Conley Brothers

He shook his head "Only when I go very far like any travel make tired" he answered "Other things make more tired" he went on, he could do more than just travel through the shadows! He took Vlads hand again and pulled him closer to the wagon where there was some lantern light.

He stepped into the light, looking like a black shadow himself. He held his hands out and focused, after a moment shadows began to gather in a visible misty black orb in his hands, after he had a good sized black ball in his hands he threw his hands up like he was tossing confetti. The ball went up and then dispersed and though the lantern was still lit, but the light it should spread was gone, the lantern's light confined to right around the flame itself. Gradually the light began to come back though

--

Ling walked over to the cage "Oh the poor thing" she said softly as she looked at him. "You're scaring him Ling" Chib frowned.
"Scared of me?" he glanced at Chib then back at Claudius "You're not scared of me are you? Nothing scary about me I'm just a panda"
 
Tim and Tam froze, a shiver going through their bodies. They drew closer together warily, suddenly nervous though they weren't certain why. This darkness felt different. Strange.

Vlad stood still, watching the darkness. He held out a hand and drew his fingers through it, testing it. "How curious," he remarked quietly. "How very curious."

~~

Claudius didn't answer, his eyes now on the person closest to him. Panda? Whatever it was. He pressed tighter into the corner, crouched as low as he could go. He wasn't quite as freaked out as right after those boys had visited, but he was still on edge and nervous. Everything was a threat to him.
 
There was nothing there for him to touch, just, felt cool but otherwise empty space. He wasn't making the shadow stay so it was soon light again in that space. That was when he noticed Tim and Tam, they were scared, at least that was how he interpreted their reaction. He didn't want them to be scared so he shrank back and crouched near the wagon, trying not to look threatening.

--

"Ling come on lets get this tarp up" Chib said, not wanting to cause the poor thing more stress.
Ling didn't pay any attention, instead, she shifted forms right there and wiggled between the bars on the other end from where he had hunkered down. She sat and tilted her head curiously at him, much less threatening as a cute little panda! or so she hoped.

Klondike had his eyes on her, looked like a nice snack to him! but he stayed back anyway, because Adanya was there and, he didn't fancy getting any closer to that thing
 
As the darkness faded away and things returned to normal, the twins relaxed though still looked around uneasily.

Vlad smiled and held out a hand to Starnacht. "It is alright, Star. That is a marvelous gift you have!"

~~

His heartbeat rocketed. Shapeshifter! A shapeshifter that could let itself into his cage! His breathing picked up, and something deep within him stirred. He almost growled, the sound rumbling softly. He had nowhere to run. He could not get away from this thing. It was smaller now, yes, but what was stopping it from changing to something bigger? If it came closer, he would defend himself. His fingers clawed slightly as he watched the creature.
 
Star looked towards the twins "I scare them...I didn't mean to.." he didn't take the hand yet, worried that might somehow offend the twins too

--

Chib grabbed her up by the scruff and pulled her out "Ling I told you. You're scaring him.
Lings eyes narrowed at him before wriggling to be put down. She huffed in answer so he set her down and let her shift back to her human form. "This is miss Camillas charge. Don't go approaching him until she says he is comfortable" Chib scolded her.

"Can we get the tarp up now?" Adanya asked impatiently

"Yes yes. Lets do that" Chib answered and went around to help
 
Vlad did not withdraw the hand, but he did not push forward, either. "Yes, but that is alright. They will soon get over it," he assured Starnacht. "New things are often scary, but we mustn't let that stop us, must we?"

~~

He relaxed a little when the thing was dragged from his cage. At least the other humans did not want her messing with him. That was good. He'd probably get into trouble if he hurt the shapeshifter. He watched cautiously, moving to the center of the cage as they moved about.
 
he hesitated but nodded and took his hand, standing up right "I'm not scary... I'm nice..." he glanced at the twins again "Sorry I scared you..."

--

between the three of them they got the tarp back over the cage and secured down for the night, Camilla none the wiser to what had happened
 
Vlad smiled in approval and gently squeezed Starnacht's hand.

The twins relaxed and one smiled tentatively at Star. "It's okay. We were startled, that's all. The dark can be scary or nice or both."

~

As the tarp settled over Claudius, he relaxed, calmed by the sight deprivation. Moving the tarp made an unholy amount of noise, especially if you were under it, but it signaled safety to Claudius.

He hugged his pillow gently as he stared at the new wall and found himself wondering about the other female the one who had tended to him. Why hadn't she come? Maybe this was the night shift and she had the day shift. He liked her a good deal mote than this other female.

This female was a formidable creature. Half of him found her terrifying and wanted to keep away. The other half found her challenging and wanted to dominate her for control of this area! The first half thought the second half was truly psychopathic and wanted to get them killed.

Both halves of him thought he'd been stuck thinking and conversing with himself for far too long.
 
"Well..yes..it is both but as long as you're with me it is safe" he promised them "the shadows are home for me" he explained? Better than the light where he had a hard time seeing. Thinking about it that way made him realize why some were so scared of the dark.

--

The three of them spoke out outside for a few moments before it was decided Chin would keep watch to male sure nobody else came along to bother him.
 
"Okay!" the twins agreed in unison. They smiled at him, and it was as if nothing scary had ever happened.

"You two go on to bed," Vlad told them. "I'll be in soon."

The twins nodded and scampered to the wagon.

~~

He slowly adjusted himself in his nest and watched the very faint shadow outside his walls. Maybe he wouldn't sleep tonight. Everything was too unpredictable.
 
Star gave a little smile then looked back up at Vlad "what will I do?" He asked. The twins had brought up a good point for him.
 
"That is a good question," Vlad admitted. He guided Star over to sit facing the horses. "I have been trying to think about some chores you could do at night and some ways to possibly make it easier for you if you wanted to be out in the day more. Let's start with evening chores. You could walk around and check on the animals and all the wagons and alert us if anything is wrong. You must never try to interfere if someone is doing mischeif, but having someone like you to sound the alarm would be a great help. What do you think of that idea?"
 
He nodded eagerly "oh! Yes I could do that I am good at watching from shadows. Nobody know I there" he answered with enthusiasm. He'd probably do anything Vlad asked of him
 
"Excellent!" Vlad said proudly. "And I will continue to think of other things you might be able to do. What do you think you could do?"
 
Star blinked "I don't know...not normal to be around others..not know what chores there are" he tried to explain "but you say and I will do"
 
"And I am not used to someone who is most active at night," Vlad admitted with a smile. "If you think of something you think will be helpful, or if you have any questions, I will be happy to hear it."
 
He gave a nod "maybe have more ideas after tonight" he reasoned, made sense.

"Is..anyone else awake at night?"
 
"I will be for a few more hours, but I do not know anyone who is awake much at night," Vlad said. "Just be careful and use your wits. Most here in the circus are trustworthy, but people come and go, meaning there are new ones all the time, and Keith might be about."
 
"Keith bad" he remembered and nodded a littke "I be careful. Nobody see me promise" he said cheerfully. If he did see Keith he would stay clear away!
 
Vlad smiled and gave Star's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Good. Would you like to walk around the circus a little bit so you can get the layout? They will be closing the gates soon, so we will not be too bothered."
 
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