Dear Santa,
Today I am here to regret all the bad things I have done in my life.
I feel bad for cheating on my tests when I wasn't supposed to.
I am sorry for stealing my parents' money.
I am sorry for lying.
I am sorry for doing stuff I wasn't supposed to do.
I am sorry for spending magic stones when it isn't godfest.
I am sorry for not believing in you.
With all due respect Santa,
please.
Give me this Kirin.
I beg for nothing else.
-Sincerely
The PAD community
Threads of white stretched across aimlessly, adorning the earth in layers, beginning first as humble rags, slowly woven into a flowing gown. A soft, dim glow that hovered under the starry night. If only it sparkled with holiday light.
Ah, and there’s the dream that is covered by darkness! Illuminated only by the faint hue of the moon, a soft hope, that even if just for a day, we could all shine under holiday lights, reds, and greens, or at least under the natural beauty of the stars! If only the present were so kind.
Oh, even if just for a day there would be peace, and rather than dividing the world, we would be anxiously preparing for a gathering of the ages. Rows of columns laced in garlands of gold and crimson, shimmering lights and candles that would rival the night sky, and towering trees, a forest of joy under layers and layers of smiles!
Oh, even if just for a night we would all rush towards the great corridors of Heaven. Not only the most graced Gods would have been invited, however -- all beings, from the magnificent dragons to the most dangerous of devils, from the one true God to the simplest shynee -- all would be greeted with a hearty welcome, with happiness…
Oh, even if just for a few hours we would settle by the banquet hall, with a diversity of cuisine the world had never seen! Horus’ and Wangren’s specialties, complemented with foreign delights from the Far East of Toyama Bay’s famous, heavenly udon, and even finished with Bastet’s heaps and heaps of delicately made ice cream, infused with music that made the mouth sing! Even just a simple taste…
Oh, even if just for a few minutes we would exchange our gifts, and our thanks for all this world had to offer! Oh, if only it could be, for even a moment, in which I could extend my gratitude for a momentary peace to all that were once enemies: to see the smile of the elusive yet valiant dragon callers; to reconcile with the mighty Kalis; to reunite with my beloved sister, the Western Tiger...
And in that fleeting moment it would be as if the stars had aligned. Such fools we were, to engage in a useless conflict! We would say. How beautiful it would be if, even if just for a moment, we chose peace over war. Then the world would be reborn! Echo, sparkling bells, with your steady hymns; ring, voices, with the birth of a new era; rejoice, souls, with a newfound peace! From this dreadful nightmare…
…our world would Awaken!
Hurrah! Hurrah!
Tama! Tama!
(Unrelated Author's Note: Still can't get her. Hopefully writing this will appeal the RNGods, Jesus, the One True God (All three? Please?); otherwise I might take up baby goat sacrificing, as suggested on the Hanzo scrolls.)
Grayed out Japanese cards