"He what?" Creek said, surprised. The Snack Pack had gone back to the village after they had gone to that...performance. Poppy was currently too busy planning a party, so her friends took the liberty of informing the purple troll of what they witnessed.

"Yeah! He actually sang!" Smidge exclaimed, hopping in place.

"And he actually sang well!" DJ Suki told him, astonished herself. The others nodded in agreement.

"If you don't believe it, ask Poppy. She seems to enjoy it the most," Guy Diamond said, grinning. They were all still surprised at the grey troll's hidden talent. They always assumed he couldn't sing to save his life and that's the only reason why he refused to go to their parties. What does he have to hide? Oh, that's right. He's still paranoid of Bergens finding them or whatever. Pfft, he'd be the life of the party if he weren't so scared.

"Well, that was unexpected. His aura always just screamed that he was not the type. Although, a troll is a troll and it is part of our nature to have rhythm," Creek said, wisely. The sound of Poppy's voice could be heard in a distance. They all saw her talking with another troll about party decorations, way too distracted to notice them.

"Oh, and Poppy wants us to keep it a secret," Satin told him.

"I would have assumed that she would have wanted Branch to share his performances with the whole village," Creek admitted. Poppy was always the type to help anyone showcase their talents. Why did she want to keep it a secret?

"Yeah, we don't get it either, but she said it's for Branch's sake. He only seems to sing when he thinks no one is around. And he sang a sad kind of song," Chenille said, shrugging. They all saw Poppy walking towards them, a bounce in each step.

"Hey, guys! The party's going to be awesome tomorrow!" she told them, beaming.

"So Branch can sing, apparently?" Creek asked her for clarification. Poppy giggled and sighed. Strange.

"Hehe, yeah! And he's got a really nice voice too! Who would've guessed? I knew Branch had it in him!" She said, barely containing her excitement. The village grump could sing really well! How can she not be excited?

"Maybe one day, I'll even get to sing along! Imagine that!"

"I'd pay to hear that!" Cooper said, smiling. Poppy was the best female singer in the village. Everyone had agreed on that. And judging by that one performance, Branch had an equally good voice...maybe even the best male singer? Who knows? But it's no question that they were both good singers. It is such a shame that Branch detests singing with anyone else, though. He's got pipes.

"It is rather hypocritical that he scolds us on singing when he does it himself," Creek said honestly, crossing his arms. Poppy brushed it off, grinning.

"Hey, it's fine. It's probably because we're a little too loud to him," she admitted with an innocent look. Did she just admit to being too loud? Poppy of all people?

"Creek, you have to come with us next time!" Poppy told him, hopping excitedly. The others looked surprised.

"Next time?"

"Next time we go to hear Branch sing! If we're lucky, he might do it again! We just gotta stay hidden. Don't tell me you guys don't want to hear it again."

Her friends all looked at each other and then smiled. Yeah! Hearing the grey troll sing couldn't hurt. His voice was nice to listen to, anyways. Creek was the only one who didn't smile immediately. Poppy seemed way too enthusiastic to hear Branch sing. What was the big deal? Creek could sing. However, Creek agreed to accompanying them for next time. His mind was telling him that the fact that Branch could sing was wonderful, so he should not be having negative emotions about it. He had no reason to. He was above jealousy. Besides, Branch's voice would be good. That was standard for a troll, wasn't it? He shall not be negative about a troll embracing their inner party animal. Even if it was Branch. Besides, Poppy was just excited about hearing the pessimist's vocal talents for once. It was natural, as Branch told them that he specifically did not sing.

"So I assume he refused to join the party again?" Creek asked. Such a shame. Suddenly, Poppy's face fell as she slapped her forehead.

"Oh god, I forgot to give Branch his invitation..!" she said in realisation. Maybe he would...but he wouldn't...but maybe now that he...no...yes. Maybe he would accept this time.

"Well, I mean...what's the point?" Satin asked, genuinely confused.

"Becaaause, one of these times he'll eventually have to say yes. And if he is comfortable with singing by himself, then maybe he's comfortable with joining the party!"

"You really think he'd go this time?" Suki asked. Poppy grinned.

"I'm hoping! Now, come on. Let's go give it to him again!" She said, skipping towards the direction of the bunker once again that day. The others shrugged, then followed in her direction. They wanted to see where this would go.

As they reached the bunker, Poppy bounced over to the rocks and knocked on it. Unlike last time, this triggered a response. The "Go Away" mat on the floor opened up a little, revealing a familiar pair of blue eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Branch asked angrily. Why must she always bother him?

"Well, I just wanted to give your invitation to tomorrow's party! We're celebrating DJ's new beats! What better way to use them than for a party?"

Poppy took the invitation out if her hair and presented it to Branch. Before she could even open it, Branch rolled his eyes and closed the mat.

"No."

The answer was so simple. There was no way she couldn't understand.

"You'll have fun!"

Apparently he was wrong. Branch sighed and exited his bunker completely, now standing in front of the princess. She beamed, but his face remained uninterested.

"And what makes you think that?" he asked in a bored voice.

"There will be lots of dancing and singing~" she said temptingly, emphasising the word "singing".

She opened up the pop up invitation. It featured a small felt figure of DJ Suki spinning some turntables with music notes around her. Large letters spelt "YOU'RE INVITED!" on the card itself.

"Put yo' hair in the air!" it sang.

Branch didn't even change his unamused expression when glitter spurted out of the card and into his face. Not even a blink. He accepted the invitation, but threw it over his shoulder like trash.

"In case you have forgotten, I don't sing," he said, angrily wiping the glitter off his face and body. The Snack pack had to hide their smirks.

"Pfft," Poppy chuckled. Of course, he wasn't fooling anyone. Branch looked at her, slightly confused and suspicious. Once Poppy saw this, she cleared her throat and darted her eyes away. He can't know that they saw him.

"So...you're not going?" Poppy asked after a minute of awkward silence.

"What do you think?" Branch replied, sarcastically.

"That...you'll come and have fun for once?" Poppy offered, hopefully. Branch scoffed, rolled his eyes and retreated back into his bunker.

The princess's expression fell slightly. She felt a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Don't fret, Poppy. It will take time, but he may come around one day," Creek told her kindly, no matter how doubtful he was. No matter how doubtful they all were.

Poppy smiled, blushing slightly.

"Yeah. I just need to take baby steps."


You guys asked for it and you got! Another chapter of Lone Concert after a...very...long time. Hopefully I will have more chances to make more chapters, and for those who are waiting for new chapters of Trolls: Aftermath, do not worry. A new one should be up soon! Just like the next chapter for this fic!

For now, signing off

Bye!