Everyone was attending a poetry slam.
Branch asked, "Did you set this up to-"
Poppy said, "Knock something off your Bunker List? Yep. Item #12 is 'Bare your soul in verse.'"
Delta asked, "So, this Bunker List is to help Branch be a better Pop Troll?"
Poppy answered, "Yep. Every item he crosses off makes him one step closer to being normal. Well, Pop normal."
The leaders snickered slightly.
Poppy continued, "It was so inspiring, him turning over a new leaf, to have more fun and connect with the Pop community."
Branch then said, "Well, yeah, that's the goal. But this...is just a little too touchy-feely, too soon. Let me work up to it."
Smidge then said, "Here we go again."
Branch asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Smidge answered, "Everyone's tried to help you do items on that list, Branch, but you never follow through."
Barb then said, "She's got a point. I mean, it's a great goal and all and we support you, but you make it clear you don't actually intend to do it."
That led to some murmuring.
Branch said, "What? Yes, I do. Check with me one year from now, I'll have it all done."
Barb said, "A year."
Smidge said, "Don't hurt yourself rushing."
Branch then said, "Ok, a month."
Barb asked, "Where's the fire?"
Branch finally said, "Fine. One day."
Everyone gasped.
Smidge then asked, "Care to make a little wager?"
Queen Essence said, "Branch, no. Do the list at your own pace."
But, Branch said, "Name it."
Barb said, "You do everything on that list by sunset, or you have to...spend an entire day...dressed like a baby."
Everyone gasped again, even Branch.
Branch said, "Fine. But, if I succeed, then you have to do it."
All gasped.
Smidge and Barb said, "Deal!"
They then hair shook on it.
Smidge then handed him a camera, "Pics or it didn't happen."
Branch said, "Oh, it's gonna happen. Starting now."
He then ran up on the stage and spoke into the mic.
"Fall came early. My sun was taken, so I locked myself inside. Restart. Fresh start. Head start. Spring. Chains becomes strings. Lift up. Lift off. Rise. I am Branch. Bloom. There, bared my soul in verse."
He then took a picture, "Branch out."
Poppy stopped him and said, "Hold on, Branch. Isn't this against the spirit of the list? You were gonna be a better Troll."
Branch just said, "And I still am, just very, very quickly. Next item up, 'Catch a Glitter Fish with local fishermen.' I'll have it done in no time."
As Branch left to do just that, Trollex asked, "He knows he can't rush these things, right?"
Prince D answered, "No, he can't. But, it looks like he's gonna learn the hard way."
The other leaders nodded in agreement.
