A Fox Surrounded in Darkness (Twisted Wonderland x Encanto f!reader)

Chapter 68

⦓Harveston- Sledathon Grounds⦔

"It's finally time for the big race!" Epel cheers. The racers were at the starting line, making final touches to their sleds and plushies. There was a small crowd at the starting line but most of the spectators wanted to be at the finish line. "Can't you feel the tension?"

"I certainly can," Jade grins, glancing at the other racers.

"You don't look tense at all, Jade..." Epel frowns.

"Well, Sebek has been shivering this entire time," the Ramshackle student giggles.

"I'm not shivering," Sebek argues. "I'm simply trembling with anticipation for our victory!"

"Sure buddy..." The fox sticks out her tongue, taunting Sebek.

"Come over here, Epel," Mrs. Marja calls out to her grandson.

"What is it, Grandma?" Epel walks over to her.

"I want you to wear this," Mrs. Marja puts a cloak over Epel's shoulders.

"What?!" Epel gawks as he looks at the cloak. "But it's your cloak! Why are you giving it to me?"

"You used to love this cloak when you were little," Mrs. Marja smiles. "You'd always pat it and get all bright-eyed whenever I wore it."

"I guess I did, huh?" Epel looks at his grandma with a smile "That takes me back..."

"I sewed it myself," Mrs. Marja recalls. "It's a traditional part of our applepoms. And I've worn it in plenty of sledathons myself."

"You participated!?" Y/n was surprised.

"Oh, yes," Mrs. Marja confirms. "I was our team leader, as a matter of fact. We never lost a race back then, even when we were up against more than a hundred teams. I was actually kind of famous back in those days. Heh heh, it's a little embarrassin' to say now... They even made a cartoon years later based on my sled team."

"...Wait, I'm sorry, WHAT?!" Idia exclaims. "Are you talking about Beauties Sleeping, the main team in Sled Over Heels?!"

"That's the one," Mrs. Marja confirms. "You're pretty well-informed for a young'un."

"So that means that Epel's grandma is the inspiration for Ai, the team leader!" Idia shouts.

"What?" Epel was confused. "She is?!"

"DUUUDE," Idia grins. "SHE'S BEST GIRL BY FAR! Would you autograph my Sled Over Heels guidebook? And can I take a picture with you?!"

"Goodness, what's all this now?" Mrs. Marja was taken aback by Idia's questions.

"So Epel's grandmother inspired the Sled Over Heels anime," Jade grins. "How very interesting."

"This is the best anime pilgrimage ever," Idia cheers excitedly. "It's 10 billion levels beyond cool! I'm so glad I came to Harveston!"

"Epel, I want you to wear the cloak I always did when I won my races," Mrs. Marja "I retailored it a bit last night to make sure it'd fit."

"Golly..." Epel's eyes widened in surprise. "I'm touched. Thanks a bunch, Meemaw! It's so warm and cozy! And it fits just right! The apple and flower embroidery's incredible too!"

"You look just like a picture," Mrs. Marja compliments. "My little grandbaby's all grown up..."

"Meemaw, are you crying?" Epel was concerned about his grandma.

"No, silly," Mrs. Marja huffs. "The snow's reflectin' the sun into my eyes, that's all."

"Look at the lovely snowflakes on the shoulders," Jade observes the cloak. "This truly is an exquisite cloak. You're looking more gallant already, Epel."