Geronimo [Dreamworks Trolls]

Chapter 2

       

The forest hummed with activity as Branch and Rosie made their way home. Birds darted overhead while critters and crawlers roamed around, peaking at the two trolls as they went by.

"Can we go the long way?" Rosie was skipping in circles around Branch, burning off some of her seemingly boundless energy. While she didn't really want to go home and practice camouflaging, she wasn't going to whine about it. That just wasn't in her nature, and besides, she liked spending time with her dad.

"I don't know," Branch said, looking uncertain, "It's going to be dark soon, and we should get home before sunset."

Rosie darted to his side and tugged on his hands, her eyes becoming big and pleading. "Pleeeeeaassseeee? We don't have to take the long long way, just the long way. It'll be fun. And we can pick berries!"

"Aw, come on, sunshine, not the face."

She poked out her lower lip, and Branch knew it was over. Oh, well, what exactly was he supposed to do against that? Branch tried to keep a stern look on his face, but it crumbled as she suddenly hugged him. "Okay, okay, you little master manipulator," he said, giving her hair a loving tug. Rosie peeled away and starting running around him in circles, joyous. Branch crossed his arms. "But we'll practice on the way."

He gave a smug grin as she came to an abrupt halt. "Daaad."

"Those are the terms," he said as he started walking again, veering off to the left trail that would take them past the new party pavilion and berry patches. "Go with them, or we go straight home."

Rosie twisted her hand in her hair, considering it, then she smiled. "Fine, but I get to eat all the berries I want!" She took off down the path, giggling as he stretched out a hand to try and catch her.

Branch chased after her. "Don't you dare, you'll ruin your appetite. That's not a part of the deal!"

This part of the forest wasn't as well developed as the rest of the valley, and it was on the outskirts of the trolls' main village. With the village continuing to grow, they kept expanding, but there were only a couple troll trees out here. Most of the trolls in the area were berry farmers or critter wranglers, and they waved or called out to Branch and Rosie as the pair rushed past.

Branch was laughing by the time he finally caught up with Rosie. He snatched up his youngest and tickled her, grinning at her happy shrieks.

"Okay, okay, okay!" she said, dancing away from him, "I won't eat too many berries."

"You can have a few," Branch conceded.

Rosie smiled and tucked her hand into his as they walked. She was fine with that, it worked for her. And if she was lucky, maybe her dad had totally forgotten about camouflage practice. It wasn't like she didn't try to camouflage just like everyone else. While it came naturally to most people, it definitely wasn't her strong point. In general, she wasn't very good at controlling her hair. But hey, she was an outstanding hugger, a great ice cream maker, and a very good soprano. At least she had a few things going for her.

"So, what are you and your friends getting ready for the show?" Branch asked. The younger trolls were holding a dance show in a few days to celebrate the opening of the new party pavilion, and Rosie had been very secretive about what she and her friends were doing.

"Can't say." She smirked and shrugged. "Nothing big." Which meant it was going to be an all-out extravaganza. Rosie never did anything by halves.

"I'll be prepared with a fire extinguisher."

"I haven't played with sparklers in two years!"

"Still..."

Rosie rolled her eyes. He was never going to let that go, was he? She was going to be hearing about it when she was old with white hair. Just because she had almost burnt down a set of troll pods while playing with sparklers on Friendship Day...