Chapter Text
Over the next few days, the village seemed to ease up around her. Most still didn't approach her, but she was met with smiles from the majority of trolls. That made Poppy feel a little better, but not by much. She still didn't understand why everyone was acting so oddly around her. Oh well, she didn't have time to dwell on it.
She had to prepare for Creek and Daisy's trials.
And it wasn't something she was looking forward to. They weren't used to having traitors in Pop Village, a trial hadn't been held since her grandmother, Queen Violet, was ruler. Her father had always brushed over the details about the trial and Poppy couldn't find a completed account of it either. So she was only going off vague details about how one was supposed to work.
Fortunately, Prince D was visiting Cooper and was more than willing to help her out. "We've had a few trials in Vibe City since I've been around," he told her. "Ma and Pops let me sit in on a few, so I can show you the ropes."
Poppy smiled. "That's perfect," she replied. "I've never done one of these before, Creek should have had one when he betrayed us the first time, but we thought he was dead, so..."
Cooper, who was there for moral support, giggled. "I set him on fire," he supplied helpfully. He was the only one of her friends who wasn't treating her any differently, and she appreciated that.
Darnell smiled at his twin, though Poppy could tell he was hiding a grimace. He wasn't quite used to how Cooper tended to say whatever was on his mind. But to his credit, he never disparaged this. He was such a sweet brother. "Your council should act as the jury," he continued.
So Branch, Viva, Dad, Cooper, and a few elders. "And I guess that makes me the judge?" she guessed brightly, trying to hide the fact that the thought made her want to throw up. She was going to decide Creek and Daisy's punishments.
D nodded. "The jury will probably decide that they're guilty," he told her. "I mean, I don't see why they wouldn't. But you make the final call on what to do with them."
That made sense. She was the Queen after all. "Got it," replied Poppy.
Cooper frowned. "Poppy, are you okay?" he asked. Now, Poppy was close with all her friends. But she had known Cooper longer than most people in her life; they had basically grown up together. When his egg arrived at Pop Village, Peppy had taken him in as a ward of sorts. Before Viva, he was the closest thing she had ever had to a sibling.
Which meant he knew her better than everyone else, barring Branch of course.
But Poppy smiled up at him anyway, holding out her bruised arms. "I mean, these hurt obviously." It was meant to come out jokingly, but even she couldn't deny that it came off more defensively than she meant. "But I'm doing fine, why do you ask?"
Cooper and D shared a look that they thought she didn't catch. "You seem nervous," the latter told her. Muses, was it that obvious? "I know Creek used to be your friend..."
That was an understatement.
An eight-year-old Poppy giggled from her hiding place. She watched her target from the bush, the pretty purple troll with the cute accent who did weird poses and made funny noises. He was standing in the middle of the clearing, making those poses again. Poppy tried to imitate him, but she ended up falling flat onto her face.
This seemed to catch the purple troll's attention. "Princess Poppy," he greeted, looking at her with a gentle smile. It made her heart flutter. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Undeterred by her fall, Poppy stood up and giggled. "Creek!" she replied, rushing to his side. "What are you doing? You look so silly!"
Creek chuckled. "It's called yoga," he explained to her. He was so calm, Poppy wondered if it was because he was twelve already. "It helps me relax. Do you want to try it with me?"
She nodded excitedly. Creek continued his movements and Poppy tried her best to copy them. But most of the time she ended up losing her balance and falling again. She pouted. "I'm not good at it," she told the older troll, disappointed.
He laughed. "Maybe not," he agreed, helping her up. "But that's alright, love. Yoga isn't for everyone. You're already good at so many other things."
Poppy crossed her arms. "Like what?" she huffed.
"Well~" sang Creek, booping her on the nose. "You always have a smile on your face. And whenever someone's sad, you're always able to cheer them up. Staying positive no matter what is admirable."
She had no idea what 'admirable' meant, but it sounded good. Still, she frowned. "But I can't cheer up Branch," she pointed out. She hated to see someone so unhappy and alone, but Branch spurned her every time she talked to him. She didn't understand what she was doing wrong. Why didn't he want her to cheer him up? Everyone else did.
She completely missed the dark look that came over Creek's face at the mention of the gray troll. But it was gone as soon as it came. "You can't help someone that doesn't want it," he told her. "I think you're great, Princess."
Poppy giggled, her cheeks flushing with pride. "I think you're great too, Creek!" Their hug time bracelets chimed in unison and they shared a gentle embrace.
"Yeah," answered Poppy, her throat tightening as tears stung her eyes. "He was my friend." Or so she had thought. But then, he had betrayed the village. And then, he had kidnapped her, hurt her. Had that darkness always been in Creek? Had she been so stupid that she couldn't see the signs? Had he ever really been her friend? Or had it all been an act?
"Sorry I'm late!" announced Branch, cutting through her thoughts. "I got sidetracked by Viva."
Poppy giggled, instantly feeling lighter when she saw her boyfriend. "That's okay," she assured him, greeting him with a hug. "We didn't really start yet." She pulled away, observing him. There was still a little gray in his color, but other than that he looked fine. The blue was still there.
That made her happy. He had worked so hard to find his true colors, he deserved to be happy. More than any troll she knew.
"Oh good," he replied, taking out his clipboard. She rolled her eyes; and he was trying to tell her that he wasn't like Clay? "Do we know when we're having it? I was thinking by the end of the month..."
Poppy nodded, though her stomach felt cold at the realization that the end of the month was just around the corner. "That should work," she agreed. "The sooner the better, right?"
She was dreading it, but it was even more agonizing to drag out the date. It was better to deal with these traitors now than allow them to stay longer than they needed to. They were like poison to the village.
Branch scribbled something on his clipboard. "Okay, so we'll have to notify everyone on the council. Do you want me to help you make the flyers?"
Poppy winked. "You can sit there and look pretty while I make the flyers," she flirted. They both knew when it came to invitations of any sort, she needed complete creative control. And she was actually kind of looking forward to it; maybe it would help settle her nerves about the whole thing.
He playfully rolled his eyes. "Cooper, don't forget," he reminded him pointedly.
"What makes you think I'll forget?" But even as he said this, Cooper's attention was taken by a passing butterfly. Poppy giggled while Branch slapped his own forehead.
Prince D smiled. "I'll remind him," he promised, leading his twin away. "Queen Poppy, if you need any more help, you know where to find us."
Poppy smiled back, waving as they left. "Bye, you guys!" she called. "And thank you!" She turned towards Branch, grinning. "So... wanna make out?"
Branch snorted, giving her a blank look. "In the middle of the forest? Not particularly."