The music was so loud that it seemed to vibrate the air. Lanterns wrapped in garlands filled the street with gold and scarlet light, and the crowd swirled in an endless dance. Everyone was laughing. The laughter was pure, ringing... but something about it sounded wrong - too rhythmic, as if someone was conducting.

He made his way through the crowd to you.

SwapDream was dressed in a snow-white suit with gold accents, his wings spread, feathers glittering in the light of the lanterns. He seemed to float among the people, and everyone he touched froze in a smile, laughing without stopping.

"Welcome, guest!" — His voice cut through the noise, and suddenly the crowd's laughter became quieter, as if everyone was waiting for your reaction. — "There are no tears here. There is no pain here. Only joy.

He took your hand, his fingers warm but too strong. You noticed: the laughter of the people around you never stopped, even when they stumbled or fell. Their lips were stretched into a perfect arc, and their eyes… their eyes were empty, like porcelain dolls.

"Isn't it wonderful?" — He came closer, so that you could smell the light scent of apples. — "Everyone is happy here. Always."

Somewhere behind you, a woman's laughter sounded, and you turned around... The woman dancing in a couple fell, but continued to laugh, and her partner pulled her back to the rhythm, their eyes frozen in one spot.

SwapDream noticed where you were looking, and gently touched your cheek.

"Don't look there. Instead, look at me." — His smile grew wider, and his gaze became deeper, almost mesmerizing. — "You want to be happy, right?"

And at that moment, the music howled louder, and the crowd's laughter merged into a single chorus, as if pushing you to respond.