Well well well, look who caught me on one of my walks. Are you lost or did you want to come and see me today? No matter. Come, walk with me.

I've been thinking for the past month or so about what direction to take from here. You know what I'm talking about, right? The road to Lucid has been tough to access. I don't know which road to take that will lead me straight to him. Even after being put into this post, I hit obstacles and I feel like I failed the one job I was put in to do. You know how hard that is? I got a reputation to keep up here and it isn't easy.

I take these walks to think to myself about what to do next. I tell myself I need to be tough and get tougher if I want to achieve my goals. With a new year comes new goals, but my main goal remains firm. If you wanna help out, be my guest but don't get in the way. Don't do anything foolish to land you on my radar, you got that?

Ha...I'm messing with you. I know you wouldn't be up to no good behind my back. You've done good for the dream world and only a fool would throw all of that way and sneak around when I'm not looking. Stay good. That's my birthday wish for you. I'll be off thinking of new ideas and plans for the DIA. Until then, you know where to find me. You're always welcome in my office. — Sylveran

Welcome and thank you all for coming to this grandeur day.

It has been another 365 days since we last partook like this celebrating what is another passage of time in my life. There is much I could say about what the year behind us and what impacts it left us. In truth, I would be most dishonest if I told you all I expected to be standing here inside of Almoral's residence by the end of the year. No one could have foreseen these peculiar circumstances, but long has it been said that things happen for a reason...

Now that I am here, I am forever grateful to you all. Each of your existences have led to me to continue to exist even if it feels as if I am a bother to try and keep safe. Your willingness to risk your own safety for my safety...our friendship means most dear to me. I hold all of you in my heart in different ways. Epsilon for being a great, trustworthy friend I have known for many years now. Dylan for being a sweet, humorous and adventurous friend who seems to fear no far away land. Traveler for being a kind, risk-taking and honorable friend I have gotten the chance to become friends with. Almoral for being the most humble, respectful, humorous, and yes, charming friend to give me shelter and warmth when no one else could. And of course, Nate for being the light that has guided me from the darkness and given me the honor to call him my sweet but mighty partner who I dare not extinguish for fears of the darkness to return...

I know not what next year will bring. I do still live in fear each day but not for myself. I fear most for you all and constantly wish that your actions will not become consequences but lead us all to a day worth remembering where we can all feel peace. As long as you all continue to exist, I will feel at home. Home is where the heart is at and my heart owes each of you gratitude for being the most amazing group of people I have ever met in my, quite ancient, life. May the new year grant us adventures worth going, risks worth taking, knowledge worth learning, and memories worth making. Thank you all. And now, of course, who wants cake? — Lucid

Traveler, I had a funny feeling I'd bump into you here today!

I'm pretty busy today making sure everything is in tip-top shape before takeoff tonight! I'm even making sure that the selection of music for today is curated just right for the holiday. It's a little funny that a radio station that plays holiday tunes year-round needs to be double-checked today but you never know if something comes up!

This year has been quite great and it looks like we're going to deliver a LOT of presents! It might not be record-breaking but it sure will come close. It's also looking like there will be less people on the naughty list but I really can't say if there's anything in particular contributing to that. Maybe people have been nice this year after last year's events? I don't know but hey! More good in this world is always welcome!

You don't need to gift me anything for Christmas or my birthday! I'm totally okay with that! Although, if you really want to give me something today, why don't you give me some help with these lights and hang them on that brick wall over there? Just making sure this Christmas holiday will be extra bright and merry! Here's to a joyous Christmas! — Rainier