"I'm afraid if I miss my target I may very well be out of a job, so let us hope that is not the case." 

Kate laughed and pecked at her food, going on with the conversation. "And I am a pretty princess, thank you for noticing." She grinned and then looked out over the camp. The Big Top was not set up yet, but the workers could be seen setting the support beams and assembling the large tent in preparation for the night to come. 

Kate set her plate to the side, but continued talking to Claire, even though responses were few and far between. She had a bad habit of rambling on about many random things that had no particular relevance, but she was glad to have a friend that was willing to listen to her endless talking and not beg her to shut up. 

"So I heard the horse trainers had to go out and catch the equine after someone left the stable gate open. Crazy things are happening around here, let me tell ya. People need to be more careful..." She kept talking, about anything that came to mind. It was several minutes later before she realized she had not heard from Claire in many moments. 

"Oi, are you still hanging in there? I know I've said a mouth full, but-" 

Kate saw that her friend was lying on her back with her eyes closed. The sun was beaming down, warming their skin and marking a clear and beautiful day, which was something of a pleasant surprise. Kate watched Claire for a few minutes. How at ease she was and how confident she was with herself and her big cats, it impressed Kate. 

She wished that she could have that same confidence, but she was happy as she were with her life. She allowed herself to reminisce about all those years ago, before either of the girls were here with the circus. They were miserable, left alone in an orphanage with little hope of being adopted. Sure, the caretakers there were kind and caring of them, but for Kate at least, she craved more even at that young age. 

That's how they ended up here, in one of the best and most renowned circus shows in the entire world. She smiled to herself as she thought about it, realizing she never would have had the guts to leave or to join a circus had it not been for Claire. Looking down at the camp, she began to notice people stirring again, as the sun was beginning its descent towards the horizon. Kate gave Claire a shake and grinned. 

"Wakey, wakey. I hope you enjoyed your cat nap, but we have a show to perform in just a few short hours."