They wandered past puppet shows where colorful marionettes acted out fairy tales. Klein laughed at the silly voices the puppeteer used, completely unselfconscious in his enjoyment.
Street performers did magic tricks, juggled flaming torches, and played haunting melodies on unusual instruments.
At one point, they encountered a fortune teller who beckoned them over. Marie went first, receiving a prediction about "great journeys across water" that made her beam with excitement.
Joseph's fortune spoke of "finding what was lost," which made him exchange meaningful looks with Reinhard. Klein's fortune simply said "joy long delayed but finally arriving," which felt almost painfully accurate.
The evening deepened, stars beginning to appear in the darkening sky above the festival lights.
Then someone in the crowd called out. "The fireworks are starting! Everyone to the square!"
The announcement created a surge of movement as the entire festival seemed to flow in one direction.
