"Is that-"
"-a wagon?"
The two friends picked themselves up after falling down the hill, greeted by the sight of a strange looking, cloth covered wagon.
"It's so blue"
"And starry."
In front of the wagon was a little campfire, a hanging pot was bubbling away over it, and by the campfire was an old woman wearing strange colorful clothes who appeared to be snoozing away.
The two kids pondered for a moment, wondering whether they should try and wake the old woman up or just be their way, when the old woman made the choice for them by calling out to them.
"You know, it's rather rude to just stare at someone without making introductions," the old woman called out while keeping her eyes closed."Well don't just stand there with your mouths agape. Get over here and warm yourselves by the fire. It's getting colder by the second out here."
The children were shocked at the sudden call out, but quickly gathered their wits and made their way over as quick as they could, as to not be rude.
Once they were close enough to the old woman, she opened her eyes and the kids were shocked to see, the night sky in them.
"She's blind," the boy quietly said in shock.
"Yes, I am. But I'm not deaf," the old woman chided, "and I don't need sight to know you two are aspiring musicians in need of instruments."
"How did you know?," the girl asked in a surprised tone.
"The world has a tendency to share whatever information it has learned with anyone that listens. One just need to know how," the old woman mysteriously answered. "I believe you two are in need of a very strange material for your instruments. The guts of three vicious beasts, yes?"
The two kids were about to nod in surprise, but caught themselves before saying, "Yes".
"Then you've come at the right time. For you see, I am a master of haruspicy and it just so happens that I have some beasts that I was planning to butcher for my meal anyways. If you help me out, I will not only give you the guts you need, but I can also read your fortune as we go along," the old woman explained. "What do you say, do we have a deal?"
The two kids looked at each other for a moment, before nodding in agreement.
"Of course we'll help."
"Very good," the old woman said as she stood up from her seat. "Now come and choose what beasts I'll use to read your future, and make my dinner."
The old lady moved with surprising grace as she entered her wagon, the two kids following shortly after her.
As they entered, the smell of caged beasts assailed their senses.
From her sleeves, the old woman drew a long and slender blade.
"So...which three shall it be?"
_________________________________________________
The main show in the big circus tent wasn't for another hour or so, so the Zhen Clan and Goldshire younger generation members had time to spend on seeing what sights and activities the circus had to offer.
As for the parents, well...
"And as I said for the last time, my lion isn't for sale!"
"But he's so well trained!"
"Mroar!"
For whatever reason, Zhen Liu's father thought it would have been a good idea to bring along his Ox-Horned Lion as either protection or... something. Not that Zhen Liu was allowed to judge, since he brought along both of his kaijin and his proto-kaijin. Evidently, nobody thought it was weird that Zhen Liu was walking around with a wooden box on his pack. Though, a kid did get freaked out when he noticed the scratching sounds coming out of it...
Regardless, Zhen Liu's parents, and subsequently Alicia's parents, were busy dealing with some rather pushy circus animal tamers.
This gave the younger generation ample room to just do whatever.
"A snow...cone? Sounds kinda plain..."
"That's because you're supposed to eat it with fruit syrup on it."
"Oh."
"Milady, that booth is offering prizes if we can lands a bullseye. Would you like me to win you something?"
"No need, Matilda. I think I can land a throwing knife myself."
While the others were having fun seeing what the circus had to offer as a whole, Zhen Liu was comparing the acts and booths to the stuff he's seen on Earth.
'Alright, we got a fire eater...possibly a formula quirk, sword dancer...if I was gambling, that guy probably has a couple sword aether arts under his belt, test your strength...not even gonna tempt that one, a popcorn booth using...what the hell is Leech Corn...and...tasseomancy?'
Smack dab between a booth selling what looked to be cotton candy made using aether spider silk and a booth selling what appeared to be fried cheese on a stick, was a strange looking booth that seemed to combine the aesthetics of fortune telling booth and a drink bar with the decor of Roaring Tidal style architecture. On the countertop was a small pot of tea being warmed by a candle, with the person manning it appearing to be a lady from Roaring Tide, that seemed to radiate with "charming older sister" energy...well she probably would if she wasn't sleeping with her head in one of her hands. Above her head was a sign that read: "Lady Tian's Tasseomancy. Enjoy fine tea, and the fortunes they bring."
'Must be a slow night I guess,' Zhen Liu thought to himself, 'Tea ain't exactly a common choice of beverage out in the middle of a desert. I'm kinda tempted, but I have no idea if fortune telling in this world is full of shit or completely accurate, so let's not tempt fate and-'
"Hey wait a minute, is that...a Roaring Tide style tea booth? I haven't had a good cup in ages, let's go over there," Zhen Hai called to the group.
"Oh? I've only had it once or twice back at the academy. I recalled enjoying the unique flavors...why not?," Alicia agreed.
'Godsdammit Zhen Hai, you walking inciting incident!'
Zhen Liu was about to try and politely refuse to go over, but was forcefully dragged over by his cousin.
"Come on man, it's not often we get taste tea from the motherland," Zhen Hai said aloud before leaning into Zhen Liu's ear, "especially one served by such a pretty lady!"
Zhen Liu couldn't help but mentally grimace as he figured his cousin's true intentions.
'Ya know...if this was a light novel, I'm pretty sure you'd actually be the main character, whose problems are caused by his little soldier!,' he cursed. But since there was nothing else he could without coming off as a complete weirdo, Zhen Liu decided to roll with it.
'Let's hope this doesn't lead to anything dangerous...'