Moonlight Dancing
      The rain had ended, but the sun had not the stregnth to break through
the clouds.  Moonlight Dancing loped through the tangle of grass behind the
housing project and into the forest.  She had just finished a sweep of the
area around the house where they had chosen to shelter last night.  She hoped
they would be on the move soon.  This place was too exposed, too open to other
humans, not defensible enough.  It was not a good place to protect the pups.
      Moonlight Dancing didn't know when protecting Patty had extended to
protecting the group.  But it seemed such a natrual progression.  In helping
to take care of the younglings, she helped Patty too, and that had been her
goal since they'd met. 
       Although she'd heard stories of humans running with wolves, Patty was
the first human she'd ever been able to speak with strongly.  Moonlight
Dancing still shuddered with the memory of that first achingly lonely touch.
She could not ignore the pain and fear in that first sending, and had raced
through the dream to do what she could to help.  With her pups grown, and her
mate gone, Moonlight Dancing had adopted Patty as part of her Pack, and along
with her came the other members of the Purple Tower.
      Moonlight Dancing chuckled as she thought she must be the first wolf in
a Pack comprised almost entirely of humans.  And run by many females instead
of an Alpha wolf.  It was strange, but these were strange times.  It was hard
to understand these humans.  They fought, but not over food or territory.
They fought over things Moonlight Dancing couldn't see and didn't understand.
      A movement in the underbrush caught Moonlight Dancing's attention.  The
motion was followed quickly by a familiar sending.  ~~Greetings Sister.~~
      ~~Greetings Brother~~  she responded in the traditional way.  ~~My
thanks for guiding the last one to us.~~
      The compact form of the male wolf came into sight.  He was known by his
Pack as Shadow Stalker.  His dark fur was soaked from the rain and he gave
himself a small shake.  ~~You run with a strange Pack, Sister.  I am glad I
could help.~~
      ~~Any news from the others?  Is the forest safe to travel?~~
      ~~Many humans travel the forest, more than usual.  They are searching.
You will need to use much caution.~~
      ~~I will.~~  Then Moonlight Dancing switched from Human speech to pure
wolf sending to better show her friend her thanks.~~Gratitude~~encouragement~~
      He responded with ~~Courage~~luck~~.  Shadow Stalker turned and was soon
lost in the shadows for which he was named.  Moonlight Dancing made her way
quickly back to the temporary shelter.
      She shook herself quite thoroughly before entering.  No need to make a
mess upon entering.  The smells of so many humans in such confined spaces
assailed her nostrils.  But after having lived in the Purple Tower for a time,
she was becoming used to the human odors.  She gave a friendly growl to Liam-
pup as she followed her nose to find Patty. There was something about that boy
she just liked, and she knew Patty was fond of him too.  The boy blanched as
she walked by, but did not abandon his post by the door which he seemed to be
guarding.
      Moonlight Dancing smelled Patty coming her way, so sat back on her
haunches until she arrived.  Patty was carrying two cups of coffe back toward
the room Moonlight Dancing had just passed.  When they reached the doorway
Patty called out, "Are you dressed, Jen?"
      "Yes. I'm all done."  Jen tapped Liam lightly on the shoulder.  "Thank
you Liam."  He mumbled a "you're welcome" in response and ducked away down the
hall.  A sour looking girl took the muddied clothing from Jen.  "I'll get
these right back to you, Mother."  Jen waved her off with a smile, but Patty's
gaze followed Danielle down the hall.  Moonlight Dancing could sense Patty's
misgivings about the girls, but knew she wouldn't discuss this with Jen unless
the girl comitted a serious infraction.
      Patty and Jen settled themselves down on the floor.  Moonlight Dancing
shared with Patty the information she had learned from Shadow Stalker, who
shared it with Jen.  It would've been easier if they could communicate 3-ways,
but Jen just didn't have the gift.  Moonlight Dancing could communicate with
Vree and Rebecca, and Kaitlyn under certain circumstances, but they were the
only ones so far.  So they had to go back and forth - it was slow, but at
least all the information got shared.
      Moonlight Dancing sent a subtle, but constant feeling of an need for
haste to Patty, to augment her own feelings for speed.  They all seemed to
concur that as soon as Jen was feeling up to it they would leave.  Moonlight
Dancing just hoped they wouldn't be too late.


Lia
    The trio rode on in silence, Speakin gonly directions through the headsets,
and not waiting for Hap to respond, assuming his headset had been taken from
him....   They passed a Tract of unfinished housing, and set in to eat a bit
before continuing.....   They parked their Bikes, and opened their packs...
Lissette  had been thoughtful enough to pack lunch for a few days....    
    Not far into their sandwiches they heard a scuffle, Stepping around a
corner, guns drawn, they caught Jami being roughhoused by a fat and rather
ugly girl, and that Brat Timothy Lia knew from the Theatre Tech class....
Lissette almost giggled, as Jami was sinking her teeth into Timothy's hands,
having had to deal with him herself.....   Ayende Triante had chastised Jami,
having no real idea what was going on....   
     "Looks like we've found the others guys....  Let's make ourselves
known.... "  Sonja and Lissette crossed to put the bikes into an empty house,
so as not to be noticed, and Lia quietly stood behind Timothy and the other
girl...  
      The girl seemed almost frightened, and Lia caught her whisper to Timothy
that the scary Ayende Vera was behind him....  
      " No... That Lia Bitch is off causing her own sick sort of trouble.. did
I ever tell you when I found her.."  
      " Studè...  I believe you can go find other chores to do....   unless
you'd like to be put through the training the possible plums are put
through...  What was your name..?? "
      " D- D- Danielle.. Ayende Vera  Danielle Miago... " 
     " Well  Danielle...  Please go find something to do, that does not
involve Studè Jami..."  
   Danielle waddled off in a hurry, unaware what might make Lia upset...
Timothy However had other plans....   " Taking  a liking to that little runt
are you...  Next thing you two will be sharing a room...  " His sneer showed
that innocent roomating was not his point...   
    Lia grasped his throat and held him above her own head a sneer of her own
slipping across her face... " I have tried to be nice, Timothy....   but you
have tried my patience... I have no reason to explain myself to you, but I
will anyway...  Jami is a very kind girl.... she reminds me much of myself
before I was corrupted, and if you so much as hint to a remark like that
again, I will send you to the Cuebiyar for your chastisement, with the express
desire that you be gentled, and removed from any possible place that you could
regain your use of Saidin.... Is that Perfectly clear to you..???   " 
    " Yes... Ayende Lia "  Lia's Studè were asked to call her by her name....
She let him down, and he scurried off to find a safe place to hide....  Lia
quietly entered the bathroom where Jami was laboring with her toothbrush....
as Jami scrubbed, she noticed she was cleaning a clean floor, she sat up,
looked around her, and saw Lia smoking as always, and leaning against the
doorframe...   Lia smiled as Jami stood up.....  tossing her cigarette out the
door she looked at Jami, " I hear you are a bit of a scuffler.... I like that
in a person...  and since this floor was your chore...  I figured I'd help you
out...   "  Jami seemed confused, this was the Ayende the other Studè warned
her away from....  the one who had killed all those Aes Sedai and didn't seem
to care nor abide by any given law or rule....   Her picture of Lia was not a
good one, and she couldn't believe she would be so nice to her... Lia laughed,
" I'm not as bad as all that... I know what they say....  I've heard it
all....  Supposedly I drink blood from the Nila and turn into a bat during the
day....    It's alright....   I'm used to being picked on....  Just like
you....   Now though.. I need to let Mom know I'm here....  "    
 And away she walked, lighting a fresh cigarette and leaving Jami wide-
eyed....   


Lia
     Lia walked, looking for Jen or Patty, someone who could know she was
there... that was of high enough resoning not to get overlooked should they
leave.... Lia hadn't intended on going with them, but she hadn't yet figured
out how to get Hap out or Kelly and Nyna either....   She kept feeling someone
in the trees, watching her....  It was unnerving.....   but she needed to find
the others....   
     The search was slow... this place seemed huge....   and since they were
leaving no trace of themselves, well....  even Lia was having trouble tracking
them...  She was nearing the end of the tract.... and losing hope...had they
left already.... ?  Suddenly a voice entered her mind.... " The others are
there.... close.... two houses to your left...." 
 Lia's first thought..  " Illyena!?  How did you know that...  ?" 
    I didn't... there's something else...
    "Huh.. What..?  Just what I need, more voices....  "  
    A Panther cub stepped out from the forest.....   Lia started...  
    "The other voice is me....  " 
    Lia blinked....  "Panther....  wait.. I thought only wolves could talk...." 
    The Panther emulated some sort of laughter...  "I am Nightwind, and those
dogs are the only ones who choose to talk with humans....  I am alone.... My
mother and brothers killed by the hunter....   and you.. have such an open
mind.... and kind heart..."  I told you so...   "Shut up Illy...  "
     Lia knelt in the mud and reached towards the cub, it nuzzled her softly,
and licked her fingertips...  " Yummy.... Meat... The sanwiches, " Lia laughed...
     "Alright, Nightwind....   Bring me to my friends..."


Patty
      Patty and Jen were chatting idly...giving a chance for the coffee to
warm Jen up, and giving Patty a chance to let her know how things stood.  For
the most part Patty was pleased with the way the evacuation had gone.  The
Studè and Nila were cooperative for the most part, and everyone was pitching
in to get things done.  She was keeping her reservations about Danielle to
herself for now.
      Moonlight Dancing twitched and rose.  She gave a growl low in her
throat, but didn't move away from Patty's side.  Patty bespoke her.  ~~Trouble
Sister?~~
      ~~A new scent.  I don't like it~~  Patty and Jen both stood.
Simultaneously Lia entered with Lissette and a panther cub.  Patty called,
"Lia!  I didn't know you were coming."  Moonlight Dancing continued to growl. 
      From the first, she never knew what to make of Lia. This strange silver
woman had been Bonded to a Fade, and Moonlight Dancing had to restrain herself
from attacking him on more than one occassion.  The woman had the smell of the
Black Sisters, but even Moonlight Dancing had to admit that scent was gone
now.  Out of respect for the feelings of friendship and love that Patty had
for Lia, Moonlight Dancing gave her a wide berth whenever possible, although
it was easier to be in her presence now that the Fade was dead.
      It wasn't only Lia's unexpected presence that prompted such a response
from Moonlight Dancing, but what she brought with her.  A cat.
      Patty was more than a little surprised at the animosity that came
rolling off the wolf.  She could sense the hostility and disdain the wolf had
for the cub, and it surprised her.  After all, it was just a cub, and
Moonlight Dancing had a tendency to look on anyone younger than her as a
"pup".  Why wasn't she treating this youngling the same way?


Lia
      Lia chased after Nightwind, a new feeling filled her heart,  a few new
feelings....  She felt lighter, Happier, like someone was thinking of her, and
she also felt Giddy, like a child, Nightwind would circle around her, puttinf
his paws on her knees, and growling playfully, then scamper off... They
reached a house inthe tract that seemed no different fromthe others...
Nightwind stopped  "Your friends.. in here.... "   Lia opened the door,
laughter in her eyes, adn a smile on her face....   Then Patty's wolf was
standing, growling, and not in a happy way....  "Uh-Oh.."  
      Nightwind giggled, if cats can, and moved to Moonlight Dancing, reachign
up with his head, and rubbing her chin with his nose...  
      Lia held her breath... waiting for the wolf to stop being friendly....   
      She barely whispered...  "We're here...  "  


Patty
      Moonlight Dancing stood stock still for the caress.  Patty could already
sense the hostility wavering in favor of the more maternal feelings that were
trying to kick in.  At least the wolf had stopped growling.
      The cub had the smell of a predator, but Moonlight Dancing could tell
that none of her Pack was the intended prey.  This went a long way in easing
her feelings toward him.  Patty marvled at the fearlessness of the cub.  He
continued to trot around Moonlight Dancing, butting her legs and chest, trying
to get her to acknowledge him.  Finally with a look of "I-know-I'm-going-to-
regret-this" Moonlight Dancing lowered her head to the cub and gave him a good
lick.      Patty and Lia both sighed with relief, not realizing how much tension
they had held in for this initial meeting.  "Who's your friend, Lia?"  Patty
asked with a smile.
      "His name is NIghtwind.  He lost his family to hunters.  He...found...me
and led us to you."  Patty nodded with understanding, and gave a slight
chuckle.  "I know how that goes."  Patty knelt down with the wolf and panther
and made herself known to the cub.  "He's beautiful", she murmered as she
touched his glossy black coat.
      Jen left Patty and Lia to bond with their animals, as she went to gather
everyone.  Jen found Kait in the kitchen supervising the cleanup there.
"Kait, I'd like all the students in the front foyer in 10 minutes.  We need to
get moving."  Kait nodded her response and sent the Studè who had kitchen duty
off to get their things.
   Jen rounded up the Ayenda Vera herself.  She wanted to touch base with
everyone.  Sort of giving everyone a chance to see her in the flesh, and let
them know everything was okay.  Or, as okay as it was going to get.  By the
time she'd made contact with them all, the Nia and Studè were assembled in the
foyer, packed and ready to move on.
      "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to leave this place.  We're headed up
into the mountains, to find temporary shelter there.  We will split into three
groups as we had before led by Patty, Vree and...Lia."  She had been going to
name Kait as the thrid leader, but with Lia's new friend...well, they needed
to take advantage of all the resources they had.  With Moonlight Dancing's
information of people searching in the forest, maybe the wolves and the
panther would help keep the groups out of trouble.
      "Stick together, don't do anything stupid.  Walk in the Light."


Jami
   Jami was feeling very tired...but walk walk walk......really, walking isn't
so bad....running would be worse right now.She didn't make much noise, and
small as she was....no one really remembered she was along...except for that
bloody Danielle, that kept murmuring behind her back....if I throw her over
the cliff, will she survive? She turned around to look at Danielle.
Probably...but, I'd break my back trying to pick her up. She kept walking,
trying to ignore what the fat chic was saying..
   "All of you are just evil," Danielle's face was sweat-filled..."After
all...you're just some urchin they found in a garbage can.....filth from the
streets....might have lice....and the others....they're
murderers...thieves...you probably are too....no memory? I think ya
lying...ya'll should go to Shayol Ghul to burn..." that's it.
   Jami looked as serene as she could be...turned around and muttered, "Why
would we go to your home?"  Danielle puffed..but, seeing as they were climbing
behind the other group, on a moutain....it was smart to get in a fight. She
kept whispering to herself....shaking her head, Jami paid more attention to
the others. They seemed tired as well......the Nila Rebekkah (sp?) was
climbing at a good pace, so she ran to meet her.
   "Hey," she whispered. The girl turned around bewildered.
   "Oh," Rebekkah smiled. "It's you."
   "Sh," Jami grinned. "I won't tell anyone if you don't."
   "That reminds me of a story I once wrote..." Rebekkah started. Jami
didn't mind...her stories were pretty aite....