A/N: Hello. Ok, this is quite possibly my least favorite chapter so far. Its a) about 2 months old, and b) based on events that I have long since stopped really caring about. But, as much as I want to take it out, I can't, due to events that occur later on in the chapter. Anyway, hope you enjoy. I surely didn't enjoy rereading it. :/

DISCLAIMER: *random stuff about me not owning Final Fantasy that I'm too lazy to write because this is the second chapter for a story I've uploaded tonight.*

Chapter 8: Midnight Snacks and Promises

Sure sure, she may be young, but Lizi is a damn good cook. I mean, damn, that dinner was the best food I had eaten in ages. And as I stay in front of the roaring fire that I had lit (I used a Fire spell to light it once I stopped laughing at Lizi failing at it) with a cup of hot chocolate (Lizi refused to let me have a fifth coffee), I smiled. I was warm, I was fed, I had fueled my coffee addiction, and I had made a friend.

That and I had lit Robbie's hair on fire again. It will never get old, I swear.

Looking around, I kept smiling. Sam and Morgan were cuddled up on the floor in front of the fire. Hannah and Lathen were sharing a armchair. Tayla and Charles cuddling each other on the couch. Amylee and Harley were having a tickle fight, much to the amusement of the others. Everyone else was seated at tables, talking amongst themselves. Everyone seemed... Happy. And healthy. Mentally, I patted myself on the back and smiled.

"Great job Josh. You got everyone through that," I muttered to myself. Looking around, I saw Lizi waving me over. Shaking my head, I stood and walked over to the bar.

"Hey. Umm... I kinda need a hand..." she asked, almost shyly. My smile got bigger.

"Not used to asking for help?" I asked.

"Well... No," she said. "But please, can ya give me a hand? I need to get some stuff outta the storage room."

"Yeah, sure. Why not?" I replied. I didn't think that this act of kindness would lead to attempted murder...


Later on in the night, we were still moving boxes and crates.

"Damnit... How much stuff... Do you need?" I asked, out of breath.

"Well... You lot... Are chewing through the food and drink..." She replied, as tired as I was. "But... I think... We've got almost enough... One more load?"

"Why not... It's not like it'll kill us... Right?" I asked, somewhat seriously. That question cracked a smile on her tired face, so I pressed on.

"I mean, there could a poisonous spider on one of those boxes." A snort. "Or a snake!" A giggle. "Or even a man-eating Behemoth!" That was the tipping point. In seconds she was grabbing at her sides, trying not to dying of laughter. I then joined in, the sight almost too much to bear. Then I opened the storage room.

And froze.

For there was Mathew, my best friend, making out with Kathryn, the main reason behind one of my larger issues. The red curtain dropped, and the next thing I remember was Lizi dragging me away from the storage room while Mathew and Kathryn ran for their lives.

"Josh, calm down. I don't need you burning down my inn!" she firmly said, being very careful not to shout. I gave her a look, then saw that my left hand – No, my entire lower left arm, was engulfed in flames. Looking in the storage room, I saw that there was a small fire already started. Swearing, I banished my anger fuelled flames and tried to cast a Water spell. But failed. Damnit, I need to be calmer to cast Water... I thought, before looking at Lizi. She was staring at me, with a look that scared me to a degree. It was a look of fear. That shocked me out of my anger. Turning, I muttered "Water" then sent the spell into the heart of the fire, letting it explode outwards and putting the flames out.


"Sorry..." I muttered. I was sitting on the bar, with a cup of hot chocolate and some biscuits that Lizi had found.

"Like I said, it's alright. You saw red, and I know what that's like," replied Lizi, smiling kindly. After I put out the fire in the storage room, Lizi had sat me down and not let me move until I vented my anger to her. I, naturally, refused, saying that it wasn't hers to bear. She gave up after that, and instead let me be for a while, and cleaned up the mess I had created.

"I know... But you don't have magic that gets more powerful the angrier you are..." I said, hanging my head. I should be able to handle my anger better. Damnit Josh! You sh- My thoughts were interrupted by Lizi bringing her hand around and slapping me across the face. I stood there for a moment, quite honestly shocked, and then I grimaced as the pain set in.

"Ow... What was that for?" I demanded, rubbing my abused cheek.

"To snap you out of you brooding session," Lizi stated simply. "I've never met anyone like you before Josh. You're completely nuts. You seem cold and indifferent, but you actually care about your friends a lot. A lot more then you're willing to admit, actually. But just now, seeing you sit here and mope about something that's been and gone, now that isn't right. I've known you for a day, and I already know that moping around isn't like you. It just doesn't suit you. You're not mopey or broody. You're mad, insane, funny, extremely caring, almost lovable, and, quite frankly, kinda charming, in your own way. Now, I want you to promise me something. That you'll never brood or mope about anything that's been and gone. Got it?"

I just sat there, blinking, mouth open in a perfect "o" shape. The entire time she was speaking, Lizi had been pacing in front of me, her eyes never leaving mine. For the last bit, she had pointed a finger at me, and no other finger had scared me that much in my life. After a few moments of just sitting there, making movements with my mouth, I managed to find my voice.

"Umm... o... Ok. I promise," I stuttered out. As soon as I said that, Lizi went from scary big sister to lovable in half a second.

"Good. Now, finish that drink and those biscuits! We better be off to bed," she said, smiling her smile.

I just shook my head and drank my hot chocolate.