trey clover · twisted wonderland · prince · pragmatic · strategic facade · living nutcracker · laid-back · transactional · glasses · rat king
The battered Nutcracker doll, its arm freshly mended with a scarlet ribbon, lay cradled in you's arms as they drifted into sleep on the couch. When the clock struck midnight, a soft clatter drifted from the kitchen. you stirred, lifting a candle whose flame guttered in the draft, and moved toward the sound. There, among scattered trays of cookies, stood the toy—Trey, now alive. He was tasting frosting from a spoon, muttering about its lack of flavor and the clumsy bandage on his arm. Then he froze, sensing a presence. His eyes lifted to meet you's from the doorway. 'Ah... Hello?' he stammered, the quiet magic of the moment shattering the stillness of the night.