Chapter 3-11: They Look Familiar

The group followed Epel throughout the race track.

Epel calls out, "Okay everyone, stop your sleds! Say, 'Whoa'!"

Everyone calls out, "Whoa!"

And with that, everyone stops.

Epel smiles, "Great, that's seven perfect stops! You guys picked this up real quick. All of you can speed up and slow down smoothly, and you're taking corners without any trouble. It's hard to believe this is your first time plush sledding. Great job!"

"You're simply that good of a teacher, Epel," Jade says.

"I agree. You're a really great teacher, Epel," Briar says.

Idia snickers, "Whee hee hee... That's right, keep it coming. I thrive on positive reinforcement."

"LIKEWISE," Sebek shouts.

"That was really fun once we got the hang of it," Sereia says.

"You're full-fledged mushers now!" Epel says.

"Musher?" Sereia says, confused.

"What, pray tell, is a musher?" Sebek asks.

"I trust you don't mean 'masher,' the cooking tool used to mash potatoes and boiled eggs," Jade questions

"No, it's a term for people who drive plushie sleds," Epel says.

"DOOT-DO-DOOO! Idia has unlocked the title: Musher!" Idia says with a grin.

"Welp, that's a good stopping point. Let's take a break," Epel says.

But Idia says, "Uh, excuse me, you're ruining my immersion here."

"I can keep going! The only way to master something is pure repetition!" Sebek says.

But Epel says, "Too much practice can lead to fatigue and make you lose focus. You're more likely to have an accident that way. The best way to stay on top of your game is to take regular breaks. Then you'll get the most out of practicin'."

"Epel has a point, Sebek. It's best to rest a little bit before we continue on," Tanzanite says.

"Hm... Nonetheless, we're still very short on time. I'd rather utilize every second we can," Sebek says.

Epel is impressed, "Wow, Sebek, you sure are diligent. We take our tea breaks seriously around these parts, though. We like to chat with friends and family over a sweet treat and some hot tea or coffee.

"We should abide by Harvestion customs while we're here, Sebek," Jade says.

Soon, Sebek gives in, "...Very well, a short break it is."

Then Epel says, "There's a pit stop up ahead. I'll go fetch us some drinks."

Grim is surprised and asks, "Mrah? What's a pit stop?"

"It's a place that provides refreshments during marathons and bike races, correct?" Sebek answers.

"Yup. They also provide light meals to people like us who come up to practice the day before the race," Epel adds.

Grim gets excited, "Wahaha! Now that's what I call hospitality!"

Then Epel says, "Grandma's gonna have food and drinks for us on the day of the sledathon. She said she'd give our team all the support she could."

"I don't doubt it," Jade says.

"The pit stop crew also does maintenance on the plushies and gives you updates on the race," Epel says.

"That sounds most helpful indeed!" Sebek says.

Epel turns to Briar, "Briar, would you and Grim like to help out in the pit?"

"You bet I would!" Grim says.

"Oho. And here I expected you to balk at doing any work, Grim," Sebek says.

"This pit stop's got food and drinks, right?" Grim says.

"Yes, but it's for the racers. You can't hog all of it," Epel says.

"I'd be happy to help," Briar says.

"Me too," Sereia says.

Epel smiles, "Thanks! Remember that a lot of times, talking with the pit crew can change how the race plays out."

"This is a big responsibility, Briar," Sebek says.

Then Jade says, "In that case, I'll share a few pointers on how to sabotage the other teams later."

"Jade," Briar says with a stern expression.

Epel also says, "If there's any funny business, the management staff will kick you out on your patoot in no time. Anyway, be right back!"

And with that, the group walks off to the pit stop to get food and drinks for the racers. Well, Epel, Briar, and Sereia head off to get food and drinks, Grim decides to stay with the others.

"...I'd be cool if we called it good here. Just sayin'," Idia says.

"You have a point. We already have a good handle on it. Further practice might not be necessary," Jade says.

Sebek scoffs, "Hmph, weaklings. This is but a trifling effort for me."

"This team's in pretty decent shape. Looks like you won't be needin' my help after all," Grim says.

"Please. Our chances of winning would be far slimmer with you participating," Sebek says.

Grim frowns, "Oh yeah?!"

He then makes a snowball from the snow and throws it at Sebek, and it gets to Sebek's face.

"Ow!" Sebek shouts, "What was that, Grim?!"

"A snowball to your face, that's what!" Grim says.

This doesn't pleased Sebek, "You ill-mannered monster... Your snowy strike shall not go unanswered!"

And throws a snowball at Grim's face.

Grim cries out, "Mrow!"

Jade chuckles, "Heh heh... Having fun in the snow, Sebek?"

And Grim throws a snowball at Jade's face, making him sputter the snow from his mouth.

Grim laughs, "Wahahahaha! How d'ya like that, Jade? Cold enough for ya?!"

Jade smirks, "...You know, I've always wanted to try my hand at a snowball fight."I trust you're prepared to face me, Grim.

Then suddenly, a snowball hits Grim's face.

Grim cries out, "MROOOW!"

Turns out the one who threw the snowball is Jasper.

Jasper grins, "My turn, Grim!"

And Grim laughs, "Wahahahaha! Take this, Jasper!"

And Grim throws another snowball. Then Tanzanite throws a snowball at Grim.

Grim yelps, "Mrah! You've done it now, Tanzanite!"

And soon everyone begins throwing snowballs at each other.

Idia however, is at the sidelines, "Ugh, come on... What kind of idiot spends their break doing physical exertion?"

And Grim calls out, "I got one for you too, Idia!" and throws a snowball towards Idia.

Idia cries out, "Bwheeh?!" and is hit with a snowball.

Grim then throws another on, "And another one for you too, Sebek!"

"Hmph. You caught me off-guard before, but you won't get me when I'm alert!" Sebek shouts and moves out of the way.

However, "Wah!" The snowball hits someone else, earning everyone's attention.

Sebek turns to Grim, "Now look what you've done! You hit that tiny human."

Jade rushes over, "Oh my, are you hurt? It's appalling how some people behave, isn't it?"

"Aaand Jade immediately switched into formal mode…" Idia says.

Just then, the group walk over to reveal a few familiar faces, which shocked Jasper and Tanzanite.

The one Dominic says, "You're all fine, don't worry about it."

Grum is not happy about the snowball, "Hey, what's the big idea?! You challengin' us to a snowball fight?"

The third member, Hop says, "Are they? Oh boy, that sounds fun!"

And Hop throws a snowball at Grim, and Grim yelps, "Mrah?!"

"Got 'em!" Hop happily says.

Dominic says, "Hop! Grum! You're being rude!"

Jade soon notices, "...Is it just me, or do they look familiar?"

"Yes, they're familiar to me as well," Sebek says.

"Really? I don't pay much attention to people's faces," Idia says.

Timmy yelps, "Eep! I feel so awkward with them staring at me…"

Jasper says in shock, "Hold on, Dominic?! Grum?! Hop?!"

"Timmy?! Shelpie?! Snick?! And Toby too?!" Tanzanite adds, shocked.

Soon, the seven dwarfs look at the twins.

"Taznantie! Jasper!" Dominic says.

Hop happily says, "Hey guys, I didn't expect you guys here."

"So did we," Jasper says.

Soon, Epel, Briar, and Sereia walk over.

"We're back!" Briar calls out.

"We've got enough hot tea and cinnamon sweet rolls for everyone," Epel says.

However, they notice the seven dwarfs.

"Hold on, aren't you all Neige's friends," Briar says.

"Wow. Briar and the others are here too," Snick says, and sneezes, "Achoo!"

"Oh um, hello," Timmy says, shyly.

"You're right. It's you all… From Royal Sword Academy!" Epel says, surprised.

Grim, Sebek, Idia & Jade react in shock, "WHAT?!"