Rai's definitely right about that. No dream ever feels like another person can. An imagined memory of heat and delight is still a pale comparison to the real thing. Rai seems very real. He looks and sounds and, so far, feels real. All good things as far as Seung is concerned.

For part of the walk, he keeps his eyes forward, watching shadows flicker until they're enveloped by darkness when they get further and further from the bonfire. Then he turns to look at Rai, to admire the profile he can barely make out in the night.

"I don't think I've ever experienced anything like that," he admits.