Chapter 1

*Branch's POV*

It was sunrise, the sound of a light breeze rustling through the leaves in the trees. Sunlight streaming through the branches. Branch sits on top of a stone looking outward from the hill he sat upon down to the troll village. As more and more trolls begin to start their day, only one was on his mind. Although, he did not want to admit it. Bundling up his catch for the day, he made his way down to his bunker.

While walking, He heard rapid footsteps, followed by  a familiar sound.

"Branch! Hey Branch! Wait up"!  

Turning to the call of his name, he looked upon the voice he recognized immediately: Poppy. A slight smile crept across his face, but was almost instantly wiped away when she walked closer to him. "What is it poppy"? Her smile always gave him comfort. Her happy face and stunning smile brought more light than the sun itself.  "I was just going to say good morning to you. And I was wondering if you would like to join us all today for a singing lesson! It would be good for you. C'mon, what do you say"? Instantly he was not amused. All of the trolls Knew he doesn't sing. With a blank expression and slight annoyance, he sighed, picking up his satchel he walked slowly away. " No, I think I'm good. You know I don't sing. Besides, I am busy getting materials for my bunker". Poppy shot a slightly disappointed look, but softened soon after. Running after him, she grabbed his arm gently, pulling him back, much to his surprise. "What if I help you? Besides, I've spent allot of time with all my friends here in troll village, I'd like to do the same with you". This statement shocked him. No one had ever actually WANTED to spend time with him. He suddenly felt his face getting hot. Before he could say anything, he was interrupted by another voice he knew. A voice he hated. His soft, british accent echoed over to their direction.

"Well well well, Good morning branch. Out looking for more twigs and grubs to eat this morning are we?  Branch groaned in annoyance, He was used to being mocked, but from creek it irritated him more and more. "Oh hello creek, out talking to flowers and the universe again"? Creek, looking slightly angry but more annoyed, scoffed at the grey troll. "Come along poppy, his negativity is bad for you, let's join the others for singing practice, ehy"? Creek pulling her arm along with his mid stride walk. To her reluctance. Stopping mid walk, she gently pulled away, making the purple troll stop in confusion. " I-I'm sorry creek, but maybe next time, he looks like he could really use the help. But please stop teasing him, he works hard on what he does". Branch was surprised that poppy stuck up for him. But even more so, was surprised she CHOSE to stay with him. He was fighting back a smile when he felt his face begin to get hot again. he dismissed it as quickly as he could. Seeing the annoyed purple troll's facial expression was delicious to him. 

In an almost disgusted tone, creek replied: "Fine, but don't let his negative aura pollute yours". Then coolly walked away. Poppy turned to branch wearing a soft smile, waiting for a response from him. "Thank you poppy, but you don't have to push yourself to be around me. I'm used to being alone". Giving branch a confused glance, she chuckled to herself softly while walking towards him. "Branch, what makes you think I would be pushing myself? I OFFERED to come with you, I told you didn't I? I would like to spend some time with you". Her sweet words and soft gaze made branch feel light. Almost breathless. But he kept his grouchy demeanor. So not to arouse any suspicion. Suddenly poppy's face changed from happy, to sad. "Unless....you don't want me there"? She added. Branch wasn't accustomed to having visitors, but he figured for her, it wouldn't be so bad. " Well, I usually never have.....guests. But....I guess I can make an exception. Just don't touch anything and don't be nosy ! Ok"? Smiling happily, She nodded her head and skipped alongside him as they left. Traveling through the bramble was something she would normally never would have ever tried alone. Not with all the dangers that lurk in the woods. Especially at night. 

Coming up to a stone siding with a door mat that says " GO AWAY" on it, branch laid down his old, tattered satchel and pushed in a stone faceted into the siding. Turning to her with a strong face, he made her promise to never tell anyone where he lives. Reluctantly, she agreed.

The stone door opened, poppy Could smell hints of earth, grass and surprisingly, fruit. The corridor was long and twisted, but spacious. Finally they came to the main chamber, poppy opened her mouth in amazement. The room was very large and looked well made. Pressed dirt and cobblestone made the floor, while clay and stones decorated the walls with a light grey to almost white color. With colored stones carefully placed in areas of the room, It made the colors look almost elegant. Chandeliers Made of Ivory thorns hung from the ceiling and cast an ambient light throughout the room. Tables, chairs and cabinets made from wood was carefully carved. A single couch lay in the middle of the living area, it was large, and looked rather comfortable. She was almost entranced by the lovely atmosphere. "Oh my goodness! Branch, did you build all of this yourself? This is amazing"! Feeling his face beginning to get hot again, he made sure not to face her. Why was she complimenting him? No one ever compliments him. On ANYTHING. "Y -yeah. It took a long time to build. Spent several years on it. You....like it"? With an almost questionable tone. " Of course I like it! It looks so awesome! I never knew how handy you were. You're very talented branch". She smiled at him proudly. He couldn't help but feel a smile creep across his face. They left through another corridor, passing by a large pantry with all sorts of foods and dried fruits, where the smell was wafting from. They finally came across another wide hallway that led into another large room. Only this room was filled with many large jars of several herbs, berries and mushrooms. Along with many other different flora. She glanced from jar to jar, curious as to all the ingredients inside of them. She noticed he had already laid down his satchel and was bringing out medium sized mushrooms that were blue in color and were rather slender. Placing them in their own jar. " Hey branch, what are all these? Do you eat them"? Looking up from his bag, he chuckled slightly. " No poppy, I don't use these for cooking. Everything in this room has a medicinal purpose. For example, These mushrooms I just brought in. These are called Toadtongue Mushrooms, along with a few other ingredients, these can be used as an anti-venom. And these here (pulls out puffy yellow sponge-like berries) are called Bramble berries. The pulp will help reduce fever and inflammation. But they're very bitter". She was so impressed by his knowledge of these plants. She had no idea he was a skilled herbalist. "Wow branch, you're very smart. Who taught you how to use all these"? An expression of hurt flashed on branch's face, stopping him for a moment. For a few moments he remained silent. Poppy was slightly concerned, had she upset him somehow? That wasn't her intention. She was just curious. "Branch? Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry if I did". With a long and heavy sigh, branch composed himself. " No. You didn't. And if it's ok with you, I would rather not talk about that". As glad as he was that someone thought he was talented, he didn't need to open old wounds at this time. Poppy nodded respectfully. "Alright, you said you wanted to help, so, you can help me by putting some of these plants and flowers away in their jars, I will show you where they go, I'll even teach you about them, that way you know what to look for if you ever need medicines". He said to her. She smiled widely, happy to lend a hand and to learn something new. Branch shown her where to put several plants and flowers. Such as the bramble berries, some rooibos roots, to help with sore throat,  chamomile flowers, to help with sleep. Marshmallow root to help with sinuses, and witch hazel, to ease pain from burns. The day was spent quickly, with all that she was learning from him. She loved to learn about something new, and she didn't know about all of these plants had different properties for ailments. The more time she spent with branch, learning about many types of plants, flowers and mushrooms, she appreciated him more, taking time out of his day just to teach her alchemy lessons. Branch could admit, he was starting to enjoy her company. Soon after all the medicinal plants were put way, he let her try to make a simple skin salve for sunburn. He shown her a technique he learned in his youth. "Alright, now take some of this oat powder, and mix it with a bit of witch hazel. Use some water to make it into a paste". Doing as she was instructed, she added the ingredients together in equal parts, creating a fine, smooth paste with the mortar and pestle he provided. Branch was actually impressed, she did very well. "Wow poppy, you actually did very good. You're a natural"! He said happily. Poppy smiled widely, happily accepting the compliment she received. "Thank you branch. A-anyway, so tell me, how big is this place? Is your room as big as everything else I've seen so far"? Branch flashed a confused, yet embarrassed look. "M-my room? Why do you wanna see that"? Poppy shrugs her shoulders and sheepishly smiles. "I dunno, I was just curious. Just wanted to see if all of your rooms were all this large". Branch felt a lump in his throat. His heart began to pump harder, feeling his face get hot, he tried to avoid  looking at her. "W-well....I guess if you'd like to see. But like I said, don't touch anything. Some things are really brittle". 

 He started back towards the main room, but passed along directly forward into another large room. A wide, circular room with a large bed with dark green cloth blankets. By the looks of it, it was well made and fluffy. Another Ivory thorn chandelier hung from the ceiling in the direct center. The bed frame looked as if it was carved directly from tree trunk roots, and polished with a dark liqueur for the shine. In the corner, She noticed a dug out shelving space in the wall with curtains. What caught her eye, was something she saw to be very familiar to her behind a half opened curtain, she ran over to the it. "W-wait wait! Poppy! What did I tell you?! Don't Tou-"! Before he could finish his sentence, poppy opened the rest of the curtain, and dozens of felt party invitations spilled over the floor. Some opening and playing their recordings, others just popped open and sprayed little amounts of glitter on the floor and her feet. Branch embarrassingly sighed and covered his face. As if bracing for laughs and ridicule. 

Poppy was taken aback. She had made him all of these invitations throughout the years to several parties, though, he never attended one of them. Poppy's heart was pounding, but she didn't know why. The fact that he had all of these, made her immensely happy. "Y-you ..... you KEPT all of these? After all this time? I thought you destroyed them after I gave them to you? most of the time you stomped on them or thew them to the ground". Branch was feeling the heat in his face and cheeks again. His heart pounding, and breath tightening. " Well....I...I kept them because....b-because you made them for me...I-I didn't want anyone to know". Closing his eyes so they wouldn't meet hers, he felt like running. But where to? He was in his own house. Suddenly, he feels two arms wrap around him. Opening his eyes wide, he sees poppy hugging him. He could feel her warmth. She smelled sweet, like a sugary flower, her hair was thick and soft. His heartbeat rising, he could feel his face getting hotter, he knew he was blushing at this point. But he couldn't lie to himself. He enjoyed the hug he was getting. After all, it was from poppy. 

"Thank you branch. I spent allot of time making those for you, the fact you kept them this long makes me happy. And don't worry. I won't tell anyone you kept them". Branch sighed in relief. But he couldn't tell if he was able to hug another troll yet. But the pretty pink troll had him too close to really pull away. He smiled, slowly, but eventually, he gave her a light shoulder hug in return.

 "Anytime, poppy". 

END OF CHAPTER ONE