This is being entered as an entry for the Christmas is in the Air contest here: [link] being held by

Remember that poll, where everyone voted hot chocolate by the fire after playing out in the snow all day? Well I decided to draw that.

I wanted to do a Christmas picture that also was a winter in general picture, and that one could enjoy year round, whether it was Christmas time or not. I made this so I can have it as a hot chocolate mug. I worked on it all day to get it done in time to use as my Christmas cards this year as well.

Tutorial for this picture here--> [link] That is my Christmas present to everyone on dA. ^^

White I made the frost on the window and the floor and wall and fireplace textures myself, as well as a few of the pillows, I used several stock images found at this account for the pillows.
[link]
Check it out, great patterns there!

That is about it. Hope you enjoy and Merry Christmas!

For more art of this Character, follow the links below:
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To see mugs and greeting cards for sale, check these out! [link] [link]

From in the time of Dragons

“Surrender!” Koji commanded in his most adult voice.

The snowman gave no reply.

“So you refuse to give up? Very honorable of you, but for that honor, you shall give your life today,” was Koji’s response to the silence. He charged at the snowman, swinging his stick about wildly, crying out a fierce little war cry… that sounded more like the growling of a kitten. The snowman was proving to be a truly worthy adversary indeed. But it was going to end now, Koji prepared for his final attack, taking the stance he had often seen his father use in practice. But the battle was interrupted at that point by the sound of jovial laughter. Turning around, Koji saw his new neighbor watching him from his porch. Frightened by the sudden realization that this strange man was watching him, Koji hid behind the snowman and glared out at the intruder from around its side.

His new neighbor was a strange man. He looked like a foreigner from the west… but he always tried to dress in the customary attire found in Nippon… though he didn’t do it too well. He was too tall, and his brown hair and blue eyes really stood out. Not only that, but he had no clue how to properly wear a kimono, or that in this freezing weather, one might not want to. Koji couldn’t stand being laughed at by such a person as this.

“What do you find so funny?” Demanded the indignant child.

“Oh, forgive me, little one, but I couldn’t help it, you’re such a cute little girl.”

This was too much. Even though he was shy, he couldn’t stand being called cute and a girl in one sentence! He was a mighty warrior, not a baby girl! “I’m not a girl, you stupid GEIJIN!” With that, he stuck out his tongue and hid behind the snowman again. He was worried he may have angered the big man, and that he might try to do something in response. Fearfully, Koji clutched his twig more fiercely.

“Oh, I seem to have insulted you twice now. Forgive me.” The man said, still chuckling from the sound of his voice.

“Why should I?” Koji demanded. He knew his father would be cross with him for being so rude. His father liked the man, he remembered him saying that he was a good and honest man. But his father wasn’t around and his being behind the snowman he had made earlier gave him confidence, so he didn’t care that he was being rude.

“Why? “ The man started to approach him now, and Koji felt his heart pound more forcefully. “That is a good question. You don’t know anything about me, and I haven’t done anything for you to make amends.”

This surprised Koji, for he had expected scorn rather than agreement. “Right, so just go away.’ Koji said, turning to face the man as he said this to drive the point home that he would rather just play by himself, but as he did so, he slipped on a mound of snow left over from building the snowman, and he plummeted face first into the snow in a very graceless manner.

The cold stung, and the wetness soaked right through his clothes, leaving him shivering. He started to get up, but before he knew it, strong hands were lifting him and standing him on his feet. “That won’t do.” The man said. “Your house is a bit of a ways from here, why don’t you come inside my home and get warm?” The foreigner offered in a friendly tone, extending his hand.

Koji blushed, humiliated by his fall, and nervous about the offer. Different thoughts challenged one another in his mind. Don’t talk to a stranger, one voice kept shouting. I’m cold, another complained. Father trusts him, so maybe he isn’t a stranger. He didn’t know what to do.

The man seemed to realize that there was a conflict, and without hesitating, he pulled out of his sleeve something brown and hard looking. “My name is Mr. Drake, it is a pleasure to meat you… this is chocolate. If you like it, I can give you more in the house.” Koji looked at the offering dubiously. The man was fairly young, so Koji decided that he could trust his sense of good tasting food. Most adults liked to eat gross things, but his friendly expression seemed to imply that this would be good. Tentatively, he took the morsel and put it in his mouth.

An explosion of flavor took hold of his taste buds. It was amazing; smooth and creamy and sweet… it was unlike anything he had ever tasted, and he felt giddy just thinking about it. The man said there was more? His worries seemed to vanish at that thought, and he found himself taking the extended hand and walking dreamily up onto the porch and into the house.

Everything about the interior was strange to him, the way the house was arranged, the large collection of big furniture… the pictures, even the fireplace looked strange… yet very inviting. It was so warm, so friendly, so welcoming, Koji forgot that he was shy and started to look around admiringly. Before he knew it, blankets and a very large kimono were tossed at him to use while his clothes were to be attended to.

“Where’s the Chocoloti?” That was all he wanted.

“Chocolate. I’m going to make you a cup of hot chocolate to warm you, in the mean time, just change and get by the fire; you’re starting to turn blue.” Mr. Drake commanded in a gentle but stern voice.

Koji waited until the man had left the room to change, but he didn’t like the chair that was by the fire, it seemed too strange, and there weren’t any tatami mats around. Then an idea struck him. He went around the room collecting pillows, and when he had all of the pillows in the room, he wandered through the rest of the house, grabbing every pillow he could find, including one that looked like a tiger and one that looked like a bear. After he had a big enough pile… after he couldn’t find any more that is, he settled down.

It was so cozy; he just melted into them, and into the warmth. He didn’t even notice the cat coming in from outside to take its place on the pillows as well. And when Mr. Drake returned with the most delicious looking cup of hot chocolate imaginable, it was perfect. Everything was perfect.

“Thank you, Mr. Drake-Sama.” He said, politely. “My name is Koji. Can we be friends?”

“You only ask because you hope to get more chocolate out of me, but sure.” Koji didn’t argue. It was true.