What a horrible day to be outside the streets of Burmecia. The sky produced heavy amounts of rain. Thunder roared and lightning streaked across the sky. Gusty winds blew shutters open and close and various objects about and produced a chill. The occupants of Burmecia were all comfortable in their houses and stores. It was not unusual to see people bustling on the streets in Burmecia, they were used to the eternal rain, but the people saw the storm a reason not to venture out, so they just all remained inside; all except one person--Amarant.

Amarant had just arrived to Burmecia. He did not know about the storm so he was not prepared. Two minutes walking into Burmecia, Amarant was drenched with rain and chilled to the bone by the winds. His red hair was plastered to his head and he had to occasionally shake his head to get the hair out of his eyes.

It has been three months since the whole "Save the World." Everyone went their separate ways. Zidane and Garnet got married and everyone was there to see it; even Amarant. Eiko lives with Cid and Hilda. Quina went back to chefing and currently cooks for the kingdom. Vivi went to Black Mage Villege to spend time with the other mages. He would occasionally write or visit the King and Queen. Steiner was still a Knight, but now had to train the rookies. That left Freya. She and Sir Fratley went back to Burmecia to rebuild it. About a week ago, Amarant had recieved a letter by mognet from Freya. She had wanted him to visit her. During the whold "Save the World" thing, they had developed a "friendship" if you could call it that. Amarant sort of enjoyed her company, even though he would die before he let her know that.

So there he was, going to visit her. Amarant took out the letter to see again where she and Fratley lived. He could not understand why they were back together when he left her two times before. When he finally got to the door, he knocked. It took Freya about a minute to get the door.

"Hey rat," said Amarant in his usual greeting. He then shook his drenched mane. When he was done, he looked up at Freya.

"Thank you," said Freya in mock annoyance." Nice to see you," she said as she moved aside and let him in.

Freya's house was small and simple. In the livingroom was a sofa, armchair coffee table and bookshelf occupied with many books. To the far right, a warm fire blazed in the fireplace.

"Wheres Sir Forgetful?" questioned Amarant uncaringly.

"Daguerro. He needs to pick up some ancient books that were sent there while..." Freya looked down.

"Oh." Amarant walked over to the couch and layed down.

"What do you think your doing!" she yelled. "Get off my couch with your wet clothes!" Amarant started to take off his shirt. "Leave it," Freya said hastily. "I don't have any clothes for you to change in, so go stand by the fire." Amarant got up and sauntered over to the fire.

"I'll make tea," said Freya as she wnet to the kitchen. As she left, Amarant looked around. On five hooks above the fireplace horizontally stood her pike. A few minutes later, Freya came back to the livingroom with a tray that contained two cups of tea.

"Why are you so skinny?" Freya questioned.

"I've been sick," he said simply.

"Aww, poor baby," replied Freya sarcastically.

"I see you haven't changed," replied Amarant.

"Why would I?" Freya put down her teacup. Amarant didn't touch his tea yet.

"Having your lost man around, you've probally gotten soft."

"Are you trying to say, I'm a cold hard bitch?"

"You said it, not me."

"Shut up!"

"Any good bounties around here?"

"No. You could stay here tonight if you want," she offered.

"I was going to stay here anyway," smirked Amarant as he jumped/layed down on the couch.

"You haven't changed," laughed Freya as she went over to the couch and put her hands on her hips. After about thirty seconds, Amarant looked up at her.

"May I help you?" said Amarant sarcastically.

"What did I tell you about sitting on my couch in your wet clothes!"

"Well if it didn't rain so damn much here!"

"Get an umbrella," replied Freya. She went and sat down in the armchair. "I've heard from Zidane and Garanet," she started a new conversation, "They want me to come and visit anytime I want to. You want to go with me when I go?"

"I'll go there if I need a place to crash."

"In the letter it said that Eiko misses you," said Freya slyly trying to watch for his reaction, but with no anvil.

"I hate little brats," Amarant spat.

"You can't mean that," laughed Freya. Then she got serious. "I wanted to ask you something."

"What?"

"Well I saw this ad in the pub about this big fighting tournament coming up."

"Yea...so..."

"I thought I'd tell you because I thought you'd be interested in entering."

"Fight all those weaklings, why would I waste my time?" snorted Amarant.

"I'm entering," said Freya.

"Like I said," he smirked.

"Are you calling me weak!"

"Are you a rat?"

"How would you like me to get my pike and shove it straight up your--"

"Calm down, I was just kidding," and he added maybe under his breathe.

"Anyway," said Freya over him, "I was wondering if you would enter with me and we could train together."

"Why me?"

"No one else I know is entering."

"What about Forgetful?"

"He has a name you know."

"So."

"He doesn't know about it and besides, he wouldn't fight me."

"What makes you think I'm entering?"

"What? Are you going to pass up an oppurtunity for me to kick you ass?" retorted Freya.

"You can't fight for shit. I'm the only one whos going to make you eat your words," replied Amarant.

"So your entering?" asked Freya hopfully. Amarant grunted and Freya took it as a 'yes.' Amarant turned so his back was facing her.

"Its only 8 P.M. Your going to sleep already?" Freya questioned.

"Yea," replied Amarant grufly.

"Oh yea, your sick. Well, oh well, I'm going out."

"Good, you go play in the rain," she heard him mutter.

"Unlike you," Freya was putting on her red coat, "I'm used to it." She put on her helmet.

"Is the helmet necessary?" questioned Amarant not even turning around.

"Well, it keeps the rain out of my eyes and is kind of a part of me."

"Don't drown rat," smirked Amarant.

"Goodnight," said Freya as she walked out and shut the door behind her.

'Wonder why she didn't take her pike with her?' thought Amarant, rolling over. Since Amarant was still sick, he went to sleep.

About an hour later, Freya returned. She too was drenched, but seemed unfased as she took off her helmet and put it on the coffee table, and hung her coat up on a hook by the door. She saw Amarant asleep and left the room. She came back with two blankets and covered him up. Then she went to bed. She was glad to have him as company, even though she would die before she let him know.