1. Hey, Annette. What're you up so late for? Some kinda research?
  2. Oh no, it's nothing like that. I've been working [cdb]on this.
  3. Uhhh. That just looks like a bunch of little black bugs [cdb]jumping around on a page.
  4. Excuse you, it's sheet music! I have no idea how [cdb]you could possibly think the notes look like bugs.
  5. Sorry, sorry. It's just, I don't think I've ever actually [cdb]seen sheet music before. Does this mean you're [cdb]writing a new song?
  6. Mmhm! A lovely tune popped into my head today, [cdb]so I wanted to jot it down before I forgot.
  7. Ask if you can hear it.
  8. Ask what kind of song it is.
  9. Mind singing it for me? I'd love to know what [cdb]kinda song it is.
  10. Nope, sorry—I'm not done writing the lyrics yet. I have a rough outline, but that's about it so far.
  11. What kinda song is it? I can't read sheet music, [cdb]so I'm having trouble imagining what it'll be like.
  12. If it turns out right, it'll be bouncy and fun. Though, I'm nowhere near finishing the lyrics yet.
  13. Still, I want to write something happy. A song that'll [cdb]make people feel good when they sing it.
  14. That sounds great. I can't wait till it's finished.
  15. Hey, um... Do you remember the song I wrote about [cdb]that knight?
  16. Knight? Oh, you mean the horse with the human— Ahem. Yeah. The song about the knight, of course.
  17. Well, I heard someone singing it again.
  18. Look, Annette, I know you're upset I let it slip, [cdb]but what's done is done.
  19. I didn't mean it like that. I... I heard a mercenary [cdb]singing it to himself as he died.
  20. He was covered in blood, and could hardly breathe. Yet he had this great, big smile on his face as the [cdb]words crossed his lips.
  21. He must have been in so much pain...but still he just [cdb]kept smiling.
  22. Probably thinking back to all the times he spent [cdb]drinking and singing with his friends.
  23. Soldiers always throw the wildest parties after a [cdb]battle. The sorta thing where you can find knights [cdb]and mercs alike locking arms and belting out tunes.
  24. Maybe. Anyway, I've been thinking about that [cdb]mercenary a lot ever since he passed.
  25. I never wanted that song out in the world, and I'm [cdb]honestly still not happy about it.
  26. But it helped him face his final moments with a smile, [cdb]instead of sadness or fear. And I'm forever grateful I [cdb]could provide that.
  27. It's like I told you before, Annette. Your songs can [cdb]really help people.
  28. I'm sure tons more took comfort in that song, too.
  29. Including me. Whenever I'm feeling down, I just [cdb]think about one of your silly songs and I'm right back [cdb]in high spirits.
  30. Silly? Are you implying my lyrics aren't serious? No, never mind. I'll choose to take it as a [cdb]compliment.
  31. And hey, if my songs really help people that much, I better get to work writing lots of new ones!
  32. There you go. So, what's this next one gonna be [cdb]about?
  33. Well, right now I'm planning to make it be about a [cdb]group of friends who dig into a huuuge feast together.
  34. They keep churning out dish after delicious dish, [cdb]and everyone's faces are alight with laughter and joy.
  35. Wow. I'm getting hungry just hearing about it.
  36. Right? Then once all the food runs out, they go [cdb]off hunting for ingredients so they can cook up [cdb]some more.
  37. Uhh, OK.
  38. But, uh oh! They come across a ginormous bear, [cdb]and have to battle it to the death!
  39. A deathmatch with a bear? I thought this was [cdb]supposed to be a happy song about a feast.
  40. Eh, guess I shouldn't judge it before it's done. Just lemme know when you're finished, OK? I wanna be the first in line to hear it.
  41. Yes, of course!