In The Stardust

Duckweeds Are Little Monsters

Sorry this took so long...

“Breakfast is over, Crystal!" Willow announced, pulling the bottle away from the baby's mouth. “Now we just need to pretty you up!"

Crystal got her name from the giant crystal on her head, which was why she didn't have any hair. A Troll like her came only once every hundred years. So, instead of a hair brush, she needed a good buff, shine, and polish.

“Pwetty," Crystal babbled, pointing at a calendar.

“Yeah, those calendar artists get better every year," Willow agreed, then looked again. “Wait a minute... Aw, man. I forgot about this weekend's film festival in Bergen Town. I didn't get to hire a babysitter, and Mom and Dad aren't going to take care of you and the others. Dad's usually more dead than alive, and Mom only cares about herself."

Thinking about her parents made Willow angry, but she didn't want to take it out on Crystal. So, she put her down, grabbed her inhaler, and threw it out the window. Suddenly, she heard someone gagging from down on the ground. Willow stuck her head out the window, looked towards the tree's trunk and found Archer choking.

“Uh-oh," Willow muttered, and climbed out her window and down the tree. “I know what to, but I should probably wash my hands first... Oh, well."

Willow reached her hand down Archer's throat, and pulled out the inhaler.

“Funny, I always thought these helped people breathe," she said obliviously.

“Archer, are you okay?" Branch asked, walking up to them.

“She... saved me," Archer gasped.

“Here we go again," Branch groaned. Archer looked at him, confused.

“When a Duckweed saves you, you have to do him/her a favor," Willow explained as Branch chuckled. “I know, Duckweed's a stupid name."

“What do I have to do?" Archer asked.

“You could watch my brothers and sisters for me," Willow suggested.

“How many do you have?"

“Fourteen."

“What?!" he exclaimed. “How is that even... Actually, I'm not going to ask. I can't baby-sit fourteen kids, I'll find some other way to make it up to you."

“I guess I can't go away this weekend after all," Willow said sadly as Archer began to leave. Suddenly, Branch grabbed the former Party Crasher with his hair and dragged him back.

“Willow, are you saying if Archer baby-sits for you, you'll be gone for the whole weekend?" Branch asked.

“Actually, a three day weekend," Willow corrected.

“As in, not here for three days?"

“Yeah, but he already said he couldn't do it," Willow replied. “Maybe I can ask Poppy if she can help me start my own film festival."

“You don't need to!" Branch assured her. “Archer here has changed his mind!"

“I have?"