Final Fantasy X/X2 trailer!

Cannot wait for this!

The Ruins of Mount Gagazet

I stepped off the airship and onto the strange crumbling floor of Mount Gagazet's temple. Tidus, you've never been here. For some reason, these ruins appeared after Sin was defeated, and you well . . . you know. I've tried to move on, and Rikku has helped me more than she can ever know. We're traveling the world,  visiting different places in Spira. Places I would never have seen if I stayed a summoner. This temple, I think you would like it. You always did make a game out of every temple we went to. But this temple doesn't have an aeon. It even has machina! Brother and Rikku found this rock fromation hovering over Mount Gagazet. Khimari guards it well, leading what is left of the Ronso, and protecting this sacred ground. Up here, so close to the stars and moon, I feel like you're with me. I turn around, expecting to see you stare open mouthed at the waterfalls that fall through the clouds, and the floating rocks, similar to Djose where the lightning held them in place. There's even a platform elevator, but when we pressed the button, the results were . . . disasteriffic. Brother has been so kind, and he's allowed me to hide from the people who want me in power. 

I know if you were here, you wouldn't want that at all. Maybe you would want to travel, like me. See all of Spira, and explore areas we didn't even know about during our journey. We both know what too much power can do. As long as I'm here, I want to protect our places. The ruins of Zanarkand and the Macalania Forest. Even the Moonflow that you wanted to see at night. Each place I visit, and each sphere I find brings me closer to you. It had to be you. Why else would I feel like you're here, even now, waiting for me to bring you back? There has to be a reason. A reason this temple hoveres in the sky. A reason it reminds me of Zanarkand, the one you told me about, and why I'm not afraid to look down from the edge of the stone floor and see nothing but clouds and sky. It's beautiful, and maybe one day, I can bring you here to see the details of the statues, pillars and steps. I just know you'd love it. You might even be here, right now, guiding me to get back to you.

Gullwing Yuna Polyvore Set

After creating the Summoner Yuna outfit, I took on the challenge of her Gullwing attire. I tried to get the best skirt, since Yuna only has a half skirt and stayed with the color scheme of white, coral pink and blue.
View the entire set here:
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=73441416

FF 30 day challenge day 30: Has Final Fantasy made an impact on your life?

Prompt: Has Final Fantasy made an impact on your life? If so, how? If not, what do you like about the whole series itself?

Yes.
Final Fantasy has a powerful formula for story telling. I would say that the game series, particularity Final Fantasy X has inspired me to create world and tell a story by coming up with my own mythology and honoring the hero's quest. The game series has impacted me by challenging my knowledge of  mythology and learning the steps of a hero's journey.
The stories of the games are philosophical and connect with the human condition in a way that involves the creation of different worlds. The characters have human elements, and even the deities and villains show powerful symbolism that relates to epic folklore.  The pattern of a Final Fantasy story is varied, but asks the same questions: What is true purpose? What makes someone a hero?
These questions are powerful keys in storytelling.
The other characteristic of a Final Fantasy game is world building. How was this world created? How does magic work in this world? What kind of civilization thrives here? Do they have a close or distant relationship with their deity? Is there more than one world? Does time play an important factor in this environment?
And of course: character building is a crucial part of a Final Fantasy story.
How strong is this character? How do they view themselves? How do they view others? How do they act/react? Do they have a goal? What motivates them? Who matters in their life? What choices do they have to make?
Final Fantasy impacted my life by helping me understand a complex and advanced story. By exploring new worlds and following many different characters, I have learned what stories I can tell. I know what worlds I want to create, and what makes my characters heroes or villains. Final Fantasy has taught me that stories can have many layers, and characters can change depending on their history and the changes they must cope with throughout their journey.
Final Fantasy has inspired me to tell great stories.

FF 30 day challenge day 29: How many Final Fantasy games do you own?

Hmm . . . that depends. Does Kingdom Hearts count as well?

Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X2
Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XIII 2
Final Fantasy Dissidia
Final Fantasy Dissidia Duodecim
Final Fantasy Theatrhythm

Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 days
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance

FF 30 day challenge day 24: Favorite Quote

"This is my story."

No matter how many times this quote is mentioned, it is still my favorite of the Final Fantasy quotes. Both Tidus and Yuna say this when they have to make a tough decision or when they think back on what has happened. It's a powerful statement that encourages them to do what they believe is right. Whenever they feel lost or confused, Tidus and Yuna say, "This is my story" to help them move forward, no matter what the consequences are.

FF 30 day challenge day 23: Favorite Black Magic Spell

Another odd question, but I have always liked Waterga.
It's literally a giant wall of water that surrounds your enemy and pretty much destroys them.

FF 30 day challenge day 22: Favorite Theme

It's a tie between Tidus and Yuna's themes.

Memories and Lightwaves is my favorite Final Fantasy theme and I always listen to it when it shows up on my playlist. But Tidus's theme has been growing on me lately. It's perfect to write to and it fits Tidus's personality.

FF 30 day challenge day 13: Favorite Job

Sphere Hunter/ Gullwing

I loved this job. Fighting fiends and collecting spheres (while searching for Tidus). It was fun performing shows at the Moonflow, going against machina and following clues to discover where spheres were hidden.

FF 30 day challenge day 11: Favourite Type of Transportation

The Shoopuf!

It's so cute :) and the driver has a cool accent. I enjoyed the extra stories that Kimahri tells about Yuna's first trip and Auron's story of Jecht's first encounter with a shoopuf. In FFX2 the shoopuf is still around and becomes the stage for a music band on the Moonflow.

I also found this on tumblr yesterday:

FF 30 day challenge day 7: Favorite Couple

(I'm skipping ahead because I've never played Crystal Chronicles)

Tidus and Yuna

I love their story, and how their personalities compliment each other. Yuna is very reserved, while Tidus is always joking around and trying to lighten the mood. Considering the journey Yuna was on, without Tidus, she might not have had the strength to continue on. Tidus showed her how to have fun, and taught her to believe in herself. Yuna taught Tidus how to be responsible, and she gave him the courage to do the right thing. Both Yuna and Tidus were never the same after meeting each other. They even have a sweet side story in Dissidia, where Yuna tries to help Tidus overcome his anger toward his father and remember the journey they had together. Because of these two, I had to get the best ending in FFX2 and bring them together again. I was a little sad that they never met in Kingdom Hearts.

Kingdom Hearts Challenge Day 11: Favorite original Final Fantasy Character(s)

Tidus

I love how cheerful Tidus is. He's always looking for fun, and he does the best to find the positive in a situation, no matter how grim. Considering his story, he is very brave in the face of adversity and he knows how to cope with difficult obstacles.

Yuna

Yuna has an inner strength and wisdom, to hold herself together and be ready for whatever comes her way. I admire her ability to stand strong and face obstacles both internal and external. She learns how to stand up for herself and be brave when everything falls apart. She has a big heart and she isn't afraid of anything.

True Strength

It lies not in anger
It lies not in pride
The true and real power
Is much easier to hide
Once life begins
From the very start
True and real strength
Lies in the heart

Memories and Lightwaves

Sometimes music just says it all. In Mythology class, we talked about the way some songs or pieces of music reach us so powerfully that we never get tired of it. This is such a piece of music for me. It just describes everything from a calming breeze to a powerful storm. This piece was written for the game Final Fantasy X 2 by Noriko Matsueda and Takahito Eguchi.
Music is all about emotion, and the emotion in this piece seems to be a mixture of many different emotions. It goes from a quiet calmness to a building crescendo of happiness and determination. I don't know why this music speaks to me so powerfully, but I suppose sometimes it is good to have a connection with emotion through art. What kind of music or song stays with you and inspires you?