"The Rat that Bit at the Nutcracker's Sugarplum"
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Chapter Two: Feeling...Small
"Princess…Princess!"
I awoke hearing someone calling some princess above my head. Oh wait, that's me. I opened my eyes to see Pop standing too close for comfort to my face. I fought the urge to scream since my mind knew it was her, but my body still tensed to yell. Seeing my wide-eyed distress she backed up and giggled happily. "You've been asleep for a while! I'm to prepare you for dinner." "Oh," I said stupidly. Walking to my window my breath was once again taken away. It was dark, but the stars shone magnificently, the moonlight spilled onto the trees, making them glow surreally. Close to the ground were lights. They wove in and around the land like a golden thread but bobbed gently as though there were a million fireflies. "Night fairies," Pop whispered in my ear. I was too mystified to jump at her sudden appearance. "The lights?" I asked, the night wind swirling my hair. "Yes," she said, her tone dreamy. "They are the keepers of the fireflies. In the day they hide in caves, but at night they come out and they glow. They help the lost and those who travel at night." I was amazed. There was so much I didn't know about this world. "Are there day fairies?" I asked curiously. Pop gave me an incredulous look. "What do you think flower fairies are?" she asked. I paused looking at her incredulously. "I haven't the slightest idea." She laughed loudly and then took my arm, tugging me toward a door I had not previously noticed. "You have to get ready princess, remember?" "Wait, what?" I asked again. I was still drowsy. She said dinner. I couldn't just go and eat dinner?
"Dinner," she declared grasping my shoulders. "Dinner with the King." Then she opened the door. My heart rose in my throat. It was like I was in the Princess Diaries. A large walk in closet filled with dresses upon dresses and shoes greeted me. It was like an extreme dress up party. "We're not sure what your measurements are so there are several sizes," Pop said happily. "It's going to be Grandtaffidus!" "What?"I exclaimed wondering why I always felt lost. "What did you say?" "Grand-taff-uh- duh-ss," she sounded out. "It's kind of like Frost, but even better. You need to get with the times Princess." I chose to ignore this and simply followed the strange girl into the closet. "I think you would look radiant in emerald," she said pulling out a green dress. "Too short," she said frowning. She took out another one. "Too small." And yet another. "Too wide." Sighing she looked at me in disappointment. "Really Princess, you are making things difficult." I opened my lips to retort but she simply threw a dress in my hands. "Go change," she said pushing me farther into the closet. Frowning I realized I had no idea on how to get into the dress. There was no zipper or opening as far as I could see. What in the world? "OH! PRINCESS!" Pop called all of a sudden. Hearing the voice but not seeing the girl I crept towards the sound. "Princess!" she called again. I looked around confused. It was coming from the clothing rack. "Just how far does this go?" I murmured leaning towards it. "PRINCESS!" she yelled jumping out from the opposite rack right behind me. "OH GEEZ!" I yelped, holding my racing heart still in my chest. "Are you trying to kill me?" "Whatever do you mean?" Pop asked innocently attempting to feign hurt, but I was sure that deep behind her smile she was extremely pleased. "Whatever," I said trying to be tolerant of her crazy ways.
"I found you a wonderful dress," she said hiding it proudly behind her back. "I think you will love it." "Okay," I sighed, hoping it wasn't close to what she was wearing. She produced a light pink and pink dress that startled my revere. It almost looked like the dress I had worn when I danced with Eric. It had a dark pink corset with light pink leaves outlining the ribs and petals sprouting from the bodice. It was held together by white crisscross string and had long light pink sleeves that flowed underneath open shoulders. The main part of the dress was the light pink, close to white that draped slightly below my knees. I wondered if it was coincidence that I could probably dance in it. "Put it on," she said extending it to me. "I…don't know how," I admonished. She looked shocked for a moment before she smiled warmly. "I will help you!" she cheered before she bore her talons and began ridding me of my clothes. "Hey! Calm down!" I yelled as I stood in my skivvies. "Oh we're both women Princess. Don't be a prude. Your top is all wrong. That…thing you're wearing won't do at all!" I realized with some horror that she meant to rid me of my bra. "B-But I need it," I exclaimed, covering my precious armor." "You need a corset," she said putting out a hand defiantly. I was shocked by her bipolar attitude but seeing she wasn't relenting bashfully gave her my bra and covered myself as best as I could. Satisfied, she went deep into the clothes racks and came back with an unmoving but extremely lacy substance that I assumed was a corset. Turning me around, she put it around me and tugged. I gasped as she tried in vain to make the ends meet. After a minute or two she took it away. "My my, you are mighty aren't you?" she said giggling.
I said nothing, ready to die on the spot. She disappeared again and returned with a bigger corset that fit easily together. Then she began to pull the strings. "Don't worry," she said comfortingly. "I won't tug too tight, you have a waist. If you didn't well…" She left it at that and I was extremely happy that I had a waist. Then upon second thought didn't everyone? With that she told me to put my hands above my head and pulled the dress over, tightening the string in the back and adjusting it so my shoulders would be bare. I tugged on the soft material that rested just above my knuckles and was shocked to feel a bit of glee inside. I had never been a very feminine girl, but I supposed that every girl at one point had wanted to be a princess. "Come along!" Pop said rushing me back into the room. "We must hurry!" Grabbing a pair of dark pink flats she jammed them on my feet before realizing they were too small. Frowning she asked me to show her my foot. Knowing I was once again going to be ridiculed I simply pointed out a foot and watched as she blinked. "Oh my," she exclaimed, and then went deep into the closet. I was about a 10 and a half sometimes 11. Ballerinas had big feet, what could you do? She returned with a pair of silver slippers that were made of some type of cloth instead of a bound shoe. "This was the only one I could find," she said slipping it on me. It fit, but just barely. "Good Gumdrops," she sighed then began brushing my hair in front of the large vanity she had set me in front of. "Let's leave it down," she said smiling. "It's very pretty."
I simply nodded, starting to seriously crave food. I was growing out an attempt at bangs and the front of my hair was shorter than the back. Parted down the middle it was a wonderful effect. Anywhere else was a terrible nightmare. Then she draped a silver necklace around my neck that had a single red ruby at the bottom. She put silver earrings in the shape of ice cream cones in my ears, and to my surprise put a simple silver tiara in my hair. "You are a Princess, remember?" she said smirking. "Oh we are to be the best of friends!" Then to my trepidation she fished out a huge berry out of my vanity drawer. "What is that?" I asked, wondering how a big fruit was going to play a part in my preparation. She ignored me, twisting the stem three times. Suddenly the whole top of it snapped off and I saw it held a red goop. Dipping her finger in it I grimaced when she pulled it out and the goo snapped off like rubber. "Don't frown Princess," she said as she pushed her finger towards my lips. I leaned back trying not to grimace, but she managed, despite my squirming to spread the red slime on my lips. After she was done I felt it tingle then harden. I then turned to the mirror and saw it had turned into something that mirrored lipstick. A lovely deep red now lay on my lips.
"Done!" Pop giggled happily. She then took her own hair and with her hands parted it down the middle and twirled the ends. It held and was so buoyant I was sure their hair had to be whip cream. Snapping open a smaller different fruit, she smeared on a light pink shade and pulled me by the hand out the door. "Be sure to stand up straight. Oh! And never slurp or burp but if you are the purp deny it like a candy cane without stripes! Ok?" she prattled on as we ran through the halls. I tried to hold up my dress as she pulled me to only she knew where. "Oh and stay at the door for a moment for appraisal then let the King receive you and walk with him where you'll wine and dine and use your napkin cause if you don't use your napkin you'll be impolite. Hey? Hey are you getting any of this?" We suddenly stopped in front of a pair of large doors that were wooden, but in the shape of two large chocolate bars. "Yes," I puffed fluffing out my dress. She smiled. "Good," then she thrust open the door.
As soon as she did I was hit by the sound of medieval music. *
I was amazed as they sung in an unknown language as old fashioned guitar accompanied them sight. The hall was beamed in golden light and at its center was a long roundtable festooned with the most sweets and food I had ever seen. Waiters dressed up in what appeared to be black licorice coats with white gloves and put tray upon trays of strange but pretty food on the table. Far in the corner was a dance floor where couples in grand dresses and suits of all shapes and sizes danced palm to palm in a routine that only they knew. It was like the cha cha slide or the cupid shuffle, but older and magnificently elegant.
Then I saw him. He was wearing a dark blue jacket with bird coat tails. Unlike the others his white shirt had no ruffles and simply buttoned to his neck with a gold button in the shape of a gumdrop. He wore tall black boots that went up to his knees and white pants as well. He looked every bit the benevolent ruler. My lips itched to say his name when he turned and beamed at me, stealing my breath away. "Clara," he uttered proudly. Suddenly the entire room turned my way. To my surprise Pop distanced herself from me and like a ballerina stepped backwards away from me. I nearly joined her before remembering Eric's warning. He walked towards me with deliberation and I made myself straighten. With a warm smile he extended his elbow and I took it letting his lead me into the hall. I heard every step I took as the music continued uninterrupted. I was nervous, feeling as though I was doing a wedding march. "You look beautiful," he said quietly in my ear. "Thank you," I replied feeling myself blush. "You too."
He laughed outright at my ridiculous claim and led me to the table. A licorice coat pulled open my chair and Eric eased me down before releasing me so I could be pushed in. Then his own chair was pulled back and he sat as well. With him sitting the dance floor emptied toward the table and I saw eager faces staring at me. As the guests went to their places I saw Candy and Mint sitting as well. Candy was dressed in his normal white and blue while the Major was decked in his military colors. I noticed they each had quite a collection of medals on as well. Candy chatted comfortably with ladies and gentlemen alike while Mint looked a bit stiff. "This is Princess Clara," Eric said, standing once everyone had been seated. I was suddenly aware that there was a whole system of etiquette I did not know. As though sensing my distress I heard a cough and was able to locate Pop who gave me a wink. She sat next to Mr. Fizzler, whom had combed back his whip cream like locks backwards. He looked extremely regal, his glasses adding a touch of elegance to his every action. Beside him Pop looked his little kid sister. To his left were Straw and Blue gushing to each other about something while disturbing the lady next to them. As though being snapped back into place I realized that I was being addressed. I saw Pop raise her eyebrows and tilt her chin up so I stood, my chair automatically moved back by a server and took the most graceful curtsey I could muster. Considering my ballet experience it seemed to work really well.
"She is also known as the Sugar Plum Princess." I heard a collective gasp as the guests looked at me with renewed astonishment. "You don't say?" "Give us a dance!" "Are you quite sure?" "What a beauty!" "She's quite different you know." A large set of whispers flooded my ears as I tried hard to remain calm. Suddenly a middle aged man with cotton candy blue hair stood up. He wore white gloves and a suit that definitely seemed of the candy kingdom, but his eyes, a strange yellow held something suspicious. He held a wooden cane with a golden top and I felt weird around it. "Your highness," the man said standing. "I am Count Cotton. Not to be impertinent, but we have all experienced Sugar Plum Princess imposters before. You yourself know of the trouble they have caused." I looked at Eric in shock. "What?" I asked considering this was new news. They looked at me again, since I had spoken out but Eric simply raised a hand in protest. "I would know the love of my life and future Queen of Parthenia." The table gasped again, and I was shocked to be a part of it. Seeing them look at me again I coughed and uttered, "Sorry." It was just so darn startling. Men didn't talk like that anymore.
"Of course my liege," the man said looking at me with shocking intensity. "Only, we would as a whole no doubt appreciate some form of proof." "Proof?" Eric asked, starting to frown. "How so?" "Well…" the man said as though he were thinking hard. "How about…a dance?"
"Yes a dance a dance!" 'That would be lovely!" "Of course wonderful!" The table overloaded with loud cheering and encouragement and I saw Eric was in a tight spot. "Exactly what I had feared," Eric stated pulling me towards him. "Why?" I asked confused. "Well, I was hoping to keep you protected as long as possible, but they'll be no end of it now." "What?" I asked as he led me slightly away from the tantruming table. "You dancing. This is Parthenia, we set our royal standards very high. Dancing is of the highest priority, second only to kindness." "Do you doubt my ability?" I asked slightly offended. "No," he scoffed. "I just hope you will be able to deal with the propositions that will follow." "Excuse me?" I declared unsure by what he was driving at. He shrugged, directing his gaze beyond my shoulder. "I may be the King, but I am far from the only royalty in Parthenia. They would no doubt love to court you." He smirked devilishly and tugged off his gloves. "Of course they are no match for me. Would you like to do our pas de deux?" "No," I replied, feeling warm that he had refer to it as our pas de deux. "Let's start new memories and I need my shoes." Eric suddenly whistled and pointed to me. Straw, who just suddenly ran over like a pet, automatically started to twist my hair into a bun. She pushed in my tiara firmly actually hurting my skull a bit. Suddenly Pop popped up in front of us, my ballet shoes in hand. "I retrieved these out of your bag. I hope these will be satisfactory." With that she sped off to speak to the musicians. Ignoring the fact that she was in my bag I simply slipped them on. Lacing up my shoes I saw that Eric had rolled back his sleeves. "Are you ready?" he asked me taking my hand. "Always," I answered as he led me to the dance floor.
"Wait a moment."
Turning the same man whom had first wished for my dance stood another complaint on his lips. "My King, you yourself have wonderful ability, able to enhance the abilities of others as well. It might be best to individually assess her if she danced…individually." With that he sat and started a bit of unrest. Eric frowned, not releasing my hand. "Are you okay with this?" he asked worriedly. I nodded, more irritated than fearful. My first dance in Parthenia in front of royalty, and yet I could not feel fear. Not when Eric held my hand so tightly and looked at me with those kind eyes. "It's fine NC," I whispered in his ear. "I've got this, so you just go sit there and look beautiful." He laughed and bowed to me, eliciting more overreaction, before going back to his seat. Shoulders back, toes pointed, I walked to the center of the dance floor.
*The music began and I rose on pointe.
Starting lazy bourée-d in place to accent the soft piano sounds that started out. As it began I raised my hands from first position below like an embrace, to fifth position, an oval above my head. Suddenly the music started and I realized I was dancing to "Ave Maria."
The woman's voice was reverent and I peeked at her singing in the corner and envied her. At her first lament of Mary I bourée-d to the right listing my hands from their formal position to a fluid waving as though I was caught in a storm. Then I slowly rose into an arabesque, my arms forward. I stayed there until she began again. My strength training had really paid off.
When her sound became mournful I threw my back leg forward to give me momentum for a pencil turn. I turned on beat, a pirouette, a pencil turn, each interchanging until she started to call the lament at the end of that phrase. I bourée-d once more, my arms outstretched on each side I wanted to look around to see how I was doing, but since I was improvising I could not do that. Plus, I had someone watching me who mattered. I wanted him to remember why he had chosen me. I had a little fun with the light switch of keys as the music shifted and did a few side jumps, completing a circle of what is known as glissade. Nearly falling into modern I restrained my urge to fall on the group and roll backwards. That might have an uproar.
The woman made a loud lament and I did a pirouette with deep preparation that lasted for a long time and stopped on the dot in fifth position after she finished. I felt enchanted as the woman sang and I expressed her soul. She called Ave Maria again and I did another arabesque, this time in the romantic style my arms folded underneath me like swan lake and extended my foot high. I wished I had a partner so that I could extend farther. There was a pause of her voice when I suddenly felt hands on my torso helping me out of the position.
Eric.
We said nothing as she sang Ave Maria. On the Ave he listed me in his arms close to the ground as I stayed as straight as I could in a fish dive. When she ended Maria I was in his arms. He spun me in a pirouette and opened up. Gently he lifted my waist and gave me assisted jetés. It truly felt like flying. I landed and he did a back scissor kick jump and a pirouette in one smooth motion before I bourée-d away from him teasingly. He pursued me and he spun me quickly in traveling pirouettes until we were in the middle of the floor. With that he stepped behind me and an outstretched an arm. I rested my right arm on it, knowing what he was preparing for it. He then lifted my left leg vertically up close to my ear and gently released it before lifting me above his head in an arch. I didn't breathe, didn't think I could as he turned me in that small circle. He put me down and in a fit of passion I took my right hand and faced him putting it on his cheek. He took it and holding me firm I bent backwards and fell to the side, my fingertips brushing the floor. I looked like I had unfurled, my eyes closed as he lifted me upright once more.
The music began to soften and I bourée-d around him before he captured my waist and I bent backwards, my hair touching the ground in a backbend. Then the music started to end, the singer done as the piano and harp finished up. Her voice was just a whisper when he lifted me up and I stepped out, doing one more pirouette before returning to Eric's arms and bending the opposite way. We ended one of his arms high above me while the other supported me as I appeared to be in slumber. I truly hoped to never open my eyes should this all be but one dream.
There was an awkward silence before the palace erupted in cheers and clapping. We righted ourselves, me slightly embarrassed, feeling as though me an Eric were having a moment.
"Undeniable," Mr. Fizzler stated, the first word I heard from him all night. "Can we agree?" "Yes, yes of course." "Magnificent. Moving, simply moving." "Again again!" The loud snippets of conversation had me feeling like I might be more comfortable living off the land and hiding from mice soldiers. Ah, the good old days. "I think we've all seen enough," Eric said his arm around me comfortingly. "Yes," the man said, holding his cane and smiling. "There is no mistake." He nodded to me which sort of left me unsettled, and proceeded to go to the back of the room. The floor was once again filled with dancers, people ate, and Eric was once again swamped by guests. "Wait," he called, but they carried him off before I could say yo or go. Then to my surprise I was surrounded. "Jolly good show!" "Wonderful! How many years?" "Where are you from again?" Before I could faint Pop suddenly grabbed me from the group and led me to the table. We heard grumbles about her rude behavior as she sat me down. "You should eat," she said smiling warmly. I looked at her, never knowing if this girl was coming or going. "Thanks," I said grabbing what appeared to be a peppermint striped chicken leg. "I'll need to keep up my strength in a place like this."
(Hi guys!:P
After getting some suggestions from reviewers and readers I've decided to include musical links to accompany the stories. It's the music I put in my head when I write the dancing scenes and when you see a "*" you will know to play the first of the links. When you see the next "*" than you play the next one. Let me know if you want me to continue or you'd rather keep your own music in your head.
* (Clara Entering hall) Song: Stella splenden in monte
Everything is on u-tube dot what I have down. I can't type in the address for some reason...idk.
.com/watch?v=irlnapqg9g0
* (Dance) Song: Ave Maria by Barbara Bonney
.com/watch?v=aQVz6vuNq7s
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