Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Exceptional Gift
1917
In the cold country known as Germany, the particular adoration regarding the holiday known as Christmas was well known. In every corner of that country there was no lack of decorations in shades of white, red, green and gold. You could see each person meticulously planned on Christmas Day, shopping here and there. From side to side. However, not everyone was aware of that celebration.
In the most hidden and remote places of all civilization, lived creatures that could hardly be classified as human. Many of them come out of terrifying legends told from generation to generation dealing with fantastic but dangerous beings that stalked the most remote villages. And in Germany, the myth that stands out the most was that of vampires.
Since their curse, there has not been a single day that they were not persecuted. The hunters have not mercy on any of them. Forced back into the gloom of this world, vampires had to resign themselves to staying away from mortals.
The fear they had of them was so great that they did not dare to poke their noses out of their crypts. The Sackville-Baggs managed to survive the centuries thanks to such strict rules about going out into the outside world. In short, the isolation was total.
His knowledge of the outside world was as null as his lack of heartbeat. In any case, it was not as if they were struck by the activities that mortals would find themselves doing in their day-to-day lives. Most were satisfied, after all they represented fewer problems to deal with.
But there was always an exception, or in this case a vampire who liked to follow him contrary to the ideals of his clan.
His name was Theodor the Brave. And boy was it literal.
From what he remembers, his uncle, his father's brother. He was not your typical bloodthirsty vampire, he did not possess a shred of hatred towards humans, much less feared them. On the contrary, he is a great admirer of his world.
He earned the reputation of being the closest to humans, more than any other vampire. And of course a young Rudolph, barely 213 years old, was the one who admired him the most. His uncle Theodor visited him very little, as he was constantly on the move, traveling from town to town. Hiding from view of humans, he really was brave.
So every letter arrived with the imminent news of his arrival at the Sackville-Bagg crypt caused him bonanza. His uncle surely had more than one story to tell him.
That winter he remembers sitting in the coffin fiddling with his little younger sister, just 176 years old. Making funny faces so he could get a laugh out of her, he cassock feet spend time with her. Whereas he supposed his older brother should be somewhere with his father attending to clan affairs. And not far from them his mother watched overjoyed to see her children spending quality time together.
-Bla bla bla. - Stammering Rudolph had his fingers in both corners of his mouth pulling them in a comical way.
Anna's laugh was outrageous, she might not be such a baby, but having her brother trying to make her laugh at her pleased him. They would have gone on like this had it not been for the commotion that began to form at the main entrance to his home. Catching his attention, Rudolph looked at the bedroom door as if he could see what was happening outside, but quickly remembered that it could be the cause or the cause.
"Uncle Theodor is here!" - I speak happily as he jumped out of the coffin to go to her sister, and carry her into her arms, - he arrived earlier, you have to go to receive him.
"Rudolph not so fast dear, be careful with your sister." - The delicate voice of his mother Freda stopped the flight of his son, because he was already more than ready to go so fast to meet. - First you have to look for your father and brother, we must all be present.
Snorting Rudolph lowered Anna to the ground so that she could fly on her own, he took her hand and followed her mother who was already heading to where she supposed her father and her brother might be.
"Frederick, it's about to arrive." - His wife announced. When they were finally found in the deepest chambers of the crypt.
They had found them with other members of their clan, perhaps discussing some problem related to the hunters, or perhaps listening to the complaints of the other Sackville-Bagg. But that's not a matter that mattered to him, but that was the reason why he was holding back with all his might a laugh caused by his older brother's face. Who was frowning accompanied by a tic in his left eye. You could tell from more than a kilometer away that his brother had no interest in being the next leader.
-It's here? I thought he would be here until tomorrow. - Hoyo tell his father who left the conversation halfway with the other vampire in order to focus his attention on his wife. In his mind he was analyzing the possible answer of how his brother managed to arrive with surprising speed.
—Well, we're done! I thought he would make me as old as the uncle from waiting so long. Gregory regained his energy so suddenly when he heard that the work was finally ending with the anticipated arrival of his uncle.
His brother flew towards them and as usual greeted them both while hugging Anna, who gladly gave him a happy smile, only the eyes of the elders were enough to know what they had to do next. They did not wait for their parents to indicate that they could leave. They preferred to take the lead as they headed for the main entrance of the mausoleum, and in the distance they could hear their parents telling them to stop, but it was too late. Rudolph followed them, mimicking his actions, they started a little competition to see who would get there first.
Of course, the second brother ended up losing, passing the accumulated crowd at the main entrance of the enclosure did not facilitate his victory. And like any young man with manners, he asked each of the vampires there to allow him to pass. He knew that his parents who were further behind followed more calmly. When he arrived he stopped floating, placing himself next to his brother who gave him a triumphant look.
"I wonder, what new gadgets will he bring us from the human world?" - I speak after a moment the older one, who like him was more than excited to see his uncle. - Last time, he mentioned something about an artifact with which you can see the stars, even beyond.
—He told me something about mortal customs, he mentioned that he opened one that I would like in particular. - Rudolph spoke while he tried to explain to his brother his suspicions of what it would be.
It was a couple of minutes in which they rambled between dialogues, and with every second his impatience increased. It wasn't until his parents reached their side that their mouths suddenly fell silent. At the head, Frederick stood erect placing his hands behind his, and subtly lifting his chin. His beloved mother Freda stood on his right side with a bearing fit for a queen of ancient Germany. And to the left of his father, the firstborn struggled to appear the distinguished appearance that he was supposed to have. Although of course he had a small difficulty, and that is that Anna was still in his arms, refusing to get away from the protection and firmness of the grip that his older brother gave her.
Unlike all of them Rudolph was not afraid to show how eager he was right now, rocking back and forth in an attempt to keep himself entertained in what was coming.
Luckily the wait was not too long, only 10 minutes passed for the shadow wrapped by a black cloak of his uncle Theodor made an appearance in front of them.
"Excuse me for being late," the sly voice characteristic of his uncle echoed throughout the main entrance, suddenly silencing everyone present, "I ran into a slight inconvenience on my way."
At the moment of uttering those last words, he removed the dark cloak that kept him hidden from the sight of anyone present in that room. Showing his face full of arrogance, he knew that his uncle loved to draw attention to wherever he went.
And as if that were not enough, it was not only his comment and presence that made those present gasp. For his clothing was changed, wearing a suit that was possibly made for a mortal, the dark brown color stood out among all the Victorian costumes that were used in the vampire clan. It could be said that it was a curious contrast, something that awakened the rebellious spirit that inhabited the Sackville-Bagg brothers.
The aforementioned shared an excited look between them, cheekily ignoring the whispers that formed around them after the triumphant entrance of their beloved uncle.
—Welcome brother of mine, - Frederick at first accept how peculiar his younger brother was, although he always lived with the uncertainty of knowing if he would see him again, something that haunted him day by day, - it's a pleasure to see you again. Please allow me to take you to your coffin, you must be tired after a long journey here.
After a longing embrace from his father and uncle, he guided his uncle to his rooms where he would spend his stay in the crypt.
—Freda! Dear sister-in-law, you still look so young and beautiful. - I greet her mother politely as she took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles as a symbol of respect.
"It's my pleasure to have you back with us, there are three people who have been especially impatient for your arrival since your last letter."
As his mother, Gregory, Rudolph, and Anna spoke, they couldn't help but feel ashamed, that was when his uncle Theodor's gaze fell on them.
"My dear nephews!" Do not think that I have forgotten about you. - I quickly catch the 3 in a firm and protective hug. - But look how much they have grown since the last time, look at you Gregory without a doubt you are the spitting image of your father at your age.
"For my luck the resemblance is only physical." - Playing along with him with a joking tone, he earned a disapproving look from his father when he heard him say that.
On the one hand, Theodor laughed without regret, while he shook his head when listening to the witticisms of his elder nephew.
"Is this little vampire Anna?" - Asked as he lifted the little girl, making her laugh, - but she looks how beautiful she is. No doubt the beauty was inherited by his mother.
He lovingly placed a kiss on her head as he passed it to Freda.
"And finally, Rudolph." Boy, from what your father tells you, you still want to escape to the world of humans. It is not like this?
"It might be so," he shrugged, pretending not to know what he was talking about, "although in the hypothetical case he was, I can't help but feel drawn to his world."
"If so, I think you will love the gifts I have brought you." - He spoke sure of himself, showing the minors a sack where those unknown objects were.
"Before that, your Uncle Theodor must take some well-deserved rest." - They were about to release endless questions related to the artifacts that his father's brother brought with him. And as expected, his mother came forward, speaking, and emphasizing the obvious. - We have enough time, the stories can wait a little longer.
The brothers complaining, they had no choice but to be patient, having to calm their hunger for curiosity. The entire Sackville-Bagg family said goodbye to the guest, leaving the room where his coffin was.
The days after were incredible.
His uncle was a true storyteller, for the last two days he was surrounded by the younger members of the clan, including Rudolph and Anna. They followed him like a shadow, it never crossed their minds to move away for a single moment from the eldest. It was an odyssey trying to keep out of his fascination with Theodor's tales of the mortal world. Didn't he realize that it just attracts them as much as blood itself?
And last but not least, the night after when the Sackville-Bagg family were gathered in the crypt destined for his coffins, Theodor cleared his throat, drawing the attention of those present.
"I think it's time I told you about a magical time called Christmas." - He said with a mystical voice, full of mystery and fascination.
Gregory put aside that broken watch he always carried with him. Little Anna, who was previously playing with a little white mouse that she found lying around, set him free when she heard her uncle. And on the other hand, the young man with unruly hair who was lying on his open coffin reading a book of which he already knew its contents backwards and forwards, I prefer to suspend reading and focus on the recent words of his uncle.
Guided by curiosity, the younger vampires sat across from the adult, forming a half circle.
"Where do I start?" - Asked Theodor into the air.
"At the beginning?" Gregory suggested sarcastically.
Far from being bothered by his elder nephew's comment, Theodor shifted in his seat, pondering what his next words would be.
"Oh Christmas!" What would the world be like if Christmas is not celebrated? - He commented doubtfully, his mind flitting from here to there, trying to find a possible answer to his questioning - if he had to describe Christmas in a single word, it would undoubtedly be magical.
"But Uncle Theodor!" What is that about christmas? - reproach little Anna.
—My beloved girl, Christmas is… the best celebration that ever existed there. You see mortals love this time, if only I could get them out of the crypt for just a few hours, I would show them the holiday in its best glow.
"His name is so strange to me," Rudolph blurted out trying to imagine what his uncle was talking about.
"Not at all, Christmas is a holiday that encompasses most frigid winters!" But despite the stormy freezing weather, the warmth of Christmas counteracts the very cold. - He answered sure of himself, gesturing with his hands so hastily. - so many traditions that make people's hearts happy, lights of all the colors you can imagine, perched on a huge pine tree. And on its branches, dozens of ornaments of any design you can imagine, and so that at the end, at the top of that tree, a star of shining golden glitter is at the top.
His mental image sounded promising, his knowledge of the outside world was nil, but that didn't stop his imagination from flying so high through the dark skies of Germany.
"And there is still more to do, since you have a habit of giving gifts to those who matter most to you." - Theodor spoke enthusiastically - and coincidentally tomorrow is Christmas. So he personally selects the gifts from him.
With his levitation magic, the uncle attracted the bag they saw earlier when it first arrived. He took her in his arms and proceeded to open it under the watchful eye of his nephews.
"This is for Gregory." - a curious object wrapped in what appeared to be a dark brown parchment in turn decorated with a white bow. And notoriously elongated in size, the older brother turned it over while he tried to figure out what it contained.
"And for Princess Sackville-Bagg!" He - put his hand back into the bag, this time taking out a gift lined with brown paper and pink bow. - As soon as I saw it, I immediately thought of you!
His uncle placed the gift in the little girl's hands. Leaving him to inspect it in more detail.
"And finally, Rudolph." - And from his backpack he took out a last present, packed with a black paper and a white bow. - What are they waiting for? Open the! I know they are dying to do it.
He grinned widely as he shifted his gaze from his uncle to the gift. With all the care in the world trying not to tear that paper apart, he pushed it away revealing a brown box. Intrigued, he lifted the lid, revealing two objects that he would never have imagined.
The first object was a book, its cover was White, thus highlighting the central image that was a bit opaque, intuiting that that manuscript had its years. He could barely make out what appeared to be a maiden sitting on a chair, while around him little people were fighting a pitched battle, and in the title you could read clearly highlighted in a bright orange that almost hurt his eyes the name: El nutcracker and the king of mice.
He did not know what that book contained, but he was sure that he had something to do with the second object. It is not every day that he receives a little soldier in a red and blue suit, meticulously painted on the wood from which he was carved. He took it in his hands fascinated by the quality of the little soldier, he would even swear to see a flash of light seen in the blue eyes of the blond doll.
"Wow!" Is this what I think it is? - His older brother spoke loudly, so much so that he jumped from where he was sitting opening his gift - A telescope! Uncle Theodor, I don't know what to tell you.
-Silly stuff! You do not have to say anything, on the contrary your face reflects quite clearly that you have liked my gift. - He said satisfied with the emotion he caused in the older brother.
"I have to try it just now that the night is clear." Uncle Theodor, I really don't know how to thank you. - Perhaps it was the excitement of that moment that forced Gregory to give his uncle a hug. And it was well known that his brother did not show such affection in public.
When they separated again, he took flight towards one of the exits of the crypt but not before shouting a thank you.
- Little house! - Now it was his sister's turn to scream with joy at his gift.
From what he saw, Anna's gift was a handcrafted dollhouse. Painted in exquisite colors, he briefly wondered if this is how the homes of mortals will look. But it does not compare with her dolls that undoubtedly caused her a feeling of sweetness and grace at the same time. The dolls with which the house came are entirely dressed in period clothes, but the detail was that small fangs were drawn on her painted lips, pretending to be vampire.
Anna stopped paying attention because now she had something much better to do, play with that little house.
"I'm surprised you're not screaming like crazy, is something wrong?" Didn't you like the gift? - Her uncle spoke of her, finally realizing that her nephew stared for more than 5 minutes without blinking the gifts that the brothers had received.
-But what are you saying? Don't get me wrong man, the gift is so unusual. - Rudolph honestly confessed to take the doll and the book from her. - Only that I am speechless, it was not what I expected but that does not mean that I do not like it.
"In that case ..." Taking Rudolph's book, Theodor opened it to the very first page, "would you like to know the story of the nutcracker?" - He said pointing to the soldier.
So that was it, his doll was a nutcracker, he looked at it as if the inanimate object gave him the answer to his uncle's suggestion. But he didn't have to think so much about it, and without hesitation he nodded enthusiastically.
Standing from his place and not letting go of his new nutcracker Rudolph was ready to read that book.
But what he didn't know is that this was just the beginning of his adventure… Christmas?
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