Question,
Will the Pop Trolls figure out that Branch was The Giver? Like, the year he leaves is the same year The Giver stops giving gifts, and when it goes on, they start to suspect it?
On top of that, will Branch continue his secret giving ways outside of the Pop Trolls?
Q1: This is mean but when it comes to the rest of Pop Village, I like writing them being as mean as pop-physically possible. I really want to hammer in that their label of calling Branch 'crazy' was actually just Branch reacting negatively to being treated badly/negatively.
Sure, there are nice Pop trolls who have some sense and compassion and who would begin suspecting Branch was The Giver (see part 1 Chap 5 Creek's yoga circle), but the majority of Pop Village would have very low expectations for Branch (which Branch himself put in a lot of effort to keep those low expectations) and it would take them a whole hour or more to process Branch as the Giver even if all the evidence was right in front of them.
Furthermore, Branch’s fear of them suddenly disliking/hating/critiquing his gifts once they discovered they were from him is not entirely unfounded and there would be some especially headstrong troll who would prove him right and say their unsolicited opinions to his face.
Q2: Absolutely.
Gust Tumbleweed is going to have a dead end conversation as to why in the world Branch didn't add his name to Holly's gift.
And the bounty hunters (who are use to no name trap gifts by their motel hotel doors) get into a new habit of turning to Branch and asking "This yours?" until he verbally confirms it. (And yes his blushing the whole time).
Otherwise, they'll have a repeated incident similar to Hickory throwing out Branch’s gift without looking at it and than immediately going dumpster diving the second his brain clicked it was from Branch.
