(ley line)

[anciently]

[ Perhaps the light, female voice is familiar to those who hear it, recognizable as belonging to Aerith, or perhaps it's a stranger that you suddenly have chatting in your mind. Either way: ]

Hi there, everyone! I won't take too much of your time.

How many people have gone home from here and come back, and...how many have just...gone?

Just wondering. Thanks.

[ Those even a little familiar with the flower girl might note the uncharacteristic curtness to the message, clipped in tone and lower in energy than her usual... ]

Comments

[tradicioun]

Gone how?

( whether it's those that have left and for some reason come back or just left. she'd like to know how they managed it )

[anciently]

Just...gone. One day they're here, the next, they're not.

[ There's a pause. On her end, Aerith sighs softly. ]

Back home, I think, but I don't know. I've only ever talked to one person who disappeared and came back.

[starshower]

Aerith...

[Tifa knows what this is about, having gone to look for him herself for a favour when she'd woken up, only to find that his room was empty and so was the church. It's why it takes her a moment to realize that her friend had asked a real question, and that her answer leaves much to be desired.]

I only know a couple people who've come back... [a beat.] I'm sorry.

[anciently]

[ Tifa. Somehow, always there in the nick of time when Aerith has felt alone, since the two met back in Midgar. Unseen, the brunette smiles faintly, grateful, always, for the kindness of the other woman. ]

Hmm? Oh, I'm okay. Things happen, you know? And...we keep going. [ She'd been able to see him again, for one thing, though...he'd slipped away again without a goodbye, and she feels the loss keenly in her chest. ] ...But, thanks.

[ There's a pause on her end, and then, a bit more tense: ]

Actually, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about. [ Not about Zack, that is. ] When you have some time.

[koopacrusher]

I disappeared about two months ago and just showed back up last week. Don't remember anything about going 'home' though.

[The Ley Lines are even newer to Bowser than they are to most. Not only has Bowser arrived after their appearance, but he's been quite busy since his arrival. This is one of his first attempts to actually use one.]

Who is this?

[anciently]

Really? [ That...actually makes her feel a bit better, somehow. Even if Zack doesn't return...if there's a chance, then she can stay hopeful. ] Weird. So, where were you in all that time?

[ Nowhere? The white, expansive void, again?

At the question, she blinks, and then cracks a smile. ]

I'm Aerith. Who is this? You don't sound familiar...

[theforgottenboy]

I was pulled back to my world, then back here. I think some people have gone without being pulled back. I don't know how many.

[He's not as good at reading people through words alone, but...]

Are you all right?

[anciently]

Cole? It's been a while! [ She'd recognize the voice, though, or so she assumes. ] I didn't realize how many people have gone and come back. I...wonder who else hasn't returned. [ How could she not have noticed this? She'd been thinking so much about how people might go back home at will that she'd completely missed those going back and forth seemingly at random. ]

I'm okay. Just wondering about these things. [ Aerith isn't often one to divulge how she's feeling, and not through this weird method of communication, besides. ] How are you?

[kimihiros]

I don't recognize your voice, miss, but I've only heard stories. Are you ok?

[anciently]

My name's Aerith. It's nice to sort-of meet you!

[ The question creates a brief pause, and then a light clearing of her throat. ]

I'm okay. Just...trying to figure out how this place works. It isn't easy!

[forethinking]

You know what I know.

... Come to Kichijoji when you can.

(Aerith, he knows you. Something is bothering you, and he'd like to help.)

[anciently]

That I do. [ Her response is delicate in tone, but he's obviously got a grasp enough on Aerith herself to know she isn't totally okay. As such, she replies: ] Will do! Soon, okay?

[ Once she...replies to some of the voices coming from other parts of the ley line, and...does some thinking of her own. ]

[forwearemany]

Uncertain. We are aware that Ren has departed and returned.

[anciently]

Right... He's the only one I knew about. [ She assumes this is Legion, as they have a pretty distinctive voice, but - ] If you find out about any others...let me know?

[abeautifulgame]

[there's a wash of fear, a whisper of Tifa, as -- well, that's who Damien thinks Aerith is talking about. it would be just his fucking luck, and maybe he's going to have to make this place pay, after all, despite Ren -- ]

[ -- and then he realizes he can hear Tifa through the line, too, and he breathes a mental sigh of relief]

[there's a long pause, following that, before:] I'm aware of a few people having come and gone. [or just gone] I'd rather not have this conversation here, though. [he wouldn't be opposed to meeting somewhere to discuss it, though]

[anciently]

Sure thing. [ She's pretty sure she recognizes the voice, and even if not, she's not too worried about stranger danger in this place. ] Where can we talk?

[ Honestly, Aerith would prefer to speak face-to-face, too, but this just seemed like an easier way to get a mass message out. If anyone involved has more information, then she'd rather meet up with them to hear what they have to say... ]

[pinwheels]

[ She recognizes the voice in her head almost instantly, although a frown takes Rinoa's face at the sound - it's not the usual bright, energetic tone they share, but something softer and sharper, something sad. ]

Aerith? It's Rinoa. Are you okay?

[anciently]

Yeah. [ She's grateful for the sentiment - and, honestly, surprised at how many people have chimed in - but it's...also a lot, having all those voices in her head, crowding the thoughts that were already huddled there. ] Hi, Rinoa. I'll be okay.

[ She always is, really. It'll just take time. ]

Any change you wanna...meet up? Maybe grab a coffee?

[metachrosis]

...here we go again.

[Over five years of this, and Espio knows exactly what’s going on.]

Can’t tell you how many, but reality probably just misplaced them somewhere. They might come back eventually. Or they might not.

Good luck.

[anciently]

Again? [ Now here's a voice she doesn't recognize, in addition to the odd sentiment she's hearing from them. ] You...have a lot of experience with this, huh?

[ Hopefully, they'll be willing to tell her more, but...that last bit had felt like a sign-off. ]

[crystaltower]

This is something I too would like to know. Though I know few people here particularly well, I still cannot help but notice the absence of many familiar faces.

‘tis my hope they have each returned to their rightful home, and yet...

[No, he’s not going to start dwelling on these mysterious losses. He can try to be a little optimistic, right?]

[anciently]

I know what you mean. [ It's more or less how she feels at the moment. ] I'd like to hear more about what people who're still here have experienced, to try and figure it all out...but, it's tough. Not knowing if those who've gone will show up again, or...

[ Or...if they're just gone forever. Why those people? Why at those times? ]

[rotomphone]

[ the voice familiar, yes, but it's the tone that he doesn't recognize. he's used to Aerith's voice being much cheerier, which means that it's his turn to return the favour she's extended to him several times over already. ]

Sounds like you've gotten enough answers. [ he'd just be repeating what others have told her. right now, he's more worried about why she's asking in the first place. ] Anything else you want to talk about?

[anciently]

Hmm... [ Raihan, she Appreciates you. Aerith smiles faintly on her end, humming as she thinks it over. ] Nothing, really. But I wouldn't say no to some company if you're free to hang out for a bit. Heavenly Blanc?

[ She needs a drink, at least, if he'll humor her... ]

[halloflamer]

[Blue can't help but have a sinking feeling as he hears this. Not only because of her tone, but because he knew many of those Aerith may be asking about.]

...Well, you know already, but. There's Red, and Lance, and... well, Ren and Akechi went and came back, but--

Who else's gone?

[anciently]

Yeah...I've talked to Ren about it. [ She's only sorry Blue hasn't seen his friends return the way Ren and Akechi had. ] But, um - it's Zack. I haven't seen him in a while, so...

[ Unless he's just gotten himself really lost, and for a long time, then... ]