Final Fantasy XIII: The Drabble Series, Part 2: Thanksgiving/Christmas Edition

A/N: Yes, I am perfectly aware that Christmas was a long time ago, but quite frankly, who really cares?

I looked around the table, wondering how things could go possibly wrong.

For starters, someone could insult someone else, namely Lightning and Snow, and a food fight would ensue.

Someone could choke on a turkey bone and get mad at someone else for doing CPR.

And anything in between.

At the moment, I sat at a crowded table with my 'travel buddies', Lightning, Fang, Snow, Hope, Serah, Sazh, and Dajh.

Half the people at this table hated each other, one third of them were bored, and the rest were waiting for comedic action to occur so they would have the chance to take the stuffing and run.

That 'rest of them' happened to be one person, and that one person happened to be me.

I loved Stuffing, which was a reason why I loved Thanksgiving. If Lightning and Snow started arguing fluently, I would most surely take it and run. Of course, I do believe Lightning could catch me because that one time almost two months ago, I had used the money that I was to give her to buy Nickelback tickets for alcohol for Fang.

Lightning caught me two blocks down the road from our house and dragged me all the way back, kicking and screaming. Did you know that most people doing yard work outside don't listen when you shout 'Rape' in a terrified manner?

I didn't know until then.

ANYWHO, Sazh looked around the table.

"Don't you think we should state what were thankful for?" he asked. 'That's kinda how it usually goes at thanks giving, I mean… honestly."

I smiled, although saddened by the fact that I couldn't steal the stuffing.

"Ill start…" I volunteered.

"Wait! Let me guess," Fang interrupted.

"You're thankful for the stuffing," everyone chorused in bored monotones.

I paused. How had they known what I was gonna say?

"Okay then…"

I sighed. So much for my dreams of surprise and thievery…

"Vanille, your entirely to predictable," Fang sighed. The huntress sat across the table from me, and she was stirring her spoon through her glass of tea she had most likely spiked with something that was likely to get her really drunk, really fast, while no one was looking.

I shot her a grin as the older female sighed. "Since no ones talkin', I suppose Ill go next. Im thankful for tequila." Fang stated. "Because without it, my problems would never be solved."

Snow, who sat two seats down from her, sighed lightly, and I could have sworn I watched him roll his eyes. "Well, I'm thankful for my charm, brute strength, and good looks. Oh, and for my fiancé, Serah."

He shot said girl a grin, and she replied with a smile and an "Im thankful for saying 'yes'."

This lovey dovey crap was so sweet, it was probably gonna make me sick.

Little Dajh piped up next, "Well, I'm thankful for Daddy, who always takes care of me."

This made me tear up a little. Little Dajh, always a sweet heart.

Sazh grinned brightly and patted his son on the head. "That's sweet, son… Im thankful for having you to take care of.

I grinned wildly, looking around the table and counting off all those who had stated what they were thankful for. Snow, Serah, Me, Dajh, Sazh, Fang…that left Lightning and Hope.

"You two haven't said anything yet," I pointed at the two accusingly. Hope turtled a little more, his eyes lowering to the table cloth. Oh, he was entirely to shy. So shy, in fact, that we hadn't spoken about the Halloween party since it had happened. I guess we were supposed to just be friends? Who knew with Hope, but oh well...

Lightning was the one who spoke first, with the same ferocity she used in all her words, whether they were kind and gentle or rough and independent. "Im thankful for survival, and that none of us have died yet."

A strange sort of silence fell over the table, and all individual chatter hushed.

I nodded in understanding. Without survival, we wouldn't be here, where we are, today.

Deciding it was time to brighten the mood again, I looked cheerily over to Hope.

"And what are you thankful for?"

Hope cast a glance at me before looking around the table. All eyes were on him. He outta come up with something, and quick.

"Um…" the gears in his head churned around, and Hope stammered out "You guys, my friends."

I guess he wasn't used to the attention he was getting.

I shot him an encouraging smile, and he shot one back to me. Fang caught the exchange, and threw her hands in the air after slamming a flask no one had noticed before on the table.

"Oh for Heavens sake, will you two just go somewhere and make out already?"

Hey guys, so sorry I haven't updated the randomness of this, I've been busy this entire year and just re-found this file. A lot has been going on lately, I just finished up being Lady Rowena in a play called "Once Upon a Mattress" for a school musical, something I've been working on since January, and let me tell you, you haven't had fun until you've created a family within a group of friends like that who share the same interests and so many private jokes that no one else in the world will understand, you just wont be able to stand the ending of it all when you no longer have a life outside of practice. I cried when we finished. :)But enough of that, I'm spending this day updating some of my minor stories, so look around for it!

Oh, special thanks to Nightfall Daybreak, whos reviews ALWAYS make me smile, no matter how many times i read them. thanks, Nighty!