Finger Family

Baa, why did you only arrive just now?

Me?

Say no more. I can tell at a glance that you're different from the other mediocre people.

I suggest you join our grand plan.

Grand plan? What are you going to do?

Where am I... And why am I wearing Mutti's clothes?

We will find what we like most, carry it on our backs, and never take it off again.

It is so very heavy, so heavy that I won't be able to straighten my back, but it is very important!

Why do you have nothing on your back?

No, no, she does have it on her back!

Good evening, child. Did you hear the bell?

Bell? No... But that might be because I can't hear very well most of the time...

Then, you should also come and join our party.

Where is it?

When next the bell rings, at the end of the world.

But before that, I have something to show you.

Mmhmm. It looks like my memory is correct.

These stones, specimens, and red-colored photos. These are what you've been brought here to see.

Look, these rocks have been alive for thousands, tens of thousands of years. They were buried here, deep beneath the ground, long before even we were here.

They are so beautiful, so passionate. Though they were deep underground, hundreds of miles apart, they eventually came together and brought forth a marvelous eruption.

You love them, don't you?

Volcanoes? I do...

Volcanoes or rocks, they are all very precious treasures.

But, my dear Adele...

What if someone used them to do bad things? What would you do?

Bad things? Like what?

A pretty nice party it was ♪

A pretty nice party it'll be ♪

The North Wind we've found, we've found ♪

But where are the seeds in the ground, the ground ♪

Oh, the party's about to begin.

Adele, would you like to bring a rock to the party?

Then, let us make haste.

......

What's wrong? What's on your mind?

Um... I'm sorry to say this, but I...

Little Black Sheep... Are you Mr. Dolly?

I am Dolly, but I am also not Dolly.

Who I am depends on what I am in your mind.

There are some differences between you and Mr. Dolly.

Are all of those... Little Black Sheep?

No, no. We cannot say 'all.' Each and every one is unique, as is their connection to the world.

Just as we refer to you, we would not call all of them 'Adele.'

Every 'Adele' is unique.

Okay.

So, why did you invite me here?

Because of the North Wind.

Because we wished to share the joys of harvest. Every participant in this party has been chosen.

Including you, my dear Adele.

The things I've experienced the last few days have truly been mind-boggling.

That, too, is a part of life.

Are you happy right now, little one?

I don't know...

Let me take a look. I believe you are...

...not very happy right now.

Look over there. She is the proof.

Hrmm...

Is it alone?

She looks very weak right now. Too weak to jump.

Can we help her out?

Not right now.

Only when the volcano erupts will she become herself.

Is she also one of your kind?

Yes. Eventually, everyone will become one of us.

Mornin', Adele. Would you like some breakfast?

Why do you look so tired? Want me to make you a cup of coffee?

Good morning...

I seem to have had a really long and strange dream last night, and I'm still a bit out of it.

You know what they say around here? The emotions that overflow too much during the day are left over for you to savor in your dreams at night.

What was the dream about again? I seem to remember something about it being very noisy and lively...

It's true! I really saw it all!

Yes, yes. I believe you.

And because of that, you're not allowed to have ice cream for two months for sneaking out of your room and midnight and sneaking over to the land by the sea.

Aww...

But, I saw a little lamb run into my room last night, and it took me to a place where there were a whole bunch of other lambs...

There were a whole bunch of lambs, as fluffy as marshmallows, singing and dancing on top of a chest...

If what you say is true, a flock of sheep invited you to join their midnight party.

Yeah, I think that makes sense. Because I've been a good girl...

––!

How... did this happen...?