The sky was still dark as a little grey troll who went by the name of Branch walked through the quiet seclusion of the forest, collecting sticks in a pile to bring back to his home.
He walked quickly, trying to stay as stealthy as possible, as he picked up yet another stick for his collection. He didn't want anyone from the village seeing him. Especially not Princess Poppy... That's why he woke up so early... to get everything he needed to do done and over with, so that he could go back to his underground bunker, and hide away from the world and everyone in it.
"Hmm..." he muttered softly to himself, looking closely at a stick he had just picked up from the ground. "Maybe this one is too small..."
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
The loud sound of a rooster bug pierced the cool air, signaling that it was now morning, the little grey troll groaning in annoyance, as he slowly looked up at the sky, seeing the sun beginning to rise as it stretched out it's yellow arms, yawning sleepily.
The people of the village would be waking up any time now, which meant Poppy would soon come looking for him. Just like she always did... every... single... morning!
"Oh no..." Branch grumbled softly to himself, as he covered his face with his hands in frustration, not wanting to be bombarded with the princess' over the top optimistic happiness.
For once... couldn't she just accept him for the way he was... the only grey grump in a village of colorful, positive trolls... instead of constantly trying to change him for the better... he would never be happy like the rest of his kind. No matter how hard the young princess tried... no matter how hard he tried... he would never... ever... ever! be happy again...
Slowly, Branch looked back down at the stick he was holding, finally shrugging as he placed it into his pile.
"You'll have to do," he told the stick, before turning to run off, back towards the safety of his bunker...
—————
In her pod, a little pink troll named Poppy was sleeping peacefully, until her eyes suddenly popped open, the biggest smile plastered on her face as she began to sing the morning song, her voice filled with joy and positivity.
"Live it up! Everyday you wake up singin'," she sang out loudly, jumping up out of bed to get ready for the day, showering before quickly getting dressed. "Turn it up. The party's just beginning!"
Ready to go great her friends, the young princess suddenly jumped out of her pod window, hairachuting down to the ground, as the entire village woke up to join in the song and dance number.
"All together, you and me. Hair in the air, we're family. We got everything we need. Hair in the air, cause we're proud to be," everyone in the village sang together joyfully, coming out of their homes to start the day. "Celebrating who we are. Yeah, we made it through the dark. Harmony is everywhere. Put your hair up in the air! Put your hair up in the air!"
Poppy looked around the village, happy to see everyone singing, dancing, and having fun together. It was her number one priority as future queen to make sure everyone was happy. Especially... one special troll, she wanted to help more than anyone else in the whole troll world.
But as she looked around, something suddenly caught her eye, taking her full attention away from the rest of the village.
Off in the forest, hidden by the overgrown trees, a little grey figure slunk by, trying desperately to go unnoticed.
The young princess gasped softly, smiling wide at the sight, before quickly running off into the forest to catch her best friend...
—————
Branch was almost to the safety of his underground home, when suddenly something grabbed hold of his wrist, yanking him backwards in a harsh jerk.
"AHHHHH!" he screamed out in shock, accidentally dropping all of his sticks to the ground as he was forced into a hug with the princess.
"Come outside," Poppy sang, trying to dance with Branch, twirling him happily around herself as he cried out in fear. "It's a world of funny here."
Realizing it was just Poppy who had hold of him and not some dangerous creature, the grey troll groaned, rolling his eyes in annoyance as he pulled out of the young princess' grasp, heading quickly back to his bunker, trying to escape her relentless positivity.
Branch tried his best to ignore the music playing loudly behind him, as he opened up the hatch that lead into his bunker.
He was about to climb inside, when Poppy suddenly grabbed hold of him again, yanking him out of his home and back to her.
"There's no need to hide!" the young princess sang, booping the grey troll's nose, trying to get him to smile, but he just kept glaring angrily at her.
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"Poppy I..." Branch tried to say, but Poppy just kept singing, ignoring his every word.
"Go ahead be colorful," she sang, ruffling her friend's thick black hair a bit as she smiled playfully at him.
Quickly, Branch pulled away, turning his back to her as he tried to fix his hair back into place, but Poppy just grabbed his wrist again, running off towards the village, dragging him along with her.
"Every voice. Never too small to bring it," Poppy sang as she finally reached the village, gesturing for Branch to sing along, but he refused, pulling away from her grasp yet again as he grumpily turned to walk back to his bunker.
But Poppy wasn't about to give up on him... not that easily...
"Feel the joy!" Poppy sang loudly, grabbing onto Branch again, and pulling him back to dance with her. "Put up you hair and sing it!"
"All together, you and me. Hair in the air, we're family. We got everything we need. Hair in the air, cause we're proud to be," everyone in the village sang together the music so loud, Branch was sure the Bergens would hear and come to take them all to their dooms any minute now. He had to get out of there and back to his bunker... fast...
"Celebrating who we are. Yeah, we made it through the dark! Harmony is everywhere. Put your hair up in the air! Put your hair up in the air!"
