At Classical Crest, Branch had gone to the stage arena, where a couple of Classical trolls were playing a violin and a cello to give ambience, as the trolls sitting by the tables were enjoying some nice cup of tea. Dante came to Branch and poured some tea on his cup.

"Thanks, Dante, I really needed this" Branch said, as he took a sip.

"My goodness, Branch, you look like me when I hear a piano out of tune" Dante commented. "What is wrong?"

"Uh, it's nothing important..." Branch replied. "It's just I am having some issues with my brother."

"Oh my... I am so sorry to hear that" Dante said. "Have you been having trouble to get along after being away from each other for so long?"

"If it was only that..." Branch said. "Dante, you are a big brother, right? Do you always treat your brother as if he was a baby... even though he is not anymore?"

"Oh, for sure!" Dante replied, much to Branch's disappointment, as he expected a different answer. "I mean, I am the big brother and sometimes I worry too much about him... especially now I am living here in Trollstopia. I have had a hard time to see how much Forte had grown up... even when that happened before my very eyes. But then I realize the reason I have such difficulty in letting go of the image of the young troll he used to be is..."

"Thanks, Dante, but... I think I'll just be here and enjoy my tea" Branch told, as he turned to the Classical trolls that were playing.

Dante became saddened for not being able to give the advice that Branch wanted, but he moved away.

John Dory had just arrived the stage arena, looking around admiring everything about it. It was his first time in the Classical Crest and he had to admit that it was quite the sight. It was then that Dante approached him.

"Greetings, fellow troll, I believe we have not had the honor" Dante said, while making a bow. "Dante Crescendo, royal composer and ambassador to the Classical trolls."

"Hi there!" John Dory replied. "I'm John Dory."

He extended his hand to Dante, while also expecting a reaction from him, what didn't happen.

"You know... The John Dory... The Leader... from BroZone?"

"BroZone..." Dante said, thoughtfully. "No, I can't say I have heard of it."

"What...?" John Dory said, making the face he does when something disconcerts him.

"But then again there's so much I still don't know about Pop culture" Dante replied, while getting a cup of tea on a saucer. "May I interest you in a cup of Earl Glitter tea?"

"Oh, fancy..." John Dory replied, as he got the cup. "Well, normally I am not a tea leaf kind of troll. But it would be rude of me to refuse an offering from a potential new friend."

He took a sip and then said:

"Wow, not bad... I mean, it can't beat ginger root for me, but it's very nice."

"Curious... you remind of me someone..." Dante said. "Are you by chance related to Branch? He is the other troll I know that prefers ginger root over Earl Glitter..."

"Yeah, he's my little baby brother" John Dory replied.

"I knew it!" Dante exclaimed. "You know, he is there, if you want to..."

"Branch is here?" John Dory asked, with a big smile, starting to look around until he spotted him. "Oh, I found him! Branch! Hey, Branch!"

Branch, who was drinking his tea, almost spitted when he heard John Dory's voice calling out to him. Seeing how John Dory was calling too much attention with that, Branch reacted by trying to hide himself as much as possible. But John Dory had already seen him and quickly came to his side, sitting right next to him and saying:

"Hey there, baby brother. Why didn't tell me you would come here drink tea? I could have come with you."

"First, I came here in the spur of the moment" Branch replied. "Second, I wanted to be alone. And third... and I already told you this... stop calling me..."

But before he could end what he was about to say, a Classical troll brough a plate with two eigth-note-shapped cockies.

"Oh, great, coockies!" John Dory exclaimed.

But then Dante appeared and corrected him:

"Actually, we Classical trolls prefer the term biscuit."

"Oh, who knew?" John Dory commented, as he took one of the two biscuits. "You can actually learn something new every day..."

"This particular biscuit is called the Eighth-Note Biscuit and is normally served in pairs or in groups" Dante replied. "They are great to eat with the tea. But they are even better when shared. They represent how two eight notes can be beamed together. When they are eaten by two or more trolls when they are sharing a deep connection, they experience a feeling that transcends even the one evocated by the Joy Chord!"

Dante said that last part with such drama that made both John Dory and Branch sharing awkward looks. Recovering his more composed look, Dante continued after coughing:

"Anyway... this is a dish meant to strength the bonds between trolls... like siblings."

"Would you look at that..." John Dory chuckled, as Dante moved away. "It's perfect for us!"

Extending his biscuit to Branch, he said:

"So... What do you say, bro?"

Despite the issues he has been having with John Dory, Branch couldn't help but being moved by the bond he had with John Dory that was born from the admiration he had for him when he was a baby and that he had almost forgotten. Making a slight smile, he picked up his biscuit and he taped the tip of its flag with the one of John Dory's. But before he could eat it, John Dory said:

"Wait! Don't forget to dip it in the tea..."

"What...?" Branch started, confused. "Why would I do that? It will get all soggy..."

"Yeah, but that way you won't hurt your teeth" John Dory said. "A big brother always makes sure to prioritize his baby brother's teeth when eating a coockie... or a biscuit in this case."

That made Branch get so angry that he ended up crushing the cookie on his hand, while trying to contain his anger.

"Branch, why did you crush the biscuit that our Classical friends thoughtfully gave us?" John Dory said, using his big brother voice. "That is very rude. You should really apologize to..."

But he didn't end, as he noticed that Branch was not there anymore, as he had just left. Either way, John Dory just shrugged his shoulders and ate his biscuit, while drinking his tea and enjoying the music.

At some distance were Poppy and Floyd, who were sitting at a table observing Branch and John Dory.

"Wow, Branch was not kidding when he said John Dory was treating him like a baby" Poppy commented. "Although I have to say I admire his technique as a big brother... even if it is a little juvenile."

"Yeah, before he started obsessing with perfection, John was actually a great big brother" Floyd said. "I almost miss those times... He's clearly trying to be what he used to be, but... I don't know Branch has the patience to wait for John Dory to adapt his big brother attitude to the present."

"Then perhaps we should... give them a push" Poppy suggested.

Noticing Floyd looking at her, she said:

"I know, we shouldn't interfere and let them solve this on their own."

As if awakening from a daydream, Floyd said:

"Oh, sorry, Poppy, I was just trying to find the perfect way to give those two the push they need to solve their issues."

"Wait, really?" Poppy asked, getting excited. "Oh, that's a relief... I really thought for a moment I was the only one thinking that. You almost got me, there."

"Yeah, I tend to zoom out sometimes" Floyd said. "My brothers already told me it's a bit creepy, sometimes. Anyway... We really need to give them a push. If we wait for John Dory to move on from the baby treatment, Branch may go crazy in the meantime."

"Oh, no, we don't want that" Poppy said. "When Branch goes crazy... he really goes crazy. You should see him during one of his paranoic outbursts. So, what do you have in mind?"

"We need to put them in a situation where they have to be together but without having a chance to back down" Floyd told. "One that can force them to bond and get closer as brothers..."

"Oh, how about a camping trip?" Poppy suggested.

"Perfect... but there's only one little problem" Floyd replied.

"How to make them go without Branch to be able to dodge it..." Poppy said, while thinking for a moment. "I got it. Now, listen up, here's what we are going to do..."

After leaving Classical Crest, Branch returned to the bunker. Later on, Floyd arrived there and found his little brother sitting on his armchair with a frown and his arms crossed.

"Oh boy... it's never a good sign when you get like that..." Floyd commented, approaching his younger brother.

"Just when I think that he can't go any worse, he does something like that" Branch said. "He embarrassed me in front of all Classical trolls!"

"Yeah..." Floyd replied. "I guess that things between you two are not going to improve any time soon, right?"

"That will depend on Mr. I-like-to-treat-Branch-like-a-baby" Branch told.

"Okay, first... that was a terrible jab" Floyd replied. "You need to work better on it. And second... Maybe what you need is a pause from... all this. You know, to go away for a time and then return with a more relaxed mind."

"I would love to" Branch answered. "If you know a place where I can escape our dear older brother, please, tell me, so I can run away there like... right now."

Floyd chuckled before Branch's sarcasm, but then he said:

"I had an idea and I think you will like it. Since we haven't had some real quality time together, I was thinking that maybe we could... go on a camping trip together."

"You mean... you and me?" Branch asked, with a smile starting to appear on his face.

"I did say we, right?" Floyd replied. "It will be nice... to sleep under the starry sky and roast marshmallows..."

"And gather provisions, build up camp and secure the area?" Branch asked, excitely.

"Yeah, sure..." Floyd replied, a little surprised that his younger brother would find setting up camp be more exciting than the other fun stuff.

"Oh, I would love that!" Branch exclaimed, while getting up from his armchair. "I can't wait to get everything ready! Wait... When you say we... Do you also mean John Dory?"

"Well, I know that you wouldn't want to go if I asked him to come... which I didn't, by the way" Floyd said. "But if you want me to..."

"Nope!" Branch replied, with his excitement getting more evident. "Oh, this will be amazing! I will go right now prepare my stuff, so we can go as soon as possible!"

And with that he run towards his room to prepare his stuff, while Floyd observed him, smiling.

"One down, one to go."

As soon he said that, the platform came down showing John Dory arriving.

"Hey, John! You're the troll I was looking for."

"What's up, little bro?" John Dory asked.

"I just had an amazing idea for a great brotherly bonding..." Floyd told.

Later on, Floyd and Branch were getting out of the bunker with their camping backpacks.

"Oh, I can't wait for this!" Branch exclaimed, as he and Floyd came out of the trapdoor. "I was waiting for some quality time with you, Floyd. And this camping trip is just the best way to do it."

"Sure..." Floyd replied, while smiling.

"I already have great ideas about some activities we could do..." Branch started, before coming across something... or rather someone that he didn't expect.

"Took you guys long enough!" John Dory exclaimed, also with a camping backpack. "I already had time for some warm-ups."

Seeing his oldest brother there, Branch couldn't help but getting shocked to see him... ready to also go camping... with him and Floyd...