"Tonight's the new moon." Alex reminded the others, as they ate their lunch at their regular table in the cafeteria, it was off in the corner where they could see everything that happened in the cafeteria and talk without risking being overheard. "Second most annoying night of the month."

"Because we're stuck in our human forms, but our senses are dialed up to the max?" Jesse said dryly. "And if last night with the vampire and its stink was bad and the band with its awful noise pretending to be music was equally bad, what would the Bronze be like tonight?"

"Exactly, but it could be the full moon and then we'd be stuck in our wolf forms until the moon sets." Alex added. "I hate being stuck, the lack of control over my transformation is, as I said, annoying."

"Should we even risk the Bronze given how bad last night was?" Aura asked.

"Might as well." Cordelia said. "There just isn't much else to do. And it isn't like we can go running in Miller Woods or the National Forest tonight, being stuck as we will be."

"There especially isn't much to do in winter." Alex agreed. "So we agreed, Bronze?"

"Might as well. At least for awhile." Jesse tried being optimistic. "But is it my imagination or have there been more vamps in town lately?"

"Now that you mention it." Aura said. "Their stench does seem to be polluting the air in Sunnydale more than ever. I wonder why?"

"I don't know." Alex answered. "But it bothers me too. If they think they can move into our territory, even if they don't know it's ours, I'd like to discourage them. Discretion isn't in most of their vocabularies and we have a lot a reason to stay under the radar. All too often Wolfbloods have been hunted and I don't ever want to see that happen in Sunnydale."

"Something we can all agree on, given our families would be in danger." Cordelia took a bite of her meat, brought from home and cooked by Lupe and warmed up in the kitchen. They all brought their own meals, they had a persistent need and craving for meat, after all. Having decided on their evening plans, the four turned their attention to other topics.

Buffy pushed the doors to the Library open during her own lunch period and headed over to the circulation desk. "Hey, Watcher, are you here?"

"I am here, Miss Summers." He said stiffly, exiting his office. "And you're lucky no one else is. And my name is Rupert Giles."

"And my name is Buffy."

"I'm aware."

"So, whatcha you got for me, Watcher?"

He winched at her abuse of the English language, but let it go. It was a small annoyance in the grand scheme. "I have found information on the Harvest, the star alignment that allows for it is tonight."

"Tonight, that's cutting it close. So what all is involved in this harvest dealio?"

"Dealio isn't an actual word." He frowned disapprovingly at her.

"In America it is. Harvest dealio?"

"The Master will appoint a Vessel, he will be marked on his forehead with a three pointed star. Every life the Vessel takes will be transfered to the Master, which will build his strength. Blood Magic is an old and powerful Magic and blood is life and vampires survive by draining the blood, the life, from their victims. The power this gives the Master tonight with the star alignment is something that may be enough to break him out of his imprisonment. At which point he will attempt to open the Hellmouth. Reports going back centuries label this area, where Sunnydale is, as everything from a Bad or Evil Place, capitol letters for emphasis, to Boca del Inferno, the Mouth of Hell. The history of this town is horrifying when you take a good long look at it. Gruesome murders, disappearances."

"And no one notices?"

"It seems so. Something keeps people unaware or silent, but I am unsure as to what that might be. Perhaps the Hellmouth itself."

"Any idea just where the vamp hijinks will ensue?"

"Wherever there are enough people to meet the number of lives needed to empower the Master."

"It's winter and Willow said there isn't a lot of town. What kind of blood would be best for this Harvest, young, like children, teenagers, adults?"

"Vampires prefer children and teenagers, their blood is very full of life, not to mention, they're easier to subdue."

"Right, the Bronze might be the best bet. And I did find a vamp there last night, after all, so obviously they know about it. You can drive me there."

"Me, what can I possibly do? You say you prefer that I simply be an information source."

"Transportation, you can get me there faster and if need be, to any other possible place they might go more quickly. Plus, you can get people out, while I'm dealing with this Vessel. Provided we haven't been handed a load of crap. That guy did get my senses going, even it was mild and nothing I've ever felt before. Any idea what that means?"

"He may have demonic ancestry. Some demons and humans can interbreed. He'd have a soul in that case, unlike vampires and it might explain why he's willing to help you."

"If I see him again, I'll ask him. I have just enough time to get something to eat. I'll meet you here after school. Come armed, just in case, if there are a lot of vamps, you may need to protect yourself. Have you dusted a vampire before?"

"Yes, several times." He assured her. "It's a prudent precaution, I'll be here, suitably armed."

"Good, I need food and I told Willow and Johnathan I'd have lunch with them. The only good thing about being a Slayer is I can eat massive amounts of food and never gain weight, unlike you." With that parting shot, Buffy headed to the cafeteria.