Christmas with the Gambling Girlfriends 2020

Elf on the Shelf

When Yumeko moved out, she took her Elf on the Shelf, Spades, with her. Even though she knew that it wasn't a real elf, the magic was still there. Now that she and Mary were living together, she thought it would be fun to start a tradition. They would take turns hiding the elf until Christmas. Mary was hesitant because there weren't a lot of hiding spaces in their dorm, but was easily persuaded by Yumeko puppy eyes.

December 1st

Yumeko got up early to ensure that her plan was perfect. She really wanted to surprise Mary. After she was sure everything was perfect, she placed Spades on the bedpost closest to Mary, and carefully snuggled back into bed. Luckily, Mary was a heavy sleeper.

A few hours later, Mary's alarm woke them up. Yumeko opened her eyes to her lovely surprise and rolled over to get Mary up. "Wake up, Dasher. Guess what day it is?"

Mary groaned, "It's December first, Dancer." The sleep clouded her voice as she lifted the covers over her head.

"Prancer!" Yumeko whined as she wrestled the covers back. "What does that mean?"

"It means it's Tuesday, Vixen," Mary refused to open her eyes as she held onto the black comforter for life.

"Comet, Spades is here!" Yumeko ducked under the blanket to straddle Mary's waist.

"I'm sure he is Blitzen," Mary's hold on the comforter got weaker as she drifted back to sleep.

"Mary! You were supposed to say Cupid!" Yumeko only pretended to act mad from how cute Mary was falling back asleep. "You're so cute, Mary," Yumeko whispered into the other girl's ear.

Her eyes opened wide at the comment, but as she was about to deny it she saw something hanging from the ceiling behind Yumeko's frizzy hair. "What did you do?"

"Do what?" Yumeko lifted her head back up to shield Mary's view. The tiny smile she wore did not go unnoticed by Mary.

"Move."

"If you promise to get up, I'll consider it."

"I could always make you."

"You could, but I don't think you want me off yet."

"Read right me like a- SIKE!" Mary pushed Yumeko back and finally saw the winter wonderland around them.

The ground was blanketed in stretched stuffing. Paper snowflakes, held on by a string, were hanging from the ceiling. Red and Green circle links were hung on the outlines of the room. Mary was astonished by how much work Yumeko put into their room. She didn't know whether to laugh or scold Yumeko. Once she looked down at Yumeko, she found that the eyes weren't on her. No, they were behind her. Mary whipped her head back to see Spades holding on to the bedpost.

Then her laughter started. Yumeko could tell that it was from pure joy. Falling on top of her, they both laughed their hearts out.

"How am I supposed to top this?"

December 2nd

Mary in all honesty didn't think she could top Yumeko's winter wonderland. So instead, she appealed to a side of Yumeko she was familiar with. Riddles!

Yumeko woke up to the sound of Mary's alarm. As she opened her eyes, she small box with a red top and a green bottom. Smiling with wonder, she opened the box to find a playing card, "ace of spades,"
that had a message written on it, "If you want to find me, it's awfully easy, but to make it more fun try this brain tease-y. Answer the riddles and find the corresponding place, and eventually, you'll find me. Your Elf, Spades"

Giggling to herself, she looked behind her to see Mary forcing her eyes shut and a faint smile on her lips. Rolling her eyes, she shook Mary awake: "Brain tease-y?"