It's Called the Whatcracker?!

A collaborative Princess Tutu fanfic by Dreamicide and Klondike Aura

"May those who accept their position find satisfaction. May those who defy it find bliss."

Act I: Overture

Ahiru wakes up approximately two hours before she needs to, tossing and turning in her bed. She doesn't want to get up, if only to push back the moment of truth when she will see that slip of paper posted on the door to the classroom. She knows at the very most she will probably be placed somewhere in the corps. Or someone who shows up in one scene and doesn't get to dance at all throughout the production.

While Fakir, on the other hand, is guaranteed to get a really good part. Maybe even the Nutcracker Prince! She had watched his audition alongside the other boys a few days ago, after she finished hers. He danced strongly and confidently, as always. Ahiru can't help but admire his discipline, and knows he is a shoo-in to have one of the main parts.

She stays in bed for as long as she can before trudging up and dragging her feet downstairs, where Fakir is already holding his textbooks and pulling the sleeve of his blue uniform jacket over his arms. Judging by his expression, he's clearly not surprised that she woke up at the last minute. "You have fifteen minutes left before class starts," he says. "Hurry up."

"You go," Ahiru responds, grabbing a piece of cold toast to nibble on.

He gives her another look, but then leaves without pressing anything. Ahiru's thoughts are too jumbled together to note that he doesn't put up an argument or anything.

Ahiru is immediately tackled by Pique as soon as she arrives in the locker room. "Ahiru, I can't believe it! What's with that face? Didn't you see?"

Immediately Ahiru blinks, confused. "Eh?"

Pique laughs heartily, making a grab for Ahiru's hand and dragging her out of the locker room dressed in her practice gear. "The list! Don't tell me you didn't even look at it before showing up for the first rehearsal?"

"O-oh." Her response is subdued. She allows Pique to steer her throughout the hallways before arriving to the front of the large practice room, pointing to a slip of paper that had been place on the door.

The first name Ahiru catches is Fakir's. A glance to the right and she confirms that he will be the Nutcracker Prince for the holiday performance. She makes a mental note to congratulate him later.

The next name she finds makes her heart skip a beat.

'Ahiru...Clara'

She stares at the list for a long moment, her breath taken away from her. Her? As Clara? But that's supposed to be a really good part! The part that only really good ballet dancers get, right? Why would she be chosen as Clara-?

Pique's playful shove to her shoulder interrupts Ahiru's train of thought. "You see? You can do it if you just put your mind to it, Ahiru! Now listen closely: this is going to be a really tough part, especially on you, so I'm gonna have to give you all my support, all right?" She gives another nudge, inciting Ahiru to turn around. "This means extra practice and no showing up late to rehearsals! Starting now!"

Ahiru is too busy widening her smile with every second. She loves both of her friends, but she always finds herself appreciating Pique's supportiveness just...a little bit more than Lillie's method of support. Which will surely be to tell her all about the possibilities of falling down and failing during the performance, once she catches wind of this.

But right now, Ahiru can only beam. "Pique..."

Her friend smiles back at her, just as brightly. "Hm?"

Eventually Ahiru can't contain herself any longer. It's just too exciting. So she throws herself at her friend, wrapping her arms around Pique's shoulder and hugging tight. "Oh, Pique!"

Pique laughs and reflects Ahiru's enthusiasm, returning the embrace. Soon enough the hallway is filled with giddy giggling.

Ahiru can't believe it. Just that morning she had been so lethargic and dreading everything about today. But somehow...somehow, she got the part of Clara. The Nutcracker's Clara! And she didn't have to become Princess Tutu in order to do so!

Maybe, just maybe, she really can become a prima ballerina all on her own.

It has only been a few days since rehearsals for The Nutcracker began. Ahiru knows she has a long way to go, but for once she's optimistic about improving on her dancing. Pique and even Fakir were in her support.

Ballet slippers slung over her shoulder and practice clothes in her tote bag, Ahiru is on her way back to Fakir's place when suddenly she is attacked.

Or rather, someone leaps on to her, crushing her to the ground, and subsequently begins clinging to her head without a care for her twisting neck or the dirt being rubbed in her face.

"QU-!"

"Oh, Ahiru, it's terrible! Absolutely terrible!" comes the shrill voice from above. Ahiru writhes, stammering out and confused.

"Wha-ah-eh?"

"See, even you are in pain for my predicament! You absolutely must help out, if we were to lack one person then the entire production will be a complete failure, I just know it~!"

It still takes a moment before Ahiru realizes that it's her other best friend currently tossing her around, arms wrapped around her neck in a vice grip.

"So you'll do it, right?" Lillie persists. "After all, you couldn't possibly be in any other productions right now! You know you'll only trip and fall and make such an adorable fool of yourself~!"

"I-ah-I-!" Ahiru attempts to protest.

"I knew it! I knew you would help me with my plight! Rehearsals start tomorrow night but I know you'll be late so don't worry about it! You're so cuuuuute!"

And with one final loving shove, Lillie finally lets go of Ahiru and is on her way once again.

The duck-turned-girl gets the sinking feeling that she should show up to whatever this rehearsal is unless she wants a reenactment of this tomorrow.