Snowflakes flutter down slowly from the sky and collect to form a thick blanket lining the sidewalks and streets of the busy city. A chill in the air bites the gloved fingers of children as they run around, slipping and sliding, laughing as if they had no reason to not.
Colors of all types, reds, greens, and the warmth of amber all glow from lights hung on light posts and businesses all around the city. Horseshoed hooves clatter against the slick roads as the magnificent creatures tug along festive carriages. The faint sound of various songs about cookies and dancing snowmen fills the air and leaves little room for much else. Well, aside from perhaps a bit of joyful laughter as couples spot mistletoe hanging down from the doorways of shops, cheeks red from embarrassment and cold.
Children too young to count babble wildly when they see something they want, arms flapping within jackets that look far too large, their parents smiling faintly as they gently put a toy into their basket of gifts. Lonesome folk go for walks, moods being involuntarily lifted as they look back at their own footprints left in the icy white, noting the pleasant gleam of lights in the melted water within the prints. Teens giggle with each other in small groups near a glowing fountain in the city square, laughing even more when snow slides off the branch of a tree and onto the exposed neck of one of them, water dripping down the poor boy’s back and into his jacket while he tries to get it off of him.
Charity groups sit on every corner, hoping to get a taste of festive philanthropy and, more often than not, they get it. Churches hold sermons and offer warm soup to folks living on the streets, young choir boys sing their little hearts out just outside, caroling as if they’ll never carol again. Some of the boys look to be on the verge of frostbite but they don’t dare to stop singing. One can only hope they don’t get sick of their own voices.
In each home is a hot fire and an almost infectious sense of inexplicable comfort and joy. Some claim it’s brought on by the smell of food, others claim it’s the presence of loved ones, but all can agree the feeling is pleasant and something that should be cherished, much like the food and loved ones themselves.
Cats and dogs and pets of all kinds curl up by their masters or fires in the hearth, seeking attention and above all, warmth. Fluffy trees are everywhere, a cruel trick played on those with allergies, but loved nonetheless for the colorfully wrapped boxes beneath their spiky green leaves. Gold stars mount the tops of some trees, some out of tradition, others of faith.
A grouch or two, and one unfortunate case of three, stand in various inconvenient places to shout about selfishness and religious dogma, receiving nothing but glares and the occasional scarily cheerful threat from people who simply wish to enjoy the season without having someone else’s dissatisfaction poison their glee.
Layers of ice float down a river that runs through the city, a large bridge connecting the two sides and acting as the perfect spot for emotional moments as proven by a couple sharing a kiss on it after one of them finally worked up the nerve to propose.
Moths flutter around lamps lining the bridge, spiders hiding in dark shadows, waiting for one moth to get a bit too close to the sticky traps the spider has built. Fat street rats feast on scraps, plump with disease and undiscovered illnesses, squeaking away as if one bite from them wouldn’t kill an entire population.
Despite this, sometimes one of the many food vendors offering hot drinks and snacks with a gentle smile would toss a treat or two at the rodents, letting creatures nibble on it instead of getting into someone’s trash.
What a pleasant time of year, don’t you think?
