Mia’s Point of View:

We had just settled at a table when Zelena and Amrit returned with two baskets full of scallions. Mr. Optim rose and tried to coax Zelena into joining our meal, preferably in a tent away from the crowds. The Cirque leader, sensing that this would be a serious conversation, made Optim wait.

“It’s Comunete Fete Augustus! A little fun won’t kill you before all the serious talk.”

When Optim tried to tell her that time was of the essence, Zelena shushed him and joined our table.

“Eat first, then join in the dance. We have plenty of time to talk later.”

Mr. Optim looked to Valentina for backup but she shrugged and said, “Comunete Fete does only come once a year.”

Optim sighed in exasperation.

I for one was happy that we were going to enjoy ourselves rather than get straight to business, even as Mr. Optim plopped back down to his barrel next to me looking defeated. Mosley sat across from us and when our eyes met we shared a grin.

I liked Mosley. He was tall and broad, but still not as tall as Zelena. A piece of string tied back his long brown hair and he had rough features with a chiseled jawline. He was ruggedly handsome, which was funny considering how timid he got with Mr. Optim. As much as I wanted to get to know Mosley better, it was hard to have a normal conversation over all the loud music and singing. So we simply ate our food and watched the dancers in silence.

I couldn’t have held a conversation anyway. The food was the most delicious food I had ever had in my life! The spices and flavors melted onto my tongue with a surprising heat that made me quickly reach for water. Even though my mouth was on fire with every bite, I couldn’t stop. There was rice, black beans, chicken curry, steamed vegetables, and two fluffy foods that resembled empanadas and samosas. There was such a variety that I didn’t even recognize some of the dishes. Sphinx lay under the table by my feet and I periodically stuck my hand underneath the table to give him some food from my plate. Surprisingly, the heat of the food didn’t bother him.

I grinned as I watched the boy, Amrit, whirl around like a tiny tornado in the middle of the dance floor. When he caught my eye his face flushed and he quickly moved out of my sight range.

I chuckled and shook my head.

When we had finished our food, the musicians began to play a fast song and Zelena’s face lit up. She immediately coaxed all of us onto the dance floor and I followed her willingly. Everyone got into small circles and linked arms. As a group they began spinning the circle slowly. Periodically, two people broke from the circle and danced together in the center. After a few people had danced, Mosley broke away from the circle and beckoned for me to go with him. I went gladly and we whirled around the center as everyone clapped and cheered around us.

“Is it like this all the time here?” I yelled to him as we twirled.

“Not really,” He shouted back. “Sometimes we change up what food we serve.”

I laughed at Mosley’s joke and he grinned.

When Mosley rejoined the circle, I dragged Mr. Optim out into the center with me but he was reluctant at first. Others around the circle urged him on and it wasn’t long before he got caught up in the excitement and gave into the dance.

A euphoria spread through me that I’d only felt when I was with Aunt Cindy and her theater troupe. It was odd that even though I was surrounded by strangers, they made me feel a sense of home and complete unity. I knew when all of this Source business was over with, I would definitely want to live in the Cirque Clan.

                                                                  ***

We danced for hours longer than we meant to and my poor feet paid the price. It wasn’t until the sun started to turn orange and pink that Optim made us stop. Zelena gave into Mr. Optim and lead us to her tent, which was located away from the center of town.

“What is it that’s so important Augustus?” Zelena asked over her shoulder as we weaved our way around the other tents.

Mr. Optim sighed as he helped Valentina navigate through.

“You’re probably going to dismiss what I’m about to say, but I beg you to keep an open mind.”

Zelena turned around and came to a stop.

Mosley and I stopped as well and we looked to Optim as he struggled to find the right words.

Sphinx was getting heavy in my weary arms, so I draped him over my shoulder and he gave a sleepy Meow.

“You see … Mia is a very special person.” Optim said after a while. “That is to say, she’s not like you or I. She’s got a talent that we don’t see everyday and…”

Mr. Optim trailed off and Valentina rolled her eyes.

“Mia’s the Source.” she blurted out.

Zelena looked from Valentina to me and her eyes narrowed suspiciously while Mosley gasped and looked at me with shock.

“Augustus, I don’t know why you keep insisting that the legend is true.” Zelena said in a cold tone of voice. “I’ve indulged you in the past because I thought it was a harmless fascination, but now this has gone too far.”

“Zelena please,” Optim broke from Valentina and grabbed Zelena’s shoulders. “You must listen to me. I know why everyone doesn’t believe in the Source anymore, but you must trust me when I say, Mia is the Source.”

“Alright fine.” Zelena pulled away from his grip and walked up to me. The look on her face gave me a chill; it was the same as Zalzar’s. “If you really are the Source then show me your Power.”

“Uhh,” I glanced down at my hands. “I don’t really know …”

“Huh, well look at that,” Zelena interrupted me icily. “It’s just as I suspected. Powerless and clearly not the Source. You must get on with your life Optim and stop with these delusions. I know I have.”

My blood began to boil and a contributing factor to my slowly rising temper was I was cranky and in desperate need of sleep. But even though I may not be the Source, she didn’t have to be so snippy about it. Besides Mr. Optim was practically always right about everything; was she accusing him of being a liar?

“You know, at first it was hard for me to believe you and Zalzar were related,” I snapped. “But now I’m really starting to see the resemblance.”

Zelena opened her mouth to say something back but Mosley stepped in, his hands raised in a plea for peace.

“Okay, why don’t we just all go inside the tent and rationally talk things over. I’m sure Mr. Optim has a logical explanation for why he believes Mia’s the Source. And clearly Valentina thinks Mia’s the Source, which says a lot in its own right.”

Valentina nodded in satisfaction.

Zelena stayed silent for a while, still glaring down at me, then said,

“Make it quick.”

Optim breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you Zelena. I promise you won’t regret this!”

Zelena brushed past Mr. Optim with a look that said, This better be good and made her way into the tent.