Dawn: She hates me.
Buffy: No.
Dawn: She called me a thing.
Buffy: She loves you. Okay? She's not herself. I told you what the doctor said about the tumor.
Dawn: No, not just Mom. People. They keep saying weird stuff about me.
Buffy: Are you talking about the man in the hospital?
Dawn: He called me a thing too. And there was another one. Weird guy outside the magic shop. He said I didn't belong. He said I wasn't real. Why does everybody keep doing that? What's wrong with me?

Dawn: "The key is not directly described in any known literature, but all research indicates an energy matrix vibrating at a dimensional frequency beyond normal human perception. Only those outside reality can see the key's true nature." Outside reality. What's that mean?
Spike: Mm. Second-sight blokes, mostly. Or even just your run-of-the-mill lunatics ... What else does it say about this key? Is it made out of gold? Maybe we can hock it, split the take.
Dawn: Um, "The key is also susceptible to necromanced animal detection, particularly those of canine or serpent construct."
Spike: "The monks possessed the ability to transform energy, bend reality." Blah, blah, blah. Good lord, Giles writes as dull as he talks, doesn't he? "They started work. But the Council... has suggested... to us that they were interrupted. Presumably by Glory. They obviously did manage to accomplish the taste... accomplish the task. They had to be certain the Slayer would protect it with her life. So they sent the key to her... in human form. In the form of a sister." Huh! I guess that's you, nibblet.

Dawn: Is this blood?
Buffy: Dawn!
Joyce: Oh, baby.
Buffy: What did you do?!
Dawn: This is blood, isn't it? It can't be me. I'm not a key. I'm not a thing.
Joyce: Oh, sweetie, no. Wha-what is this all about?
Dawn: What am I? Am I real? Am I anything?

Joyce: Honey? You're gonna be late for school.
Dawn: I'm not going. Blobs of energy don't need an education.
Joyce: You want me to make you some soup? I think there's some chicken and stars...
Dawn: I'm not sick! I'm not anything.
Joyce: Honey, calm down, okay...
Dawn: Don't tell me what to do. You're not my mother.

Ben: Two steaming cups of chocolate goodness courtesy of... whoever I swiped it from out of the cupboard. Couldn't find any marshmallows. I'll try to steal some for next time.
Dawn: Don't like 'em anyway.
Ben: What? Is that even possible?
Dawn: Too squishy. When I was five, Buffy told me they were monkey brains, and I-
Ben: Dawn, was your mom brought back in? Is that why you're here?
Dawn: No. My mom's just fine.
Ben: Is there anybody I can call? Your sister?
Dawn: I don't have a sister.
Ben: Oh... you two have a fight? It's okay, I know how that goes. I got a sister too. They can be a real pain sometimes. I tell you, there've been a lot of nights I wish she didn't exist either.
Dawn: It's not Buffy. It's me. I'm the one that doesn't exist.
Ben: Look, I know it can feel that way sometimes, but when you're older-
Dawn: No, you don't understand. It's not real. None of this. They made it.
Ben: Dawn-
Dawn: I'm nothing! I'm just a thing the monks made so Glory couldn't find me. I'm not real.

Glory: You okay?
Dawn: I wanna go home.
Glory: Sweetie... ohh... You're about to. Not that fake suburban nightmare the monks cooked up for you. I mean your real home. As the key! You fit the lock. Well, it's like a lock. Hey! You want a pizza?
Dawn: No.
Glory: Pillow? I don't know if this thing gets cable. Doubtful.
Dawn: Please. Stop.
Glory: You nervous?
Dawn: Yes.
Glory: I know how you feel. It is your last night. As, you know ... a human. This body ... it's just a rental, Dawnie. Being human? It's like a costume for girls like you and me. Being something else, that's what we are.

Buffy: What are you doing?
Dawn: I have to jump. The energy.
Buffy: It'll kill you.
Dawn: I know. Buffy, I know about the ritual. I have to stop it.
Buffy: No.
Dawn: I have to. Look at what's happening. Buffy, you have to let me go. Blood starts it, and until the blood stops flowing, it'll never stop. You know you have to let me. It has to have the blood.

Dawn: Willow... please, just listen to me.
Willow: You don't have to talk. Just think real loud. I can hear you.
Dawn: You're freaking me out.
Willow: Oh, don't be like that. I'm just a little wired. And I have some things to do. I thought if anybody'd understand-
Dawn: I miss Tara, too! But this? What you're doing here? This is not the way to go! You're only going to make things worse! But I promise, it's not too late to-
Willow: You miss her?
Dawn: Yes.
Willow: Did you cry? Of course you did. I get that. I understand the crying, you cry because you're human. But you weren't always.
Dawn: Yes, I was.
Willow: No, please. You're telling me you don't remember? You used to be some ... mystic ball of energy. Maybe that's why you're crying all the time, Dawnie. 'Cause you don't belong here. Wanna go back? End the pain? You'll be happier. I'll be happier. We'll all be a lot happier without listening to the constant whining.

Buffy: You need to back down a minute and think, Will.
Willow: I wasn't gonna hurt her. Buzzkill.
Dawn: She tried to turn me back.

""