Small Struggles

I was quite content with myself this morning. I had a plan in my head as I drove to work. I had Golfballs day two education, teaching Snowball walking and talking, and general care for the pen that should be done when I get there. When I got there Dr. Foster was in the lab. I could hear small cries. They really liked to pick and choose when I had to do all the work. When I entered the workroom he was putting the retractors away with the rest of the tools for the tracking chip. He handed the towel wrapped child to me with a small smile. Looking under the towel I could see Pen got arms! I'm sure Fosters pleased with their streak of luck. I brought Pen with me to the sleeping rooms to let everyone out. I walked over and picked up Snowball, putting him in my pocket, leaving both my hands occupied. Tennis Ball went to see Golfball, who hadn't left her room.

"Golfball? Are you alright?" I could hear small whimpers from the room. I kneeled down, careful to keep Snowball safe. Golfball was curled up, holding in sobs.

"What's wrong Golfball!?" I asked calmly. She twisted to look at me.

"I got attacked! The mean one attacked me!" She cried. The only person who could've attacked her was Foster. How horrible.

"What did the mean one do?"I asked softly, trying to keep a calm tone. She stumbled out opening her mouth. One of her front teeth was missing, taken. Ah. I should've known he'd do that. I gently rested the towel on the floor and pet Golfballs head, trying to calm her. Tennis Ball stood over the towel.

"Another one!" He gasped happily. Golfball quickly ran over to join him.

"There is!" She said, instantly happy. I sighed, relieved she was quickly brought back by a new friend. I scooped Pen up into my free arm.

"Alright, guys lets go. Tennis Balls off the hook today." He looked at me confused as we walked.

"Off the huh?" He asked. I forgot they don't know any lingo.

"It means you have no more work. Golfball has to work today and then she's also "off the hook"." I explained. Tennis Ball nodded.

"I see... WAIT! Is today the day we get to talk to Snowball?!" Tennis Ball asked, getting Golfball curious as well.

"Yup! The second day is the first day you can hang out. So no hanging out with Pen yet." There was a slight tinge of disappointment about Pen. Glad they were excited though.

"So I'll bring him over later!" I reassured them as we parted ways so they could go to their own room. I brought Snowball to the second room and he looked at me with newly opened eyes.

"Hi!" I said, so he'd recognize my voice.

"Hi." He said. My eyes widened at his voice. It was greatly deeper than yesterday. It started with the same, cutesy high pitched voice. Now he sounded more like a twelve-year-old with a sore throat. Crazy how they grow like that.

I taught Snowball talking for a good while, still shocked by his voice. Moving on to walking was a little harder since I had Pen too. So I set little Pen in Snowball's room for awhile while I helped with walking. I teach him, we do the last test. He tried to be speedy and tripped, slamming into the ground. He of course immediately started bawling. I picked him and up and cleaned him for a quick minute then set him down for the test again. This time he didn't show off and just walked over. I still lifted him up and congratulated him on his achievements.

I set him down in his own room alone so I could see the first interactions with the others later. First I brought Pen to my office for lunch. I brought the food ball to his mouth and he was quick to start eating. He was very cute. They were all cute. It was so nice to help them grow and learn. Pen quickly finished and grabbed my fingers, making small noises as I let him move them around. I held my hand up as I walked out with more food for the others, letting Pen mess around. He squealed joyfully as I pushed one of my fingers done on him gently. Cute. I opened Snowballs room.

"Ready to go?" I asked calmly.

"Go where?" He asked picking at the grass.

"To see the others," I said pointing towards the other room. He peeked out towards it.

"Oh. Okay." He followed me over to the room. He hesitated to enter and I motioned that it was okay. He smiled and entered. I can only hope for the best. I gave them the food then I brought Pen with me to my office to take notes.

- - -

Snowball walked into the room nervously. Tennis Ball and Golfball turned to him, looking away from the food they got.

"You're here! That's great!" She cheered. She ran up to Snowball, staring at his arms.

"I won't be able to stay long since I have learning later, but I'm excited to meet you!" She rambled. Snowball laughed nervously.

"Um... alright?" He said smiling nervously. Tennis Ball joined Golfball in front of Snowball.

"Remember, he doesn't know everything yet Golfball," He said towards Golfball. He then turned to Snowball.

"Nice to meet you Snowball! We were just about to eat. But I'm sure playing would be funner wouldn't it?" Snowball nodded shyly. Golfball piped up.

"Oh! We could do the stacking thing!" She proposed. Tennis Ball smiled and nodded and they both turned to Snowball. He twiddled with his fingers.

"Alright." They both cheered and they walked to the other side of the room.

"Alright! I got a plan! Snowball, you'll stand on Tennis Ball, and then you lift me up above you! Perfect plan!" She cheered. So Snowball carefully stood on top of Tennis Ball, before holding his hands out to lift Golfball up. He lifted her and put her on his head. She cheered happily, above it all. Snowball felt included in this bunch. It was nice to be accepted. Suddenly, a loud noise happened, that startled Tennis Ball. He stumbled, sending Golfball and Snowball to the ground. Snowball was quite disoriented, but Golfball giggled her heart out. Dr. Xavier had opened the large door.

- - -

"Oh, I did it again! I'm sorry guys... I came to get Golfball for her learning time, sorry to mess up your thing again!" I apologized. Snowball seemed shaken up, but the others were quite fine.

"We're good!" Tennis Ball said smiling. Golfball stood up.

"Alright, I'm ready!" Golfball said, running out of the room. I waved goodbye to the others and left to teach Golfball. I had set Pen down in my office while I got Golfball, so while she went off to the area I taught her (a random space on the floor), I went to my office. Pen was sitting up, turning towards the sound of me entering.

"Sorry I left! I'm back now." I said scooping Pen up from my desk. He smiled.

"Is ok!" He said smiling. I smiled and brought him with me to where Golfball had already started reading.

"Oh is that the new one?!" She asked excitedly, seeing Pen trying to squirm from my hand.

"Yes, he is! This is Pen!" I said sitting Pen on the ground in front of her.

"Whys he so tall! It's not fair!" She whined. Which was reasonable. At her full height Golfballs 3.1 inches tall. Pen, not fully grown, is already 5.3 inches tall. He's definitely gonna be one of the tallest.

"It's just how it is Golfball we can't stop it!" I explained picking Pen back up.

"It's not very fair..." she muttered, continuing her learning. After she finished she and her friends had lunch. I was worried why they didn't eat earlier but they explained that they were excited about Snowball. And Tennis Ball and Snowball decided not to eat till she got back. Glad to see them get along! Hopefully Pen not being a ball won't stop anything. But I don't think it will. And speaking of Pen I need more things to use for the project. Pen. Pens are... writing utensils? Like stationary? So I'll add a pencil and eraser to my list. Maybe other tools like that? Who knows. Probably other stuff I can find from the office supply store. I'll ask Foster about making them in bulk, which might help this go faster. I noticed how sleepy Pen was and decided to put him to bed, going to Foster's office before my own.

"Hello, I had a few questions." I said from his doorway. He looked at me with an lackluster expression.

"What is it?" They sounded slightly annoyed. I cleared my throat.

"I was thinking... if we perhaps put objects in your serum in bulk, we could speed up the process of making it to the quota of..." I didn't know the number, how flawed of me. He thought for a moment.

"The quota of 22 Xavier. And I have multiple vials of the serum so making them in bulk would be easy work. Just bring me the supplies when you have them." They explained in a cool manner. He seemed completely unfazed by anything and everything. As I walked out he spoke again.

"Oh, Dr. Xavier?" He said. I turned to look at him and he had a small smile on his face, but it seemed... malicious.

"I'll take care of weight training with the Snowball, starting tomorrow." They said, a tinge of anticipation in their voice. It sent chills down my spine. I had to follow his demands because they are my boss but I wanted to go against it. My gut told me they was planning something vile. But I couldn't stop him. I nodded and left the room. I wanted to go home. I opened the emergency door on their room.

"It's time to go to bed, alright?" I hope they couldn't hear the nervousness in my voice. Golfball smiled.

"Ok!" She said happily and the boys followed close behind her out the door. They all chatted happily on their way to the rooms. I kept an eye on Snowball. He seemed genuinely happy so I was worried about what would happen tomorrow. But I can't stop Foster. I'll just have to hope Snowball is strong enough to overcome anything that happens.

They get along!!!

How cute eh?

Hah

:•)