Candy

The pink feathered Banescale could be a bit much to take in at times.
For some, at first glance, her sharp spikes and curved horns were intimidating.
To adults that is.
Without a single exception, every hatchling or youngling who came near Candy knew that she was the sweetest, kindest soul they would ever meet. That's because the caregiving dragon had a heart filled with Love, and it shone out to every child she encountered. Which led, of course, to one of her two great loves- that of caring for any and all kinder. To them, she was nonna, dame, mother, granmushk and happiness all rolled up in one.
Her other love was making candy, especially the pink and white holiday confections she was named after. So naturally, her favorite time of year was when she could enjoy both of her passions simultaneously.
Every winter, Candy took great delight in setting up a special cooking area, and inviting neighboring younglings to help her prepare a massive amount of sweets to gift to everyone she knew or even just happened to meet during the holidays. This sweetheart of a dragon was especially fond of taking an interest in kinder who were going through difficult times, or were maybe shy and awkward with the other children.
This year, that ol' Christmas Dragon himself had approached her and asked her to set up a kitchen at his Days of Celebration Caraval. And when Nikkoli asked you to help with his grand festival, well you felt very honored indeed.
Candy loved every minute of the Celebration. So many youngling flocked to her tent. Fortunately, many adult dragons came to help. And bags filled with treats were distributed through the Faire grounds.
Her favorite memory of the season came when one evening, after she had called it a night for cooking, Candy looked outside and saw two young dragons sitting outside her tent. She remembered them from earlier in the day, but both had remained on the fringes of the other children. Both appeared quite shy, and Candy could understand. To some hatchlings, they might look frightening. The little girl Veil had thorns growing from her skin, and while among her own clans, this was a sign of beauty, dragons of other clans were sometimes afraid of what was so different to them. The male Guardian, as was normal for his kind, looked a bit intimidating, with his chin whiskers and his intense gaze.
Candy knew exactly how they felt. For many years, she felt apart from other dragons. Her spikes looked scary, and what was shyness often came across as arrogance or disdain. So much so that it took time for the gentle-hearted dragon to become comfortable in her own skin.
Without a second thought, Candy went out to greet the children. Noticing parents nearby, she asked if the younglings could join her in a special candy making session, and the look in the small eyes shining up at her was enough to make her heart soar.
Hours later, a veritable confectionery had erupted in her tent once more- Fiesta Orange Candy, Nougats, caramels, pretzel sticks, candy canes, and of course, chocolats! Both children had indeed been shy at first, but quickly warmed up to the gentle laughter and warmth radiated by the soft spoken pink dragon. Their laughter had filled the tent along with the sweet goodies, and the next day, when her tent opened again, both children were there handing out bags filled with candy to the other kinder. Later that day, she had seen them playing with the other little dragons, not quite so shy, and certainly welcome in their midst.
Candy smiled. This was the magik of the holidays, the magik of sweets and laughter, of children and Love. This was what the holidays were made of.