Lily stood to one side as she looked over the bunker trying to see if anything was out of place for having the village over. Taking a deep breath and knowing that no matter how prepared they were the other trolls would find something dangerous to play with she looked to Branch and nodded. He went up the elevator to let the village down into the bunker while she and River stayed below to try to keep everything under control as the crowd flowed in.
As the entire village rolled in like a wave Lily and River directed them into places/areas that had been set aside for them. When the entire village was loudly talking Lily tried to get everyone's attention to go over rules no one was listening. That was until Poppy stepped up next to Lily and pulled out her cowbell, ringing it to get everyone's attention, "Okay everybody our hostess has something she wants to say."
Giving Poppy a small smile Lily looked over the sea of faces, "As we are going to be in a small area for a while there are some rules to keep everyone safe, happy, and comfortable." Taking a deep breath, "First of all Branch, River and I are the only ones to go into the red painted doors because they are locked for a reason so do not ask. Secondly the third floor of the bunker is off limits." Seeing that the crowd was starting to mutter, "Last but not least there is enough food and water for everyone for up to two weeks but Branch, River or myself will be the ones to provide them so that it stays that way."
There was a lot of talking but when Lily was asked about the food times she just pointed to the timesheet written on the wall. Which brought up more problems as it did not include singing, dancing or hugging on the schedule but River spoke up saying that those were a given. He could see that both his mother and brother were getting overwhelmed so when the question of a post party snack was brought up he suggested that they go make it while he tried to keep the masses under control.
In the larger kitchen designed for the survival part of the bunker both Lily and Branch worked to make a simple snack with Lily muttering about what they could make that the other trolls would like. They decided on a simple cracker platter with different toppings that the other trolls could make themselves. That way when it was gone, the snacks were done as well.
After leaving the kitchen and setting the snacks out on the large counter for the purpose Lily sidestepped the tolls rushing forward for the food and noticed that king Peppy and princess Poppy were talking. Walking over softly she overheard them, well Poppy was urging her father that they needed to save the captured tolls while Peppy was saying how it was too dangerous. The tone Peppy took showed that they had already had this conversation but with a safe place to hide Poppy was putting up another argument.
Deciding to take a hand Lily stepped forward, "Poppy you haven't had to fight against the Burgans, I have." Seeing both of them turn to her, "That is something only a highly experienced team should be sent to pull off. And frankly, we don't have one." Holding up a hand to stop Poppy's coming protest, "I am not saying we shouldn't try, I am saying that we need to be careful about how we do it. We can't help them if we are dead or captured ourselves."
Poppy just grinned, "But that won't happen Lily."
Looking the girl deep in the eyes unamused, "Really? And how are you going to pull that off?"
As if it was an obvious answer, "I am going to go into burgan town and rescue everyone."
Leaning against the wall, "Really, just like that?" Seeing the nod, "I know another toll that had that plan, she was made into a soup with the trolls she went to save." Being able to tell that Poppy would state that would not happen to her, "And your mother was also insistent that she would not be caught."
Eyes getting wider as she looked at Lily, Poppy turned to see what her father had to say, "It is true Poppy." Peppy gave a sad sigh as he looked at something only he could see, "Your mother just wanted to save them."
After a few moments to let that information sink in Lily spoke again, "I do have a few plans that might help with getting them out." Putting a hand up to stop Poppy in her tracks, "I said might, it doesn't mean that I will help." Waving the hand, "But if there is something that might help we should take a look at it right."
Pulling both pink haired trolls into a room Lily outlined a few plans on how to get captured tolls back from the burgans. King Peppy spoke up after the fourth one, "None of these are in the town."
Lily's words snapped out like a whip, "Because I didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to let it get that far." Giving both Peppy and his daughter an unimpressed look, "Seems I gave your sense of safety too much credit."
Branch came in at that moment, cutting off any reply that would have been made to that, "I think plan sixty three would be the best for this situation."
Giving him a nod Lily answered, "Yes, it would." Letting out a sigh, "At least one of us will have to stay here to try and keep everything under control."
Crossing the space Branch spoke, "Both you and River should stay here, I can handle going to brugan town." This obviously shocked Lily because he continued, "I know you are the most experienced out of us but I know every move and plan that you taught us." With a twitch of his ears, "And if anything else goes wrong we will need your experience and expertise here where you can advise King Peppy." He was in front of her now, "Let me do this for you Mama."
For the second time that night tears touched Lily's eyes as she wrapped Branch in a hug, "Be careful little blue."
Branch hugged her back, "I will be." Looking at Poppy, "We leave in five minutes." They left ten minutes later after Poppy had finally convinced her father to let her try.
Lily's sense of dread came to the front as she watched one of her boys go into danger, and as she hugged River she sent another wish that JD was there to help. She quickly pushed that wish aside, it had been far too long to let herself dwell on it. Besides, there was far too much to do to start daydreaming.
