Marja: Alright, time to prep yer sleds! I'd like y'all to pick out some fabric you like from this pile.
Jade and Sebek: Huh? 🤨🤨
Epel: We're gonna use 'em to make the stuffed animals that'll pull the sleds.
Sebek: Oh right, I forgot this race involved stuffed animals. Quite a lot of bright reds and checkered patterns here.
Jade: Yes, it's all quite showy. And we're sure to have plenty of variety with all the differing lengths.
Epel: The whole village donates all their odds and ends to the pile throughout the year, so we got lots to work with.
Idia: So, we're using scrap fabric?
Epel: Hey! We ain't cheapin' out, just so we're clear! 😤 The idea is to show we care about our things by findin' ways to repurpose 'em.
Marja: Don't be shy now. Pick as many pieces as ya like. *notices Shriek tugging on her cloak* What is it, sugar cube?
Shriek: Meemaw Marja, I already got my stuffed animal for the race! *holds up Bellerophon*
Sebek: That defeats the purpose of this assemblage in the first place, so I hardly think that qualifies. *to Epel* Does it?
Epel: Well... there's been a couple times in the past when folks have used their own stuffed animals instead of makin' 'em specifically for the sledathon. So there's no rule against it. But Bellerophon might not fare as well as ya think for the race, Shriek.
Shriek: Why??
Idia: Different materials have different levels of air resistance. And hydrophobic fabrics don't get weighed down in the snow. Bellerophon's just made of standard plush fabric, so he probably won't-
Shriek: SCREW THAT!! 👿
Idia: EEEP!
Shriek: *looking at Bellerophon before hugging him tight* I don't care if he ain't hypodermic! He's tough like me! So I know he can do it! He's gonna come to life and lead our team to the gates of victory shining in frost and fire!!
Marja: *putting a comforting hand on Shriek's head* You heard my grandson, right, hun? This whole festival's about showin' care for the things in our life. And it looks like you got a whole lotta love for that little lion.
Shriek: *nodding* Uh-huh! But he ain't a lion! He's a chimera! *waving Bellerophon about* And he needs to feel the wind in his mane right freakin' now!
Sebek: That logic has absolutely zero ground to stand on, *sighs* but I'd expect as much from the Devil child. 🙄
Jade: It's easier to talk a typhoon out of raging than it is to get Shriek to change her mind. If you're that serious about Bellerophon's inclusion, little one, than you'll hear no complaints from me.
Idia: Errngh, the sled aficionado in me wants to point out all the holes in this argument, but the Sled Over Heels fan is crying bc that's like what Fuyumi said about her little underdog plush pal who was actually a moose instead of a dog! 😭😭😭
Epel: Alright, Shriek. Bellerophon's part of the team.
Shriek: *flapping about with joy* YEEEEEAAAAHAHAHAAAA!!! 😆😆😆 Ya hear that, Bell? You're gonna be our rock! Our ifrit obsidian!
Bellerophon:
Shriek: Whoa, okay, buddy. Deep breaths! Save it for the slopes!
