Every year, an ancient evil awakens.

Maria Carem Nativitus is a virus that is only active at the end of the human year, sometimes starting at the beginning of November, but more usually at the beginning of December. The disease first broke out in a patient zero who had to be isolated years ago. Despite several attempts, it was impossible to work on the infected specimen without it contaminating the rest of the manor. It has been locked away in the Library ever since.

The virus is transmitted by sound waves, which are faint at first but become louder towards the end of December. These words, sung on a loop, hypnotise anyone who can hear or feel them, which means that even a deaf person can hear the vibrations and be infected. The infection consists of an unstoppable euphoria, an irrepressible need to sing along, thus spreading the virus, and the appearance of shiny garlands, elaborate glass balls and pointy red and white hats with pompoms.

Unfortunately, the virus managed to keep the specimen alive for years, perhaps what some call the ‘Christmas miracle’.

Fortunately, the virus usually dies out in early January, leaving those infected with a hoarse voice and the equivalent of a hangover. Unfortunately, infection the previous year is no protection against infection the following year.

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