Work Text:
Marked for Memories
By Imagi
Summary:
All it takes for destiny to go off track is a balloon creature and a green hat.
Notes: Birthday story for myself full of world building, unique and unexpected twists. Also challenging myself by going way out of the box. And before you ask yes, I used google translate so if the translations are off please let me know so I can fix. :) Characters will be added as I go and any OC’s, places you don’t recognize etc. you can use if you ask me first, please.
Chapter One: Kermit
Pieces of torn sails and worn-out fabric. Old frayed and damaged rope. Misshapen metal. Broken rattan and such that were once part of carefully handwoven baskets. That and more lay on the grass before them and all of it being carefully coated with a rank swampish mixture of oozing slime that stuck to their hands like glue. It was not the first time the trio of trolls looked uncertainly at each other and the pile of junk that their companion had insisted on them and them alone gathering. Said troll after thoroughly inspecting of the goo laden pieces then smiled.
Their own hesitant smiles turned to confusion as their companion then began to pull a countless amount of greenish brown leaves from his hair and carefully let them drop into a large circle around the garbage. Meticulously…over and over the troll continued the pattern. The circle growing larger by the minute until finally…
“Okay I give. Why did you have…what is that?”
Dumbfounded the trio watched as their fellow troll pulled out what could only be a living, beeping ball of light who quickly left his hands and flew over to the pile of rubbish and slowly started to examine each piece of trash letting out a pleased beep as it did so.
“Oh this? This is Kermit. What do you think Kermit? Do you approve?”
“BEEP!!!!”
Before they could even move, Kermit started to spin rapidly, the wind that was generated by such a motion sucking the trash into itself and almost knocking most of the trolls off balance had their companion not been there with open arms. The four of them huddled together close as the light became blinding…
It took awhile for the light to fade and the spots to fade from their eyes, but when they could truly see again the trio could not help but rub their eyes and blink, but the impossible sight of a living hot air balloon in the clearing did not go away.
“A balloon creature?!”
“OUR balloon creature. ““Any Troll can make a hot air balloon. But if you put the work in…making sure each part that is gathered was once crafted with loving care and taken care of properly then it starts to come alive.” Their companion stated in an awestruck tone, before his expression darkened. “And no matter how many decorations, glitter and glue you use…no matter if you steal it…claim it for yourself… if you weren’t the troll or trolls who put in the work then the balloon will never listen.” Their companion finished the disgusted look on his face turning smug.
“Beep!” Kermit agreed before suddenly fading out of view letting out a startled beep as he did so, but as he continued to fade in and out of view the balloon creature let out a series of happy beeps. “Beep! Beep Beep Beeeeeep!!!”
Their companion then laughed. “I told you. When you soak Cameo Foliage leaves in Oozing Swamp Slime once they dry, the leaves turn translucent on one side leaving you protected from thievery, yet the other side still can be painted with a brilliant pattern that you’ll be proud of.”
Grinning broadly their companion turned back to the trio who was still staring open mouthed at Kermit who was happily testing his new gadgets…the buttons on the console glowing merrily, as the inflatable creature somehow was able to hop along in the clearing… a periscope coming down on the inside of the balloon and hidden compartments appearing.
Finally, the leader of their group shrugged. “Sure, okay let’s do this then.”
Said leader, an unclothed bright blue troll with bold triangles of red and green much like a shark’s fin across his sides and the same bright green swooping down to cover his eyes down to his nose with a distinct series of musical notes outlined in red across his chest smiled happily at the memory as he piloted Kermit through the air the balloon practically dancing on the winds as he flew through the sky. But while the troll smiled at the creature’s joy, his attention was caught by something far more alluring.
Sun kissed orange with a sprinkling of diamonds half mixed with bright pink and blue, thick bands of orange and yellow with hints of pink swirled together across lemony lime, aqua and sunny yellow zig zagging down azure….and they were all HIS. Tresillo thought proudly admiring the sleeping trio of Reggaeton Trolls sprawled together on top of a large blanket.
It had been a tough morning. Trying to move his sleeping mates into the balloon gondola without waking them had required the early morning assistance of several tribe members. And even then, there had been too many close calls. His fellow handsome king and the pair of gorgeous queens were his fellow bounty hunters after all. But to see the peaceful looks on their faces, the way their markings blended into one made his heart soar. “How did I get so lucky?” Tresillo said softly to himself admiring the view. And as if they heard him as one, they shifted in their sleep creating space for one more.
For a moment, the Reggaeton leader wrestled with his thoughts. It was oh so tempting…and it would be so easy to put the hot air balloon into automatic…
“BEEEP!!!!!!”
The shrill beep combined with the sudden bucking of the basket instantly eliminated those thoughts, Tresillo being forced to grab onto the console to keep his balance, while his fellow Reggaeton’s were jarred from their sleep. Instantly they had taken attack stances, orbs of pink, purple and blue narrowed, until they took note of the bright blue sky all around them and the doll like scenery below them. Blinking in confusion, their eyes landed as one on their Tresillo currently having an argument with Reggaeton’s one and only balloon creature.
“Maldita sea Kermit!” The blue king shouted up at said creature who in response beeped nonchalantly causing the normally cool and collected troll to lose it. Marimba, Tambora and Rama glanced at their mate ranting rapidly in Spanish at their balloon Kermit, while Kermit in turn was taunting back in a distinct series of beeps.
With a quick side glance to each other, they proceeded to step in…. Tambora sidling up to their leader cutting off the venomous words with a passionate kiss, while Marimba and Rama waited smirking as Tresillo tried to relax into the kiss only to find that the green queen had already stepped back allowing the other king to step forward.
“Sooo…nuestro tiburón ola…mind telling the rest of our four what we’re doing in Kermit?” Rama stated with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. As always, the sound of the now fluent Spanish words coming from the lighter blue male sent a thrill of delight through Tresillo’s body as did the brief touching of their lips.
“And why we’re far from our home on our mateversary no less.” Marimba mock wondered as she took her own turn like Tambora and Rama’s the kiss was deliberately short…teasing and intentional.
“Si…so very very far from home…” Tambora added her voice full of longing. Such flirting would cause any troll to cave… But by now he already knew the game. And he had planned accordingly. “And far far away from Reggieton, Reginaton and their pandillas. I refuse to deal with those idiotas again on our mateversary.”
“Si. Their antics are tiresome. Marimba clarified. “However quick thinking on our part turned recovering from the deliberate food poisoning on our first mateversary into a story time slumber party the tales of our past good and bad bonding us even closer.”
“And the year after Reggieton’s deliberate takeover of our special day plans blew up in his face by our blue rose’s antics. Giggles. Beyond priceless.”
“Hey, it was our sun jewel and wave shark who finished painting Kermit. All I did was spent the entire day reading “Me and the balloon.” Literally had a picture of a hot air balloon on it. His fault if he didn’t notice.” Rama commented nonchalantly causing the other bounty hunters to smirk.
*Snickers* “Of course not. Not when you were reading on the beach with our hermosa bailarina curled up with you. How many times were rereading that book again?” Tresillo mock questioned causing Rama’s skin to flush a darker blue, yet he could not help but grin back. “Can you blame me? Any troll would be enamored by such a wonderful sight. And as planned it made that Creekish el tirón jealous to the point of distraction. Without him present to guide his crew of idiots, the web of manipulations fell to pieces.”
“As it should. Reggieton can be captivated with me all he likes; it will not change fact that I am a very happily life mated queen who is unbelievably in love with our rose…our jewel…and our shark. Tambora stated smugly punctuating each pause with a kiss, said trolls grinning back at the gesture all four of them completely oblivious to their surroundings as they started to move in closer…
“BEEEP!!!!!!”
The romantic mood instantly broke. As one the Reggaeton Bounty Hunters looked up clearly annoyed at being interrupted, but it quickly turned to contemplation as their balloon continued to beep, chirp and hum rapidly in a distinct manner causing the four to exchange glances.
“Beep Beep Hummmm….Beep Beep Chirp Beep?”
“Where exactly are we going?”
“BEEP!” Kermit agreed while Tresillo as expected found himself the focus of his mates’ gazes. Absently he rubbed his yellow jumbled dreadlocks. “Honestly…”
“BEEP! BEEPITY CHIRP CHIRP! BEEP BEEP BEEEEEEP HMMMMM?”
“You want to choose where we get to spend our mateversary?” As their balloon beeped in acknowledgement, the four looked at each other in silent conference. After a few minutes Tresillo shrugged. “Sure why not.” The Reggaeton leader said nonchalantly as both he and his mates gently removed objects out of their hair and placed them in one of the creature’s travel compartments…their balloon practically vibrating in excitement as they did so.
“After all you are the wonderful balloon creature who brought our Rama home to us…home to Reggaeton and you have taken us far farther then we could ever travel on foot. We Four…owe you a lot.” The blue leader acknowledged with a smile.
An old record, a glowmado plant, a carefully folded music sheet and an unopened can of cheese. All of which were of little to no importance…at least to the unwary. But for those who knew better they were a day pass. An opportunity to fully explore and experience a different land under a guide’s careful supervision. And with the tensions between tribes getting more tense by the day it was a god send. Kermit looked over the day passes practically beeping in excitement until he felt a familiar button being pushed placing him into automatic. Quickly his eyes shifted to see all the Reggaeton Bounty hunters were making themselves comfortable on the blanket and promptly balked.
“Beeeeeep!”
“Relax Kermit…the four of us are just going to take a little nap. Tresillo stated cheerfully snuggling deeper into his companions’ sides causing them to giggle and smirk as the quartet closed their eyes their breathing becoming deep and even. If Kermit could have face palmed, he would have. While his riders were all hard working and very skilled at their job, they often still acted like newly trolls with all the flirting and giggling they did. Not to mention Tresillo’s, Marimba’s and Tambora’s love of sunbathing/napping by the ocean had rubbed off on Rama. And any opportunity available to nestle together especially on their mateversary…
Mock rolling his eyes at Reggaeton’s antics, Kermit thought about how he got to this point…
Imagi’s Ramblings: My Birthday. Keeping the chapters short and sweet right now and my story cards secret. Will add characters as I go so who will appear...what happens next…you’ll have to wait and see! :D Now back to trying to figure out a couple name...I've thought of Tropic Four, Reggaeton four...and tried to come up with a name that works with Tresillo, Marimba, Tambora, and Rama....Til next time! :D
Imagi