Christmas was probably one of the only times of the year when Karma got along with the rest of the Koopa Kastle’s residents for over half the day. Late one Christmas day, she returned to her room after a long day of snowball fights and Christmas sweets. She was so full, she felt ready to just flop down on her bed and snooze 'til New Years.
When she entered her room, however, there was a little surprise waiting for her. On her bed was a large present shaped like a cubic box half her size. The wrapping paper was orange and the green and purple ribbons ended on top with a large bow of the same colors. Next to the bow was a purple tag.
She walked carefully over to the box and looked at the tag.
Dear Karma, it read in fancy gold letters, People say the joy of Christmas comes from giving. So I decided to give it a try. Sincerely yours, sc276.
Karma hastily threw down the tag and backed off quickly when she read who it was from, until she hit the wall. She stared at the present for a long time, her mind spinning. What matter of contraption could be hiding in that box?
She felt for the doorknob and found it quickly. She needed a bit of help opening this present.
***
Ludwig was grumpy. It was almost ten at night on Christmas day, he was full enough to sleep 'til St. Patrick’s Day, and there was a nice warm bed calling him. Why Karma wanted to open a present in the middle of the snow-covered grounds when there was a freezing wind blowing, almost half a mile from the castle grounds…
This “present” better have great importance in relation to the uncomfortness of the situation, he thought bitterly.
After what seemed like seven Christmases have passed, light streamed from the front door as it opened. Out trudged Karma, carrying a large, orange present in front of her. After what seemed like another three years, Karma plopped it on the snow mound in front of Ludwig.
“Well, what do you think?” she asked as they looked at the package.
“I think,” Ludwig replied, “that you enjoy wasting my time.”
“I do not!” Karma protested. “Just look at the tag!”
Ludwig did.
“Why would the supercomputer276 deliver a wrapped celebration package to you?” Ludwig asked.
“I don’t know,” Karma replied.
There were a few more moments as they stared at the gift.
“Well?” Karma asked.
“Well what?” Ludwig replied.
“Aren’t you going to open it?”
“Me? It is your package.”
“Yeah, but you’re big and strong and explosion-resilient.”
“You honestly believe that Yosie disguised a powerful explosive inside this package?”
“Yes I do.”
“I propose a deal: we will both open it simultaneously.”
“You mean, at the same time?”
“Affirmative.”
Karma thought for a few seconds. “All right, then.”
It took only a couple seconds to tear open the wrapping paper. Inside the paper was a large cardboard box. Arrows were drawn with red and green marker pointing toward the box’s top. Preparing for the worst, they each grabbed a flat and pulled it open, followed quickly by the second set of flaps. Then they hit the ground (or the snow) as quickly as possible, eyes clenched shut.
But there wasn’t any other sound than their panting and the whoosh of the breeze.
They each opened one eye and looked at each other, then glanced at the silent box.
Almost painfully slow, Karma and Ludwig stood up and peeked into the box.
Sitting in the middle of a mass of styrofoam peanuts, was an ornate gold box. It wasn’t much different from other boxes of its size and value, except that an image of a Poison Mushroom was carved into the top of the lid.
Karma carefully lifted it out of the box like a pie could burst out and splat in her face. The gold it was made of felt cold in her hands from the wind, and yet it also felt rather warm.
She noticed there was a small latch on the front of the box. She carefully flicked it open, ready and willing that this small box just might blow her head clean off.
“Careful,” Ludwig said to her quietly. It wasn’t necessary; Karma couldn’t have been more cautious while still opening it.
Taking a deep breath, Karma creaked the lid of the box open.
Inside was a little figure of herself. A tutu was visible around the figure’s waist, and it was in a pose like a ballerina. Karma thought she looked very well in it.
Suddenly, the figure began to turn on the spot as a soft tune began to play from inside the box. It was then did Karma realize what it was.
“It’s a music box!” she said, a small smile spreading on her face.
Ludwig moved behind her for a closer look. “So it is,” he said in wonder. Then he noticed something else. “A note is attached to the inside of the lid,” he informed Karma.
Karma looked. Sure enough, a yellow sticky note was attached to the inside of the music box’s lid.
Dear Karma, the purple text said in Yosie’s regular handwriting, I do hope you didn’t think I sent you a bomb or something like that. I also hope you enjoy the sweet tune of this hand-crafted music box. Have a merry Christmas, Yosie.
Karma carefully removed the note and gave a small gasp. Underneath it, carved into the golden lid, was a somewhat flattering picture of her face. It smiled widely and happily at her, and she couldn’t help but smile back.
Karma closed the box, and the soft music stopped. She replaced the music box into the indentation left in the peanuts and picked up the cardboard box. Then she trudged carefully back to the open front door, guided in the dark by the light streaming from it.
It took a few moments for Ludwig to realize she had left him to clean up the wrapping paper and ribbon. Heaving a large sigh, he picked up the paper and followed Karma inside. When he finally got the remains in the trash and crawled into bed, he felt he could sleep 'til Father’s Day.
The End
Happy holidays from supercomputer276 and everyone else at the Game Over!
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