Reindeer House

Here’s the beginning of a story for you — about a group of human-like reindeer (yes, people with antlers) who share a gorgeous boarding house and prance their way through life together. It’s lightly Japanese-inspired: a touch of cosy pandemonium, a hint of chaotic magic, and plenty of everyday adventures. Think late-night tea, unexpected friendships, and antlers that get caught in doorways more often than anyone admits.

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“Hello everyone!! Welcome to Santa’s Reindeer Stables Boarding House~!!” Rudorufu cheerfully swung the camera toward the large carved wooden double doors. “Through here we have the foyer, where— WHAT. ON. EARTH. HAPPENED?!!”

The foyer looked as though a festive natural disaster had swept through: coils of fairy lights, tinsel in suspicious knots, paper chains dangling from the chandelier (still slowly swinging side to side), and baubles rolling gently across the floor like glittering tumbleweeds.

“Hello, darling~!! Isn’t all this glitter absolutely faaaabulous?” Bikkusen sparkled into view — because of course he did — draping a strand of tinsel around his shoulders like a boa and striking a pose that would’ve broken at least three camera lenses.

A colossal Christmas tree loomed in the corner. The others were enthusiastically decorating it — “decorating” here meaning “launching ornaments at the branches and hoping for the best” — entirely oblivious to Rudorufu’s arrival.

“Rudoruuuufu~ Lookie!!” Kyuupiddo looked up at him with syrupy-sweet eyes, a half-eaten gingerbread man in one hand and a matchbox in the other.

“PUT. THOSE. DOWN.” But before Rudorufu could confiscate anything, Buritsen called out from behind the tree. “Aah, Rufu-chan!! Welcome, welcome!!”

“WELCOME?!” Rudorufu sputtered. “Do you guys not remember I’m supposed to be filming the enlightening video to introduce our readers to the boarding house and its inhabitants?!!”

“That’s easy!!” Dansaa chirped, emerging from behind the tree with a bauble somehow caught in his hair. “We’re all here, right? Come on, don’t be a Scrooge — help us decorate! The vibe is, like.… festive chaos!! Perfect introduction.” “It’s mostly chaos,” Puransaa muttered from somewhere near the floor. “The festive part is debatable.”

“I swear this room was perfectly tidy earlier….” Rudorufu mumbled, clutching the camera like a lifeline. Then, defeated: “A-Anyway…. welcome to the boarding house…. please…. enjoy your stay.…”

Behind him, the paper chain stuck on the chandelier came loose and fell straight on Bikkusen’s perfectly styled hair.

He dramatically collapsed as if mortally wounded.

To be continued....