While re-reading this, I think something is... "conceptually"-speaking, jumpy.
I mean, with how they treat a living armor is actually a group of molluscs, it kinda "makes sense" that it's an analogue to cook a shellfish. Okay, a bit stretching but why not.
But now the nightmares actually look like a clam, out of nowhere, behind your pillow?
Was the nightmare all this time is JUST A CLAM!?