So @unknown404code and I watched Trolls well we were carving pumpkins during Halloween and now I have a Trolls hyper fixation. Specifically, I drew Branch's numerous done-with-life expressions
A small idea I had; what if the trauma of Grandma Rosiepuff's death was so great that it caused Branch to become completely mute?
King Peppy tries to help but can't convince Branch to make a word. This causes him to become a bigger outcast than in canon. They call him unnatural, a fake troll due to his refusal to talk and his gray coloring. He becomes even more withdrawn and rarely goes into the village, preferring to stay in his bunker or deep in the forest.
Branch still tries to protect the village in his usual way and creates a sign language to at least talk with King Peppy. Poppy still tries to befriend Branch and has learned a few of his signs, but with the village's treatment of him, he's distrustful of any troll.
Branch can imitate any animal sound he hears so he has a better relationship with them.