level_act45side_01_beg

<p=2>9:37 P.M.</> <p=1>A Remote Victorian Town</>

We're four whole hours behind schedule...

We don't have much time left until midnight...

The streets are deserted. We're not finding a map in a place like this either... This is a rotten turn.

We should split up. We have our communicators. If anyone finds anything, page the rest.

Not a bad idea...

Wait, okay, that works for us, but...

You don't have any solo experience, Sakiko. I can't let you go alone.

Now is hardly the time for that, is it?

You heard what she wrote. 'This will be my final letter.'

In the worst-case scenario, she's...

But...!

...Vigna. I'll be fine.

By Miss Whislash's account, I'm ready to operate in a squad based on my current abilities, remember?

(Takes out communicator) And I'll call at the first sign of trouble. Is that satisfactory?

Good! And don't forget us!

...Fine. Just be careful, yeah?

I will. Miss Iris, what's her name and address?

Her name is Ann... address, 33 Garden Street.

Acknowledged. We'll start from this crossroad. Split up and let's begin!

*pant* *pant* How can these streets be so complicated?

Is someone selling... flowers there?

Why would someone be selling flowers at this hour...?

No, no matter. I need a lead!

Excuse me—!

Excuse me, do you know where Garden Street is?

You're on it. Would you like a flower, Miss?

No. No, thank you... Would you happen to know which way number 33 is?

Look up, and follow the setting sun towards the west. Last house at the end of the street, that's number 33.

Madam, it's already night...

Oh, that's why I didn't hear any footsteps in the streets... Silly me, doddering about. Suppose it's time I went home.

Is your sight...?

Don't you worry about me. Got somewhere to go, don't you? Better go.

The nights are dark here. Now don't you get lost again.

Thank you... you be safe, too.

<p=1>33 Garden Street</>

Towards the west... This is the place she meant, then.

The old door creaks as Sakiko pushes it open.

Ugh... it reeks of alcohol in here!

The ground is covered in muddy shoeprints. In the corner, there stands a ragged man.

He looks all around, then starts going through bottles tidily tucked away in the corner, picking up each one.

Empty...

Empty...

...All empty!

Anna! Anna!!

Where the hell are you?!

*whimper* Is that it? You're abandoning me, running away, JUST LIKE SHE DID?!

Gh... Anna... Anna...

I won't drink anymore! I swear! Starting today, I'll do my best!

The man collapses to his knees in agony, then promptly screams in pain.

His palm is pierced by a shard of the bottle he broke.

A-Anna...! There's blood... on the floor... I'm bleeding!

I'm dying! Come back, Anna! I'm dying!!

Anna... you're back?

I'm not Anna.

You are... you are!

It's me! Don't you remember me?

The man makes to crawl towards Sakiko, but lets out another scream.

Inexplicably, a wave of lamentation washes through Sakiko.

She places her hand on the battered door frame—

I—

Let's go.

So the story you never published... that was an account of what really happened to you?

...Yes.

I do love fairytales. Back when Mum was still around, she bought me heaps and heaps of storybooks.

We were happy back then. Me, and Mum... and Dad.

But the happiness left with Mum.

I tried to write about all I'd gone through, show it to others, but nobody wants to read about oppression and despair.

So I turned every sentence on its head. I let them become the most beautiful fairytales of all.

...But I stopped reading fairytales long ago.

Anna...

(Trembles)

P-Please don't call me by that name...

...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you.

Don't worry. You've already been much kinder to me than anyone else.

There's Iris, actually. She's worried about you.

You know Iris?

I do. I came with her to find you. I just gave her a call, and she's right on her way.

Iris...

You don't want to see her?

I know how busy she is. Every day, she has so much to take care of...

You're a very important friend to her.

You know... I was up on a high place today. And I kept standing up, and looking down...

But I had all the letters she wrote to me in my pocket. I kept every last one. And I just kept holding onto them.

She told me to keep living. That the sweet dreams of my fairytales would come about someday.

I don't know if I should trust myself, or trust her...

You can absolutely trust her.

She's a real fairy, after all.

Fairy?

You'll understand as soon as she's here. She says before you become an adult—

Sakiko looks up at the clock.

It's an antique one, hung high on the wall, and the hour and minute hands are slowly converging upon each other.

Dammit...

What is it?

Iris was saying, before you become an adult...

You mean, before my birthday? Iris wants to celebrate my birthday?

Yes, and we're running out of time...

That's alright, I haven't celebrated my birthday in so long anyway.

I'm not a child anymore. When you're grown up, you don't need celebration.

Sakiko's gaze flits around, and something catches her eye.

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.

(Perplexed chirping)

W-What kind of creatures are these?!

Oh my, did someone come to?

The crisp sound of heels striking the ground rings out from the shadows.

And thereupon a figure emerges, and slowly draws close to Sakiko.

Clack, clack.

Humph! How boring.