Personally, Howard found the circus psychics and wand twirlers hilariously dull. As a boy he'd wanted to join the circus as a magician with his deck of cards, studied every book and practiced till his fingers bled. Then he got bored of it and forgot about the deck of cards in his old closet.

Men on stilts thudded by like unstable elephants while naive children danced along to tunes being played, most likely by the huge speakers hauled up on the poles. Trash flashed by as miserable looking clowns tried to be funny for the kids who thankfully seemed entranced.

He entered one of the tents. The "freak show" of sorts. Crab men scattered around their areas while long armed Louise paraded around with her,, well... long arms.

The space was far too crowded and dark for him, the only lights around were on the attractions and none on the pathway. A real tripping hazard.

Howard smiled as he locked eyes on what he was looking for. "Vince the Death Speaker" next to a much shorter man in brightly coloured robes "Naboo the enigma" read an empty painted stall next door.

You see, Howard wasn't just a big skeptic, he was a professional one. The biggest journalist in debugging and exposing psychics as well as "real" magicians. He began walking, talking larger strides than he had before. The taller man adjusted his woven hat before speaking.

"I'd like a reading," Vince slowly turned around. His black bushy hair covering up most of his face, but what was noticeable was his absurd fashion choice. Red off the shoulder shirt, skinny jeans or even leggings, with how tight they seemed to fit, and silver ankle boots. It was outrageous from where Howard was standing, or from where anyone else was standing.

"Perfect!" His voice admittedly was a bit of a shock, a lot harsher than expected. He was quickly lead behind some bedazzled curtains and into a cramped room filled with things from raven wings to frangapani. Howard took the nearest seat. "You are aware that it's a pay first kind of thing?"

"Yes sir," Digging into his pocket, Howard produced £100.

"Tits, you want a really thorough reading," the dark haired boy greedily snatched the money from the table, shoving it into a small box on top of a repurposed dresser. "Hand," Howard was cautious in placing his own hand in a stranger's but he complied.

There had been 5 deaths in his whole life, both his grandparents of old age and his father at 12. 6 if you count the old dog. That one probably hit the most.

The psychic was silent for a moment, which was surprisingly uncommon. They'd usually be chanting nonsense or "sensing something by now". He must've spoken too soon because Vince was wildly twitching. When his eyes opened once more they were a milky white, no iris, no pupil. Howard watched as they faded back into his empty eyes.

"That was one hell of a ride. I asked around. Who would you like to speak to Mr Howard Moon. One of your grandparents, your dad or your dog?" He almost fell off his chair. There was literally none of the shit that commonly happens. None of the guessing like "I see a man, his name is something like..." nor did the younger man in front of him get told his real name. His only accessible name is H. Moon. He stared for a good while.

"How about, you're dad. You lost him pretty-"

"Oh my god I'm so sorry," In frantic panic to stop Vince from contacting his father, he might have pushed him over.

"That's a bit of a first," the psychic groaned, pushing the older man away. "What was that for?"

"I.. uh.. panicked?" The blue eyed boy rolled his eyes.

"I mean it's not the worst thing that's happened, some guy pulled a knife on me because he thought I was the devil,"

"Oh, oh no. That's,, uh,, unfortunate,"

"Do you always sound like a robot with a stick up it's arse or is it just me?" Howard sheepishly smiled, he was acting quite robotic now that he thought about it. "Little embarrassed? What? Thought your could debunk me in a little magazine," his face shot up.

"How'd you know that?" Vince could see the mans tiny eyes narrow.

"Chill, you're grandma told me. Lovely lady. She's invited me round for tea," that certainly eased the tension as the moustached man began to laugh.

"You're not too bad I guess Vince."

"I'll take that with pride. Do I get a certificate I can hang up 'certified psychic by the biggest asswipe," Howard rolled his eyes "the biggest pedo in the country" he bit his tongue to stifle a laugh, scowling instead "kiddy fiddler?"

"I'm not a pedophile! I'm a man of dignity!" He exclaimed as Vince rolled his head back grinning.

"Alright nana nonce,"

"Hey!"

"Patty Peeper,"

"Where'd you even get to these conclusions?!"

"The moustache and... no just the moustache."

In the moment Vince finally realised how close they actually were to each other. Howard didn't seem to mind.

"Are you?"

"Yeah,"

"Fucking perfect,"