#but also. cooper being the prince of pop and poppy's little brother

[razzle-zazzle]

does cooper being poppy's adopted brother in your between au have any effect on the movies?

Yeah! I don't want to draw focus away from Poppy, but I do want to put focus on her and Cooper's siblinghood, especially in how it parallels Gristle & Branch's brotherhood. An idea I've been toying with for World Tour is that Cooper, instead of running off in secret, asks Poppy if he can come with on her journey to try and unite the genres. I think Biggie would still be there as well, but adding Cooper into the mix could allow for some interesting character interactions!

[warning-heckboop]

The Day the Trolls' Music Died (and then Came Back Again)

Okay, so I've been thinking about the events of World Tour again, especially the scene in which Poppy destroys the strings and all members of all the tribes go grey. The question that I've seen quite a few people ask, including myself, is how did this event effect the trolls who weren't present at the concert at the time.

Now, before Band Together, there wasn't really any particular reason to assume that there were any trolls, of any tribe or smaller subdivision, who weren't at the concert, because Barb's plan explicitly involved gathering all known trolls to ensure that all types of music other than rock were eliminated. Of course it can always be assumed that there would be a few stragglers out there, but the thing that changed with Band Together was the confirmation that this was in fact the case. At the time, there were at least three individual trolls on their own (at least in terms of not being around other trolls) in John Dory, Bruce, and Floyd, and then a whole community in Viva, Clay, and the Putt-Putt trolls.

So lets say they all went grey as well when the strings were destroyed (there is an argument that they wouldn't've been affected, considering the explosion that happened when the guitar was smashed that took everyone's colors away only seemed to have a range of the stadium, but I'm going to proceed under the assumption that the effects were even farther reaching than that). Obviously it would have been a big shock, and confusing as all hell, but that's not my focus here. What I'm wondering about is how they got their color back.

Sure, we can just say they automatically got their color back suddenly with all the other trolls during the big glitter explosion that the leaders caused, but where's the fun in that? I'd prefer to think they got their color back gradually--and that they experienced the same realization that their color, their music, their life comes from inside them. When Poppy and Branch's heartbeats glowed to life, so did their siblings'.

But let's back up a little. My focus is mostly based on family bonds, and this is largely because of the first trolls at the concert who realize they still have music inside of them. If you haven't seen the movie in a while, it's not Poppy or Branch like you might expect. It's Cooper, who is then joined by Prince Darnell, and then also by King Quincy and Queen Essence.

This is something I threw together based on my train of thought. Cooper's heart is the first to come to life. When he then lets it play over the speaker system, any of the trolls present, including Miss-Main-Character Poppy, could have been the one to react to it and see that it was music. But it wasn't anyone--it was his brother. Cooper's light lit the light in Darnell's heart, and then both brothers making music together lit their parents' hearts as well, allowing the Queen and King to be the first two trolls to acknowledge the fact that the trolls all still had music within them. The way I see it, these trolls all have a sort of connection between them, because they're family. Strings connecting them, so to speak. That's why they don't need the six strings to give them music anymore--because the ability to create music now comes from the strings of their relationships with one another.

Cheesy, I know. But it's a kids movie. Stick with me.

So how does this apply to the trolls not at the concert? Well, just because these other trolls weren't there physically doesn't mean they didn't have bonds to trolls who were there. For Viva and Brozone, they have Poppy & her dad and Branch, obviously, but even for the other Putt-Putt trolls, it's pretty likely most if not all of them had some connection to someone at the concert, considering they were all once members of the Pop tribe too.

So, just like how Darnell and his parents were drawn to respond to Cooper's actions, I think these other trolls would be drawn to action by the trolls they have connections with, too--because bonds of family can't be severed, not completely, by time and distance.

When Poppy finally starts to sing, I think Viva does, too. They're hundreds of miles apart, but their hearts still beat together as one, and so too do their voices sing out. The same goes for Branch and his brothers, too, and all the other trolls who had connections to those back at the concert.

And so, through the same song, all of troll-kind, everywhere, got their color back--even if many of them couldn't truly understand what had even happened until much, much later.

(Bit of a shame, though, really. If Floyd had stayed grey, maybe Velvet and Veneer would have just seen him as useless and let him go. Ah well.)

[vixendoesstuff]

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

ALRIGHT, SO-

Final part of this convoluted saga I came up with at like, 3 am one day. Last time we were left on a cliffhanger (because I'm evil like that) but now y'all (the maybe 4 people who's paying attention to this AU) get to see what happens next.

Let's just get right into it!

So, the quartet (Poppy, Cooper, Branch and Hickory), after hearing who had beamed them up into the giant UFO, was equally shocked and overjoyed, mostly on Poppy and Cooper's part. Immediately Cooper got up and started asking questions, like how is this possible, how Prince D. looked just like him, and if he's his twin, that means he's also royalty, and such things. It was here when King Quincy and Queen Essence entered the fray, which just excites Cooper further.

The two parents are obviously overjoyed at finally seeing their long lost son. They were kinda miffed at Prince D. for using the bubble without their supervision, but seeing who he had beamed, they let it slide for now.

The same stuff then happened as it is in the movie, with some dialouge changes, like Cooper telling the Funk Family how he got with the Pop Trolls as an egg. They noticed Branch in the group, and was pleasently surprised how a Techno Troll is with the Pop Trolls, since they're an isolated bunch. Branch said that he doesn't really know what made his egg be with the Pop Trolls, just that his adoptive family found him one day and took him in. The Funk Family then tells him the brief history of the Techno Trolls since they can kinda tell he's clueless and they felt bad. Then the history of the Strings came along.

Same thing there, explaining how every tribe once lived in harmony until Pop got greedy and stole all the strings, so everybody else took back their strings and ran, living in isolation from eachother ever since.

Cooper and Branch is clearly disturbed. Maybe because of their respective tribe of origin before they settled in Pop Village they feel more unsettled by the news, but they felt horrified by the implication nonetheless. Poppy even more so, desperate to prove that the Pop Trolls are not like that anymore, look at Cooper and Branch! They're fine! (Enter worried side eyes from the two). Then everything goes as it is in the movie, the Funk Family softly rejecting her offer to combine their music together, and Rock invading and everyone preparing for battle, with Cooper deciding to stay behind to help his family by bubbling everyone to safety back to the ground below.

The same argument Branch and Poppy has happens, with a little change in the dialouge. It's something along the lines of Poppy not listening to others when they offer advice that might work in her favour, and instead goes off to do her own thing; about how she doesn't listen when her way does more harm than good; about how, in a way, she's doing the same thing Barb is doing. The two split off, with Branch having the intention of going back to Pop Village to warn the others. It may not be his tribe of origin, but it is his home for all his life, and he'd protect it in whatever way he can.

We cut to Poppy sulking to herself before being spotted by Hickory, who manages to find her. Same dialouge happens, with Poppy revealing the string to him, Dickory splitting from Hickory's... behind and revealing their true identities as Bounty Hunters, and squabbling with her for possession of the string. In here, perhaps due to talking with Cooper and Branch, who are different genre Trolls but holds love for Pop, empowered his hidden desire to see harmony between different genres and tribes, and decided to fight back against his partner (brother? Brother). Of course, this doesn't go unpunished by Barb, who suddenly appears with her lackeys and apprehended both Poppy and Hickory, saying that this is what they deserve for trying to delay her plans (she lets Dickory go, but not without a warning to control his brother). Poppy claimed she'll stop her, but Barb revealed that she has invaded Pop Village and destroyed most things there, so all Poppy can do is sit tight and watch the show.

Turning back to Branch, when he finished his 2014's sad boy song, he then got ambushed by the K-Pop gang and the Reggaeton Trolls, who demands the location of Queen Poppy. Obviously he refuses 'cause while he still has beef with her, she's the most important person in his life, so you bet he'll try to protect her at all costs. The dance off still commences the same way (you have to admit, dancing with fins for legs is hella impressive), with thw two groups complimenting eachother on their dances before interrogating Branch again.

The convo here is changed slightly because I wanna see Branch and the two Bounty Hunter groups to interact some more 'cause their dynamic is interesting. Basically it's the lines of,

"Why does Barb decides which music is safe to listen to? All music is worth listening to. Liking different genres doesn't matter."

"Ugh, what do you know, Techno Troll? You don't know how it feels to be regarded as lesser for liking a different music."

"[Pop Troll profanity], I'm literally a living example of that, who do you think I've been living with all my life? And besides, who's to say Barb won't turn tail on her side of the deal and destroy you, too?"

With the power of persuasion, he managed to stop the two groups from continuing their plans and starts a temporary truce between them. His first initial plan was to get back to Pop Village to confirm everyone's safety and maybe stop Barb from destroying it. But Chaz (the guy that made him trip balls) suddenly appeared and steps in their conversation to say that Barb has gained all the strings and is making her way to Volcano Rock City, home of the Rock Trolls. This completely changes the course of his plan, but Branch is determined to follow through.

So he, the K-Pop gang, the Reggaeton Trolls and Chaz (who only came along for the thrill of it) all decide to work together to stop Barb from achieving whatever it is she's planned to use the strings for. They found the sentient hot air balloon Branch had ridden before chillin' in the outskirts of Lonesome Flats, and hopped in to make an impromptu trip to Volcano Rock City.

The scene with Poppy and Barb chatting is the same because other than it being a first face to face convo with the two, it changes nothing in the long run.

We go to the scene where Barb does a wardrobe change and presents the other tribe leaders to put her Power Chord thing to the test, to make everyone Skillet enjoyers. But before she could fire at Poppy (who she chose as the first target), a book came flying at her face. She looked up, only to see a Techno Troll along with the rest of the Bounty Hunters she hired coming in flying from a hot air balloon. (He also said the same catchphrase, "I guess a comprehensive manual does come in handy!") This shocked her since she made sure every Techno Troll was accounted for when she first invaded Techno Reef. So what the heck is this guy doing here?!

The other leaders was surprised and concerned by his arrival, but none of them rivaled the feeling of shock and horror coming from Poppy, and Trollex respectively.

Before they could think any further, and before Barb can even do anything, Branch suddenly leaps from the balloon straight down to where Barb is. And, in the most simplest term I can use, he Falcon Punched her. In the face. The guy's not afraid to play dirty.

Soon enough the two of them got into a nasty brawl, with both giving everything they got to beat the other. One is trying to take the guitar away, and one is trying to keep the guitar from the other. Million pairs of eyes is watching them play it out on stage.

While everyone else was shocked and frozen in place, Poppy began working to get her cage door open while she's distraced. Just as she's about halfway through that the victor of the scuffle is decided. While most of the Rock Trolls on the front seat were too stunned to protect their Queen, a few managed to step in and hold Branch in place. Barb waste no time using the Power Chord on him, to Poppy and the leaders' horror.

When the stone cracked and revealed Branch as a rock zombie, new colours, clothing and all, something in Trollex snapped.

It seems there's a pattern with Techno Trolls being violent when pushed to the brink, as when Barb had finished transforming Quincy and Essence and moved to him and Trollzart, no joke, he flew from his platform, and speeds straight onto Barb to give her a good beatdown like his subject the other Techno Troll did. It sorta worked, since Barb soon fell from her cable straight to the crowd below (man Trollex packs a punch). Before the Rock Trolls in the crowd could get any ideas, Trollex took the guitar from her hands and threw it back on stage, where it's out of her reach for now. He would've followed suit, if Barb hadn't got a good grip on Trollex's fins and dragged him down to her.

But it seems that Trollex's little distraction worked against her favour, as Poppy managed to get out of her cage amidst the scuffle and dashes straight to the guitar, but not before being blocked by rock zombie Branch (I got a design in mind for him, just wait and see winky face). She's horrified at seeing her best friend boyfriend being like this, but she's determined to make things right, to make sure Barb doesn't fall to the wrong path any further and hurt many more innocent Trolls. She does her speech on how everything being the same is hella boring (character development!) and how she can't force someone to be the same as her because differences do matter.

Then she proceeds to smash the guitar to bits, and the strings followed suit.

Suddenly the entire city turned grey, with no colours in sight. The zombified Trolls (ie Branch, Quincy, Essence and Trollzart, who Barb managed to hit when Trollex one punched her) were turned back to normal. But that's not really important when everyone's turned Grey with the loss of the strings.

But the same scene in the movie happened here also, with them singing by themselves bringing their colours and music back. Nothing much changed in that regard.

Branch and Poppy reunited with a hug and Poppy then went full on her apologies, saying that she's sorry for being dismissive on his suggestions and that she should've listened to him more, that her desire to be a good Queen overshadowed what she actually needed to be one; patience and a willingness to listen. Before she could go overboard, Branch stopped her. And then said on how he's also sorry for how angry he got at her, and that he knew she has only done the things she did out of a genuine desire to do good. They finished with another hug, and the infamous dialouge,

"Branch... I love being different."

"And I love you, Queen Poppy."

[Cue the Snack Pack handing eachother money in the background].

After they did that high-five that makes glitter appear out of nowhere, the two are then approached by the Troll of the hour; King Trollex. For the first time in his life, Branch gets to see the tribe he originated from, the tribe he was born to. And Trollex gets to see the Techno Troll born from the egg that was lost to him all those years ago, grew up into a strong and independent soul.

The atmosphere was tense, with no one speaking a word for a while. Branch and Trollex continued to stare at eachother, taking the other in full detail. Poppy was starting to get nervous and decides to cut in, but not before Trollex pulled Branch into a tight hug, fins and all. Branch is justifiably freaked out and froze, but he then heard the words spoken from the Techno Troll monarch,

"I know I mean nothing to you. That you value and love Pop more than Techno, for they are your entire world. And I get it. I respect it. I'd offer you to come home with me, but I know that's useless. But, if you're willing, I'd like for us to get to know eachother, regardless of differences. I failed you then, but please, let me make up for it now. I want to know your trials, your tribulations. Your achievements. Perhaps not as king and subject, but... as friends."

Branch, despite freaking out about the close contact with his king this stranger he just met 30 seconds ago, felt oddly... relieved. And lighter than he was for a long time. Make no mistake, for all that Trollex is supposed to be to him, he's a stranger in his eyes. A person he'll instinctively distance at first. But then again,

What is a stranger if not a person to befriend?

WOO! WE DID IT! WE MANAGED TO REACH THE END, LET'S GO!!

Man, the amount of rewriting I did to make this as coherent as possible is staggering. But I'm glad I persevered, since now the World Tour saga of this AU is finally finished! While yeah, Branch doesn't get to hang around his tribe as much here, but that's what Trollstopia will be about! Oh boy, can't wait to get to that.

But in all cases, thank you for the maybe 6 people now that's been following me through with this, I hope you enjoy what I have to offer. Do not be fooled, for I have much, much more to offer for this AU. Until then, take care!

Band Together awaits :)

[aggimaginary]

Aggie's special relationship with the Trolls:

Poppy:

Poppy and Aggie are close friends

Aggie sees Poppy as a fierce leader

Poppy and Aggie are like sisters

Poppy and Aggie loves to eat sweets as much of like to make wild parties

Branch:

Aggie likes to mess around Branch

Branch understands Aggie's problem of forcing to choose one music for her to earn True Colors

They are both gray (Branch is slightly gray) as they enjoyed each other's company

Aggie appreciated Branch's guide of training her to fight and self-defense

Branch and Aggie know about survival skills

Aggie likes to carve sharp sticks with Branch

Knowing how young, naive and new Aggie is, Branch makes sure she is safe, especially from his fellow Pop Trolls' crazy antics

Aggie is a fangirl of Branch and his relationship with Poppy

She seldom becomes his wingman... or wing-girl for that matter

Branch taught Aggie how to make traps

Barb:

Barb and Aggie are like rock n' roll sisters. Barb acts like a big sister to Aggie.

Barb likes to show her guitar skills to Aggie.

Aggie is close to Barb because the latter's Rock music reminded the former of her father's music of choice.

Barb like to rustle Aggie's hair

Barb is proud of Aggie's rock n' roll skills

Trollzart:

Trollzart describes Aggie as cute

Aggie is polite and respectful around Trollzart

Trollzart treats Aggie as his own granddaughter.

Aggie loves Trollzart's homemade cookies

Trollzart learns from Aggie that Classical Music can have lyrics like the other genres, besides high opera.

Aggie is also close to Trozart because his music reminded her of her mother

Aggie wants to conduct, just like Trollzart

Delta Dawn:

Delta is much nicer to Aggie

Delta comforted Aggie as the latter explains her grandfather, who is a Magic Country Troll, died a year ago

Delta is impress that Aggie's Country songs were all happy mood

Aggie often sits at Delta's back while the latter sings a song

Delta is very concerned of Aggie's action of almost pressuring herself

Delta becomes a strict parent-figure towards Aggie.

Quincy and Essence

S

King Quincy and Queen Essence become parent-figures towards Aggie.

Aggie treated Quincy and Essence as her parents, but she rather called them "Uncle" and "Aunt"

Quincy and Essence gave the title to Aggie as "Honorary Princess of Funk"

Trollex

Trollex and Aggie became good friends when they first met

They both secretly have a crush in each other

Trollex and Aggie confessed their feelings of love for each other as they kissed for the first time

They tried to hide their relationship, but they are not very good at it.

Aggie likes to cuddle with Trollex a lot.

Aggie likes hearing Trollex's heart beat.

Aggie likes Trollex's tail as the King of Techno wrapped it around his girlfriend.

Trollex dreams about Aggie of being his queen someday

Trollex and Aggie love to dance together underwater

Aggie seldom becomes jealous when Trollex hanging out with other girls.

Trollex gave Aggie her own DJ mixer on her 19th birthday

They both like their sweet kisses

Cooper and Prince D

Cooper and Prince D acted like older brothers towards Aggie

Aggie loves the Funk Twin princes as brothers

Aggie often rides on Cooper's back than Prince D

Prince D and Aggie like to play Hip-Hop music together

Cooper and Aggie like to goof-off

Cooper and Prince D often calls Aggie "Sis" or "Lil' sis"

When they have nothing to do, Cooper, Darnell and Aggie like to play together like children

Snack Pack

Aggie and Biggie are good friends.

Aggie likes to borrow Mr. Dinkles from Biggie for a bit

Dj Suki and Aggie are good friends, but Aggie was secretly jealous of DJ as she was afraid DJ might steal Trollex from her because Trollex and DJ are both DJs.

DJ thought Aggie and Trollex are cute as a couple

Aggie becomes Smidge wing-girl when the latter wants to go on a date with Milton

Aggie becomes friends with Guy Diamond when she agreed to babysit Tiny Diamond for him.

Aggie often volunteered to be Satin and Chenille's model for their fashion show.

Satin and Chenille think Aggie is perfect for dress fitting, despite that Aggie doesn't like wearing fancy dresses.

Legsly and Aggie don't interact much, but they good friends.

Hickory

Aggie has a slight crush on Hickory, but they remained as good friends.

Hickory shares his passion for both Yodelling and Country as Aggie supported him to play both different music.

Aggie believes Country and Yodelling are a good pair when making songs.

Hickory was overprotective of Aggie when she was almost in danger.

He treated her like a little sister like he never had.

The K-Pop Gang

Aggie became the sixth member of the K-Pop Gang

The K-Pop Trolls were impressed of Aggie’s dance moves and singing voice.

Aggie sometimes provided music for the K-Pop Trolls’ performance.

The K-Pop Trolls likes to pull band prank on Aggie, no hard feelings.

The Reggaeton Trolls

Aggie has good relationship with the Reggaeton Trolls

Tresillo understands that Aggie can’t dance to the rhythm of Reggaeton music, so he lets her to be his singing partner

Marimba and Tambora like to friendly tease Aggie like a little trolling because of being younger than them

Chaz

Aggie and Chaz don’t see eye-to-eye, but they respect each other’s different taste of Jazz music

Torturing Chaz with his saxophone becomes Aggie’s favorite hobby whenever he tried to play Smooth Jazz to paralyze Trolls.

Luckily, Aggie is immune to Chaz’s hypnotic music

Techno Beat Drop Button

Aggie and Beat are best of friends

Beat becomes Trollex’s wingman when dating Aggie

Aggie likes to squeeze and hug Beat like a plushie or soft pillow.

Aggie can be protective of Beat when they are in danger

[captainunderkrupp]

Ok @kiingcorobo ’s headcanons about Hickory and food are adorable and sad and reminded me of this unfinished ficlet thing sitting in my drafts

Off in the distance, a table full of sweets was sitting. Hickory bit his lip, trying to hold back a squeal of excitement, unable to keep the grin off his face.

Dickory rolled his eyes. "Go nuts," he said, walking away. Hickory bolted.

When he got to the table, Branch and Poppy were standing there, seemingly discussing whether the chocolate or white chocolate covered strawberries were better. Poppy seemed like she could be on either side of the issue, but Branch seemed to be arguing for chocolate because it was... nutritious? That couldn't be right; Hickory must be hearing things.

He nabbed a chocolate chip muffin from between them, trying to act casual about it instead of grabbing a plate and piling it as high as he could. "Howdy," he greeted them.

Poppy brightened immediately. "Hickory!" she cheered, nearly throwing her plate in hugging him. Branch just nodded at him, and put a chocolate covered pretzel on his plate. Oh, Hickory was going to have to try that.

Hickory decided to attempt small talk. "So, this is the dessert table?"

Poppy kind of stared at him. "Sort of...? It's all kind of one table," she explained, as if she wasn't sure she should, gesturing at the ridiculously long table set up. Well, a very large tablecloth was creating the illusion of the longest table ever, anyway.

"Just assume that's a yes," Branch added, adding even more chocolate to his plate. The guy certainly liked his chocolate. "It's all food."

Hickory decided to let it go. He was just trying to make conversation anyway. "So, what do y'all recommend? I've really only had the gumdrops and this scrumptious muffin," he gestured at the nearly devoured item in his hand.

Poppy giggled. "Try the cupcakes!" she recommended, pointing farther down the table. "Ooh, and if you liked the gumdrops, maybe the gummies. Careful with the sour!" Looking around for other sweets to recommend, she squealed. "Ooh, looks like someone made dirt cake! That would be perfect!"

"Dirt cake?" he asked, confused. Poppy suddenly produced a plateful of what genuinely looked like dirt and worms, but smelled like fruit and chocolate.

"This!" she said, passing it to him. He stared at it; it didn't look too appetizing, but it smelled delicious anyway. He supposed he should try it.

Branch suddenly raised an eyebrow at him. "Wait, you haven't tried any sweets except the gumdrops?"

Hickory flushed. "Well, no. I've tried chocolate, and... such. But I never had gumdrops or... cupcakes before. And some of the combinations you guys have here seem real interesting!" he added, gesturing toward the dipped and decorated pretzels he'd noticed earlier. In the same motion, he snatched up a few covered in sprinkles and caramel.

"Well, I guess we ought to introduce you to them all!" Poppy declared, and Hickory couldn't hold back his grin at all. His favorite people besides his brother, helping him try out sweets? Sounded like a dream.

Then someone screamed.

He spun around, reaching for rope he knew wasn't there. He scanned the crowd, searching for the screamer and Dickory at the same time. Dickory must have been doing the same, because the brothers suddenly made eye contact and Dickory ran over.

More screams were spreading, within a split second of the first, like something was spreading, or rampaging through the crowd. Hickory and Dickory got into battle positions they'd practiced, and used, thousands of times. Out of the corner of his eye, Hickory saw Branch and Poppy also in position, searching for the threat, though in different forms.

Then the screaming crowd started to disperse enough to see... Prince D? He was standing in the middle of the clearing they'd chosen for the buffet, looking confused and holding some tupperware.

"What?" he asked, clearly baffled by the screaming.

Cooper walked up, looking nervously at the tupperware. "Bro, why are you bringing poison to the party?" he asked.

Prince D only looked more confused. "It's green beans, I thought it would make a nice side. The invite said it was potluck."

Branch suddenly rolled forward in a professional looking tumble, standing up to inspect the vegetables. He looked hesitant to actually lean in and smell them, let alone taste them, but he still took a good look at it. "These look like the thing that Bridget is growing on her balcony, but... smaller."

Poppy walked forward to get a glimpse as well. "It looks like a lot of the poisonous plants around here, but it smells a little better. Not great, but better." When Prince D looked vaguely offended, she quickly assured him, "Sorry, I don't mean to offend any work you put into it, but it does still smell a bit like someone cooked poison."

After a moment, Prince D shrugged it off. "That's fine. I don't expect anyone to eat it if they really don't want to, or if they can't." He took a moment to glance back down at the tupperware. "Why poison, though? It's just regular green beans."

Branch shrugged. "Lots of plants around here aren't edible. And there's a wide variety of them. Not so fortunate for us, but we make do." He gestured at the table. "I can help you make a label for it if you like."

Cooper grinned. "Yeah! Like, kind of a warning, explanation thing?"

Prince D smiled right back. "Eh, sure, that works."

Hickory stared as they walked over to the far end of the table, where there was surprisingly less main courses than he expected, and popped one of the gummy worms into his mouth. It was like eating thick, fruit flavored spaghetti, especially with chocolate slathered over half of it. It tasted quite nice.

He was still staring at the table, trying to figure out what was bugging him, when Branch and Poppy walked back over.

"Well, glad it wasn't too big of a deal," Branch said, wiping his hands together before picking his plate back up and refilling it with food. He carefully picked up the dumped items with the tip of his hair and threw them in one of the nearby trashcans.

Their impressive hair was another thing Hickory wanted to ask them about, but that was later. He was still considering the table.

"Hey, Hickory, have you had apple pie? Biggie has a really good recipe!" Poppy held a plate with a slice of apple pie a la mode out to Hickory.

That was it. "Why are there so few main courses?" he asked, gesturing toward the beginning of the table with his fork.

Poppy blinked, as if her train of thought had been interrupted. "What are you talking about? There are plenty of main courses."

Hickory shook his head. "A funk buffet would have a couple meat dishes, a few vegetable sides, plenty of snacks and chips before the dessert table. Maybe even drinks in between. Your tables go almost directly from some fruit platters and a couple casseroles to the desserts." A country troll trotted up and set a plate of burgers in the middle of the table, alongside a plate of buns. "Correction. One meat dish."

Poppy looked like she was about to faint. "Wait. You eat those?!" she cried, pointing at the burgers.

Branch also looked uncomfortable. "I... don't like the idea of eating something that was bigger than me when it was alive," he said.

Hickory was confused again. "Wait, did you not realize what the burgers were being made for? And... you know what, I have too many questions for this. What is your guys' regular diet?"

Branch stared at him. "Uh."

"You don't need to explain it in detail, just give me a couple ideas so I have an actual jumping off point for my questions."

"Lots of fruit!" Poppy interjected. "Maybe some bugs for protein. And plenty of sugar!"

"Chocolate, apples, berries, grubs are my go-to," Branch listed off, "Pie is difficult, but nice, and oatmeal is pretty easy."

"Muffins are breakfast food, cupcakes are lunch or dinner, if you care about that kind of thing."

"I've found some good roots for teas and stews. I swear I'm forgetting something..."

"I tried blueberries once, but it turns out I'm allergic. I still love strawberries though."

"Gelatin is good for preserving things. And sometimes thickened for gummies like what you're eating."

"Honestly I think the casseroles were brought by some of the funk trolls. Or a rock troll? I'm not sure."

Hickory regretted asking. That was a lot of details to process at once. "Ok, ok, I think I get it. Lots of sweets and sugar and fruit, some protein, not many vegetables."

"Uh, define vegetables," Branch said, "Because I was at a rock party and I heard some people arguing whether a tomato was one, and I don't get that."

Hickory frowned. "Have you... never heard of a tomato?"

Poppy squinted. "You can make sauce out of it, right? That's what was on the Bergen's pizza?"

"Oh, fish!" Branch shouted. "Fish is pretty good, though I don't catch it often."

"What in the world reminded you of that?"

"Remember how Bridget's favorite pizza is mayo and anchovies?"

"Eeeehh, right. I still don't get that, do anchovies taste better than they smell?"

"You've never had fish?"

"I don't think so..."

He looked between the two as they spoke, jaw dropped. After a second, he finally gathered himself and decided to interrupt the rapid fire food discussion. "Ok, you guys have a weird definition of food," he muttered to himself. Louder, he said, "I think some trolls are waiting."

Branch and Poppy stopped to look behind them, and Poppy chuckled nervously when they both saw a long line of people, some waiting patiently, and some looking like they wanted to wallop the three trolls holding up the buffet. Branch gave an awkward smile and wave and started shoving both his friends away from the table.

[razzle-zazzle]

(Between AU) Poppy might see Branch while on her rescue mission and decide he needs to be rescued too? If he’s the most Bergen-like a troll can be, she’s the most troll-like a troll can be, so even if they have similar goals they probably won’t get along whenever they first meet. Without knowing Branch is coming behind her, Poppy would probably be more careful going through the forest, so you can use that to mess with the timeline of her arrival however you want? Maybe she could meet Bridget first, and you could contrast her decision to try to make Bridget happy with Branch and Gristle’s determination to be unhappy together? Branch being a Bergen prince will probably affect her perception of both Branch and the Bergens as soon as she learns about it too, though idk how

OOOOOO ALL OF THIS IS SO GOOD IT'S SHAKING AROUND IN MY BRAIN.

On the subject of Poppy's journey to Bergentown, I've found myself with two options:

Option One: Poppy Goes Alone.

Through sheer wit and determination, Poppy manages to make her way through every obstacle thrown at her. Basically the "Get Back Up Again" scene but she manages to escape the spiders at the end with the same strength and wit she used to escape every other danger. She's already pretty well equipped to make the journey in canon, so it's not implausible for her to make it all the way on her own!

The main benefit of Poppy going alone is that her determination gets repeatedly challenged. Her main arc in the movie is learning to temper her limitless optimism without giving it up completely, so even though she makes it to Bergentown successfully and with a smile, she's a little worn down by the journey.

Option Two: Poppy Gets a Buddy

King Peppy was pretty against Poppy going out to Bergentown alone. Sure, she left regardless, and she still would, but that doesn't mean she has to be alone.

In this option, her buddy, being another member of the village that isn't Branch, would take a more supportive role instead of Canon Branch's opposition to Poppy's optimism. Poppy would find herself tasked with protecting her travel buddy (it would be a team effort at multiple parts ofc), playing into her role as Princess and future Queen of Pop Village. The constant danger wears her down, but she has a voice coming along believing in her wholeheartedly and doing their best to cheer her up. It'd give Poppy more energy, but it'd also give her more pressure to have a smile on her face when she reaches Bergentown.

In this option, the Troll I'd pick to accompany her would likely be one of the Snack Pack. Smidge would be interesting with her strength, Suki would be fun, Guy Diamond could be really funny, and there's also Satin & Chenille or Biggie... but I think I would probably go with Cooper as the Snack Pack member that Chef fails to grab, in this option. Largely because of the headcanon that Cooper was adopted by Peppy, which regardless of whether Cooper's taken by Chef or not is going to be canon to the Between AU. Having her little brother along would give Poppy someone to reassure her, but also someone for her to be responsible for both as a Princess and big sister.

So far, I'm leaning towards Option One.