Thank you! Yeah, that was sorta an intent. I want this story to read more like a fairy tale/story-book/something like that. Also, the character Clara has a very distinct voice herself, and that is part of the show. She's emerging as a VERY strong character, so she'll be determining a lot of how the writing goes Especially style-wise.

Oh, well actually you won't really need to wheedle. Right now I'm trying to discuss this story with as many people as I can. The Nutcracker is such a classic story, so I know input from just about anyone (who has good taste) who has been exposed to/likes the story will be really helpful in just being true to the story while also making it my own. So if there's anything you wonder about, just ask! I'd love to discuss this thing and I really appreciate any interest
But as for his mother....well, his mother is the Sugar Plum Fairy, but she's not his technical mother in a way. Ever heard of the story of Momotaru? Basically an old couple never could have children, and they always prayed for the gods to give them a child. One day a giant peach floated down the river and in it was a boy, who the gods had sent to be their child. So basically the Sugar Plum Fairy is in a world where she's essentially alone in many ways, and dearly wanted children, but there really wasn't any suitable mates (her Prince had died many many years ago.) So God gave her a giant plum in her forest in which was a boy, Hans, who would be her child and who would eventually be cursed into the Nutcracker.
....It's sorta a on-purpose incarnation parallel of sorts, and just the whole idea of God giving things to people. So yeah.
It's kinda out-there, I'm trying to sorta make this story more fairy-tale-ish in general. Fairy tales can be pretty out there.

Sounds neat! I've seen a lot of really lovely illustration attempts of the story around. I mean, with all that's in it...candy land, essentially, it's bound to be pretty!