"Nightmare: The Dreaming"

Warnings: AU, Modern Day. Rated for Language,

Active Imagination and hints of Adult Situations.

X+X+X

X+X+X - Eirika's entries.

O-O-O - Seth's entries.

'Thinking' or 'Emphasis'

"Talking" - Obviously

Dream World in Italics

X+X+X

It's been a year since the dream. I managed to finish the picture and it's framed and standing on my nightstand where I can see it before I go to sleep. I haven't dreamed him since then, but then again, I haven't had any nightmares either; perhaps they balance each other out?

After we turned sixteen, our parents decided to review our dating privileges. Ephraim was overjoyed to learn that we'd be allowed limited privileges - he could now date Tana 'officially'. I just shrugged when I heard the news. Innes and I had already parted ways months beforehand. Apparently, I wasn't what he really wanted; he found himself a real girlfriend soon enough. Some girl that he met through Tana, I believe. Syrene something or other.

Last I heard from Tana, they're doing well together. I'm happy to hear that.

I sprawl out on my bed; spending the day wandering around the mall with friends is enough to wear one out. Tana spent the day introducing me to Vanessa and Rachelle - apparently Vanessa is Syrene's younger sister - and two more disparate persons I've never known. Vanessa was shy and quiet; she seemed afraid of offending people or seeming abnormal. I'm still trying to figure out why that is, because she's a beautiful girl.

Rachelle on the other hand... is a walking, talking book of virtues. Unashamedly so. She's outspoken about 'righteousness and justice', and an advocate of various charities. If there is anything that she doesn't have an opinion on, I don't know what it is. She's also happily dating - we spent part of our time looking at pictures of her boyfriend. I suppose he has some good looks and Rachelle seems to light up when talking about him.

I sigh and look over at the picture of my anonymous man. 'I wish I had you.'

That's when I feel it. Someone's watching me. Only this time it isn't creepy or defiling or evil. No, this time the watcher gives me tingles all over. It feels good; I am almost overwhelmed.

I sit up slowly and let my gaze drift over to the window. 'I can't see anyone there, but...' I smile and get up off the bed to lock my door. I walk over and pull the window shade too, just in case. If I'm wrong, I don't want to give a free show to any human eyes. And heaven forbid anyone from the house walking in on me either!

When I'm certain that I've covered all the avenues of exposure, I walk back over to my bed and sit down. On a whim, I blow a kiss back towards the window. I'm being childish, but that feeling is still with me. I smile.

And then I slowly start to take off my clothes.

Abruptly the feeling vanishes.

O-O-O

I shouldn't be doing this. I have responsibilities; a whole area of dreamers to take care of. But I like to visit this place, these dreamers. Three of them have vivid imaginations that create beautiful dreamscapes; only the father has dreams built like castle walls - I think that Gilliam would understand them better than I. But even leaving that aside, this place seems to me a place of rest. It's peaceful here most of the time. I have to be careful not to visit too often - Guardians such as I aren't supposed to get attached - it makes us weaker, they say. It taints us.

I don't understand such things, but I am young as our kind counts time.

Besides, Valter still roams the dreaming, preying on any who cannot resist him. He's grown stronger, or so I've heard from those higher up. I smile as I take my place by the window; he hasn't visited this place in some time. I know, because I was here the last time that he did. I know what his taint feels like.

I should be going now. I've seen everyone in the house and they seem to be doing well. I have other areas to patrol.

I glance down at the nightstand.

I'm shocked to see a picture of myself there. I look over at the girl, Eirika. She has amazing talent; I know that she only saw me that one time. And yet she still managed an extremely accurate piece of art; I am impressed.

She sits up slowly, seemingly contemplating something. There's a tension in the air - I don't know what it is - and my senses are screaming at me. Her gaze passes over me, and then she stands up and locks the door.

When she walks over and pulls down the window shade, I almost don't breathe. I can feel her nearness, this presence that is unique to her. When she walks over to her bed and sits down again, I almost sigh with relief. One could almost assume that she knows that I'm here, ridiculous as that may seem.

And then she looks directly at me and blows me a kiss.

I am shocked. She can't have seen me. I know this. But somehow she still knows... that I am here. I stare at her. How does she know?

And then she starts to take off her clothes. It's too much - I snap my gaze away, feeling the flush that suffuses my body.

I vanish as quickly as I appeared. Apparently this place holds dangers as well, albeit of a differing kind.

X+X+X

It's gone now. Or perhaps I should say 'he' is gone. If he was really there to begin with. Thinking about what I've just done causes me to blush; I'm glad that no one saw me.

It would be awkward to explain that I'm doing something like this for an imaginary man. In fact, it's somewhat embarrassing even now, and I'm the only one who saw me do this - at least, the only one that I'm certain of.

I wonder if he was there. I wonder what he thought?

With how quickly the feeling vanished when I took off my shirt, I'd almost guess that if he was there he took off in embarrassment. Or maybe disgust.

I blush again just thinking about it. 'What has gotten into me today?'

I sigh and put my shirt back on. Presentable again, I open the shade and unlock my door. I pause and look at the picture on my nightstand once more before I head downstairs. 'Perhaps if I'm lucky...' I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that I see him again.

'And maybe, just maybe I'll find out his name.'

It's tiring thinking about him with pronouns only.

X+X+X

AN: ...I don't know what to say. I really don't. Please don't hate me? ^^'

Comments, criticism, and reviews welcome. :P