Dream In a Dream In a...

I was dreaming of an alien creature, radially symmetrical, very intelligent, and covered with spikes. Instead of clothing, the aliens wore paint, and would keep it on for long periods of time, as they had an exoskeleton. They liked the idea of bracelets and rings, however, and I was bartering with them for various bangles.

I woke up, in the dream, and told my partner that I needed to write down this dream, as it might be useful.

She asked if I meant the dream I just had or the one I was now having....

"I don't know," I answered and then woke up again. There was something bumping up against the hull of the boat, I reminded myself that I needed to write down my dream and hoped whatever was bumping the boat was just something boring or I would be sure to forget.

Then I woke up again, this time with Giles and Ember in my face asking for breakfast.

I just don't get my brain.