Wendy always liked presents. They're free, of course, but it was the thought and effort behind them that captivated her. She marveled at the gifts people chose for her; they were always unexpected and unique, yet somehow always managed to be something she found use for. Each present was like its own little surprise and Wendy couldn't help but feel grateful for each and every one of them.
Filled with anticipation, she eagerly reached for the package in front of her. She looked at the name: from Ludwig. The box was flat, thin, and neatly wrapped. Green and yellow paper adorned with images of Toadstools and Piranha Plants covered every inch of the present, making it almost too pretty to open. But the excitement bubbling inside her couldn't be contained any longer and she tore into the wrapping.
Inside was a folder holding a piece of paper.
"A piece of paper?" Wendy looked at it in confusion.
"Not just any piece of paper, Wen," Ludwig smiled knowingly. "This is actually one of my new pieces. Whenever I worked on composing it, you always came to mind."
Wendy's initial bafflement melted away into a warm, genuine smile as she noticed the notes on the paper. She glanced up at Ludwig. "Ludwig, that's… that's so nice," she stuttered. "You've never dedicated a piece to me before."
Ludwig nodded. "I know it's not something you can display or use in the traditional sense," he began, "But I thought it might bring you joy in a different way. Music has its own realm of magic, after all. The recording is almost done for you."
"It's perfect, Ludwig. Truly."
She then looked around at her other siblings, who were now more eager than ever to present their gifts, each trying to outdo the last with their creativity and thoughtfulness.
Lemmy was next, his gift wrapped in a chaotic explosion of ribbons and glitter. Wendy peeled back the layers of wrapping paper to reveal a bright pink beach ball adorned with white polka dots.
"A beach ball!" Wendy said. "Remember when I begged you to teach me how to walk on one when we were kids?"
Lemmy chuckled. "How could I forget?! And my offer to give you lessons still stands!"
Wendy playfully nudged him. "Well, maybe this time I won't end up in the hospital."
Roy's gift was next, and it was by far the largest package on the table. The wrapping job was haphazard at best, with patches of bright purple paper held together by excessive amounts of tape. Wendy couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
"Sorry about the wrapping," Roy mumbled, a faint blush visible beneath his sunglasses.
Wendy tore into Roy's gift, her curiosity piqued by its size and unusual shape. As the wrapping paper fell away, her eyes widened in astonishment. Before her stood a magnificent pink punching bag, adorned with golden designs that swirled across its surface.
"Roy, this is incredible," Wendy breathed, running her hand along the smooth surface of the punching bag.
Roy grinned. "I know you've been stressed lately, sis. Thought you might need a way to let out some of that frustration."
As Wendy circled the punching bag, she noticed something peculiar. The golden designs weren't just for show – they were actually tiny mechanisms. "What are these?" she asked, tracing a finger along one of the golden lines.
Roy's grin widened. "Punch it and see what happens."
Intrigued, Wendy balled her fist and struck the bag with a solid thump. To her amazement, the golden mechanisms sprang to life. They began to shift and move, creating a dazzling display of light and motion across the surface of the bag. As the mechanisms whirred and clicked, they emitted a soft, melodic chime that filled the room.
"I had Kamek put magic in it," Roy said.
"It's beautiful! Thanks, Roy!"
Iggy was next, his gift cleverly disguised under layers of shiny metallic paper. When Wendy managed to unwrap it, she found a custom-made gadget resembling a small telescope. "It's not just any telescope," Iggy explained with a gleam in his eye. "It's fitted with special lenses that can see into the magical spectrum. Think of it as a window into realms we usually can't perceive!"
Wendy was awestruck. "Iggy, this is amazing! Can it really...?"
"See magic? Yes!" Iggy nodded enthusiastically. "I calibrated it myself. You might catch glimpses of magical disturbances or even elemental sprites if you're lucky."
"That sounds really cool. I'll try it out. Thanks, Iggy!"
Morton's gift was next, wrapped in simple brown paper and tied with twine. Wendy carefully undid the knot and peeled back the wrapping to reveal a leather-bound book. The cover was engraved with designs of swirling flames and geometric patterns.
"It's a collection of ancient Koopa legends and folklore," Morton explained quietly. "I thought you might enjoy reading about our heritage and the magic that runs in our species."
Wendy ran her fingers over the embossed cover, feeling the texture of the designs. "Thank you, Morton. This looks really cool. I can't wait to dive into it."
Finally, it was time for Larry's gift. Despite his exhausted state, Larry perked up slightly as Wendy reached for his present. She unwrapped it carefully, revealing the journal with its pink heart-adorned cover.
"A journal?" Wendy said, her voice a mix of curiosity and surprise.
"Yeah," Larry said, his voice still heavy with exhaustion. "I thought you might like it for writing or sketching or whatever. It's, uh, blank inside so you can use it however you want."
Wendy opened the journal, her eyes widening as she saw Larry's inscription on the first page. She read it silently, a smile spreading across her face.
"Larry, this is so thoughtful," she said, looking up at her brother. "I love it. Thank you."
Bowser cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Well, kids, I think it's time for my gift. She'll actually be calling you soon."
"She?" Wendy asked.
As if on cue, Wendy's phone began to ring. A smile spread across her face as she saw that the call was from Kylie Koopa, a dear friend she hadn't spoken to in quite some time. The room hummed with excitement as Wendy answered the call.
"Hey chica! How are ya?" Kylie's happy voice rang through the phone. "It's been, like, ages since we last talked!"
Wendy smiled at her friend's familiar greeting. "Hi Kylie. I know, things have been pretty hectic with everything going on," she took a deep breath. "But I'm hanging in there. How about you?"
"Oh, you know, same old, same old," Kylie laughed. "Sorry I couldn't see you for your birthday, but how about I make it up to you? Toodles is finally opening a fashion design shop in Coconut Mall! Dixie, Toadette and I have planned a luxurious ladies' getaway to Isle Delfino next week to celebrate. It's the perfect opportunity to escape from all our daily stresses and just let loose in paradise! And, since it's your birthday, I wanted to invite you to join us!"
Wendy's eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "Really? A trip to Isle Delfino?" She glanced at Bowser, who nodded with a smile. "That sounds amazing, Kylie! I'd love to join you guys."
"Fantastic!" Kylie exclaimed. "We're gonna have a blast, girl! Sun, sand, shopping - it'll be perfect. I'll text you the info later. Can't wait to see you!"
After exchanging a few more excited words, Wendy ended the call and turned to Bowser. "Dad, did you arrange this?"
Bowser smiled. "I might've had a hand in it. You've been working so hard lately, Wendy. You deserve a break."
Wendy rushed over and hugged her father tightly. She could hardly contain her excitement; the thought of a luxurious getaway with her friends felt like the perfect escape from her recent duties and challenges.
"Thank you, Dad!" She said before she pulled away.
