(Do I even own FFTA? Meh!! Doesn't mean that I can't have fun with it! Square Enix RULEZ!!)

Hehehahahaha!!

Anywho, glad that someone still reads this. That means that the rest of you should read this and review it... starting... NOW!!!

Continuing!

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"Little Show of Horrors..." aka "Pet Show pt 1"

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(Marshall's POV)

Ever met those types of people who are the best in the world? Yeah? Ever noticed that they know, at least, one person who hates your guts?

Lita: "Wake up, mutt."

She's been calling me that ever since I agreed to her "stipulations" to not attack without her consent. I never knew how serious she was until I gotten my skull cracked with her rapier for picking a fight with someone in a bar... and she waited for me to throw a punch. Like I have a leash on me... a cotton one... that was just bought and not put through the wash before putting it on. (Ever did that with underwear? I've gotten a serious rash afterwards.)

Marshall: "C'mon... three more days."

Lita: "No, you're actually going to be doing something, today, whether you like it or not."

Marshall: "What!?!"

After a few prodding's with her Last Letter, I roll over in the Inn's bed and plant my bare feet onto the cold, wooden floor.

Marshall: "What the hell do you mean that I'm actually doin' sumthin'?"

Lita leans against the wall and looks at the ceiling while speaking... she's always like this. It's like she doesn't like looking at me while talking. Probably not a multitasker.

What the hell does that mean?

Lita: "How long have I allowed you to loaf around in this clan?"

Marshall: "I dunno... a week?"

Lita: "Nine days."

Dammit, I was close.

Lita: "And how much money did we get?"

Marshall: (Shrugs) "Enough for a room?"

Lita: "Ok... too bad that this room is only 10 square feet!!!"

I start getting off the bed...

Marshall: "Come on... it's not that bad."

... and ended up stepping on someone's leg.

Tori: "OW!!"

Marshall: "Sorry Tor-... look, it could be wor-"

Cystal: "OW!! Dammit, Marshall!"

Marshall: "-se... sorry..."

I decide that getting dressed would be a good idea, so I lean over to the draw and open it.

Donar: "MnnnMMnnn..."

Marshall: "Yo, grab me my bandanna and some socks."

He reaches underneath himself and hands out those articles of clothing.

Marshall: "Thanks"

Donar: "Just shut the draw."

I do so, so the moogle can resume sleeping, and I tiptoe over the half awake Vieras on the ground to the door.

I bet you're wondering why they were on the ground... because of a lucky game of "Slaps." (Very Democratic way of choosing, if I say so myself.)

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(Lita's POV)

To put it in terms that I've been hearing from the likes of Cystal... this room blows!! Only I have one of the beds, the other one is wagered off to the victor of whatever drabbles they could think of with their sleep deprived minds.

I run my hand through my hair... my stained hair. I already kicked that Hume's ass for permanently ruining my hair... but still. I worked forever for my hair to be perfect, just to have it ruined. Cystal suggested cutting it and letting my hair grow out again, but that could take years. I don't have the will power for that.

Lita: "Are you done? Kena's already at a Pub, looking at the jobs."

Marshall: "A'right, I'm on my way now."

I watch him as he hops over the girls and dashes out towards said Pub. Once again, I'm amazed how quick that mutt could be when he has something set on his mind. But, I'll never say that aloud.

Now to wake up the idiot twins...

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(Marshall's POV)

Damp, dark, and smelly... kinda like my cell, except this had five large freaks, instead of one gargantuan one. It's damp, dark, and smelly for a reason... they were never able to recuperate their losses after that little brawl a little over a week ago. The barkeep is still charging me and Lita for damages. I can't remember what happened to that Bangaa, though...

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Bangaa: "PLEASSSE LET ME GO!!"

Nou Mou: "Not until I test this acupuncture technique, here..."

Bangaa: "Ow!!"

Nou Mou: "...here..."

Bangaa: "OW!!"

Nou Mou: "...and..."

Assistant: "I don't remember reading in any of the books that there's supposed to be any in that area."

Nou Mou: "That's why we're testing…"

Bangaa: "HELP!!!"

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... It'll come back to me later.

I see Kena staring at the jobs in the corner of the room along with a few others.

Marshall: 'Yo! Anything good?"

Kena: "Almost nothing but Away Missions."

Marshall: "Damn… guess we're stuck with those."

Tori: "With what?"

Tori popped out from behind us.

Marshall: "That was quick."

Tori: "Yeah, stepping on my leg wasn't the most polite way of waking someone up."

Marshall: "It got the job done."

Tori: (shrugs) "Whatever. Hey, whadadey got here, today?"

Marshall: "Just a bunch of away missions. Got any idea which one?"

Kena: "I've gone through all of these. It really wouldn't matter which one we pick, they all seem menial and pointless."

Marshall: "Money's money. Let's look for the least demeaning one."

I got no luck search through these things, so I look out the door and see that the rest of the team finally made it here… but not with out casualties.

Cystal: "Who the hell taught you to wake people up?"

Lita: "I did."

Cystal: "Well, your tutor sucks. OWW!!"

I noticed that the younger Viera was favoring her arm… even more so after Lita punched it. I should be glad that all I got was a few pokes with her sword compared to what probably happened between those two.

Marshall: "Heh, what happened?"

Cystal: "Here's a lesson that you should find useful... never piss-off someone twisting your arm over your head. Just a life-lesson."

Marshall: "... fair enough."

Lita: "Anything good?"

Marshall: "Not rea-"

Tori: "OOOOHH!! OOOOHHH!!! THIS ONE! THIS ONE!!!!"

I turn over toward the wall where Toreena seems to be, literally, dancing with the piece of paper that she ripped off the wall. She quickly runs over to Lita like a little child and holds it out.

Tori: "I WANNA DO THIS ONE!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!"

She was practically on the verge of tear if she didn't get her way and slightly fidgeting when Lita pulled the paper closer to read it.

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(Lita's POV)

Let's see what the chipper little thing brought for me, today. Hmmm...

Lita: "Judges for a Pet Show?"

I look up and see Tori nodding her head excitedly. She's so childish... I guess that's why I still kept her in the clan. That strange level of innocence is worth having around.

I don't want to disappoint the little thing but it says that there needs to be two from the clan that accepts it.

I can't go... Cystal will just get in fights with Tori... Kena... is afraid of most animals... I feel like we're forgetting something. Oh well... WAIT, I GOT IT!!!

Lita: "You can go..."

Tori: "YAY!!"

Lita: "If you drag that mutt along with you."

Marshall: "W-WHAT!?!"

Lita: "You heard me. This mission needs two people and you're the next best choice."

Marshall: "How am I the next best choice?"

Lita: "Because, Tori's already going with you."

Marshall: "Look, I don't... have a good history with animals."

Lita: "Well, you're gonna be doing something in this clan, and this is going to be it. Now get your stuff ready and go."

Marshall: "Why the--- piece of--- sonava--- AHHH!!"

I watch him stomp out of the pub toward the Inn. Stubborn, but he'll do what he's told.

I look over at Tori... her head looking down at the ground a little guiltily. She probably feels that this is her fault for choosing the mission. I gave her a little pat on the head and follow Marshall.

Lita: "He'll be fine. Just have fun."

Tori: "Err... yes'm."

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(Marshall's POV)

What the hell is that girl thinking!?! I told her that I have a history with animals, but she's still making me do this! This blows!

I hear a few quick footsteps catch up behind me. I start to feel like I'm being sucked into a black hole, so I pretty much know who it is.

Marshall: "Lita, why are you making me do this."

Lita: "Because I said so. You need to do something in this clan..."

Marshall: "Is this torture?"

Lita: "Look, I don't necessarily care what happened to you in a past life, but right now, think of Tori's feelings. She was pretty hurt after you left."

I stop in mid-step and turn to face the Viera, a bit of confusion in my face. Not confusion over that Tor's feelings were hurt, but more that Lita just showed concern for someone else. I guess I misjudged her a little.

Marshall: "You really care about these girls."

Lita nods her head a little, turns around, and starts walking towards the Pub.

Lita: "Plus, I want someone to look over her."

I start following her after she said that.

Marshall: "You need me to be bodyguard?"

Lita: "Pretty much. I heard how well you were able to protect Donar in prison, so I thought that you might be able to do the same for Tori."

Dammit... now she's making ME sound like the asshole. She's good at that guilt trip thingy.

Marshall: "Can't she take care of herself?"

Lita: "You'd think that. She a great archer, but naïve as hell."

Marshall: "Why doesn't that surprise me?"

Lita: "Once she was robbed by a thief and he made believe that it was for charity for 'sick... peoples...' exact words."

Marshall: "... that's sad."

Lita: "Very, so I want you to go along and make sure she doesn't sell her soul for magic beans."

Marshall: "I like magic beans, they taste like strawberries... alright, I'll do it."

Her powers of persuasion are strong... the force must be strong with this one... hehe... I read too much. No one can resist the P.O.P. Maybe I should just stop thinking...

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We're already halfway out of town, when Tori looks up at me.

Tori: "Thanks for coming along."

Marshall: "No problem."

Tori: "Are you mad?"

Marshall: "Want the honest answer?"

Tory nods her head a little, afraid of the answer. I just give the kindest smile I can muster.

Marshall: "Not really."

Tori: "REALLY!?!"

It my turn to nod my head. It's not that I'm actually mad... more like anxious about actually getting to the Pet Show. I don't really wanna go, but someone has to look over the little person in... the…

Marshall: "HOLY CRAP!! I knew we were forgetting something!!!!"

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Donar pushes open the draw for his bed and looks around.

Donar: "Were did everyone go?"

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There ya go… another chapter. It's hard to concentrate when Christmas has been distracting you for the past week.

I GOT A VIDEO CAMRERA!! HELL YEAH!!!

Hope you all got you wanted… here's my late gift… this chapter!! HEHEHAHAHA!! No refunds!!

R&R like your life depended on it.