Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

Jun started. The noise was coming from Lian's room. She opened the door and peeked inside. "Lian?" she said. "What are you doing?"

The little boy was flopped on his back, kicking the wall. "Bowed!" he whined. "Pway wif me!"

"I can't," she said. "I have to study."

"Pwease?" Lian's eyes were huge as he begged her. "Pwease pwease pwease pway with Lian!"

Jun tried not to look at him. "Oh, all right," she finally caved. She sat down on the floor next to him. "What do you want to play?"

"Pway wif Tigey!" Lian crowed.

Jun picked up the stuffed animal, its fur worn and plush nose slick from constant love. "And what is Tigey doing?" Jun asked. "Is he at the zoo? Is he at school? Is he at the circus?"

Lian's amber eyes widened. "Cihcus?" he repeated. "What that?"

"A circus is like a big party," Jun explained. "There are jugglers and acrobats that perform, and all sorts of good things to eat, and lots of animals."

"Tigies?" Lian breathed.

"Yes, lots of tigers," Jun laughed. "So, is Tigey at the circus?"

"No!" Lian shouted. "Lian go to cihcus!"

Jun quickly sobered. "Lian, we can't go to the circus," she said. "We're not allowed to leave without Master's permission."

Lian pushed himself up and began to toddle rapidly towards the door. "Lian go ask!" he said cheerfully. "Mastuh tell Lian yes!"

"No!" Jun exclaimed. She lunged across the floor, grabbed Lian around his waist, and dragged him back. "We can't. Master won't say yes to Lian, Master will be very angry with Lian!" She brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes. "Master is scary when he is angry. We can't make him mad."

A loud church bell clanged, startling both of them. "I have to go to dinner," Jun said. She kissed his chubby cheek. "I'll be back in just a little bit, okay? Be good. Bailong and Ma-sun will keep an eye on you." Jun summoned Ma-sun from his talisman. "Ma-sun, watch Lian-chan," she commanded.

"I obey," he said sullenly, not happy at the order to babysit a toddler. Jun nodded and left for dinner.

When she returned less than half an hour later, Bailong was right where she had left him. But Ma-sun and Lian were nowhere to be found.

"Lian?" Jun called. "Lian-chan, where are you? I need to put you to bed." She wandered back into his room. "Lian, it doesn't matter where you hide. I'm still going to give you a bath."

She searched through the entire apartment. Lian and Ma-sun were nowhere to be found.

And then, at long last, she found a clue. Lian had left several of his bathtub toys on the floor, arranged in a neat line. A tiger, a lion, and an elephant.

"The circus," Jun whispered.

Author's Note: Whoo, long time, no update!! Sorry!! Well, here's some new stuff, and a twist in the plot.

Oh, and I need some ideas. I'm going to cosplay for an upcoming convention, but I have no idea who I should be!! Any thoughts for a really short, round-faced girl with browny-blondy hair?