Conley Brothers

She looked up deon the apple she was turning around in her hands, her tail swayed in response as a silent thank you.

"We'll see you in the ring" he needed to finish helping Adanya feed the animals
 
"Anytime" Chib smiled then headed off with Ling still draped over his shoulder ,red striped tail swaying as they went

Starnacht came out again after Chib had gone
 
Vlad gave Starnacht a pleasant smile. "Welcome back! I brought you out an apple if you are still hungry," he said, indicating the fruit. "And I believe you asked me a question... Oh yes, what is this place, correct? Well, this place is a bit of a sanctuary for people like us. It is a circus."

~~

The twins were stalking Mimic. He was wearing a lovely, shiny bangle that jangled on one wrist, and they wanted it! Oh, it was so pretty!
 
"Sanctuary?" He repeated "mean safe?" He asked to make sure he was understanding correctly

--

Mimic whistled softly as he went, heading towards the big top for practice, none the wiser to being followed
 
"Yes, it means safe," Vlad said. "There are a lot of different people here. Some of them are very nice, and some of them are very grumpy, but no one will do anything to hurt you here."

~~

The twins glanced at each other and grinned. Tam darted ahead and went to one of the stalls getting set up for one of the popular games. The barker had his back turned, so Tam tiptoed up and quickly knocked one of the legs before hiding again. The front of the stall wobbled then fell, spilling cheap stuffed toys into the fairway amid much cursing.

Tim hung back in Mimic's blind spot, and when the stall fell, creating the distraction, Tim darted up next to Mimic and slipped the bangle off his arm with a touch as light as air before disappearing between two other stalls. The twins ran until they reached the big cat tent and hid to stare at their newest aquisition.
 
his tail swished at that, happy news. "Starnacht... stay with Vlad?" he asked "I work hard yes very hard, earn my keep" the poor kid was practically pleading to be allowed to stay "Be good, no trouble, promise"

--

Mimic side stepped the avalanche of toys, none the wiser to his bangle being stolen, at least for the moment. no doubt he would notice later and take it up with Vlad. it was a safe assumption whenever shiny things went missing. for now they could enjoy their prize.

--

Felix was waiting by Camila's cart when Leon and Cami returned from town, none to happy to have learned Leon had whisked her away to town without his permission
 
Vlad smiled gently at the little fellow. "It will be crowded, but you may stay," he agreed. "There are two others that sleep here - usually - and I will have to let my boss meet you, but I will take care of you. You look like a very good worker, and I can use the help. Are you sure you want to stay, though? We travel a lot."

~~

The twins realized no one was chasing them and giggled softly. The passed the bracelet back and forth between them, taking turns wearing it and looking at it on their arms. So shiny! They didn't care if it was valuable, just that it glittered.

~~

Leon grinned. "We are back early for the rehearsal!" he said cheerfully. "And we did not get lost. That is always a pleasent surprise, isn't it, sister of mine?"
 
"I take up little space promise" he said, seeming eager and excited "No place go, all place bad hurt me" he told him "No minding to travel"

--

Felix frowned and glanced at the shopping bags "You know how I feel about you going into town Camila, it's not safe and no place for you" his eyes shot to Leon "And you Leon need to respect my rules and stop wasting money on frivolous things" he frowned "Whatever you've got in those bags needs to be returned tomorrow"
 
Vlad moved very slowly as he reached out and laid a hand on Starnacht's shoulder. "I will do whatever is in my power to keep you safe. No one will ever hurt you again while I can prevent it," he told the little one gently. "Come, let us get you cleaned up, yes? I will show you where you can sleep, and then we will meet my boss."

~~

"Arthur, my dear brother," Leon drawled, "we may be indebted to you for our very lives, and you may be our boss, but we are both adults spending our own money. Besides. I told you I intended to take her shopping, but you were not listening. You cannot blame me for that, can you?" He gave Felix a winning smile then nudged Camila's shoulder. "Go on inside and don't let this sourpuss put a crimp in your happiness about today."
 
Starnacht didn't shy away from his touch, abused sure, but not so much that he couldn't trust again. "Thank you Vlad! Thank you much!" he shifted to hug Vlad in his excitement. A place to be! a home perhaps!

--

"Stop calling me Arthur" Felix snapped in annoyance.
Cami gave Leon a smile before she slipped past Felix and went inside "Thanks Leon!" she called over her shoulder.

Felix sighed and took off his hat to run a hand through his dark hair. "You did not tell me anything of the sort, next time you tell me before taking her anywhere, I was worried something might of happened" he put his hand back on "Time for rehearsal, come on"
 
Vlad hesitated, surprised, then gently returned the hug. "You are very welcome, Star," he said softly. "I hope you like it here." He straightened and smiled at him. "Now! Let us get you cleaned up, yes? Are you ready to come into my wagon?"

~~

Actually, Leon had mentioned it to Felix, but it wasn't his fault that Felix hadn't been paying attention. Instead, he said in a sing-song tone, "Don't call me a liar and I won't call you Felix. You go have fun with your little pawns. I have the finances to attend to." He turned with a flutter of his jacket and strode away.
 
Felix rolled his eyes, honestly he wouldn't be surprised if Leon had told him, he'd just not admit to being wrong about anything ever. He'd already forgotten why he had been looking for Cami in the first place, the poor creature in the cage would be left waiting, not a good start.

--

Starnacht nodded "Starnacht trust Vlad now" he smiled, willing to follow his new friend anywhere now, like a stray puppy, he acted a little like one too the way his tail swayed like a dogs tail wagged
 
Leon hardly ever bothered with the rehersles or anything else relating to the actual performance side of the Circus. He did not dislike it, but neither did he see much appeal in it. Still, he ran an excellent add campain and brought in a lot of money. Well, it seemed like a lot until you divided it between paying the performers, feeding the animals, and keeping the equipment in good repair. Even so, there was still a fair amount leftover to split between them, and despite his luxious attire, Leon had managed to hoard quite a stash.

~~

Vlad smiled fondly, determined to never betray that trust. He led the little fellow inside and put the kettle on for hot water while he found a pair of shorts belonging to one of the twins when they were smaller (Oh how they'd grown in a year of steady eating!) and a loose shirt. Once the water was hot, he poured it in a bowl and handed a rag to Star to use to wipe himself down.
 
Vlad crouched on the floor much like he had crouched outside, watching Vlad intently, trying to learn how everything worked by watching him. He took the rag but was unsure what he was supposed to do with it so gave him a questioning look "What do with?" he asked and looked up at him again, rag in hand
 
Vlad smiled and took the rag back. "Be careful, the water is hot," he warned as he dipped the rag into the water then wrung it out. He crouched before Starnacht and started gently washing his face. He cradled his chin gently as he wiped the grime from the black skin. He was even blacker under the grime, and the white spots gleamed even more.
 
as he wiped the grime off the white spots, they were more than just spots, they were hard and gleamed like gems embedded in his skin though likely had grown in like his horns. He wrinkled his nose a bit but didn't complain or pull away, letting Vlad clean off the muck and it sounded like... he was purring?
 
Vlad ran his hand lightly over the spots, curious, but he did not make a big deal of it. Then he wiped down his arms and legs and down his tail, rinsing out the rag several times. Star's back was last. "Can you do your stomach and chest yourself?" he asked.
 
his tail seemed a bit more sensitive but he tried to keep it still for him. He had sharp spines down his back and along his tail that he could flex to lay flat or stick up "Yes I can do that" he gave a nod and held his hand out for the rag whence he had finished his back
 
Vlad handed it to him and let him finish up while he put out the pants and a loose shirt. He wasn't sure Starnacht could or would wear the shirt, but it was there as an option. "Once you are finished cleaning up, you can wear these things, and I will help you brush your hair." It was getting late, and he knew he was pushing things to get to the rehearsal in time, but this was more important.
 
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