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Joshua had fallen asleep easier than he usually did. Usually he struggled to sleep and had to read several chapters out of a given book, stare at the ceiling for he didn't know how long, and eventually, when the sun started to rise; he would fall asleep. Unfortunately for the boy; he was in one of those dreams where you're convinced you're still awake. Green eyes surveyed the scene. Where was he? There was glistening snow on the ground, but it was much too warm for it to be actual snow. He picked up a handful of it, and brought it to his lips. It wasn't snow. It wasn't cold at all, there was no unpleasant feeling of his hands going numb. It had a sweet taste to it.

"Sugar," he decided aloud. He glanced around; everything seemed to be made of candy. Everything; from the sugarplum trees on the left, to the fence made of candy canes. There was even a path way forming in front of him, made of thin round candies Josh didn't know the name of. It was strange; as he looked around this land, he felt as if he belonged. As if he had been here once before. Maybe they had gone on holiday here once, when he was very small. He couldn't remember ever seeing such a beautiful, delicious place.

He followed the path, and came to a frozen lake. Well, he assumed it was supposed to be frozen, it looked more like melted sugar that had become solid sheets. It was then that he saw his reflection. He stared at it; instead of the t-shirt and shorts he'd gone to bed in, he was wearing a princely outfit. Silver and gold, quite like the red one he had at home. His hair had been neatly tied into a ponytail. To top this off, there was a silver circlet on his head. It was simple, two braided strings of silver.

"That's weird," was his only comment, as he looked down at himself as if to check if the reflection was accurate. He decided to put that out of his mind; he knew he was dreaming now. Following the candied path, he found himself in a town. A wonderful town, a town made purely of desserts. Josh wasn't looking at the desserts; he'd caught sight of a certain purple haired fairy.

"Nataya!" He called, waving.

He ignored the calls of people he didn't know. Various dolls were saying, "The prince has returned!" Whoever this prince was, Josh was sure he didn't know him.

Joshua paused, and looked over his shoulder to see if he could see the prince the dolls were chattering about. There was no one behind him; or in front of him, for that matter. "They mean... Me?" he asked in quiet disbelief. He had often pretended to be a prince, often pretended to be the hero who was supposed to save the damsel in distress. This... This was unique. He decided to ignore the dolls further, and he made his way to Nataya's side.

"Where are we?" he asked. "And why is everyone acting so weird?" He glanced at the doll who'd been talking to his friend, and gave her a smile. Why was everyone so excited? He paused in thought, and put his hand to his head. He felt the circlet and realization struck. "So they do mean me," he said, blinking. "But if I'm the prince, why wasn't I invited to the ball?" He saw large signs in the sugar windows of the shops in town, clearly painted with frosting.

"Sire, you were perhaps overlooked," said a soldier. "You are the host, sire--we hadn't thought you would like an invitation."

Josh thought about it for a moment. He looked to Nattie, and a smile crossed his features. He'd been waiting for a moment like this. A moment to tell Nataya how much he liked her. "That's settled then. Nattie, go to the ball with me?"

For the first time since Joshua had arrived in this strange place, a frown made its way across his face. The dolls were dragging Nataya away. He had wanted to spend time with her, where were they taking her? It wasn't fair--he supposed as prince he could order them to stop, but... Nattie seemed happy.

He forced a smile and nodded in his friend's direction. "Yeah," he agreed. "I'll see you at the ball." While he watched her go, he had failed to notice that a prince charming doll had taken hold of his arm. He looked over to him, and frowned, for the second time since he'd come to this wonderful land. It had to be a record.

"You too, sire. We must prepare you; we have just now firsthandedly witnessed how you handle women; and I must say, sire, you could do with some improvement. Have you failed to keep to your studies while you were away? Perhaps you have forgotten the proper way to treat a lady." Before Josh could argue, or say anything at all, he found himself being dragged towards the castle.

After what seemed like hours of the prince charming doll's lecturing, though in reality it had been less than even one, Joshua was finally able to escape. He hadn't changed; he hadn't had time. He walked into the ballroom, looking for Nataya. His dreams had finally given him a chance to do what he had wanted to for a long while; tell Nattie how he felt about her. What would she do, though? He hadn't found evidence that she liked him anymore than a friend. Would she laugh?

Dolls of varying sizes and colors surrounded him everytime he took a step. He forced a smile. "Guys, leave me alone for a bit," he instructed. "I want to ask her to dance alone." Glad he hid his annoyance, and glad the dolls seemed to get the point, he made his way to Nataya. He moved to tap her on the shoulder. "Nattie? Would you like to dance with me?" There was one problem; one rather big problem. Joshua, nutcracker though he was; couldn't dance.

He froze, worry latching itself to his brain. He couldn't dance--but Nattie could, he remembered seeing her dance. "Would you mind leading?" he asked with a smile. "My dancing hasn't improved since the bonfire."

Joshua smiled, and nodded. "A waltz sounds lovely," he said. He tried not to pay attention to the dolls around them, which was proving to be a difficult feat. He couldn't help but notice that they seemed to be planning his future. A future that included marriage to a certain sugar plum fairy. A blush rose to his cheeks, and green eyes focused on Nattie. "They're talking about us," he muttered.

"You lead," he said. He led her onto the dance floor; as it always was in fairy tales, the prince was the first one onto the floor. "They seem to be planning something, Nattie..." He decided not to mention what he thought they were planning. He didn't know how Nataya felt about him. He would wait to tell her at the end of the ball.

"I'm f-fine," Joshua stammered. He was having trouble concentrating due to the mutterings of the dolls. His blush deepened and despite trying to ignore them and trying to pay attention to Nattie, he paused. He looked over his shoulders. "Do you think you can stop discussing us?" he asked.

He allowed Nattie to lead him, trying to follow the music. It was difficult at first. He was tempted to look down at his feet to make sure he wasn't stepping on her toes. He did, before looking back up at her. "I wish they'd stop talking about us," he muttered. "It doesn't matter if they think our kids will have purple hair and green eyes or whatever..."

Joshua frowned slightly, glancing at the pullip doll. "Your name is Rayne, correct?" he asked. "I know a certain single princeling over there," he gestured towards the prince charming doll who had corrected him on his behavior towards women. "If you stop, I'll introduce you to him once the dance is finished." Maybe it was easier to bribe someone than give orders? Every girl needed a prince, right?

He turned his attention back to Nataya and gave her a smile. "I don't know why they would," he said. "Maybe they're planning for when we're older or something." He did think they made a rather good couple, and it was apparent the dolls agreed with him. "I mean... If I'm a prince, I need a princess, right? I'm pretty sure I'd know if I had one already..." he paused, and blushed again, looking to Rayne and silently daring her to say anything. "Anyway--I think you'd be suited to the job."