Back when he was still working as a guard captain in Oplentis, one of Azurium's favorite times of the year was the Winter Solstice. Every year for the decade he worked as Volpes's second-in-command, he would dress up in the same red costume. Using the money gained from the Titan Syndicate's illegal activity, he would buy and commission toys from local artisans, giving them away to the children of the poor district as a multifaceted economic stimulus, promotion of locally sourced goods, and publicity stunt for his reformed (brainwashed) city guards.

Now working in Magistrum City as a ranger, there's technically no longer a need for such pomp and circumstance. The Rangers are already well beloved for their efforts in preserving the local ecology, and even the less fortunate in Magistrum City are generally well-cared for, as the city itself is able to provide for their basic needs.

Still, there is always room for improvement, and the occasional gesture of good will. After petitioning both his bosses and the Magistrum's council, he was allocated some discretionary spending in order to continue his tradition. Between students ever eager to showcase their burgeoning skills and craftsman guilds providing a selection of gifts for the Winter Solstice festivities, the large tigerkin did not wont for choices.

Thus, though he had left his old costume back in his hometown of Oplentis, the tradition lived on in his new hometown. Only this time, his very first visit would be to the young cub he was too eager to abandon all those years ago.

It would be a daunting task to make up for ten years of neglected, but he had to start somewhere. It didn't matter if he was up to the task, he wouldn't fail his son again, nor the people of the place that took him in.

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Happy Holidays from me and the rest of the Crossroads Crew! And thanks to  Marsel-Defender for this incredible YCH.

Please favorite the artist's submission here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/59226016/

Art by  Marsel-Defender
Azurium and world belong to me.