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It feels like Christmas.

It's a simple little phrase. But it's a meaningful one, isn't it?

The last two years, these little soliloquies have focused on the aftereffects of the pandemic and the lockdowns. The tears, the strife, the uncertainty and the pain that have touched all our lives. And now... well. It would be wrong of me to say we're past it all, but...

We're meeting up. We're hugging. Smiling. We have conventions again, furmeets again, afterparty get-togethers and dates and dinners and drinks and hugs. So many hugs.

...To the extent that perhaps there are too many of them. I've spent more Saturday nights away from my home than not this year, and sure they've all been great times, but they've also all been busy times! I've talked to so many people who are tired and worn-thin with all the many, many things we have on. We're all eager to reconnect, to reach out and reforge those bonds, and finding so much happiness in doing so we just can't help but keep going and-

And maybe that's alright.

Maybe there's no lesson to take from this, no change we need to make in our behaviour. Not really.

If we need a break, we can take it. If we need to stop, we should. But if we're having fun, and connecting, and living, and loving - loving like we've not been able to for years, and so, so happy for it...

...

Why shouldn't we?

It feels like Christmas, after all.

So let's enjoy that.

---

Going by head position, left to right, and from top to bottom when ambiguous...


Phoenix

In times when socialising online has become sparse, you've been there to drag me on and make me paint grinning hyenas while we talk about nothing and everything for a few hours. It's always a pleasure doing so, and hanging out with you and your lovely Lucario - to the next year, both of ya~


Nico

You're always a ray of sunshine, even if it's one with an intriguing tint to its light as it flits through curiously dark clouds. You're so kind and sweet and ever-supportive, I can barely imagine a more caring and thoughtful person. Merry Christmas, you wonderful cat!


Shadow

It's always a touch awkward I find, meeting up with people and chatting - in VR or in real life. But whenever we do, you bring such an invigorating and delightful air to the conversation that it just never becomes dull, tired, or anything - there are only happy times when you're around, full of hugs and toothy smiles and great pictures. Thank you for the good times, and may there be many more <3


Mali

I haven't hung out with you as much as I was hoping this year, but hey - isn't that what the future is all about? Your tireless enthusiasm for adventure, your eagerness for fun and camaraderie, it all jumps through what you type and say - and it's a joy to be around <3 Merry Christmas!


October

Times have been hard beyond words. But you have a strength, a smile, and a community that have carried you this far - and will hold you up in times to come. I said last year that you're loved more than you think, and that hasn't changed. Take care, and Merry Christmas.


Dill

I sometimes write that a smile is evident in someone's speech, even if the person can't be seen. I think to prove that, one need look no further than you, and it brings a smile to my face as well whenever you come onto a Discord call to prove it. You're sweet and kind and polite and lovable in so many ways - I hope you have a fantastic Christmas! <3


Jones

There's an insatiable curiosity and wonder about you that I can't help but admire. We can be talking about any old topic, and you'll suddenly get this look on your face and ask a question - and if I can answer it, you'll ask more and more, delighting in seeing this new part of the world opening up. Hell, I've never had someone so eagerly ask me to teach them mathematics before! And hell, this isn't even talking about all the good times you've given me that I can't help but express appreciation and delight for - the conversations, the games, and far more... Merry Christmas, Jones! <3


Vivi

There's this adorable care, consideration, interest and enthusasim that leaps through your words - when they're not just adorable squeaks flitting through conversations! It's always a delight getting to spend time with you Vivi, and the fact that I have yet more on the horizon can't help but bring a smile to my face. Merry Christmas~!


Vappy

There's a lot that goes on in that sweet head of yours. We'd be wandering through the Estrel's wide walkways and chatting, and I'd say something, and you'd respond not in the way I'd expect you to - something insightful, or passionate, or betraying some deep thoughts about the topic that I barely had to touch on to get you to talk about. It speaks to a real genuine nature, an enthusiasm about kindness, and a zeal for caring that I can't help but admire. Getting to see you smile - both in suit and out - was a highlight of the year. Thank you for letting me experience it with you <3


Me! DV! Hi!

Last year, I told myself that things would be okay.
This year, I can tell myself that... they are. That I'm okay. That I got through a dark time in my life, and I am so, so much happier today than I was a year ago, and I can't tell you how happy that makes me. Oh, I'm not there yet, not fully down this path, but my goodness if these days haven't found me happier and stronger than I've been in a long time. And man... it just... it feels so good.


Feris

What a wonderful year I've had connecting more with you than I've ever done so before! From the meeting of friend groups to watching you dance around in your suit - even to your comments about my art! It's been a delightful time and I'm so glad I've been able to spend it with you. Merry Christmas!


Lakuta

You're one of the most curious and unique people I know hun, and the amount of time this year I've got to spend with you has been just delightful. From SummoningSalt and Doctor Who (and the surprising and frankly worrying difference in quality between those two), to Plaisir ideas, board games, VR hangouts, and much more, we've had so many times that I treasure - just as I treasure you as one of my closest friends. You're such a wonderful person to have in as a friend, and I care about you so much. I look forward to seeing many more of your smiles in the new year - be they of joy or evilness :3


Gravee

'Boundless energy' is a phrase thrown around a lot today, but I don't think it's quite fitting, since 'Bounding' is absolutely how I picture you in general. You're such a vibrant fire, sometimes literally, and I've not hung out with you nearly as much as I wanted to this year - so let this be a threat, that we will do it more in the year to come <3 Merry Christmas, bean!


Jenna

Hahaaa, last year I hoped I could draw for more of your stories... mission accomplished! It's your fault, really, for writing such good stuff. Can't get rid of me, can you? It's also what comes of being a kind soul, a good friend, and such a delight to spend time with. I look forward to all the VRChat hugs and the bug shootin' we get to do - and the fact that I'll get to do yet more of it with you in the new year honestly makes me so happy. I'm so happy you're in my life, hun <3


Wrince

Fuck, I dunno what to say here, I mean, don't I say it enough? One of my longest friends, one of my oldest friends, one of my best friends, and one of the people I love to hang out with time after time. Well, this is the time for me to say it all again, so fair enough! You're a pleasure and a gem in so many ways, rat, and I'm so happy I get to spend time with you every time I do. Take care, and Merry Christmas <3


Anthracite

So like, when we meet up in VRChat, you always have this same entrance - you float up, arms just not quite crossed, leaning back on one foot, and a smile on your face that I swear is mirrored in real life. All you need to do is say 'Hello~' in your sultry voice and you've ensnared me into needing to say lovely things about you. You're so interesting and fascinating in a way that can even intimidate me, in the wow-they're-hanging-out-with-me? way - and in that vein, I'm so happy that you do <3 Thanks for all the good times, and I look forward to many more <3 May our schedules be kinder!


Zephyr

Your energy that leaps through the screen is always so delightful, hun - from the insatiable desire to cuddles to the little gifts, you paint a picture of yourself as a sweet, kind, and loving soul that I'm very happy to have in my life :3 I hope you have a great Christmas, hun - you deserve it! <3


Garm

For such a rough, spiky helhound, inside you're... just as rough and spiky, but like, in a good way. Mostly :3 ...Either way, thank you for the wonderful times, the games and the chats and the mutters and smirks late into the night - it's always a pleasure <3


Yuri

I want you to know that I'm fairly introverted. I feel awkward in voice calls and social situations, and worry self-consciously about the thoughts and opinions of others more than I let on sometimes, even if those people are close friends. The same cannot be said of you - you're the person I can game with as a way to recharge my batteries, someone I look forward to hanging out with at the end of long and busy days. We share many delightful little aspects and loves, and I feel so happy and eager confiding in you about anything. You're such a special person in my life, Yuri - thank you for all the good times, and here's to many, many more <3


Clawdragons

You're a fascinating person to talk to, hun - you have this calm and thoughtful demeanour, a careful and considered way of speaking... that then totally breaks down when you're talking about a beautiful dog you just saw. And it's so wonderful to hear and see, both sides of that! Thank you for the good times, and the introduction into spaces I've barely tread before. Always an utter pleasure <3


Amarok

I met you in real life this time! Not just in VR, not just jumping on each other's heads, but actually physically, and it was such a wonderful blast from the past. Spending time with you is always so delightful, and your curiosity and interest in the world and life around you is infectious and so sweet to see. Plus, you're hot as fuck. I look forward to more great times in the future, hun <3


Ryke

Thing is about these messages, it's where I can peel back social norms for a moment, and be honest about the love I have for my friends in a way that would feel awkward otherwise. Unfortunately, your karate-kicking of social norms kinda breaks down those barriers anyway, so there's not much left for me to say here that I haven't already. But even so - you're someone who's so tirelessly enthusiastic about life, so focused on the people in it, and living in the moment... it's an utter joy to be in your presence hun. From the raucous good times to the quiet moments where I've needed your thoughtful and encouraging counsel, it's been a delight from start to finish. Thank you for being in my life, you wonderful raptor <3


Maple

What a year, eh? But heck, it's been one that's been interspersed with good times, vibrant times, when we've been together. Your voice takes on a little tone that lets me know when you're smiling in a certain way - y'know, the certain way that makes me worried about fires or property damage in the near future - and it's just a joy to hear. You're a wonderful person hun, so deserving of every friend you have and so much more, and I can't wait to spend more good times with you in the future <3


Jemmysponz

When I talk with you, there's this awareness I have about you - that you have a heart so full that it keeps spilling out in your words, from little comments to great shouts of love and appreciation. And heck, it's so good to experience! I'm so glad I got to show you around a little bit of my world, and I look forward to going around many more in the future with you <3 Merry Christmas!


Reno

I've noticed that you have this air of quiet professionalism about you - a (well-deserved) confidence in yourself and your abilities - that I can't help but poke at with jokes and fun asides. Because here's the thing; like an Arcanine's flame, there's this warm and loving centre to you that's so sweet to see, and an enthusiasm about works big and small, great and silly, that I love getting to see, even if I need to draw it out. Spending time with you at Eurofurence was so much fun, and I treasure it a lot - whatever country we end up in next, I know it's going to be a lovely time with you there. Good luck and congratulations in advance for what's going to be an amazing year for you hun - but in the meantime, Merry Christmas <3


Trio

So when we were playing poker this year, people dropped off until it was only us two, chatting idly over fleeting hands. Now, of course I don't remember any of the cards of course, and even what we talked about is passing into the haze of the past - but I remember being so in-the-moment, so at ease, so enjoying this moment of getting to connect with an animator and a person I admire so much. I want to relay this as a way of showing you how much I appreciate you, and the times we get to spend together - and I really, really do look forward to getting to see you again in the future. You always make for amazing times, hun - Merry Christmas <3

---

And for everyone else who can't fit onto this packed screen:

For the many friends that I care so much about, who have made me smile this year and spread much happiness - Hero, Karu, Lone, Fetzi, Kine, Neroj, Kali, Cypress, Saja, Zee, Jay, Artemis, Unknowndruid, ABWolves, Sombreon, Faolan, Seth, Nicobay, Silver, Freaky, Alex, Dryftwood, Gale, Fang, Max, Karaway, Blu, Halbean, Anolise, Ashy, Link, Kenko, Flur, Ammy, Sirfox, Java, Ezra, Sandalf, Koda, Rong, Sai, Wolfgang, Styx, Daemon, Kro, Akito, Psylantwolf, Digi, HateEven, Aqua, LordSalt, Karn, Manic, Zunder, Naika, Deci, Shadow - gods, so many more... you've all made my year better in your own ways, and I love and appreciate you all <3

To the people of Café Plaisir; I've seen and written many a fantastic story this year. Seeing this project that's so dear to me go from strength to strength is just wonderful, and I look forward to seeing where it goes <3

To my fellow Someone's PC creators - Xianyu, Pokégirl, BRN, Z-Byte, CanadianBacon, and all our guest artists and writers - this project invigorates and inspires me so much, and I appreciate getting to create with such talented folks <3

And to the patrons of Someone's PC - thank you! You keep me creating in a world that I utterly delight. This year has seen me make some of my favourite pieces in the universe, and I'm always so happy to see your reactions to it <3

To my commissioners! You know who you are, and you give me so much faith and confidence in my work. Getting to share in your characters and worlds for a moment is wonderful, oftentimes sexy and alluring, and always fun. Thank you, and I hope there can be many more of you in the future <3

To the staff of Eurofurence - you came back this year in a way that everyone needed and appreciated so much. You made a convention at a time that we needed one, and I could feel it throughout - it was a roaring success. I've never cried while leaving a con before - it was that good, and I'll treasure the memories I made there. Thank you <3

And to everyone else - even you, reading this. I hope this year has been kind to you, has been full of the vibrant times that I've been talking about. You're each a potential light in this world, and no-one can live a life without spreading at least a few smiles and joys. So rejoice in that which you've done, and look forward to a new year full of yet more of that - it's a world that's better to have you in it, and one with such happiness waiting to be experienced.

Merry Christmas, to everyone.

And, of course...

Enjoy <3


~Dark Violet