(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

[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.