A/N: In the Paying it Forward universe, the Yun-Farron Family - pets included - are featured on a well-known talk show. How will Seven and Lasswell react when they see the host (Caius)? All pairings here are either married or engaged. Caius is single for this story.

Cursed No More

The Yun-Farron family have a relaxing Friday at home, watching television which is rare due to every human in that household having very different schedules. It's been two months since they filmed whatever it was (Lightning's words) for the talk show which Snow and Vanille of all people got them on. Lightning and Fang were never ones to want to be known by the public as they're more known to be private but when the redhead saw the segment where a future episode where they want to highlight families with two different types of animals as pets, Vanille jumped to the chance and nominated her sister and sister-in-law to be featured on the show, which Caius Ballad has been hosting for quite a few years. It took convincing one giant oaf that is Snow Villiers to really get that ball rolling, which Serah Farron-Villiers had to help the redhead in this particular mission of hers. What helped Vanille succeed is a miniseries of fits and threats along the lines of filling their entire pantry with nothing but food to cause Type 2 Diabetes. Thinking about this now, Snow was more than glad to have helped Vanille on her mission, because Odin, Bahamut, Kain and Y'shtola were two odd couples who are seen as 'part of the family' - especially when one saw Lasswell with Bahamut the cat or Seven with Odin the horse. There's even a secret photo of Lightning holding Y'shtola while they slept, and Fang's arm being seen protecting them both. Or the photo of Fang horseback riding on Kain.

With the episode of them being featured on about to air, it turns out that they were one of only two families that applied to be featured on this episode of the talk show, meaning that their segment would be longer than they initially anticipated. A beyond rare smile is seen on Lightning's face as she and the rest of the family begin watching the show, with the pinkette's thoughts going back to the day they filmed their segment of the show...

Flashback, Two Months Ago: Filming the Segment

"Fang, remind me to let that fucking idiot have it for getting us on this show. You know how Serah is with Caius, and yet he went along with Vanille on this-this-this... whatever you want to call it..." Lightning complains to her wife while getting her makeup and hair done in prep for their segment when they're being interviewed by Caius about the two horses and cats that are part of the Yun-Farron household. Between the married couple, Lightning is NOT a fan of appearing on a talk show or a game show. At all. If you don't believe the older Farron on the matter, ask Celes Cole - the Vector native would easily attest to the matter if given the choice. Due to timing of the complaint, the brunette couldn't say a single word in response, as the segment they're filming is about to start. With that being said, Fang reserved her thoughts on the matter until after the filming was all done. Seven - being... well, Seven, was nothing less than a nervous wreck and it was Y'shtola who was attached to her hip in concern - the female Miq'ote was one smart feline and knew when the silver haired girl was overwhelmed and/or nervous. Of all the humans, Lasswell was the most excited about being on television. It was the youngest Yun-Farron who somehow put everyone else at ease because of his demeanor.

About 30 minutes later, every human in the Yun-Farron family, the cats and horses made themselves comfortable on an outdoor sofa at the Yun-Farron household while waiting for one Caius Ballad to arrive and sit on a very comfortable chair that was meant for him to sit on. Odin and Kain, for them being horses, were on their very best behaviour while waiting for the new human to show up. As for the cats, they were too busy taking a nap on Lightning and Lasswell to even want to cause any trouble. Regarding Seven, she was holding Fang's hand due to nerves. Lasswell sat next to Lightning. It was a few minutes later that Caius finally shows up - and on time, no less! Caius knows when to keep his word with being on time to interview us. That's a first... Lightning mused to herself, wondering if she should be impressed or shocked, recalling her and Seven's past interactions with Caius on the street by chance. In short, the older Farron and the silver haired girl were far from impressed by Caius in their initial meetings, and for reasons unknown to all tied to them. When Caius showed up on time for this interview - the clips of the family were already sent to Caius' production team in advance - Lightning shook his hand with a small smile on her face, for the pinkette was grateful about his professionalism on the matter.

With Caius leading the way with the interview, it was a real treat for the lad to see the Yun-Farron family being completely relaxed with the questions he had for them. Fang, in a complete shocker, was more than happy to answer the questions about the two cats, for the memory of both Bahamut and Y'shtola both claiming the family as their humans on the spot always brought a smile to her face. It took Fang's confidence for Seven to say anything when Odin the horse was brought up, with Lightning's help on the matter as Kain was one horse who was changed for the better by Odin. Thanks to the professionalism Caius brought to the interview, it took the speed of Lightning's namesake for the married couple to not only warm up to the host but took a liking at how everything was being done and handled. It was shortly after the interview was done - Caius was beyond fortunate that the segment was done in a single take - that Caius was treated to a horseback ride on Odin, for Seven wanted to ride Kain with Fang. Odin was slightly sad that his favourite human wasn't riding him but couldn't stop smiling with his eyes when he saw her on Kain with one of her parents. Seven smiled back at Odin, who was very well behaved at this point. Needless to say, the ride was one Caius enjoyed and wouldn't forget.

To end the interview, Terra and Fina's names were mentioned as where they got the animals from, which placed a smile on Caius' face - a smile almost no one sees outside those who are the closest to him. After parting ways, it would be Caius who would do something that would change his life.

To end a so called curse.

Present Time: After the Show Aired

"I hope Caius was able to adopt a cat and/or a horse from one of them..." Fang announces after the show was done airing, with Seven's eyes being hopeful in agreement to her words. It was a few weeks after the show aired when the Yun-Farron received a letter in the mail from Caius, the last thing they were expecting from anyone. Happiness filled the kids' souls with the contents...

Dear Lightning, Fang, Seven and Lasswell,

I cannot thank you enough for inviting me to your home and meet the two most amazing cats and horses I've seen in years. What shocked me is how well behaved your animals are, and more so that I rode on Odin after our interview. To Lightning and Seven, I cannot apologise enough for my past actions prior to the interview. There is no excuse for that. Ever. Anyway, and this is short, here is a picture of my daughter Yuel and I proudly posing with Mist the cat (girl which Yuel is gently holding) and Sonic the horse (boy). Thank you for helping me with my relationship with my daughter due to your animals. You are amazing people - never let anyone take away your shine.

Sincerely,

Caius Ballad

"He adopted a cat and a horse...?" Seven finally asked, smiling as the photo reminded her of the first photo she and Lasswell were in that also included Odin, Kain, Bahamut and Y'shtola.

"Seems like it. We helped him break a curse of sorts. Caius is a better lad and father from that interview, I suppose..." Fang continued for their daughter, knowing that the entire train of thought rings true.

Caius' curse was no more, all thanks to them.

FIN

A/N #2: Next story is in the Second Time Around universe when Lightning and Fang get to hear Kurasame's first words and see his first steps.