A Nostalgic Christmas Night
Clara and the Nutcracker are resting in the Pine Forest. When they're sitting there, Clara asks some questions about the Nutcracker's origins. Who is he? What was his family life like? When nostalgia becomes bitter, Clara is determined to turn that frown upside down.
This fanfic was suggested by @westerntails. I hope you thoroughly enjoy! And merry christmas one and all! I hope all your christmas dreams and wishes come true over the holiday season!
[FADE IN]
[Clara and the Nutcracker are walking through the pine forest, enjoying the dancing snowflakes that were accompanying them on their journey.]
Clara: “Oh, Nutcracker…How long must it take to get to the land of sweets? My little legs are growing tired.” [She looks down at her legs.]
Nutcracker: “My poor darling…” [Kneels down] “Do you need to rest?”
Clara: “Yes, I do.”
Nutcracker: “Very well. Let us sit on the chocolate logs up here.”
Clara: “Thank you, sweet Nutcracker.”
[The Nutcracker and Clara sit down on a log stump. The log looks to be made of a chocolate Yule Log, similar to the classic christmas sponge cake.]
Clara: “Thank you awfully. My little legs can only go very far. These slippers were not made for walking in this winter weather.”
Nutcracker: “Ah, I had forgotten you are wearing simple slippers.”
Clara: [smiles] “‘Tis no problem at all, dear Nutcracker.”
Nutcracker: “My large boots have been built to withstand this snow.”
Clara: “I see.”
Nutcracker: “I suppose you did not plan to walk in this snow?”
Clara: [Laughs] “I never could have planned a night such as this.”
Nutcracker: “I suppose you are right. No one could possibly plan to experience being shrunk down to size and bombarded by gingerbread soldiers and evil mice.”
Clara: [Laughs] “You could not be more correct! What a funny circumstance.”
Nutcracker: [Laughs]
[The Nutcracker and Clara go silent for a moment.]
Clara: “Oh Nutcracker?”
Nutcracker: “Yes, my dear?”
Clara: “Who were you before you had turned into a nutcracker?”
Nutcracker: “Well…” [shuffles feet] “Before I was the leader of the gingerbread soldiers, I was a boy just like you.”
Clara: [Tilts head] “Really?”
Nutcracker: “I had grown up like most children like yourself. The food was plentiful and I had many toys.”
Clara: [Looks at Nutcracker] “Did you have wonderful parents?”
Nutcracker: “Well…No. I was raised by my uncle. I used to work alongside him, until the mouse queen had cursed me.”
Clara: “If I may ask, who was your uncle?”
Nutcracker: [looks at her] “...Drosselmeyer.”
Clara: [gasps] “Drosselmeyer?”
Nutcracker: “You know of Mr. Drosselmeyer?”
Clara: “Yes, I do. He is my godfather.”
Nutcracker: [Smiles] “That is wonderful.”
Clara: [Smiles] “Drosselmeyer has known me since I was an infant. He is a charitable, jolly man.”
Nutcracker: “Oho, you fail to mention ‘mischievous’.”
Clara: “Mischievous?” [She tilts her head.]
Nutcracker: “Ah, I sense you have not seen that side of Drosselmeyer.”
Clara: [scoots closer] “Do tell, dear Nutcracker.”
Nutcracker: “I would love nothing more.” [He adjusts himself.] “As a young child, my uncle used to make the toys dance and roll around the house. It was wonderful to see, and it made my child oh so magical.”
Clara: [Listens intently]
Nutcracker: “My Uncle would make the wooden cars and the airplanes chase me around the house. He would make the building blocks move around as I played with them. The wooden animals would make noises to teach me the sounds of the animals.”
Clara: “That’s so sweet. Uncle Drosselmeyer made the dolls dance before you were given to me as a gift.”
Nutcracker: “I see…I suppose my uncle is still making the toys play.”
Clara: “He is.”
Nutcracker: [Sits up] “One of my favorite things he would do…He would make his woodworking tools come to life. The carvers would carve, the saws would saw, the sandpaper would smooth out the wood and the brushes would remove the dust.”
Clara: “That’s sweet.”
Nutcracker: “Often, my uncle would catch me sneaking around his workshop. If he noticed me, Uncle Drosselmeyer would send one of the flying dust brushes after me and tickle me senselessly.”
Clara: [Laughs] “That’s funny.”
Nutcracker: “Those brushes were atrocious. The mischief…It lasted for ages.” [He sighs.] “I miss my mischievous uncle.”
[The Nutcracker lowers his head with sadness. Seeing his sadness, Clara places a hand onto his shoulder.]
Clara: “Oh Nutcracker…Please do not cry.”
Nutcracker: “Oh, I would cry if I could.”
Clara: “Oh…please. It will be okay. I…” [She pauses] “I will let Drosselmeyer know you are thinking of him.”
Nutcracker: “Oh…You will?”
Clara: “Of course I will! I would love to.”
Nutcracker: [Smiles] “Thank you, Clara.”
Clara: “You’re welcome.”
Nutcracker: “It is very nice of you to pass on my message…” [Sighs] “However…I still miss him.”
Clara: “I know…I miss him too.”
Nutcracker: [sighs] I would do anything to experience those childhood memories again…”
Clara: “Oh…” [She places a hand onto his shoulder] “It will be okay.”
[The Nutcracker goes silent.]
Clara: [thinks for a moment, and raises her finger as an idea enters her name] “Maybe I can help you?”
Nutcracker: [Looks at Clara] “I beg your pardon?”
Clara: “I could help you experience those childhood memories again.”
Nutcracker: [Smiles] Oh Clara…I would love that…” [Looks away] “But how?”
Clara: [looks down at her hands, before reaching out and grabbing his sides] “Like this!”
Nutcracker: [Jumps and yelps] “Ah! What in the world?”
Clara: [tickles him] “Tickle tickle!”
Nutcracker: [Yelps] “Now hold on-” [starts laughing] “Oh goodness!”
Clara: [Smiles] “I see you are still ticklish, Mr. Nutcracker?”
Nutcracker: [Laughs] “I-I guess so!” [tries to leave the log] “Clara, please!”
Clara: “Yes, Nutcracker?” [grabs his shirt]
Nutcracker: [Gasps] “Uh oh…”
[Clara pulls the Nutcracker down to the log, making him sit and lay on his back. His head rests on her lap.]
Nutcracker: “Clara?”
Clara: “Nutcracker.” [She starts tickling his belly.]
Nutcracker: “No! [Laughs] “Clara! Oh goodness!”
Clara: “This is so wonderful! You are so ticklish, Nutcracker!”
Nutcracker: [Laughs] “I-I know!” [Laughs] “Th-Thanks for reminding me!”
Clara: [Laughs] “My pleasure.” [winks]
[The Nutcracker’s laughter continues as the dancing snowflakes fill the room, and the music starts playing. The snowflakes enter from all corners of the stage, continuing their previous routine from Act 1.]
Nutcracker: “S-Snowflakes!” [Reaches out to the left] “Help me!”
Snowflake 1: “No way!”
Snowflake 2: “Sorry, Nutcracker~”
Nutcracker: [Reaches out to the right] “Help!” [Pulls arm back as Clara tickles his armpit]
Snowflake 3: “We can’t!”
Snowflake 4: “We’re just snowflakes.”
Snowflake 5: “You’ll have to get out yourself.”
[The snowflakes start to dance off stage left, leaving Clara and Nutcracker alone.]
Clara: “Oh Nutcracker~ Are you having fun?”
Nutcracker: [Is wiggling around and trying to hide his belly.] “Y-Yes, but-”
Clara: “But what?”
Nutcracker: [laughs] “This is too much!”
Clara: “Oh, surely it is not. I have only tickled you for a few moments!”
Nutcracker: “Oh Clara, please!” [laughs]
Clara: “Please what, dear Nutcracker?”
Nutcracker: “A break!” [holds stomach] “I need a break!”
Clara: “Oh dear!” [Stops tickling] “I am so sorry. I didn’t tickle you too much, did I?”
Nutcracker: [Shakes head] “No no no. Do not worry, Clara.”
Clara: “Thank goodness.”
Nutcracker: “Because…” [Grabs Clara] “I’ve got you now!” [Tickles Clara’s belly]
Clara: [Laughs] “Hey!”
Nutcracker: “Now it’s your turn to be tickled, you silly goose.”
Clara: “Nutcracker, no!” [Laughs]
Nutcracker: “Oh, looks like the tickle monster is ticklish herself! What wonderful news!”
Clara: [Laughs] “Nooo! No fair!”
Nutcracker: “Poor Clara…” [tickles her armpits] “Don’t you know the classic words “As you sow, so shall you reap”?”
Clara: “Noo!” [Falls back and Laughs] “You are cruel!” [Laughs and giggles]
Nutcracker: “What a rude thing to say! I just might have to tickle you for that!”
Clara: “No!” [Laughs and wiggles around]
Nutcracker: “I wonder if these ribs are ticklish…” [Starts tickling Clara’s ribs]
Clara: “NO!” [laughs and kicks feet] “Not the ribs!
Nutcracker: “And why’s that? Is it…ticklish?”
Clara: [Shakes head] “STOP IT!” [Laughs] “Too much!”
Nutcracker: “Ah, is it becoming too much for you?”
Clara: [nods head while laughing]
Nutcracker: “Very well. I shall stop for the moment.”
Clara: [leans back with heavy breathing]
Nutcracker: “Are you alright?”
Clara: “Oh Nutcracker…” [giggles] “That was exciting.”
Nutcracker: “Hm…You know what?” [Smiles and nods his head.] “I agree. That was fun.”
Clara: “My legs are feeling a little better. Shall we proceed to the lang of candy?”
Nutcracker: “Of course.” [Gets up] “And Clara…”
Clara: “Yes?” [Gets up]
Nutcracker: “It is called the land of sweets.”
Clara: “Oh, my apologies. The land of sweets. Or as my family would say, ‘Страна сладостей’.” [winks]
[FADE OUT]