Conley Brothers

Camilla as promised had spoken tl Vlad and invited them to have dinner with them. She didn't know if they planned to come or not as he hadn't asked Star yet but it was open.

Camilla tapped her fingers on the canvas to announce she was coming in before she pushed the flap open and entered the tent "good evening Claudius" she greeted in the same gentle voice she always used with him
 
Vlad rubbed his shoulder as he walked back toward the wagon, leading the pair of unicorns with him. He'd strained his shoulder a bit with a couple of those moves, but they'd been worth it! He put the unicorns out to pasture then entered the wagon. He hadn't finished Star's wagon yet, prioritizing Spectras, but that he should finish before long. "Starnacht? Are you awake yet?"

Claudius tipped his head, watching Camilla closely. Still the same. Nothing had changed with her. "Good," he greeted quietly.
 
It took a moment but he pushed the door open, yawning and rubbing his eyes "mhmm" he answered sleepily then sat one the step still rubbing the sleep away

-

Camilla smiled, glad to see he seemed well " I invited Vlad and Starnacht to join us for dinner
 
Vlad smiled and brushed Star's hair away from his face gently. "Good evening, little one. I have a question to ask of you."

~~

He lifted his head slightly. He hadn't seen Star for a while now. "Good," he said, satisfied. It still felt strange to converse with Camilla, but he wanted to try. He liked listening to her, though he tried not to make it obvious.
 
"Ok" he yawned once more and looked up at Vlad, eyes half lidded, must of been sleeping quite well today.

--

"I think he was just too tired last night but thru should come to ight I think so we'll give them a little time" she came and sat on the stool she left by the cage door so she could sit and talk with him "I brought you something to look at" she slid a photo album between the bars "some photos from the circus..thought you might like to see" she always managed to get a few taken here and there whenever she found a willing photographer
 
"Would you like to join Miss Camilla and her friend for dinner?" he asked. "The twins may come, too."

~~

He took the album gingerly, careful not to damage it with his claws. "Pictures?" he asked cautiously before opening the cover.
 
He perked up at thr mention of camilla and "friend" he liked them both so nodded eagerly "yes. That be nice. My friend too but older I think but that's ok"

--

Camilla nodded "Yes. Pictures of different people here and what we do" she explained "I can tell you about them.."
 
Vlad smiled and nodded. "Of course it is okay that he is older. If possible, one should have three friends; one that is older, one that is younger, and one that is close in age. You have the twins for close in age, and there is no one around here who would be younger, but that is alright. And now you have one that is older. Good!" He turned slightly. "Are you ready to go, or do you need more time?"

~~

Claudius carefully turned the page and solemnly studied the black and white pictures on the page. "Why do you want me to know?" he asked cautiously, keeping his voice low. "It is good... but why?"

It wasn't that he wanted nothing to do with the circus, but he was so accustomed to no one wanting anything to do with him that it was difficult to accept. Someday he'd recognize the kindness and acceptance, but it took time. Knowing something in your head and feeling it in your heart were two different things that did not always match up properly.
 
"And you friend too!" He said as he climbed to his feet "ready now but...where twins? They coming also?"

--

"Well...you're one of us now but I know change is hard so I thought if you could see pictures first it might help" she explained her reasonings
 
Vlad smiled at him. "Yes, I am your friend, too. The twins had to finish up some stuff in the Big Top, so they will meet us there."

~~

Claudius delicately turned to a picture then pointed o it. "He is stabbing himself?" he asked of the sword swallower.
 
Starnacht smiled "Then we go" he nodded, ready to follow him "Can I ask why we walk?" he had another question for him but didn't want to keep Camilla waiting and he was excited to see his friend in the cage too

--

Cami smiled "No" she shook her head "It's a trick... a show.. he trained himself to swallow them" she tried to explain
 
It took Vlad a minute to realize what it was Starnacht was asking. "Yes, you may ask a question while we walk," he assured Star with a smile.

~~

That seemed like a very silly and weird trick to do, but alright. He moved to another picture. "They are flying... on the swinging bars?" he asked slowly, vaguely remembering the act but not knowing what they were.
 
he nodded, considering how to phrase it but decided to be direct "Why you sign X for me?" he asked, looking up at him as they walked

--

"Trapeze" she provided the word he was looking for "It's hard and dangerous, people like to watch"
 
Vlad glanced around to make sure no one heard. No one was close enough or paying attention, but he still lowered his voice. "I do not know if I can answer that for you, Starnacht. I would like to trust Felix, but there is something about him and his contracts... I do not trust them. I could not help signing for myself, I did not know better then, and the twins have signed, but I saw a chance to spare you. I do not know if my fears are justified, so I do not talk about them with others, but I find it is better to be safe than sorry."

~~

He dipped his head and looked at the pictures. There were a few pictures of the flying people. Then one of a vaguely familiar character, though he did not know the name. He recognized the colorful layers, though, and the figure seemed to be guiding a pair of unicorns through some sort of obstacle. "This? This is... Bald... Vald..."
 
Starnacht nodded a little, he thought he understood "I think... I know what mean" he said nodding "Felix... make uncomfortable... I not know why but does... feeling strange" like an animal could sense something was off about someone, so could he .

--

Camilla smiled fondly at the picture "Vlad" she provided "He is coming with Star tonight... he is.. Star's caretaker and my friend, good friend"
 
Vlad took his hand and squeezed it gently. "Just avoid Felix for now. Be polite, for he does do much to take care of us, but stay away. If he ever does something that makes you uncomfortable, come tell me." He looked up. "We are almost to the tent now."

~~

"Vlad," Claudius repeated, twisting his neck unnaturally to look at the picture again. "And he has... horses? Dressed up nice?"
 
Star nodded "ok.. yes will do this" he said, so, pretty much always go to Vlad, he could do that, he trusted Vlad and Camilla

--

She smiled "unicorns" she told him "like horses but magic" she tried to explain "vlad does tricks with them" She told him "people like to watch that kind of thing"
 
Vlad tapped on the edge of the wagon to alert those within before lifting the edge of the tent and walking in. "Miss Camilla? Starnacht and I are here," he called in greeting. "Tim and Tam promised to be here soon, as well."

Claudius hesitated, withdrawing a little, but not as much as he had before.
 
Camilla smiled "good to see you Vlad" she stood up from the stool but didn't move away from the cage, looking in at Claudius "it's ok. Vlad is very kind" she assured him gently.

Star let go of Vlads hand and came up to the cage "you come eat with us? Put of cage?" He asked him
 
He ignored Vlad, his eyes on Star. Star was kind and tiny. Unassuming and not dangerous. "Eat... out there?" Claudius asked uncertainly.

Vlad smiled as he walked over to join Camilla. "How are you today, Miss Camilla?"
 
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