Hi, I'm Reina, and I've always looked forward to the Advent Calendar during each Winter Starlight Celebration. She paused, her skipping slowing to a stroll. Aside from all the gifts, it always has so many stories to tell, and brings many Neopians from across the world together!

The Christmas Aisha beamed; the Advent Calendar's door was just several steps away. Maybe she didn't have to practice what she was going to say. It might just come naturally, like how she had immediately jumped at the opportunity to help with one of the Winter Starlight Celebration's most prominent features. It was practically her childhood dream come true.

And now her childhood dream was staring her in the face - the door to the large cabin that housed the Advent Calendar, which only ever opened for one month in a year. Quivering with delight, Reina clutched the knob and stepped inside.

But once she was inside, Reina's smile vanished, because...

“You’re late!” said the quiggle, already scowling.

“Sorry, I think I’m in the wrong place; I’m supposed to be working at the Advent Calendar!”

“This IS the Advent Calendar…or at least it was,” he signed, putting his hand over his face.

“With all due respect, boss, what happened here? It doesn’t look like this place is ready for tomorrow at all!”

The quiggle frowned. “There’s been a labour shortage all year. We put a call out on the Faerieland Employment Agency for multiple positions, and you were the only applicant.” He noticed the crestfallen expression on Reina’s face and quickly backtracked, “Hey, hey, hey! We can still make it happen! We can still give Neopia a great Month of Celebrating! We just have to make a few things happen!”

Reina perked up. “Alright, boss, what’s the first thing on our agenda?”

“Alright, number one: stop calling me boss. My name is Steve! Number two on the list is……”

Reina winced at the harsh sound. "Have you tried lozenges, boss- I mean, Steve?"

"Yeah. Anyway, we need to unpack these first. They're full of the decorations."

With a reinvigorated step, Reina marched over to the boxes, humming a little tune. She opened the top box and childhood memories came flooding back. Inside were the Christmas Nova for the tree topper, a candy Christmas tree, and multiple festive hats. She remembered seeing all of these every Advent for as long as she could remember.

Unbidden, a Christmas carol slipped from her lips as a smile graced her features. Her grin grew wider and wider as she opened all the boxes. Here were the Christmas plushies and the Christmas backdrops, the wreaths and cookie tins! Steve even conquered his allergies enough to peek into a few boxes and untangle the lights. While he was absorbed in the task of hanging up holiday light strings, she plopped a Christmas hat on his head.

"Wha-" he whirled to face the Aisha, who smiled innocently while adjusting her own hat. He grumbled, but she could tell he was more cheerful than when she first arrived. "Well, since you're over here, help me with these-"

He was cut off when they both heard...

Both of their heads turned toward the box it came from, eyes wide with concern. "Uh, you didn't make that noise, did you?" Steve asked, looking back and forth between Reina and the box.

"Nope, wasn't me," Reina replied. "Do you think there's something in there?"

"Only one way to find out..." Steve said, gesturing toward the box.

"What, you're gonna make me open it?" Reina asked, irritation on her face. When Steve nodded, she sighed. All part of the job's duties. "Alright, fine."

She crossed over to the cardboard box and slowly opened it, expecting something to jump out and bite her. But instead of a horrible creature, she found a Raindorf, nibbling on a cookie.

"Hey Steve? You're gonna want to come here and look at this!" Reina said, waving him over.

The Quiggle came over and stood next to her, looking into the box. "Well I'll be..."

"How long do you think it's been in there for?" Reina asked, her face going pale. She was starting to worry that it'd been stuck in there all year with only cookies as sustenance.

Steve scratched his head in thought. "Actually, I don't think very long. I think maybe I know where this little guy came from and who it might belong to..."

"Larry, the Bruce a few doors down who sells wintery petpets. See that little mark on that Raindorf's bell on its collar?" The Quiggle pointed inside the box.

Squinting, Reina could make out a small, cursive L on the bell. "I do see it! That means this little guy hasn't been sold yet, right?"

"Exactly." Steve sighed, scratching the Raindorf under the chin as it finished up the cookie. "It's really quite sad, to be perfectly honest. Everyone stalks Larry's shop, hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare Snowickle or Candychan, maybe even walk out the door with one. Petpets like Raindorfs often get overlooked, and, well, some end up wandering for Fyora knows how long."

Reina scooped up the little Raindorf, who immediately took an interest in the baubles in her antlers. "That is pretty sad," she conceded, her mind already hard at work for a solution. The Advent Calendar still needed a lot of work to be ready within the tight deadline, but the little Raindorf had seen enough neglect.

But that could change if... maybe, just maybe...

Reina locked her slender Aisha eyes with Steve's, not an easy task when his Quiggle eyes were so far apart.

"I think I know what to do next," she told him, her face lighting up like a Day of Giving tree.

Steve stared at her like she was crazy.

Noting his expression, the Aisha halted her exuberance. "What's wrong with that idea?" She pouted.

The Quiggle gave an almost solemn snicker. "You think I haven't tried that? Seriously, Neopets will refuse to take a Petpet. Or else they'll just stop coming to the Advent Calendar altogether."

Reina's frown deepened in contemplation. "I'll tell you what." She pointed a paw at him, resolve growing. "You continue setting the place up." She pointed at herself. "I'll round up some more lost Wintery Petpets, and figure out how to make Neopians see them as the adorable little creatures they are." She knelt down to pet the Raindorf. "And you look after the little guy while I'm gone."

He sighed at her, but there was something about her confidence that he just couldn't dash -- or say no to. For her plan to work, Steve supposed they would need a Day of Giving miracle... but those weren't necessarily uncommon, especially around these parts. "Alright, be back here before the end of today, and we'll see what you've come up with."

"Aye aye, bo--Steve!" the Aisha finished before she dashed out of the cabin...

"Surely not EVERY Neopet has a petpet..." she said, not caring if anyone could hear her think aloud. Reina often spoke out loud to herself in order to focus better. She was made fun of for it when she was young, but as she got older she began to care less and less.

"There are so many Neopets out there nowadays. Neopia's population has to be like 200 million!" she declared, immediately feeling a bit embarrassed about thinking a little too out loud. She paused for a moment to reel herself in. Suddenly, she felt a little thump on the leg. The Raindorf wasn't expecting her to stop and bumped into her.

"Are you following me?" Reina asked the little snow buck. The Raindorf gave a light snort in response. Reina chuckled and picked him up. "Do you think you can help me find a way to work in a petpet adoption center for the Advent Calendar this year?" she requested him, only half-joking. The Raindorf gave her a blank stare.

Reina stared back. Looking into the little Raindorf's eyes reminded her of what Steve had said; how petpets can easily get lost and how Neopets just don't want them. She refused to believe it- How could someone NOT want to adopt a poor, abandoned petpet? They're so sweet and usually not too difficult to take care of. Reina was feeling a renewed enthusiasm for her responsibility at hand.

"We can make this work, I just know it!" she exclaimed to the Raindorf, who seemed to almost be feeling enthusiastic with her. Reina squatted down to be closer to the small buck. "I think we should give you a name first," she said, giving him a gentle "boop" on the snout. "I feel like you look like a..."

“Hmmm, no. That’s too on the nose,” she said, snickering at the pun she just made. “How about Dasher? You sure do like to sneak around places and escape!”

The Raindorf batted his eyelashes with the widest of eyes. “Awh! You are totally a Dasher!” Reina cooed to the little petpet. Matching her body language, Dasher seemed to do a little jig before nuzzling the Aisha’s leg.

“My heart, you are so precious!” Reina said, her lips curling into a frown as she was close to tears of cuteness.

“This reminds me of the feeling I get when I open up a mystery bag and get the item I’ve been dreaming of! Just like the Neopets 22nd Birthday Goodie Bag and my new Birthday Gruslen,” she thought to herself fondly.

Reina paused for a moment before gasping aloud. “Ginger snaps, I think I’ve got it!!!” she exclaimed.

“Dasher, how about we do a Winter Petpet Mystery Stocking giveaway for all of Neopia?! No neopet can resist a surprise!” The Raindorf mindlessly chewed on a twig he had found.

The Aisha nodded in agreement with herself before taking off running. “Come on, Dasher. Follow me to go find more lost petpets!” He gave a small grunt as he plodded his hooves clumsily to catch up.

With a heart brimming full of confidence and holiday cheer, Reina rapped on the door, the baubles on her antlers swaying with the force.

A few seconds later, a somewhat haggard-looking but kindly Bruce opened the door. "Oh? My, you're dressed as if it's the Day of Giving already!" he chuckled. His voice reminded her of a cup of hot Borovan. "Do come in, I've got quite the...selection." Larry paused, his smile flickering at the last word, but then looked up as a bit of movement caught his eye.

"Wait a moment, have you brought this little Raindorf back to me?" Larry scooped up Dasher, twisting the little bell on its collar. Sure enough, the cursive L was still there. "I was worried sick! Thank you kindly, young Neopet."

Reina shook her head, the baubles belatedly swinging. "Actually, Dasher's with me," she said, reaching out for the little Raindorf. "I work with Steve at the Advent Calendar, and was actually going to ask you for some help."

"Does that old coot really think I'm young and spry enough to man the Advent Calendar? I know he's understaffed and that we go way back, but I've got a business to run," the Bruce chortled. "Awful kind of him to think of me, though, and nice to hear that you're going to take care of this little fellow." The Bruce tickled Dasher under the chin, who chirruped happily in response.

"We actually want to help you, too!" Reina exclaimed, excitement taking over any real need to correct him. "We're going to do a Winter Petpet Mystery Stocking Giveaway at the Advent Calendar! Every day in the Month of Celebrating, along with the regular prizes, a Neopet can take home a petpet, and that'll solve the problem of too many petpets without a home!" The arm that wasn't holding Dasher waved more and more frantically as she continued.

Reina stopped for a second, looking at Larry. To her shock, the older Bruce seemed...unhappy. There was no mistaking it; tears were coming into his eyes!

"Wha...what's wrong?" Reina faltered, utterly failing to comprehend.

"Come sit beside me, young one." Larry waddled to one of two overstuffed chairs in front of a roaring fireplace, and plopped down into one. Reina gingerly took a seat in the other, Dasher in tow.

The Bruce did not look at the Aisha as he spoke, but stared hard into the ever-changing flames. "I see it in you. Innate Day of Giving spirit. Not many are blessed with such a gift, but at times, a large heart can be a curse."

Reina blinked. What did that have to do with the petpets?

"Have you thought much about what would happen after the Winter Starlight Celebration? To the Neopets whose lives you'll have touched, however briefly? To the petpets given to Neopets as a surprise?"

Reina bit her lip, unease creeping into her normally bright demeanour. Before she could voice her response, the Bruce continued.

"Look, your heart's in the right place. And it's absolutely admirable of you to want to right the wrongs in this world and bring a little more happiness into it. That's why we're here, after all, in Happy Valley. But the truth of the matter is this: not everyone is capable of taking care of petpets.

There are some who come to the Advent Calendar for the Neopoints given daily, and cannot easily sustain themselves without help from, say, the Money Tree, or Charity Corner, or the Giant Omelette. To give a petpet to such Neopets would increase strain upon them, mentally and physically."

Or perhaps, Fyora forbid, there are cruel Neopets who would use the petpets for their own nefarious purposes. But more likely than not, the petpets that Neopets are not ready to care for would end up abandoned all over again, this time with dashed hopes of adoption. I hate to tell you like this, but it's the reality of the situation. We've tried to mitigate it for years."

The Bruce tore his eyes away from the fire for a moment, and looked at Reina.

Reina was visibly shaken, streams cascading down her cheeks as she gripped the Raindorf tightly in her arms.

"It's not fair," she choked out. "All I ever wanted was to make others happy..." Quiet sobs racked her body as she bent over Dasher, who, sensing her distress, gently nibbled at her antlers. Even the baubles on her antlers were trembling in misery.

"I'm so sorry," Larry sighed, rising from the chair and walking towards her. "I know it's upsetting, and it hurts especially because you care so much." He wrapped his flippers around the weeping Aisha, and squeezed. "It's going to be okay."

Empty though his words were, they still soothed like a cup of hot Borovan.

The Bruce looked conflicted, then lifted her face to his. "Look,” he began. “I truly think someone like you is just what the Advent Calendar needs. We can go ahead with your idea, but let's give the Neopians the choice to adopt rather than springing it on them," he suggested. “How does that sound?”

Reina sniffled and gave a shaky nod. That did sound like a good change.

"Not to mention goodwill is not limited to the Month of Celebrating. Every petpet that gets adopted to a good home is one less that's neglected, and that can take place any time of year."

Reina heard the wisdom in Larry's words and latched onto them like a Hasee to a doughnutfruit. "You know what, you're right," she conceded thoughtfully, her voice still shaking.

Things would change. The Advent Calendar would not only serve as an advent to the Day of Giving, but Giving overall. Even after the Winter Starlight Celebration was over, helping others would still be an option.

Dasher nuzzled her cheek, and she stroked his ears in response. Reina's mind whirred once more, filled with new purpose. "Let's go set up at Steve's."

How will this story end?

“I was in such a hurry to come here, I forgot to search around for any of the little guys, and now I’ve got to run back to Steve’s to set up shop, figure out how we’ll find people who want to adopt our Petpets, and then—“

The Bruce stopped her speeding train of thought with a pat on the shoulder. “Don’t you worry, young one. Any friend of Steve is a friend of mine, and fortunately for you, I think I know where lost Petpets like to hide around town. I’ll be over in a jiffy when I find them.”

***

Reina ran back to the Advent Calendar headquarters as fast as she could manage. Pushing open the door, she shouted, “Boss—I mean, Steve! Larry said he’d help us find lost Petpets, so let’s—“

Reina’s next words caught in her throat as she saw a large crowd of Neopets gathered in the room, chattering pleasantly amongst themselves as they beheld the piled-up boxes and half-assembled holiday decorations on the walls.

“What’s… this?” Reina had time to mutter, before one of Steve’s arms poked out through the crowd, parting it just enough for him to pass through.

“Hey, Reina,” the Quiggle greeted, looking almost pleased with his employee’s reaction to the crowd. “Wouldn’t you know it, looks like lots of folks are interested in adopting out those Petpets you were worried over!”

“I see that.” Reina attempted to get a headcount of the crowd, adding one-by-one, but she stopped once she reached the double digits. “How did you do it?” she asked instead.

“Me?” The Quiggle gave a weary shake of the head. “I didn’t do this—no way! The crowd you’re seeing, they just all came in here, y’know…”

Reina crossed her arms. Dasher attempted to do the same. “I may like Christmas shopping,” the Aisha said, narrowing her eyes, “but even I’m not buying that.”

“Oh, fine.” Steve threw his hands up in an exasperated motion. “You got me. I may still have had an account balance with the Faerieland Employment Agency that I used to take out an ad for your little Adoption Center shenanigan—but don’t thank me! I just felt bad for you not being able to find anyone who wanted to adopt your Petpets!” He turned, back facing Reina, and muttered, “Yeah. That’s why.”

For a moment, Reina was overcome with gratitude. While she was over at Larry’s getting a grim talking-to about the realities of her plan, Steve had taken it upon himself to post an advertisement for the Adoption Center far and wide! Reina felt tears of joy pooling in her eyes, but before she could let them fall, she stepped back and directed her attention at the crowd. Gathering her voice, she spoke.

“Hello everyone! Thank you for coming to the Advent Calendar Adoption Center’s grand opening. I’m Reina.” The Aisha paused, gulping as she noticed everyone’s attention was on her. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest, and she thought her legs might start shaking…. until Dasher rubbed up against them, the collar on his bell jingling reassuringly. Wasting no time, Reina knelt and scooped the Raindorf up, cradling him gently in her arms as she addressed the crowd with new confidence.

“I’m not sure if you all know this, but it’s my first day working here at the Advent Calendar.” She cleared her throat nervously at the silence that met this revelation, but pressed on. “It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to work here and help spread the holiday magic to Neopets around the world, but as I started to set things up, I noticed that sometimes, important things fall through the cracks.” She paused to give Dasher a scratch on the head, remembering how, just a few hours before, he had been stuck in a box with nowhere to call home. “Especially lost Petpets. There are so many of them here, and they all deserve good, caring homes.

At first, I wanted to solve the problem by gathering up all the lost Petpets I could find and giving them away to anyone who came to the Advent Calendar… but I realized that was wrong of me. I made the mistake of thinking everyone would love these lost Petpets as much as I do, and be capable of giving them a happy life, but I was wrong…”

A murmur washed over the crowd. At first, Reina didn’t know why, but then she felt a trickle run down her cheek. Setting Dasher down gently on the floor, she wiped her tears. “I’m sorry….” she whispered, shaking her head. “I don’t want to make you all sad, too…”

Reina felt a hand come to rest softly on her shoulder. “No need to cry, young one,” a familiar voice reassured. When the Aisha looked up, she saw Larry standing beside her, a legion of Wintery Petpets in tow aboard a shiny sled behind him. “You—and Steve—have done a great thing today. I didn’t know if I wanted to believe in this wild idea of yours—not at first—but I think…. I think you helped me realize that even seemingly impossible things can be done, if we aren’t scared to try them.” A warm smile appeared on the Bruce’s face. “So for now, take heart. These Neopets gathered here have from come far and wide precisely because they’re the kind of gentle souls who can give these lost Petpets the love and attention they deserve, so don’t let my frank words from earlier discourage you.”

Hesitant, Reina looked out over the crowd, and saw numerous concerned faces. There were Neopets young and old, short and tall, with a wide variety of clothing reminiscent of other lands. Some carried Petpets already, and as she looked over the crowd, Reina felt a growing sense of kinship with them. Her tears dried, and she began to smile once more, still cautious, but gaining confidence with each moment that passed. “Well then,” she said… “I guess that means we should get to work!”

***

The next few hours were busier than Reina had ever experienced. With help from Steve, and a few of the would-be Petpet adopters, the Adoption Center came to life piece by piece, complete with large enclosures for the Petpets to run around in, snacks and hot cocoa set up on tables for attendees, and a bowl of specially-made cookies for Dasher and his newfound Petpet friends to munch on.

Over the course of the day, Reina made several new friends herself—many of whom were also holiday fans—and many of whom shared her frustration with the lack of adoption centers for lost Petpets. She was asked more times than she could count whether the Advent Calendar Adoption Center would become a yearly event, and after consulting with Steve (who was still quite flustered with the response his advertisement had gotten) Reina was given the green flag to continue operations for as long as she wished.

Several hours later, as Reina closed the door behind the last attendee—who departed with a happy-looking Fir—the exhaustion and excitement of the day finally hit her. Wobbling slightly, she slumped against the door, feeling her eyelids droop as she opened her mouth to let out a yawn that echoed through the room. “Wow, what a day,” the Aisha murmured, smiling happily as she thought of the lost Petpets who’d found new homes through the Adoption Center. She couldn’t believe how much she, Steve, and Larry had been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time… it was, truly, a holiday miracle that everything had come together so nicely.

Before Reina could slip into a snooze, Dasher ran over and jumped on her lap. Cookie crumbs dusted his face, and there were sprinkles stuck in his antlers. “Someone went a little wild with the sugar,” Reina commented, laughing as she ran a paw over the Raindorf’s warm coat. A second later, she paused, thoughtful. “You know, you and I don’t make a bad team. What do you think about staying here with me and helping run the Adoption Center from now on?”

Dasher cocked his head, looking at her with wide eyes. Then he nuzzled his head against her torso, purring almost like a Kadoatie.

“I guess that seals the deal,” Reina laughed. With what little energy she had left, the Aisha stood up, bringing Dasher with her to one of the large windows at the front of the room. In the distance, she saw Neopets in heavy coats fashioning majestic snow forts, snowballs sailing overhead, and when she craned her head to the right, she could glimpse the twinkling lights of the Ice Rink, fully decked out in holiday style. Seeing it all, Reina couldn’t help but smile.

Of all the ways her first day at the Advent Calender could have turned out, she quite thought this was the best one.

The End,