A/N: No witty commentary from me. I know this chapter is rather short, thankfully, the next chapter is almost complete as well, so it'll be out sometime by the end of the week, assuming I don't get possessed by some plot bunnies, and start writing Naruto / Pokemon / other FF fics. Which has happened... repeatedly... ok, so I have a short attention span. I admit it!

Stupid1058: Eh heh... for once, I'm not going to be killed, maimed, or harmed. Instead, I'm just going to say... GYAHHH!

FoS: (Lowers a huge weapon of some kind) Couldn't resist. Don't mind Sandstone, he's been out of it for awhile. Something to do with Neverwinter Nights, the 'evil Microshaft bakas'... he said it, not me..., DDR, stacks and overflow buffers, and space monkeys. I honestly don't even want to know. Anyway, has anyone been having problems with Fanfiction dot net's e-mail system? Sandstone's partially gone crazy because he doesn't seem to be getting any alerts.

Sandstone: Kill... bill... must... kill... hehe, blond with sword...

Djose Temple… Gippal's 'interview'

I whistled as I saw the bridge packed with people. "Jeez." People turned, some staring.

Yuna flinched a little from the attention, but walked onward towards the temple.

&&&&&

Yuna said as everyone silently stared at her, "Everyone's staring."

I said tiredly, "You're famous, Yuna. Better get used to it, or turn into a hermit. And trust me sis, hermitage is no fun."

Yuna sighed. "All I want is some peace and quiet."

Rikku said to Paine and myself, "Poor thing. She's led such a sheltered life."

Paine said, "Maybe she's getting old."

Yuna frowned, and said sharply, "Who's getting old?"

A guy with an eye patch walked past us a moment after Yuna spoke. Rikku whispered to us, "That's Gippal, leader of the Machine Faction. He can be kind of annoying, but he's all right."

I sighed, but shrugged helplessly. Rikku had told me a lot about him – they were old friends, and had gone out for a bit, before the two of them realized it would never work out. From what she'd told me, they'd parted well enough, and were something akin to 'distant friends'.

Gippal turned around at the doorway, and said, "Okay, let's do some interviews. Bring it!"

Yuna giggled for a moment, "Yeah, he seems all right."

I shrugged, staring at the line. "This is going to take awhile." I pulled a pokeball, releasing Mindstrike. He looked over at the line, sighed, and took a spot. He's been acting less psychotic than usual, I'll just have to make sure he doesn't do something stupid.

We walked around for a few minutes, until Mindstrike signaled that he was next in line, and we walked up to him, just as they signaled for us to enter.

The employee studied the five of us (I hadn't returned Mindstrike yet). "If you want an interview, you'll have to go to the temple. If you get the job, you'll be paid for parts you dig up at Bikanel Desert."

I rolled my eyes. "We had to wait for this?"

The woman shrugged. "It's a way to get rid of the wimps."

I sighed, and Yuna led the way to the temple.

&&&&&

Gippal was talking to another Al Bhed, saying "E ryja ymnayto ehdanjeafat people. Uha uv oui kioc dyga ujan." (I have already interviewed people. One of you guys take over.)

The Al Bhed pointed behind Gippal, towards us. "Gippal…"

Gippal turned, then said in shock, "Huh?"

Yuna said innocently, "Hello."

Gippal looked from her, to me, and then the other two. He asked hesitantly, "You, uh, here for an interview?"

I arched an eyebrow. "Would we be here if we weren't?"

Gippal asked the ceiling "The great high summoner wants an interview?" Ok, now he's pissing me off.

Yuna said shortly, "Former summoner."

Gippal snorted. "All right, follow me."

He walked out, heading towards the bridge. We followed him easily, Rikku and myself chatting idly.

He stopped, and turned. He looked Yuna over, then said, "Never been this close to a celebrity before."

Yuna looked away, and said, "That's nice."

Gippal continued, "I could get used to this."

I looked at Yuna, and she slightly shook her head. She stated firmly, "Let's not."

Gippal shrugged, and looked over at me. "So, you're with them now?"

I rolled my eyes, saying silently, 'duh'. Gippal remained silent, then said, "It true that your… aeons… never disappeared?"

I nodded, then snorted. "Mindstrike was saving a spot in line for us. They're still here."

He shrugged, then turned to Rikku. "Well, if it isn't Cid's girl. How you been?"

Rikku pouted, and said, "Hey, I have a name!" She leaned slightly against me, folding her arms across her chest. I gave Gippal a look that said quite clearly, 'stop it, or I'll drop you'.

Gippal laughed shortly. "Brother doin' okay?"

Rikku shrugged. "Same as ever. Buddy's around, too."

Gippal snorted. "Same as ever is right." He looked over at Paine, then gasped, "You!"

Paine blinked, then said in a monotone, "Paine. Nice to meet you."

Gippal seemed disturbed by something, and said, "Uh-huh?"

Paine remarked dryly, cutting off his muttering, "We're here for the interview."

Gippal walked past the four of us, muttering, "Right...the interview."

I looked over at Rikku, and she shrugged. "Alright Gippal. Get serious, before Li here goes nuts."

Gippal stared at her, then said, "You sure you wanna dig? 'Cause we're talking about the desert, ladies. Not exactly a picnic." He turned to me, and I snorted. I'd BEEN in deserts before I arrived at Spira. "Try me, I ate a picnic in a sandstorm." That was kinda fun, actually… I had Psymachine and Ashley had Suicune divert the winds away, so we could eat in the 'eye' of a sandstorm.

Gippal stared at me, and I smirked at him. Finally, he raised his hands skyward, and rolled his one good eye. "All right, you're hired."

Yuna looked between me, and him. "Huh?

Gippal laughed. "You. Are. Hired." He paused, then continued, "Don't know why a superstar like you would want to play in the sand. Well, do what you gotta do. Anyways, I've done what I can. Dig to your heart's content."

I looked over at Rikku, who had a grin on her face, and shrugged. Psychic pokemon… glad I have two of them.

Yuna said unsurely, "Um, thanks."

Gippal produced a letter in his hand, then held it out to Yuna. "Show this letter to a woman named Nhadala. You'll find her in the Bikanel Desert." Yuna carefully took it, and he turned, calling, "Happy digging!"

Paine rolled her eyes, and said, "We can play in the sand later. Let's just keep moving."

I made a face, and said, "Hey, if we dressed her up in a red jacket and sunshades, you think…"

Yuna paused, as Rikku gave me a strange look. Then Yuna smiled, and shook her head. Paine looked at the three of us, confused. "I really don't want to know, do I?"

Rikku giggled, "Nope!"