Disclaimer: Square Characters Not Own.

...And many thanks to all the reviewers. I had no idea that positive comments and praise would pour in so quickly. oO Today's chapter varies from the story a bit, as I allow the characters to go places in between getting the second sphere and the Awesome Sphere, which probably will make its debut next chapter.

Brother: Get on with it, crazy lady!

How dare you call me crazy! draws gun

Brother: ...Leaving now.

Damn straight.

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ENTRY EIGHT:

Okay, okay. Out of Besaid we go.

Today's lovely little journeys led us to Zanarkand. Let me tell you, I have never before seen a place go from sacred to psychotic so quickly. All those tourists...they were like sheep. Only, you know, much less soft. I can't say that I cared much for the attendants, either. It was always "Fabulous this!" and "Fabulous that!". You know what's really fabulous, lady? You, stuck on the business end of my sword. That's fabulous.

Not to mention we ran into a former summoner on the way. Name's Isaaru. Evidently, he knew Yuna on his pilgrimage. All I can say is that I really, really feel sorry for Yuna now. What a fruit. That guy's a few Aeons away from a full Summoning, if you know what I mean. I mean, working for a guy like Cid is proof of insanity enough, but you really can't spend more than 2 minutes seeing him at "work" before you want to wrap him in a straight jacket and throw him into a padded cell.

Speaking of Cid, I'm really starting to wonder what's up with that guy. Really, who blows up their Home and gets happy about it? At least he ditched that whole Airship-riding deal. I hear he was acting like a mentally ill cowboy.

...Wow. Now I just pity him.

-Good 'ol Paine.

ENTRY NINE:

Well, we grabbed that sphere out of Zanarkand. Rather, that half sphere. We went all that way and faced Spira's greatest threat (the idiots, not the sphere guardian)...for nothing. Nothing at all! ...Boy, Zanarkand sucks.

Earlier today, we headed off to Bikanel Desert because we heard there was some kind of digging thing going on. It wasn't my idea: if you ask me, Yuna really needs to come to terms with the fact that we are sphere hunters. We can't be running around doing everyone else's dirty work. Anyways, upon our arrival, we met some crazy lady named Nhadala who tells us we need a letter from Gippal to start digging. Hell, I coulda forged that right then and there, lady. But nooooooo, we've got to haul ourselves all the way over to Djose.

So now here we are, sitting outside the temple. We've just finished talking to Gippal, and he's been acting crazier than ever. I think that if he wasn't leader of the Machine Faction, Yuna probably would have choked him. Or clubbed him with some blunt object. Pfft, she could have left that to me.

Gippal: ...You!

Me: Name's Paine.

Gippal: Um...

Me: We're here for the interview.

Gippal: Riiiiight...the interview...hardly noticeable wink

Me: -mentally slaps Gippal-

Rikku seems to be getting along just fine with Gippal, if you ask me. She denies that there's anything between her and Gippal, but really, she couldn't have made it more obvious if she tore off his shirt and threw him to the ground in a fit of passion.

I think I'll have to stop for now. That last sentence made me a little sick.

-Eww. Just...eww.

ENTRY TEN:

Visited Bevelle today. We saw Baralai, of course, but he hardly spoke to me. He's probably still embarrassed over that whole thing in the Crimson Squad. I don't blame him, though...Gippal was being a bit of an idiot.

Baralai: Hey! Give it back!

Gippal: What are you gonna do about it, huh?

Baralai: Just...agh! Give it back already!

Me: Gippal, just give the man his teddy bear. It'll make things easier for all of us.

Nooj: Will you all shut up?! I'm trying to plot my own death!

Me: ...Seriously?

Gippal: ...You know, you're one creepy guy sometimes, Nooj.

Nooj: Shut up before I stab your good eye out. And give Baralai his pathetic bear back. He looks like a whipped puppy over there.

Baralai: ...Snoogums is not pathetic!

Gippal: Fine, fine. –gives back bear-

Baralai: on, Snoogums, we don't need these guys. –sulks off-

...Wow. My past is more disturbing than I thought.

-Dr. P

ENTRY ELEVEN:

Okay, I'm really starting to wonder what's up with the Youth League members. We visited Mushroom Rock Road today, and I don't think any of the members are actually sane. Yaibal is just flat-out annoying, for one: someone needs to hit him with a heavy rock. I'd do it for free.

Elma? Boy, never have I seen someone who looked up to Yuna so much. She's just as annoying as Yaibal, and her personality is just...odd. I bet she'd be a good match for Clasko.

Speaking of Clasko, where does someone get such a huge love of chocobos? I mean, the way he talks about them, it's like he's in love. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he was. Have you heard that guy talking to a chocobo? I really think there's something else going on, there. In his spare time, he probably looks for chocobos and...

...Excuse me. These thoughts are too much. I'll be right back.

Okay. I really need to stop making myself ill over this journal. That's gotta be, what? The third, maybe fourth time? Ugh.

I think I've written enough today. And may Clasko and the chocobos never enter my mind again.

-Paine. Chocobo-free since...well, forever.