Carpathian 12 - Dark Melody

memories to sweep through her, to carry her off so she could feel the power coursing through her body as he shifted shape. Fur rippled across his skin, and his muscles became sinewy ropes stretching over his body. They merged together deep within the leopard's body. The cat padded slowly, confidently through the jungle, moving through dense vegetation almost lazily. It was amazing – she could feel the wind ruffling the leopard's fur, smell the scents in the air; she knew what was happening all around her from the tips of its whiskers.
    'It's like radar!'
    Dayan was happy he was delighting her. The leopard leapt casually from the forest floor to a tree branch six feet above its head. It was effortless, an easy movement of sleek muscles, similar to a casual shrug.
    All around was the dense jungle, the huge leaves and swordlike fronds reaching toward the sky. The overhead canopy was swaying with the breeze allowing banded rays of light to cast dancing shadows over the ground below. Corinne was amazed at the leopard's piercing intelligence. At first she thought it was because Dayan was occupying the large cat's body, but then she realized his mind remained hidden deep while the animal moved and hunted.
    'You and the leopard coexist in its body.'
    ' This is a memory from my childhood. I needed to learn skills. Leopards are truly amazing creatures. They are quick and cunning, wary and always difficult to detect. They adapt well to various environments, from the jungle to the desert. We explored the various habitats in order to gain more knowledge. Animals provide tremendous knowledge of our world.'
    Corinne found the subject fascinating, and was greatly impressed by his deep appreciation and respect for animals. 'Show me more.'
    This time the terrain was completely different. The leopard even appeared different. It had a longer coat and larger spots. Corinne examined it carefully. 'It looks like a snow leopard, but not exactly.'
    "This species is called the Amur leopard, named for the river border between Russia and China. We found them in a narrow mountain chain along the borders of Russia, North Korea and China. They are very beautiful, but game is scarce and they are hard pressed by the threat of extinction, much like our Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    species."
    At once he felt a rush of sadness, that seemed linked to his own. They were merged so deeply, he couldn't tell where she left off and he started. It was an intimacy he was unfamiliar with, yet it felt right. He had a home now, and her name was Corinne. She was his world, the very air he breathed into his lungs.
    He couldn't bear for her to be sad, even over such an important issue as a dying species.
    Dayan called on his memories, conveying the stalk of the leopard as it moved relentlessly, with single-minded purpose toward its prey. The eyes were focused, intent, merciless. She could feel the wildness sweep over her, through Dayan.
    Dayan felt Corinne draw a deep, excited breath. The baby jumped beneath his palm. At once Corinne reached out to the infant soothingly. Immediately Dayan added his own comfort. Her mother's happiness coupled with Dayan's reassurance allowed the baby to accept the new impressions more easily.
    He changed the memory again, drawing on something less frightening, the simple mechanics of a cat's everyday life. The leopard stretched out on the limb of a tree and stood for a long moment, testing the wind for the wealth of information it would impart. It stretched lazily and leapt to the ground. Padding on silent paws, it moved through the jungle back toward the small stream where it could drink. All around were traces of smaller creatures, scurrying out of harm's way as the cat traveled quickly through the dense cover. It began to run, a sprint of speed and power, moving quickly for the sheer pleasure of it. It was Dayan's memory, his boyhood enjoyment of occupying the body of the leopard, and Corinne was grateful for the sharing.
    He took her from that long-ago jungle to a modern-day concert, a large room crowded with people talking and laughing. The lights went low and there was a sudden hush of anticipation. The moment stretched out. Corinne waited with every bit as much excitement as the crowd for the appearance of the band. The Dark Troubadours, renowned for their music, for the beauty of their lyrics and phenomenal talent with instruments. Suddenly the band came running onto the