Winter Solstice

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful....

The small bonfire gave a warm touch to the otherwise cold landscape dominated by snow and evergreens. Built by some unknown valedweller, it beckoned with some unseen force, bringing renegades and ringdancers to share in its warmth.

....And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!....

Healers and warriors, mates and lovers, young and old, they came, snow upon their winter coats, firelight glittering in their eyes. What a shame it would be, to leave the fire unused, uncelebrated in its glowing joy. What a shame, to ruin the night with rivalries and enmities, with long hours left of the dark, to spend them cold and alone would be almost a crime in itself.

....It doesn't show signs of stopping,
And I've bought some corn for popping....

So they danced, that solstice night. Friends and enemies, those with secrets shared and hidden alike, they danced. Around the fire, its warmth welcome in the winter ice, as glittering flakes began to fall, subtle at first, then the large, fluffy down that would coat the landscape anew. Firelight dancing upon the snow, a thousand glittering eyes witnessing the dance of the Solstice.

....The lights are turned way down low,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!.....

That little fire, unkempt and alone, was suddenly surrounded by goodnatured company, dancing and frolicking like halfgrown younglings-- sheer joy. And like the little fire, a soft, sweet voice piped up in melodical bliss,

"When we finally kiss goodnight,
How I'll hate going out in the storm!"

And one by one, baritone's and soprano's, rasps and trills, joined in on the song,"But if you'll really hold me tight,
All the way home I'll be warm." as they danced and leapt, racing round the improvised hearth of the rolling, conifer covered hills.

"The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we're still good-bying,"

They sang as one, the song filling the lonely night with the reminder that the winter frost had only frozen the unforgiving ground. Their voices companion to the billions of glittering flakes dancing as surely Alma's eyes did upon the little gathering, hearts and spirits soaring to the heights of the Great Mare herself.

"But as long as you love me so,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"

And one by one, as the hours of the longest night of the year ebbed, as inconspicuously as they had arrived, the unicorns left. Bodies warm from the dancing and fire, souls lit by the simple joy found in sharing time together, they fled. Mares with foals as they wished farewell to their past, rivals broke off to dance a more dangerous dance , horns glinting in the ebbing emberlight. Mates bid goodnight too spend their last hours sharing the warmth kindled with eachother before the responsibilities of life awoke in the dawn hours to come. Friends fled by the pair, content to talk the journey home away, the youth brought back by the firelight still burning bright in the animation and giddyness pushing their limbs forward though the banks. Other stayed, using the remaining embers to warm their souls, for some reason or another they came to dance in the light alone, and so they lay cherishing the warmth, thoughts of those they loved warming and lighting their drowsing thoughts.

....Yes, as long as you love me so,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!.....

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

^{From far left to right: Dex, She, Iambe, Liliane, Juju, Glittir, Balios, Scylla, Eir, Asa, Silvana, Vari, Mo, Devadasa, and Chase.}

My christmas gift to the wonderful patrons and patronesses of the Vale. I'd have filled it with more unicorns, but decent snowspace was out of demand after this group.0.o So I apologise for those who did not make it in.

I had meant to have this finished on the 21st, the actual winter solstice, but, well, I didn't. *eep*

Hurrhurr, snow.XD I absolutely luff the stuff! An' I luff drawin' it all over my pictures.XD I had so much fun making this, its not even funny. It was soo much fun colouring and shading all these guys (And, although you can't see it, I made the best pine trees I've ever drawn ever!) and just trying to puzzle where to place everyone! I wish I'd thought to make the canvas wider to I could stuff even more unicorns into this sucker!

And surprisingly, I didn't f*** up the fire as badly as I thought I would. :^^: And yanno, it was really hard to find a good reference that I couldn't screw up too badly while attempting to recreate it into the scene. I'm still sorta dissapointed with the smoke though.
... And the little story... Well, uh heh, I was sorta listening to that christmas carol while makin' the picture, and had the words stuck in my head... It fits though, eh? I could have added more, but, um, I don't think that it would have been very pg-rated what with Juju in the mix, lol. XD

When I have time tomorrow I'll separate everything and mail out the individual characters to their owners. ^^

Detail Shot: [link]


Various Poses reffed from: *kittykitty5150 ~paula2206-photo and ~Photopolis and my own personal stash of Jigs pictures XD.
Fire referenced from [link]

Image, Asa, Eir, She, Iambe and Chase © =sandeyes13
Scylla (<<3 Love!!!) © =bardicsidhe
Vari © ~DV-Skitz
Balios © *decors
Juju © *Firefeet
Glittir © *BlueFlyer
Devadasa © =SunsetRevelation
Dex (I just luff Dex!!!!) © *Greatalmightyqueen
Liliane (I luff her too!!) © *thunderjam1992
Mo © ~ultrabluey
Silvana © *scaramouche2802

I was very nice and put a small watermark on, so please, don't ruin the holiday by going and stealing this picture if your NOT one of the above character owners! It ain't nice!

Please do not copy, paste, alter or otherwise steal my art without my WRITTEN permission. I will report all persons who I catch doing so.