"The night is cold, and the wind is still howling, though the snow stopped falling half an hour ago. Renting a cabin in the mountains had seemed like a good idea at the time; the crisp air, wonderful view, and small-town feeling of the little holiday village was perfect for a winter getaway. But the storm made things feel a lot more dangerous and claustrophobic, as the snowdrifts piled up outside.

Now you're stuck, until the locals manage to get the roads and doors cleared. You'll just have to enjoy the isolation, and the unnatural silence that the snow makes. Quieter than quiet.

So you turn to the window, wondering what the world looks like now. Like a snow-planet, perhaps, or the world of an eternal night.

You certainly don't expect to see the heavy bulk of a Charizard, scarred and dark, illuminated by the fire within your cabin and the flame that burns bright at the tip of its tail. At first, as it peers back in at you, it seems as if maybe it's merely cold, and seeking shelter for the night. But then the long muzzle curls into a sly smile, the green eyes gleam with malice, and with deliberate motions, making sure you can see everything, it opens its maw and draws a thick, slimy tongue across the window. A smear of heavy, steaming saliva is left on the glass, and a single finger rises, pressed to the thin, fragile barrier. Pointing at you.

It doesn't want warmth or shelter on this chill night.

It wants you~"

Way back in December of 2017, I made a Christmas picture that, at the time, was one of my best pieces. It's been a little over two years since then, and I decided it was about time to dust off the concept and see if the years had improved my skills some. Check out the parent post to see the original and compare, if you like.