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sws37sisters · 2 years

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Before the Nutracker by Bianca Joffre

Prologue

Once upon a time there lived a low-rank mouse soldier, who works very hard to survive. While patrolling a toy workshop he met a human girl of the Drosselmeyer Clan. They instantly become good friends. The human girl was kind to the mouse soldier and gave him candy as a token of friendship. The mouse soldier works harder. He would visit the human girl every night for the past four weeks, telling each other stories of strange lands, sharing untold secrets, eating sweets and laughing together. He works harder. The mouse soldier soon fell in love with the human girl, but felt unworthy of her love, so he works harder. Suddenly, for the past three months, the mouse soldier stops visiting the human girl, which made her feel sad and lonely. So she continues her work. Years had passed and the human girl had completed her finest doll ever.

One night, however, one December night, the human girl had a visitor. It was her mouser soldier, but he was no longer a low-rank soldier anymore. He wore velvet clothing, fine jewelry, a royal staff in paw, and wore a golden crown on top of its furry grey head. He was now the Mouse King. He bowed his tiny head to the human girl, who became a fine young lady in the past years, and proposed to her:

“My dearest one, I beg of you to forgive me for leaving you all those years ago, but know this, I have never stopped thinking of you. Your laugh, your smile, it has helped me many times when I was weak. I wanted to return, but I could not face you, no until I was ready. I wanted to be a worthy mouse to you, one you can always depend on in times of trouble. I have broken many bones to become the mouse I am today, and hope you’ll except me and all my efforts. I’ve waited a long time for this moment. My dear, my friend, will you be my queen?”

The human girl was flattered, and astounded by the mouse’s efforts, but how could a mouse and a human have a life together in holy matrimony? The human girl did not wished to break her poor friend’s heart, but she declined him. “I am honored by your proposal, little friend, truly I am, but I cannot marry you. You are a mouse, and I am a human. It could never work out. I-I’m sorry.” The Mouse King was silent as he stared at the human girl with saddened eyes while his hopes and dreams were crushed right before him. As well as his heart. The Mouse King quietly lowers his head, and was still for a moment, then in rage he shouts to the human girl. “I have sacrificed everything for you! Fought for you! Lived for you, and yet you refuse me! You don’t know the pain I’ve been through just to see you again …”

“Mouse—”

“No! I don’t want to hear it anymore! I don’t want your pity! You’ve wounded me enough, my dear!”

A cold darkness clouded the poor Mouse King’s heart while the crown on top of its head glowed ominously. The human girl became frightened while her mouse friend grew bigger and bigger, almost meeting at an equal height as he stands on her dresser looking straight into her eyes. Seven heads, seven feelings, formed around the Mouse King’s shoulders as they shout, “If you will not be my queen, then I shall take you as my prisoner!! Be prepared, my dear, and say goodbye to your family and friends for you will never see them again!” And with that said the seven-headed Mouse King disappears like magic, leaving the poor girl in tears for the rest of the night alone. She hugs her legs to calm herself and her beating heart as she looks up to her doll hidden under a sheet. Then she sobs endlessly regretting her choice with the Mouse King.

A week passes and the Christmas Eve party begins …

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sws37sisters · 3 years

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Brother Thing (Hopper/Molt)

He had a lot to think about, that’s for sure. The whole team knew about it, but no one dared to ask the boss. They would have lived until that moment…

It was a scorching hot summer day, the sun beating down on the familiar Mexican sand. The mirages rippled over the ground in treacherous waves that could fool inexperienced minds, but not grasshoppers. The cicadas chirped almost deafeningly, but it was a natural song for the local band.

It was still some time before dusk, but already you could feel the air cooling. At the foot of a lonely signboard, an old straw hat was spread out, from which a softer Spanish tune was emanating.

The grasshoppers were dancing briskly, some of them more relaxed than others, and another group was sitting at a counter made of old horseshoes. The conversation was not too loud, especially as it was about the boss. The local mosquito bartender pretended not to hear the conversation.

„I haven’t seen him for a while. He usually comes down for a drink at least once during the day.“ Loco said.

„If you’re so worried, go and check him out!” grinned the other grasshopper.

Molt didn’t feel like laughing at the usual jokes, which consisted mostly of how grumpy their president was. He was getting seriously worried and was determined to check him out now. Molt often didn’t really notice how childish his behavior was, and he especially didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. He was the only one Hopper allowed into his own area, however much, but usually even his brother was not welcome there. Not that he was welcome at other times.

Molt had never had an easy time fitting in, nor had he ever really managed to. The other grasshoppers mostly just took advantage of him. Hopper rarely raised his voice about it, if Molt was stupid enough not to notice them, he deserved it. But he himself did no such thing. Hopper either cared about things or he didn’t. There was no happy medium, until now.

Molt politely broke away from his previous interlocutors, then took off with a loud whoomp and settled on the storey of the straw hat.

„Hiya, Hop!“

His brother leaned silently against the wall, waiting for the sun to set. He didn’t say hello, didn’t turn around. He just stood and thought.

„Hey, are you home? Earth to Hop!”

„Will you shut up?!“ The larger grasshopper suddenly called out to him as he turned around.

Molt held his hands out protectively.

„I’m sorry. You just stand there as still as a cactus. Are you all right?”

„Why do you care?“

„Why shouldn’t I care?”

The wider grasshopper glanced sideways at the cap with the same seeds and water droplets as last night.

„Didn’t you eat anything?“

„I’m not hungry.”

Indeed he was not, though his stomach had a decidedly different opinion on the matter. He reminded his master every minute that he needed the nourishment.

„Oooh, is this all because of that wasp?“ Molt grinned.

Hopper rolled his eyes, not answering. He was starting to annoy his brother… but he was so lost in his previous thoughts that he forgot to hit Molt.

„You like her!”

„No, I don’t like her.“

„Oh, come on, a blind bug can see it in you!” his brother insisted.

„Molt?“

"Yeah, Hoppy?”

“If you don’t shut up, I’ll throw that bullet at you.” Hopper pointed to the object without looking at it.

Molt snorted and said nothing. But then how would he talk to him? He couldn’t really use sign language, so he risked speaking again.

„Listen, I know you’d rather…“

And then the next second, with a shriek, he bend out of the path of the flying bullet. The bullet flew across the room and landed somewhere where there were probably more grasshoppers. Molt watched the edge of the upper storey for a while.

„Wow, you really want some privacy.”

„Glad you caught on.“

His brother, however, didn’t let it go. Molt’s strength was not to stop talking.

„Hop, listen, you need to talk with someone.”

This statement was followed only by silence.

„Why are you so closed off? I mean, more private than usual. It’s pretty clear that you’re so weird because of this girl.“

Hopper turned around with a loud growl, his eyes sparkling of the anger as he began to approach his brother.

„What do you care? What business is it of yours? How dare you even come up here now? I clearly told you to leave me alone, but you’re still here!”

„Of course I care what happens to you! You’re not yourself! Seriously, you scare me!“

„Good! Finally, I have some success!”

Molt bit his lip, but his legs couldn’t stop him, he started to back away involuntarily.

„Hop, please. I know you don’t want company, but trust me, it helps if you talk about it.“

„I don’t want to talk about it!” The taller grasshopper snarled. „And you’re not a quacksalver to know what I need.“

„No, I don’t know what you need. I can only guess what you might need.” Molt said.

„You are an idiot.“ Hopper concluded.

„That’s true. But I’m also your brother, and you’re not going to hit me because of Ma.”

Hopper frowned, but his hands were still clenched into fists. He was annoyed by his brother, and the mention of their mother only made him more upset. Still, somehow he couldn’t swing his arm. With a great snort, he turned and went back to the brim of his hat.

„So… is that what you’re so worried about?“

The older grasshopper gritted his teeth. He just won’t stop, the fool! His eyes went back to the horizon… and then he reflected on the few months he had gone through. He’d met this wasp… Hopper had never opened up to anyone, except her.

They started talking about things that had been buried in Hopper’s mind for years. He was strangely impressed by the female, and on second thought, perhaps it was the lack of her that pull him down the most now. But Hopper refused to believe that he missed her. He had lost his food supply on Ant Island, and that stupid wasp was trying to stop him from doing what he wanted to do to with that rebel. At the same time, she saved his life… for the umpteenth time. The bird situation was her last act, and she risked her own life to save him.

And she finally killed the bird.

Hopper remembered she was injured, but stayed tough. They glared and just stared at each other. The fear of death and anger was still working in Hopper at the time… and then he left without a word. He never thanked her, never spoke to her, never said anything to her. He wanted to feel that he had nothing to say to her because she had chosen the ants.

„I’m confused.”

Molt looked up again. It was rare that he actually picked up on something about his brother, but this time he had the presence of mind to keep quiet. He sensed it was a sensitive subject.

„Why?“

Hopper remained silent again.

„Hop, I swear I won’t tell anyone about this. I promise! It’s a brother thing.”

The taller grasshopper was still silent , and Molt was beginning to give up hope and was already moving to leave.

„Because of her.“ Hopper said quietly.

It had only just occurred to Molt that he didn’t know what to ask. But he had to try.

„Aaah, so I guessed right. But… You’ve never been confused around other females. I think I’m right that you like her.”

Hopper was getting nervous again, and turned to his brother in a rush. He didn’t notice how unstable his behaviour was. He calmed down more easily, but he also got angry more easily. Their noses almost touched, and Molt winced at the familiar sound.

„Do you think you’re right? Do you?! What makes you such an expert on partnerships?! What the hell do you know about females?!

Molt blinked for a moment, then raised one eyebrow.

„Why, what do you know about females?“

Hopper was so thrown off by the question that he stopped shouting. It was an amusing sight in its own way to see just a tiny sound filter out of his open mouth, and then he closed his mouth in confusion.

„Well… touché, I guess.” he shrugged his shoulders.

The two grasshoppers just stood facing each other for an uncomfortably long time, both avoiding eye contact, and finally Hopper spoke with a tired roll of his eyes.

„Females like flowers, don’t they?“

„Yyeaaah, well… I don’t think it’s quite that simple. You were with her, weren’t you? I suppose you had a talk.”

His brother became visibly irritated.

„Yes, and then she betrayed me.“

„What do you mean?”

„You were there, you idiot! She took the side of the ants and then tried to get in my way!“

Molt squirmed uncomfortably as he recalled the moment in his head.

„She begged you to stop…”

„Begged, yes, but she must have known what was coming! She had just enough time to get used to the fact that I’m not in the habit of leaving unfinished business behind. And the begging didn’t suit her anyway, she’s a damn mercenary! She executed a finch, and now she’s begging? Mercenaries don’t beg, they do, what they have to do! She’s just proving to me that she’s as weak as the rest of them! If she’d been strong, she’d have left me at the nest, or better, killed me herself!“

The grasshopper gasped as he let out all his rage, and Molt listened with antennae down. It all explained things. Hopper was disappointed in the one he… liked, loved? Who knows.

„She killed the bird that was… tried to eat you?”

„Yes. And then she left behind unfinished business, because I’m still alive!“

„Hop, she saved your life! - Molt said a little louder. - I don’t think she left you alive because she was weak. She just couldn’t choose between the ants and… you.”

Hopper snorted and turned around with his hands in the air.

„If you hate her so much, why are you so brooding because of her?“ Molt asked.

„Because I didn’t want it to be like this! Things turned out differently than I planned, and it’s because of her!”

„Why? What did you plan? To get her into the gang?“ Molt smiled a little at the idea, but his question was met with a mournful silence. „Oh my Bug, really?”

„She’s incredibly strong, can fight, and she’s got a natural weapon unlike the rest of us. She and Thumper would have made a good team.“

„Really? You even want to take advantage of a girl you like?”

This question shook him inside for some reason, and he looked over his shoulder in bewilderment.

„What?“

„You’re interested in her because you’re looking for her benefits! Just like with the ants! I understood that situation, but she’s not a slave!”

„Flees, I don’t want to keep her as a slave! I wanted to give her a place, so she wouldn’t be alone!“

„Why do you care so much what happens to her?!”

„Because I like her!“ he shouted.

The two grasshoppers stared at each other in silence, startled. And after an embarrassingly long time, Hopper seemed to start looking for the source of the voice, because he was quite sure that he hadn’t said it. But he had to admit that he couldn’t be lying to himself.

„I mean… like any other gang member.”

„Oh, please. You just said it!“ Molt smiled. „You like her!”

Hopper felt a bitterness in his mouth, which slowly mingled with something sweet.

„I guess…“

Molt leaned against the wall, perplexed, and sighed before speaking.

„So… what now? Are you going to find her?”

„ I guess.“

„You said that already.”

„ I… guess…" Hopper’s eyelids narrowed uncertainly as he heard himself and realised he was not on top of the situation. But Molt laughed very good-naturedly.

„Wow, that girl really got into your head.“

„If you tell anyone, I swear…!”

„Easy, easy, my lips are sealed! Figure out what you want to do and we’ll do it.“

Hopper remained silent, his eyes unreadable. He felt a little gratitude, but it quickly faded. Instead, he just felt lighter now that he could release the tension to someone. He didn’t care that Molt might talk to the others. If that happened, even a promise to their mother wouldn’t protect him. And while his brother was right, Hopper would never admit it out loud.

„Sure.”

Molt leaved without a word and flew downstairs with an indelible grin. It was probably the biggest success of his life, Hopper thought. The older grasshopper shook his head silently, then his eyes drifted to the food and water. His stomach immediately began to complain and Hopper looked down at it.

„Fine, roger that…“

This subplot is unrelated to my main story, I wrote it earlier just for fun. And sorry about my english, I’m really trying to learn, and this is one of the best ways.

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sws37sisters · 3 years

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Chili: What are you doing?

Hopper: I'm intentionally shedding off my former chitin.

Chili: Why?

Hopper: To impress your mother...?

Chili: And do you think that will help you?

Hopper: *internal screaming*

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sws37sisters · 3 years

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Little talk

A gentle melody filtered out from the top of the straw hat.

Hopper's antenna twitched as he heard it. With a wild flap of his wings, he darted in the direction of the familiar sound, then was surprised at the sight before him, but remained calm. Pin perched on the brim of the hat, with a tiny grasshopper and wasp in her lap.

Hopper did not smile immediately, but approached the female with cautious steps.

"It's a moon crescent. You don't usually go out at this nights." he said quietly, so as not to wake the children.

Pin looked over her shoulder with a bitter smile, pleased that the grasshopper had sat down beside her.

"I know, but I had to grant children's wishes."

"What did you have to?"

"To sing in the moonlight" said Pin with a quiet giggle. She was obviously shaken, but she complied with the children's request.

Hopper frowned during he looked at the shiney sickle. Pin followed his gaze to the moon, then she sighed.

"I'll have to work through the traumas one day... Maybe I can do it with them and with you. I hate myself for being so weak."

"We've all lost people we cared about. Even me. But you have to move on from them."

"Yes, I know." Pin said. "But not just me. You too."

Hopper turned back to his lover with mild resentment, who is waiting patiently for the grasshopper to understand what she meant. But Hopper only grew more irritated.

"What are you talking about?"

Pin tried to look at him with an understanding look...then she gently touched the scar across his right eye.

Hopper shook her hand off with a soft snort.

"I processed that a long time ago."

"What about the bird phobia?"

"I'm an insect, I'm instinctively afraid of birds. And I have good reason to be afraid." Hopper's fear trembled in his voice. "I've seen the inside of a bird's throat already..."

The grasshopper visibly shivered and clenched his teeth. Pin did likewise, regretting bringing up the subject. She gently put her head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. You know I don't like it." The grasshopper said firmly, then looked down at the children as a way of changing the subject. "Shall I take them inside?"

"That would be nice."

The wasp handed the children to their father, but she hadn't started yet. She was still standing outside.

"Pin?"

"Hm?"

Hopper turned back with the two children in his arms, but stood silently for a while.

"Don't stay outside too long. It's dangerous."

"Yes, boss." She smiled.

When Hopper went into the hat with the children, Pin took one last look at the moon crescent.

"I hope there comes a night when I can look at you without thinking of mass murders..."

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