Alfred receives/inherits/buys a set of toy soldiers (either as a child for a toy or as an adult). He thinks they’re interesting but pays them no mind until one of the soldiers comes alive. Perhaps he was cursed to be a toy, or he was a toy that became enchanted. Over time, the two fall in love and they search for a way to break the spell/make Arthur entirely human.
May also have some background BTT (chastely in the kid-years stage of the fic) threesomeing it up orz
So. Yes. Enjoy! ...Or don't, it's up to you. I pledge there will be quick updates to make up for the extreme!fail that may well follow.
knickknack [1b/?]
anonymous
January 8 2012, 00:42:35 UTC
By his seventh birthday, Alfred had inherited his grandfather’s mild obsession with war- not because he was particularly violent (aside from the occasional crying fit) but because he liked the idea of having a large group of friends that would fight to the death for their leader. In the world of grown-ups, soldiers are not necessarily the ‘friend’ of their commander, but sheltered Alfred didn’t know that.
So, on his eighth birthday, Alfred obtained something special from his grandfather’s attic.
The attic has always been a wonderland, filled with gorgeous, priceless items of furniture and decoration that his grandfather collected over the years on his travels with the military. Alfred is not allowed to spend time in the attic by himself, and he’s rarely ever allowed even if he’s accompanied by someone, be it a maid or butler of maybe his grandparents themselves.
“The time has come,” his grandfather had said, eyes shining, hands holding out a box wrapped in glossy silver foil, “for you to have this, Alfred, lad. It was my favourite
( ... )
knickknack [1c/?]
anonymous
January 8 2012, 00:51:59 UTC
On his third day of owning the collection, Alfred realised the scowling soldier wasn’t necessarily just a toy. It had always stood out, of course, because of those remarkable eyes, though it wasn’t scowling to start with. It was smiling. But on that third day, Alfred had to leave to dine with his family downstairs, so he lined the toys up on the shelf and ran to the dining room. He was losing interest with the figurines, but when he returned, one of them had done something that caught his eye.
When Alfred completed the evening’s dining, he flung open the door to his room upon re-arrival and, standing just outside the door’s reach on the floor, was the little scowling soldier.
Instead of wondering if a mischievous servant had moved it, Alfred just knew, that the soldier had moved because it was alive. And it was scowling by then, because it had taken a dislike to its new owner. Why else would its expression change so quickly? A servant certainly wouldn’t have repainted it
( ... )
Holy... Well, let me just say I never thought this would get filled. I honestly just gave up hope on it. You have no idea how surprised I was to see it in the Fill list!
That said, I love this. I can't say it's what I hoped for, because you've gone far beyond that. I love that Alfred named the other soldiers all Matthew, I love that his crazy grandparents raise him, I love that he's friends with the BTT. I love the 'green-eyes' soldier that moves around and Alfred is certain it's magic. I love all the details that you have put into it.
Thank you very much for writing this--I still don't quite know what to say, but I do love it. The job you've done is fantastic and I can't wait to see more.
Re: knickknack [1c/?]
anonymous
January 8 2012, 07:22:09 UTC
Oooo You've made it all Nutcrackery Suite-y! I love it! It's rather enjoyable to wonder exactly what is on toy!Arthur's mind. There are so many reasons he could be scowling after all...*snerk*
If I were Alfred though, I might have nightmares about the angry!Arthur coming after him. :(
I love your characterization of the grandparents. I have the grandfather pictured in my mind as the retired Navy officer in Mary Poppins.
knickknack [2a/?]
anonymous
January 9 2012, 23:22:56 UTC
There are ten wooden soldiers in the set, and one of them can talk.
Alfred first hears Green-Eyes speak when he’s in his room, huddled beneath the plush duvet of his bed, picture-book open across his lap as he whiles away the hours. The weather is awful outside today and he isn’t allowed to play in the manor’s gardens when a storm starts up, so after his morning lessons he retreated to his bedroom in search of other things to occupy his time with.
It’s difficult to stay optimistic when everything is gloomy and grey and he’s hopelessly bored.
The soldiers, arranged in the conventional way, are tentatively watching over their master, bodies locked in permanent military stances. Alfred pays no attention to them, because today Green-Eyes is smiling and therefore he must be at peace. The book is far too engrossing for Alfred to tear away from anyway, a story about a demanding frog following a beautiful princess.
When Alfred turns one particular page, he hears more than just the rustle of paper.
knickknack [2b/?]
anonymous
January 9 2012, 23:24:57 UTC
Consumed by childish innocence, Alfred doesn’t pay much heed to the incident. He’s shaken by it, but he doesn’t mull over it, opting instead to return to reading his book until the unbridled storm outside finally reaches its natural end
( ... )
knickknack [2c/?]
anonymous
January 9 2012, 23:26:18 UTC
As according to routine, Alfred goes to stay with his parents for the weekend; therefore, he’s separated from his nine loyal soldiers and the locked-away Green-Eyes.
Alfred’s parents live in a flash apartment within the city, an hour’s drive from the village in which his grandparents reside. Though Alfred only has Gilbert, Antonio and Francis to talk to while he’s in the village, at least he has friends -- when he’s in the city, Alfred doesn’t know anyone aside from his parents and their staff.
Over the years, he’s grown close to his parents’ housekeeper, a thirty-something cheery woman named Emma, simply out of necessity. His parents are nice enough and Alfred adores them, but their businesslike demeanour makes them feel distant, detached.
“Your father‘s been called in to work,” his mother announces on the Saturday morning, as Alfred sits swinging his legs atop the coffee table, furiously crayoning a colouring book‘s pages. “But we can do something together, if you like
( ... )
knickknack [2d/?]
anonymous
January 9 2012, 23:27:25 UTC
“Good,” Alfred responds, swinging his legs in his standard way. He never quite knows what to say around Emma, but he knows he likes spending time with her. “Went out
( ... )
knickknack [2e/?]
anonymous
January 9 2012, 23:28:59 UTC
Monday brings with it another week at the senior Jones residence, dolls’ house in the boot of Alfred’s father’s car. His mother didn’t want to come along for the journey and his father is in a hurry, so he swiftly drops Alfred off just outside the gates and makes him walk out himself.
Aside from the footman manning the gates, there aren’t any staff patrolling the vast gardens -- they must be in some sort of meeting, because Alfred is accustomed to seeing four or five of them at least every time he goes out into the manor’s grounds. That means his grandparents must be busy giving the staff their orders for the week, which is brilliant because Alfred would rather not let his grandfather see the house. He should have just wrapped it, but there wasn’t much time to get ready in the morning -- his parents were in a rush, like always
( ... )
Re: knickknack [2e/?]
anonymous
January 9 2012, 23:41:10 UTC
Oh Alfred, you must be so confused. With the talking solider and the man appearing in your bedroom (I love how you've done that btw), it must be a bit much to catch up on. I wouldn't blame you if you freaked out, even though you are young, so that might preempt the freak out.
I loved Alfred's parents, the descriptions of how they loved Alfred, they just weren't terribly good at being parenty, and how he loved them back. Emma being the one that believes Alfred was a very nice touch.
Re: knickknack [2e/?]
anonymous
January 10 2012, 02:40:39 UTC
You're my hero Anon. How is it you're posting so fast?
I'm absolutely in love with this fill. I love the set up, and little Alfred is cute. And I love Arthur's first appearance. How'd he turn human all of a sudden? I can't wait to see what happens next!
Alfred receives/inherits/buys a set of toy soldiers (either as a child for a toy or as an adult). He thinks they’re interesting but pays them no mind until one of the soldiers comes alive. Perhaps he was cursed to be a toy, or he was a toy that became enchanted. Over time, the two fall in love and they search for a way to break the spell/make Arthur entirely human.
May also have some background BTT (chastely in the kid-years stage of the fic) threesomeing it up orz
So. Yes. Enjoy! ...Or don't, it's up to you. I pledge there will be quick updates to make up for the extreme!fail that may well follow.
Reply
Reply
So, on his eighth birthday, Alfred obtained something special from his grandfather’s attic.
The attic has always been a wonderland, filled with gorgeous, priceless items of furniture and decoration that his grandfather collected over the years on his travels with the military. Alfred is not allowed to spend time in the attic by himself, and he’s rarely ever allowed even if he’s accompanied by someone, be it a maid or butler of maybe his grandparents themselves.
“The time has come,” his grandfather had said, eyes shining, hands holding out a box wrapped in glossy silver foil, “for you to have this, Alfred, lad. It was my favourite ( ... )
Reply
When Alfred completed the evening’s dining, he flung open the door to his room upon re-arrival and, standing just outside the door’s reach on the floor, was the little scowling soldier.
Instead of wondering if a mischievous servant had moved it, Alfred just knew, that the soldier had moved because it was alive. And it was scowling by then, because it had taken a dislike to its new owner. Why else would its expression change so quickly? A servant certainly wouldn’t have repainted it ( ... )
Reply
Reply
Holy... Well, let me just say I never thought this would get filled. I honestly just gave up hope on it. You have no idea how surprised I was to see it in the Fill list!
That said, I love this. I can't say it's what I hoped for, because you've gone far beyond that. I love that Alfred named the other soldiers all Matthew, I love that his crazy grandparents raise him, I love that he's friends with the BTT. I love the 'green-eyes' soldier that moves around and Alfred is certain it's magic. I love all the details that you have put into it.
Thank you very much for writing this--I still don't quite know what to say, but I do love it. The job you've done is fantastic and I can't wait to see more.
Reply
Reply
If I were Alfred though, I might have nightmares about the angry!Arthur coming after him. :(
I love your characterization of the grandparents. I have the grandfather pictured in my mind as the retired Navy officer in Mary Poppins.
Reply
Alfred first hears Green-Eyes speak when he’s in his room, huddled beneath the plush duvet of his bed, picture-book open across his lap as he whiles away the hours. The weather is awful outside today and he isn’t allowed to play in the manor’s gardens when a storm starts up, so after his morning lessons he retreated to his bedroom in search of other things to occupy his time with.
It’s difficult to stay optimistic when everything is gloomy and grey and he’s hopelessly bored.
The soldiers, arranged in the conventional way, are tentatively watching over their master, bodies locked in permanent military stances. Alfred pays no attention to them, because today Green-Eyes is smiling and therefore he must be at peace. The book is far too engrossing for Alfred to tear away from anyway, a story about a demanding frog following a beautiful princess.
When Alfred turns one particular page, he hears more than just the rustle of paper.
“Excuse me.”Alfred looks up, expecting ( ... )
Reply
Reply
Alfred’s parents live in a flash apartment within the city, an hour’s drive from the village in which his grandparents reside. Though Alfred only has Gilbert, Antonio and Francis to talk to while he’s in the village, at least he has friends -- when he’s in the city, Alfred doesn’t know anyone aside from his parents and their staff.
Over the years, he’s grown close to his parents’ housekeeper, a thirty-something cheery woman named Emma, simply out of necessity. His parents are nice enough and Alfred adores them, but their businesslike demeanour makes them feel distant, detached.
“Your father‘s been called in to work,” his mother announces on the Saturday morning, as Alfred sits swinging his legs atop the coffee table, furiously crayoning a colouring book‘s pages. “But we can do something together, if you like ( ... )
Reply
Reply
Aside from the footman manning the gates, there aren’t any staff patrolling the vast gardens -- they must be in some sort of meeting, because Alfred is accustomed to seeing four or five of them at least every time he goes out into the manor’s grounds. That means his grandparents must be busy giving the staff their orders for the week, which is brilliant because Alfred would rather not let his grandfather see the house. He should have just wrapped it, but there wasn’t much time to get ready in the morning -- his parents were in a rush, like always ( ... )
Reply
I loved Alfred's parents, the descriptions of how they loved Alfred, they just weren't terribly good at being parenty, and how he loved them back. Emma being the one that believes Alfred was a very nice touch.
Reply
Sorry for the sma;ll comment. Just wanted to say that this is amazing. It reminds me of the Nutcracker which I loved as a child).
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I'm absolutely in love with this fill. I love the set up, and little Alfred is cute. And I love Arthur's first appearance. How'd he turn human all of a sudden? I can't wait to see what happens next!
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