Just like Grandma Rosiepuff promised. On the kitchen table was a tray of mixed berry waffles drizzled in chocolate sauce and covered in rainbow sprinkles. Some blueberries, fluffleberries, raspberries and strawberries would poke out a little from the colourful waffles. Still steaming hot the grandma used a dry dish cloth to fan the food enough to not burn her grandbabies' tongues.

The rays of the sun delicately danced down into the crowded pod. Despite the gloomy Bergen Town surrounding them, the world insisted on giving the trolls a brand new day to look forward to. After all for now they were safe. Trollstice had already passed for this year and their family luckily hadn't suffered another loss. Bergens still stared at their cages eyeing the little trolls but, at least their happiness starved hunger stayed outside of the cage.

"Boys! Come eat before it gets cold." Rosie folded the cloth.

" Coming Grandma." Floyd's soft spoken voice traveled.

The pitter patter of feet announced a second confirmation of that claim. Still in cozy pajamas Floyd stepped off the stairs into the kitchen with his bunny pajamas wearing baby brother poking his head out of the pink hair. Shortly Spruce and Clay followed playing Rock, Paper, Scissors for the only pillow seated chair. First they both end in two draws by pulling rock then scissors.

" Rock, Paper, Scissors." Clay was paper and Spruce was scissors.

" Ha!" Spruce laughed in victory dashing off to his prize.

" You Got Lucky!" Clay pouted crossing his arms.

When John came down Clay glanced upwards at him then scoffed. His mood was already still sour from last night. He didn't want it to sour more. Watching his brother hurry off to steal the second best chair didn't surprise Dory but, the attitude did leave a sting. The green haired troll bit the inside of his cheek, he held back his tongue to avoid making the situation worse. He still needed to apologize. More than an apology. Maybe Grandma's waffles will bring keep everyone happier and more open to listen long enough to not end another fight. Making up was just as hard as fighting hurt.

Rosiepuff pulled out an empty wooden chair beside her then patted it invitingly. The remaining seat was between her and Branch who was in his booster seat. The hood of the pink bunny pajamas fell off as Branch peeked behind him and smiled at his big brother adoringly with sparkling eyes. On the scale of an encouraging grandmother to his cute baby brother refusing would be impossible.

It's not like he had much of a choice anyway. Spruce and Clay didn't want to be near him. Floyd was sandwiched between Clay and Branch. The only chair left was the one their grandma pulled out for him. There was no use in complaining even if he had one to voice. These were cards he was dealt with and John had to roll with it. A softening eyes and smile betrayed the original angsty mood John was in as he took the seat. His dry hands rested on the table.

Branch picked up his caught up messy waffles with his tiny hands while looking up at John. No thoughts. No words. No reasoning. Just purely fixed on his father figure before his curious gaze drifted to his favorite brother,Floyd. Chocolate sauce smeared on his cheeks and random his lips. Some even got on the tip of his nose.

Floyd held back a chuckle once he noticed Branch's messy display. His eyes flickered towards Grandma Rosiepuff who passed John old cloth. Her thankful for the temporary silent peace expression matched with her calm, loving demeanor. Glancing down the tart,rich and sweet breakfast the sensitive one mentally thanked for the same peace too. It was refreshing to not hear fighting. That and the waffles. Note to self, remember to ask for the recipe later.

Clay scrapped his plate for the last fallen out pieces from his delightful meal. He hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday. He was so mad last night that he walked out before dinner and said no to any food or snack. Even when Princess Viva offered him her candy bar. That bitter stubbornness was kicking him now with regret and the demand for more. Giving in to that demand, Clay ate the remaining berries on his plate and fetched himself seconds from the tray. Man! This troll's stomach felt like a bottomless pit.

Spruce picked at his serving of breakfast with a fork. Not cause he wasn't hungry. Not cause he didn't enjoy Grandma's waffles. He loved her waffles. It wasn't related to the fact he was doing his best to maintain his ripped figure and abs. The purple hair sibling was simply lost in thought. What if he didn't want to be this fit anymore? Despite having a bod that got so many compliments and made fans faint from attractiveness, Spruce didn't actually like his body's current shape. Not anymore. Was there something with him?

Elderly grandma moved her empty stained plate aside. Taking a napkin she lightly patted and wiped off the crumbs and bits of chocolate sauce. Her eyes wandered around the table from John Dory to Spruce. As much as she was happy to have all of her grandchildren still with her and under the same roof,there was a truth painting more clear picture. Their family was far from perfect but not being perfect wasn't the issue here. It was deeper than that. Masking her true feelings she kept smiling resting her arms on the table.

A few hours later breakfast was over and the shared morning chores were done. All Brozone members were dressed in their matching white pants,hair colour matching jackets and hairstyles. Their signature accessories added some diversity. Even Branch wore his own sapphire puffy jacket and white shorts with his stylish white framed glasses. They were just for style. Not cause the little one had sight problems.

Still feeling self-conscious, Spruce decided to head out sooner. Rehearsal was at eleven o'clock. It was ten right now. As far as he was concerned an extra hour to himself before another anger and annoyance provoking rehearsal wasn't going to do any harm.  He hadn't allowed his older brother to talk to him yet. Spruce was still too bitter for a talk.

Noticing that the purple haired troll was about to take off,John flagged him down. A gut instinct yelled at him to stop his little brother from leaving like something was wrong. Or maybe it was his toxic perfectionistic traits talking. John wasn't sure but, he wanted to at least clear things up and genuinely apologize before Spruce disappeared again.

" Spruce! Wait-" John approached worried.

" Not now,JD! I know we have rehearsal later. I know where it is and when. Bla. Bla. Bla. Band stuff. Brozone needs to be "perfect" for the next show. Yada. Yada. No need to lecture. I will be there. Don't follow me! " Spruce brushed off.

The leader froze at snap back response. There wasn't even time to respond. Spruce speed walked out of sight into another part of the Troll Tree. Blinking slowly still stunned, John's hands hung defeated at his sides. Was that truly how I sounded to his brothers? Was he that perfectionistic? Was he overworking them too? John knew himself that he was exhausted but, he never considered that maybe his family was too from the same work. His line of sight fixed in the direction Spruce left in as he stood in front of the open doorway.

" JD..." Branch pulled on John's pant leg.

John faked a smile looking down. " Yes,B?"

" Why does everyone look at you that way?" Branch softly uttered.

John bent over to pick him up. " In what way?"

" Like Spruce did just now. Why are you guys always angry?" Branch frowned.

John paused. " I... I... Hm. It's complicated, Branch. You'll understand when you're older. Being in Brozone is fun but, not always. You already know that... We're always busy..."

" Then why not take a break?"

A spark ignited in John Dory's head. That spark turned into a flame with a thread of thoughts both for it and opposing. Could it really be that simple? Would their label even allow it? John was not just their leader. He was also a part time manager cause their last one got fired and they still hadn't found an replacement. He was in charge mostly. Maybe he could make it happen.

Soon it was time for rehearsal. Everyone but, John showed up. Grandma Rosiepuff was at home babysitting most of the village's little ones. Floyd, Spruce and Clay shared a confused and unamused look as they sat on the studio floor. Branch coloured in his colouring book with crayons minding his own business. He sat near Floyd. The only one who wasn't thrown off by current events.

" Where is he?" Clay asked warming up.

" I don't know! Probably only thinking about himself. " Spruce spat laying down.

" It's been half hour... Do you think he's okay? He's never late." Floyd voiced concern.

Clay rolled his eyes trying to act indifferent. " Probably. Who cares anyway?"

" You did 30 seconds ago." Floyd pointed out.

Being defeated by his younger sibling's valid point, Clay paused his stretching and shut his mouth. The call-out at his original care caused his expression to go from sour annoyance to pout with tones of reflection. Sure. He wasn't fond of his own big brother and band leader for a long time now. Being made to wait after years of being reminded and bothered to be one time provoked that sentiment further. However the fact John was late wasn't normal. Maybe something was indeed wrong like Floyd implied...

Spruce sat up again beginning to share the wait of that same concern as well but, it was short lived. Why? Cause he spotted the missing party walking over into the studio like nothing was different. Like it was just another Monday. Getting up Spruce crossed his arms not willing to give any empathy without a good reason to back it up.

" Where. Have. You. Been?" Spruce glared.

" I'm sorry that I'm so late. I had an unplanned meeting with our label earlier. I didn't think it would keep me for over an hour." John genuinely apologized.

" Ever heard of leaving a note? " Clay remarked " We have a show tonight! As far as we knew you could have been-"

"Guys..." Floyd weighted in." Let's just let him finish explaining."

John turned to Floyd appreciating him for standing up for him. Even if he didn't feel like he deserved it. He really didn't think every single part of his plan through but, he did with the most important parts. And that was how he handled his pitch and convinced the label to listen to him. Turning back to Spruce and Clay, John let out a breath he didn't know he was holding onto. It lifted some weight off his chest. Branch looked up from his colouring book to see if JD was really there.

" Your right, Clay. I'm truly sorry. I should have warned you guys that I had a meeting. I should have a left a note. I am awful at communicating. You deserved better than being left in the dark by me after everything I did to make sure you make it on time. "

" Okay. You admitted your a ass." Spruce said.

Floyd covered Branch's ears. " Language!"

" What's an ass?" Branch asked.

" John." Spruce remarked.

" What was so important anyway that you had to go see the label for this "meeting"?" Clay air quoted.

" I cancelled tonight's show." John dropped the bombshell.

" YOU WHAT!?!"