Watching and Listening - An Empires SMP AU

Dreams

              Jimena didn't really like going to sleep much. She didn't really mind it before but now with Herodias in her head... things were getting weird. And the fact that the Watchers were going to attack in two days didn't help. Or did it count as one day now, because it was nearing midnight? 

            Jimena tossed about in bed for a little while, trying to stay awake and avoid the nightmares, until she finally succumbed to her drowsiness. With a sigh she lost consciousness and woke up again in the strange purple room that Herodias had made in her mind. 

           You finally fell asleep. Herodias said from where she stood leaning against the corner of the room. Why don't you just let me have a normal dream anymore? Jimena asked tiredly. Psychology says that whatever you dream has a heavy emphasis on what you do in the waking world. Herodias said. Hopefully this makes you understand better. 

            With a sigh, Jimena just gave up and resigned herself to her fate. She stared at Herodias as the Watcher used her powers to shift and warp the room to her bidding. The walls bent and twisted into sharp spires, the floor writhed and bubbled like a mass of snakes. Jimena felt the pain as tiny spikes brushed her back but didn't bother to turn her head. She already knew what was going on. It had been happening every night ever since Herodias had come along. 

           Look, I get it. I'm supposed to listen to 2. Jimena said in a deadpan voice as the room threw her to the floor and something started to roughly scratch her arm. Can you stop now? She pleaded. Herodias shifted uncomfortably but Jimena couldn't catch her facial expression with her face masked by the purple veil. I need to make sure you fully understand that. Herodias said at last and the room twisted and warped again. 

           Jimena sighed as her mental body seemed to dissolve into a mass of pain. She'd figured out by now how to just not care about it and not scream. It was because she expected it. Unfortunately this was not the kind of thing people should be expecting. At least in real life she was still like other people who said 'ow' and yelped at accidentally jamming their finger in the door or something. 

           Then she spotted Herodias watching her oddly. I think that's enough for tonight. She said unexpectedly. Then she walked over and held out a hand to lift Jimena up to her metaphorical feet. Jimena took it and just stared at her in growing confusion. Why do you do this? She asked. She didn't just mean the unexpected end of the nightmare. She meant the nightmare itself. 

           Herodias shifted and turned away. Because you're me. She said. Three words. Just three words to attempt to explain her complicated behavior. Jimena couldn't make sense of her other personality with just those three words. She tried to ask another question but then she was thrown out of the nightmare and landed back in her own bed. 

           Jimena stifled a yelp as she involuntarily flailed about as she suddenly regained consciousness and painfully kicked the footboard of her bed. Clapping a hand to her mouth she walked over to the window where there was light streaming in through to check the time on her watch. It was about three in the morning. There was only one free day left until that dreaded day. 

           She sighed. Good thing I didn't scream. I wouldn't want to wake up False and Martyn. Wait... She did a double take. Why was there light streaming through the window? She looked out and realized that the light was coming from Martyn's window. Why's he awake? Curious, Jimena changed into daytime clothes and went out to go see. 

           She passed by an iron golem as she crossed the street and the shy automaton offered her a poppy. Jimena giggled and accepted the flower, tucking it behind her ear. "Thank you." She said, and the golem seemingly smiled and walked away. They were all over Cogsmeade now after False had diverted her whole iron supply to crafting the golems for extra security. Jimena honestly found their company rather nice.