The grand room which had only hours ago been filled with the sounds of lively music and the chatter of guests, now sat empty and dark. The fire had all but gone out, reduced to dimly glowing cinders, its warmth nearly nonexistent. Torn wrapping paper from gifts that had been opened early were scattered around the room, it seemed like that was a good place to start.
Noelle placed the candelabra in her hand on an end table, it was the only light she had to work by, but it was enough. The moonlight would have usually been peeking through the windows at this hour, but the snow hadn't let up, and in fact had only gotten worse. What was once a beautiful light snowfall had since turned into a blizzard, with the howling wind pushing against the windows, making them creak and whistle.
An old grandfather clock sat against the wall, ticking away, combined with the storm Noelle was overcome with a sense of eriness that was hard to shake.
She sighed, despite her mood she had work to do, the room was expected to be cleaned and ready by tomorrow morning.
It would be Christmas day and the family's children would rush down here, eager to unwrap their long awaited presents. would sit by the fire smoking from his pipe, watching his son play with his many new toys. No doubt Clarissa would fawn over her newest dresses and shoes, while would get teary eyed about how her little daughter had grown up into a fine young lady. Then after breakfast they'd head off to church until early afternoon, dressed in their finest winter coats. Before attending another dinner party, no doubt very similar to the one they had just hosted, where they'd stay out far too late, and come back tired and exhausted, putting their children to sleep before retiring to bed themselves.
Yet again Noelle felt it, envy, but this time not for the finer things the Doyle's could afford, but instead for the idea of them as a whole. They were a family, a proper family, who loved and cared for each other. Noelle had never known anything like that, but she craved it. Once upon a time when she was younger, she had told the other children in the orphanage that she would marry a wealthy man, and start her own perfect little family.
The girl looked down at her own stained and well-worn uniform. It was all a fairytale of course, one she needed to tell herself to get through the cold nights and hungry days.
The girl sighed as she looked over to the presents that remained under the tree, wrapped neatly in colorful paper with dainty ribbons, they looked perfect, and for a moment Noelle felt the overwhelming urge to reach over and open one herself. There were so many, surely no one would notice if one went missing.
She thought back to the dress Clarissa had been wearing earlier, how perfect she had looked in it, its purple color vibrant in her mind with all its frills and embroidery, she had looked beautiful, but that was true even without the dress. For a moment she got angry, envious of how effortlessly beautiful Clarissa looked all the time, even in the morning one of her many nightgowns, without the help of makeup at all she seemed to shine as brightly as a star in the sky.
Noelle looked over her shoulder for a moment before leaning down, placing the broom she had been holding gently on the floor before kneeling down, picking up a small parcel, wrapped in pink paper with a white ribbon tied around it, holding it all together. Clarissa's name written on the paper tag in beautiful cursive letters. Before she knew it Noelle found herself reaching to untie the bow. She already had so much...surely just one-
Noelle stopped, the silence in the room somehow seemed to echo.
"What am I doing?" She muttered, placing the gift back beneath the tree.
Noelle looked over to the nutcracker stuck out of her apron pocket, it's eyes seemed to be almost judging her. "Oh don't look at me like that." Noelle groaned, picking up the wooden doll, holding it so that she could see it better in the dim light. "You just wouldn't understand, you're a prince after all you have everything-or well I suppose you HAD everything didn't you Nutcracker?" She giggled, standing back up and placing the nutcracker on the window sill, before stepping back and performing an overly exaggerated curtsy. "I'm sorry, I mean your majesty. Please, forgive me for my thoughtless and discourteous demeanor." She giggled, having a little too much fun with her game when the clock chimed with a low tone, louder than normal, echoing through the room, something about it was a little more unnerving than usual.
It stopped the girl right in her tracks, making her feel small in the large empty space.
A sudden scurrying in the darkness grabbed her attention-a mouse? She'd have to make a mental note to tell Mrs. Doyle that they had gotten in again.
As a little shadow darted behind a footrest Noelle wasted no time in grabbing her broom and marching over to where the mouse had been, trying to get it out from its hiding place. "Shoo! Go on, get out of here get-."
"HEY!" A little voice cried out, catching her attention, she stared down at the mouse, dressed head-to-toe in what appeared to be the uniform of a soldier. "Watch it lady!"
Noelle shrieked loudly, stumbling backwards and tripping over herself. Falling to the ground with a loud *THUD*! The girl groaned, rubbing her head as she slowly sat back up, looking around to see even more mice than before, all wearing the same outfits.
"There!" One of them yelled, pointing up towards the window.
A soft *CLACK* Of wood on wood caught her attention, looking over to see none other than her Nutcracker, no longer on the window sill but instead standing on his own on the floor, brandishing a sword in his hand. "Come and get me, you cretins!"
"I'm dreaming." Noelle whispered to herself, watching the whole scene play out. "I must have fallen asleep while working, isn't going to like that...".
One of the mice ran to the nutcracker, swiping at him with a blade which he easily parried. Pushing the attacking mouse off of him. More mice charged forward, coming at the prince from all angles, nearly overwhelming the poor nutcracker.
The sight was enough to shake Noelle out of the daze she was in. "Hey!" She shouted, getting back to her feet and rushing over, kicking a large number of mice away, sending them flying across the room. "Get away from him!"
"I had it under control!" The Nutcracker scolded her.
"Well it didn't look like it!"
"I have to agree Basil." A small, stout, plush mouse said from behind them, grabbing their attention. "You did appear to be in over your head."
"Another talking toy...". Noelle murmured in disbelief.
"I assure you Dawson I know what I'm doing." As if to drive his point home another mouse, screaming and flailing a sword around came running at him. Basil simply kicked him away, without even using his sword. "And I don't appreciate being rescued by a scullery maid."
"Scullery maid!?" Noelle exclaimed. "Well 'your majesty' a simple 'thank you' would have sufficed!" Out of the corner of her eye she spotted even more mice coming her way, it seemed that their little mouse problem was bigger than she originally thought. "Oh isn't going to be happy about this. Shoo! All of you!" She shouted, picking up her broom and sweeping them away, sending the miniature army into a full retreat.
"Well." Dawson looked over to Basil. "You can't argue with results."
The Nutcracker scoffed and crossed his arms. "Rudimentary brute force will never be a match for the skills of a refined swordsman."
"I couldn't agree more Basil." A sinister voice cackled in the darkness.
Basil knew that voice all too well.
Out of the darkness of the room a large rat emerged, brandishing a sword in his hand. His teeth displayed proudly with a wide, sinister, grin, piercing yellow eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Wearing fine clothing, covered in undeserved medals and golden embellishments, to match the even gaudier crown on his head.
"Well, if it isn't our friend: the so-called 'Rat King."
There was a flicker of rage in his eyes as Basil said those words, but overall Ratigan managed to keep a mostly calm demeanor. "That's 'Mouse King' to you." He corrected, beginning to circle the nutcracker like a shark in the water. "You somehow look even worse than the last time I saw you ol'boy, perhaps it's time to retire you. It'd be a shame to let such god kindling go to waste."
Basil raised his sword and took a defensive position, waiting for the rat to make the first move. "Even with that crown, the gold, the jewels, the clothes, it doesn't hide what you truly are Ratigan, a filthy, ugly-."
"Don't say it." The king growled in warning.
"-Rat!"
Ratigan yelled, charging at Basil, their two swords clashed as the Nutcracker managed to block his first swing, attempting to slash at the rat king who ducked out of the way and quickly retaliated.
All the yelling caught Noelle's attention, she'd been so busy chasing away the mice that she hadn't noticed the large rat which was currently attacking her nutcracker, watching with horror as the Rat King's sword slashed across Basil's chest, causing the Nutcracker to cry out in pain and fall back, dropping his sword.
Basil hissed at the painful gash, attempting to get back up before Ratigan's foot came crashing down onto him, pinning the nutcracker to the ground.
"Basil!" Dawson cried out, helpless to do anything but watch.
"And here I was expecting more from you." Ratigan chuckled, watching the Nutcracker struggle to get out from beneath him. "You really are out of practice dear boy." He told him, raising his sword high in the air, preparing for the finishing blow. "If it's any consolation I'm sure you'll make a lovely fire."
Basil glared at Ratigan, who was preparing for the finishing blow when something very large suddenly hit him, knocking the large rat off of the nutcracker.
He looked over in the direction the object had been thrown, only to see Noelle stomping across the room, now one shoe short. "Hey!" She shouted, picking up her shoe upon reaching them, holding it up in the air as if preparing to strike again. "Get away from him!"
Ratigan groaned, getting back on his feet, trying to regain his composure as he looked up at the girl who had just thrown a shoe at him, speaking to her as if they were on equal footing. "My dear-let me introduce myself, I am the-."
"The Rat king." Noelle cut him off. "I've heard of you."
"MOUSE king!" He corrected angrily, letting his previously calm demeanor slip. He cleared his throat and pushed back his hair into place before carrying on. "I see my reputation precedes me."
"Get out of this house!" Noelle demanded again. "I'm not afraid to use this again!" She raised the shoe higher in the air, threatening the rodent, who simply smiled, seemingly amused by that statement.
"Hhhmm how does that old saying go?" Ratigan tapped a finger on his chin, as if thinking of a word he couldn't quite find. "Oh yes! Now I remember: Pick on somebody your own size!"
Before Noelle could respond the Rat King snapped his fingers, and in a flash, a dash, and a puff of smoke, she felt herself change as a soft glowing light engulfed her entirely. The whole room began to spin, as the Christmas tree seemed to grow taller and taller.
An overpowering dizziness overtook her, and she fell, but the distance between her and the floor was much closer than expected.
"No!" Basil yelled, recognizing the Rat King's curses. Shakily the nutcracker got back on his own feet, picking up his sword and stumbling forward as he lost his balance. Dawson rushed to his side, helping him up.
"No Basil! We have to get you out of here!"
"But the girl, he's going to-!"
"It's to late." Dawson warned. "Look."
Noelle groaned while trying to stand up, slipping again and falling, blinking through her blurred vision to try and see what was around her. She rubbed her head, and instinctively reached out to grab her broom, hoping to sweep the Rat king away, only to pause when she realized it was now gigantic! The girl screamed as she saw her hand now resemble something of a paw, a pale cream fur covering her body. "What!? What did you do to me!?"
The Rat King merely continued to grin, seemingly more than content with his work. "Oh come now." He chuckled, walking towards her. "I could have done far worse."
It was only now that Noelle could see just how truly big he really was, towering over the girl as he leaned down, grabbing her hand and roughly pulling her up off the ground until they were at eye-level.
"Hey!" She cried out, attempting to kick him away. "Let me go! Don't touch me!"
"In fact, I'd say you look much better this way." Ratigan studied her intently, seemingly admiring his work. "Being a mouse suits you my dear."
Noelle stopped struggling upon hearing him confirm what she already had feared. She really had been turned into a mouse, this wasn't good, none of this could be real, it had to be a dream, it just had to!
"Turn me back! Turn me back right this instant! You had no right!" She demanded, glaring at the Rat King, trying to look him in the eyes, trying to seem tough, trying anything to intimidate him. Still nothing could shake that smug look off of his face. "Turn me back you ra-"
"Ah-ah-ah, I'd watch your tone now if I were you." Ratigan tutted, shaking his head. "It'd be a shame to have to dispose of such a pretty face, especially when-AAAAAAHHH!"
Whatever the Rat was going to say next was interrupted by an anguished cry as the still limping Nutcracker plunged a sword into his back, causing Ratigan to drop Noelle who quickly scurried to safety.
"You little-!" Ratigan panted heavily as blood began to pool around his feet. He turned around, took a step and stumbled, falling to his knees.
"The King has been wounded!" One of the mouse soldiers cried-sorry a lizard soldier? Noelle squinted, it was all a little surreal but at this point she was willing to accept just about anything.
"Get him to safety!" Another demanded. "Retreat!"
"No you idiots, kill the nutcr-GAH!" The king couldn't finish his sentence, to distracted by the pain from the wound, he seemed oddly weak...
The soldiers were quick to help him, two of them propping him up, putting themselves each under one of his arms, carrying his weight on their shoulders as they helped him walk. The troops carried him off to a small crack in the wall where they all quickly disappeared into, leaving behind nothing but more of a mess for Noelle to clean.
The group looked on in silence, as if all of them were unsure of what had just happened.
"Is he gone?" Came a small voice from the Christmas tree, catching their attention.
"Uhm. Yes? I think so." Noelle said slowly, unsure of what else she was about to see tonight.
"Are you sure?' The voice asked again, a little wind up toy, fashioned as a child mouse peeked out of one of the open gift boxes.
Dawson walked over to the box, extending his arms in an offer to help in getting the child down. "Yes my dear I'm sure, just what were you doing in there?"
"I couldn't get out of the box." The wind-up-toy said in an annoyed tone of voice as she took Dawson's hand, hopping down onto the wooden floor. "There was an awful lot of commotion and I wanted to see what was going on but if I called for help those smelly rotten soldiers would have found me."
"It was very smart of you to stay quiet" Dawson said, patting the girl on the head. "Do you have a name?"
"Olivia!" The little mouse introduced herself proudly, pulling out her skirt to preform a little curtsy. "And thank you!"
Noelle looked over at the tag attached to the box that the little wind-up-toy had been hiding in, in plain cursive it clearly read : From: Mr. Flaversham. These toys all must have been gifts given away at the party, but why? She still had no idea just what was happening, this was all so puzzling.
"Excuse me, does anyone care to fill me in on what exactly is going on?!" Noelle burst, unable to hold anything back anymore.
"We don't have time for this." The Nutcracker, grumbled. "We have to leave this place at once. That wicked rat is wounded but he won't stay down for long. This was all far to easy, something else is going on, and I intend to find out what."
"But Basil you're hurt, we should at least tend to-." Dawson tried to get a word in but couldn't, the nutcracker walking past him and picking up a discarded ribbon that had once been part of a gift box.
"There's no time." He said while tying the ribbon around the gash in his chest, seemingly to attempt to hide it more than anything else. Noelle noted how there was no blood, only a deep cut into wood, yet it still seemed to hurt him. "We must return to the Land Of Sweets before that so called 'King' comes back. Now come, we haven't much time."
Dawson watched as the Nutcracker stomped off towards the same crack in the wall that Ratigan and his troops had vanished into. "Oh my, come along now dear." He said to the child, taking her hand. "Stay close by."
"H-hey! Wait for me!" Noelle called after them, running to catch up. "You still didn't answer any of my questions!"
Basil stopped and turned around. "Oh no, no, no, you're staying right here Ms.-...uhm?"
"Noelle." She introduced herself.
"Right-Ms. Noelle. You're place is here, in this world, and I don't intend to bring a woman into this mess."
"Excuse me?!" Noelle felt her face turn red with anger, how dare he! She took a few steps forward, getting up in his face "I was cursed saving your tail if you've already forgotten!" The girl aggressively tapped on his chest as if to emphasize her point. "So whether you like it or not I'm coming with you!"
"And I saved you in turn, I'd say that makes us more than even." The Nutcracker retaliated. "Besides I don't recall asking for your assistance."
"Well you clearly needed it!" Noelle shouted back, losing her temper.
Dawson watched in worry as the two of them butted heads, attempting to get a word in over all the shouting. "Now, now please, there's no need for this! We're all in the same situation aren't we? We shouldn't be arguing with each other.
The two of them stopped their little shouting match, glaring at each other as Dawson attempted to deescalate the situation.
"Now Basil, look at her. We can't just leave the poor girl like this." He tried to reason with the Nutcracker doll.
"It will be far too dangerous, she'll slow us down."
Noelle rolled her eyes, it was clear that Basil was far to stubborn to listen. " Look I just need to know how to undo all of-". The girl gestured to herself. "This. Then I'll be more than happy to part ways."
The Nutcracker paused for a moment, considering her words. "No one can undo one of Ratigan's curses, except Ratigan himself. His magic is to strong, it's impossible."
There was a sadness in his voice that Noelle could detect, as if the very thought made him tired, and for a brief moment Noelle pitied him. If what Mr. Flaversham had told her was true, then he too had been cursed.
"There must be something." Noelle insisted. "A potion, a spell book?"
"Nothing, it's simply impossible to break a curse as powerful as ours." Basil repeated
Olivia raised her hand excitedly as if she were in a classroom. "But what about the Sugarplum fairy!"
"Baah!" The nutcracker scoffed. "A myth, a fable, a waste of time!"
Noelle turned to look down at the little doll, asking more. "The Sugarplum fairy?"
"-Dosen't exist!" Basil butted in, Noelle didn't even bother looking in the nutcracker's direction, doing her best to ignore him.
Oliva nodded eagerly. "She's got the most powerful magic in all the land. They say she has a magical heart, one so strong that it can grant any wish!"
"If she were real then Ratigan would be long gone by now." Basil interjected. "To go looking for her would be time wasted. Nothing but a wild goose-chase." He stomped off angrily, entering the crack in the wall.
Noelle chased after him, stopping for a moment once she realized just how dark the mouse hole really was. "Hey wait!" She yelled, attempting to catch up to The Nutcracker, who seemed determined to leave her behind. "This 'Sugar Plum Fairy', why do you think she's a myth?"
"All evidence supports it." Basil said, not bothering to turn around to face her while talking, continuing instead deeper and deeper into the tunnel, with Dawson and Oliva following not far behind. "For one, all faeries vanished from The Land of Sweets decades ago, Ratigan himself saw to that! Secondly no one has ever seen the Sugar Plum Fairy save for a few folktales and myths, and lastly if she was truly real and had the power to stop Ratigan don't you think she would have done so by now?"
Oliva giggled loudly, catching Basil's attention. "Everyone knows you have to ask a fairy for a wish." She said as if it were common knowledge. "They can't just use their magic to do whatever."
"Well there you go!" Noelle agreed. "All we have to do is find this Sugar Plum Fairy and tell her our wish!"
Basil rolled his eyes, he was just about at his limit with this girl. "It's a children's bedtime story."
"No, it's a folktale, you said it yourself!" Noelle reminded him. "And some folktales are based in some sort of truth! So maybe there's a chance that she does exist!"
Basil said nothing, letting an uneasy silence fall upon the group.
Noelle let out a heavy sigh. "Look, I don't know what else to do." She admitted. "This is all so surreal, only a few minutes ago I was a human girl and now I'm-." Her tail twitched and she looked down at her unfamiliar new body, reminding her of just how dire this situation was. "-This..." She continued. "I just want my old body back, and this 'Sugar Plum Fairy' sounds like the only real lead we've got. Unless you can think of another option?"
More silence, Basil was clearly thinking about her words carefully, finally he spoke. "It's a myth, but if you insist on coming and looking for her I suppose I can't stop you."
Before Noelle could thank him, Basil continued to make his way down the tunnel, wasting no time. "Now come, we've best get out of this place before Ratigan and his goons return."
"Please don't judge him to harshly dear." Dawson walked up next to her, still holding Oliva's hand, carefully guiding her through the dark. "He's really very pleasant once you get to know him." The plush mouse explained as they continued along.
Noelle looked over to the Nutcracker who continued to walk ahead of them at a pace none of them could quite catch up with, she frowned, not quite trusting Dawson's words.
"Thank you, but I'll believe it when I see it."