[CopperChaos]

Name: Amyntas
Height: 14.1hh
Gender: Stallion
Colour: Dark Chestnut
Quipping: Reverse Regular

Current Owner: Manx

This WME is giving some holiday vibes with his candy cane inspired stripes! While this guy is not apart of the WME Winter Raffle Event, he is here to encourage participation and spread some more cheer.

To enter for this adopt you’ll need to: 1) fill out the form below, 2) enter the WME Winter Raffle Event, and 3) Write a story about a “winter” or “holiday” tradition that this equid always looks forward to. Feel free to include other equids and write in any format you’d like. This is a short story prompt so please be mindful of length and keep stories to less than 2000 words. No extras. Edits are allowed until closed for judging, edits past deadline will be disqualified. Contest closes for judging On Dec. 25th at 10pm (GMT)/4pm (CST).

[S h e b s t e r]

Username: S h e b s t e r
Name: Cane
Link to Raffle Entry: xxx
Story:

Cane’s favorite thing he looks forward too is making homemade candy canes and candies with his family!!
They do all different flavors and colors.

[KathrynKat]

Username: KathrynKat
Name: Minty McTwist
Link to Raffle Entry: Page 3
Story:

Minty had made up his very own tradition.
For each Equid that has communicated with him the most that year,
he'll take note of their favorite things and favorite activities.
He likes to gather their favorite herbs, flowers, rocks, treats
and other knick knacks that a fellow equine is able to gather themself.

This year, Minty has a crush on another Equid, and had learned
a lot about her. He had learned that Marigold enjoys long strolls
alongside the river that's in a field that leads into a forest. On
Christmas Eve, Minty had asked Marigold if she'd like to go for a
stroll with him. She agreed and it was a date. The two snuck out
of the pasture together, and they walked under the starry night sky,
then a trot in the river. He then lead her through a forest. That
forest then lead them to a Marigold Garden. He knickered at
Marigold and trotted towards the garden. He picked up a mouthful
of Marigold Flowers and walked up to her, offering her the flowers.
"Thought I'd let you know, that I think you're as beautiful as these
flowers, if anything even more beautiful!" She took the flowers,
and they continued on their walk together back into the forest.
The night time stroll lasted for a few hours, it ended with a nice
long gallop alongside the river that lead back to the ranch in
which they live. Marigold's flowers were withering but still
mostly intact. Minty ended their date with an offering of
some gingerbread cookies and a sweet lick on the cheek.

[abney]

Username: abney
Name: Linzer
Link to Raffle Entry: here
Story: He enjoys spending winter evenings strolling through Christmas markets in the nearby towns with friends and family. Vendors always have handmade trinkets and ornaments, fresh baked goods, and hot chocolate in decorated stalls. It's a yearly tradition to pick out a new ornament to hang on the Christmas tree when he gets home.

[LadyCrowsong]

Username: LadyCrowsong
Name: Malac Ander / Malacandra (unsure which version just yet)
Link to Raffle Entry: xXx
Story:
A clear night early in winter after the first freeze had occurred but no creature yet felt pangs of hunger from the frosted food supply? No doubt cues had been set and Mal knew it was time once again to trek hidden mountain passes for his annual personal pilgrimage. He set out shortly after sundown, once the seemingly-blinking glimmer in the sky was undeniably visible, and started toward it slowly and with great strength. By the time the dark dome above would be paling into grey before the blue of day, he'd find a place to rest - probably the same rocky nook as most years prior, and settle himself to sleep til the sun once again gave way to his silent starbound guide. Would the second night see such cleanliness overhead this time? Sometimes it did and other times it did not, forcing him to stay in spot until he could spot his northstar once again.
After the second nighttime of voyaging his muscles would be screaming, but so was the norm and a small sacrifice to make. Resting before the journey's home stretch was never easy between the aches and restlessness and the inner anxiety and excitement of what was about to briefly be his once again! Anticipation built as the weather clouded and snowed. It snowed and snowed and iced and snowed some more on top of it too! Then, once again, clarity came and Mal was on the move for the final furlong.
The dusting over ice crunched lightly, leaving more give to slip and slide than power through. Despite the difficulty, he forced himself forward regardless, insistent to not mind his severe soreness until after his mission was completed. Step by step, picking himself up as needed, he continued.
And when the path gave to a dip into a secluded valley his spirit rose most joyously!
This was the home of his heart, the place he could only come to when the heavens commanded it. Once each passing of the four seasons, always roughly around the same point from the sun, he was guided back and given the chance to rekindle what he had lost so very long ago. To cherish what had been, what has so desperately been missed, and what otherwise could only be carried within himself.
It was not the same as it was back then, this place, but it was all he needed. The respite, the refreshment, everything he experienced while dwelling in this domain was always enough to build him back to returning to regular life for another year again.

[Nanorat]

Username: Nanorat
Name: Grouse
Link to Raffle Entry: Here
Story:

Many horses are afraid of Christmas celebrations humans do, frightened by all the noise and flashing lights and commotion, but Grouse have always been fascinated with the ringing of bells on sleighs! That sound captivated him from his foal year, when he first heard it echoing up the mountain from a distant village below. It was like a million icicles making noise on the wind - how could one place have so many icicles?.. he thought, back then. Next year, he was a brave young colt old enough to wander on his own and dared to go down to see where that strange sound was coming from, and... was enchanted by the dashing sight of a sleigh racing past him, with sleigh horses pulling it all covered with shiny, ringing bells. It was like magical music to him. Since then, it was his favorite thing of the year - the sleigh riding that was creating all this wonderful ringing music. He took a dangerous habit of racing out of his hideout and running alongside the sleigh for a while, before diving back into the woods, making him an equally exciting part of the holiday for local humans as well - however, he'd ignore any treats they'd leave out for their wild guest, whose arrival they awaited each year since he first blazed alongside their sleigh. The only thing he wanted was to hear the wonderful ringing of the bells, and he kept creeping down the mountain just to participate in his favorite part of human holiday. When back up on the mountain with his herd, he tried recreating that musical sound to other equids who werent as eager to go down to human lands, but the closest he could get to it was walking under icicles and softly hitting them with his tail, so they'd make a sound - but it was barely like the bells, and icecicles fell more often than hit each other. His herd still appreciates the effort - hitting icecicles down means they wont fall on someone's head, so this "human sound" seems at very least practical, to them!

[eleutheromaniac.]

Username: eleutheromaniac.
Name: Noel
Link to Raffle Entry: here
Story:

There is always a time of year during the cold season that Noel has noticed the humans hustle and bustle much more than usual. Strange yet beautiful sounds come from the village, something he's heard them refer to as 'singing'. They bring little balls of the sun out and string them along the tops of their homes, and they wake up very early on one special day. Noel's favorite tradition is to sneak into the village that night and observe the humans.

He comes down from the mountains a few hours before sunset, listening to the singing, watching the celebrations, and overall sticking to the treeline. Once the humans start to head to bed, however, he peers through the windows to see the big humans sneak boxes of all different sizes under a tree they brought inside. Why they couldn't have left the tree outside, Noel will never know. Either way, it excites him.

Noel's favorite part of this tradition, however, is what the humans leave for him! Well, the human's are actually spreading 'reindeer food' with their children, but Noel's never seen a reindeer and doesn't know any better. After all, he's the only one who eats the oats spread across their lawns, and the little humans are excited to see that its gone, so therefore it must've been for him to eat!

[mawsoleum]

Username: mawsoleum
Name: Celyn (pronounced similarly to "Kellin," a Welsh name meaning "Holly.")
Link to Raffle Entry: here :3
Story:
In the chilly winters of the land in which Celyn resides, there exists a warm tradition that can thaw and soften even the grouchiest of hearts.

As the snow puffs through the air, twisting and twirling in little dances, the sound of bells can be heard tinkling a short ways in the distance. After a few moments, the origin of the jolly sound just barely breaks over the horizon, and something white can be seen peeking curiously over the snowbanks. As it moves closer, more details of the creature become clear—baubles and ornaments shine splendidly in the sun, casting rays of color onto the ground below. Under all the decor is something nearly spectral in appearance: a white sheet lies over a moving form, rustling over the ground. Bells and small pieces of rounded glass line a thick leather collar, clinking together harmoniously. Ribbons curl around cypress leaves and fall in rows over the creature's neck, forming a cheerful mane. On the animal's head rests a paper mache horse skull, crowned with leaves, berries, and bells, and tied onto a handsome bridle. The equid underneath has stunningly bright, crimson eyes that shine out from under the mask like little ornaments.

A young man leads the animal down a snowy path towards the warm lights that can be seen a way off. Even from this distance the sound of merrymaking can be heard, and wafts of cinnamon and mulled wine flow up the hills enticingly.

During Christmastime the village is aflutter with activity, and tonight is no exception. Loud cheers ring out from children and adults alike as Celyn is paraded into view. A few people scurry off to wait in their houses, while others stay in the square and admire the peculiar costume. A small group trails excitedly behind Celyn as he is led out of the square and towards the first lit home, bells jingling as he picks over the icy path. Once at the doorstep, the tradition begins with a raucous knock. A young couple answers, and Celyn's owner, without so much as a moment's wait, bursts into song.

"Well, gentle friends

Here we come

To ask may we have leave

To ask may we have leave

To ask may we have leave

To sing.

If we may not have leave,

Then listen to the song

That tells of our leaving

That tells of our leaving

That tells of our leaving

Tonight."

The ensuing minutes are spent in a playful back and forth, with the couple at the door answering the Mari Lwyd's requests in song. After a few exchanged verses, the homeowners concede and retreat further inside, returning to the door with cups of mulled wine, small sweets, and a handful of treats for Celyn. The equid takes the treats greedily, glad for the payment, and begins to pull towards the next home. His owner takes a swig of his drink and returns the cup, stuffs his pockets with the well-earned sweets, and follows the lead of his horse.

Through the night the pair repeat this pattern, and each time are rewarded with treats and drink. Upon wassailing at the final home, the two turn back towards the warm glow of the town center. They spend the rest of their night eating their winnings and celebrating the year's end with the townsfolk until the moon rises high in the sky. Under a cloudless sky, the two make their way home, warm from the festivities but thoroughly exhausted.

Celyn tucks himself away in the comfort of his barn, ribbons still tickling his neck, leaves still tangled in his forelock. That night he sleeps peacefully, the once Mari Lywd, and dreams of more houses with more treats, and already cannot wait for the holiday season to come around again.

[blackhoeses]

Username:blackhoeses
Name: Avel
Link to Raffle Entry: xXx
Story: Avel winter tradition is making art with his breath and water droplets. When he was a foal he started on sheets of ice on rocks and ponds. Now that he lives in a herd that spend time near human structures. Avel loves to make art on there windows, those glass windows make the best canvas. And he mostly dose it in the evening after the humans have gone to sleep. The best windows are the young children's windows. They will wake up and rush to the windows to see if the "ice fairy" has come and left ice art on there window. And the sequels of excitement and joy bring Avel so much happiness. This is a tradition he is hoping to pass on to his foals, so that equids and humans alike can keep enjoying the art form the "ice fairy".

[Spiritstar3]

Username:
Spiritstar3
Name:
Snowfire
Link to Raffle Entry:
Xxx
Story:
There’s no mares (yet) at their stables, which he’s a little sad about. He and the others go to neighboring stables. Their human takes them to neighboring stables to visit other equines. They also spread some cheer to the kids and teenagers that are at some of those stables. Those kids have never seen Equids before. It’s a joy to see how happy the kids can get. They give out special treats to the equines. Their human gives out human treats to the kids and teens, and the owners of each stable.