Chapter 45 cat divination

October 1902 Concord, Massachusetts Bailey left the fortune-teller's tent and followed her advice to the right, almost immediately encountering a small crowd watching the performance.At first he couldn't see what it was because there was no raised platform.Peering through the gaps between the audience, he could see a hoop raised into the air, larger than the one used by the cartilage stuntman.As he got closer, he caught a glimpse of the little black cat jumping through the hoop and landing somewhere out of sight. As soon as the woman in the big hat in front of him turned around, he saw a young man of the same age but slightly shorter, wearing a black suit made of various fabrics and a matching black hat.A pair of pure white kittens sat on his shoulders.When he raised his black-gloved hand and opened it open, a kitten jumped in, bounced off his palm, leaped over the hoop, and did a sublime somersault at the apex.Several in the small audience laughed, and several, including Bailey, applauded enthusiastically.The woman in the big hat moved away completely, clearing Bailey's sight range.When he saw the young woman who had just grabbed the little white cat and put it on her shoulders to sit with the little black cat, his hands froze in the middle of applauding.

As he had expected, she was older, with red hair hidden under a white patched cap.But she wore clothes similar to the last time he saw her: a patchwork dress of every conceivable material, in every shade of snow-white, and a white jacket with a lot of buttons , and a pair of bright white gloves. When she turned her head, Bailey met her eyes and she smiled at him.Not the kind of smile that casually beams at an audience member while leading a gifted kitten in the middle of a circus stunt, but the kind you get when you recognize someone you haven't seen in a while.Bailey could see the difference, she remembered who he was, and that alone filled him with inexplicable and utter satisfaction.Although the night air was cold, his ears felt hot.

He watched the rest of the show with delighted concentration, more on the girl than on the kitten, but the kitten was too stunning to ignore, stealing his attention from time to time.When the show ended, the girl and the boy (and the cat) bowed slightly, and the audience applauded and applauded. Just as the crowd started to disperse, Bailey wondered what he would say if he should speak up.A man jostled in front of him, another woman blocked his way, and he completely lost track of the girl.He pushed his way through the crowd; by the time he got out of the crowd, there was no sign of the girl, the boy, or the kitten.

The surrounding crowd soon thinned out, leaving only a few people wandering back and forth on the trail.As far as he was concerned, there was no other direction to go.Only the high walls of the striped tent bounded the area, and he circled slowly, looking for some corner or door where they might disappear invisibly.It was just a little bit close to failure, but when he was scolding himself in his heart, someone patted him on the shoulder. Hello, Bailey.the girl said.She is standing behind him.She had taken off her hat, her wavy red hair fell around her shoulders, and her white jacket had been replaced by a heavy black coat with a bright violet knitted scarf.Only the ruffles of the skirt and the white boots of the dress showed that she was the girl who performed at the same place a few minutes ago, but otherwise she looked the same as the other guests of the circus.

Hello, Bailey said: I don't know your name. Oh, sorry, she said: I forgot we didn't introduce ourselves properly.She held out her white-gloved hand, and Bailey noticed that it was bigger than the glove she had gotten in a bet long ago.My name is Penelope, but no one calls me that, and I don't really like it anyway, so it's okay to call me Poppy. Bailey took her hand and shook it.Even through two layers of gloves, it was warmer than he expected. Poppy, Bailey repeats: The fortuneteller told me, but I didn't realize that was your name. The girl smiled at him. Have you met Isobe?she asked.Bailey nodded.She's lovely, isn't she?Bailey continued to nod, though he wasn't sure it was an appropriate nod in response.Did she say anything good about your future?asked Poppy, dropping the volume to an exaggerated whisper.

She told me a lot of things that I didn't understand.Bailey confessed. Poppy nodded knowingly. That's what she is, Poppy said, but she means it well. Can you hang out like this?Bailey said, pointing to circus patrons who just ignored them and continued to wander past. Oh yes, Poppy said, as long as we keep our identities hidden.She pointed to her coat.In fact, no one will give us a second look.Right, Wedgie?She turned to the young man standing nearby, whom Bailey didn't even recognize as Poppy's show partner.He had swapped his black jacket for a brown duffel jacket, and beneath a matching beanie was hair as shockingly red as Bobby.

People don't really pay much attention to their surroundings, unless there is a special reason, he said: but the hair also serves a purpose, making us look like we are not part of the black and white circus. Bailey, this is my brother, Winston.Bobby said. Weiji.He corrects. I was almost there when Poppy said, a little grumpily, Wage, this is Bailey. Nice to meet you.Bailey held out his hand as he spoke. Me too, Wedgie agrees: We're going to go for a walk, see if you want to come along. Come on, please, Poppy added: We rarely get together. Of course good.Bailey said.He couldn't think of any reason for the refusal, and he was pleased that they both seemed easy to talk to.Don't you guys have to, uh, keep busy with the circus?

With at least a few more hours to spare, Wedge said, they began to follow another trail through the circus, where the kittens needed a nap and the show would make them drowsy. They're so good, how do you get them to do those tricks?I've never seen a cat do somersaults in mid-air.Bailey said.He noticed that all three of them moved at the same pace, forming a group with ease.He used to be more used to following others a few steps apart. Most cats will cooperate with anything if you ask politely, says Poppy, but it's better to start training them early. And give 'em a whole lot of treats, Wedge added: Treats are always useful.

Have you ever seen a big cat?asked Poppy.Bailey shook his head.Oh, you should check it out.Our parents specialize in big cat shows, so their tent goes there.She was pointing vaguely in a certain direction to the right. Just like our shows, but with the bigger cats.Wage said. It's a much bigger cat, Poppy explained in detail: Leopards and beautiful spotted snow leopards, in fact, they have very sweet personalities. And they have a tent.Weiji added. Why do you have no tents?Bailey asked. We don't really need it, says Poppy: We can only put on a few shows a night, and all we need are kittens, hoops, string and props.Those who have little need for tents can perform wherever there is space.

It sets the mood, Weegee says: Customers who aren't inside the tent can see bits and pieces of the circus as they wander around. That might be good for the indecisive, said Bailey, grinning as Bobby and Weggy laughed in unison, and you know, with so many tents, it's hard to pick. It is true.Bobby said.When they arrived at Campfire Atrium, which was so bustling, Bailey was still amazed that no one was paying attention to them, and concluded that they were just like any group of young circus patrons who came to visit at night. I'm hungry.Wage said. You're always hungry, Poppy retorted: Shall we get something to eat?

want.Wage said. Poppy stuck out her tongue at him. I was asking Bailey, and she said: Shall we get something to eat, Bailey? OK.Bailey said.Poppy got on better with Weggy than he and Caroline had always gotten along; he supposed it was because they were closer in age.He wondered if they were twins.They were indeed similar enough to be twins, but he thought it might be rude to ask casually. Have you tried that cinnamon flavored thing?Poppy asks: It's just been launched.What's their name, Weggie? Fantastic cinnamon-flavored stuff?Wage shrugged and said: I don't think those new products have names yet. Haven't tried it yet, but it sounds good.Bailey said. Delicious, Wedge says: layers of puff pastry, cinnamon, and sugar all rolled into braided rolls and coated in icing. Wow.Bailey said. That's right, Wedge replied: We should order some cocoa and some chocolate mice, too. I have chocolate mice, Bailey said as he pulled the bag from his pocket: I bought it earlier. Ah, you really know how to plan for a rainy day. It is a good thing to be prepared at any time, Wei Ji said: Bobby, you are right about him. Bailey looked at Poppy questioningly, but she just smiled at him. Bailey and I went for cocoa while you went for that cinnamon thing?she asked, and Wage nodded in agreement with her plan. Of course good.Head back to meet up at the campfire?he asks.Poppy nodded, Wage tipped his hat at them, and walked into the crowd. Bailey and Poppy continued around the campfire courtyard.After a few minutes of amicable silence, Bailey worked up the courage to ask, not sure if he'd feel comfortable asking when they got back to join Wedge. can i ask you somethingBailey asked. certainly.Bobby said.There was a line at Cocoa's, but the vendor noticed Poppy flashing three fingers at him, and nodded back with a smile. When um, the last time the circus was here, I, um, Bailey was desperately trying to find the words, and it really bothered him that the problem seemed easier when it was in his head. Um?Bobby said. How do you know my name?Bailey asked: How did you know I was coming? Well, Poppy said, as if struggling to find the right words to respond to.Unexplainable, she began: I see things in advance.I saw you coming, shortly before your arrival.I don't necessarily see the details, but when I see you, I know your name, like knowing that your scarf is blue. They arrived at the front of the line, where the vendor had already prepared three servings in striped cups, with extra dollops of whipped cream on top.Bobby handed one to Bailey and picked up the other two himself.Bailey noticed that they hadn't paid, and the vendor waved them away.He speculated that the free cocoa might have been a perk enjoyed by circus members. So you see it all before it happens?Bailey asked.He wasn't sure Poppy's answer was exactly what he'd expected, if at all. Bobby shook his head. No, not everything.Sometimes it's just fragments, like words and pictures in a book, but a book with many pages missing and dropped in a pond, some parts are blurred but others aren't.Does that make sense?she asked. It doesn't quite make sense.Bailey replied. Poppy chuckled.I know it's weird.she says. No, no.Bailey said.Poppy turned to look at him, doubting what he said evidently on his face.Well, yeah, it's kind of weird.But it's just a strange kind of weirdness, not a negative kind of weirdness. Thank you Bailey.Bobby said.They walked around the courtyard and back to the campfire.Wage waited for them with a black paper bag, looking at the living white flames. How did you take so long?Wedgie asked. There is a queue, Bobby said when handing him the cocoa: Don't you need it? No, I don't think people know how good these things are, Weggie shakes the bag and says: So are we all ready? I think so.Bobby said. where are we going?Bailey asked. Poppy exchanged glances with Wage before answering. We were making rounds, and she said: just going around in circles in the circus, just to keep track of things, you really want to come with us, don't you? certainly.Bailey said.Because the other party didn't feel that he insisted on being a follower, he was relieved. They circled the circus in circles, sipping cocoa and nibbling on chocolate mice and sugar-coated cinnamon pastries that were as good as they slapped their chests on.Poppy and Wedge told him stories about the circus, pointing out the tents as they passed by.Bailey answers their questions about his town and finds that they seem to be interested in what he considers uninteresting.They chatted with ease, as if they had been friends for years, but also with the excitement of meeting new people and hearing new stories. If Bobby and Wicky were paying attention to something besides Cocoa and Bailey, Bailey really couldn't see what it was. What is a stargazer?he asked, suddenly catching a glimpse of a notice he hadn't seen before.They throw away empty cups and empty paper bags. Want to stargaze, Poppy?Wage asked his sister.She paused before nodding.Poppy can read astrology, he explained to Bailey: that's the easiest place to watch the future. It hasn't been so easy lately, Poppy said quietly, but you can still go.Stargazers are only open when the night sky is clear, so who knows if we'll have a chance while we're here? They stepped into the tent and joined the queue, climbing up the curved staircase built along the perimeter, separated from the interior of the tent by a thick black curtain.The walls are covered with charts, white dots and lines drawn on black paper, framed constellation diagrams. Is it like a fortune-teller using cards with images on them to make divinations?Bailey asked, still trying to grasp the concept of watching the future. It's a bit similar, but not the same, Poppy said: I can't read tarot cards at all, but Weggie can. They're stories on paper, Weegee shrugged: You'll see the story pieced together on each card; it's not that hard.But the cards have different possibilities, showing different paths to take.What Poppy saw was what actually happened. But they're not that clear, Poppy explained: there's no context, and most of the time, I'm just after the fact to make sense of things.Sometimes it's too late. Accepting your disclaimer, Pete, Weggy pinched her on the shoulder and said: If you want, you can do it purely for fun. At the top of the stairs, they reached the black platform, where everything was boundless darkness except for the circus employees in white suits who ushered the guests in.He smiled at Poppy and Wedge, and cast a curious glance at Bailey as he escorted them through the darkness into what looked like a sled or a wagon. They slid into an upholstered bench with a high back and side panels, and the side door clicked shut as Bobby settled between Bailey and Wedge.The vehicle slid forward slowly, and Bailey could only see a piece of darkness in front of him. Then something clicked softly around them, and the carriage dropped slightly, tilting back at the same time so that their eyes were looking up instead of forward. Bailey realized that the tent had no top, and the upper half was open, giving a clear view of the night sky. It's not the same feeling as lying in a field and looking up at the stars (as Bailey has done many times).No trees slipped into view, and the soft rocking of the carriage made him feel almost floating. There was an unbelievable silence all around.The car traveled along what seemed to be a circular route, and he couldn't hear anything except a slight creak and the breathing of Bobby next door.The whole circus seemed to disappear in darkness. He glanced sideways at Poppy, who was looking at him instead of the sky, and she grinned at him before looking away. Bailey wondered if he should ask her if she saw anything in the stars. You don't have to force yourself if you don't want to stargazing.Wage said the problem was expected. Poppy turned and grimaced at him, then focused his gaze on the clear night sky.Bailey watched her carefully.She narrowed her eyes slightly as if she was meditating on a painting or reading a notice in the distance. She stopped suddenly, covered her face with her hands, pressed her white-gloved fingers to her eyes.Weggie put his hand on her shoulder. how are youBailey asked. Poppy took a deep breath and nodded, still covering his face with his hands. I'm fine, she said in a muffled voice: "It's so bright, it makes my head hurt." She took her hands away from her face and shook her head.Whatever distress she had been in before was clearly in the past. For the rest of the journey, none of them looked up at the star-studded sky. it's a pity.Bailey said quietly as they descended another winding flight of stairs to leave the tent. Not your fault, Poppy said: I should have known, the stars have been acting like that lately, I can't read them at all, and it's giving me a headache.I'd probably be better off not trying again for a while. You need to get your spirits up, said Wedge, how about a walk in the cloud maze, they're back in the circus noise? Poppy nodded, shoulders relaxed a little. What is Cloud Maze?Bailey asked. You haven't found even one of the best tents yet, have you?Wage shook his head and said: You have to come back again, we can't finish shopping in one night.Maybe that's why Pete's head hurts, because she sees us having to drag you through each tent and see everything you've missed. Wage could see past.Poppy said suddenly that turning the conversation around was one of the reasons his story was always great. It's easier to look at the past, Weegee said, because it's already there. From the stars?Bailey asked. No, Wedge said: from people.The past sticks with you like powdered sugar sticks with your fingers.Some people will shake it off, but it will still be there, the events that pushed you to where you are and all that.I can um, that's not the right way to read it, and it's not the right word to describe Poppy watching the stars. So you can see my past in me?Bailey asked. Okay, Wedge says: If there's no message that pops up automatically, or without the person's permission, I'll try not to read it.do you mind? Bailey shook his head.Not at all. Wage stared at Bailey for a moment, but not long enough that the weight of his gaze made Bailey uncomfortable, but only a little. There was a tree, Wedge said: This big old oak tree is more home to you than your home, but not here.He pointed to the surrounding tents and lights.Feeling alone even when you are with other people.apple.Your sister seems to be a rare treasure.he added sarcastically. It sounds about the same.Bailey said with a smile. What's up with Apple?asked Poppy. My family's farm has an orchard.Bailey explained. Oh that sounds so cute.Bobby said.Bailey never thought the rows of low, twisted trees cute. Here we are.Wage said as they turned the corner. Despite his limited experience with circuses, Bailey was amazed that he had never seen the tent.The tent is quite tall, almost as tall as the stunt tent, but narrower.He stopped to read the notice on the door. ◇◇◇ cloud maze travel in dimensions climb up through the sky no beginning no end come in from wherever you want when to leave as you please No need to be afraid of slipping and falling The walls inside the tent were dark, and there was a huge white structure with pearly luster in the center.Bailey couldn't think of anything else to call that thing.It occupies the entire tent, and outside is the elevated passage along the perimeter, which is a winding loop that starts from the entrance of the tent and circles around.The floor outside the tunnel was covered with white spheres, thousands of layers upon layers, like soap bubbles. The tower itself is a series of platforms, unfolding in strange translucent shapes, quite similar to clouds, built up layer by layer like a cake.Judging from Bailey's position, the spaces between the layers are different, some are big enough to walk straight through, and some are almost small enough to crawl.Everywhere, a certain block is almost drifting away from the central tower and drifting into space. Here and there there were people crawling or hanging on the ledges, or wandering through the passages, busy climbing up or down.Some platforms move with the load, others seem strong and stable.The entire structure is moving all the time, a slight movement like breathing. Why is it called a maze?Bailey asked. Just wait and see.Wage said. They walked along a gently swaying passage like a dock on water.Trying to keep his balance, Bailey looked up. Some platforms are suspended from above by ropes or chains.On the lower floors, thick poles passed through multiple platforms at the same time, but Bailey couldn't tell if the poles went all the way to the top.In some places nets were stretched, in others ropes dangled like ribbons. They stopped at the far end, where the wobbly passage was close enough to jump straight to the lower platform. Bailey picked up a white sphere, lighter than it looked, soft as a kitten.All over the tent, people threw orbs at each other like snowballs, but instead of breaking, they bounced off their targets and floated softly downward.Bailey dropped the one in his hand and followed Poppy and Wedgie. After they took a few steps into the structure, Bailey could see why it was called a labyrinth.He originally thought that there would be walls, corners and dead ends everywhere, but this is different.Platforms hang at various heights, some hanging low at his knees or waist, others stretching high above his head, layered on top of each other in an irregular pattern.The maze not only goes up and down at the same time, but also extends from one side to the other. See you later.Jump to a nearby platform, then climb up to another platform above, Wedge said. Wage always goes straight to the top, and Bobby said: He knows all the routes that can get to the top with the fastest speed. Bailey and Bobby took a more leisurely route, choosing the platform they wanted to climb at will, climbing a small section of white net, and carefully drilling through the narrow passage.Bailey couldn't tell where the edge was or how high they had climbed, but Bobby laughed and helped him through the trickier corners, and she seemed far less disturbed than she was at the stargazer, teaching His heart fell to the ground. How are we going to get down?Bailey asked at last, wondering if they could find their way back. The easiest way is to use jumping.Bobby said.She pulled him around a hidden corner, where the edge of the platform emerged. While not yet at the top, they were farther from the ground than Bailey had suspected. It's okay, Poppy said: it's safe. impossible.Bailey said, peeping over the ledge. impossible is Nothing.Poppy responded.She smiled at him and jumped down, her red hair trailing long behind her as she fell. She disappeared among the white spheres below, surrounded by groups, and finally emerged suddenly. When she waved to him, a piece of white set off her rich and bright red hair. Bailey hesitated only for a moment before leaping down, resisting the urge to close his eyes.He laughed out loud as he rolled through the air. When I reached the sphere below, it was really like falling into a cloud, soft, light and comfortable. When Bailey climbed out, Bobby and Weggy were already waiting on the nearby passage, and Bobby sat on the side dangling his legs. It's time for us to head back, Wedge said, pulling the watch out of his pocket, we gotta get the cats ready for the next show, it's almost midnight. Really?Bailey asked: I didn't know it was so late, I should have been home by now. Let us walk you to the gate, please, Bailey?Bobby asked: I want to get you something.They walked back together along the winding walk, across the courtyard to the gate.Bobby took Bailey's hand and led him through the dangerous road with curtains hanging down, shuttling around dark corners effortlessly.When they reached the other side, they could see that the fields beyond the gate were no longer crowded at such a late hour, but there were a few sporadic guests who were coming and going nearby. Waiting here, Poppy said: I'll be right back.She ran in the direction of the ticket booth, and Bailey watched the clock tick toward twelve.Within minutes, Poppy was back with something silver in his hand. Oh, great idea, Bie.Wage said when he saw it.Bailey looked back and forth between them bewilderedly.It was a silver piece of paper about the size of his admission ticket.Poppy handed it to him. It's a special pass, she explained: for important guests, so you don't have to pay every time you come to the circus.You just show this card at the ticket booth and they let you in. Bailey stared at it with wide eyes. Cardholders have the right to unlimited admission Printed in black ink on one side, reverse reads: Circus of Dreams Then below it was written in smaller letters: Owner Chandrash.Christopher.Lefevre Bailey stared at the shiny silver card, dumbfounded. I think you might like it, said Poppy, disturbed by the silence, which means if you want to come back while we're still around. Great, Bailey looked up from the card and said: Thank you so much. You're welcome, Bobby said with a smile: And I also told them to notify me and Wei Ji when you arrive, so that we will know when you are here and can come to find you.If you can live with that. That was great, Bailey said: Really, thank you. See you soon.Wage reached out and said. Sure, Bailey replied as he shook hands: I can come back tomorrow night. Excellent.Bobby said.When Bailey let go of Wage's hand, she leaned forward and kissed him quickly on the cheek.Bailey felt his cheeks suddenly flush.Have a nice evening.She said again when she moved away. You too.Bailey said: Good night.He waved to them before they slid through the heavy curtain.As soon as they were out of sight, he turned and walked home. Though it had only been a few hours since he had been in the circus, it felt like a lifetime.Not only that, the Bailey who walked into the circus at the beginning seemed to be very different from the Bailey who was about to leave now with the silver ticket in his pocket.He wondered who was the real Bailey, the Bailey who spent time alone in the trees, who won a special admission card to the amazing circus and made friends with such interesting people so effortlessly Bailey must be different. By the time he got to the farm, he was sure that the Bailey now was closer to the Bailey he should eventually be than the Bailey the day before; he might not be sure what it all meant , but for now he didn't think it mattered. In his dream, he was a knight galloping on horseback, holding a silver sword in his hand. After all, this image did not seem so strange.