Chapter 2 — The Proposal of Clothilde Vaccaretti

The next morning, Elsa woke up with a terrible headache and deep feeling of confusion. She could not explain how she was in her attic, nor did she remember what had happened the night before. Much less did she imagine having destroyed a lantern with her mere hand. All she recognized in the first seconds of her awakening was the sting in her chest, making a considerably less presence, but which did not cease to disturb her. She quickly descended from her bed and took out the box of light bulbs, illuminating the first one just as her fingertips touched her.

─No, no, no… ─she reacted with some fear as she saw them light up.

She held a light bulb in each hand for a few minutes, without them ceasing to glow at their full capacity. The sting in her chest continued. She tried to slow it down or get rid of it with a few deep breaths. Nothing. Worry washed over her – and the realization that her clothes were the same as the day before and that they were covered in glass and ashes, made her understand that something had happened.

She went downstairs, looking for Monsieur Reno, but the answer came in the form of the local newspaper on the kitchen table, with the statement: "Girl is electrocuted by lamppost." Although the article was inaccurate and completely untrue, Elsa was able to piece together the events of the previous night. The arrival of the mysterious clients, the sudden stab in her chest and her hasty departure from the store, and then how she lost her consciousness.

She had caused the lantern to burst and she knew it, even if she didn't understand at all why. What was that stabbing in her chest due to? Why didn't it disappear? Why didn't her touch subside? Outside of this detail, she had not suffered any major emotion or tension.

She avoided leaving the house all day, not stopping to check the state of her touch with the light bulbs. How annoying this was! To her discomfort and headache, she added a bad mood caused by the frustration of not lowering his electrical charge. Neither music nor reading nor painting made her feel any better. Her mind wandered to what might be happening, as well as the concern that someone had realized her responsibility in the event.

When Monsieur Reno returned in the evening, she approached him with prompt questions.

─I don't know what happened last night ─said the man─. I was hoping you would explain it to me, actually… I thought you had it under control.

─And I thought that too, but obviously is not the case ─Elsa replied nervously─. All day this thing has not been removed from me and it is annoying. Something like this has never happened to me and I can't explain it. It had never lasted so long, nor happened without reason.

─Are you sure it happened for no reason?

─I can't think of any reason why I started to feel this way. I haven't felt too bad or too good for it to happen. I haven’t felt too much, actually. I don't understand… ─she pursed her lips, concerned.

─Your cheeks are glowing ─pointed Monsieur Reno.

─Shining? ─Elsa questioned, puzzled.

She looked at herself in the living room mirror. Again, her cheeks emanated a pale light, similar to that of an opaque white spotlight.

─What…!? ─she exclaimed, indignant─. How…? That had never happened before!

─And were shining last night, too ─said Monsieur Reno.

─But no one saw it, right? ─she asked─. Besides you ...

─Your shine? No. The lamp…

─That was in the newspapers… Did they say something about it?

─What do you think? They don't talk about anything else.

─Damn it... ─Elsa put her hands on her face, stressed─. But they have not assumed...

─They have been saying all sorts of things ─replied Monsieur Reno─. You know how they are. If domestic problems give them to whisper for hours, imagine what yours has given them material. Most of the people are worried. They asked me how you are, if a doctor has already seen you... I don't give them a further explanation. I'm just telling them that you're fine, and that that boy you electrocuted...

─Did I electrocute a boy? ─Elsa asked in great astonishment.

─That boy who was with the woman and the robust man who entered the premises last night ─explained Monsieur Reno─. He bent down to check your pulse and you electrified him as soon as he placed his hand on your neck. Never mind. I said that was a reaction to the shock you got from the lantern; and everyone is convinced that the bluff had a problem... Although, you know, there is always some idiot out there saying otherwise. Some guys have said that the lantern lit up after you touched it and that that was weird. But nobody pays too much attention to them because it is an absurd idea.

─However, it's true… And if this doesn't go away, they'll know ─she said, worried.

Monsieur Reno was silent.

─Don't despair. You'll be fine ─he finally told her.

Elsa was not convinced of it. She knew that if the new situation of her touch, not to mention the strange glow of her skin at dusk, did not disappear, she would not be able to continue living in Les Moulins. She had always sought to avoid being an object of attention – and now she had been to a greater extent for several years. To think that for the first time in a long time she was in a pleasant place and pace, with her condition under control, only to have to deal with some oddity of it again, was quite frustrating.

She spent the night checking her touch. She slept with a light bulb in her hand; it did not stop lighting her face like a lamp. The puncture did not disappear either. It stayed there, somewhere indecipherable on her chest.

*****

In the morning she decided to try an experiment. She searched for all the possible light bulbs in the house and, in underwear, lay down on the attic floor, placing them around her body. She managed to illuminate twelve bulbs at the same time, but despite spending four hours on it, her situation did not change in the least.

She tried something more drastic. She positioned the radio, the two record players (hers and Monsieur Reno's), and the six lamps in the house and tied the cables to her arms and legs, hoping that the electrical touch would somehow discharge. Nothing. All the fixtures ran smoothly for hours, and the bulbs were on full blast for another frustrating four hours, and Elsa stayed the same.

She cried in her bed, desperate. Her ideas were exhausted, and with them, the anguish and the sting increased. She pinched and pounded her chest over and over again, claiming:

─What is this? What's going on?

She spent the night without sleep, first sitting by the window, then deciding to go out for a walk in the wee hours of the morning, looking for some fresh air and distraction. She walked for a long time, in which she admired the lamp that she had burst (and still not repaired), the bright moon over the town and the tranquillity of all those houses and silent streets.

Only Le Petit Lune, a local tavern dedicated to nightlife, was still open – and Elsa almost avoided visiting it, not looking in the least to interact with someone else, when a young voice outside the premises called:

─Hey you! Yes, you! You're the girl from that store, right!?

Elsa recognized him: it was the young man who accompanied the mysterious woman and the robust man on the night of the incident. She just nodded, not approaching.

─I thought it was you ─the young man continued─. What are you doing here so late?

─Nothing… ─Elsa shrugged─. Just walking ...

─At three in the morning? ─questioned the young man, arrogant and raising his eyebrows.

He was sitting in a chair outside the tavern, whose interior atmosphere still featured shouts and music from people celebrating something. He, however, stayed outside, with a book in one hand and a cigar in the other.

─Is there a problem with it? ─Elsa was in no mood to explain herself.

─Not at all ─the young man continued, still smiling─. Remember me?

Elsa gave a slight nod.

─Yes ... ─she said ─. You were the guy who was with that woman and the other man when...

─The lamp exploded, yes ─he continued─. What a strange happening, right!?

─I’m sorry ─Elsa looked embarrassed─. They told me that you tried to check my pulse and that you got electrocuted for it.

─There is no need to apologize, darling ─he replied─. It wasn’t your fault, was it?

Elsa refrained from answering for a moment, her gaze fixed on him. Was he the one spreading the theory that the busting of the lantern was her responsibility? She pursed her lips and shook her head, then averted her gaze to the ground.

─No, I suppose not ─she said─. Have a good night… ─she tried to leave.

─Wait, miss! ─the young man got up from his chair.

─Yes? ─Elsa turned around, somewhat impatient.

She could not bear to spend another moment facing the possibility of being questioned on any subject related to what had happened with the lantern.

─My employer has been looking for you ─he said─. Do you remember her?

─Yes… ─Elsa hurried him─. Why is he looking for me?

─Perhaps you can ask yourself. She wants to talk to you…

─Why?

─What do I know? She is the boss and does not give explanations. But she wants to talk with you...

Elsa hesitated for a moment, intrigued by what was being put to her. The curiosity she felt for such individuals the night they entered into the store returned to her, briefly overcoming her haste to disappear from any public view.

─Who are you? ─Elsa asked, curious─. What do you do? I don't think I've seen them in town before.

─And you are correct that we are not from here ─said the young man─. We are just passing through. We are from the circus of The Spectacle of the Bizarre by G. Vaccaretti...

─From the circus? ─Elsa said with genuine interest.

Some vague childish emotion appeared in her as she found out the work of those strange individuals and, even more, of the precise spectacle to which the young man was referring.

─That's right ─continued the young man, with a certain arrogance consequential to the change in attitude in Elsa─. We were heading to ... ─surprise hid his face─. Are you shining?

─What? ─Elsa exclaimed.

─You’re shining, miss ─pointed out the young man─. I mean, literally. How…?

Elsa returned to her previous attitude of shame and discomfort instantly, immediately turning around and walking away at a brisk pace.

─Excuse me! I have to go! ─she said in a hurry.

─Wait, miss! ─the young man tried to stop her, without success.

Elsa returned to Monsieur Reno's house, avoiding making the slightest noise that might wake her employer, but with both haste and concern. Someone had seen her shine! How uncomfortable that was! And this new feature did not diminish. As she walked through the dark living room of the house, her skin glowed like a dim walking lamp that was reflected in mirrors and glass – and which never ceased to baffle her. What was the reason for this? Why was it starting to glow out of nowhere? Or was there something that had such an effect that she was unaware of? There was no other relationship between the times that this happened, than feeling some embarrassment or acceleration – and this had taken her by surprise at what that young man revealed to her. The truth was that such a situation had intrigued her. They were members of a circus and that explained both their irregular outfits, as well as the uninhibited attitude and with a touch of spectacularism of that enigmatic woman in a purple dress.

She had always had a fascination for people who engaged in such activity. She even thought of them as the type of person she could most identify with. Weird people, socially exiled, but who did not stop being the object of attention and astonishment by others. However, the embarrassment of the lighting on her cheeks was enough to prevent her from continuing the conversation and instead retreating so hastily. Yet, she couldn't deny that there was part of what this young man said that intrigued her enough – and it was, of course, the fact that the mysterious woman from the circus wanted to meet her.

The reason for this was not difficult to deduce. That woman and her companions had been the public in the front row for their accelerated exit from the premises and eventual outbreak of the lantern. They should know! Or at least suspicious – hence the young man's silly innuendo. Therefore, a meeting with the woman should imply some interest in that characteristic of hers. It was obvious… wasn't it?

The doubt remained in her. As she lay down that morning at five, a part of her made her wonder deep down what else could be due to her interest in meeting her.

*****

She slept unevenly again. A dream in which she was part of a circus made a strange presence, making her wake up with the sensation of falling from a trapeze and with bad humour coming from her new situation. Neither the stab in her chest nor its electrifying touch had disappeared, and in disgust, she let out a sigh as she decided to resolve her questions from the night before.

─Well, I guess I could meet that woman ... ─she said to herself.

Elsa waited for the dusk. She would not dare to go out in the middle of the day to avoid problems and questions about how was she feeling – and there were several people who showed concern for her. At her third day of absence in store Monsieur Reno, two out of every three customers asked by her.

─They are beginning to think that something happened to you and that I am hiding it ─said Monsieur Reno with a certain joke, as they met for dinner that night.

Elsa responded with a pained and relatively sad smile.

─I can't go out as long as I'm like this ─she said─. It would be dangerous…

─I know. You don’t have why worry about it. When you return to normal, they will forget about their concern.

Elsa was silent for a few seconds, then posing:

─What if this is my new normal? What if I can't go back to being… not electrifying?

Silence took hold from Monsieur Reno now.

─Do you think that could happen? ─he finally asked.

─It's a possibility ─Elsa shrugged─. What would I do then? I like it here, but I don't want to become the local phenomenon.

─No, it wouldn't be good ...

─It could also be dangerous. If I destroyed a lantern with one hand, what could I not do to someone else? ─sighed─. I've always been a freak, but now I'm a really dangerous one; and I would not want to cause greater harm to someone...

─Don't get ahead of yourself ─Monsieur Reno tried to comfort her─. It could still be a matter of just a few days... And even if it wasn't, there are always options. Do not despair.

Elsa tried to agree, but had difficulty in it. Inside, she was more than convinced that this new characteristic of hers would not go away, and that it would make her take a drastic decision.

She waited for midnight to leave. Without making the slightest noise and in complete darkness, she left the house, dressed in as much clothing as possible in case she had the slightest contact with another person or electrical instrument, and headed for Le Petit Lune. Whether the circus people would ever meet in such a place was unknown, but at the very least, she thought, it was a starting point from which to search for them.

Unsure but determined, she arrived at the tavern, only hoping that no one else would recognize her or try to make any contact with her. Drunken patrons lunged at each other, drinking and playing, as if their decades of age were fading and reverting them to youthful individuals, somewhat stupid, but carefree. Although Elsa did not like this attitude in people, for that occasion she thanked it, avoiding being a distraction from any of those farmers or merchants that she easily located from a visit to the store.

She moved like a small shadow, imperceptible to others... until her peripheral sight became aware of that gallant and enigmatic presence located in the corner of the place. She laughed and talked as if she were one of her spirited companions, also indulging in the drink of her wine, though without lacking that showmanship that distinguished her so much during a visit to Monsieur Reno's business. There was the mysterious woman from the circus... and next to her, Elsa could see several completely unfamiliar faces, with the sole exception of the robust and good-natured man.

Elsa stopped at her next step. Would she really dare to talk to someone who worked in something like the circus and who, besides, she was sure, had seen her cause the lamp to burst? Doubt stopped her and made her hesitate for a moment, then taking a step backwards... when the crash of a body that passed in that direction almost made her stumble, only avoiding this with the support of her arm by the hand of whoever collided with her – and whom Elsa could instantly recognize. It was that young man who worked for the woman in the circus.

─Excuse me ─he exclaimed, before recognizing her as well─. Wait, it's you!

Elsa tried to deny it, but it was a futile thing to try.

─What are you doing here? ─the young man continued─. Are you okay?

─Is everything in order, Jacub, dear? ─the woman's voice sounded behind.

─Yes, yes ─he replied─. Look who I found!

The eyes of the people at the corner table fell on Elsa who, uncomfortably, shrugged herself, trying to divert her gaze from those who admired her with surprise.

─Oh, look who it is! ─exclaimed the woman.

─Who is that? ─questioned a young man with a Jewish appearance next to him, in a suspicious tone of voice and whose speech was somewhat beaten and intense.

─Well, who else but the girl we met the other day, in that surprisingly well-stocked store? ─the woman replied─. Do you remember I told you about it?

─Is it her? ─asked now a tall young redhead, located next to the woman.

─Yes, it's her ─the woman continued─. What is your name, my dear? Elsa, I think?

Elsa shyly nodded her head.

─Come on, dear, sit down and have a drink with us ─continued the woman─. You can't imagine how long we've been looking for you, but no one has seen you since that happened with the lamp… I was already worried that something had happened to you! What are you drinking?

The woman spoke in a fast and somewhat beaten manner, which made her dominant and difficult to oppose. Elsa had taken her place at the table after being granted her seat by a dark man, and now she was surrounded by seven unknown individuals.

─Nothing, I don't drink… thank you ─although shy, Elsa did not stop being kind.

─Come on, are you sure? ─the woman insisted─. Come on, don't make us drink alone ...

─Come on, Clothilde ─called the robust man─, we do not know if the girl has another matter to attend here. Maybe we shouldn't…

─Nonsense! ─Clothilde replied─. Jacub here told me that he met her last night and that he told her that I wanted to meet her, so excuse me if I don't think that her presence here is a coincidence caused by another meeting or matter that she has to attend to. Especially with how reluctant she has been to appear before other individuals since the lamp incident. Well that's what you’re doing here, right? ─she fixed her gaze on Elsa─. Searching to meet me?

Elsa's gaze swept over the people at the table, somewhat fearful and assuming they were all aware of her incident with the lantern. She pursed her lips and slowly nodded her head.

─See, Barry? ─exclaimed Clothilde─. I told you! Now get out of here, will you!? That the girl has come to see me, not you; and from the expression in her gaze, she feels overwhelmed, insecure, and harassed by the way you all are looking at her. Outside!

─No, you don't have to… ─Elsa tried to intervene.

─Get out! ─Clothilde exclaimed again─. It is a conversation between us.

─But we just arrived! ─protested the Jewish-looking young man.

─I’ve said! ─the woman answered.

─Come on, Matthieu ─Barry, the robust man said─. Let the ladies talk. We’ll come back later. I don't think it will take long… right?

─No, my dears, don't worry ─Clothilde replied─. It will only take a few minutes.

The entire table was lifted, leaving only Elsa with the enigmatic Clothilde.

─Who is that? ─claimed one of the girls among them.

─It's that girl with the lantern, remember? ─replied a young man─. The one that make it explode…

─Did she really do that? ─she questioned indignantly.

─That's what is said...

Elsa shrugged even more, uncomfortable and uneasy to hear these comments. Her cheeks again emitted a pale light that attracted the attention of the mysterious woman on the other side of the table who, with all cordiality, replied:

─My apologies, miss ─she said ─. It was not my intention to bother you... But with every moment that I spend with you, I realize that I have been right that I found someone quite unique. But tell me please, is there anything you want? Drink? Food? Are you sure?

Elsa continued to reject politely; her cheeks stopped glowing.

─No need, thank you ─she replied.

She was unsure of how to proceed. Clothilde, aware of this, leaned against the back of her seat with a confident and witty smile, then saying:

─Well? Will you tell me what brought you here tonight? ─she puffed on her cigar. Her posture highlighted an implicit sensuality, similar to a courtesan.

Elsa, shrinking her lips, looked for a way to explain herself.

─You tell me ─she answered─. That boy said you wanted to meet me.

─Certainly ─Clothilde replied─. However, neither he, nor I invited you here. So, you have come by your own free will ─she smiled ─. Why is that?

─Well, because I wanted to find out the reason you wanted to meet with me…

─Ah! Naturally... Curiosity, isn't it?

Elsa nodded her head and kept a friendly smile, not absent of some discomfort and intimidation that she felt from the woman.

─Why did you want to meet me? ─she asked.

Clothilde kept her lips on the cigar for a few seconds, as if analysing the shy, but curious young woman with her eyes.

─Why do you think? ─she questioned.

─I don't know ─Elsa looked down, nervous to lie. Her cheeks were lighting up again.

─I think you do know ─Clothilde smiled─. But ah! Let's do this properly, alright? ─changed her posture, now leaning her elbows on the table─. First of all, let me introduce myself. What kind of person would it be to question you without knowing who I am before! My name is Clothilde Vaccaretti. Have you heard that name?

─Yes… ─Elsa answered─. I know who you are, actually.

─Do you?

─Yes… Well, I think so. You’re from that circus, right? The Spectacle of the Bizarre of G. Vaccaretti… I saw you truck outside the store when… the other day, you know.

─Yes, I know ─Clothilde continued─. And you’re right… I work (or, rather, I run) that circus. My father is Giusseppe Vaccaretti, current owner; and those extravagant companions who were with me here at the table are the ones that make up the majority of it. We are, then, The Spectacle of the Bizarre by G. Vaccaretti; and if you're wondering what we were doing here, I can tell you that our stop is just incidental. Our train had a problem and we had to stop to fix it… and in the meantime, stock up on a little more food, provisions, you know, the usual. At least, that's how it was until a few days ago… until when… the other day, you know ─she smiled insinuatingly.

─What…? ─Elsa tried to ask ─. What do you think you saw?

─Oh! I know what I saw! ─Clothilde replied ─. But please don't be nervous. My beaten attitude is the result of my work, and I have gotten used to talking like that; but the truth is that I find myself fascinated with what I saw you do and what I less desire is to make you feel uncomfortable... for I do have a good proposal to make.

─What proposal? ─Elsa questioned, her intrigue beating her discomfort.

─We'll get there ─Clothilde lowered her voice and stared at the young, inquisitive and excited─. It was you, wasn't it? You caused the lamp to explode, not before over-lighting to full capacity. It's unusual isn't it? That is why your cheeks glow as I tell you this… Please don't be afraid. I reiterate that it is fascination, not morbid, much less fear what you cause me, miss... What is your name?

─Ludgate ─Elsa replied, after a moment─. Elsa Ludgate...

─Miss Ludgate! ─Clothilde exclaimed in her low tone of voice─. Even the name is appropriate. Tell me. It was you, right? Come on, speak up, you have not come here without knowing who I am and, therefore, without interest in knowing what I am offering you.

Elsa nodded her head slowly, hunched over and fearful.

─It was me, yes… ─she replied, with a low voice.

─Ah! I knew it! ─Clothilde replied─. And how…?

─I can't tell you that, because I don't even know it myself ─Elsa looked up at the woman again─. I don't know how… I produce this. But it's not a good thing, believe me.

─That depends from where you look at it. So, you make electricity with your hands? That's what you do?

─Basically ─Elsa shrugged─. With my hands... or any part of my skin, actually. It used to happen to me every time I felt nervous or accelerated by something, but since that incident my skin has not stopped generating electricity.

─Can you generate it right now?

Elsa gave a hesitant nod, then took a light bulb out of her dress pocket, raising it only above her legs; and, making sure no one was looking at them, she illuminated it for two seconds with her index finger. Surprise filled Clothilde's face, causing her to raise her eyebrows and exclaim:

─Fascinating!

─If you had lived what I have, you would think otherwise ─replied Elsa─. And? What do you have to propose to me? I am not stupid. I know you saw that there was something wrong with me and that your interest is that I join your circus... right? ─she asked with some shyness.

─Well ... no, you’re not stupid, Ms. Ludgate ─replied Clothilde─. This was the purpose of the meeting I wanted to hold with you. Find out if what I saw you cause was true, and extend that invitation… I think that was obvious to both parties.

─But what I would like to know now is what you have to offer me… ─Elsa said, saving the bulb back again and putting on the glove─. I do not like to attract attention, much less I would like to become a show... although I may not have a choice. However, I would like to know what you offer me. Why should I join your circus, Miss Vaccaretti?

─I cannot offer too much, in fact ─Clothilde said, letting the smoke from her cigar into the air tavern─. To be honest, our circus is not in the best situation. On the contrary, we are in a terrible decline. The Great War had a terrible impact on the circus business and our economy; and since then our staff and especially attractions have seriously dwindled to little more than the mob you saw gathered here with me. I shouldn't call them that. They are good people. Clowns, acrobats and aerialists of the highest quality, but which, in my honesty, are not enough to preserve the great reputation that my father's circus once had. To the point that, as I mentioned previously, we had to stay a couple more days in this town... waiting to find you.

─Me? ─Elsa questioned, impressed.

─Who else, dear? ─Clothilde continued─. I've seen my good endowment of freaks since always, you know. All my life I have been in the circus. Originally it belonged to my maternal grandfather; later his daughter, my mother, married Giusseppe, my father, who was a worker in this and close to my grandfather. He inherited everything from my grandfather, and he remodelled it under his idea, creating something truly spectacular, full of all kinds of attractions. So, I've met enough magicians, people who can bend backwards, swallow knives, train tigers, jump from one trapeze to another or get shot by a cannon and so on.

' But never, I admit, have I seen someone produce electricity with its hands – let alone cause a lamp to burst. So, you have to understand my impression when I saw you do that… and my interest in you, in the face of the decline of my father's show, now under my direction. A young woman who can light and explode spotlights with her hand? That is something as rare as it is surprising... and perhaps the new attraction that our circus needs. So, it was worth staying a couple more days, waiting to meet her.

Elsa heard this explanation without being able to answer something. She had not imagined such a situation at all, much less the justification that Clothilde gave to her interest.

─So, Miss Ludgate ─the woman continued─, my proposal is that you join our circus and become its main attraction, of course, with a little help. And in exchange for this, well, you will have a place to sleep, food (don't be fooled, we have an excellent German cook) and some pay… And the assurance that no one will bother you about your… condition or whatever you call it. It is not to be presumptuous, but your absence in the store since the night of the incident, as well as the attitude you have shown in this and in which you had during your meeting with Jacub, would make one think that you are avoiding local people see you or ask questions about what happened – which, coupled with the fact that no one around here knows anything else about you other than the fact that you came out of nowhere a couple of years ago and that you work in that store, also leads to the theory that you are an itinerant and reluctant person to stay in one place if your secret is discovered… And considering what you have told me today, you may be in need of those actions again. Again, I apologize if I sound presumptuous, but you will understand my interest in having you join our show and making said proposal look good. Now, I have said a lot and it is up to you to give an answer...

She brought his lips back to the glass of wine she was drinking, waiting for Elsa to answer the statement. The young woman was certainly overwhelmed by what the enigmatic woman had explained. She had imagined Clothilde Vaccaretti’s interest in her, but not to that point; and for some reason the idea of ​​becoming a main attraction put pressure on her. On the other hand, it was also true that her options were not many if the new situation of her touch did not change.

─I don’t… I don't know what to tell you right now, Miss Vaccaretti ─she finally answered─. I'm flattered by your proposal, but I'm not sure I can accept it. Honestly, I don't imagine myself as a circus attraction. Okay, yes. But I'm not sure if I like the idea.

─You are what you are, Ms. Ludgate ─replied Clothilde─. You cannot hide your nature; and whatever you do, it will always be there and people will always be amazed and impressed about it, wherever you are. What I offer you is the opportunity for your… gift, condition or whatever you call it, to be applauded rather than feared. To be looked at with shock, not with hatred. And to save a bunch of well-intentioned petty freaks who have no more place to go either, instead of still hiding behind a counter or some other place that occurs to you. That is not your place, Miss Ludgate; and what you have is not something to hide.

─But explode, right? ─Elsa questioned, with some distaste.

─But enhancing, Miss Ludgate ─Clothilde corrected─. Someone like you shouldn't be hiding, but showing off your potential. Causing shock and surprise, and stealing hearts, instead of isolating yourself from the world. What do you say?

Elsa, strangely flattered by what she had said, was still hesitating.

─I don't know… ─she answered─. I repeat that you flatter me, Miss Vaccaretti, but I don't know if I am capable of doing what you ask of me. It would be going against my nature ...

─No, it would be going against the nature that you have forced yourself to follow. Not the real one. But I understand your question, and I cannot demand an immediate answer… So, I’ll tell you what we will do: my father is anxious for us to continue on the road to the city where we will be presenting in a couple of weeks, but I know that I can convince him to wait one more day. If until then you are not convinced, we will continue without you. But if you do, then you’ll be welcome on our train… and I will make you what you should be. The decision is yours.

Elsa agreed to such approach, allowing herself another day before answering something. She then said goodbye to Clothilde, reiterating her thanks.

─We are camping on the tracks next to the mills ─Clothilde said─. At ten at night we will leave.

─I'll keep it in mind… Thank you ─Elsa smiled kindly at her.

The young woman left with as much caution as she had when she arrived. Fortunately, no one else had paid attention to her presence there; and on her departure the circus staff returned, meeting Clothilde. Elsa looked at them with some doubt and attention. Could she be part of that group? Could she expose herself and her condition to an audience on purpose? Would that be the best option or what other option did she have? With such questions she returned home and spent the night deep in thought.