Elizabeth Drosselmeyer smiled as she walked down one of the hallways of the Parthenian castle. Large windows had been built into the western wall of the hallway, allowing the afternoon sunlight to spill onto the floor with magnificent brightness. The warmth easily lifted her spirits, which had been waning from the dullness of life at home. How glad she was to be back in Parthenia; it had been far too long since her last visit.

The sound of running feet gave Elizabeth little warning before a young boy whirled around the hallway corner and smacked right into her. Elizabeth's breath left her in a rush, and she stumbled back at the sudden impact.

"What in heaven's name –"

"Sorry, ma'am!" The boy sputtered, staggering back. He looked to be about ten years of age, with the wiry build of a growing child. The boy jerked his head up, and his eyes widened in surprised delight. "Lady Drosselmeyer! I didn't know you were coming!"

Elizabeth's mouth curved into an amused smirk. "Hello, Eric." She opened her arms, and the boy rushed forward into her embrace. Elizabeth chuckled, affectionately tugging at the strands of the boy's unruly black hair. "You're looking a little disheveled. You aren't running from someone, are you?" She raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be at your lessons right now?"

Eric gave her an impish grin. Down the hallway he had burst form, Elizabeth could hear distant – and rather furious – shouting. Eric cocked his head in the direction of the sound, then turned back to Elizabeth and grabbed her hand, pulling her after him as they ran down the hallway in the opposite direction.

Eric expertly led Elizabeth through the winding hallways, tugging her up a narrow staircase until they emerged onto an open corridor overlooking the castle courtyard. Satisfied that they hadn't been followed, Eric released Elizabeth's hand as they came to a stop.

Elizabeth grasped the railing of the corridor, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. "Eric, what did you do to the poor major?"

"Nothing," said Eric innocently. He pressed his lips together, trying to hold back a laugh.

Elizabeth placed a hand on her hip. "A prince should never tell a lie."

"I didn't do anything to him," Eric said pointedly. He cast a humorous glance back at the staircase they had climbed. "Technically it was his coat pocket I dropped it in."

"Oh dear." She sighed. "Please don't tell me it was something alive."

"Alright, I won't tell you."

Elizabeth grimaced in sympathy for the major. "Eric, have some pity for the man. He's doing his best with your tutoring."

"He's boring and full of himself."

"You're not exactly a picture of good behavior yourself, dear."

Eric's grin took on a rather mischievous slant.

Elizabeth shook her head in exasperation. "Eric, you need to know the information taught in your studies. It's important."

"I finished the book he assigned a week ago," said Eric. "The major just drones on about it, or spends most the lesson talking about his military accomplishments that, honestly, I think are highly exaggerated."

Privately, Elizabeth concurred with that sentiment, but she refrained from speaking the thought out loud. "Your father is not going to be happy when he hears about this."

"But now you're here, so you can defend me," Eric said cheerfully. "Father would never disagree with you."

She shook her head, unable to hide her amusement.

"Your Highness, shouldn't you be attending your lessons?"

Startled, Elizabeth and Eric spun around at the deep, callous voice.

A man stood behind them. He had a strange appearance, with a small, pointed nose that tipped upwards, and a thin face framed by ears that looked a fraction too large for him. His mouth was lined at the corners, accenting the disapproving frown that seemed more like a permanent feature than a temporary expression.

"Lord Mauscher." Elizabeth dipped into a small, and rather half-hearted, curtsey. "I trust you are in good health?"

"Well enough," said Lord Mauscher coldly. He turned narrowed eyes onto Eric. "Why you are not at your lessons?"

"It's none of your concern," snapped Eric, his smile quickly vanishing at the sight of the man.

"Eric," scolded Elizabeth.

"Well it's not," Eric huffed.

Amusement flickered through Lord Mauscher 's expression. "No, I don't suppose it is. Who am I to judge how a prince wastes his time?"

Elizabeth hastily spoke before Eric could supply a response they would both regret. "Eric was merely taking a slight rest from his lessons. He will be returning to them shortly."

"I see." Lord Mauscher tilted his chin down, scrutinizing the young prince with displeasure. "I'm certain your lessons can be exhausting, Your Highness. Do forgive me."

Eric frowned at the blatant sarcasm in the man's tone.

"Thank you for the concern." Elizabeth placed a hand on Eric's shoulder, steering him around the man. "I shall escort him back safely. Good afternoon, my lord."

Lord Mauscher did not respond, though he remained where he was, watching Elizabeth and Eric continue down the corridor.

Shaking her head at Eric, Elizabeth ushered the boy along. They went through a set of large doors, and Elizabeth herded the young prince into a long hallway leading away from the courtyard.

Annoyed, Eric ducked out from beneath Elizabeth's hand. "Why does father keep him here? He gives me the creeps."

"Because Lord Mauscher is an excellent asset to your father," said Elizabeth. "He is the absolute best at what he does."

"He's unnerving to be around."

"Well, that I cannot argue with," Elizabeth agreed.

Eric smirked. "Doesn't he look like a giant mouse?"

"Eric!"

"He does. His face is so strange-looking. I've heard some of the servants call him the Mouse Man."

"Well, you had better not repeat the awful name, or I shall not interfere when your father decides to punish you for harassing poor Major Mint."

Eric gave a humph at the threat.

"Come now," said Elizabeth, giving Eric a pat as they walked beside each other. "Let us talk of better things." She snapped her fingers. "I know what we can do. I need your help with something."

Interest lit up Eric's eyes. "What is it?"

"Deciding a on a birthday gift for someone."

"A birthday gift?" said Eric curiously. "For who?"

"Someone about your age. Well, a few years younger."

"How about a sword?" Eric jumped forward, slashing out his arm in a dramatic arc. "Everyone needs a sword to play with!"

Elizabeth chuckled. "I don't think she would use a sword very much."

"Oh, it's for a girl?" Eric scrunched up his nose. "I don't know what a girl would want."

"You can't think of anything?" Elizabeth asked curiously. "What if I tell you about her? Maybe you'll have a better idea then."

Eric didn't look convinced. "Alright," he agreed reluctantly.

Elizabeth smiled. "Well, she's a quiet girl. Not that she doesn't talk – she certainly has plenty of things to say, when they are important. She just doesn't…carry on as you do."

Eric threw Elizabeth an irritated look.

Ignoring him, Elizabeth tapped her chin thoughtfully. "She loves the ballet. Her mother had taken her a few times when she was younger, but she hasn't gone again since her parents passed away."

Empathetic sympathy flickered in Eric's eyes. He scuffed his shoe against the floor, trying not to dwell on the memories of his own deceased mother.

"She enjoys reading," continued Elizabeth. "Her favorites are romantic fairy tales."

Eric rolled his eyes.

Elizabeth smirked, watching Eric's reaction closely as she continued. "She can be rather devious at times, though. She has to hide the fairy tale books in her wardrobe, so her grandfather doesn't find them. He doesn't approve of her reading such 'nonsense,' as he describes it."

Eric looked genuinely interested now. "Where does she get the books then?"

"From me."

Eric snorted.

Looking smug, Elizabeth swept on in her description. "She loves sledding, ice skating, and watching snowfalls. Winter is easily her favorite season." She gave her hand a wave. "I suppose that's enough for a start. What do you think now? Can you help me decide on a gift?"

Eric gave a sigh. "But she's a girl. I don't know what girls want."

Elizabeth pondered for a moment. "Well, what gifts did you and your father give your mother?"

Eric stopped. He looked up at Elizabeth, intrigue at her question mingling with remembered sorrow that always rose up when his thoughts drifted back to his mother.

Elizabeth held back a grimace, worried that the question had been inappropriate to ask.

Eric's gaze drifted to a window, which he stared out of as he thought. "Father gave mother a snow globe one year for her birthday. It was the last one before she…" He swallowed.

Regret swelled in Elizabeth at her prompting. She wrapped her arm around the young prince's shoulders. "A snow globe is a beautiful present," she said gently. "Would you mind if I used the idea for my gift?"

Eric shrugged. He wiped his hand hastily over his eyes before lifting his gaze to Elizabeth's. "You should see if Hoffmann can make you one," he said. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

"Well now, there's an idea!" said Elizabeth brightly. The thought of asking the castle's royal enchanter to lend his talents to the gift had crossed her mind, and she was glad to hear Eric's thoughts aligned with hers. "But first," she said, holding up a finger. "You must apologize to Major Mint and finish your lesson. After that we shall go to Hoffmann."

Eric groaned.

Three hours later, after a reluctant apology, a severe lecture from the king, and a double history lesson from the major as punishment, Eric was finally released.

"Happy now?" Eric said in exasperation. "I think I nearly passed out from boredom listening to the major drone on for two hours."

"Yes, how terrible for you," said Elizabeth tonelessly. She waved him along the corridor. "Hurry along. I had spoken to Hoffmann while you were suffering, and he's waiting for us."

They spent the rest of the afternoon in the enchanter's work chamber. Eric provided the main source of ideas for how the snow globe should look, which Hoffmann easily followed. Finally, the gift was complete.

The base of the snow globe was solid gold, and decorated with intricate patterns that weaved through each other in dreamy swirls and loops. Inside the snow globe was a castle modeled closely after the one they were currently in. It sat on a snowy hill, which was dotted in deep green pine trees. When flipped, snow would drift down cheerily, and Hoffmann magicked it so that the snowfall lasted longer. He also added a music box into the snow globe's base, which he enchanted to play a ballet song Elizabeth hummed to him for reference. Thanks to Hoffmann, the snow globe would never shatter if dropped, nor would the music box mechanisms ever wear down.

Thrilled, Elizabeth heartily thanked the enchanter and paid him a sum of money for his labor. Bidding Hoffmann a good evening, Elizabeth and Eric made their way towards the rooms Elizabeth was staying in.

"Will she like it?" asked Eric, eager in spite of his initial reservations about the gift.

"I think she will love it," said Elizabeth adamantly. She smiled warmly at the prince. "Thank you for the wonderful idea."

Eric tilted his head thoughtfully. "Does she live nearby? How soon is her birthday?"

"She lives far from here, I'm afraid," said Elizabeth. "But if I time the world crossing correctly, I should make it back in time for her birthday. I shall have to leave soon, though."

"Oh," said Eric in disappointment.

"Which means you have to be on your best behavior while I'm gone," Elizabeth said. "For your father's sanity, at the very least."

Eric gave a sigh. "I shall try."

"Well, I suppose that's the best I'm going to receive from you," laughed Elizabeth. She waved impatiently. "Now go on and get ready for supper."

"You'll be dining with us, won't you?" Eric asked hopefully.

"Of course," said Elizabeth. "I haven't had a proper conversation with your father all day, thanks to you." She patted Eric. "Though it was well worth it. I can't imagine a better gift."

/

"Aunt Elizabeth! You're here!"

Beaming, Elizabeth opened her arms to embrace her niece and nephew as they ran to her.

"Hello, my darlings!" she exclaimed. "How I've missed you both!" She stood back, examining the siblings. "Tommy, how you've grown! And Clara, you look absolutely lovely in that dress."

"Grandfather bought it for my birthday!" Clara exclaimed. She twirled, letting the pink fabric swirl out around her.

"How wonderful of him!" Watching her niece adoringly, Elizabeth pulled forth a box wrapped in violet gift paper. A white lace bow was tied over its lid.

Clara gave a gasp of delight and sprang forward. "Oh, Aunt Elizabeth!"

Elizabeth smiled. "Perhaps you can open it before the birthday supper?"

Clara turned to look at her grandfather, who was standing near the parlor's fireplace. "Oh Grandfather, may I?" She clasped her hands together, her eyes pleading. "Please, may I?"

Her grandfather frowned. "We always open gifts after supper, Clara. You know that."

Sobering, Clara gave a nod. "Yes, Grandfather."

Her grandfather studied her. Then he let out a sigh. "However, I suppose one gift won't make a difference."

Clara immediately brightened. "Thank you!" She ran over to him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Flustered by the ecstatic display of affection, he waved her off. "Go on, go on," he said brusquely. But his tone was notably warmer than before.

Clara hurried to the parlor's sofa, which Elizabeth had already settled onto. Uninterested, Tommy wandered off to amuse himself until suppertime.

"Happy Birthday, darling," Elizabeth said as she handed over the box.

Clara placed the box on her lap and tugged the bow free. Tearing the paper away, she lifted the box's lid and peered inside. A happy cry escaped her, and she reached inside, pulling out a shimmering snow globe.

"Aunt Elizabeth, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed. She hastily pushed aside the gift box and set the snow globe on her legs. "It looks like a castle from a fairy tale!" She turned the snow globe over, sending the snowflakes inside swirling about the glass dome. Noticing the tiny crank on the bottom of the golden base, she twisted it clockwise a few times, then set the snow globe upright.

Music tinkered softly from the snow globe. Clara's face lit up, and she looked up at her aunt. "My favorite song! How ever did you find such a perfect gift, Aunt Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth smiled coyly. "I had a little help."

"Thank you so much," Clara said, embracing her aunt tightly.

Satisfied with the apparent normalcy of Elizabeth's gift, Clara's grandfather left the parlor to check on the supper preparations.

Elizabeth pressed a kiss to her niece's cheek. "Of course, my dear." Seeing that they were alone, she winked at Clara and gave the snow globe a tap. "Perhaps someday I'll take you to a place just like this."

"That would be wonderful," said Clara dreamily.

Elizabeth smiled. "Until then, I'll just have to satisfy your curiosity with my stories." She settled back against the sofa cushions. "Why just the other day, the most extraordinary thing happened to me…"

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Alright, alright, we are going *super* deep into headcanon territory for this one. I'm guessing you all figured out who Lord Mauscher is supposed to be. So let me explain.

A Simple Touch is meant to be a more mature look at Clara and Eric's romance, with more realistic elements used to achieve that maturity. Which might be ridiculous, since this is all based on a Barbie movie that is based on a story that's kind of the Christmas version of Alice in Wonderland (dreams, and weirdness, etc). Realism shouldn't be a concern. But I'm *always* trying to logically fit things together and explain things, so I found myself asking, "why in the heck would the king have a freaking MOUSE as his adviser?"

Lord Mauscher comes from a few inspirations. One is the 2015 German film version of The Nutcracker, Nussknacker und Mausekönig. I don't know German (sadly) and the youtube upload I saw had no subtitles, but from what I gathered, the Mouse King could switch between mouse and human forms (?). I've also read fantasy books where things like swords are enchanted so that only a certain user or bloodline can use them. If someone else uses the sword or whatever, they could become cursed.

So pasting different ideas together, I came up with this:

Eric's father's scepter is specifically meant for that royal bloodline. Only they can use it properly and without harm. If someone else uses it, it curses them. Eric's father entrusted the scepter to Lord Mauscher until Eric was ready for it, and the king ensured that Lord Mauscher would be able to use it so as long it didn't harm any members of the royal bloodline. But then Lord Mauscher cursed Eric and started using it to abuse the people of Parthenia. Doing this cursed him as well, until he started resembling what people had secretly nicknamed him: a mouse.

That's what I'm going with for my fanfic, because I can't handle the idea of the king sitting down for tea with a giant mouse and chatting it up with him haha. Not for my version of the story, at least.