John Dory Looked at the card and back to the sunset and vise versa. This meant they were at the place where Spruce had sent the card. Barb was the first one to say that it might be a waste of time, explaining that just because the card came from this beach didn't mean that Spruce was still there.
"It's the best lead we have" John Dory replied, as the face of a giant creature poked up to the hill were they the standing as the Trolls jumped back.
"Is this one of those Bergen things you were talking about?" Barb asked, turning to Branch as he shook his head, the stranger appeared to be smiling as he waved, looking at the small creature.
"Hello Dudes and Dudettes, like welcome to Vacay Island" he informed as the Trolls looked at him, he explained that on Vacay Island, every day was a vacation, guiding their views down as the Trolls looked at the Island residents as partaking in various activities on the beach, lounging under the sun, drinking fruity drinks, the kids were building sandcastles.
John Dory concluded that they should get down to the beach and start looking for Spruce, sliding down the sandy hill to the main area as the other trolls followed, landing on the beach. They brainstormed ideas for find Spruce but considering how the beach was, asking everyone would take a long time and they walked around when Poppy's stomach growled.
The Pop Queen explained that she had not eaten since early as she had her meeting earlier in Volcano Rock and was planning to eat there afterwards. Branch pointed out a restaurant called 'Bruce's & Sons' and another sign tacked on reading '& Daughter'. Branch pointed out that it looked like a restaurant.
"We can get some food and maybe ask if someone there knows Spruce, restaurants and bars seem to be gossip hotspots" Barb commented, having experience with bounty hunters. as Branch rolled his eyes, asking if she was referring to the guys who tried to kill her. Brab rolled her eyes, saying she could have taken them if 'someone' wasn't close to dying at the fight.
John Dory overheard parts of their conversation but wasn't paying attention as the entered the restaurant. The Bar was mostly filled with those same creatures from earlier though there were a few other stragglers of different species as made their way inside.
"Spruce, Spruce you in here?, anyone know a Troll named- SPRUCE!" John Dory called out, seeing a blue haired Troll, a bit chubby and his clothes were different, but he would recognize his brother anywhere. John Dory followed the Troll who was muttering something under his breath.
John Dory kept continuing as the girls looked at the photo of Spruce and at the new Troll, seeing the similarities as he finally turned around. "Look I know you recognize from BroZone but could you keep it down, I- I" he replied realizing who he was talking to.
"John?" Spruce questioned as JD had a huge grin on his face. Telling Spruce that he got his card and telling his younger brother he was here. Spruce let out a smile, Telling JD he had been wishing for this moment as John Dory held out his arms; "Show Me Love Bro."
This was followed with Spruce cracking his fist into John Dory's Face, sending him on his back as he looked away from the older brother to the group who just gasped.
"So that I could do that, you have some nerve coming in here" Spruce replied as John laid on the floor, Barb wishing she had a camera.
"Bitty B?" Spruce questioned before looking at his baby brother before hugging him, Branch asking him to let go as he did so. Asking Branch what brought him to Vacay Island. John laid there dizzy from being punched as he laid their collecting his thoughts, recalling on the times when he and Spruce struck each other but that was playful brotherly fun, this was something different.
Back in the family pod 12-year-old John Dory had just punched Spruce in the face, not hard but still as the eldest bro denied having a Crush, "don't go around spreading rumors" JD called out as Spruce rubbed his nose, laughing it off. now they were even for when JD erased Spruce's tracks without telling him.
"Boys will be boys" Oaken said walking by the room where the two were playing. Oaken passed by Clay's room where he and Princess Viva were dancing to his brothers new tape, Both of them happy that they were considering letting Clay join their band, despite that Clay couldn't songwrite to save his hair but JD and Spruce were the songwriters, the two were a perfect pair like Lennon and McCartney and Clay was ecstatic at the chance to sing publicly with his brothers and show them his dance moves.
Oaken passed by Floyd's door which seemed to be closed as he made his way to the guest room where Eclipsa was sitting in a chair, a fold out table Infront in front of her. Oaken had suggested puzzles to Eclipsa to entertain her as she was stuck in the room. The Blond was more open in the past 5 months she had spent with Oaken, actually being on good terms with her, even some occasional flirting from her.
"Good luck Eclipsa, that cast comes off today" Oaken replied holding an electric saw. Oaken turned it on, pushing it against the surface of the cast as the blade cut through the hard plaster, Oaken made effort to avoid the signatures on her cast. Signatures for him, his sons, King Peppy and Princess Viva. eventually Oaken was able to pull it apart as her leg slid out and she stood up. it was still a bit sore, but she could walk on her own.
With no rhyme or reason Eclipsa wrapped herself around Oaken, smiling happily as she thanked him for his kindness. Growing Up Eclipsa's parents always told her how bad the Pop Tribe was. That they were evil self-centered Trolls who only wanted everyone to be like them. lessons which Eclipsa's sister, Lava, took to heart. After talking to Oaken it turned out he did not even know the true story of the Strings and of the deeds of their ancestors.
Oaken seemed shocked to find out but he decided to keep it to himself, feeling he should not be knowing this. Oaken seemed interested in Rock Culture but decided to change topic from past to the present, offering to treat Eclipsa to dinner, to celebrate her cast coming off as he handed her a wooden cane.
Eclipsa accepted the offer, home cooked meals were nice but being treated to dinner would be two ended up at a small diner pod in the Tree. The two got a pizza to split and two juices. Oaken explained that he would have taken her somewhere nicer, but they didn't have a five-star restaurant in the Tree. only a few diners.
The Rock Troll folded her slice of pizza, taking a bite out. It wasn't as good as the pizza back home, the peppers weren't spicy enough and there was no meat on it, but she enjoyed it, washing it down with the fruit juice. Oaken asked was Eclipsa thought as the woman let out a loud belch, then pounded her chest. "Sorry"
After dinner they went back to the pod as they went up to the guest room where Eclipsa was staying as she sat on her bed. Oaken mentioning he had a present for her, asking Eclipsa to close her eyes, sitting something in her hands. upon opening them it was an acoustic bass guitar.
"I remembered you said you played bass; I thought you would honor me with a performance" Oaken requested as Eclipsa obliged, playing a simple rock bass riff, running her thumb along the strings as she pressed the frets. Oaken nodded as she was happy to have a bass in her hands again. Playing for Oaken as he smiled. Once Eclipsa was done playing she set the bass down, walking over to Oaken.
Oaken found himself being pulled by his vest collar, Eclipsa pulling him into a kiss. He was genuinely surprised by Eclipsa's forwardness but maybe this was common in Rock Culture. Pop Trolls usually never pushed boundaries when it came to intimacy. This did not apply to Eclipsa, she was a woman who took what she wanted and right now it was clear to Oaken; she wanted him.
Oaken was not complaining as she kissed him, he thought about it before returning the kiss as the rocker placed her hands on Oaken's rear, squeezing his rear. he looked at her before she pushed him down on the bed with a thud. looking at him with the eyes of a hungry predator. Peppy told him that Rock Trolls could be violent but strangely he wasn't scared, but excited for what would come next as Eclipsa began undoing her skull belt.
John Dory got off the floor, Spruce's blow connected with his jaw, but he didn't feel any loose teeth. Barb was laughing her butt off, letting out a snort as Spruce was conversating with Branch. From what JD was able to pick up Spruce was now going by Bruce, and this was his restaurant, on top of that he was married with kids. Bruce showed the group a wallet of pics which Poppy gawked out, praising their cuteness and Brach was surprised to be an uncle.
Spruce noticed JD getting up as he felt his jaw again, to make he had not missed anything as he looked at his younger brother "Bruce, you're an A-Hole".
Spruce nodded, claiming they were even and that he had that coming for over 20 years. He offered to get the group some menus and let them eat before catching up. eventually a large vacay sized hot dog with all the fixins was placed in front of them. clearly enough for the trolls as Bruce invited his wife Brandy over, cutting the hot dog into five pieces, one for each Trolls as they dug in, each offered a Vacay sized shot glass worth of drink to wash down their food.
"This is the biggest hot dog I ever seen in my life" Barb admired, looking at it, biting into her bit. Brandy chuckling as she offered the Trolls a napkin to wipe their mouths with, which were covered in condiments. after filling up on hot dog the Trolls washed it down with drinks as they enjoyed their meal. Bruce told them not to worry about paying as it was on him as he looked to Poppy and Barb, asking who they were as he never got their names.
"Brucie, you're not flirting, are you?" Brandy teased, wiping the counter spot with rag as he shook his head, adding he was just introducing himself, apologizing if he gave off that charm by accident. if them having so many kids were anything to judge by, he gets around.
"I'm Barb, and I'm already in a relationship, with Branch, and it's serous between us" Barb replied letting Bruce know right away she wasn't interested as JD chimed in, saying that Barb was a Queen. Spruce perked his ears up.
"And I'm Poppy, nice to meet you" The Pink Troll replied.
"Well Barb and Poppy. nice to meet you both" Spruce replied as JD interrupted Spruce by mistake adding that they on this mission to Free Floyd as Spruce turned to JD, asking happened to Floyd as JD informed him that Floyd was kidnapped.
"And you didn't tell me" Spruce shouted back as JD reminded Spruce that he got knocked out before he could say anything. adding that Floyd was being held in a Diamond Prison and that meant Spruce knew what they had to do.
(A/N: 3 Brothers down one to go also since Poppy was born after the brothers split up, only Branch and Clay know who she is)