Part 4: Beautiful New Things

June 1987, Utrennyaya Circus
Kiperina, Star Acrobat of the Utrennyaya Circus.
Why did I join this project? Well, I guess I'm trying to help in any way I can, like I always do.
The circus is a lot like outer space.
It is a performance that exists within an almost weightless world of imagination. Close to reality but, at the same time, unreachable.
I've come to love the life that Mr. and Mrs. Kozlov provided for us there, and I never thought it might end.
Kiperina: Here I am, Ringmaster. How can I help you?
Mr. Kozlov brushes a little ash off his seat, but when he hears Kiperina's voice, he bolts up immediately.
Mr. Kozlov: Oh, Alia. No need to be so formal outside of work. Anyways, how is it you are feeling today?
Mr. Kozlov: I don't want you to be overwhelmed. Take time for a little rest. Old Kozlov can manage things from here.
Kiperina: Please, it was just a thoughtless accident, and I won't let it happen again, I promise!
Kiperina: I've fully recovered. I know you're worried about me, but just ask anyone and you'll know I'm not lying. Even Mrs. Kozlov agreed.
Kiperina: See. I can even put on my firework show again.
Light bursts out from her outstretched fingertip, briefly illuminating the space like it's midday.
Like a plant drawing in sunlight, absorbing it, storing it, and then releasing it again.
A beautiful, if useless, arcane skill.
Mr. Kozlov: Oh! More beautiful than ever! It seems you've mastered the techniques that Ms. Windsong taught you.
Mr. Kozlov: There's no doubt our Alia has a budding talent for these ley line things!
Kiperina: Please don't start that again. I already told Ms. Windsong that I had no plans to leave the circus.
Mr. Kozlov: I know, I know. Such a loyal star you are. Oh, but there's something I should tell you.
He clears his throat, trying to smooth over the sudden topic shift.
Mr. Kozlov: Ahem, um, it's ... we're going to hold a show up near Mirny. They say the night sky is beautiful that far north. Perhaps you might even see the aurora.
Kiperina: All of a sudden? But it's so far from here. Are we in trouble?
Mr. Kozlov: No, everything's fine. I-It's just ...
Mr. Kozlov wrings his hands. Subtlety is not his strong suit.
Mr. Kozlov: Actually, Alia, Ms. Windsong called me. A friend of hers would like to meet you in Mirny.
Mr. Kozlov: They work for an organization called Laplace. I made inquiries at the arcane market. They have a good reputation.
Mr. Kozlov: Someone even told me that they were related to the St. Pavlov Foundation—that big organization that recruits all kinds of arcanists.
Mr. Kozlov: We are old, Alia, but you, your life has just begun. If you were to join Laplace or the Foundation, you'd live a much better life than any you could have in our little circus.
Kiperina: Do you want me to leave?
Mr. Kozlov: No. No, Alia. We just want to let you have another try. There may be some training involved, but we will not force you to stay. You can quit anytime you like.
Mr. Kozlov: Natalya and I, we hope you will have a safe and happy life. After that last time when you fell from the wire, we-we just can't bear to—
Kiperina: Then I'll go, Mr. Kozlov, if that's what you want for me.
Sensing the compromise in the girl's words, the man sighs and pats her head with a broad, fatherly hand.
Mr. Kozlov: We don't want you to leave, Alia. But this is an opportunity for you to live in comfort and safety. You're just 15. We don't want you to have to learn what it feels like to scrounge for food in the freezing wild.
He leaves it there. Some memories aren't worth retelling—not to a child.
Mr. Kozlov: Let's just give it a try. What do you say? You will always be welcome to come back to the Utrennyaya when you want. We will never turn you away from your home.
Kiperina: I've always known that.
She smiles, but it's not enough to hide the quiet weight of her insecurity.
Mr. Kozlov: Ms. Windsong gave you her card, remember?
Kiperina: I forgot where I put it. I figured they wouldn't ever find a need for a living light bulb.
Mr. Kozlov: Alia ...
Kiperina: So, then have you already planned the route, Mr. Kozlov? Are we traveling overland? When do we set off? And what are we taking with us?
Kiperina: What's the weather like in Mirny? Should I pack some warmer clothes?
Kiperina: Oh, it's been a while since the last time we restocked the medical kit. I'll check it later. We need to prepare for the animals' transportation.
Mr. Kozlov: Of course, of course, it's all in hand already. Our Alia, always such a self-starter.
Muttering, Mr. Kozlov turns away. It sounds more like pride than complaint.
Mr. Kozlov: Laplace sets a very high standard for its staff! Our Alia could only have been chosen if she were very special. Just see how she pays attention to each little detail.
The clever girl waits until Mr. Kozlov has disappeared.
She rarely lies, so, on the rare occasion she needs to, no one ever suspects.
The card's still with her, tucked in the inside pocket of her coat.
She isn't sure yet whether she really wants to chase after a faraway, wider world.
Kiperina: Windsong. Ley Lines Scholar.
Kiperina: I still don't get it. What even is "The Study of Ley Lines"? Is it like Arcanist Engineering? Or Math? I've never seen or heard of anything like it.
Kiperina: If I start to study these ley lines, does that mean I'll have to leave Utrennyaya forever?
Kiperina: That I won't be with Mr. and Mrs. Kozlov and the circus anymore?
She's still waiting on an answer from her mind, her heart, somewhere. So for now, she'll go back to her room and sleep in it.
Kiperina: Our circus's big top was decorated by Mrs. Kozlov. She said that she wanted it to reflect the beauty of the stars and the weightlessness of outer space.
Kiperina: Such a beautiful view. Will I ever be able to see it again if I leave here?
Kiperina: I suppose I must meet these Laplace people, if that is what my family wants me to do. This way, we'll all be able to live a better life, right?
She lets her eyes close, picturing tiny specks of light emerging from the velvet darkness behind her lids.
Kiperina: One star ... two stars ... Ursa Major—the Great Bear, and the Little Bear ...
Kiperina: Mirny ... I don't think we've ever been there before, but I feel like I already know what the stars look like from there. How strange.
Kiperina: I wonder if the stars ever wander away from the sky. Will they all disappear one day?
Kiperina: What are their dreams like?
She drifts off to sleep. Soon, she finds herself walking through Mirny, holding a sparkling star in her hand.
Mirny is a place in the far north where you can see the aurora. She hopes it's as beautiful as it is in her dream.
Красивая?
"Beautiful"?
Mirny Soldier I: Over there! Keep up! What the hell is that?!
???: ...
Mirny Soldier II: Damn, is that a bear? But it's so fast!
Mirny Soldier III: How did it get in here? I've never heard of any kind of critter around here that can pass through walls like that!
???: ...
Mirny Soldier II: I caught it! Over here! Help, quickly!

The sound of her pursuers fades into the distance.
She must escape the darkness around her and move toward the light.
Where there is light, there is life, and other voices.
Radio: "Voyager 2 has successfully repaired its imaging platform and will proceed according to its originally scheduled exploration of Uranus ..."
Radio: "Voyager 1 continues its journey to the edge of the solar system and beyond. According to our projections, it is expected to pass by Proxima Centauri in around 70,000 years ..."
Kiperina: Mmm.
A hand slips out from under the blanket, fumbling around until it finally finds the radio's switch.
Kiperina: The same strange dream again. It's gotten more and more detailed since we arrived in Mirny.
Kiperina: I need something to distract myself. Ms. Windsong and Mr. Kozlov made an appointment to meet next week. Until then, I should continue to prepare for our show.
Kiperina: Utrennyaya is making its debut in Mirny tonight. It's a new beginning.
She peeks her head out just a little, peering past the tent flap.
Across from their circus tent stands a small restaurant, and the distant sounds of conversation put her at ease. The streets of Mirny echo with the steady rhythm of patrolling boots.
She hasn't seen the aurora yet, but even so, the novelty of it all makes her heart race.
Kiperina: deep breath I just need to cheer up and do my best.
Kiperina: I guess it's also my debut in Mirny. And first impressions are everything.
Kiperina: Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Kozlov will change their minds if I can win over the audience.
She steps out of the tent, ready for her first performance in Mirny.
Circus Barker: Ladies and gentlemen, introducing our fabulous wire dancer, the youngest acrobat of the Utrennyaya Circus—
Circus Barker: Kiperina!
???: ...!
Right here.
Heading toward the light, she sees many creatures making noise.
The sounds seem to rise above her head. To see more clearly, she pushes through the crowd and looks up.
Cheers and shouts, applause and heartbeats—they circle the figure above like planetary rings.
Points of light burst around the figure's silhouette. A few of them feel familiar. These particles were born from the nebula of her home.
She looks around, smiling in the middle of the noise. Earth is such a lively and beautiful place.
Breathe deep. Leap onto the wire. Twist, raise a hand in salute, and then exhale.
The audience erupts into applause—a perfect score for her routine.
Kiperina: Will they let me stay if I keep giving perfect performances like this?
The doubts buried in her chest begin to stir.
On the wire, Kiperina looks back, only to realize there's no one ahead of her nor behind.
Should I move forward or back?
Instinctively, she clenches her fist and follows the cheers with her eyes.
From these heights, it's hard to recognize anyone.
There are no friendly faces, no family. She's alone on the wire.
And that's how it's supposed to be.
???: ...!
Just like her dream. A flickering star points the way forward.
Don't stand still too long. They all want you to move on. They all want to see how far you'll go.
She steadies herself to take another step.
Move forward.
The show is over, the audience gone. Mr. Kozlov packs away the stage props, his voice booming with pride.
Mr. Kozlov: Natalya and I were a little worried for you back there, but it seems our worrying was for nothing. The show was even better than we hoped.
Mr. Kozlov: You did such a good job, Alia. The audience was thrilled! I knew we came to the right place.
Mr. Kozlov: I'll ask Natalya to prepare us a proper banquet tonight, something to reward our darling Alia and celebrate your new job at Laplace.
Kiperina: We still don't know about that yet, but I'll try my best.
Mr. Kozlov: I know you can do anything once you make up your mind to do it. And now, I must go discuss tonight's food with Natalya.
He walks off, still rambling, with the props in hand. Kiperina looks around. The massive tent now holds just two small figures.
One is her, and the other is the girl from before.
Kiperina: ...
The girl seems lost in the performance. She stares up at the stage, her eyes just as bright as the star that guided her to the other side of the rope.
Kiperina: Perhaps she's taking a break? Or waiting for someone.
She knows that Utrennyaya never turns away lingering audience members, but talking to new people has never been her strength.
Still, the show reminded her—sometimes it's worth taking that step forward, even if you don't know what comes next.
She doesn't hesitate this time.
Kiperina: ... Hello?