Pulling the center of the big top high into the air Lucy and Remy fixate the large pole into the ground. Rico, Alex, and Milo make their way into town. Only Milo deciding to wear something a tad more hidden as they walk through the streets, the bewildered stares of the townsfolk sending a chill down Milo’s back as he holds Alex’s hand.

     Stepping into a small convenience store Rico steps up to the counter, flyer in hand.

     “Excuse me my good man, would it be any trouble to pass these out or perhaps hang a simple one on your door?” He questions as the cashier takes the flyer eyeing it for a moment before handing it back.

     “You can but who may ya be?” The man questions as Rico pulls up his signature wide smile.

     “My dear man, I am Rico Derbez, Ring Master of the Monstre Circus, or Monster Circus as most people wish to call it. We scour far and wide to show that even the most closed minded can not see passed our beauty. We are no smoke and mirrors and wish to show our talents to the wonderful world.” Rico concludes with a wave of his hand, his small never faltering as Alex moves passed Milo shaking Rico’s pantleg.

     Looking down Rico hands the young boy the flyer who runs back over to Milo to put it up on the door, a small roll of tape in hand. The convenience store owner had come out during his explanation a strange questionable look on his face.

     “So, you really think all that hodo vodo magic bullshit is real? You got to be looneier then a jail house rat.” He quotes with his fingers as he talks. Fixing his hat Rico steps up with a handheld out. The other takes it shaking it for a moment before Rico spoke.

     “My dear man the world is hidden with beautiful secrets its how I met my wife after all.” Releasing the man’s hand, he holds them behind his back. “I would like to give you a ticket for the show, to show you the wonders that my family has in store.” With that said, he removes the ticket from behind his back. Holding it out for the man to take. Which after a long moment he reluctantly does.

     The cashier at the front desk holds back a smirk as they hide behind one of the display’s their hand over their mouth as Rico produces a set of flyers from behind his back. Laying them on the counter.

     “Is there also by any chance any other place we could advertise? Any other store around here?” Rico questions as Milo steps over to the rack of snacks, eyeing each one before plucking a bag of chips from the shelf. Before they could turn towards the counter a shrill voice catches all their attention.

     “And what do you think you’re doing thief?”

     Confused Milo turns to the strange woman who stands an inch from them. Jumping back a bit, Milo stutters out his answer.

     “Just getting a snack ma’am is there a problem?” Glaring them down the lady reaches up to pull his hoodie back off their head. The bio-luminescent lights above giving Milo a headache as they yank back to pull it back up.

     “What in the hell are you?!” She yells as young Alex steps between them.

     “What is your problem you big meanie!” He yells, Rico steps into the aisle checking Milo over who is wide eyed in shock.

     “What the hell...”  They mumble as Rico looks up at the lights. Taking the bag of chips from them he walks over to the counter. Alex takes Milo by his sleeve and pulls him outside. Paying for the chips Rico gives them a quick farewell and hopes to see them all at the festivities.

     Stepping outside he finds both Alex and Milo off to the side, Milo removing a glove from his hands and holding it out to the light before putting it back on.

     “What happened in there?” Rico asks handing them the bag of chips.

     “I-I don’t know… maybe something to do with the lights?” Milo answers, his voice a bit shaken as they hold the chips under their arm. Rico nods, a soft smile on his face as he throws a hand over Milo’s shoulder. Pulling them down a bit as they started to walk.

     “We shall look into it before we leave. Nothing to fret.” Rico tries as he might to sooth Milo’s fear their gloved hands now sit within their pockets not once coming out as Alex and himself start to put up the flyers on nearby poles and boards.

     Drawing to the middle of town the mayor’s office comes into view. Handing the papers to Alex he pats the boys head before rushing over to the building. Taking a seat at the end of the stairs they play a bit of eye spy until Rico returns with a cheerful thumbs up.

     Alex cheers jumping to his feet as Milo finally takes a hand from his jacket returning the thumbs up before shoving it back.

     After a few hours of putting up posters and talking to passerby’s they return to the grounds in somber spirits. Giving Milo a pat on the back they dismiss themselves back to their cart.

     “Will Milo be alright?” Came Lucy’s voice from a small ticket booth in front of the large array of stalls and games. Like an aisle leading straight to the big top that holds high into the afternoon sunlight.

     “Yes, I believe so. Something happened at our first stop, something strange to say the least.” Rico explains as Alex runs off to look at all the stalls.

     “That has never happened before… should we be more worried? If it actual caused damage it might be best to go, see what lights those where.” Lucy folders her arms over her chest as Rico nods taking his top hat off as he rubs his eyes.

     “Don’t worry dear, I shall go in a little while to see what those are. Until then tell everyone to make a list of things we need to stock on before we leave.” Lucy nods stepping up to plant a kiss on his forehead before walking away. Pulling his hat back on he turns towards the big top.

     “Interesting, Interesting…” He mumbles as he steps into the big top.

     Katie and Yukiko are doing stretches preparing for their show as Lucy questions them. Remy stands in the center of the stage hooking wires to their appropriate areas as Milo stand off to the side in their usual attire.

     Taking a seat at a desk at the far back of the tent Rico starts tailing items. After a while, Lucy comes in with a dark clipboard, holding it out Rico takes it before eyeing the items.

     “This should be easy.” Getting up he stretches, checking his watch before planting a kiss on Lucy’s lips before rushing out the big top. “I’ll be back.” Smiling Lucy watches him rush off.

     Entering the town, a little while later Rico enters the convenance store once more. Waving towards the cashier before leaning against the counter to question them.

     “Excuse me, I know this may be a weird question. But do you know what kind of lights you have and if so, may a see one?” The cashier gives him a questionable look before nodding and heading towards the back of the store. Returning a moment later with one of the bio-luminescent lights, taking them Rico places it within his hat. “Thank you.”

     “No problem is your friend, okay? Mrs. Garner is like that a lot to new people.”

     “I see.” Rico responds, placing his hat back atop his head. “Thank you, once I am done, I shall return it.”

     “Nah, boss won’t miss it.” The cashier waves Rico off which is a tab surprising.

     “Are you sure?”

     They nod as Rico makes his way towards the door. Thanking the cashier a few times before leaving and making his way to the grocery store.

     Gathering what he needs he tries to ignore the stares with his usual planted smile as he moves through the aisles. Once done he steps into the checkout. Piling his items onto the conveyor belt the woman eyes him as she scans each one slowly.

     “That’ll come to a One-Thirty-Five Twenty-Three.” Rico nods taking out his wallet and removing the appropriate bills. The soft mumbles of prying eyes on his back.

     “Isn’t that, that leader of those circus freaks that just cam into town this morning?”

     “I heard they already got things set up.”

     “Within that span it must be witchcraft… or worst yet- “

     “Quite ladies he can hear you.” The cashier in front of him glares the ladies down as Rico turns his head to face them.

     “Do not worry you all shall see our performances are something to behold.” He responds gathering everything and making his way out of the grocery the gathering eyes at his back as he makes his way home bags disappearing one by one as he walks.

     Once home he drops off the remaining bags and makes his way to his shared room. Finding Alex and Lucy resting for their show he sits down at a small table and prepares for the night.

     “This is going to be a tough crowd…”