#v: nutcracker

“Uncle Drosselmeyer!!”  He rushed over, hugging him tightly.  “W-what are you doing here?” 

“I wonder indeed,” the man grinned.  “Souji my boy, my nutcracker prince has been waiting for someone with a kind heart to set him free from his spell.  Not only caring for him when no one would, but risking yourself when you could’ve left him to die by the hands of the rat king… because of that, I shall grant you this… there is a magical land, a land of sweets and dreams, where the ripples of your deeds have already been felt.  You two are to go there.”

Souji gasped, looking at the Nutcracker, who turned away.  “N-nutcracker??”

“Yes… exactly.  I am still….but a nutcracker, If the spell is broken, then why do I still exist in this wretched way??”  He turned to Drosselmeyer, eyes flashing.  Anger and grief, too much to bear, rested in his eyes.

Souji reached out to touch the other’s shoulder.  Despite what he said, Souji didn’t believe the other was wretched… though he was sure the other didn’t want to hear that.

“My poor boy, you must give it time… but you shall not face the land of sweets in this way, nor will you, my dear Souji.  Please… close your eyes.”

Souji turned to Drosselmeyer, and then to the nutcracker, who placed a warm hand over his in comfort. His eyes slid shut, and something peculiar started to happen, like floating, or flying? It was a strange feeling in his body, a tingle that he could not explain, but when he opened his eyes, he could not recognize himself.  Gone were his bedclothes, and a soft, white suit covered his body.  His hair, which was normally kept to his shoulder, cascaded down now.  

“I’m… what happened to me??”  He felt his chest, his face, it was still him inside, but he seemed so much different… a bit taller, perhaps older?  He couldn’t say that he found disagreement with it, but certainly confusion.  

“Are you unharmed?”

“Yes I am–”  he turned to the nutcracker, and gasped, hands flying to his mouth.  Gone was the wooden statue and flapping jaw, but in it’s stead…

There was a man.  Handsome, with the same kind expression, the same beautiful eyes. “I am glad…  He has left, but I know the way…if you would come with me, Souji…”

@theuntoldstcries

The land of Crackatook had fallen apart, and so many of its citizens slipped through the cracks.

Some were the once-loyal servants of the crown like Donny, a faithful soldier in the War of the Realms. Faithful, sure, but what did that faithfulness give him? Painful wounds, a curse that robbed him of his usefulness, and a thankless job patrolling snow-covered woods. There wasn’t much for an ex-soldier to do after he’d become an alien in his own home.

Inside the marzipan palace was a wonder of confectionery sculpture and finery, so much so that Souji’s eyes refused to blink.  How was he supposed to take it all in?? It was all so much!! 

“Don't worry, it’s not going to disappear,” the prince whispered with a chuckle.  Indeed the other was going to turn his head all the way around.  Souji turned to the other with a blushing out, and the prince laughed, turning the head of the fairy queen and her companion.  Nothing was said, just a shared look between them.

In the grand chamber, the candies were all there, looking human but clearly representing different treats.  They all seemed to gape at the prince and Souji, and so it was the only thing that kept Souji from doing the same, looking down with a bright blush.  “They’re… all staring…”

“Can you blame them? You’re so pretty they can’t help themselves…”

Souji looked up and shook his head. “N-no it’s because…. Because you’ve changed and you turned so…. So handsome…”  He looked down after saying it, scratching his cheek.   The prince just looked at him with a gin, squeezing his hand gently as they were led up stairs to two ornate chairs.  At the queen’s insistence, they sat there, and the reina turned to the crowd with a wide smile.

  “My friends, our beloved knight has returned to us, freed of the curse that made him wooden, and alongside him, the person responsible for breaking the spell!!”

They all cheered and applauded, Souji unused to the attention, but the prince smiled, nodding his head at them all.  It started small, but soon they all were demanding to know what happened, the queen looking back at the prince with a grin..  

He nodded, and pressing a kiss to Souji’s hand, he stood from his chair, grasping his sword.  “Our dear damsel was caught by the fearsome Rat King, ready to take him as a pet when I came to the scene… With a small troupe, we descended upon the fiends!!” He jumped then, flying down the stairs with his sword drawn, much to the delight of the crowd.  “We were evenly matched, the rats scattering from the soldiers, but the king was not so easily frightened… I was nursing a hurt arm, fighting tooth and nail… things were looking grim… I was certain that the end was near for me…”

“And what happened?”

“Yeah how did you survive??”

“Did a fairy intervene?  Was there a magic spell?”

He laughed, shaking his head as the candies asked their questions.  “LIke a clarion bell, my savior cried,'' Leave him alone!!” And threw… of all things, a shoe at the Rat king!! He was stunned!! How dare a human throw a shoe at him! But it was all I need to make my move!”  He thrust the air, and held his blade high to everyone’s cheering.  “I came to save him, and he saved me in turn… and because of that, his kindness has set me free…”

He walked up the stairs then, racing out for the other, and Souji flushed, unsure if he really wanted to take that hand… to be back in the spotlight.  Still, the prince’s expression was so kind and soothing…

 He was up before he knew it, taking the other’s hand, being led down the stairs to the floor. The candies started asking questions.  Wasn’t he scared?  Why did he do it… “I… don’t know.  I wasn’t scared, I didn’t have time to think about it.  I… I was scared before, before the prince came to save me, but… when I saw he may lose, when I saw him falling aback… all I could think was… I didn’t want him to die… I didn’t want him to get hurt.  I just… wanted to keep him safe…”  He said softly, looking away from the prince.  What was this? His heart was pounding?  What was happening?

The prince smiled, pressing a kiss to his hand once again, and bowing.  “In the land of sweets, celebrations are done by dancing.  I know them, and they will ask us to dance, as we are the guests, it is our duty to start the festivities… So would you please?”

Souji’s eyes went wide, looking around, but then, he just looked at his feet.  He was… so nervous all of a sudden.  He was… dancing in his room, dancing with his nutcracker in fit of joy while they were at the party, smaller things, that was fine, but this was the first time he was dancing for such a large audience…even if this was what the schools would be preparing him for… this was… this was too much!!

“Souji, look at me…”  Hands cupped his face, bringing his gaze up to the prince.  “You will be fine.  I’ve seen no one dance as beautifully as you, not even the snow fairies we met, not even the Sugarplum queen herself… please… dance with me.”

The city was lit up so colorfully, colored lights that looked of sugar glass, cobblestone paths that made a delightful sound as their carriage meandered through the twisting roads.  Souji’s eyes were lit up as he looked through everything.  “It’s so beautiful!!”  

The prince was content to watch the other’s excited face.  “This…is a land of endless happiness, where sweets gather to celebrate the season every year.  This will be the first time I will be there to attend as I am now.”

Souji turned to him then.  “Is this your home?? Are you the prince of his land??”

He shook his head.  “Not quite.  I am called prince here as the Queen, the Sugarplum Fairy, has taken me in.  I have fought for the kingdom, protected the candies, for such a long time, I have moved past the title of knight.”  He looked out the window. “My home… is far away… and it was such a long time ago, I’m almost afraid it will be gone when I return.”  A smile came over his face then, not needing to turn to know the other’s growing concern.  “Do not worry, Souji…” he soothed softly, moving hair from the other’s face, cupping a pink cheek.  “With your help, I may be brave enough to see.  Or perhaps… even make a home of my own… a new one, perhaps closer to you.”  

Souji’s eyes widened, flushing, but he didn’t move his face from the other’s hand.  “I… would like to help you…however I can.”  He wasn’t sure how he could, but he wanted to… 

Such an open expression, wide eyes and concerned but determined features.  The prince stared down at Souji, leaning down. “Souji….”

The carriage came to a halt, jarring them both before any distance could close between them.  They had arrived at the palace, and a door had been opened to let them out.  A footman held his hand out for Souji, but the prince, lips pressed thin, stepped out ahead of the other, holding his hand out with a smile. Souji was unsure what just happened, but took the hand offered to him and got out the carriage, smiling up at the prince before losing himself in the immaculate marzipan palace.  “Oh, it’s beautiful…”

“I am glad you approve,” a woman smiled.  Wearing a silvery dress, a crown of stars on her head, the woman was accompanied down the steps with a man in a military uniform.  “Ah… our brave nutcracker, I see you are no longer of wood and springs.  And this is the soul who has saved you?”

The prince smiled, allowing himself to be embraced by the beautiful fairy.  “Yes, My Queen… we were ushered straight away, the snow fairies made sure to spirit us to you.”  He grasped Souji’s hand again, presenting him to the queen.  “This is Souji.  He is the one who saved me.”

It was a long road, twisting and turning, but from the strange hallways the wallpaper started to turn into woods, and from the woods came a clearing, a large, silver christmas tree lit up, piled with lights, ornaments and snow!  “Ah!! It’s beautiful!! Much larger than the Christmas tree at home!!”

“Hmm??” The prince tilted his head, shaking his head.  “No… Ithink the tree is just as big, perhaps a bit bigger…”  

Souji turned to face the man, but then remembered, not too long ago he was just a toy, everything must’ve been bigger.  “Ah, then I must’ve been a giant to you then, as well!!”  He got on his tiptoes, arms up as if to loom over the much taller man with a giggle.

It did indeed bring a laugh out of the nutcracker prince.  “Ah yes, you were indeed…though forgive my saying, I do prefer you this size…”  He grasped a lowering hand, pressing it to his lips. 

Souji blushed all over, squeaking some before pulling his hand away and turning.  The prince frowned.  “I’m sorry did I…”

“No!! N-no it’s… it’s okay I… I didn't mind..” he nodded with a blush.  He hazarded a turn of his head, and was met with the prince’s smile.  “W-w-we should make our way….”  His words died down, looking up at the sky.  Snow… it was snowing!!

“It’s gonna come down pretty heavy… here, stick your tongue out…” the nutcracker prince smiled, doing the same.  Souji was surprised as powdered sugar melted on his tongue.  “Hahahah, in the land of sweets, everything may as well be candy.  It is why we are this way.  If you were your younger self, they would be most afraid of you.” he laughed before walking back to him.

Souji laughed, and while the other approached, he scooped snow, throwing the powdery sugar onto the prince, who gasped and scooped some of his own, balling it up to hit Souji in the shoulder.  The forest was filled with laughter as they had their impromptu snow fight, running through the forest to hide behind the trees.  Until they reached another clearing, and Souji stopped where he was, hiding behind a tree.  “F-fairies??”

Sparkling like snowflakes, they danced around, floating, not disturbing the fresh powder underneath.  Souji was in awe, stepping out from the trees without thought.  Instead of being berated or ran from, however, the fairies giggled, dancing around the young man.  He smiled, as if the music only they heard was felt in his heart, and he started to dance along, following their movement as best as he could.  He was earthbound, unable to move without disturbing the freshly fallen snow, but he did his best, enough for the fairies to notice and approve.  

The prince watched silently from his place in the woods, but the snow was falling harder, the cold biting a bit more, and he emerged from the woods applauding softly.

“The prince!!”  The fairies stopped what they were doing, swirling around him, giggling and fawning over his changed features, but make no mistake, they knew him to be the nutcracker they had known for such a long time. “We have heard! You and your savior!! You must hurry, the queen awaits!”  The fairies then guided them out from the forest, where a snowflake gilded carriage awaited them.  “They will take you to the castle!!”

Skritch… skritch skritch skritch…

When Souji awoke he was on the chair in the living room near the Christmas tree, and blinked.  How did he get here?  The soldier wasn’t with him either.  He didn’t remember falling asleep here, he was sure he was in his bed…. And how did the tree become… so large?

There was that scratching noise again!! Large rats… the size of humans!! A mischief of rats congregated, talking amongst themselves, and one looked above their heads, pointing and shouting “There he is! Our king approaches!!”

And indeed, a large rat in regal clothes, carrying a piece of cheese, his crown atop his head, hanging on one ear.  “Ah yes, my friends!! Your king has found sustenance this night!! The humans have indeed granted us a bounty!!”  They were scurrying to eat what they could of the cheese, and while the king looked on proudly, their eyes met.  “Ah, and what is this?? Not a mouse, is it?”

Souji squeaked, scuttling back in his chair, and the rat king laughed.  “They certainly squeak like a mouse!! I like this thing!! Bring it to me!!”

The rats were suddenly descending upon him, and he tried to fight back, screaming and calling for help. The rats laughed, easily carrying him to the imposing figure of the king.  “Let me go!! Get away!!”

“....it is a pretty thing, I suppose, not as pretty as a doe rat, but enough for me to perhaps keep it as a pet? We’ll take it with us… wait!!”

Souji dashed out of their grip, screaming for help, trying to fight back the rats who descended upon them, but there were too many of them and only one of him, and so he was lifted, helplessly kicking the air.  “SOMEONE!!! ANYONE PLEASE!!!”

“LET HIM GO!!”  There was a booming voice that stopped everyone in his track, and walking from the darkness, wielding a sword, wearing a silk sling to keep his arm up, was the nutcracker.  “I warn you, Rat King… let him go this instant.”

The king laughed, grabbing Souji for himself and holding him close.  “I found it first, wood man!! Get your own pet!”

“SOLDIER!! Please!!!” Souji cried.  “Help!!”

“Soldiers!!!!!”  Behind him were a small troupe of toy soldiers, ready to do battle, and with a wave of the nutcracker’s sword, they descended on the rats, the nutcracker rushing to the king with his sword at the ready.  

The rat king didn’t have his sword! Souji was in the way!! The only thing he could do was toss him away to grab his sword, and they met blades, fighting viciously.  Souji was suddenly in the middle of a warzone, dodging sword swipes and jostling bodies to get to safety, crawling back onto the chair he was before. 

It seemed like forever, the rats scattering, leaving only the king and the nutcracker, and it was starting to take a toll on the wooden soldier, nursing that injured arm… taking a more defensive approach.  Souji was worried, running toward him.  “Nutcracker!!”

“Stay back!” he said, swords clanging in the air.  “Get somewhere safe!!”  

But… he couldn’t just leave him there like this.  He suddenly got angry.  The rat king was being… much too cocky.  “GET AWAY FROM HIM!!”  He took his shoe, throwing it at the king’s head, disorienting him just enough for the nutcracker to land the decisive blow to his chest.  Gravely wounded, the king had to retreat, leaving Souji and his soldier all alone. 

"Are you alright?"

Eyes met as they both and the same question, and Souji looked down with a small smile, nodding slightly.  “Thank you… you saved me…”

“And in turn, you saved me,” the soldier bowed, sheathing his sword as he righted himself.  “So I am inclined to give you my thanks as well.”

A nutcracker… 

Once all the large, motorized toys were displayed, a jester who seemed to tumble like the finest acrobat, a ballerina who was robotic in her movements, but as beautiful and graceful as any.. So many beautiful and mysterious mechanical wonders, he then pulled out a simple nutcracker, eyes a lovely green color, dressed in a soldier’s uniform.  They were delighted to take the nuts given to them, but when he started to offer the toy to the children they all snubbed it, laughing and mocking the simple wooden thing.  It didn’t even have a mechanism to crack the nut!! They had to use the lever?? How ordinary!!!

Ah, but Souji… he found himself enamored with the wooden soldier, the kindness of its face, the green eyes and regal clothes.  Drosselmeyer seemed distraught that no one would take it, so he stepped up carefully, clearing his throat.  “Uncle… Uncle Drosselmeyer?”

“I’m so sorry, my boy… I suppose not this yea– ah, yes, Souji??” he turned from the nutcracker to see Souji there biting his lip.  

“I… if you don’t mind, I think…” he blushed a little.  “I think I would like your nutcracker… I think he’s wonderful…”

Drosselmeyer’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.  “You, Souji??”  He was surprised, but he supposed he shouldn’t be.  He was perhaps one of the most pure hearted children he had ever known, and it stayed with him even in these tumultuous years… “Yes… perhaps you are the one who is destined to be given this nutcracker.  I know I can trust this precious thing in your care…”

He smiled from ear to ear, gently taking the soldier and holding it to his chest.  Music was playing, the adults dancing together, and in his happiness, he started to do the same, smiling gently at the kind toy soldier.  This would perhaps be his last toy, and so he would treasure this thing, this simple but precious thing, for all time.  

Of course, if he was happy with a toy rejected by everyone else, there would surely be children feeling left out of that happiness, and one in particular couldn't stand the sight of Souji being so happy.  What was so happy about such a plain thing??  He had to find out for himself!!

So he snatched it from Souji’s hand.  “Give me this!!!” He started jumping around with it, swinging it haphazardly, giggling and being careless.  Souji’s pleas for it’s return were unheeded, and the boy just stuck his tongue out.

“Give it back!!”  He reached out, grasping the soldier, struggling to wrench the toy from the boy, but alas… with a pop, the arm was ripped from its joint, and the boy threw it down.  “WHAT A STUPID TOY!! IT’S NO GOOD BROKEN!!” and then stomped away.

Souji fell to his knees, cradling the nutcracker in his arms, picking up the arm with watery eyes.  “M-my soldier… they… I… you’re… I’m so sorry!!”  He held it, crying softly, blubbering apologies that only grew more frantic when Drosselmeyer found him on the floor.  After all, he just said the soldier was special. It was left in his care and already it was ruined!

“Ah… give him here to me, my boy…”  Drosselmeyer sat down, placing the arm back into its socket with precision, and then took a handkerchief, fashioning a makeshift sling for it before giving it back.  “There you are… don’t cry now, he wasn’t hurt.  In fact, I’m sure he’s touched by your concern…”

Souji’s face brightened up, and he gingerly took the nutcracker in his arms again, holding it to himself.  He kept close, guarded it doggedly from the other children into the night, so much so that when the guests left and he was sent to bed, he asked to take it with him.

Drosselmeyer smiled at the boy and his soldier, leaning down to press a kiss on the boy’s head.  “Night, my dear Souji.  I know my nutcracker soldier is in good hands. As I said… he’s very special…”  With that, he gave a flourishing bow, taking his leave and making his way back to his toyshop.  Perhaps… just perhaps… he may be able to stay longer than normal…

A christmas party, at his house it seemed like the entire town had arrived to take part of the festivities, from the eldest generations to the smallest babies, and Souji, somewhere caught between childhood and adulthood, only felt strangely out of place as long as the guest list was incomplete, for he knew his favorite person in all the world would attend, as he did every year.  Drosselmeyer… a toymaker of the highest degree and a man who has carried that name through his family for as long as anyone could remember. Drosselmeyers would leave their town to find a wife,  and after 20 years, a new man would return, his son from across the world, almost identical if not for the younger appearance.

Drosselmeyer was in his middle ages now, and soon he would disappear to find a family of his own, so it was all the more special that today he would be here, for it was very likely that he would be gone, and then Souji’s life would indeed become much more boring, much more somber… the light would leave as surely as the sun set.

Ah, but when he appeared today, carrying large boxes of toys, Souji was the first to run to him, jumping up to hug him.  “Uncle Drosselmeyer!!” he called out, as all children did.  Like a guardian angel of childhood, this man was made family by all children who knew him…

And he took it happily. “Ah… Souji my dear you are growing more and more out of your boyhood!! It won’t be long before you’ll have to decide your path in life…”  He frowned when the boy looked down somberly.  “Ah… are you not looking forward to it?  I have heard that schools for dance have been contacted to take you in, three of them more than happy to accept. You would do so well…”

“I…want to make toys with you, Uncle Drosselmeyer.. I want to stay with you…”  If he could stay with the toymaker he would never have to worry about growing old, as the other always seemed so full of youthful energy, only an adult by physical definition.

“Ah… my boy… your talents in music cannot be ignored, and I shall have to take my leave soon… though I do say you would be my greatest apprentice… come,” he smiled, cupping the boy’s face.  “Let us open the first toy, delight the little ones, what do you say??”