There are some magical phrases in here - pot-bellied drops just nails that swelling fall of rain. The idea of someone who doesn't really dream discovering it, and imagining how much that would change your life, you would appear crazy! It seems fitting he is a gem merchant, a night-walker who by day, deals in the shining gems of man. There is a great contrast between the material value placed on gemstones, and his intangible nighttime creations. As many men, he walked his many worlds. I love the ending! It caps it so well, and him being able to gain knowledge in his dreams, aww I just love it all.
Ok, are you sure you are a standard human? Most humans can't blow up pens with their mind or do things they can already do blindfolded, let alone all of that. You could be the next stage of evolution lol, but let's just rule out the obvious...
Were you ever exposed to radiation?
Were you bitten by a spider or other insect that was?
Have you been in any lab accidents?
Did you grow up in a lab?
Have you met other people who look just like you?
Were you given any courses of undisclosed injections?
Do you have a long blank period in your memory?
Do you have to go for yearly check ups?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, please visit our "So you found out the truth..." section of the dreamsphere ;)
In a way, dreams can feel like steps taken in another world, in the shoes of another. Dreams feel as real as reality, I have given up trying to tell, just accept and enjoy the reality I find myself in lol - I manage semi-lucid dreams a lot, most nights, but it destroys your perception. The dreams feel more real than reality, and are more fun, I go through phrases half convinced this is like the holding area between dream states. That is the reality, and this is like the old VHS they play on repeat in the waiting room. It does cure nightmares entirely though! It isn't lucid dreaming like you have described, more like immersive game playing where you are the character, you don't remember yourself, but the world shapes itself to your characters needs, and you have a slight sense of detachment, safety. The content of my dreams is the same as ever, but it has been a long time since I would have called it a nightmare.
Have you by any chance seen the movie Waking Life? Or episode two of the Junji Ito anime with the Long Dream story?
Thank you for your meaningful comment, Cal. It's strange how I posted this, I don't even know why I wrote it honestly.. it started as a diary and evolved in a story which, in the end, can still be a sort of prolongation of the diary. I think I'm quite a standard man, probably I wasn't a standard child but you know, when we grow up something gets always lost. But then again, what's standard? Probably the only standard thing in life is the projection of an idea of normality, which is nothing but a mere illusion, created by the laziest side of our minds. This has a lot to do with my interest in what we call fiction ;-) Your description of semi-lucid dream fits a lot with my recent experiences.. those I believe don't come from the REM deep state of our mind. Honestly, I think that when I was a child I developed a lucid-dream knowledge to defend myself from the nightmares I had.. they were definitely horror. I would say they were something like visions of hells in a Clive Barker's style. Nowadays my mind is way less fervid by night though.. but at least I've my pandora's box where to draw on for my ideas! I've not survived to a lab accident, not that I remember, but I saw a UFO/s from the terrace of my home.. still when kid.. but again, was that reality or a dream?
Thank you also for those references.. Junji Ito's drawings are really well done! It reminds me of Kentarō Miura, another mangaka, in berserk's most horror scenes. Today week's 18th party starts! It's going to be a very fun ride with all the openings that your story offers! See you there and ciao! :-D