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Making a bunker was much harder than one would think, especially for a 7 year old Troll unable to properly use his hair to dig.
Branch learned the hard way that losing your color came with the drawback of it being much harder to move his hair, not to mention unable to camouflage like the other trolls, making him far more vulnerable than others.
But that's fine, he can handle himself, he's been fine the last three years, he's already dug a whole mile in what will be the hideout-
Bunker , he corrected himself, not a hideout anymore…he's not a baby anymore, he can't kid himself into thinking any of them will come back, this was for survival.
…nothing else.
He had to focus as he dug with the shoddily made shovel, it was more like a long stick with some stones tied to one end but it's the best he could do.
Suddenly there was a loud clap of thunder, making the small troll yelp, accidentally banging his head against the dirt walls, with a groan he rubbed his head as he noticed some water beginning to drip and drop into the hole.
Great, just his luck, he can't let the water flood the hole, so frustratingly, he dropped his makeshift shovel and grabbing to the sides of the dirt walls began climbing up with his hands and feet, slipping a few times, ignoring the stinging cold as rain splashed in his face until finally reaching the surface, pulling himself up with a tired groan.
He grabbed a white tarp tucked away behind some rocks and grabbed some small stones, covering the hole and using the stones to make sure the tarp wouldn't fall.
With an annoyed groan, Branch made his way to a small and dingy cave, it was probably only big enough for three grown up trolls, but for Branch it was plenty room for him and the small satchel that was the little belongings he was able to hang on to from the Bergen Town Troll Tree, it wasn't much, a blanket, a framed picture of his grandma, and a large water bottle for when he needed to collect water before purifying it…he made the mistake once of drinking rainwater straight away…he wasn't able to work on the bunker for a week.
He remembered considering grabbing a picture of his brothers when packing for the escape…but he decided against it, if they weren't gonna come back, he didn't have brothers anymore he quickly decided that day.
…no matter how much he missed them sometimes.
The young Troll wrung out the water from his hair with a small wince, he hadn't been able to brush his hair properly, grandma and Floyd usually brushed his hair, he remembered John Dory used to…
Before he started caring more about the band than his family.
Branch shook his head to get rid of that train of thought, if they didn't need him, he didn't need them either.
Despite that, he hugged the edges of the green leaf vest that was still too big on him, he was fine, he could handle himself now…he didn't need anyone anymore.
Suddenly he was pulled out of his thoughts by a sudden smack of a small rubber ball against his face, he whipped around to see the perpetrator, holding the ball with an annoyed glare fixed on his face.
Coming from the clearing was a young troll, more pink than a cone of cotton candy with equally pink hair held up in a tall ponytail and wore a felt crown and a puffy blue dress.
Branch gave an annoyed sigh, he's heard about this troll in the few times he journeyed to the village, Princess Poppy, only about a year younger than him but from what he's heard from other villagers she had more excess energy than any other troll.
She sounded exhausting.
Annoyed, Branch got out from his mostly dry cave, ball in hand as he walked towards her, she looked at him, smiled bright, it nearly made him wince, what did she have to be so happy about?
Her bright pink colors was near glowing against the dark gloom of the cloudy sky and dull rocks, Branch tried to ignore how bleak his gray skin was in comparison.
“Oh hey! You found our ball!” She grinned, taking it, he gave an annoyed glare in return, who plays kick ball in the pouring rain, anyways?!
Just then, she gave him a second look and he swore it was like her eyes sparkled, either that or she had glitter stuck in them “Hey, I know you! Your that kid that bit my friend Creek the other day”
Creek? Was that the annoying kid that tried grabbing Floyds-no, Branch's vest the other day? He was trying to lecture the colorless troll on wearing 'tacky oversized clothing’ and frankly Branch had enough and bit the troll on the arm.
“...He was being annoying, kinda like you are, now if you'll excuse me-” he started to walk away but she grabbed his arm “Wait! What are you doing all the way out here? Why don't you join our game?”
She didn't see it but he raised a brow at that, inviting the colorless and irritable troll to a game? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.
He just didn't know for which party yet.
“Yeah no thanks, I got better things to do than get sick in the rain, like scrounging up something to eat” it was just an example, he didn't expect a follow up question “You don't have any food?”
Gesturing to the dingy cave he just crawled out of only moments before he sneered “Do you see a cooking pot in there?”
The princess went silent at that, Branch giving a sigh as he walked to it, maybe now she'll leave him alone. Once he heard her leave, he grabbed his blanket for his satchel, it was far too small to give him any real warmth, but it was better than nothing at all.
____________________________________
Branch woke up only a couple hours later he was ready to get back to work on the bunker when he noticed a covered plate with a carefully crafted, glitter covered card on top, picking it up he read
“Hello! I didn't get your name but I felt so sad you didn't have anything to eat, so I made you a treat! And inviting you to my birthday party tomorrow! It'll be fun, I promise, hope to see you later- Poppy”
Just as he finished reading the card he got a torrent of glitter in the face from a dispenser on the card, making him scream in fear before realizing it was just glitter and giving an annoyed groan, the card smelled of bubblegum, definitely Poppy's work.
Lifting up the pale pink cloth embroidered with small hearts and small flowers, poppy flowers, of course, underneath was a plate of fresh cupcakes, they were still warm, apparently freshly baked.
He picked up one and examined it. There had to be a catch of some kind, no one is this nice especially to someone like him; he gave it a sniff, it didn't smell like poison, in fact…it was chocolate…his favorite.
He couldn't deny free food and took a small bite…and proceeded to tear into it and the rest of the cupcake like a starving dog, he didn't even bother removing the wrappers, practically inhaling more than chewing until every last crumb was gone and there was a mess all over his face.
He was so used to eating the bark off his namesake or hunting for small bugs real food was practically heaven.
Couldn't let that overly cheerful princess know that though so he cleaned his face so she wouldn't comment on him going nuts over some cupcakes, grabbed the invitation and plate and began walking towards the village, glad for the rain stopping.
It didn't take long to spot her and her friends, he smirked for a second noticing the Creek kid had a bandage where he bit him still.
“HEY! PRINCESS POPPY!” the other kids yelped in fear hiding behind each other but Poppy smiled bright, there was that wincing feeling again.
“Hey there! You got my present!” She skipped over cheerfully, that Creek kid muttered “You fed that dreadful beast…?”
Branch held out the plate and invitation to her “I came to give this back, and I'm not coming to your party!”
The young princess however smiled as she took the plate and invitation “You ate them all! Did you like them?”
“No, the frosting was dry.” He said all too quickly, it was a gigantic lie, it was the best food he's had since before his grandma died.
She didn't seem deterred however “Well I'm happy to make better ones, my dad helped me with them!”
Branch feigned annoyance, crossing his arms, not wanting to show how nice the gesture actually was to him “Well whatever, I gotta work on my bunker…and its Branch.”
She tilted her head “Huh?”
“My name, it's Branch, now you can leave me alone” he grumbled, as he began to leave, letting an aggressive hiss at Creek, making the boy jump in freight.
Poppy however, smiled, what a silly troll, she decided then and there no matter how long it took, she would become Branch's friend and get a smile out of him.