Have you done Forging The Spirit yet? Because I haven't seen you mention it or acknowledge my original post, OP.
I was not immediately directed to do the Forging the Spirit quest and I didn't notice it when I read your earlier post. That very well might be the issue since I never saw that quest.... just the "Life, Materia and Everything" quest. When I get home from work today I will see if I can find that quest and complete it. Thanks!