The Furball

/sigh — I feel inadequate

My friends mean the world to me, I am blessed to have so many of them. I am really grateful for their friendship, their love and their support. When I have a rough day, someone will notice and try to comfort me. When I doubt myself, someone is there to cheer me up.

You see, my friends’ opinions mean a great deal to me. I have, from the very beginning, wanted people to like me and cherish the time they’ve spent with me. I want to leave nothing but a good impression with them, and have them become my friends.

A friend of mine said something that really hurt my feelings the other day. So much, in fact, that I began to question if I’m at all competent enough to write this diary. If I’m remotely adequate to make a book for my friends. I’ve never been very confident in my writing, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise how much it hurts when a friend makes you feel that what you are doing isn’t good enough.

I know my spelling is off, my sentences could use a lot of work and my vocabulary is rotten. Comments like that, even if they are meant to help, hurts me and makes me even more insecure about my writing.

In the end I was so hurt—so upset—that I couldn’t bring myself to do a KS99 run with my linkshell.

Redecorating my Moogle House

After a long day of adventurers in the wild, there is no place like home sweet home. All your weary body longs for is a hot bath and a good nights sleep. And as you walk in the door, you know for certain that your Moogle is waiting on you.

Moogle, or at least mine, is a very caring soul, always worrying about me while I’m outside serving the Star Sibyl. As I wake up each morning, Moogle has already brought in my morning fish and a copy of the two Windurstian newspapers, the Tarutaru Times Online and the Magic Paradise.

In a recent issue of Tarutaru Times I found a fascinating article about decorating your house. My moogle house has been pretty much the same way for several years now, and I would like to make it a bit more cozy. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not like my moogle house is a mess like some people’s house is, it’s actually a quite nice room. I would really like to add some more light and an assortment of freshly picked flowers.

I will be spending the next week or so redesigning my moogle house, growing flowers and getting another aquarium—I promise I won’t eat the fishies in them!

When my friend Ravenclaw learned that I’m redesigning my moogle house, he sent me an invitation to come to his residence in San d’Oria. I thought it would be nice to see how he had decorated his house and hurried over there. As I walked up to the residential area, he was standing in the street, waving to me. Hello neko~chan, he yelled out so I would find him. The streets were full of people, and some of the younger ones laughed at the man who just suddenly cried out. I walked up to Ravenclaw and greeted him. This way, kitten, he said, showing me the way through the residential area.

As we walked in, his moogle greeted me by bowing to me. Welcome, kupo! he said. I looked around, the house, and were completely enticed by the many flowers he had standing on along one of the walls. So purrrdy~, I said. My eyes were dilated, delighted by the fresh flowers he had. Now now, kitten, don’t get all lost in thought, Ravenclaw said, showing me around the room.

His house had a tropical feel to it, and his room seemed clean and spacious, displaying some of the many gifts he had picked up during a few events. I cheered, as I picked up a lot of ideas of how to decorate my own house.

In the end I decided that I want a cozy home, tucked away in the residential area of Windurst. Filled with lights and fresh flowers, it would have the purrrfect atmosphere! So stay tuned!

Battling by the Oasis

Night had fallen over the lands of Zepwell Island, and a dry wind swept over the dunes. A recent sandstorm had whirled up the sand, making a thing layer much like that of new snow. It was hard moving around on my own, so I decided to rent a chocobo.

Eulaclaire, the chocobo renter, had a hard time breathing because of all the dust, and was coughing repeatedly. Try drinking this, I told her, handing her a bottle of freshly made Melon Juice. The girl’s face lit up with joy and astonishment, surprised by the random kindness of a stranger. Than… thank you, kind madam, Eulaclaire said, showing her appreciation by telling me I would get the next ride for free. I shook my head at the girl, telling her that I couldn’t possibly accept such a gift. At least let me lend you my finest chocobo, she said, eagerly trying to return my kindness.

The chocobos found on Zepwell are specially trained to traverse the dunes, no matter how difficult the weather is. The chocobo had golden feathers, and was cheer joy to ride with. Some chocobos have a mind of their own and are easily scared, but even the terrifying manticores didn’t bother this bird the least. Running in the sand seemed effortless to the chocobo, having sturdy yet nimble legs.

A lush oasis appeared before our eyes as we climbed one of the many sandbanks in the dune. I were getting quite thirsty myself, as the temperature in these parts of Vana’diel is intense to say the least. I found myself sweating, even though it was only night. I could only imagine how hot it would get during day.

My party, which was waiting for my by the outpost, spoke a language I’m not at all familiar with. Using a magical auto-translator, developed by the moogles some hundred years ago, we laid out the battle plan. It’s quirky at best, but I suppose it gets the job done. And although we didn’t speak a whole lot to each other, the party worked out quite well. The experience wasn’t all that good, but at least we got some bonuses from partaking in various training regimes using Fields of Valor.

We concentrated our efforts around fighting the goblins that had set up their camps around the oasis as well. Every now and then the Bard brought a Manticore, a fearsome monster that could very well knock someone senseless with a single attack. We did quite well, but I think some of people I were partying with overestimated me as the Bard didn’t sing any ballads for me at first. Sure, I have Sublimation, but that will only get you so far in an area where monsters dish out so-called, Area of Effect attacks.

Watch out, the tank suddenly yelled, having no means to stop the goblin from chasing after me. Oh rats, I said, watching in horror as the goblin swung it’s blade at me. Everything suddenly went pitch black, and that’s all I can remember.

You okay? a friendly tarutaru asked. I sat up, and my throat was really dry. What happened? I asked. You got beataru by a goblin, he answered. I looked confused, as I had no recollection of what had just transpired. The party~warty dragged you here, he comforted, that was some fancy moves, but you better~wetter be more careful.

I suppose using Accession and a high level regen spell—or even a cure for that matter—is a bad, bad idea. At least till I can stack up some more enmity- gear.

The Tarutaru Beastmaster Dartvalince

Waves the height of a dhalmel came in from the Shu’Meyo sea, crashing against the rocky cliffs of Qufim island. It was nighttime and adventurers had taken shelter by the tower of Delkfutt, hiding from the undead roaming the area. A bolt shot down from the sky, making a thundering roar throughout the island. Lightning-storms aren’t uncommon in these parts, and I was worried I’d get struck myself.

The only thing that scares me more than rats are lightning-storms. Just the thought of thunder gives me goosebumps! Aww, why does it have to thunder when I’m here, I said to myself, crouching down in fear every time I heard the rumble of a thunder. Gah! I should’ve waited till tomorrow, I said, pitying myself.

Are you alright, madam, a voice asked. I looked up, seeing a tarutaru reaching his hand toward me. Bam! Another bolt of lightning hit the ground in the distance. Excuse me, the tarutaru said. I opened my eyes, looking around me nervously. Would you please let go of me, he said, getting impatient. I suddenly realized I was squeezing him with my arms. I blushed as I let go of him, bowing and telling him how sorry I was. Afraid of the thunder, are you? he grinned.

The tarutaru, a Beastmaster, was leveling in the area it seemed. I must have been to worried about the thunder to notice other people in the vicinity. At his side was a giant crab, a Courier Carrie, famous for it’s reliable nature in the trading business. It had numerous nails in it’s carapace and some jars stuck on top of it.

I’m so sorry, kind Sir, I told him, apologizing for holding on to him when I panicked. It’s fine, he said, and my name is Dartvalince, not Sir.

It turns out Dartvalince is also writing a diary, and I although I may have given him a bad first impression, I hope I get to meet him again! It’s always nice to meet new friends.

The Adamantoise

A distant roar thundered through the Terrigan headland. The animals around me got frightened and bewildered by the distant sound. I crouched down to pet a beach bunny that seemed terrified. There there, it’s nothing to worry about, I comforted it. But deep down I knew that the roar was something to be concerned about. I smiled warmly to the little rabbit, giving it a little carrot that I had in my bag. Oh well, guess I’ll just have to find something else to eat then, I told myself as I got back on my feet and made my way through the sandy terrain.

The sun was shining brightly in the sky, and small animals of all shapes and sizes were out in the open. The air was salty, and there was a gentle breeze blowing in from the vast ocean. The sand felt warm as I made my way toward the area where the sound originated from, and the scenery filled my heart with joy.

A new roar reverberated through Terrigan, this time much louder. I must be getting closer to source, I thought to myself, running as fast as I could. Help! My linkshell woke to life, as Greever cried out for help. Him and Yasko were battling an enormous tortoise, the Adamantoise, but were in bad shape. I’m almost there, I informed the linkshell, just hold on! A few others were also on the way, and I ran as fast as I could, entering a tunnel guarded by a group of manticores.

Our group made it just in time to save the two weary warriors. Sparroweye, wielding a mighty sword and a sturdy shield, provoked the giant turtle. The monsters attacks didn’t do much damage to Sparroweye, so our Thief, Stiffler, could concentrate on taking care of any undesired agro from nearby monsters.

The tortoise had a tough shell protecting it, and the damage dealers had to use all their might to put a dent in it’s massive carapace. The shell itself is as tough as adaman metal, and is much sought after by craftsmen all over the world. Monks are especially interested in it’s egg as it is used to prove their worth to receive their Black Belt.