Ballora was awoken quickly by the sudden sound of Freddy crying out. She quickly moved, falling off the bed as she tried to stand up to grab him. She looked down at him on the bed as his small whimpers led to heckups. She picked him up gently, rocking him back and forth as she tried soothing the infant with a small melody. Humming the same song her mother would sing to her when she was a kid. Staring down at the small, polar bear as he reached his hands out towards her. His little fingers grabbed at her nightgown as he yanked on it. She knew what he wanted at the sight he was looking at.

"Oh. You're hungry." She pulled his fingers off her nightgown. "Let me make that milk for you, little one." A bottle of water poured over a small amount of baby formula. She shook it well as she moved her way over towards Freddy. His cries turned to sobbing.

"Hey. Freddy. Look, I made you your food." She placed the bottle on his lips, soothing him with the same song once again. His cries died out real quick as he began drinking down the milk. His legs relaxed, and his fingers grasped the side of the bottle while he watched her with small ear movements. Listening to her singing calmed him down and even slowly put him to sleep.

"See. Now I need you to be quiet for me. I can't get caught with you, Freddy." She brushed his small white fur away from his face. "Maybe a haircut is what you need. Good thing I know how to cut hair."

Freddy smiled at her, giggling at the sudden touch. He completely stopped drinking the milk at that point and focused on her. Ballora looked down at the cub, who smiled up at her. Grabbing his little blanket that wrapped around him. She smiled at him as he whimpered a little for the milk. Placing the bottle back in his mouth while she scooped him up in her arms.

Ballora soon realized what time it was as she glanced over at the clock. She had to get ready for practice. Friday is their big week for the circus. In two weeks, she had to pack up and hop on the train with everyone else. A never-ending job. Hopefully, the snow will delay that chance this year for just a little while. She did actually want to walk around the small town and take a look at the shops. But Ennard, a very controlling man, has other plans if that ever happened. He's a smart man. And he does catch on to certain things from time to time.

She has to find a way to hide Freddy from everyone else. Even Baby. She had no clue if she would snitch. And she has in the past. Baby is the second in command. Ennard has been training her for his position when she grows up. And she's almost exactly like their Boss.

Ballora stopped, looking at her tent to see some lights turning on through the fabric. Some people are already getting up a bit early. She quickly placed the bottle down on the stand and gently placed a somewhat sleepy baby on her bed. "Dang. How am I supposed to watch over an infant and do my job?" She questioned.

Ballora moved around to find the right clothes for herself. She watched Freddy as often to make sure he hadn't fallen off her bed. But, he seemed to have fallen in a deep sleep on his stomach. Realizing that Freddy had the blanket still wrapped around him and scared that he could have gone under the blanket. She took caution as to try not to wake the infant. His little hands lay to the side of his face as a small smile quickly disappeared.

Ballora smiled, her dimples showing through as her eyes squinted shut just a bit. Carefully, she moved towards the infant, grabbing the top of the blanket and slowly pulling it down towards his lower back.

"There." She exclaimed. "How am I supposed to take care of you when I have stuff to do?" She looked around, trying to find anything that would keep this child safe. "How am I supposed to keep you from being seen by my boss?" She had no one else to watch over Freddy. Ballora sighed. Kneeling down against the bed as she slowly picked up Freddy.

He moved a bit while she unwrapped his blanket. His diaper seemed a bit full from the look of it. "Great." She fussed. Grabbing a new dipper that was hidden behind her dresser while she slid the old one off. Freddy flinched at the sudden movement. His feet slowly kicked off the dipper that she tried to take off of him. A small bit of help from a very clever baby.

Now he was wide awake. His little smile as he grabbed his feet. While Ballora wiped his butt. "Gross." She whined. "I'm not ready to be a mother yet. And you're already making me not want children." She placed the new diaper on him and quickly wrapped him back up in the blanket.

"There. All clean!" He giggled at her. "I could sneak you in while I practice. Or, leave you here... but that wouldn't work if you started crying." She brushed the side of his head. "I could just call in sick. But they'll find a way to get me into practice." She turned, looking at the dresser than back at Freddy. "No, I can't do that. I guess I'll just have to bring you with, secretly. Find a place to hide you while I do a quick practice."

A small little yawn and a few movements from the blanket as he slowly settled down into a peaceful sleep. Ballora picked him up and slowly moved him to the middle of the bed. She placed her pillows on both sides as she tucked in the blanket all around, looking like a small barrier. "Stay here. I won't be long. I promise." She kissed his forhead before quickly leaving.

"You're late." A very grouchy Boss exclaimed. His hands point to where he wants her to stand. She quickly moved to that spot. And right next to Foxy. He's only twelve years old with a small, sassy tone in his voice. He's standing still, giving a few side glances at Ballora. He gives a small, confused look at her. This is the first time she has been late to practice.

Ballora rolls her eyes at Foxy as he kicks her foot. "Okay, everyone. I really want to get this over with. And if any of you mess up. Everyone will have to restart from scratch. Got it!" Everyone nodded. Ballora and Foxy stood still, looking at their Boss as he threw his clipboard off to the side. Giving a vibe of 'Just get on with it' vibe. Both Foxy and Ballora step back as Baby and a few other members all look to the side. Each one of them had an assigned partner. Only Ballora and Foxy were left to be on their own.

"Okay, so I wanna get this straight forward. Foxy. I know you like the attention, so I'll have you in the front while Ballora, you dance in the back." None of us had no clue what his plan even is. Baby already got the idea of it, and Foxy seemed somewhat understood of the assignment. A few others stood in their positions. A lion. Tall and masculine as he stood straight with a high and mighty look upon his face. Ballora stood awkwardly just above him while he stood there staring down at the poor girl. She could feel his eyes beeming at the back of his head.

"Can I-" Ennard cut Ballora off, putting up his hand as he already knew what she was going to say to him.

"No, you can not move. I picked these spots just for you guys. Now, I need everyone to follow my instructions as we try, and for once, please follow every movement you have. This is the final big performance. And I want this one to go out with a bang!" His eyes widened at the sight of the fireworks going off.

"I'll just stand here then." She mumbled. Kicking her feet in the sand.

Leon is the name of the Lions name. He always had his eyes on Ballora since the day they met as kids. She isn't too fond of him now due to his utter curiosity of her. He always works out and shows off his muscles to every girl he could get. What grossed her out was the fact that he would bathe in the small creek not too far from the camp site. He did keep good hygiene and brushed his teeth after every meal. But he was just way too out of her league. She didn't even find him attractive.

It felt like ages in this large tent. But, it didn't take too long for practice to be done and over with. Ballora left quickly back to her tent. She tried to act as if everything was normal. And to not get any attention from her crew. Her mind was more on Freddy. She just wanted to know if that small Cub is still sound asleep all tucked in and cozy.

She was suddenly stopped by Leon. He stood right in front of her, smiling at the sight of her gorgeous figure. She huffed. "What is it now?" She asks, crossing her hands as she stands there waiting. Her eyes glanced over at her tent as she wanted so desperately to run over to her little home.

"I just wanted to stop you. You know. I wanted to ask you if you wanted to head out on a date. Maybe you know. Later on -" Ballora stopped him right there.

"No." She bluntly said.

"You would even let me finish." She whined.

"And my answer could still be a no." She kept listening out for Freddy. Just hopefully, he hasn't woken up since she's been gone for almost an hour. "Look, Leon. I really don't have the time right now. I wanna head into my tent and quickly change into my regular clothes. Now. If you don't mind me. I'm going to go practice in my tent." She pushed him to the side as she walked right towards her tent.

"You're practicing for later on tonight, right?" He jokingly said, giving her the look. She huffed. Closing the tent up with a look of disgust.

Turning after she zipped up the tent to look at Freddy, all sound asleep. His small little ear movements as he had already heard her entering inside. Ballora walked over, leaning down on the bed gently. He stirred in his sleep.

He's so cute. His little face looked like she could pinch his little cheeks. "I hope you grow up big and strong, little one." She brushed back his little white hair. A small smile on his face made Ballora smile. He's so quiet. Even for an infant. "Maybe I can get used to this." She slowly stood up, stretching her arms out as she slowly got undressed with her new clothes down on the edge of the bed. Freddy watched her. Now wide awake and getting the idea that he's gonna get food. He starts moving under the blanket. Ballora turned to see him smiling.

Oh... she looked down at herself. "Sorry, Freddy. But I don't have that ability to do that just yet." She pulled her gray shirt over her head. Adjusting her shirt as she pulled her tutu off and slid on her shorts. Sitting down on the edge of the bed as Freddy began moving his legs more and more under the blanket. His little whimpers caught the attention of Ballora as she slid her last shoe off.

"I know. You're hungry." Standing up as she started making his formula. "Shhh, I have it right here." She gently picked Freddy up in her arms, adjusting his head to sit perfectly. The bottle is already in his mouth as she sits down on the edge of the bed.

It felt different. Something about him has changed her mind. He was growing on her really quick.