Part 1: Sno' Problem! Maybe....

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The bushes rustled as a small figure poked their head out from the cluster of bushes. Blue doll-like eyes scanned the grounds of Pomefiore. "Left's clear. And so's the right." They nod. "And not a soul in sight....good!" The person crawled on their hands and knees out of the bushes, gathering a few twigs and leaves in his hair and some wet dirt on his palms, but he didn't care. He like getting down and dirty, literally as well as figuratively. And that he was Epel.

"This is such BULLSHIT!!!" Epel kicked the shrub he was hiding in just now, and sighed. "Well, that kinda made me feel better.....as soon as Vil and I crossed paths in the hallway, I slipped back into my usual dialect and he looked close to wringing my neck! But I'm from the Village of Harvest, it's the norm for me to speak like that!!!" He complained as he gripped his hair. "I'm sick of being reminded over and over again to talk normal... 'Don't talk with a drawl', 'Address those higher than you with respect!', 'Do not raise your voice!'.....are you fucking serious! ....But then again, I've gotta be careful when I'm talking in front of him from now on, even if it's like getting my spine ripped out...." He sighed longingly as he looks up at the skies. "I wish I could go back home even for a day....but it's gonna be a long time till the holidays come back again...."

Yet as if his prayers were heard, his phone chimed in his pocket. He grabs it and saw the screen for the caller ID. "Who's calling?....Mee-Maw!!" He answered it almost immediately. "Grammy! Long time no see!" He smiled brightly. "I rarely get calls from you! What's going on?....Huh....What?!"

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Epel trudged to the mess hall tiredly as his brain echoed off what his grandmother told him from their conversation earlier. He mumbled to himself as he kept walking, head low,"Man....what am I gonna do? I'm glad that I get to go back to the Harvest Village, but....why tomorrow at the last minute?! Grammy...you can't be serious.... even asked me to bring some of my friends along....but who do I....?" He looked up to see that he had absent-mindedly passed through the doors and saw that most of the tables were full of students. "We'll, that's just great: most of the tables got taken since I was too wrapped in my own thoughts....there's so many tables....I hope I can find an empty one and think this through...." He mumbled as he slowly got his food and walked along the walkways. The sea of black and gold hurt his eyes but he kept walking. But then he caught a familiar flash of deep blue off to the far side, close by the windows.

Epel hurried as quick as he could with a smile on his lips as he saw, and guessed correctly, who was at that table.

Grim was nibbling on a small chunk of sweet bread as Charlie, swaying her head from side to side, was scribbling in her notebook rapidly with her favorite gel pen. She had her earphones connected to her phone as she mouthed along the words to the song she is listening to just now.

We don't talk about Bruno, no, no, no!

We don't talk about Bruno!

"Charlie?" Epel approached the girl as Grim looks up. "Charlie?...." He raised a hand and tapped her shoulder, startling her.

"Gesù!!! To dispiace cazzo piccola merda-!" Charlie yelled as she ripped out her headphones, prepared to break the wrist of whoever interrupted her serenity just now, but stopped mid-rant to see Epel, scared Shitless and holding his hands up in mock surrender. She scowled. "Epel! Fuck, I could've hit you just now! I told you and the guys: when these things are in-" she points to her earphones. "-that means 'don't bother me'!"

"I'm sorry!" He apologized. "I just wanted to ask if I could sit with you guys!"

"Oh....well, why didn't you say something?" She smiled and nods for him to join. As she goes to put her notebook and pencil pouch away, Epel gave her an 'are you serious? I was just going to ask you that' look but rolled his eyes and took the seat on her opposite side.

"Thank you, though. I was trying to find somewhere to sit....." he nods putting his tray down.

"And as thanks: lemme get your lunch!" Grim goes for some of his food had Charlie not dragged him up in time. Epel shields his tray with his arms in response.

"That's not for you, Mr. Black-Hole-for-a-stomach." She chided. But She saw a small red and gold toned apple in Grim's paws. "An apple as usual?" She asked looking over at the smaller boy.

"Close, but no." He shook his head. "It's not like me to carry one with me everywhere I go." Charlie dumped Grim onto the table as she spoke with him.

"Speak for yourself. You don't know what happens when you're working on an assignment for a long hour and need a snack now and then." Charlie snorts. "But...store brought or hand picked?"

"Hand picked. From my hometown. The Village of Harvest? I usually give away the extras I don't finish."

Grim just chuffed a puff of air in boredom as Charlie nods, accepting the info. "Well, it was quite juicy. Got any more?"

Epel opened his mouth to retort when he suddenly remembered something and got an idea. "H-Hey! Grim, I've a better idea! I'm going back to my hometown, so you can Tag along if you wish? You can eat all the apples you crave!"

"You had me at 'eat'!!" He grinned.

"But, uh, just FYI....I'm leaving tomorrow..."

"Huh?!"

"Why tomorrow?" Charlie looked over and saw Luna approaching their table, balancing her workbooks with one hip and her tray of food in the other. "That seems like a last-minute invitation...."

"It is! I just got hit with that information! I'll be leaving when the sun's high in the sky! Ugh...my Grammy always asks for the impossible..." Epel sighed, feeling like banging his head against a wall. "But, on the plus side....a yearly festival's being held this weekend! And my family wants to see me back home for the event!"

"I'm still going for the apples!" Grim reminds.

"Don't worry! I'll uphold that end of the bargain." Epel assured. "But...actually...Charlie, I was wondering if you'd like to visit? And maybe take part in the 'Moln Mountain Kelkkarotu' event?"

"Oh, that's so generous of you!" She smiled. "But...what exactly is the....Kelkka...karotu....you're talking about...?"

"Moln Mountain is a huge mountain just close to the Village of Harvest. And the word 'Kelkkarotu' means Sled! It's a Sled Race event held in my homeland!"

"Uh...what's a sled race?" Grim's ear twitched.

"It's a friendly little match where teams of two, comprised of four or five people, race down snowy terrain in wooden sleds. The team that reaches the bottom fastest wins, naturally." Luna says sipping her tea.

"Exactly that. And...my Mee-Maw told me to bring some people I know...." Epel confessed with a pink blush. She said to me, 'If you've a few friends at Night Raven, bring some with! You can take part and enjoy yourselves.' She told me that directly. But since I got hit with it, my mind's a mess and I don't know who to take!! Well, except you, Charlie...."

"Fgna....sounds rather rigorous...and I may not get the concept....but if it involves me doing work, then no way!!" Grim stuck his nose in the air. "I'm only here for what you promised! No way am I going in the race, bozo!"

*Le Charlie kick*

*Grim goes flying, Screaming*

"He's being considerate of you, so consider that as your punishment!" Charlie snapped. "Luna, can you make sure he's got a concussion and then drag him back here?"

"Already on it." The amethyst-eyes girl stood up with a nod and jogs over to the dizzy from Grim.

"I'm sorry about Grim. He just doesn't know when people can be considerate when the air is that."

"I-It's fine. But I understand where he's getting at. Even if he can't be part of the race, I'm sure he'd have a good time, no?" Epel shrugged. "But I guess it can't be helped....if Grim says he won't take part, I'll try and find someone else....Actually, Charlie, what about you? Would you like to come with?"

"I-I've never done sledding before, if we're being honest here...." She stuttered.

"You haven't?"

"No. And I, uh...I get kinda scared I'm gonna go flying and break a bone when I land or something...." She fidgeted. "And....Lemme guess: you need magic to power the sleds?"

"....I'm just gonna assume you 'saw' it and be honest; yea, magic is required to move the sled. But since you're scared of participating, maybe....I can talk with the race officials and let you monitor the teams' progress? You know: since you have your battle form with wings, you can fly overhead and catch if any of us get injured or if someone cheats."

"That's be nice!"

"Hold on!" Luna stopped their talking and sat to face them both. "You need to have either me or Sol come with you so we can keep an eye on and protect you if anything happens! Remember what happened back when Vargas terrorized the sports clubs by dressing up as a wendigo and kidnapped all of you?!"

That brought up some rather horrid memories between Charlie and Epel as they winced, remembering the chaos the buff dunderhead caused/they got caught up in. It was still a miracle they all got out alive, but the fact that Crowley didn't know about it made them question why the hell did Crowley give Vargas the green light to be the leader of this experiment in the first place!

"Okay, so...yea we did get caught up inthat shit, but Sol was with me and we were alright when we got back!"

"But wasn't! I had half a mind to go right up to Crowley and file that meat-head for a pink slip!" Luna huffed. "If it wasn't for Sol, he'd be done for....but it's settled; I'm coming with you for this thing and you cannot convince me otherwise!"

Epel leaned over and whispered to Charlie, "....There's really no convincing her, is there...?"

"Very very rarely can you be one of the lucky ones to tell her to butt out..." Charlie sighed. "Alright, Luna. But we're gonna have to tell Sol what's going on."

"And let's pray she doesn't burn down the dorm while were gone...." Luna huffed. "But going back: isn't it weird to have magic powering a sled?"

"Grammy said for me to bring some friends from here since they, too, use magic as I." Epel answers.

"Ah! So that's why I'm invited! With me and my goals, you've made a good choice, Epel!" Grim sat up to look at him.

"I thought you weren't taking part in the race, or are you brains becoming endless mush from so much food your gluttonous stomach takes?" Luna looked at him. Grim glared at her as he turned away with a scowl.

"I gotta find three others to take with...." Epel nibbled his knuckles. "I need a team of four or we can't take part. But who'd want to go on a Trip last minute?!"

"Vil and Rook aren't tagging along?" Grim asked.

"It's certainly help, but..." Epel didn't finish as his thought swirled. 'If I even invite them and I let my guard down, they're gonna see the real me and They'll never let me live it down! And acting all refined and cutesy for Vil isn't my style!' "I-I-I just can't!! Anyone else but people from my dorm...."

"Ugh....how about a random person you last saw?" Grim shrugs. "Ooh! Maybe Sebek!"

"Sebek?!"

"Did someone say my name?" The first year stood before them, nearly scaring Epel.

"Ah! H-Hey, Sebek, sorry. I didn't realize you were close by!" Epel apologizes. "I-If it's not too much to ask....wha-what I'm trying to say is....."

"Take part in the sled race!" Grim got to the point.

"No chance." Sebek was blunt.

"Y-You didn't even let me tell you the details...." Epel was meek.

"No need. I overheard everything. But I admit: it's unusual to be going back home at a time like this. Jokes on you, though! As if I'd involve myself in pointless races for just some festival!"

Epel bit his lip as he knew he was at a stalemate. But then he decided to try some reverse psychology and persuasion, as Charlie would usually stick to. He brought up his smarmy smile, "Oi....don't tell me you dunno what 'Kelkkarotu' means, do ya?"

"Why-why are you looking at me like that??"

"It's not just some 'pointless race', it's an all-night brawl! Racing through the slopes of the mountain, with vim and vigor!" Epel explained.

"You're kidding me....are you?!"

"Yep. So it's not just magic you gotta possess. It's all about physical endurance to get through the race." This made Sebek raise an eyebrow as he nodded subtly, motioning for Epel to keep talking. "It's difficult to control the sled so it's not just beginner level. I can't just take any students with me, I need someone who's dedicated to sport."

"Oh really?...."

"It'd be nice to have you on my team! You'd be one for the adrenaline! And who knows, you may possibly get to show off your achievements to loved ones, close relatives and even a certain dorm leader~?" Epel smiled wistfully, but then sighed sadly. "But you did say you wanted no part in it, so...I can't blame you....I might as well go find someone else...with proud dedication, strength and prowess of an even greater scale...."

"Is that 'someone' a green-haired knight of the Great Lord Malleus Draconia!?" Sebek smiled.

"Uh....I don't think I know someone of that caliber...."

"You're looking at him!" Sebek boasted. "I'll join you in your little quest and snag first place like nothing! It's a tad different than what I'd be used to, but it'd be great experience!"

Epel gave himself a pat on the back, knowing his plan worked. "Well then, welcome aboard!"

"But that's one person." Luna argued. "You need two others."

"There's not that many people willing to go to an unknown event like that. Is Moln Mountain even well-known?" Sebek inquired.

"Well, yes! And it's-."

"Located within the Northern Terrain of the Land of Pyroxene, close to the Village of Harvest." Jade's voice was heard. "I've read all about that mountain since I could fist pick up a book. It's rumored to have been ancient times when the mountain was first forged."

"Jade! You were sitting near us!" Grim smiled seeing the second year.

"Forgive me, but I overheard the topic of the said mountain so I just had to jump into your conversation." Jade turned to face them. "Moln....it's said by many who live on the mountain have found a rather mysterious beauty to it. It's nature shows various sights during the changing seasons, both the eye of inspiration by painters and photographers alike."

"Wow....you must know much...." Epel murmured.

"Well I've an interest on it. I've done some research beforehand. Epel, if you don't mind, may I also visit your hometown? As a proud member of the 'Mountain Lovers' club, I've always wanted to visit it at least once."

"If you'd like, by all means!" Epel agrees.

"Epel, what of the sledding race?" Sebek reminds.

"Oh yeah, that too....Jade-"

"It's alright, I've heard all I need to know about what's in store. You're in trouble so I don't mind helping you this once. Racing upon a beloved landmark....I wonder how this experience's be..."

"Sweet! Three down, one to go!" Epel smiled, finally getting somewhere. "Oh Crap! The lunch hour's almost up! I gotta find someone...and fast!!"

"U-Uh....e-e-excuse me..." someone with a shaky voice spoke up. Everyone turned their eyes upon the shaky lanky figure of-

"Idia! Don't tell me he was just nearby on coincidence?!" Grim looked out of it.

"Can we help you?" Epel asked.

"U-Uh....what you were talking about just now...." Idia stared. "Th-The, uh...."

"Yes?' Epel urged him to keep talking.

"Wh-What I'm trying to say is-!! Ugh, forget it! It's next to extreme just to make talk with people IRL!" He boots up his Tablet, holding it in front of his face like a shield. "I want to get a word in about the topic of conversation you were having just now."

"You're kidding me: he's using his tablet for talking?" Grim frowned.

"A sled race? In the Village of Harvest? tomorrow?! What time do I meet you?!" Idia was frantic with his speech due to excitement, catching Epel off guard.

"Geez, it's like he's flipped his switch!" Grim was taken aback by the 180 degree turn as well.

"Please one question at a time! You're not making any sense!" Epel begged, starting to be nervous.

"Epel-shi, you're from the Village of Harvest, right?" Idia repeated in a calm manner.

"B-Born and raised....." the first year nodded.

"I KNEW IT! The Series "Love Sled" is based around the town!"

"What is he talking about?" Sebek scratched his head.

"I have zero fucking clue...." Charlie symapthized.

"He means that anime series based around my town. And a popular one that aired over a decade ago." Epel answered, knowing what the elder Shroud was speaking about. "I used to watch it when I was younger. Ah, so many memories...."

"No need to be embarassed, Epel-shi. I've just caught wind of it like you. Almost a week ago, my favorite website was streaming all kinds of nostalgic series and that was one that premiered all the episodes."

"And the story?" Sebek inquired.

"A group of friends form a sled racing team who aim to try for a competition at nationals." Epel answers.

"Rather strange, but I'll go along with it..."

"So you think?" Jae looks to the Half fae. "There's more elements to the series than standard plot which is common in fiction....and sledding."

"JADE!!!" Idia screeched, dropping his tablet, which scared the second year. "How dare you compare "Love Sled" to other nonsensical anime! It's got tearjerking scenes like in the "Plushie Bonanza" episode! Don't you say otherwise!!"

". . ."

"Are you high right now?" Luna scoffed at the third year, making him shirk away.

"I mean....I'm trying to say...stuffed toy sled race...." Idia mumbled the last part to himself, but Luna epeats it aloud for everyone else to hear.

"O-Oh right! Thanks for telling us that, Luna, it brings up another good point!" Epel gasped. "The sleds....will be pulled by plushie animals!"

"Care to explain?" Sebek pressed.

"The plushies will be supplied by a small Life spell that pull the sleds with us on them!"

"Th-That's not what I expected out of any of this!" Sebek was fazed, at first believing real animals were involved in the event.

"It's per tradition." Epel shrugged.

"So that's why you need magic to power the sleds? To keep the plushies moving?" Grim connects.

"Usually large dogs or maybe reindeer I understand but this is a new game all on its own." Jade agrees.

"It's Strange, I agree, but...there's story behind it all." Epel says. "An assassin was hired to kill a princess yet he spared her and she fled into the dark woods for safety. The woodland animals heard the Princess and helped her escape. With their assistance, she made it out alive and unharmed. So as the story goes, we use Plushie animals to keep the tradition alive!"

"Rather intriguing legend...." Jade hums.

"Since real animals would tire themselves out if they ran for a long period of time, we opted to using plushies." Epel added. "It also livens up the atmosphere almost.