“So tonight's game is all about the 'spirit of gifts'.” Said Ghondish.
Sarah looked up from packing her pack of Llamas, “I thought there was no magic in this game.”
“There isn't.” Kocha replied.
Ghondish smiled, “Exactly.”
“...” The assembled players looked at each other.
“Hollie Day, the festival of giving is quickly approaching. Gifts are being bought. Snow, a rare occurrence in this part of the country, has dusted the city.” Ghondish began. “People are singing carols, laughing, and being pleasant.”
“Does that include the 'Karen's' of the world?” Pendleton asked, squinting across the table at Sarah.
Ghondish sighed, “Sadly no. There is no power in the universe that can do that.”
“Crap.” Mil mumbled.
“Mil, your former 'Ice Queen', Penelope, and her children are over for an evening of decoration and small gifts.”
“Well, if I knew about the holiday in advance, I would have bought all the things.” Mil said.
“You did know, and since your income score is more than high enough to cover more than the basics, you are able to do that.”
Mil smiled, “Good.”
- - -
“Someone stole The Tree?!?” Pendleton almost yelled. “I got a Nat 20 to decorate that thing! HOW DARE THEY!!!!!”
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“Yes.” Ghondish replied. “They did leave a 'calling card' of sorts. A name written in yellow, in the snow.”
Sarah coughed for a moment, “Eww, gross.”
“The letters seem to spell out 'Krimcu'.”
“Who the hells is Krimcu?”
“Krimcu is the spirit of Anti-Hollie.” Ghondish said. “He destroys the spirit of the season, and punishes the happy people.”
Kocha looked up from playing with his well worn dice, “Well screw him.” He looked at the rest of the party, “Lets find this asshole and show him what it's like.”
- - -
Ghondish reads from his notes, “You find yourself in front of a service garage on the far edge of the HOA grounds.”
“Good thing that elf looking guy squealed on his boss, Otherwise we would be out of luck!” Pendleton said.
“Yeah.” Kocha said. “All we had to do was have Sarah give him a hug.”
“And I resent having to do that.” Said Sarah.
“Anyway, 'So there you stand, snow blowing across the industrial lights of the small lot.'”Ghondish read. “What do you do?”
“I approach the people sized door around the side.” Mil said, determination in his voice.
“I'll take the big rolling door in the front.” Sarah and Kocha said at the same time.
Pendleton thought for a moment, “I'll backup Mil at the small door.”
“On the count of three, we open the doors.” Mil said, then started counting. “One, two, three!”
Ghondish nodded, “You all open the doors, and see not the small Hollie tree that you had decorated, but a tree that fills the garage from floor to ceiling.”
Everyone stared at Ghondish, then Pendleton spoke up, “But...but they don't grow that tall...”
Around a smile, Ghondish said, “It's the spirit of the Hollie Days. After you gawk for a few moments, you notice dozens and dozens of small packages surrounding the base of the tree.”
“I snap a bunch of pictures with my new fangled Fone.” Sarah announced. “Then I load them up to my HeadScroll account for all my friends to see!”
Pendleton vigorously shook his head, “ScreecH is the better service.”
Sarah shook her head, “Screech is for the unsophisticated.”
“I investigate the packages.” Kocha said, and rolled a D20. “14 plus my bonuses...For a total of 20.”
“Upon closer inspection, there seems to be a package for everyone in the HOA. Even the crotchety Mr. Scranton.”
Kocha scratched his head, “Wow.”
Mil piped up, “Very Wow, Much Amaze.”
Ghondish laughed. “Fifty points for proper slang.”
- - -
“You have managed to move the tree out of the garage, and back to it's proper place in front of the club house. There is much applause from the rest of the resident.”
Sarah smiled, “I start to hand out the colorful packages.”
“I'll assist!” The rest shouted.
“All's well that ends well.” Ghondish stood up from the table. “And here are some packages for each of you. Happy Hollie Days to all of you!”
Of course, everyone got new dice.