There was only one task left, the bedtime story. So Silvia sat next to the pot and began to tell the fire seed a fairy tale that her grandmother had once told her. A little bit of the ivy rested itself on her shoulder, as if to listen in on the story as well.

It was the story of Princess Kaguya, who was raised by a bamboo cutter on Earth, refusing marriage to several princes and the emperor until the day she had to return with her people to their home on the moon. She left behind her a bottle of the elixir of immortality for the emperor. But the emperor refused to drink it, not wanting to live forever if he could never see the princess.


Having finished, Silvia stood up and picked up her bag. "Goodnight, fire seedling," she said, patting the side of the pot. "Sweet dreams. And goodnight ivy." She headed out of the greenhouse.