rydoesartandstuff

Figured I’d do a little introduction post for this!

Pronouns: They/Them🌈

26 y/o American writer, and sometimes artist📖

Currently still obsessed with Trolls🌺

I just reread the second fic of ILYMM and the dawndory crumbs was really cute!!! Especially given how much sunrises means to JD and she is literally delta DAWN. What do you think of dawndory now? Or are you full on the hickdory boat now LOL

AHHHH I'M SO GLAD!!!

I do love me some DawnDory ahhhhhh. Honestly, they are SO cute together, and I think like, in Trolls canon, they would fit together SO well! I just went with HickDory in my fic because it made more sense to me, and it was a dynamic I wanted to explore! I love HickDory for MY John Dory, for Great Decisions John Dory, because they fit together so well, and I don't think him and Delta would have had as good of a relationship as he and Hickory do. But in canon, I lean a bit more DeltaDory way.

Ooooo that could be interesting! It would all depend on what scene, if there was something I wanted to include!

Also, I noticed when reading his first appearance (the one where we can actually see him instead of just hearing him lol) that the way you described him was slightly different than with the other brothers. If you don't mind me asking, was that intentional? It gave me the sensation he was described beautifully and even graceful (which he is!, but I was wondering if that's how the characters perceive him in-universe as well.

Thank you!

OOOO AWESOME! Yesss, join me in the John Dory fanclub, we feed on angst over here XD

And ooo, interesting question! Maybe at some point, I'll write like, a little thing on Floyd's backstory, but I'll try to explain some here!

So, Floyd lived in Techno Territory for a while, and as he said, it didn't go well (I won't re-explain it here, as Floyd already does in the story). He ended up grey, in The Underground, with no money to his name, and of course, certain habits he picked up. So most of his days were spent playing music on street corners, trying to earn some coin to feed said habits. He played the ukulele JD got him, singing real sad songs...

He got by. Ish. Couch surfed around, met a lot of other Trolls with nowhere else to go. And when he was hitting rock bottom, he met Shade. Shade promised him a place to stay, that he'd pay him, allow him to do whatever it was he wanted. And Floyd was so desperate to get out of where he was, he took it without really thinking about what he was agreeing too.

Shade did provide him with the means to grow into the performer he was. Gave him places to perform, and paid him for it. But Shade didn't care about him at all, only the coin he brought in. He wouldn't take no for an answer, forcing Floyd to perform all the time (which wasn't triggering at all), with the threat that if he didn't, he'd throw him back out on the street. And if Floyd was hesitant, or tired or anxious, Shade would make sure he had what he needed to "fix" it, if you know what I mean. After all, in Shade's own words: "You're such a bitch when you're sober."

Shade never physically hurt Floyd, though he had no qualms with grabbing him, and throwing him around. But emotionally, he made Floyd feel like he was only as good as his performances. That without him, he was nothing more than just another junkie on the street. And he fed into all of Floyd anxieties, his fears, making Floyd just as dependent on him as he was on his 'habits'.

It went on like this for a while, before Floyd met his bandmates. Flare, Bass, and Evie were already friends, and they approached Floyd after a show, asking if he wanted to collab with them. And they quickly became friends. They played a ton of shows together, and eventually, Floyd pitched the idea of becoming a band, and convinced Shade to allow them to join, despite the guy being an absolute ass about it.

However, Floyd's habits continued to get worse and worse, as his anxieties about what'd occurred in Techno Territory grew. What if his new friends got bored of him? What if he wasn't enough? Were they going to leave too? And that led to the turning point in Floyd's life...

When he overdosed.

It nearly killed him. And after that, he made a promise to his bandmates, and himself, that he was done. He talked with a therapist (Rock Trolls are a bit more medically advanced vs. Pop Trolls XD), and his bandmates held him accountable. He's been sober for years.

And now, he's free from Shade too! I'm so proud of that boy ToT

And you're right, Floyd is very graceful! He kinda carries himself like a ballet dancer, like you can tell he's light on his feet! Other characters can definitely tell; he is a pretty handsome guy!

I read your fanfic “it’s like you’re my mirror” a million years ago and absolutely LOVED it

now I recently found your newer fic, “great decisions” and I’ve been really enjoying it so far!

sorry if someone has asked this before, but how would Branch and JD from great decisions react to what happened in canon?

so far I’m up to ch 9 (I literally just started so that’s why I’m so behind 💀), so maybe just talk abt the backstory differences (mainly Branch just being alone in canon lol). I don’t mind mild spoilers tho.

sorry if I was yapping too much; I can’t wait to read the rest! I’m sure I’ll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the older one 🤍🤍

AHHHH I'M SO GLAD YOU LIKED IT!

And I'm glad you like Great Decisions too!

As for how Branch and John Dory would react to the canon accurate versions of themselves... Heh, yikes...

John Dory? Disgust. Anger. He would be SICKENED to hear that his other self had abandoned his brothers, then acted the way he did when he came back. I also picture him just staring at canon JD, who's yapping away obliviously about something or other, just SEETHING with rage, like 'This fucking asshole abandoned his brothers, acts like an ass, and HE get's to keep his colors?! How come I'M the one that looks like I got thrown in a blender?! It's not fair!' XD

Branch would ultimately just feel bad for his canon self. He struggled, but at least he had someone with him, whereas canon Branch had no one. They'd probably swap stories and blueprints, then GD!Branch would validate ALL of canon Branch's feelings on his brothers by tenfold. "Uh, NO! You do not just forgive them just because you all hit the Perfect Family Harmony! GO FUCKING TEAR THEM A NEW ONE-"

I suppose they'll just have to show them that they're willing to stay, not through their words, but their actions. It'll take some convincing... But I believe them sticking around, and giving Branch the choice has already steered them in the right direction. Now, they just have to be there for them, and SHOW them that they care enough to stay...

(Also if she was alive do you think she might have been into King Thrash once he had his wits about him again?)

Oooo, intresting hypothetical! And many possibilities...

So, if I'm reading this correctly, it would be like, she'd survived, but BRANCH, had been thought to still be lost? So he was still left behind at the Tree, while Grandma Rosiepuff was carried out or found by Clay and Viva?

Well. That would certainly be a shock when Branch found her again XD

I suppose in the scenario where they would be reunited once Branch and JD returned to Troll Village, she would take a much bigger role in their lives. Taking care of Branch like she always had, who would thrive under her care, and likely gain his colors back long before movie one, and stepping up to be the caretaker JD always needed. I imagine she'd be (and was) good friends with Dr. Moonbloom, and JD wouldn't be allowed to get away with NEARLY as much of the, ehem, things he put himself through. She would definitely do everything she could to make amends with him, and it would take a long, long time. Plus, JD wouldn't be too keen on giving up any of his role of taking care of Branch... An interesting scenario for sure!

As for going with Clay and Viva, I would say she would take on a caretaker role there as well, taking some of the weight off Viva's shoulders, while being the strong, consistant, dependable presence Clay so desperately needed in his life. I kinda picture her as like, a drill sergent, running them through Bergen Protection drills, while also making all their clothing for them and embroidering their names on every one!

Overall, Grandma Rosiepuff surviving would have been a positive impact, no matter where she ended up. But unfortunately, life isn't kind to the Brozone bros...

The masses have spoken! So here is the little in-between scene starring our favorite, peppy pink troll!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Have a good life. And stay out of mine.”

Rhonda’s hatch slammed closed, Poppy wincing along with Bruce, Clay, and Floyd at the sharp sound.

And the world became eerily quiet.

Poppy’s hands drifted to her chest, which started to swell painfully as her partner’s heartbreaking words echoed in her head. She didn’t think she’d ever seen him so angry, so hurt…

And the icky, not-so-nice feeling that’d been stirring in chest since the moment she’d first met Branch and JD’s brothers began to burn a hole in her heart.

“No…”

Clay’s choking voice rose from the silence, barely more than a sob as the older troll grabbed at his hair, practically curling in on himself from his spot on the floor. “No no no, what did I do, what did I do?! I’m so STUPID!”

The other brothers didn’t answer him. Bruce just stared at the door with an almost haunted gaze, having gone completely pale. And Floyd looked as if he were on the verge of completely breaking down, wide eyes panicked as he sucked in short, quick breaths.

Typically, Poppy might’ve stepped in at this moment. Tried to give the situation a positive spin, or give some reassuring words. But to her surprise, she had none. As she stared at Branch’s brothers, there was empathy there, sure, understanding for what they were going through…

But layered on top of it was sharp, indignant anger, growing ever hotter. And Poppy didn’t exactly trust what might come out of her mouth right now.

Instead, her eyes drifted over to what Branch had crumpled up, the worn paper laying discarded to the side. It seemed oddly familiar, Poppy tilting her head. She could remember after Rhonda had gotten Clay’s scent off his dictionary, just as they were about to leave, looking back to see Branch staring at a worn sheet of paper, that was the same, light brown. She hadn’t found the time to ask about it, but the way he looked at it was just so…

It had to be the same one.

She found herself moving to kneel beside it, gently taking it in her hands and smoothing out the jagged folds, surprised to find an incredibly intricate, and uncharacteristically glitter-covered drawing.

It was… Blueprints. Of some sort. Very old, by the looks of it, the edges frayed, and the folds starting to come apart at the seams. The lines were shaky, unlike Branch’s usual tedious neatness, and they were drawn with multiple different methods, from pencil, to charcoal, to what even looked like crayon.

And to her absolute surprise, Poppy recognized it. Well, the layout, that is.

She could picture herself in the halls, peering to her right to see the very room marked with a tiny, scrapbook sticker of what looked like a much younger Floyd. She now knew that room held extra rations, but she could remember long ago, breaking into the underground fortress, giggling as Branch chased her through the halls. When the room instead held a small bed, its wooden frame sporting carved flowers courtesy of John Dory. Already made, as if waiting for someone…

When she’d asked Branch about it back then, she hadn’t gotten an answer. But now, she had one, eyes tracing across the other familiar stickers.

The image blurred. Though whether it was due to tears, or the way her hands shook, she didn’t know.

“What do we do?” Clay asked, nearly in a complete panic. “W-we have to go after him, I have to explain, it wasn’t- I didn’t mean to-”

“He doesn’t want us here.” Floyd interrupted, his voice barely above a whisper, still staring wide-eyed at the ground. “We left him behind, I left him, and because of that, he- he-” The older troll sucked in a sharp breath, eyes filling with tears. “He could’ve died. If John Dory hadn’t found him, he would’ve died in that Tree, I left him alone to die-”

“A year…” Bruce choked out, his voice hollow. “This w-whole time, and he- Only a year, and he came b- came back, h-he raised Branch, out in the woods, he-” His eyes widened. “And I was such an ass to him. I w-was such an ass to him IN FRONT of Branch, I…” His hand darted over his mouth. “Oh god what did I d-do?”

“He hates me…” Clay said, panicked realization crossing his face. “I… He hates me, I made him hate me, I ruined everything-”

“This is all my fault.” Floyd sobbed, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I should’ve just talked to him, asked him straight to his face, but I was just so terrified of losing him…” He crumpled, face falling into his hands. “And I lost him anyways. This was my chance, and I just- just-”

“Why didn’t I d-do something?” Bruce hissed, running a hand through his hair. “Why didn’t I say- say- say something? I kn- knew something was going on, I should’ve- ‘ve-” He grit his teeth, hand tightening on his hair. “Why didn’t I stop him?”

‘I’, ‘Me’, ‘My’... Every time one of them spoke, Poppy felt that smoldering fury grow more and more, until she felt like she was going to explode. She pursed her lips, closing her eyes, the paper crumpling slightly in her hands. And without a word, she abruptly stood up.

When she opened her eyes, glaring at Branch’s brothers with tears staining her cheeks, the cabin went completely silent. And to their credit, each one of them wilted beneath her fiery gaze. Usually, that feeling would make her stomach twist…

But she wasn’t really feeling all cupcakes and rainbows right now.

“This is Branch’s Bunker.” She said tightly, drawing her eyes back to the worn paper. “He made this, for you guys.”

There was a moment of shocked silence as the realization dawned on each of the brothers.

“He made it for… Us?” Clay stammered, eyes widening with understanding as they landed on the faded stickers, Floyd just staring at the drawing with devastating recognition.

“But…” Bruce started in a low voice, before swallowing, face twisted with pain. “I… Didn’t know.”

“Well I guess you never asked, did you?” Poppy replied sharply, before her ears drooped once more. Her voice was growing shaky, closing her eyes again as her lips started to tremble. “Do you have any idea how hard it was for him to come out here and find you? How painful it was for him to find out you were all alive?”

She squeezed her eyes tighter. “I didn’t get it. I feel like I’m always so naive when it comes to Branch, and what he’s gone through. It took me years to get him to open up to me, I made… SO many mistakes. And there’s still so much I don’t know.”

She took a breath, then looked back at the brothers. “But I get it now. And I understand this is hard on you, but whatever it is you’re going through right now, it is way harder on him. He took a risk, coming to find you, to ask for your help to save someone very important to him, and someone who should still be important to you.” Poppy bit her cheek, tail twitching behind her. “I know John Dory hurt you, but like I said before, he is a good person. Not acting, nor pretending to be good, he IS good. And I should know. You have no idea how much he’s done for Branch, for our Village, for all of Trollkind…” She drew a hand to her chest. “For me.”

Poppy continued to glare at each one of them in turn. “So maybe, you all need to just stop thinking about yourselves right now. He needs you, BRANCH needs you. And for once in your lives, you need to be there for him. Not because you feel guilty, or because you think he’ll like you again if you do, but because he asked.”

Her body trembled, but she refused to back down. “I convinced him you guys could help. I thought it would be a good thing. But now, I’m not so sure anymore. I’m terrified I made another naive mistake, and that Branch is paying for it…” She pursed her lips. “He thinks you’re going to leave him again. That he’s no one worth sticking around for.” She glared intently at them. “I hope you prove him wrong.”

She strode forward, pushing the Bunker drawing into Floyd’s chest, before making her way towards Rhonda’s hatch. “I’m going to go after him before he gets hurt. And so help me, you better pull yourselves together, and do the same.” She clicked the hatch open, looking at them over her shoulder. “You need to show up. For him, and John Dory. Because that’s what family does. No matter what.”

I can’t wait to be your sister again...

Poppy could hear her sister’s breaking voice echoing in her head. And it took everything she had not to picture Viva’s pleading face.

Bruce’s ears wilted, but he set his jaw tight, while Clay climbed to his feet, shaky hands wrapped around his shoulders. And Floyd’s eyes traced over the drawing of the Bunker, before flicking up to meet hers, a familiar, determined fire blazing in his eyes.

And Poppy said nothing. It wasn’t her decision to make.

She stepped out of Rhonda, closing the hatch behind her, and giving the worried critter a soft pet…

POLL TIME!!!

Hey y’all! Quick update, I’m actually gonna post the new chapter early tomorrow so I’m not freaking out about it on Sunday right before I start my new job😅 So…

GET HYPE RAHHHHHHH

I have some answers!

Perhaps. We'll just have to see.

Yes. Angry, and frustrated, and very worried about her partner...