Haha this is such a freaking short chapter. It's practically a drabble. Anyways, here you go! I promise I'll update a longer chapter sooner than normal to compensate :) Also, good news, my writing block is kind-of going away? I mean, I wrote an Ancestors AU and I actually liked it so that's got to be good. Enjoy the chapter :)

Word count: 389

The three trolls walked up the road, one skipping slightly. The skipping troll looked back at the trolls behind her and grinned. "Hurry up, Kankri! Hurry up, Porrim!"

The Dolorosa laughed softly and chided, "Don't go too quickly. We still have eight miles."

Meulin's eyes — mostly black, but olive in the center — widened in shock, her mouth falling open. "Eight?!" she repeated, horrified.

Kankri giggled at his friend's antics. He had grown very attached to the slight oliveblood ever since he'd rescued her from her fall. Meulin had agreed to travel with them after it became clear that the forest didn't have enough food to support them. They were going south, hoping they could find a city and barter until they managed to get more supplies.

The mutant troll darted up next to his friend. She made a face. "Porrim, why're we going so far?"

The Dolorosa blinked. Having not heard her name for a while, it was still jarring to hear it slip so easily from Meulin's mouth. "We're running out of supplies, Meulin."

Meulin sighed heavily but slowed her pace. Within seconds, she was searching for another conversation topic. Eyes settling on Kankri, she asked, "Trolls get their names chosen by their lusii, right?"

The mutant shrugged.

"Well, they do. You never had a lusus, right?"

Kankri nodded, blinking curiously at her. "Why?"

"How did you get your name?"

Kankri froze, and then he turned to his mother. "Do I have to tell her?" he asked plaintively.

Lips curling into a wide grin, the Dolorosa said firmly, "Unless you want to be rude."

Kankri sighed and looked back at his friend. "Promise you won't laugh?"

Meulin's eyes lit up, and she snatched Kankri's arm. "Promise! Now come on! Tell me!"

He sighed and bowed his head. In a low mutter, he replied, "I named myself."

She frowned. "How'd you manage that one?" At Kankri's dismayed face, the Dolorosa burst out laughing. Bewildered but smiling, Meulin tapped Kankri. "Tell me!"

Still refusing to meet her gaze, he said in a mortified whisper, "It's how I pronounced 'cranky' when I was little."

Meulin's eyes widened. "Cranky Kankri!" she exclaimed, and then began to giggle as well.

Kankri groaned. "You promised you wouldn't laugh!"