Vixen & The Viper - Baby It's On The Cold Outside [a specterverse xmas novella]

Chapter Four : Mistletoe

Mishka Ivanov

... The Following Evening ...

December 23rd, 6pm
Location Unknown, Yabinka National Park. Strysakstan.
Somewhere southwest of the city of Al Aqsan.

After dozing in and out for what felt like an eternity of unrest, I had awoken with my senses still dulled by the latest dose of painkillers that Venom had left at my bedside..
They help to numb the pain, but do nothing for my worries..
Unable to lay in bed a second longer, I climb to my feet and cross the knotted timber floor to stare out the windows of the cosy cabin.. Seeing nothing but a flurry of angry sleet outside as the storm swallows the last of the sunset light and it is then I forget about my headache for just a moment.. When I lift my fingertips to touch the frosted glass, I find the pane chilled to ice and quickly withdraw my hand as the realisation that I am indeed stuck here begins to sink in..

I am trapped... In a small cabin... With a Strange man..

I suppose I should be grateful for the warmth of this place and the generosity of its owner.. After all, He could have left me out in the woods to die, but instead, he opened his home to me, albeit begrudgingly..
Surely it takes a kind soul to do something like that, and though he has done little to convince me he has a soul at all, I can't help but feel lucky that he and Feliks had stumbled upon me when they did..

And so, I am determined to make the most of this experience.. I will find the silver lining and allow its sparkle to uplift my spirits..

-KNOCK-KNOCK-

There is a soft rap at the door before a deep voice resonates from the other side.. "Mishka?"

"Yes?" I turn in place, leaning against the windowsill for support, since I am still feeling somewhat woozy from the accident and dozy from the meds.

The door creaks when he pushes it open and The Ice King enters, his ginormous dog following closely at his side.. "You will eat?"

The offer is blunt and harsh, though well intended.. So I smile, softly questioning his strange phrasing.. "Are you asking if I am hungry?"

"Da-" He rubs the back of his neck with a pensive frown.. "Iz you hungry?"

"A little.." I beam back at The Ice King, determined to see him thaw..

Instead he waves a hand, motioning for me to follow him.. "Come, Snezhinka.."

Making our way out into the living quarters in silence, I glance around at all the handcrafted furniture, each piece made from intricately carved timber.. A simple suede sofa sits in the centre of the room and the hearth burns bright with a blazing stone fireplace fixed on the far wall.. Dimly lit by the glow of a gas lantern, animal furs of different kinds adorn the chairs and floor of the living room.. This space, while lacking in luxury, is still so inviting and cosy..