Twisted Wonderland 2

Prodigious Talent

Walking over to the assembly hall, you see Marja standing outside the door waiting for you and the boys. Epel smiles as he rushes over to Marja.

"We're back, Grandma!"

Marja pulls Epel into a big hug. "It's about time, ya rotten apples! Y'all better have been practicin', or you're goin' to bed without any supper!"

Epel sheepishly rubs the back of his neck as he pulls away. "Uh, yep! We absolutely were! You'd never guess they were beginners now! We're ready to win this race!"

Marja chuckles. "Look at you boys, all confident. Well, now. Been puttin' the ol' nose to the grindstone, huh? Glad to hear it."

"Granny went from mad to glad in no time flat!" Grim exclaims.

Epel shrugs with a laugh. "She's real sweet and caring, sledathon aside."

"By the way, did you settle on a team name, Epel?" Marja asks.

Epel's eyes go wide, smacking a hand to his face. "Oh no, I forgot!"

"WHAT IN SAM HILL?" Marja scolds. "I told you that was as important as pruning an apple orchard!"

"Sorry, Grandma! We'll pick something right now. Uhh..." Epel turns to you. "Quick, Y/N, do you have any suggestions?"

"Maybe something with a Harveston theme?" You say.

"I guess nothing says Harveston like apples." Epel's eyes light up. "I've got it! How about we base our team name on the apple lanterns, like the one on my sled?"

Jade folds his arms in front of him. "Ah, it could be our symbol during the race."

"The Apple Lanterns!" Epel grins. "I like the sound of that!"

Idia quirks an eye. "Uh, what? Is that really the best you could come up with?"

Sebek nods. "Yes, it's not bad, but could stand to sound more imposing. How about The Fearsome Apple Lanterns?"

"We could improve it even more by going with The Fearsome Mountain Loving Apple Lanterns." Jade adds.

Idia holds his arm as he cringes. "Okay, I take it all back. Let's just stick with Epel's suggestion."

"Great, then that settles that." Epel looks to you with a smile. "Thanks for the help, Y/N."

You smile sweetly back. "Glad to be of assistance."

Epel turns to Marja with a grin. "Grandma, we're gonna be The Apple Lanterns!"

Marja tilts her head with a smile. "Is that right? Okay then, I'll put that down as your name. Now, are you lot gonna stand here freezin' all night or come in already?"

"We're coming." Epel laughs as he steps inside, but pauses. "Hey... Do I smell what I think I smell?"

Looking around, you see the townspeople have set up a table full of delicious looking food. The amazing aroma coming from the cooked food makes its way to your senses and causes your stomach to growl.

"Well, hot dog!" Epel cheers. "We've got barbecue!"

"And a whole lotta other stuff too!" Grim rubs his paws together.

"Of course." Marja smiles warmly. "We wouldn't dream of skimping on your welcome party."

Jade bows his head. "Thank you, I'm honored."

"Okay, time to go to chow town!" Grim races to the table.

"Yes," Sebek walks after him. "I can hardly wait to sit down."