( The answer to that is "If I wereN'T, could I be talking to you right NOW?"

But the fact that they are awake and talking, and she's still asking this... )

I'd hope SO, but I'm wondering if that's the TRUTH. It's easy enough to open your eyes and think that you are - dreams within dreams are not an uncommon occuRENCE, and until something goes truly awry you rarely know that you're in ONE.

But that isn't what you mean, is IT, Arisu-shi.

( Which... isn't a question, and it doesn't really sound like one, but he is more careful in saying it - like he's gauging something instead. )