Unwritten: Diary of a Lean Green Plumber

Into the Tens

16 March 2010

MK

Dear Diary,

Peach made a few phone calls to allow the Mushroom Sports Complex to host Jasmine's Lucky 13 birthday party. Jas has grown to become a very athletic girl, and according to her parents, she's shown interest in many sports, from basketball to tennis to volleyball and even dodgeball. So, the staff at the Sports Complex made sure that there were plenty of games set up around the venue. Inside, there was table tennis, basketball and dodgeball. Outside, there was volleyball, tennis, soccer, kickball and baseball. Mario and I joined the complex's staff and the parents of the younger guests in supervising these games, encouraging the participants to try out the other sports so those waiting in line could have a turn. To suit the occasion, Jas was dressed in athletic wear and told her opponents not to hold back on her just because it was her birthday. The occasion wouldn't make the outcome of the game any different. Jas really was taking the lessons she'd learned to heart.

At around four in the afternoon, the staff called the guests into a makeshift banquet hall, where a cake in the shape of an Invincibility Star was placed before Jas. We all sang the birthday song before the guest of honor closed her eyes, waited for a moment and blew out her candles.

"Happy Lucky 13!" we cheered as Jas blushed.

We helped ourselves to the cake before giving Jas her presents. The latest DVDs and music CDs and the hottest video games—including Super Mario Galaxy. She also received new clothes, headwear and shoes. And from Jake—she received a brand new bicycle, along with the necessary accessories.

"Omigosh—I've always wanted a bike!" gushed Jas. "Thanks, Jake!"

"You're welcome," said Jake, a bit shyly. "It's a special gift for a special friend."

"Awww..." we cooed.

"You're getting a bit too old for wrapped gifts," Jules said to Jas after the party had concluded and we were helping clean up. "How about next year, your mom and I give you some money for you to buy your own gifts? It's time to teach you about money matters, after all."

"Okay," said Jas.

"Soon, you'll be old enough to use our gym," Jules went on. "When that day comes, we'll have to talk memberships, and let me tell you, they don't come cheap."

"A gym membership," mused Jas. "I'd like that."

Once we finished cleaning up, I wished Jas a happy Lucky 13 before heading home to unwind.

Luigi

3 April 2010

MK

Dear Diary,

What can I say about Super Grace? She has the patience of a princess. That's why I've started calling her Super Princess Grace.

Roland has promised me—and her—that his aloofness toward me would soon come to an end, a promise he's reneged on again and again. At the very least, he's trying to be nice about it, but his manner toward me can only be described as being passive-aggressive.