Conley Brothers

Felix turned when Vlad spoke. He smiled pleasantly enpugh "No I came to see you and Starnacht. I assumed you would return soon"

Star hugged Vlads arm he didn't like Felix
 
"Yes, we were just having a discussion with Miss Camilla about her new charge. He seems to be shaping up quite well," Vlad smiled. "Star, why don't you go rest in the wagon? It is getting rather bright out here."
 
"Not so fast. I need Star to sign his contract" Felix said taking the envelope from some inside pocket.

Star had started to go but stopped, uncertain now
 
"Could we perhaps do it this evening?" Vlad asked, his brow knit in concern. "Starnacht is better suited to the darkness, and I worry with how much he has been in the sunlight already. This evening would be far better for him."
 
"It will only take a moment" Felix insisted "I can't have him being here without a contract. That incident last night with Keith should be evidence enough it is not wise"
 
"I had not realized Keith read the contracts, although that does remind me I wanted to speak to you about that," Vlad said calmly. "If Starnacht had not happened into the cage he did, I have no doubt your guard dog would have killed him." His tone was still calm and polite, but there was a slight spark in his eye. In circus history, Vlad had only lost his temper once, but it was an event no one ever wanted to be repeated. The others wouldn't even talk about it, just make a brief reference, shudder, and move on as if they had been speaking about anything else but that.
 
"He doesn't read them. But he knows who is under contract and who is not. And that is my point Vladimir. Starnacht is not yet under contract so is an outsider and not under my protection until he is. Keith was doing his job."
 
"Then I fear for any legitimate visitors who might stay the night with a friend," Vlad said dryly. "Starnacht, do you wish to sign the contract now?"
 
"You should know the policy on visitors. Never to go unaccompanied" Felix reminded with a note of annoyance

Starnacht was hugging tightly to Vlads arm, he looked up at him then back at Felix. He didn't answer just hid his face against Vlad
 
Vlad raised a brow at Felix, unimpressed. He almost said something then stopped himself. He took a breath and began again. "I think you put too much faith in these pieces of paper, Mr. Conley, but if it will give you peace of mind, then very well." He looked down at Starnacht. His voice grew gentler as he spoke to the frightened little fellow. "Do you know how to sign your name, little one? Mr. Conley needs you to sign a paper promising that you will not hurt him, and in return for your work, he will pay you. Do you understand?"
 
Felix watched, glad he didn't have to waist energy using his charm to get the boy to sign.

Starnacht shook his head "No... Not know how to write" he said timidly, just loud enough for Vlad to hear "But I promise, not want hurt anyone" he said shaking his head "
 
"I know you would never hurt anyone," Vlad assured him gently, "but Mr. Connley does not trust anyone ever, and he needs his bits of paper to feel safe. Do you know how to make an X? Like this?" He drew the symbol in the air with his finger. As he did so, tiny sparkly lines appeared in the air for a bit of effect to try to make Star feel better.
 
He watched him draw the X in the air. Simple enough. He could do that so he nodded a litr "ok...if You think..that I should" he answered quietly, too nervous to speak to Felix directly
 
Vlad hesitated though only for a moment. No, he did not think it was a good idea, though he could not have explained why, but he also could not bear the thought of Felix forcing the little one to leave him. "It is what must be done," he said quietly. He turned to Felix. "He will sign an X... but are you certain there cannot be an exception made for him? He is just a child."
 
"I didn't make an exception for the twins nor will I for him" Felix stated. "It's as much for his own good as mine" he held the contract out to Vlad
 
Vlad gingerly took the contract. "I hope someday you deal with your trust and control issues," he said dryly before kneeling down. "Alright, Starnacht. You will take the pen and make a little X here on the line, okay?"
 
Starnacht accepted the pen, glancing nervously at Felix. Something didn't feel right. He didn't want to draw an X there but Vlad said that he should. "I don't want" he whispered just for Vlad to hear him
 
Vlad hesitated only a moment then started to stand. Before he completed the move, he frowned at something behind Felix. "What is going on over there?" he asked, sounding bewildered. Trusting Felix to do the natural instinctual thing of turning to look, he whisked the pen from Star's hand, drew the crooked X himself, then stuck it back in Star's hand. He didn't know if there was any exact magic in these contracts even though he was fairly certain there was, or if it would accept his signature and be fooled, but as long as Felix was fooled, it was enough. He stood quickly, hands behind his back, before Felix had the time to turn back and see what he'd done.
 
Felix frowned and looked back but saw nothing. He sighed and looked back at Vlad and Starnacht, assuming the kid just didn't want him looking at him he didn't question it and snatched the contract back, looking it over frowning. For now he seemed satisfied.

"Good. That wasn't so hard." He was impatient clearly
 
"No, sir," Vlad said politely. He shifted the topic slightly. "Now that the contract is signed, might I request some kind of extra space for the child? I am happy to keep him, but my wagon is small. I had hoped for some small, lightless trailer, perhaps?"
 
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