[ There's some snuffling and a slight wet patch on the screen as the feed begins, shuffling around, and a light-hearted struggle between dog and man taking place while the image shakes around. ]

Hey, boy, stop that. Give it here.

[ Winning, Clint wipes off the device and turns it so that he's visibly lounging across the sofa in pyjama bottoms and a vest with blankets over his lap and two large dogs lying contently over his lower body. He's in high spirits in spite of the time of year and the fact that he'll be spending it alone, but the bottle of whiskey beside him isn't doing any harm. ]

Hey, City. Guess it's that time again, huh? Clocks about to strike midnight, so I figured I'd make the effort and wish you guys a Merry Christmas. Everyone got plans for tomorrow? Just me and these two idiots here, but I've had worse experiences. And if anyone wants to sneak in a quick drink or something? Let me know.

[ The camera starts shaking again, a white paw trying to reach something on his lap, which he picks up and throws off to the side. ]

Well, I hope the jolly guy brings you everything you want.

[ With that, and an audible bang in the background, Clint grins down the lens and ends the feed, clearly getting up as he does to rush off and pick up the tree for the third time. ]

[ Harry opens with a cutesy little number on the new clarinet he's just received:

"Jingle Bells - Christmas clarinet sheet music score" (Watch on YouTube)

Nothing serious or showy, just a little bit of cheer on your network. ]

We don't really do much for Christmas where [ when ] I come from, but... I do think we could all use a little festivity every now and again. So to anyone who is celebrating anything - I hope it was a good one.

[ Goodnight, City - with a smile, the feed is off. ]

[Neil looks pensive, which makes him look older than his years. Or maybe it's just his eyes when he has this expression, having experienced more crap in his short life than anyone should. Still, he's taking a swig from a beer bottle and he seems comfortable, curled up in a cushy chair.]

It was almost Christmas when I first came here. It wasn't Christmas here, but it was back home. I hadn't done any shopping then and I haven't done any now. It's been... Shit, how long has it been?


Oh, fuck it...


Anyway, Merry Christmas or... whatever you celebrate. If you don't celebrate anything holiday-like, have a beer to... to celebrate being alive. Yeah.

[And he has another swig of his beer.]