二十 四 ; èr shí sì

[getsome_sleep]

"Once upon a time," said Zhuangzi, "I dreamed that I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Zhuangzi

Comments

[spandexisyouth]

[So many pentaps, as well as a lot of stops and starts in the writing. Poetric imagery, how difficult you are.]

A dream of being a butterfly would be a nice one I think, but there are too many important things that would be forgotten and neglected if one stayed dreaming of being one instead of realizing that they were a man.

[getsome_sleep]

[He doesn't do it on purpose really...]

Indeed, I agree - if one were certain that one was dreaming.

[spandexisyouth]

We are people, though. And even if we were not people, to stop working and being because we think that maybe we are butterflies instead would be a waste of the time given to us.

[getsome_sleep]

Thinking is never a waste of one's time. We must always question our assumptions, even the most basic ones concerning what is real and what is not.

/had almost darted off for a nap

[spandexisyouth]

I did not say not to think! But even if we were butterflies, which would make no sense because how would butterflies know how to write, except if they were fooled into thinking that they were people then they would think they knew how to write so they would think this was writing, except

[Long pause.]

I got off of the topic. Even if we were butterflies, we are not doing our butterfly tasks, whatever it is that butterflies do. So we should do our human tasks so that we are not lazy butterflies or lazy people.

LOL OH GAI

[getsome_sleep]

However, if we are indeed butterflies and only dream of being human, would that not mean that our imaginary human tasks come at the expense of our real butterfly tasks?

[... okay this is getting cruel. Back on topic.]

Perhaps you would follow the argument more easily if you were to read the original book. I shall gladly lend it to you, but you must take care. It is a singular and unique copy.

[OOC: Yes he means it has meta in it. If Gai takes him up on the offer there will be a writeup XD]

Heehee

[spandexisyouth]

But we are not doing butterfly tasks while we are dreaming. So then all tasks would be neglected if we did not do our human ones. I think. And we should stop dreaming so we can do our butterfly tasks but even when you are self-aware in a dream sometimes you cannot wake up.

[Gai is not made for philosophy, sorry, Huo. And he's missing the meta implications as he tries to muddle through this.]

Maybe? I will of course take great care of it, but I cannot promise I will understand it. I am very confused and I do not know why someone would think they were a butterfly.

[getsome_sleep]

Perhaps so, yet to be self aware is certainly the first step toward regaining control of one's faculties and returning to waking reality, would you not agree?

[Forging bravely on...]

No matter - if you do not understand, show it to gui-Bell. But I think that it will be clear to you, considering your background.

[spandexisyouth]

But you are not self-aware if you are a man dreaming of being a butterfly dreaming of being a man. Then you are something that is close but is opposite!

...Reading what everyone else is writing makes me think that they are all understanding this much better than I am. But I will look and I will try. It is a challenge!

[getsome_sleep]

[The day after this exchange, Huo comes by Gai's house to drop his copy of the Tao Te Ching. Two pages in, the book conceals a handwritten page telling the following story:]There once was a fish - a great predatory creature, a veritable whale - who dreamed that he was a man. The dream was very vivid, and he could not seem to let it go. What if he truly was a man, a fisherman and not a whale? What if he was in fact dreaming that he lived in a bowl with the other creatures of the sea? He tried and tried to wake up, but to no avail

[Much delayed quicklog!]

[spandexisyouth]

[Some of the things he got. The green frog was one of them, the pale fish... who the people in this were, he knew. But Gai was a bit worried about the bowl being dropped, or biting Fugue and Mother.]

[Part of the delay in approaching Huo was embarrassment. He was bad with metaphors and everyone knew it, but he still wanted to try. The other part was that if someone had been reading the journals, they might have picked up on the hidden message of discussion between him and Huo, and he wanted to keep this as safe as possible. Especially as the whale had told Huo not to tell.]

[So it's a few days later that Gai knocks on Huo's door, wondering if he could propose a walk down to the yard to speak of biting fish.]

[Much delayed quicklog!]

[getsome_sleep]

[It was only a moment before the door swung open, and Huo greeted him with a smile that, along with its usual politeness, held a touch of eager relief.]

Gai-jun. I have been expecting you. [The delay hadn't concerned him terribly, but had not added to his peace of mind either. Things were in motion now, no day wasted.

(And he had written the information in that Gai-resistant code of metaphor. There was that.)]

Come in. I shall brew us some tea.

[Much delayed quicklog!]

[spandexisyouth]

That is good! [Even if it meant that Huo knew exactly how befuddled Gai would likely be. Oh well. There wasn't a way it could be a surprise.]

Tea would be lovely. I thank you. [He stepped in, removing his shoes at the door and following Huo. His voice was a bit rueful when he spoke again.] I have a feeling you have expected me ever since your last visit to my place. I am good at some things, but others I am not. At least I am good at drinking tea!

[Much delayed quicklog!]

[getsome_sleep]

Tea it shall be, then. [Huo grinned slightly, but kept any teasing to himself. However they would hold it, this was not going to be a very cheerful conversation.

But perhaps hopeful. Perhaps.]

I apologize for communicating in such an obscure manner, [he said as he stirred the coals in the hearth to life.] One cannot be too careful, and even more eyes than usual are alert to this particular topic. Our whale is no fool, and the school of colorful fish knows much and more.

Re: [Much delayed quicklog!]

[spandexisyouth]

[Gai took a seat, watching Huo get to work. He didn't mind the amusement; he was used to it and this was... well, something close to a friend. Getting there. Maybe already there. Gai wasn't sure how to define Huo, but at least the strategist was not an enemy anymore.]

I understand. We do not have the luxury of being colorful fish, slipping away when... when... [Metaphor. Gai was going to have a headache later, he knew it.] the waves become... big? Choppy! When they become choppy! [He felt a little too triumphant over that, he knew.]

But perhaps if... if a frog and one fish were to not... ripple? Much? When they swim, they will be beneath a whale's notice.

Re: [Much delayed quicklog!]

[getsome_sleep]

[If nothing else - and of course there was much else - one could hardly fault Gai for lack of determination. As appreciative as he was entertained, Huo nodded, offering Gai a more encouraging smile along with a cup of tea. The thick aroma sweetened the air - perhaps it would sweeten the dealings.]

Frogs are very nimble, it seems, [he said.] And that is good, when they must avoid both a certain crab and a certain clam. How difficult it is to be surrounded by creatures of the sea. [He sipped his tea, slowly, thoughtful.] I hope that you have found my book enlightening, in regard to the nature of dreams and waking.