The Nightly Arrangement
"Good night, Ginko."
There were bookshelves all around, most of their contents spilled across the wooden floor. Something far above was illuminating the room; Ginko was unable to raise his head to see it. Last, as always, he noticed the tendrils – the translucent, curling tendrils that covered everything in the room including him.
"You're a mess, Ginko." The androgynous voice had no visible source, but was comforting and genuine nonetheless.
"Sorry," he replied, without moving his mouth.
---
Awakened by the touch of sunlight on his face, Ginko blinked his eyes and rolled onto his stomach. In a few minutes he had dressed and stepped outside to use the bathroom. Thereafter he was invited to breakfast with all the others. The group ate to contentment, and the mood was refreshed and relaxed. The elders spoke of daily battles and triumphs while Ginko amused the younger girls with the story of a mushi that lived in the pages of a book. Once all this had concluded and conversation lulled, Karashunni ordered the children out to the docks while "we attend to business". The daughters and son vacated with a bow, taking the lighter atmosphere with them.
"Let's talk, then," said Karashunni. Shauni stood up to leave but was gestured back down by her husband.
"You've seen me asleep. What have you discovered?"
"Your refayim's glow is brilliant," said Ginko.
"Meaning?"
"It means," stated Kahazuke, "it is overactive, and is thus the cause of your interrupted slumber." Karashunni almost had time to vocalize his concurrence.
"Hold on. What are you talking about, Kahazuke?"
"It is the only rational explanation."
"It's rash speculation," retorted Ginko, with a tone that suddenly bordered on agression. "I know what you have in mind."
The married couple almost leaned back to allow for the exchange that followed.
"Correction, young mushi master, this is a calculated discovery. No physician has determined the cause. Is it likely conventional? Refayim awakens while we sleep and must sleep while we are awake. Karashunni's is overactive. The logical step is to remove that which malfunctions."
"I have corresponded with an elder of mine. He believes my method will work," continued Kahazuke, now addressing Karashunni. "When we first awake, there is a brief overlap between the unconscious and conscious mind. During this short moment, if you could tell yourself what to do without fully waking yourself up, you could grab the tendrils and pull it out."
"Didn't you say it's immaterial?" asked Karashunni.
"Yes, except, evidently, to you."
"Are you going to put a note in front of me?"
"A note requires much mental activity to read and interpret. You would wake up entirely, and the refayim would pull its tendrils back in to sleep."
Karashunni gazed discerningly while asking, "A picture?"
"Close. A picture in an instant means a thousand words. But even the best illustration is somewhat abstract and requires conscious, rational thought to decipher. You would need to see yourself as soon as you wake up. Leave some lights on and set up a spotless mirror above your head. If you act quickly, you should be able to seize the refayim and remove it."
Karashunni contemplated while Ginko groaned.
"And what do you suggest, Ginko?" he asked.
Taking a moment to regain his composure, Ginko replied, "Further investigation. Caution. This is like trying to chop down a tree with a fishing spear. If it works, you'll be too exhausted to move when the tree falls on you. And if you can still open your eyes after this, you just might see the fruit on the boughs you never raised your head to see before… and all that you've lost."
"An interesting analogy, young mushi-shi, but do be more respectful. You elder's stance is also well founded." Taking a deep breath and then exhaling, he concluded, "I will consider both of your viewpoints. As of now, I'm leaning towards accepting Kahazuke's plan."
Ginko muttered something unintelligible.
"You would see things differently, Ginko, if you had hardly slept in four months and saw no alternative. I'll decide in a few days after conferring with my wife."
After a moment of silence, Ginko stood and said, "Excuse me, then. I need some air." Irritation was written all over his face. Distress and concern were on Shauni's. Knowing that his own words were to blame for this pushed Ginko's irritation to the point of anger.