Conley Brothers

Striker growled softly, a warning sound "I am not a fool. It's written in the contract with your brother. I would not have come if they are not guaranteed protection. Your threats are idle ones."

"I'll be watching and making sure whatever is in that cage is treated well and released" Adanya wasn't threatened by either brother and she recognized the older one as the leader anyway not Leon so her final words where to Felix and not Leon at all, blatantly ignoring his pretense after saying her piece.

"Comw Striker. Leave the girly man be" she stroked the side of Strikers neck as she turned to go.

Striker stood, lingered a moment then followed Adanya
 
Leon snorted dismissively. "Idiot. Protection goes both ways, and that wasn't a threat, it was a factm" he muttered sourly. If a circus animal - even a weird circus like this one - attacked anyone, it was dead. Those were the rules. If it happened when only the circus people were present, it was possible they could cover it up and spare the animal, but if anyone from the outside witnessed it...

Then he turned to Felix. "Why did you buy her to begin with? She is absolutely impossible to reason with." Then he went on without giving Felix room to argue. "You should have explained the situation with this thing and spare us all this nuisance."

Vlad had heard the tail bit of the argument as he was passing just down the "road" a bit. He paused, watching Adanya curiously. He hesitated a moment, then walked to intercept her, careful to give her room as he balanced several short boards on his shoulder. "Is everything alright?" he asked gently. "You seem distressed."
 
Felix frowned at Leon "Like it or not we need Adanya. She's the only person alive that can keep all those animals in the ring together. Not even big bertha has an animal attraction like we do"

Adanya only caused trouble when it came to animals well being. Otherwise she quietly kept to herself and did her own thing.

Felix looked back at the cage "and I didn't explain because she wouldn't understand. Now. Still questioning my decisions little brother. Make yourself useful why don't you. Make sure our dear sister isn't getting i to trouble"

-

Adanya looked up at him. Glad it was someone she tolerated, maybe even liked. "I don't like cages" she stated
 
Leon huffed, rankled. "Every leader needs someone to question their decisions. Otherwise, he'll wander around thinking everything is roses and gumdrops until the guillotine drops on his neck." He flicked his hair over his shoulder. "I will happily go see to our sister! She is much more of a delight to be with than you or your vagabonds." He sauntered off, his white jacket sparkling in the sunlight.

In the cage, he stirred and shifted, his heart pounding in anxiety from the tense voices outside.

~~

Vladimir looked past her to the covered cage. "Ah." He hesitated, thinking carefully before he took another step toward her and lowered his voice. "I am not supposed to know this, but I saw when they brought that thing in. The person who owned it previously kept it in a cage so small I do not think it could have properly turned around. This cage is terrible, I know, but it is better than what it had. I think they are trying to ease it into freedom without traumatizing it too badly. Does that make you feel any better?" He looked at her sympathetically. He knew he probably did not understand the depth of her hatred of cages, but he understood enough. This time, though, as long as they kept moving forward, he thought perhaps the cage was a good thing.
 
Felix sighed. Today was not his day. He rubbed his temples a moment before he lifted the tarp again to look in on his newest addition. "Can you speak?" He didn't so2ak soft and gentle like Adanya.

--

Adanya stopped and looked at Vlad more directly "no cage, no chains, no collar is ever good. For animal or human or anything. These things are bad always" and nobody was going to convince her otherwise

-

Camila was talking to Spectra when Leon found her. Spectra, ever flirty and always on costume. She liked to flaunt her figure and tease anyone who gave her even a little attention "well good morning handsome" she greeted, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she looked him over
 
He sat up slowly, the spines rippling along his spine as he did so, the uneven horns on his head glinting a little. "Yes," he whispered, his voice hoarse from disuse. It sounded like sandpaper across metal.

~~

"Perhaps not, but familiarity can seem good, and change - even good change - can be scary," Vlad pointed out. "Sometimes it is best to go slowly and introduce good changes in a way that is not scary." He glanced back toward Felix. "And I am sure they told you to leave him alone... but a ringmaster is a very, very busy man. I am sure there will be times when neither he, nor his watch dog will be around the cage." He started walking. "Not that I would ever tell you such a thing."

The twins suddenly raced passed and tried to touch Striker's tail as they ran.

Vlad caught them both by the collar in one hand.

~~

Leon's smile sparkled as he took in Spectra. "Good day to you, my beauty!" he greeted her. "Ah, but my day is so much the better for having seen your glorious face!"
 
Felix watched him as he moved "good" he gave an approving nod "I have someone who can heal your wounds. You won't harm her?" He questioned. Not wishing to expose his sister to danger.

--

Adanya glanced back at Felix and tbe covered cage before walking again "they why is it locked?"

--

Spectra smiled "oh you flatter me Leon " and she loved every second of it

Before she could say more though Camila turned around and interrupted "morning Leon. I was just checking up on everyone"
 
He didn't know how to answer that. Him harm someone else? Was it an order or a command not to? No, better assume it was just a question. "No?"

~~

"Why is what locked?"
"Can we go see?"
"What is it?"
"Where is it?"
"Maybe we can be friends!"

Vlad held the twins before him and gave Adanya a look. "These two have a game of playing with your tiger and apparently have no self-preservation skills. I have to admit that until we're certain this new creature won't eat them - even if it's because it thinks these two are a threat - either it or these two should probably be put somewhere safe."

As if to underscore his point, one of the twins tried to reach out and rub Striker's head.

~~

"So I see," Leon said, dragging his eyes away from Spektra. "And how is everyone today?"
 
Felix studied him "good. Then I will bring her later to tend your wounds" he stated. He wouldn't have his new attraction getting sick now. Camila would have to make sure of that.

-

Adanya was the one to catch the hand before they lost it. She didn't let go but wasn't holding tightly either "you want to pet him you must ask him" she said "or you will not have fingers" she cautioned "I'll show you how to ask if you want"

--

Cami glanced at Spectra and sighed "and you don't care" she noted "you'd rather flirt with Spectra. Well don't let me stop you Leon"
 
"Yes," he whispered. "Thank you for your kindness." He curled up again, watching the new owner from under his arm. What did this new owner want?

~~

"We can?" breathed the twin. "But he never let us!"
"Vlad says no petting tigers," the other said.

"If you listen to Adanya, really listen to her, I will let you go," Vlad said seriously.

~~

Leon put a hand to his chest, pouting. "Cami, my first love! Your words wound me. How could you say such a thing?"
 
"If you listen careful and do what I say, Striker will let you pet him, he likes to be pet" she told them "can you listen well?" she raised a brow at them, waiting for their and Vlads response before she would show them

--

Camila smiled shaking her head a little "Mm I say it because it's true" It was all said in good humor of course

"Mm well I won't put you through the torture of having to choose dear Leon" she stepped closer "I do need to go practice" she started to step past him to go do just that, she paused briefly next to him "Though you're always welcome to watch" she invited before walking past him
 
The twins nodded eagerly. "We will listen to Adanya!" they promised.

Vlad carefully released them. "Thank you, Adanya. I will be at my wagon. If they cause you any trouble, please let me know."

~~

Leon watched Spectra go with a soft sigh of regret then turned to Camila with a bright smile. "Have you completed your rounds, dear sister? I thought I might take you into town with me!"
 
Adanya looked up at Vlad "You don't want to learn?" It wasn't often she would offer something like this. It was known not to mess with her cats, as she said, they were not tame. Not exactly.

--

Camila raised a brow, glancing after Spectra "I have but...." she looked up at him as what he said registered "Go to town? Felix won't mind?" Felix was very protective of Camila, she never went into town unless Felix was the one escorting her. She was always fascinated by the way the regular folk lived, having only really known the circus, not remembering much of street life
 
Vlad smiled and bowed to Adanya. "I would, but if I go and work with the unicorns smelling of tiger, Negru will surely try to stomp on my hands. He is very jealous of my affentions, you know."

One of the twins raised a hand. "Negru is the black one. He tried to poke me."
"Me too!"

~~

Leon grinned and waggled his brows. "He is busy setting up and dealing with a new aquisition. What he doesn't know won't hurt him."
 
She nodded a little, understanding and respecting that. she'd helped with the unicorns a couple times but Vlad seemed a good handler. "Well, maybe another time. I think you are good" that was saying something coming from her, usually only liking animals

she looked back at the twins "Probably because you weren't respecting them were you?"

--

she grinned back "I don't always approve of your mischief but I do this time" she said happily. "Let's go then before he does take notice" Felix never let her even look at the latest fashions or anything of the kind. No perfumes, no jewelry.. he said it was to protect her but she wasn't a child anymore! Still she respected him, mostly, as he had raised her, he and Leon both
 
Vlad smiled. "That means a lot. Thank you, Adanya," he said quietly before taking his leave.

The twins looked at each other guiltily. "No?" they said sheepishly.

~~

"Only because it suits you this time. Just wait until I bring up something that only suits me," Leon teased her gently. He took her arm and strolled out toward town. "Just don't bring home anything that he'll see and disprove of. Then I'll get a solid scolding, and you know how much I hate those."
 
Adanya smiled "see that's the problem. Animals need respect. You let them decide"

She sat down on the ground "now with tigers. Don't meet their eyed that's a threat" she explained "and watch his ears and tail. They tell you if he is comfortable or not" she said "see how his tail is up and his ears are forward. Means he is curiouse about you. Now. Put your hand out flat"

--

She laughed lightly and let him lead her away "don't worry brother dear. I won't get you into trouble"
 
The twins followed Adanya's directions, being quieter than they had ever been around Adanya or the tiger. They tried to watch the tiger's ears without meeting his eyes, but it was harder than it seemed. They held out their palms flat and tried to copy her and be still.

~~

Leon patted her arm lightly. "You are worth any trouble you could ever not get me into!" he said cheerfully, teasing her gently as he led the way.
 
"That's it..let him come to you" she said gently.

Striker stood up and sniffed at their hands a moment before gently butting his head against each of their hands, his tail relaxing.

"There see. That's how tigers say hello. They rub against you to put their scent on you. Mark you as ok" she told them "now you can pet him. Nice and easy"

--

Cami beamed up at him "so what are we going to do in town?" she asked cheerfully
 
The twins cooed in excitement, their eyes sparkling as they stroked Striker's head and neck. "Pretty kitty! So gorgeous. So soft! So kind. Such a nice pretty kitty!" they keened, complimenting the giant cat sincerely.

~~

"Well, I thought you might like to get something nice while we are here. Perhaps a hat or a dress?" Leon suggested. "Of course, there are always all sorts of trinkets, nice paper, those sorts of things. Whatever you like!" He paused. "As long as it is not a flapper dress or will make our stuffy brother furious."
 
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