Clara and Franz Drosselmeyer walked along the street, the snow crunching under their feet as they turned the corner leading to the specialty grocery. Franz Drosselmeyer smiled like a child, upon realizing his goddaughter was making Weihnachtsplätzchen, his favorite christmas dessert for the New Year's Eve Party.
It was an elegant affair,but one of the traditions kept by the Strauss family was showcasing traditional German and Danish christmas and New years food.
Clara's mother was Danish and insisted on showcasing one of her favorite dishes- Risalamande, the danish rice pudding with cherry sauce. It was well received by all the guest and became a bit of a tradition to the family and its close circle of friends.
Clara went about gathering the cinnamon,cloves and other spices for the christmas cookies that had Drosselmeyer acting like a small hummed happily,going so far as to dance with Miss Gaeburg, the shop clerk,who happily danced along.
"A thousand apologies, Miss Gaeburg.'' he said young clerk laughed it off happily.
"Don't apologize, .New Years eve makes everyone so you saved me from becoming bored. The shop gets a little slow around this time.'' the brunette said smiling as she smoothed out her pale pink dress. Sure enough the place was vacant,aside from the few female clients giggling at the older man's action.
Clara smiled as she payed for the spices and candied fruit as the older man adjusted his black coat. The town's folk adored the man and admired his enjoyment of was after all the town toymaker/clockmaker.
"Merry christmas.I hope you can put my young fiancee to shame when we arrive at the party tommorrow night.'' Miss Gaeburg,joked happily. The older man smiled.
"Of course.I'm sure he will have competition.'' he said his eyes glistening an odd sort of glow. Both young women started,slightly surprised before smiling unable to make heads or tails of the remark. Clara smiled back before heading to the door.
"Merry Christmas.'' they both said exiting the store.
Clara started at the older man's last remark,trying to figure out what to even ask. The older man,however brushed it off trying to break the silence that fell over them both.
"I'll slip you some Feuerzangenbowle to make up for this old man's embarrassment.'' he added about the German New Year's drink,causing the lady to smile. She adored her godfather's antics,especially if they were playful and she got some fun out of it.
"Oh really?'' she said eagerly. He nodded,before a warm smile appeared.
"I noticed the ring.'' he said as they stopped to buy some roasted walked in silence contemplating what to say or ask. They sat in the square, eating their treat.
"I see.'' she said popping another chestnut into her mouth.
"So I'm assuming you're in love with him?''
Clara felt her face instantly heat up,causing the man to smirk.
" much so.'' she admitted as she looked up at the sky.
"What did you mean by the comment in the shop?''
"Just some mild teasing.'' he said simply.
"Howis Hans?''
"He's fine,my thinks about you often.''
"Is there anything I can do for him?''
"Believe in him.''
"Is that really all I can do?''
"You'd be surprised at how powerful having faith in someone is.'' he said simply.
"He doesn't want me hurt is that it?''
"Partially.''
"I have faith in his fighting abilities.I trust him,so tell me what more I can do to protect him.''
"You'll need to figure that out for 's not something I can tell you.'' he said causing the woman to look frustratingly crestfallen. She groaned causing the man to look sad.
"You'll find it.I know you ever stopped you.''
"Thank you.''
"What worries you.I know that can't be the only thing.''
"James worries me.'' she said clutching the paper older man rested his hand on her shoulder in an attempt to reassure her.
"As does me.I've dealt with men like him before when I was your assured, he's not going to be at the party.''
"I hope not.'' Clara said unconvinced.
"Something in his appearance worries me.'' she said as she stood up.
"We'd better be getting back.'' the old man nodded,as they continued home. They arrived at Clara's house.
"I'll make the cookies right away,so why don't you stay for the first batch?''
"I'd be delighted.'' the older man said entering the house. The older man stayed for a bit,munching on cookies,before taking his leave to run some errands of his own. The day turned to evening, the exciting energy slowing. Clara,however was unable to sleep.
She wandered into the sitting room,staring at the blew out a worried breath as she sat in front of the eyes grew heavy as she thought about Hans.
"I hope I can find my way to help you.I wish I could do more.'' she said softly,as she fell asleep in the sitting room. She awoke to find Hans, holding her in his arms.
"Get some sleep,Clara.I'm not going anywhere.''
"I know.''
"I can't sleep, are you?''
" my uncle wasn't overly eccentric.''
"He was,but it was needed and justified.'' she said causing him to smile. He kissed her forehead,before snuggling under the quilt.
"Good.''
"I'm still trying to figure out how to help you.''
"You'll find a way.I wish I could help with finding that out,but I'm afraid it's the blind leading the blind.'' Clara sighed,slightly frustrated.
"Any ideas to help me sleep?''
"Just one.'' he said pulling her out the crashed into his arms,as he spun around, waltzing with her.
"So tiring me out with dancing?You forget I love to dance.I'd never tire out.'' she said slowly falling asleep as they waltzed. He noticed her movements become sluggish,her head resting on his shoulder. He stopped scooping her up,smiling at her as she gave a dreamy smile back at him.
"Your beautiful when you some sleep,Clara.'' he said gently as he set her down onto the plush bed. Clara pulled Hans down next to her,clinging to him. He chuckled slightly,before yawning.
"Night,princess.'' he said softly before falling asleep.
The next day was a buzz with the morning activities. The air smelled of sweet spices,and baked goods. Clara had put the last batch of cookies in the oven. Uncle Drosselmeyer snuck a vanilla flavored christmas cookie as they took a break. Most of the food was cooked the night before. Clara smiled happily as she ate a cookie, watching her mother stir the cherry sauce. She smiled as she saw saw the Stollen, reminded of Hans.
"Thinking of someone?'' her mother asked,causing the woman to flush. The old woman smiled warmly.
"You know you could've caught a cold from sleeping in the sitting room without a were humming in your sleep and smiling I might probably were having a wonderful dream.'' her mother said teasingly.
"Tell me what you like about him.''
"He's very passionate about what he wants to do with life. He appreciates my dreams. He isn't possessive or controlling. I want to be a ballerina for a while.I do want to marry. I'd love to be able to teach what I know to my future children,but I want to have a chance to have a life of my own before being a mother and he understands that. Also he has a very strong likening towards Stollen.'' she admitted as she stirred the whipped cream into the rice pudding. Drosselmeyer listened while sneaking another cookie,much to the young woman's amusement.
"He sounds like a nice young man.''
"He is.I hope you can meet him in the spring.''
"I wish your father and I could meet him at the party tonight.''
"I wished so too.'' she admitted,smiling sadly.
"Well hopefully he can visit you around your birthday in May.'' she said smiling as she poured the hot cherry sauce into a serving bowl.
"Go get some rest.I'll need your help later before the guest arrive.'' Clara nodded heading up to her room as the adults continued to talk.
Hans closed his eyes, giving the woman privacy. It was now the evening of the party. The house was abuzz with activity as the the guest were starting to arrive. Clara was getting ready for the annual new year's party.
Clara smoothed out her mint green dress,admiring herself as she brushed her chestnut brown hair. The dress was mint green,with a dark green bodice with gold trim. The sleeves were mint green drop sleeves. She debated with putting her hair in a usual bun, but oddly opted to wear her hair down. She clipped it back partially with a bright green holly shaped clip. She spun around,ecstatic at being able to have a good night. She smiled at the wooden nutcracker,kissing it's cheek.
"Wish you were here.'' she admitted staring at the wooden doll. Hans watched looking up at the young lady,smiling sadly. He slumped into his chair,desperately wanting to grant her wish. He smiled back slightly ,knowing he would have to be patient if he wished to become human. It was just hard given the love and worry he felt for her.
Clara slipped on her mint green dancing slippers,before smiling and walking out. She felt at ease and oddly hopeful for the stared at the ring on the chain. She smiled,the ring glistening in the light. She wanted to wear it on her finger,but resisted the urge,instead showing it off on the silver chain.
Hans leaned back,imagining the woman he cared about dancing in his arms. His nutcracker body was nestled in the tree,disguised as a christmas ornament. He enjoyed the festivities,mainly the dancing. His mother had made sure he had learned how to dance.
His younger self hated it,but he was glad his father insisted. He used to dance with his mother,following his father's passing-before the whole nutcracker problem. He remembered how his mother cried in his arms, as they would've stopped completely,but his mother insisted he continue to dance with her despite her tears. As the years passed,it got easier for the both of them.
He watched the others dancing,his eyes growing oddly heavy. The music encased him, as he quickly fell asleep just as the guest started to dance .He wandered about in was used to that,but the odd sweet scent made his travels. He realized he was sitting on a velvet seat,his Uncle and mother across from him. His head was spinning and his eyes still heavy.
"Let him rest a little longer.''
"Just rest my boy.'' he heard his uncle soothingly say. Hans weakly nodded,his eyes closing as he gave into the heaviness of sleep. He wondered what was going on as he felt his body become lighter and warmer compared to the coldness from that of his wooden form. He decided it was too much to think about at the moment as he dreamed about Clara. He was suddenly startled by the sound of horses and his mother's voice asking him to wake up.
He blinked slowly,looking at his mother who was smiling at him.
"Time to get have somewhere to be.'' she said simply,leading the young man out into the snow.
