#and unknowingly making poppy feel like she has to put extra pep in her step

[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.