all eyes go to her.
"I'll be gone at most a week." Branch quietly responds, putting more cupcakes in his mouth.
"There's more silence, as the air becomes thick with sadness. Creek's sobs are the only thing that breaks the mood.
"Then we're going to throw you a big welcome back party once you come home." Poppy says, once more breaking the silence.
"You don't have…"
"There's going to be all kinds of streamers and music." Poppy interrupts," I'll make sure every troll is here to welcome you back with a loud uproar of all the different kinds of music you don't like. I'll make sure to personally make all the food, and it'll be so yummy you won't ever think of going away again. I'll spray you with so much glitter no one will know you're even grey. That's what I'll do." Poppy looks up and stares at Branch, her eyes filled with tears," So make sure to come back."
"That sounds awful." Branch lets out a small laugh," I wouldn't miss it for the world."
The entire table then bursts out in tears. Everyone erupts from their seat and engulfs Branch in a hug. They know they can't stop him, but they want him to know they care for him. After the long hug, everyone dismisses themselves for the night. Poppy sees everyone out, trying to keep a brave face on.
Outside Creek and Branch walk together along the ground, silently. Without warning Creek turns and punches Branch square in the chest, knocking him back. Branch can't respond before Creek is on top of him, hitting him lightly in a way that hurts only the soul, not the body. Creek's tears fall as he punches Branch. Branch sits up and wraps Creek in a hug, one of the first hugs Branch has ever given to another. Creek shakily hugs him back.
"Let me come with you." Creek whispers out.
"We both know you can't." Branch responds quietly. They sit there for a few moments that feel like hours, before Branch pushes Creek off to get to his feet. Branch helps Creek to his feet, before saying his goodnight.
Little did the two know, that would be their last interaction for three months.