Chapter 4

Morning sun light crept through the trees, shimmering through the leaves. The sound of birds chirping in the air with the sweet smell of flowers and sugar berry blossoms wafted in the breeze. Creek sit atop his mushroom perch in his usual pose, thumb and middle fingers pressed and feet together. His "peace pose" he called it. Humming to himself in  his "Ohm" voice. Slowly opening his eyes, the purple troll scanned the courtyard. Hoping to see a pink troll stroll by. It angered him at the thought of poppy spending too much time with the grey troll. He wasn't like the other trolls. He never tried to be happy, he was always negative and always too cautious. He didn't like the way he looked at poppy. Creek wanted to make sure that no other troll would woo her before he could. He had plans. And soon, intended to act on them. 

Poppy sits in her window sill. Remembering the birthday party her and the group had made for branch several days ago. A wide smile spread across her face, chest heavy and breath steadfast. The hug that branch gave her still has her on the edge. She thought of his strong, muscular arms and earthy scent. His soft hair and smile. The more she thought of him, the more confused she was about what she was feeling. The way he held her, the way he looked at her. It made her whole body warm. She was proud of herself as well as proud of her pack to help create such a special night for him. The fact he actually ended up enjoying himself made it all the more delicious. Reflecting on the hug he gave her, she couldn't help but feel flustered. Like moths were trying to fly out of her stomach. 'What is this feeling? What do I feel so, giddy'? She asked herself. Smiling at the same time. Moments later, a knock rapped on her door. King peppy then walked in with a happy smile on his face and chipper attitude. "I hear you gave branch his own little birthday party the other day pop. How did it go"? She blushed slightly, smiling wide. King peppy noticed this. Smiling to himself.

"I think it went really well. You may not believe it, but not only did I see him smile, he even gave me a hug! We all actually had a good time, played a few games, ate some good food and had a lot of fun, but as usual he refused to dance or sing. Why won't he do either? I just don't understand it". King peppy looks both happy as well as surprised to hear that branch, of all trolls, actually hugged another troll. But now, he knew it was time to tell her WHY branch never sang. However, he noticed her fire whenever she spoke about branch. It made peppy happy to see her with such a warm smile. In a way, he knew what was happening. So instead, he decided to let her learn on her own.

 "Poppy, that isn't a story for me to tell you. IF you would like to know why, the only way you can know is to ask branch yourself. He is a good young man, but I think he really needs to open up to someone. It'll just take the right troll to make that happen". Poppy thought on her fathers words for several moments. She agreed with him. She wanted to make branch happy. That is all she knew. With an energetic giggle, she hopped off of the sill and made her way to her father, hugging him tightly. "You're right dad, I'll back later okay"?  Zipping past him, and happily making her way towards troll square. Creek sat upon his mushroom, as he saw poppy running in a rather hurried jog. Hopping out off his peace pose, he ran after her, easily catching up. "Oi poppy, where are you off too in such a hurry"? Poppy stopped in  a huff, turning to creek. "Oh hi creek, I was just going to ask branch a couple of questions. What are you up to?" With a charming voice, and playful gesture he walked closer to her. 

"Well, I was hoping to get to take you for a walk. After all, I haven't gotten to really to talk to you or even see you lately. Walk with me"? Creek outstretched his hand with a soft, crooked smile. Poppy hesitated for a moment, but realized she has spent more time with branch and the others lately. She did want to see branch, but she felt she was being unfair to creek. Reluctantly, she agreed. "Well.....ok, creek, sure, we can go for a walk".  Taking his hand in hers, they fold arms and walk off. Creek leads her to a nice clearing away from troll village, the walk itself was pleasant enough, flowers and butterflies speckled the sides of the clearing, making it a peaceful place to be. Bending down to the ground, creek resumed his peace pose. Poppy lay beside him on the soft green grass. Looking to the sky and clouds. "So poppy, as usual you look lovely as ever, have you been practicing your spiritual enlightenment"? 

"Um, well not really,  if anything I've been trying to find ways to get branch to open up about himself more". Instantly annoyed by the mention of the handsome grey troll, creek rolled his eyes with a smug look on his face. "Why would you even want to have that troll around you? He hasn't a shred of positivity in his whole body, not to mention his paranoia on bergen attacks, What about all the invitations you made for him? Has he ever gone to any of your parties or gatherings? I don't think so. All he ever does is go around foraging for who knows what, always on high alert for those blasted bergens. He lives under the dirt instead of a nice pod of his own in the trees, and wants nothing to do with any of us in the village. It's obvious that he simply WANTS to be miserable. Some people just don't want happiness". Poppy didn't appreciate the condescending tone creek gave, as well as the hurtful words he was saying about branch. She wanted to tell him about the invitation stash, but she made a promise. "Stop it creek, that's mean. We don't know everything about his past so there's no reason to bash him like that. He's really nice and he doesn't doesn't deserve  to be treated like he is bad because he is different. He needs a friend who is willing to be there for him! He's been alone almost his entire life, you can't expect him to be happy and outgoing overnight. Showing him love and friendship is a good way to help him realize he isn't alone. And for your information, his underground home is very beautiful. It is well made and he took great care in everything he built inside it. You shouldn't judge him before you know him. He's a good person"! She was really beginning to get angry. Why was it that she was the only one who wanted to treat him well? Getting angry enough at the thought, she got up from the ground and , made her way past creek.  

"Come, come now poppy, I didn't mean to upset you". Grabbing her hand and gently rubbing it with his thumb. "It just makes me uneasy seeing branch with such an amazing, kind and beautiful troll as you. I just don't trust him, for all you know he may be a delinquent who would seek to use you. You don't know. I just want to make sure you're safe, my dearest". Poppy was shocked to hear creek say these things. She had no clue on what to say. Before she could try to say anything, creek slowly lowered his face to hers in an attempt to kiss her, lips almost an inch away from hers.  She immediately jumped back in surprise. Creek was her friend, but only her friend. She wasn't comfortable at all. 

"Creek, what are you doing"?! Holding her hand over her lips. "I simply thought I should make my move on a lovely troll such as yourself, since you're princess you'll have the pick of the litter with many lucky trolls. I was just hoping it would be me. I'm a good troll. I can take real good care of you, not unlike nature boy who lives underground. What could he offer you? You'll need someone who is calm, level headed and someone who knows how to handle that statuesque body of yours". He said as he looks her body over from head to toe, then gives her a wink. Poppy couldn't help but feel exceedingly uncomfortable by this gesture. She saw him as a friend, nothing more. 

"W-well thank you, but I'm sorry creek. I don't feel the same way. You're my friend, and I love you, But just, not like that". Taken aback by her response, he tries to bring her closer to him. "Well you may not feel that way right now, but maybe you will later. If you kiss me once, you may find out". Reaching out his hand to stroke her cheek, he tries to leaning for another kiss attempt. Poppy felt a twinge of fear inside of her when he tried to lean in for another kiss as he held her face. At this point poppy is disgusted with his behavior, Pulling away from his grip. "CREEK! I said no! I am NOT comfortable with this, I'm sorry but I have to go". Quickly turning away and running off towards troll square. Creek stayed behind, with a hard look on his face. She ran as fast as her feet could carry her. In hopes that she would come to branch's bunker as quick as possible. She needed to feel safe, she needed to see him. Now she knew why she feels her heart pump at the thoughts of branch. 

Branch was gathering supplies for a plan he made out for a day. He knew he needed to do something to repay poppy for the party and gift she made for him. He has been planning all  night on what to do, and finally, preparations were made. He finished packing his new satchel when he heard the fast and rapid pounding on his door. Who could it possibly be this time? When opening his door, he was surprised to see that it was poppy. She looked almost exhausted and very sweaty, panting and gulping breaths. "Poppy? What are you doing here? Are you alright "? He asked with concern and helping her inside, while she catches her breath. "Thank you branch, I, Wanted to come by today. I'm sorry if I am bothering you but I really wanted to see you". Branch felt a lump in his throat, he tried finding the words to say but none seemed to escape his mouth. His face warm and flushed. She wanted to see him? Really? 

He set her down on the couch, grabbing a tumbler of fresh water from a water supply he had in bulk. Watching her gulp down the water quickly, aroused even more concern. With the last gulp of water gone, she took a heavy breath to compose herself. "Thank you branch. I'm so sorry to be bothersome...." looking to the floor with a sad look on her face. Branch scoffed. " You're not a bother poppy, I just wasn't expecting anyone, that's all, But, I want answers. Why are you so sweaty and winded? And, why did you want to see me"? Poppy honestly didn't know where to start. She didn't even know how to begin the sentence. So She just began with the first thing that popped into her head. "Well, I came over here for a few things. I was ....talking with creek and I didn't like what he was talking about. It was....mean, but I was hoping we could have a small talk? Then maybe......Hang out for a while"? Poppy said with a lump in her throat. Her heart started pumping. And no sooner she said so, branch's heart began to pound as well. He didn't like that creek had made poppy uncomfortable. It was written all over her face. But to hear her say that she actually wanted to be with him for a while made him feel warm inside. 

"W-well....that's actually pretty ironic, because I wanted.... to....um....take you somewhere......" He could barely finish his sentence without his voice shaking. Poppy looked surprised, but happy at the same time. "Really? Where at branch? It'll help me take my mind off of creek, so it would be fun to go out for a while"! She instantly perked up with a smile wider than a tree trunk and more bright than sunshine itself. She didn't want to think about the near incident with creek. Branch found her quirky attitude adorable. "Well, it's more of a surprise. A thank you, for doing what you did for me. I actually was getting ready to find you when you showed up. If it's ok with you, can we talk there"? Poppy was too excited to worry about telling branch about creek. She was about to have a surprise day with branch. The thought of it made her so giddy she gleefully shrieked softly. "Alright, alright, since I already have everything that we need, we can leave now if you li-"

Poppy cut off his sentence when she grabbed his arm. Hardly having the time to grab his satchel she made for him as she pulled him up the corridor and  out the door. Out on an adventure of their own.

End of Chapter 4