Sorry for the long wait! I struggled with this chapter a lot, and had to rewrite it several times.

Enjoy. Rated T for language, I don't own Final Fantasy VII.

Pick the plants, wash the plants, grind the plants, sort the plants, then repeat. Pick, wash, grind, sort, and repeat. Though on rare occasions, I boil or steam them.

I've done this so many times over the past few months it's quickly become second nature. Since my mother had me taste the difference between the potions, I've been sitting in on as many at home sessions as I could. Both parents wouldn't let me help more besides prepping the plants. While they thought I was smart they said I wasn't ready to make potions yet, nor would they take me to the greenhouse to observe there. I had to 'listen for the call and let it guide you'. No matter how much I asked they wouldn't elaborate any further. The most they said was that it would come to me... or it won't, simple as that.

Besides prepping the plants they occasionally had me taste test the ones they made against the rotten ones. Of course they broke out laughing again when I started calling them that. Turns out they had a small chest filled with them that they keep for teaching purposes. Having to compare the taste between the two potions was definitely the worst part of all of this. At least the rotten ones were harmless outside of the taste. They still won't explain why there's mako in them or why they taste the way they do.

The best part was watching how the mixture of plants, water, and spices changed. Once grinded down they were all poured into a small bag that closely resembled a large tea bag, which of course I had to know why there was a giant box of empty tea bags of various sizes. After being set in the bag, it was placed in cold water to boil on medium heat for thirty minutes. From there it was cooled slightly and poured into bottles. From there we would watch it change from a muddy greenish brown, to a vibrant red with a warm yet bright glow radiating from it. It was amazing to see how such an important thing in the games that could be life or death, be created in front of your very eyes. It really was like magic, which I suspected had a major role to play it's creation. I just didn't know how yet.

Once during one of our at home sessions Zack came over to play and was awed by the 'pretty colors'. So awed in fact he drank four bottles before my dad had to stop him from drinking them all, after he stopped laughing on the floor. I admit it was funny, especially since Zack kept calling it a cinnamon drink afterwards. It wasn't until I tried a bit too and a few questions later that I realized why. The peppermint flavor with mom's potions compared with the cinnamon flavor with dad's were mostly added for taste. They just increased the amount so it would stand out more. And speaking of flavors and Zack...

Dad and I were spending the Saturday at home. Mom was at work and Xander was out in the forest with a few others, including Zack after much begging and puppy eyes. It was a nice sunny day after having rained the last two days and was considered the perfect weather to hunt down new herbs in. Of course we had plenty at home, but dad said they were for a special requests and didn't want to use up all our supply. Turns out the box of various tea bags was in fact for making special tea blends. It was a hobby of dad's to make and try different tea blends, then trade them for other goods around the village. For now, I was helping prepare the last few tea bags to be traded. Each blend was separated into their own separate container with a small note containing the contents. Dad was adding the last of containers to a bag that was slung over his shoulder with a smile on his face.

"You ready to go make some deliveries sweetheart?"

"Yeah!" I exclaimed. I really wasn't. I thought making tea deliveries was boring, but it was something to do today.

"That's what I like to hear! Don't forget to bring an empty bag to carry things in."

He let out a laugh as I followed him out the door, bag slung over his shoulder. Grabbing another empty bag I rushed after him playing the act of a excited kid, while cursing my short legs. I couldn't wait to be tall again. As soon as I caught up to him, we were on our way.

Despite being a small village we had quite a bit of walking to do. The first stop was the village mayor, all the way on the other side of the village. He wanted to do the farthest house first then work our way back home. Considering the farthest house was about twenty minutes from ours, I figured we'd be done in a hour tops. Provided the adults didn't spend the whole time trying to haggle what to trade for. From what I understood though, the mayor was a good person to haggle with when it comes to books. I've only been to his home once, but it could be considered the village library with the large amount of books he keeps.

Dad and I made small talk, or what could be considered small talk between a parent and child as we walked. He asked how I was doing, what I was going to do once we finished the deliveries, what I wanted to have for lunch, and other basic stuff like that. Then we switched to talking about herbs and the greenhouse. I wouldn't be surprised if he had me working there by my next birthday, since he thought I had a knack for all this. An idea I wouldn't be opposed too.

After a while we finally came to the mayor's house. Dad pounded on the large door and we patiently waited for the mayor to answer.

His house was definitely the largest building in the village as it served as both a type of small library and town hall. Dad told me it used to be a big mansion a rich family used to vacation in. They eventually left the place to the village years before my parents were even born. As a result, parts of it were converted to better serve the town. Since the the village mayor and their family lived in and maintained the place. Before I could think much more on it, the door opened to reveal the mayor.

"Ah Derek, and little Thorne! You're here just in time. I was just craving some of your famous tea." He said opening the door wide and gesturing us inside.

The mayor was an average but friendly man. He always had a smile on his face and a pep in his step. The man himself barely looked past his thirties, though I knew he was older. He had the same average look as most of the villagers. Dark hair, tan skin, and brown eyes with kindness coming off him in waves. Even though I could never remember his name, I liked him. He may have held the title of mayor, but he never hesitated to get his hands dirty. He was always quick to help others too. If this village chose this leader based on votes, he would definitely have mine.

Dad gently pulled on my hand as we entered mumbling out a quick greeting and I did the same. We stopped in what would be considered the parlor I think? waiting room? Front room? Either way it was a large room in front of the door with chairs for people to sit and wait in. The mayor left the door open as he made his way over to us, probably knew we weren't staying long. Walking past us he made his way to a small table a few feet away. Sitting on top were three books that he picked up and handed to my dad.

"As agreed on, three books in exchange for your wonderful tea. Keep them as long as your need." he said with his ever present smile on his face. Dad handed the books off to me so he could reach into his own.

"Thank you. And for you, here's your usual order." he said giving the mayor his box of tea. "Let me know when your ready to trade again. I hope by then you'll have even better books come your way."

"We'll see. I'd invite you to stay but I know you have other people to get to." he said while accepting his box. The men exchanged a few more words that I wasn't really paying attention to. After a few more minutes Dad ruffled my hair signaling it was time to go. The mayor bid us farewell as we left closing the door behind us.

I quickly stuffed the three new books into the bag as we left. I didn't read the titles but if I had to guess, they were most likely books involving herbs. Just like the few dozen we already had at home. Once they were secure we continued on our way.

The rest of the deliveries were uneventful. We arrived, the adults talked and traded for their items. the only thing I really noticed was the items we got in exchange for the tea. Three dozen empty glass vials, new tools for to use, a handwoven basket, a basket of fruits and vegetables to eat... Why my parents didn't just grow their own I'll never know. Thankfully dad carried those and the glass vials. My little arms definitely would have dropped all of this stuff. Only one more stop to make and we would be done.

The final stop was at the village seamstress and clinic. Like everything else here it was a family business owned by a nice couple with their five children. It was one of the few buildings that had two stories and was larger then most of the other buildings. The only real times I would come here is with Xander, when fixing or getting new clothes or dropping off a few new potions that I proudly help make.

Hopefully this delivery wouldn't take too much longer then the others. I was ready to kick back and relax with a book until lunch time. As we approached though, it was obvious that something was wrong.

There was a small crowd gathered around the building and they were all watching a very unusual sight. A truck was parked next to the side of the building and there were men carrying something through the front door of the building. As we got closer I could actually hear what the people were saying.

"-those poor boys-"

"-accident in the forest-"

"-ShinRa doing here-"

"-a big monster attacked them-"

Wait, ShinRa? Dad and I made it to the edge of the crowd. My gaze left the front door and looked to the truck. Several people were blocking my view, but I could still see part of it. Just enough to glace at part of that familiar white triangle inverted into a red shape, and a kanji. I never could read it before, but I could recognize it from my constant playthroughs of the game.

ShinRa Electric Power Company.

They were here. The men carrying things into the building, they worked for ShinRa... and they were carrying people into the building.

"-find their parents-"

"-Zack is so young-"

"-who cares why they're here-"

"-pray they pull through-"

"-they saved them-"

Wait, Zack?

"Derek!" A voice called out startling both me and my dad. A man ran up to us from the direction of the building waving frantically.

"Derek! Thank goodness your here. It's Xander, he's been attacked by a monster!"

4/20/2021