Okay, before I gush over it, please read this so you know what all's going on here:
This is a picture of Kval & Lyza as Ded Moroz (Father Frost) and his grand-daughter, Snegurochka; traditional mascots of the holidays in Russia (as the Alatyrtsevs are Russian). They are dressed in very traditional attire, including Kval wearing valenki (his boots), and Lyza wearing a kokoshnik (the head-dress).
Kval is also holding the magical staff, and Lyza has a braid which is strongly associated with Snegurochka (Snegurochka is also typically depicted in light-blue or white--This is completely coincidental to Lyza's favorite color being baby-blue, but I love that it works all the more because of that!) The patterns on at least Lyza's coat are fairly common for the character she is portraying.
The writing is: С Новым годом и Рождеством; "Happy new year and Christmas"
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This is such a wonderful gift and I'm almost at a loss for words. This means so very much to me, and was a complete surprise, both the gift itself and just how deeply and awesomely it works for the characters. I love it, very much!
That the Alatyrtsevs are Russian (parents born and then immigrated) was an evolved aspect of the story. At first I just wanted to give the impression they were Russian, but then I decided to actually make that a thing. This is why their names kinda sound Russian but actually aren't.
PSI did with my writing what I love very much that readers do: took this little detail far beyond my piddly use in the story, and giving it so much more depth and meaning. I am just the writer; it is readers like PSI, and you, that fill the story with all the unique meanings from what you relate to, or the aspects that interest you.
I absolutely adore this, and I'm so very humbled that my silly little story has spurred such a beautiful piece. Thank you so very much, PSI.
To all of my readers, I wish you a Merry Christmas.
