Hey all! Alrighty then, this chapter is going back to the normal. Though now I suppose I'll have to write a special chapter for every holiday, won't I? Please don't expect me to write a chapter for Diwali, or something, though. Because I know next to nothing of the holidays, and I'd rather not butcher them. ^^; I guess I really don't know…I can do specials related to the theme of the holiday, without actually mentioning the holiday it's for, I suppose. And now I'm rambling.

Prelude:

Yes, a prelude. You're all thinking 'What the bark is this?' But you see, I have decided to put this in because I wanted to share my strange dream with you all, before I forget. And, you know, I didn't really want to make this an actual chapter, because that'd just be weird.

Anyways, in my dream, Deryn was standing in a front of a bunch of crewmen (I think they were all in a diamond shape with Deryn at the point), and all of them started jogging, except weirdly. Let me explain. You know those little stick figures on exit signs, that look like they're in midstride of running? Yes, well, picture Deryn and her crewmen all jogging like that, leaned over, with their arms and legs ninety degree angles and everything.

So, as they're jogging, they start singing, "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" Please note, they were jogging in time. So then they sing, "A flibbertijibbet, a will-o-the-wisp, drink up me hearties jo ho! Gobbledy blah, none of the rest of this made sense, drink up me hearties jo ho!" To explain, somewhat. Please note, once again, this was all a dream, and minds think up strange things during dreams. So anyways, the flibbertijibbet and will-o-the-wisp are from the song 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?', which is from the movie 'Sound of Music'…What? I watched it the day before this dream, so I suppose it's natural it made its way in. Anyways, I don't know what the 'jo ho' is. 'Yo ho' with a really thick pirate accent?

Then, Deryn suddenly sticks out her arm and commands, "Stop." And everyone freezes midstride, just like the exit sign. Deryn changes to a normal standing stance, and says, "Wait a minute. This song is from the 1950s." Actually, I don't know if it is or not. I'm just quoting my dream, remember? But I do know it came after all them in World War I, 'cause, you know, it's only 1914 for them, and Walt Disney created his first park a lot later.

Anywho, the dream ended with Deryn standing there, a puzzled look on her face. And I have absolutely no idea where Alek was. He just didn't appear in my deluded, sleepy mind. So, did you enjoy my very strange prelude (which, by the way, has nothing to do with the actual chapter)?

Confusion

"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."

~Robert McCloskey

"Ha, bet you can't," Deryn scoffed, her arms crossed over her chest.

Alek raised an eyebrow. "Oh, but I bet I can."

"One sentence. An actual sentence, no run-ons or that jargon. So try it. I'm sharper than you give me credit for."

"You sure you want to risk that?" Alek asked. "I'm quite sure I can confuse you with just one sentence, even if it is you."

Deryn snorted. "Ha, not likely. I'll understand every little squick of your trick sentence. So bring it on!"

Alek cleared his throat. "Very well. 'To say of what is that it is not, or of what is not that it is, is false, while to say of what is that it is, and of what is not that it is not, is true.' To quote Aristotle."

The middy gaped. "What the barking clart was that?"

"Did it confuse you?" Alek questioned, looking smug.

Deryn harrumphed. "I bet I can top that."

"Oh really?" Alek said, his eyes giving away his disbelief.

"Aye," Deryn said. "Here goes: 'One thing can look like the other and everyone thinks that one thing is the other except for one person who finds out the one thing is another instead of the other but everyone else goes on thinking that one thing is still the other and the one thing isn't even sure if it is one or the other because it is so used to being the other it's forgotten about being the one thing it really is.'"

Taking a deep breath, Deryn exhaled loudly. She hadn't breathed once during her little spiel, but boy had it been good to get that out of her system! To just, vent to someone about her feelings without the person actually knowing he was being vented to, let alone what about.

Alek blinked. "Was that an actual quote?" he asked.

Deryn froze. "Er, yes, yes it was. By, um, well, I forgot the bloody author's name, but what's it matter?"

"You forgot the author's name, yet you memorized that whole quote?" Alek stared skeptically.

The Darwinist shrugged. "It's a cool quote."

"Well, I think I understand yours…kind of. It's confusing, but I feel as if I can follow it."

"Aye, well…I still have no barking clue as to what yours was about, so I guess you win," Deryn said, admitting defeat.

Alek pointed to the floor. "Very well. I shall receive my prize."

Muttering darkly, Deryn kneeled down on the floor and placed her forehead upon it. In a forceful voice, she said through gritted teeth, "Oh wonderful Alek. You are oh so much smarter than I am. I am humbled to…uh, what's it that comes next?"

"Be in my presence," Alek coaxed.

Deryn grumbled. "Right, uh, I am humbled to be in your presence, and I will serve you for the rest of the day."

"Rise, faithful servant," Alek commanded, and Deryn did as she was told, seething. "Fetch me some lunch."

"Aye aye, sir," Deryn mumbled, storming out and planning dastardly plans of putting vile creatures under Alek's bedsheets. Oh yes, he'd wake up to a nasty surprise.

And while she was at it, she may as well figure out what his bloody quote meant.

So actually, I suppose the prelude ties in a bit with this chapter, because it's about being confused and all, and I was very confused when I dreamt the prelude. And this chapter really has no plot…-_- I am having a bit of writer's block, though, so I hope you can forgive me. But the quote was fun to use! It took me a couple minutes to understand it, though, but I like it! It's fun to read. xP

Anyways, updates are going to be pretty slow for the next two weeks here, as I've got exams coming up. Got to study and all that whatnot. But after that, I should be back to normal!

Holly Marie Fowl: It is an awesome show. ;D Thought she was actually going to…? xP Well, that was the point, to make you think that. And good, I'm glad you caught the 'la-lad' thing. I was hoping people would. ;)

Rue-the-Marauder: *falls out of chair laughing* xD

Music Antoinette: Haha, well, that was the point, to make you think she was about to kiss him. Glad you liked it! ;D

Pony:

1. Thank you!

2. I'm glad you liked the Grinch one. ;)

3. Aww, thanks! I'm glad you thought it turned out good. ;D

4. Thanks again!

LittleKittyShaoMao: Aww, that's cute! I did the same with my dog at midnight. ;D And thanks!

Ailat: It means "your mother was a hamster"? …*bursts out laughing* I am so using that from now on! xD And nah, Deryn's not going to smack Alek…though that is an amusing mental image…*shakes head to clear thoughts* Anyways, love your little story there! Haha, I wish I could have seen that. xP

See you all in the next chapter!