Fairytale Beginning

It feels like I had this long, long dream... and I was this close to never waking up.

Saki-chan, we've been going in circles for so long. We almost missed each other again.

It was like someone gave me a pull, and then I just showed up here.

Blehhh! Why are we being so serious?

But Saki, you're smiling so happily.

Yes! Of course I am, I'm so happy...

Uika... Mutsumi.

Nyamu... Umiri.

I missed you... I missed you so badly.

All of you—welcome back.

(Struggling chirping)

I'm guessing these things put us to sleep?

The dreams... they're not working...

No... no...

You can't leave... you have to... stay here!

(Piercing screech)

—Watch out!

Wolff!!

Morpheus, cut your losses!

Don't you lecture me with words you cribbed from a storybook!

Sakiko, take them and—argh!

Oh, crap! Up there—

Morpheus... see the error of your ways!

(Panicked screech)

Who was that?!

Nngh—!

Are... are we safe now?

What in the world is happening...?

Apologies for our lateness.

M-Miss Iris! We owe a debt to you for your aid... Thank you.

Saki-chaaaan!

Sakiko... Sakiko...

(Who is it... now...)

Ah. Have you come to?

You fainted. Going through dreamland after dreamland like that takes a toll on the body.

Though I'd say it's quite incredible you lasted that long despite never encountering such Originium Arts before.

Are the others...

You needn't fret, I've arranged rooms for them. Bena is with them right now.

Oh, I don't believe I've introduced myself—I am Iris, the present Master of the Castle of Dreams.

We've seen plenty of each other in my dreams... If this is our first time meeting, then who were you before?

Well, as Morpheus demonstrated for you—some fairies of the Castle of Dreams possess the rare Arts to spin dreams.

That said, it's no omnipotent thing. What dreams a caster spins are ultimately limited by their own knowledge of the target.

Morpheus didn't understand you, nor did she regard you as an equal adversary. That is why the dream she spun was so flawed.

As for why you met me, I would suppose... that was Grandmother's work.

Grandmother?

Yes. The Castle of Dreams's previous Master. She spends all her time in a secluded room to convalesce now, owing to her frail health.

She gave me this necklace, you see, and over the last few days, it had been terribly temperamental with its energies. Bena and I scrambled to return just in case something was amiss... What a terrible turn of affairs we found.

I see...

Something just started up over there. You're not safe alone. Go the long way round, quick.

...Thank you for the warning.

I heard from an old woman nearby...

You should hurry home.

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

Miss Sakiko. As the Master of the Castle of Dreams, I beg your forgiveness for all that's transpired.

I suppose you could hardly pardon Morpheus, after all she's done...?

Actually... By all rights I should hate her, but I don't feel that way at all.

...What?

She was quite right, actually. Ave{@nbs}Mujica as a group was never very tightly-knit.

When I made that initial bet with her, it was solely because I wanted the band members back. It was an act of rash judgment.

But after entering their dreams only to be rejected by each of them in turn, it finally dawned on me that I hadn't a clue how they felt inside.

Within the dreams she'd spun, we tried to hide our weakest, most fragile parts beneath a beautiful facade.

Yet did I ever attempt to know my companions, with whom I'd spent so many days and nights?

Had I truly resolved to bear the weight of their lives?

As I fell through the abyss of Limbo, these were the questions I asked myself in infinitude.

Miss Sakiko...

But when I finally straightened out my heart, awakened my companions, and stood once again before Morpheus, it wasn't just anger I felt...

It was also a deep, deep sorrow.

In that moment, we looked each other in the eyes. It hit me. My power was frail no longer; I had my friends by my side.

While she stood by herself, alone as ever, with naught but creations that bent to her will and whim.

She was the dreamspinner. She knew better than all of us how nothing in the land of dreams was real.

And yet she still chose to lose herself in such dreams. Surely, she must have had her reasons?

......

Hah-hahahahah-hah! You're a heartless monster!

No wonder your parents don't want you!

You'll never live through the winter!

No! You're lying!

Get lost, all of you!!

Uh-oh—run!

Morpheus, are you alright?!

Oh, Iris, is it—is it true what they said?

They're naughty children, right? The fairies won't bring sweet dreams to them, right?

I'm not a heartless monster, and my parents didn't abandon me, and I can live through the winter, right?!

Morpheus...

Oh, Iris, answer me!!

......

There are reasons that Morpheus cannot live outside the Castle of Dreams.

There is no storybook beauty in these lands. What Morpheus had to endure left her unable to place her trust in the sweet dreams of fairytales.

And I know full well that the Castle's sweet dreams hardly solve every problem...

'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.'

These words...

Are the very words you spoke to me in my dream, Miss Iris. Now, I offer these same words back to you.

I venture that perhaps, Morpheus is awaiting a dream that lets her become 'grown-up', once and for all.

As the moon rises, the doll takes on life—see, have the moons not risen?

Yes. You're right.

Furthermore, Miss Iris, I do have a request...

Pray tell. I'll do what's in my power.

The five of us have awakened from our dreams, but we don't seem to have returned to our own world...

Being the Master of the Castle of Dreams, I was wondering if you might know a method by which we can go back?

I happened to hear them describe this 'world' of yours while you were unconscious. From what I could gather, it certainly doesn't sound like any city on Terra.

But I've never happened across a case like yours before, and a full trawl of the Castle's archives turned up nothing either.

I intend to contact Rhodes Island—the Doctor there is quite learned, and should know a way to send you back.

Rhodes Island... the pharmaceutical company?

Indeed. You dreamt of it?

Yes. I'd be keen on visiting again, and I have some 'old friends' I'd like to meet while I'm... um...

Is something the matter?

I... I'm starting to forget what they looked like.

Miss Sakiko. You've been through so many people's dreams. I'm sure you know the Castle's rules through and through by now.

......

As with all dreams, the memories will begin to blur and fade from the moment you wake up.

Someday or other, you'll return to your 'world', and when you do, you'll forget about me, about the Castle's sweet dreams, about Terra itself.

How could I...!

But what happens here will not simply be for naught.

Perhaps you and your friends will have to confront those recurring problems when you go back... but I trust you'll prevail.

Even if you forget everything that happened here, you'll remember the courage you showed in times of hardship.

Yes. I trust we will too...

And when we return to our own world, Ave{@nbs}Mujica will remain together as Ave{@nbs}Mujica.

And I, Master of the Castle of Dreams, will forever remember you as you are now, as 'children'.

Perhaps I'll show up again one day, when you're all grown up—and when I do, I hope you and your friends will still be writing the story of your lives through music.

We have a promise!

What is that noise outside the door...?

We don't have another troublemaker, do we?!

Saki-chan—you're awake! Are you feeling okay?

(Half-conscious chirping)

Erm, I'm fine... Can you explain what all the noise out here is about?

We're setting up a new stage, and Miss Bena's making Morpheus use these little creatures to carry stuff around...

A new stage?

Yeah. Who knows how long we'll be here for. Might as well rehearse while we've got the chance.

There are so many songs I still want to work on.

Morpheus wanted to build the stage in a dream, but we and Miss Bena unanimously shot that down.

Yeah, I'll pass on dreams for the next while...

Agreed...

Won't somebody show me a smidge of concern? Why am I being given hard labor?!

(Angry chirping)

Ahkh—ow-ow-ow!

(Pained chirping)

You did the crime, now you do the time, Morpheus...

Oh, you're in this with me, Wolff! Go fit that last light!

I... alright.

Well? How's that for a new stage?

It's so pretty—!

Humph. Hardly a challenge for me.

Are you forgetting the most important part? The instruments!

Ighk—stop—flicking my ears, I'll bring them out now!

Mm. Still feels good in the hands.

(Here's hoping that dream-long blank I had didn't screw up my muscle memory—)

Sakiko, we're all ready. Come on.

I look forward to your performance, Miss Sakiko.

We missed out on seeing the whole thing last time! Now we can make up for that.

(Joyful chirping)

Getting to attend your performance, not as an enemy, but as a friend, makes me happier than anything.

Oh, you people are such goody-two-shoes!

A—Anyhow... I'll be listening closely.

Pft... hahahaha...!

Wh-What are you laughing at? Don't think you can walk all over me just because Iris and Bena are here...

No, nothing... haha! I'm coming now.

Everyone! Upon this land, we shall leave our sound!

This is the wondrous adventure story of us, the dolls.

Welcome... to the world of Ave{@nbs}Mujica.