Ch 5 Will you Dance?

I don't know how to begin to describe my last few days. The days no longer stretch before me.I know a secret, one that I will have to guard closely for now. It gives me more than the hint of freedom. And now that I have a taste of that freedom, I don't want to give it up......

From the journal of Annalise Trelain

It took Anna several days to work her way through all the new concepts and try to learn as much as she could from them. She also made sure to free up the next several days. She didn't want anyone to come visit and panic when she wasn't there.

She had gotten together some more clothing that might fit in. Because they had given her several languages Anna knew that there must be many different peoples there. She hoped that any differences in her clothing from the norm would be passed off as her being foreign.

She was glad that she wouldn't have to try to figure out the customs so closely.

This time when she stepped through the doorway, Anna wore a loose pair of black pants and a red tunic over a white shirt. She had the impression that the Shin'a'in wore something like this, though she couldn't be sure.

Anna started and quickly closed up the doorway once she stepped through. There was a small group ahead on the path.

Luckily they were facing the other direction. She knew that she needed to find a better, less open place for her doorway. This time she could make out the occasional word. Something about a party.

One of the girls looked back, she wore a grey uniform that looked much like the one Darin had been wearing. Of the 3 others the blond wore a pale green robe and the the remaining two wore blue uniforms.

"Hello"said the girl in grey. "I didn't see you coming". The group had stopped and all turned to look at Anna. She felt a little uncomfortable to be the center of attention, but there was no time like the present to see if she could fit in.

Anna smiled uncertainly "I was just admiring the gardens, the are very beautiful" she said as she neared the group.

They smiled and the girl in grey nodded and said. "Yes they are" She looked at Anna ans said "You're not from around here are you, I have a good memory for faces and I don't remember seeing you here before". "Yes, I've just recently come here, My names Anna" she held out her hand to the group.

After a second the girl in grey shook her hand and said "I'm Lytha, and this is Marnie" she pointed to the girl in the green robe. "I'm Fianna" said one of the girls in blue, her red hair was several shades lighter than Anna's own and she had dark blue eyes that matched her outfit well. The last girl looked up grey eyes peering through her long dark brown hair.

"That's Deena, she doesn't say much" said Lytha. "Too shy for her own good" Marnie spoke up. Deena frowned at her and Marnie looked at her for a moment before saying

"Say, I have and idea" The others groaned and rolled their eyes. "No really, it's a good one too" she turned to Anna "Since you're new here you probably haven't had time to meet many people have you". You have no idea Anna thought to herself. "No, I haven't".

Marnie nodded and smiled "Then maybe you could do us a favor, Deena here has a brother who's just came in from circuit.

Normally since he isn't here enough to meet anyone he and escorts her to the obligatory parties their parents give". "Guard you mean" Fianna broke in.

Marnie frowned at her then went on "If you could go with him then Deena would have time to be with her friend Gavin".

Anna looked over at Deena who seemed to be turning almost as red as Fianna's hair. She smiled wistfully and said "If he wouldn't mind a party might be nice". "It's all settled then"she said.

"Where and when is this party" Anna asked. "In two days, it's here at the castle" Marnie said. "He can meet me here in the garden"Anna told her.

They waved goodbye and dragged the still red Deena away talking excitably about what she should wear to the party.