Penelope and Silas, siblings competing in the Winter Bake-Off, discover that their prize-winning gingerbread structure is failing due to structural intention drain in the royal icing. This failure is linked to a crystalline sugar residue contaminating the glaze, mirroring the grey dust reported in other parts of Silver Creek related to magnetic interference. Silas recalls a note mentioning magnetic testing near the sugar silo processing plant that likely caused the residue. Penelope realizes this is a non-metallic structural problem. They pivot their focus from the competition to finding a counter-agent, recalling historical lore about non-conductive pastes used for the Grotto displays. They decide to search for an overflow crate marked 'Grotto Supply Overflow' near the Old Ice-Sculpting Workshop, believing it contains the necessary dampening material.