A/N: Happy new year!
Disclaimer: The verses appeared in this act are from Maurice Sendak's
version (see A/N of Act I) of the book.
~ACT II~
It's like floating on air. It's like eating your first ice cream cone. It's like remembering all your wonderful childhood memories. It's like having your first kiss. It's like having a tingling warm sensation shooting up your spine and down straight through the toes. It's unbelievable!
*I never knew dancing with Jarod could bring this side out of me!* Miss Parker's thoughts drifted around like the fog around them. *Heck it might be the fog too!*
Sapphire blues gazed into a pool of chocolate orbs. Time seemed to stand still for that instant, as the couple came to a slow stop of their dance.
All of sudden an upbeat classical tempo broke the stillness and from both sides a troupe of female dancers burst on the scene.
Dancing round and round in and out of Miss Parker and Jarod they led them to move to a the fast tempo as well. Laughing and smiling Miss Parker saw Jarod the Nutcracker was having fun as well. When she saw Jarod glance at her, his ceaseless wide smile made her feel reassured and protected inside. Surprising herself, Miss Parker had never felt like it before, it was startling that Jarod's smile could bring her so much joy all at once.
As the tempo slowed to a soft melody, the couple was reunited again in each other's arms to dance to this tranquil tune. Unbeknownst to Miss Parker, while they were caught in their embrace they were placed on a gondola made out of glittering gems and gold.
"Who is this on the rosy water?
A fairy or a fairy's daughter?
Bim-bim little fishes, Sim-sim golden swans.
Fairies come hither,
Fly through the spray
Splish splash, splish splash
The rosy spray."
Large waves took the small gondola toward an unknown destination. At first she was a little wary of the size of the gondola and the rushing waves besides the unfamiliar waters leading them to a different place, but Miss Parker remembered where they were supposed to go.
The Land of Sweets.
Her eyes lit up as she pondered this. The land of sweets is the most fun and one of the exciting parts of the ballet. It was her favorite part whenever she gets to see it, read it, or danced in it. The unusual creatures and people in addition to the beautiful dances and music were just the first part. The second was the background, Miss Parker distinctively remembered the stage took a large part to be decorated and painted to fit the elaborate scenes. Glancing at Jarod she felt a tiny apprehension crept into her heart, because this is when the Nutcracker will meet Drosselmeier face to face. She wondered what would happen to her dream once Jarod meet Daddy in the land of sweets.
*Oh stop it, Parker! They are in character! I doubt they can recognize each other in their respectable silly costumes.* However that little pep talk to herself didn't help Miss Parker stop the trepidation engulfing her mind. She was afraid. Afraid for Jarod that Drosselmeier may be her godfather but he's the one that had implanted this dream escapade of Carla's in the first place! Miss Parker wondered what would happen to her if something did happen. Would she be transported back to her own bedroom as well?
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
As soon as Miss Parker and Jarod left the gondola they were greeted by little children with small Chinese paper lanterns. The quickly stood in two neat rows with their lanterns held high in which the couple passed through to greet the four fellow gentlemen that led them to the entrance of the land of sweets.
Once they were inside Miss Parker gasped at the sight of both Ethan and Emily dressed up in colorful Victorian clothes. Ethan had on a purple hat with a white ruffle shirt and gold satin vest with pale green breeches and striped tights. While Emily was donned up in a red bodice with a large bustle of the long skirt and bows on her bodice and on the train. A large plum hat sat upon her head full of exaggerated wild feathers. They were quite a sight! After dancing to a fast and playful beat, Emily and Ethan were replaced with a young Faith as lovely since the first day Miss Parker met her and a younger version of Jarod, on a closer look, she realized it was Jarod's clone! Gemini! These two youngsters had on Japanese kimonos with clunky wooden thongs on their feet while holding on to two beautiful long red ribbons tied to a creature that at first Miss Parker couldn't tell who or what it was.
Suddenly the creature came into full view before her.
"Angelo!" Miss Parker put her hand to her mouth. "What had become of you?!"
Indeed at first glance one might of thought that the stout creature with orange fur and black stripes with large teeth protruding and claws sharp and pointed looks like a mix between lion and tiger. However, underneath it's thick eyebrows large sad eyes darted about.
Couldn't bear to see more of Angelo's appearance, Miss Parker turned around to bury her face into Jarod's shoulder. A comforting arm snaked around her waist and she looked up to see him smiling down on her. This time around, his smile had the hint of sadness in it too that Miss Parker could see.
Eventually the dance number for Faith and Gemini was over that the creature was finally led away. Several Moors wearing harem pants immediately started an Arabic inspired piece dancing wildly and with great vigor.
Before the dance of the Moors was complete, drums and trumpets sounded the arrival of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince.
Searching earnestly for a peek of the fairy Miss Parker was excited to finally be able to see her favorite character of all.
The music to the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy started seamless into the stage and the appearance of the fairy shocked Miss Parker to the core. *Jarod's mother?! But she's disappeared since we last saw her!* Miss Parker couldn't believe that Margaret was alive and well and dancing in front of her very eyes.
Watching Jarod's face closely Miss Parker couldn't detect a hint of recognition in him. He seemed oblivious that his own mother was dancing within a few feet of him. Miss Parker had the sudden urge to run up to the fairy and ask her of all the questions that had been pondering her. She wants her questions about her own mother and the Centre answered! But before she could react Miss Parker looked up to see the handsome face of Major Charles in the Prince's outfit performing his solo. The Sugar Plum Fairy had already finished hers. Miss Parker couldn't see Margaret anymore around her and everyone was focusing on the dancing Prince.
Sighing in defeat Miss Parker was let down once again of her quest to find the truths of her quest. Another small squeeze on her shoulder made Miss Parker looked up again to see Jarod smiling all his teeth showing.
*Does his jaw even hurt? Probably it's stuck that way anyways. What can't he talk? The real Jarod loves to talk. More like taunting me all the time!* Miss Parker grumbled in her mind once again aiming her disappointment and anger at Jarod.
When Miss Parker saw the Sugar Plum Fairy appeared before her once again, she was about to open her mouth to say something when the fairy bent down to kiss her temple. Feeling enamored in the fairy's presence Miss Parker promptly forgot what she was about to ask.
::Good luck on your Journey little Miss Parker::
She looked up stunned but obviously the fairy hadn't opened her mouth to say anything. Thinking quickly Miss Parker tried to project her thoughts to Margaret.
::How did you do that?!::
Without a further glance in her direction the Sugar Plum Fairy tiptoed away. But before the connection is broken the fairy told Miss Parker a tiny secret that had been held from her.
::You can do it too. Try it::
Facing Jarod, Miss Parker tried to communicate with him.
::Jarod? Jarod?!!? JAROD??!!!!!:: Before Miss Parker could explode into a fit. She tried another tactic.
::Nutcracker?::
Turning quickly to Miss Parker, Jarod sent a message that almost made Miss Parker topple backwards.
::I love you. I love you with all my heart.::
What made Jarod's message all the more clear was the sudden wave of warmth and love that emitted from his thoughts that swept Miss Parker off her feet. Forcing herself to breathe, Miss Parker was about to reply with a snide remark about him being a wooden doll in the first place but decided against it. This revelation made her feel all-tingling inside besides a wooden doll is not Jarod anyways. All she could was to reciprocate his love.
::Me too::
Smiling her own wide smile with showing her pearly whites Miss Parker decided to enjoy the rest of the ballet even if sometimes the characters that appear can frighten and shock her.
Too happy to care Miss Parker wanted to dance one last time with the "man of her dreams", well literally too.
Taking Jarod's arms she tugged him to a well-rehearsed ballet interchange that Miss Parker had recalled while watching the Sugar Plum Fairy dancing with her Prince.
A slow delicate number started at her mere thought of it. Taking her man by her side, Miss Parker danced with Jarod till she's too excited to care if her body is showing fatigue.
Unfortunately, this dream that Miss Parker at first was hesitant to participate in and now eagerly waiting for the next part was about to end.
While dancing with Jarod, Miss Parker could feel a presence but once she furtively scanned the area there's no one that could hurt her. But the nagging feeling won't go away. She saw that everything the dream is made of started to disappear. At first it was a little subtle, such as the people one by one were gone. Poof! Gone like the snap of a finger. Ethan and Emily were long gone. While Miss Parker thought the Sugar Plum Fairy waved a sad goodbye before she was turned into nothingness. Then the gates leading into the land of sweets, then the stage around her were misty and then all Miss Parker could see was only Jarod.
*AHHHH!* The unexpected feel of air rushing beneath her surprised Miss Parker out of her wits. She thought she was flying in the air. But Jarod was grabbing onto her arm tightly to prevent her fall. Then again it was getting harder and harder to hold onto his hand. There seemed to be a force that's dragging them apart. Tears sprung to her eyes. She had grown fond of her Nutcracker. The last face she saw before Miss Parker fell out of the sky was Drosselmeier laughing gleefully in her face.
"NOOOOOOO!" Miss Parker cried out in sorrow.
Her eyes blinked open widely at the harsh light of day pouring in from her window. Squinting Miss Parker was able to make out the time on her night table.
9 A.M.
"Ughhhhhhh....." Depressed and angry Miss Parker threw the blanket cover over her head in frustration. A sudden realization made her peek out from under the blanket and she saw her gift had fallen over on the floor. Getting up quickly she picked it up to see if any damage had been done to it. Sighing in relief there appeared to be no damage to the music box. Staring sadly at the music box that the only reminder that she ever had this fantastical dream was a wooden keepsake.
Briiiiiiiiinngggggg!!!!!!
"Hello?" Miss Parker answered her ringing cell phone.
"Are you all right?" Jarod's worried voice carried over the phone.
"Yes I am fine. Thank you Jarod for your concern." Miss Parker weakly replied.
"Are you sure? This doesn't sound like you at all." Jarod was usually faced with Miss Parker's harsh comments and today was a shocking exception.
Giving out a mirthless laugh. "Well how should I sound like?" Miss Parker taunted Jarod. "I wish I could be with you." Jarod quietly stated.
"Well that would be impossible. I wouldn't want you getting in trouble." Miss Parker sarcastically replied. Her demeanor was back before Jarod could blink an eye.
"But Jarod, you have been closer to me than you imagined." Miss Parker affirmed before she hung up on him.
Smiling forlornly at her gift Miss Parker returned to her bed and tried to recapture the bits of the dream that she had the best time of her life in.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
***Nutcracker didn't budge, but it seemed to Marie [Carla] that the gentlest of sighs came to her almost inaudibly, but ever so sweetly, through the glass panes, and that a little bell-like voice sang to her:
"Dear, sweet Marie [Carla], protectress mine. Thou standest by me and I'll be thine."
c. 1984, Crown Publishers, Inc.
^How does everyone thought about it? I know for some who knew a lot about the Nutcracker it's totally different from any version. But I guess this is the version that I wrote after reading and watching the ballet. There are different versions of this classic story and I believe in the ability of readers to be able to distinguish the differences and respect and even enjoy these differences. As I always say: Diversity creates individuality. Thanks y'all for reading!
~ACT II~
It's like floating on air. It's like eating your first ice cream cone. It's like remembering all your wonderful childhood memories. It's like having your first kiss. It's like having a tingling warm sensation shooting up your spine and down straight through the toes. It's unbelievable!
*I never knew dancing with Jarod could bring this side out of me!* Miss Parker's thoughts drifted around like the fog around them. *Heck it might be the fog too!*
Sapphire blues gazed into a pool of chocolate orbs. Time seemed to stand still for that instant, as the couple came to a slow stop of their dance.
All of sudden an upbeat classical tempo broke the stillness and from both sides a troupe of female dancers burst on the scene.
Dancing round and round in and out of Miss Parker and Jarod they led them to move to a the fast tempo as well. Laughing and smiling Miss Parker saw Jarod the Nutcracker was having fun as well. When she saw Jarod glance at her, his ceaseless wide smile made her feel reassured and protected inside. Surprising herself, Miss Parker had never felt like it before, it was startling that Jarod's smile could bring her so much joy all at once.
As the tempo slowed to a soft melody, the couple was reunited again in each other's arms to dance to this tranquil tune. Unbeknownst to Miss Parker, while they were caught in their embrace they were placed on a gondola made out of glittering gems and gold.
"Who is this on the rosy water?
A fairy or a fairy's daughter?
Bim-bim little fishes, Sim-sim golden swans.
Fairies come hither,
Fly through the spray
Splish splash, splish splash
The rosy spray."
Large waves took the small gondola toward an unknown destination. At first she was a little wary of the size of the gondola and the rushing waves besides the unfamiliar waters leading them to a different place, but Miss Parker remembered where they were supposed to go.
The Land of Sweets.
Her eyes lit up as she pondered this. The land of sweets is the most fun and one of the exciting parts of the ballet. It was her favorite part whenever she gets to see it, read it, or danced in it. The unusual creatures and people in addition to the beautiful dances and music were just the first part. The second was the background, Miss Parker distinctively remembered the stage took a large part to be decorated and painted to fit the elaborate scenes. Glancing at Jarod she felt a tiny apprehension crept into her heart, because this is when the Nutcracker will meet Drosselmeier face to face. She wondered what would happen to her dream once Jarod meet Daddy in the land of sweets.
*Oh stop it, Parker! They are in character! I doubt they can recognize each other in their respectable silly costumes.* However that little pep talk to herself didn't help Miss Parker stop the trepidation engulfing her mind. She was afraid. Afraid for Jarod that Drosselmeier may be her godfather but he's the one that had implanted this dream escapade of Carla's in the first place! Miss Parker wondered what would happen to her if something did happen. Would she be transported back to her own bedroom as well?
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
As soon as Miss Parker and Jarod left the gondola they were greeted by little children with small Chinese paper lanterns. The quickly stood in two neat rows with their lanterns held high in which the couple passed through to greet the four fellow gentlemen that led them to the entrance of the land of sweets.
Once they were inside Miss Parker gasped at the sight of both Ethan and Emily dressed up in colorful Victorian clothes. Ethan had on a purple hat with a white ruffle shirt and gold satin vest with pale green breeches and striped tights. While Emily was donned up in a red bodice with a large bustle of the long skirt and bows on her bodice and on the train. A large plum hat sat upon her head full of exaggerated wild feathers. They were quite a sight! After dancing to a fast and playful beat, Emily and Ethan were replaced with a young Faith as lovely since the first day Miss Parker met her and a younger version of Jarod, on a closer look, she realized it was Jarod's clone! Gemini! These two youngsters had on Japanese kimonos with clunky wooden thongs on their feet while holding on to two beautiful long red ribbons tied to a creature that at first Miss Parker couldn't tell who or what it was.
Suddenly the creature came into full view before her.
"Angelo!" Miss Parker put her hand to her mouth. "What had become of you?!"
Indeed at first glance one might of thought that the stout creature with orange fur and black stripes with large teeth protruding and claws sharp and pointed looks like a mix between lion and tiger. However, underneath it's thick eyebrows large sad eyes darted about.
Couldn't bear to see more of Angelo's appearance, Miss Parker turned around to bury her face into Jarod's shoulder. A comforting arm snaked around her waist and she looked up to see him smiling down on her. This time around, his smile had the hint of sadness in it too that Miss Parker could see.
Eventually the dance number for Faith and Gemini was over that the creature was finally led away. Several Moors wearing harem pants immediately started an Arabic inspired piece dancing wildly and with great vigor.
Before the dance of the Moors was complete, drums and trumpets sounded the arrival of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince.
Searching earnestly for a peek of the fairy Miss Parker was excited to finally be able to see her favorite character of all.
The music to the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy started seamless into the stage and the appearance of the fairy shocked Miss Parker to the core. *Jarod's mother?! But she's disappeared since we last saw her!* Miss Parker couldn't believe that Margaret was alive and well and dancing in front of her very eyes.
Watching Jarod's face closely Miss Parker couldn't detect a hint of recognition in him. He seemed oblivious that his own mother was dancing within a few feet of him. Miss Parker had the sudden urge to run up to the fairy and ask her of all the questions that had been pondering her. She wants her questions about her own mother and the Centre answered! But before she could react Miss Parker looked up to see the handsome face of Major Charles in the Prince's outfit performing his solo. The Sugar Plum Fairy had already finished hers. Miss Parker couldn't see Margaret anymore around her and everyone was focusing on the dancing Prince.
Sighing in defeat Miss Parker was let down once again of her quest to find the truths of her quest. Another small squeeze on her shoulder made Miss Parker looked up again to see Jarod smiling all his teeth showing.
*Does his jaw even hurt? Probably it's stuck that way anyways. What can't he talk? The real Jarod loves to talk. More like taunting me all the time!* Miss Parker grumbled in her mind once again aiming her disappointment and anger at Jarod.
When Miss Parker saw the Sugar Plum Fairy appeared before her once again, she was about to open her mouth to say something when the fairy bent down to kiss her temple. Feeling enamored in the fairy's presence Miss Parker promptly forgot what she was about to ask.
::Good luck on your Journey little Miss Parker::
She looked up stunned but obviously the fairy hadn't opened her mouth to say anything. Thinking quickly Miss Parker tried to project her thoughts to Margaret.
::How did you do that?!::
Without a further glance in her direction the Sugar Plum Fairy tiptoed away. But before the connection is broken the fairy told Miss Parker a tiny secret that had been held from her.
::You can do it too. Try it::
Facing Jarod, Miss Parker tried to communicate with him.
::Jarod? Jarod?!!? JAROD??!!!!!:: Before Miss Parker could explode into a fit. She tried another tactic.
::Nutcracker?::
Turning quickly to Miss Parker, Jarod sent a message that almost made Miss Parker topple backwards.
::I love you. I love you with all my heart.::
What made Jarod's message all the more clear was the sudden wave of warmth and love that emitted from his thoughts that swept Miss Parker off her feet. Forcing herself to breathe, Miss Parker was about to reply with a snide remark about him being a wooden doll in the first place but decided against it. This revelation made her feel all-tingling inside besides a wooden doll is not Jarod anyways. All she could was to reciprocate his love.
::Me too::
Smiling her own wide smile with showing her pearly whites Miss Parker decided to enjoy the rest of the ballet even if sometimes the characters that appear can frighten and shock her.
Too happy to care Miss Parker wanted to dance one last time with the "man of her dreams", well literally too.
Taking Jarod's arms she tugged him to a well-rehearsed ballet interchange that Miss Parker had recalled while watching the Sugar Plum Fairy dancing with her Prince.
A slow delicate number started at her mere thought of it. Taking her man by her side, Miss Parker danced with Jarod till she's too excited to care if her body is showing fatigue.
Unfortunately, this dream that Miss Parker at first was hesitant to participate in and now eagerly waiting for the next part was about to end.
While dancing with Jarod, Miss Parker could feel a presence but once she furtively scanned the area there's no one that could hurt her. But the nagging feeling won't go away. She saw that everything the dream is made of started to disappear. At first it was a little subtle, such as the people one by one were gone. Poof! Gone like the snap of a finger. Ethan and Emily were long gone. While Miss Parker thought the Sugar Plum Fairy waved a sad goodbye before she was turned into nothingness. Then the gates leading into the land of sweets, then the stage around her were misty and then all Miss Parker could see was only Jarod.
*AHHHH!* The unexpected feel of air rushing beneath her surprised Miss Parker out of her wits. She thought she was flying in the air. But Jarod was grabbing onto her arm tightly to prevent her fall. Then again it was getting harder and harder to hold onto his hand. There seemed to be a force that's dragging them apart. Tears sprung to her eyes. She had grown fond of her Nutcracker. The last face she saw before Miss Parker fell out of the sky was Drosselmeier laughing gleefully in her face.
"NOOOOOOO!" Miss Parker cried out in sorrow.
Her eyes blinked open widely at the harsh light of day pouring in from her window. Squinting Miss Parker was able to make out the time on her night table.
9 A.M.
"Ughhhhhhh....." Depressed and angry Miss Parker threw the blanket cover over her head in frustration. A sudden realization made her peek out from under the blanket and she saw her gift had fallen over on the floor. Getting up quickly she picked it up to see if any damage had been done to it. Sighing in relief there appeared to be no damage to the music box. Staring sadly at the music box that the only reminder that she ever had this fantastical dream was a wooden keepsake.
Briiiiiiiiinngggggg!!!!!!
"Hello?" Miss Parker answered her ringing cell phone.
"Are you all right?" Jarod's worried voice carried over the phone.
"Yes I am fine. Thank you Jarod for your concern." Miss Parker weakly replied.
"Are you sure? This doesn't sound like you at all." Jarod was usually faced with Miss Parker's harsh comments and today was a shocking exception.
Giving out a mirthless laugh. "Well how should I sound like?" Miss Parker taunted Jarod. "I wish I could be with you." Jarod quietly stated.
"Well that would be impossible. I wouldn't want you getting in trouble." Miss Parker sarcastically replied. Her demeanor was back before Jarod could blink an eye.
"But Jarod, you have been closer to me than you imagined." Miss Parker affirmed before she hung up on him.
Smiling forlornly at her gift Miss Parker returned to her bed and tried to recapture the bits of the dream that she had the best time of her life in.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
***Nutcracker didn't budge, but it seemed to Marie [Carla] that the gentlest of sighs came to her almost inaudibly, but ever so sweetly, through the glass panes, and that a little bell-like voice sang to her:
"Dear, sweet Marie [Carla], protectress mine. Thou standest by me and I'll be thine."
c. 1984, Crown Publishers, Inc.
^How does everyone thought about it? I know for some who knew a lot about the Nutcracker it's totally different from any version. But I guess this is the version that I wrote after reading and watching the ballet. There are different versions of this classic story and I believe in the ability of readers to be able to distinguish the differences and respect and even enjoy these differences. As I always say: Diversity creates individuality. Thanks y'all for reading!