


Rivkah wrote:
Every Christmas children fly down the stairs, bounce on their parents, and drag them to the Christmas tree for the tradition of opening their presents. They giggle over their new gifts, munch on holiday treats, and end the joyous day with a holiday dinner inclusive of their family and friends. People say that Christmas is a time for charity and love, and yet so many rush past starving children who would do anything for one bite of that dinner everyone else will soon be having. They're stuck on the streets or cowering in shelters, alone and worried about whether they'll be able to eat that day or not. So who tends to those forsaken by the holiday spirit?
"Hello, friend, are you alright?"
Meet Clarence. Having named himself for the angel in "It's A Wonderful Life," Clarence is a kindred spirit raised from the streets who brought the spirit of Christmas onto himself so that deerlings like himself wouldn't have to suffer a joyless holiday season year after year.
His lifelong dream is to be a part of Santa's team as a reindeer that will take care of those in need while Santa does his normal rounds. Now, however, he is content to slip in and out of shelters and past children sleeping in cardboard houses and leave little presents behind; candy, toys, whatever he feels would suit them best, and often morsels that would become their holiday dinner.traits: selfless, nurturing, tender, sensitive, optimistic, hopeful, innocent, passionate.
Clarence carries with him a burlap sack, a shabbier version of the one Santa has, filled with wrapped candy and food, and with little dolls, cars, and other toys that appeal to his age. He never keeps anything for himself, and he never stops until his bag is completely empty. This practice happens every night for the entirety of December, and then more sparsely throughout the rest of the year, because he feels that charity shouldn't stop simply because Christmas is over.enjoys peppermint, candy canes, most candy secondarily, other children, people, charity, kindness, the idea of true love.
does not enjoy selfishness and greed, cruelty, sour food, suffering, crowds, mean adults.
"Spare a penny?"
Clarence had tilted his head at the boy, younger than he was, extending an empty mug to him in hopes of getting a few coins. The older child had obliged, acquitting him to his memory. And sure enough, here he was, a week from Christmas, setting a baked potato and bread wrapped in foil beside the form of the boy, sleeping in a box that night. He didn't like the other children knowing that he gave toys to them, because then they would feel a debt or be inclined to force more out of him. He wanted to help them all, but he had to spread the "wealth" around equally. Maybe tomorrow he could help this boy get to a shelter, at least, so he wouldn't be out in the cold so much. He hauled the heavy sack he carried around over his shoulder, knowing the smell of the food would wake him up in a few minutes, and he didn't want to stick around. Anonymous charity was the best sort of charity; you got to benefit someone with no reward to yourself. It kept you humble.
The child soon grew tired of carrying the sack and took to dragging it behind him. He turned down an alley he knew some kids inhabited, only to collide in the dark with someone. "Ouch! S-" he looked up, squeaking at the sight of a tall, portly man in black boots, jeans, and a red, fur-trimmed jacket. The man had a scraggly beard and weird moon glasses, and he stepped back nervously. Adults in alleys were never friendly. "Sorry mister," he said nervously, "I'll be on my way."
The man, seeming to be in about his sixties, tipped his head to his side with a gracious smile that he never saw in adults, and it was accompanied by a twinkle in his eye that Clarence didn't know was possible. He blushed, noticing he was staring, and stepped back again. "You needn't be so frightened, Clarence," the man said in a soft, kind voice, and before the boy could ask him how and why he knew his name, the man continued to speak. "Don't worry. I only came to encourage you." These words caused him to frown in confusion, and the man said vaguely, "Just keep doing what you've been doing, okay Clarence?" He reached out a hand and ruffled his hair, tapping his petite, slender deer nose with a smile. "If you keep up the good work, you could make a spot on my team one day, just like you want." Clarence gaped at him, mind going fuzzy with shock, and he glanced around to make sure no one was around, before turning back to formulate proper speech.
But the man was gone.
Clarence spun around in confusion, eyes searching desperately, but finding nothing. He felt a gentle wind brush by him, though it wasn't what caused the chill to drip down his spine.
He could hear sleigh bells in the distance.

wrote:✦ my deersserts;; ✦ my ponies;;
[ currently redesigning demon pony ocs ]
[ LAST UPLOAD;; 3.29.26, silver knight ]
cry ✦ kry ✦ kraken | they/them | busy adult
✦ trade thread ✦
galaxy in your bright eyes | nft








wrote:✦ my deersserts;; ✦ my ponies;;
[ currently redesigning demon pony ocs ]
[ LAST UPLOAD;; 3.29.26, silver knight ]
cry ✦ kry ✦ kraken | they/them | busy adult
✦ trade thread ✦
galaxy in your bright eyes | nft
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