(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

[koopacrusher]

I don't know. It was kinda like showing up here, but from here. I didn't even know I'd been gone at first.

King Bowser Koopa. The big regal-looking dragon guy. [Because Bowser definitely looks regal. He does stand out in a crowd, though, so it's likely Aerith has seen him.] I've been here since the beginning.

[anciently]

But you were missing for months... [ Not a question, just a confused statement of fact. ] Hmm. This is definitely interesting, that's for sure...

[ There's a little noise of recognition on her end after the introduction. ]

Oh! I don't think we've met, but I remember seeing you, Your Majesty. [ There's a smile in her voice, though it's more of an amiable thing than anything sarcastic, at using his title. ] I think we must've arrived at the same time, then!

[koopacrusher]

I don't really get it either. I really wish I did. Figuring out when or why people dissappear could be our best chance of getting out of here on our terms. Didn't you say something about other people managing to get home and getting back?

Must have. [is all that Bowser telepathically sends in response to the statement that they arrived at the same time.]

[anciently]

Mm-hmm. My friend Ren, who works at Heavenly Blanc. You could ask him about his experience.

[ It'd be enlightening in some ways, but the whole affair is still very much a mystery. ]

I agree. That's why I'm looking into these kinds of things, so...maybe the people who want to get home will be able to do it on their terms. And the people who want to stay...can.

[ For those who might have a home they don't want to return to. ]

[koopacrusher]

Maybe I should. [If there's anything Bowser can do to understand his own departure better, he's going to try it.]

There are people who want to stay here? [That's not a sentiment Bowser's considered, or even heard from anyone else.] Why?

[anciently]

Well... [ Aerith hesitates, thinking it over. ] I think some people maybe...weren't happy with how things were back home. This could be like a second chance for them, if it was really bad.

[ She's not one of them - there's still a lot of work to do back in Midgar and beyond - but Aerith could understand the reasoning behind wanting to stick around this place. ]

It's a choice when...they might not have had one before.

[koopacrusher]

[For a moment, Bowser sends nothing over the Ley Line. Then he responds.] What about interdimensional travel? I know people who could probably get any of us out of our dimension into a better one.

But this place? I can't say it's exactly safe. There might be something to this vanishing thing, but I'm not even sure if I... [Existed while he was gone. He doesn't finish, however, instead moving on.] Mementos happened. We don't know what's coming next. We should all get out of here the moment we get the chance.

[anciently]

Huh? [ ...Huh. Aerith thinks of the portals, of course. Of the Whispers, and of Sephiroth. ] Well...I'm not sure everyone has access to that kind of power. At least, not where I'm from.

[ In fact, she'd have said it was impossible if not for... ]

I understand. [ She replies lightly. ] But, I still think people should be able to choose. There's danger everywhere, so...if they want to take a chance here, I think it's everyone's right to decide for themselves. That said, we definitely need to find a way back for those who want to go home. I agree with you there for sure.

[koopacrusher]

Well if even one of us can get each other from one dimension to another, that should be enough to get anyone to a better dimension.

But I guess you're right. If other people want to stay here, that's not my problem. [Though for Bowser it's less a matter of individual choice as it is simply being apathetic about the danger to his fellow void residents.] But it comes down us all going home or us all staying, I'll do whatever it takes to get out of this place to my world.