(Children's gallop and Entry of Parents)
Although Ahiru was longing for a partner like Rue and Mytho, she loved dancing with her father! Much like her, Ahiru's father danced with an overwhelming cheerfulness that was very contagious to everyone around them. For Ahiru however, it was simply fun to waltz with her father. She didn't have to focus on anything else but the laughter between them. If only she could see how much she glowed in moments like this one! Maybe then she would never have to worry about comparing herself to Rue.
Unfortunately the fun would inevitably come to an end. The clock rang for 6:30, and there was a knock at the door. Mr. Stanban bowed to his daughter. She in turn curtsied to him, allowing him to head off to the door. Somehow Pique and Lillie popped up behind Ahiru. They immediately hooked arms with her. "Let's go see!" They said together, dragging Ahiru with them.
At the door was an elderly man in a large red coat. Atop his head was a brown cap with multiple colored feathers draping down his back. Behind him was a large trunk.
"Ah, Drosselmeyer!" Mr. Stanban said, "You're late. Is everything okay?"
Drosselmeyer looked exhausted. "I'm sorry Mr. Stanban, My grandson has gone missing. I'm rather worried he'll be late."
Close by, Pique giggled. "I've heard of his grandson. He's supposed to be super mysterious. No one knows just how dangerous he is!"
"Oh, oh, that's not what I've heard!" Lillie said, now wanting to add to the rumor. "I've heard he talks to ravens!"
Ahiru got very nervous at those words. This grandson sounded terrifying. She hoped he wouldn't come to the party. Meanwhile behind her back, Pique and Lillie were giggling.
Drosselmeyer began to carry his large trunk inside. He looked at the three girls by the door. His eyes rested for a moment on Ahiru. He smiled and walked into the main hall.
(Stop)
He placed his trunk in the center of the room. "Come gather 'round!" He said, "Witness the magic show by Herr Drosselmeyer!"
The youth swarmed him. Drosselmeyer was well known for his magic shows and wonderful gifts! As everyone sat around him, Drosselmeyer began his show. Raising his hand over his head, Drosselmeyer quickly swiped his hand down over his face, making an ornate owl-like mask appear over his eyes! Next he glided his hand over his long sleeve, until he reached into it and produced a simple black and white wand. There were a few golf claps at his simple parlor tricks.
He tapped twice on the lid of his trunk with the wand and said, "Behold! The graceful Edel!"
The lid of the trunk flew open to reveal a puppet lady with green hair and a colorful outfit. The puppet mechanically climbed out of the box and waited with a blank expression on its face. Drosselmeyer walked behind the puppet. "Edel, music!" He tapped twice on its head. The puppet straightened up and pulled a music box from its side. The puppet began to turn the crank on the side of the music box, filling the room with music.
(Scene and Grandfather Dance)
Shortly after that, the puppet began to dance. Drosselmeyer was truthful about this puppet's name, for Edel danced with grace and elegance. During the dance, the puppet would interact with the crowd, either waving or blowing kisses. However when Edel went to Ahiru, it stopped. It stroked her face, and Ahiru swore the puppet smiled at her. Edel's movement seemed to go on so long as the music endured. As the music box began to slow down, so too did Edel.
Edel finished the dance and everyone applauded. Drosselmeyer tapped Edel's head again. Mechanically, Edel began to crank the music box once more to revive the music. Drosselmeyer closed the lid of his trunk, tapped it twice, and opened it again. "Oh, what have we got here?" He said playfully. He pulled out a large red sack. "Why, I think it's a sack from Father Christmas!" The younger ones of the children cheered. Drosselmeyer began passing out gifts to his audience. Ahiru watched as everyone before her opened their gifts.
From what she could see, Mytho was given a simple wooden crown. Her sister Rue was given a red crystal necklace that matched her red dress. Freya and Lillie had matching snowflake necklaces. Funny enough, Malin and Pique were given matching flower necklaces. Lysander and Hermia were given complimentary gifts of coffee and chocolate. Femio was given candy canes. Ahiru couldn't help but laugh at Autor getting more tea. Drosselmeyer knew his audience well.
Finally it was her turn. Ahiru approached Drosselmeyer and the almost empty sack. With a big smile Drosselmeyer reached into the sack saying, "Hmm, I wonder what else could be here? Ah!" He pulled out a lone nutcracker. The nutcracker had black hair and piercing green eyes. He was dressed in brown and black clothes with a flowing cape and carried a sword on his hip. He seemed to have a rather sad look on his face.
"My dear, this is the last gift. I do hope you will treat it well." He placed the nutcracker in her arms. Ahiru smiled down at it. "He's perfect."
There was a relieved smile on Drosselmeyer's face. "That nutcracker is a brave knight. And he is very loyal to those he trusts."
"I promise, I'll take good care of him."
She rushed to her older sister to show off her gift. "Oh Ahiru, that looks great!" Rue said, looking down at the nutcracker. Ahiru traced a line around her nutcracker's face, wondering if she could find a way to make him smile back at her. It almost seemed like nothing could ruin Ahiru's joy with her precious nutcracker. For better or worse though, that kind of joy attracts attention. Especially unwanted attention!
"Oh, let me see!" Lillie shouted. Without a word, Lillie snatched the nutcracker from Ahiru's arms.
"Lillie! Stop!" Ahiru said.
"Wait, I want to see it!" Pique said. She grabbed the other end of the nutcracker and began to pull it out of Lillie's grasp. The two tugged back and forth for a moment, packincing Ahiru in the process.
"Pique, Lillie! That's enough!" Rue snapped. The two girls quickly threw their hands up and released the nutcracker. The sudden change in grip caused the nutcracker to fly across the room and land violently on the floor.
(Stop)
All music in the main hall stopped. Ahiru gasped in horror. The nutcracker had cracked from the right shoulder across to the left hip. Ahiru slowly walked to her nutcracker and gingerly picked him up. "I'm sorry." She whispered to him, "I'll take care of you."
She left the main hall and moved upstairs to her room. Gently, she began to mend him back together. Because she was worried her mending skills would not hold up, she took out her handkerchief and bound his torso back together. She closed her eyes and hugged him for a long time.