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Ann. How about I give you your birthday's blessings?

...Huh?

...Okay.

It is a piano.

The moon shines upon it, as though it was put there just for tonight.

Even if Iris's sweet dream doesn't make it in time, Sakiko wants to do <i>something</i> for Ann.

In your last moments before you become a grown-up, an adult... allow me to play you a lullaby as a present.

...Got it!

Sakiko paces up the steps. Ann sits below.

Their hearts beat. The clock ticks. The sounds gradually come into focus between them.

Thump, thump.

Tick, tock.

Sakiko's fingers weave through keys of black and white.

The notes leap with the passage of time, giving sincerest blessings to the miracle of the girl's birth.

Thank you for coming into this land.

May the future hold happiness and joy for you.

May the child live forever in your heart.

As the final note settles, a church bell rings.

Happy birthday, Ann...

Sakiko turns to look at the girl, only to find she has fallen asleep at the table, her face the picture of peaceful slumber.

Happy birthday, Ann.

Bena's in the church, waiting for Ann to wake up. Let's take a little stroll outside, shall we?

Thank goodness you made it in the end.

Mm, it was close. Thank goodness indeed.

What kind of dream did you... spin for her?

A room of pure white, so clean it could not be real.

And in there, first things first, I inquired if she'd be willing to enter the dreamland I'd spun for her.

You <i>are</i> quite the noble lady, aren't you?

Please do not take what Bena said at face value...

'You must have the child's permission before you enter their dreamland.'

It's a necessary procedure as ordained by the Castle of Dreams.

I see—

Did you talk about anything else with her, after that?

In her dream, I told her how truly beautiful her words were, and that I hope she can continue to write.

Whatever the style, whatever the story. It hardly has to be a fairytale, even.

Yes. That's what I wanted to tell her too.

Before her eyes, I unveiled each and every character she'd penned.

Mr. Decaytooth who loves to eat fruit, Miss Dolly who walks on her hands... And they all had a tea party together.

How wonderful. If only Ann could stay in that dream forever...

Dreams are not for wallowing in.

No matter how sweet the dream, one has to wake up in the end.

Even if reality is callous and chaotic?

You and Bena have such powerful Originium Arts...

Sakiko, you misunderstand the power of fairytales and the Castle of Dreams. In the face of reality, what we can accomplish is so very limited.

It is but one thing. We nestle a seed deep in the depths of a child's heart.

Likely, it is what they considered the most important event, or thing, to them as children.

It usually lies quietly deep within. But at crucial moments—when people are at their weakest—it gives them strength.

...Am I being a little too weighty, here?

No. I saw the conviction in your eyes as you spoke.

I'm sure the dream you spun for Ann will stay with her, and give her the courage to live in the days to come.

Mm. I believe so too, though my reason is a little different.

Huh?

Before I spun her dream, I found in her heart a tiny seed.

Sweet dreams from the Castle are far from the only way to plant the seeds of faith—

It's all thanks to you, Sakiko.

Yeah, your piano was amazing!

I told you you'd be a killer musician. You need to get on stage at Rhodes Island's concerts!

Oh please, Vigna, spare me...

As Vigna and Sakiko mock-fight, Iris draws an item out of a box.

You mentioned having strange dreams, Sakiko?

Carry this necklace with you, and the nightmares should lessen.

Are you... sure I should have this?

Just take it, honestly. It's nothing valuable. A little Arts-enchanted, that's all.

Hey—gimme one too!

Do you also have nightmares?

I mean... probably maybe? I don't remember!

No. I can tell you've been a perfectly sound sleeper all your life.

Ughh—man, it's no fun dealing with you fairies! Nothing's secret from you.

As her colleagues chat, Sakiko carefully puts the necklace on.

She feels a gentle coolness at her neck, that then spreads through her entire body.

Oh, how beautiful...

Iris, Vigna, look—

Nobody is there.

Vigna?

Iris?

Sakiko looks around her.

Nobody is there.

Where... Hello?

Sakiko begins to make for the church she just left, every step more urgent than the last.

Bena!

Ann!

What...? Why am I back at Rhodes Island?

Miss Sakiko?

Are you alright?

Are—are you—alright?

(Turns around)—!

H-Hello?

It's like how everything used to be... It's almost like we're dreaming.

Ugh... a dream?

Sakiko? Sakiko!

Mm... hmm?

Time to get up, sleepyhead! It's a beautiful day.

It's so cold...

My head hurts...

Saki... ko.

Sa—ki—ko!

Mmgh... where am I?

She is inside a massive castle.

Looking up at the sky through the large window, she saw twin moons floating in the night sky.

The cold has cleared up her mind. She looks around her.