Trolls: Broppy One Shots

Jazzed

Can also be found in my alternate World Tour story. Seriously, if you haven't read it, go check it out.

On the river, Biggie and Hickory were sitting by a fire while Branch was keeping a vigilant eye out for any potential danger. He couldn't help but feel that there was something off about him, something he was hiding. He didn't seem like other Trolls, and it was strange that he had offered to help them out of Lonesome Flats and somehow already knew they were Pop Trolls.

Branch: What are you hiding, Hickory...?

Poppy sat down next to Branch twirling the hibiscus he gave her earlier in her hand. Branch couldn't help but notice how vulnerable she looked after what she had been through. He could only imagine what had happened after she escaped from Barb. When he found her, she was out like a light, covered in bruises and had blisters on her feet...and her arm was banged up. Luckily, she was recovering nicely, just her arm was still healing.

Branch: Poppy, c'mere.

Poppy looked up at Branch as he carefully removed the filthy bandage from her arm, it was still pretty banged up and only showed a few small improvements. Branch replaced the old bandage with a new one and secured it around her arm before cutting it.

Branch: Is that better?

Poppy: Much better.

Poppy later let out a soft yawn and took a pillow out of her hair before laying down.

Branch: Poppy?

Poppy: I might call it a night soon...

Branch nodded, understanding how she might've been feeling right now. She only slept for a few short minutes since her disappearance, and it's been almost 2 whole days, she must've been exhausted.

Branch: ...Poppy, you know I never intend to hurt you, right?

Poppy: Yeah...

Branch: So, um...about what I said earlier...I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, Poppy, I just want you to be vigilant. This is still entirely new compared to what you and I are used to, we need to be on high alert. And right now, we're not sure who we can trust. I've been keeping an eye on Hickory, and there's something strange about him that I just can't put my finger on, just stay alert.

Poppy: I am, Branch...maybe tomorrow morning...

Poppy brought her knees to her chest and closed her eyes, hugging her pillow like a stuffed animal.

Branch: Tomorrow it is then...

Poppy: ...Branch?

Branch: Yeah?

Poppy: Be straight with me...do you think I'm a bad queen?

Branch was taken aback by Poppy's sudden question.

Branch: ...What made you think that?

Poppy: Well...just seeing how you were just...it made me have doubts, and what you said earlier really got me thinking if I was doing the right thing.

Branch: ...Poppy, as your...friend, it's my job to guide you through right and wrong. But I'm not a critic, sometimes I want you to figure it out yourself. I'm here to guide you, not hurt you.

Poppy nodded looking down at her scarred arm, a vivid reminder of the Bergen attack from her childhood...but also a heartwarming reminder saying that Branch will always be by her side to dry her tears and get her back onto her feet. But just as she was about to call it a night, she heard distant music that sounded like it was coming from just ahead.

Poppy: Branch...do you hear something?

Suddenly, a Smooth Jazz Troll emerged from the water playing his saxophone, what Poppy and Branch didn't know was that this was Chaz, one of the Bounty Hunters Barb hired to recapture Poppy.