Objectivity

"Check. Your move was ineffective," Laguna moved her queen to block Branch's knight, causing the teal troll to growl in frustration. "Note: the male seems to have trouble concentrating."

Moving a pawn randomly forward, Branch waited for the check mate that quickly followed and stood up, resenting having left his bunker that day.

"Note: the male seems to have female problems," at Laguna's words, Branch quickly spun around, completely surprised that she could have seen that far into the growls he had muttered during their socialization exercise.

"What the-? How do you-?" completely flabbergasted, Branch sat down in front of the techno scientist and crossed his arm like a spoiled child. Apparently, he was that easy to read. "It's Poppy…"

"Ah… note: the courtship seems not to be completed," writing on her small notebook, Laguna shot Branch a knowing look before completing, "fascinating."

"Look, as much as I like to be a subject for you to study here, I really am frustrated so I better go back home," and in another futile attempt to retreat, Branch was surprised by Laguna's next words:

"Oxytocin seems to run freely, while dopamine and testosterone seem to be lacking," it took Branch a while to understand that Laguna was trying to offer a friendly talk about his relationship with Poppy, while having big scientific words to disguise her lack of experience on the matter.

Perhaps it was all he needed: to see things under a scientific perspective. It was a field where he felt comfortable; unlike the recent feelings he was uncovering, they were much easier to understand.

"I don't really know how to get closer to her," rubbing his face in frustration, Branch spotted a cupcake shop near them, so, abandoning the chess board, he quickly went to get some much-needed sugar to go through the talk. "It has been months since we had time to talk to each other.

"Based on recent scientific findings, love is divided in three stages: lust, attraction and attachment," with her head completely buried in her flipping notes, Laguna followed Branch, getting a frosting covered cupcake. "While the brain drowns in testosterone and estrogen in the first stage, the second is milder, being governed by dopamine and serotonin causing the trolls in love to obsess over one another. The last stage is ruled by oxytocin which leads to long-term bonding."

"Wait, what you're saying makes sense, but it seems Poppy and I are in the third stage already." Branch was confused, he didn't remember living the previous stages as strongly as the third.

"Note: the couple seemed to have rushed through the first and second stages." Laguna gave him a wicked smile, raising her eyebrows a few times. "It may be good to retry the first stages of the experiment."

"We may be lacking some moments alone to work things out better…" Branch nodded to himself, helplessly. "But with all delegates still getting used to Trollstopia, Poppy seems to be busier than ever."

Laguna merely adjusted her glasses, feeling the triumph building up when Branch connected the dots himself.

"I'm not really trying to be part of her experimental city, am I?" Shrugging, the survivalist realized he had been around only when he was strictly needed and when socialization was the only way to get what he wanted.

"Uh-huh," Flipping more notes back, Laguna started listing Poppy's activities that she had noted while observing how the Pop Queen related to her subjects. "She's been giving Hug Lessons, then she was on a quest to outstand Holly Darlin's gifts, then she went into a wormhole to help the fashion twins to get a fabric from another dimension, and just yesterday she managed Val's agenda."

"Wait, WHAT?" Branch pulled his hair, completely shocked. "She went into a wormhole? How did I not know about this?!"

"Ah well, let me check…" Laguna, once again, read her notes, "I quote: the pop troll with survivalist attitude remained in the underground fortress drinking coffee."

Fighting the urge to face-palm, Branch growled in frustration. It was all his fault in the end. He couldn't see how his instinct to isolate himself simply blocked Poppy. She respected him too much to give him all the privacy in the world and - his heart gave a guilty squeeze at the thought - in the first attempt to include herself in one of his activities he merely pushed her away again.

Well, he didn't push her away. He was paralized by her red swimsuit to do anything and she felt rejected by his lack of response.

It was when he said he loved the idea of Trollstopia, but sounded sarcastic.

Branch wanted Poppy to come near, but when she did, he pushed her away.

"Note: the male is sending the female mixed signals, compromising the mating process."

Despite the blush that quickly colored his face at the techno scientist's words, Branch couldn't agree more.

"I should participate more often…" his words were weary, but at least now he had an idea how to guide himself. He needed to show Poppy more appreciation, he needed simply to be there .

"Hey, everybody!" Both Laguna and Branch turned around to see Biggie calling all trolls from the top of a mushroom. "Queen Poppy is asking everyone to get together for an announcement. Lownote Jones needs our help!"

Perhaps it was his chance to show Poppy she could count on him. Whatever was needed, Branch would volunteer. He was the troll for the job.

Notes: Merry Christmas, everyone :)