Journal Entry 5, Local Date 15th of Tetra, 1306.
8.00 a.m.
Left Syhir. Travelling under the pseudonym of Frostwand Theurgy, no thanks to Bahamut ('Draco'). Others have equally thesaurus-like names. Carbuncle is thinking up a very embarrasing surname to spring on our esteemed leader at an inconvenient moment.
Travelling to northern city of Snowfields. Bahamut wants to question dragon captured there. May be killed by the time we get there, since it was caught weeks ago. Have to try anyway.
Kid by name of Cid travelling with us. Syhir Council practically pushed him on us. In fact, they seemed happy to get rid of him. Can see why, been pestering Bahamut since we left the inn. Can't seem to work up any sympathy for dragon-boy today.
***
"So, tell me, Draco," said Cid, cheerfully, "where are you from?" This was about the nine thousandth, three hundredth and fifty-first question he had asked in the last one and three quarters of an hour since they had left Syhir. Cid had graduated from important questions (Where exactly are we going?) and actually contributing useful nuggets of information (Snowfields? We'll have to cross the Tangga Syurga mountain range) to inanity and trying to make small talk. As it was, Shiva was just glad that it wasn't her.
"The Land of the Summoned Monsters," replied 'Draco' in a flat tone.
"...Riiight. So, are you married? Have a family?" asked Cid, undaunted.
"Yes," said Bahamut in the same flat tone.
"So what's your wife's name?"
"Phoenix. As in the Guardian Phoenix."
"...Are you going to tell me next that you're really Bahamut?"
"Yes."
"...You're not serious, are you?"
Bahamut stopped and faced Cid. "As a matter of fact, Cid, I am serious."
"Are you crazy?" whispered Shiva furiously, slipping behind Bahamut.
"The kid will find out sooner or later, Shiva. Better now than he freak out in a serious fight." Bahamut didn't even bother whispering.
Cid's eyes had gone wider than a pair of dinner plates. "...Did you call her Shiva? As in the Guardian of Ice?"
Bahamut and Shiva looked at each other. "I think we have some serious explaining to do, milord," said Shiva dryly.
***
8.30 a.m.
Cid seems to be taking it better than I expected. He hasn't fainted at least, although his eyes were threatening to bulge out of his head. He's being unusually quiet now, thank the Crystals of Light and Darkness and whatever other powers there be that govern the Worlds of Fantasy. He does seem to be unusually polite and respectful to all of us. Funny, he never struck me as the type.
***
The forest path was quiet, but for the happy sounds of singing birds and rustling bushes. Rustling bushes? Shiva narrowed her eyes and sneaked over, trying to peer in. She wasn't quite prepared for the rude flint knife that jabbed her in the nose. Or the troop of squat, skinny-limbed creatures that came rushing out of the bushes at her.
"Guys! Imps!" she yelled, smacking one that poked her in the knees hard with her rod, sending it flying into two of its comrades. The other Guardians quickly joined in the fray. A bolt of lightning that she assumed was Bahamut's work fried one of the midget forest bandits. Ifrit literally kicked them away. Even Carbuncle was in the midst of the battle, swiping at the imps with her racket.
Shiva had just started wondering about where Cid had gotten to when the ground started trembling.
***
10.00 a.m.
Attacked by group of vicious imps. Had to climb trees to avoid Chocobo stampede. Aforementioned imps got trampled flat within two seconds. Poor buggers didn't stand a chance. Must have a talk with that kid about his hair-trigger summoning.
***
Shiva tried very hard not to look at the ground. "Cid," she began, as calmly as she could manage, "those were imps. The weakest monster known in the Worlds. You really didn't need to call the Chocobo calvary to the rescue."
Cid, on his part, was trying very, very hard not to look down and to avoid Shiva's gaze at the same time. "I know," he said in a very small voice. "It's just that I kinda get carried away."
"Two or three Chocobos, carried away, sure. But one whole stampeding herd at once?"
Cid gave her a meek, sheepish look.
Shiva sighed. "You have quite a bit of power, I'll give you that. But you really need to learn how to control it." She shrugged. "Time for some magic lessons, then."
***
Journal Entry 9, Local Date 19th of Tetra, 1306
4.00 p.m.
Finally reached a village. Name of Sartel. Not very big, but at least there's an inn. Come to think of it, never seen a village, no matter how small and isolated, that hasn't got accommodation for travelers. One of the peculiarities of the Worlds of Fantasy, I suppose.
Village hasn't got much to offer, but at least we get hot baths. We really needed them. Especially Ifrit. He stinks.
I DO NOT!
Oh, yes you do. Take a bath. Water doesn't hurt, you big baby.
I'm FIRE elemental! Water hurts me!
Well, not when you're in human form! And stop writing in my journal. Get your own diary to scribble in.
Fine!
*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Whew! I'm one tardy writer, aren't I? I really, really have a good excuse this time. Exams. There. This was a little short, and probably rather pointless, but please bear with me. I should have Chapter 5 out by next week. I'll try anyway.
Oh, and please, please, pretty please review. Please? Flames will be replied in kind. ^.^