...Why did the city change? It's all wrong now...Different.

Edward, I don't understand what's going on, but I don't like it.

-his voice drops slightly-

Did we go to someone else's home? Why can't we go to OUR home?

-he shifts, tapping the microphone with one metal finger.-

Why are there people...but I can sort of see through them? IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!

-There's a crash as something is shoved over-

I have no complaints about this location. It operates on rules which I am familiar with; kill something and obtain something from it. I have yet to understand why some of the monsters carry vials on their persons, but it doesn't matter; here, at least, my programming is of some use.

...however. The sheer number of humans is a bit disconcerting, and I don't know why they can't see me. Am I not really here? I can't seem to hurt them, nor can I attract their attention by any means. They're alive yet not, like ghosts of a bygone age. And everything seems controlled by one organization, one place which towers above all of the others. I... I should ascend to the top of the tower. Perhaps there are answers there.

Perhaps this place is more like home than I originally thought.

I must admit, there is a measure of comfort being back in my office. I shouldn't get used to it, but this brief reprieve from the monotonous is nice.

Also, given I've traveled all of Gaia, there is no place like Midgar.

Turks, I would advise you to stock up. There's no harm in trying.

( Screened to Wesker )

With this new landscape and territory, what actions should be taken?

I...

Um...

Well...



Crap.

If anyone here has some experience with dealing with Sephiroth, I could really use your help just about now.

While I was pleased to see Hojo again, I can see that he was no better looking when younger or in his own world. This world seems to be changing by the day. Perhaps the people will be solid soon as well. I wonder if I can tempt or force Hojo to return. I have missed the interesting ideas he came up with.

I am sure Elena would be delighted to see him, and we can introduce a new group to him.

You cannot keep me locked down here forever. Eventually, I'll get through that door or you'll be forced to let me out, Elena. Keeping me against my will can only make matters worse in the end.

I shall be resuming my healing today. I do not think, however, that I will be able to heal anything severe. But I will do what I can for those who come to me.

I was told to speak to one named Aerith about it?

Midgar is not like anything I have seen before, and I have no idea how any of these things work.

Also, your currency is very strange. I trust it is currency of some kind?

Alright, first I get a strange keyblade thing, and then this whole place changes. At least there's running water and electricity. I wonder if I can find some batteries and games. That would be heaven compared to what I've had since I got here.

Has it really been a year already...?

[Chris laughs delightedly. There is the sound of his feet on what sounds like a wooden floor. Then he starts talking.]

I have no idea what this place is, but I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth. It's a house! With hot and cold running water and no holes in the ceiling! Okay, I've been working on the part about the holes, but still. Whoever did this is my freakin' hero. I missed indoor plumbing like mad since I got here.

...You'd think that the TVs could at least get HBO or TCM or something, though. So far it's all about Shinra and that Sephiroth loon being a big hero. Pfft. If he's a hero, then Wesker should win the Nobel Peace Prize or something.

[A cough.] I could do without the ghost people, though. Have you guys seen them too?

Huh, this is weird. Midgar again. And before... it all, I guess, if those SOLDIER adverts are anything to go by.

[He shifts uneasily.]

I hope I don't run into myself...

Though I wonder if I could use a bike around here. I kind of miss Fenrir. And I might as well treat myself, if this date's right...

I guess we might be able to get some supplies here? Everything seems solid enough. Just not the people.

...Television?

Awakening and seeing Midgar laid out before me was not what I had expected. I've never been sent home, but for a moment, I understand the shock of it all, until I realized that my room was the one I had when I was a teenager. There was a strangeness to walking the halls of Shin-Ra once more, unseen by everyone. Whoever the people are here, they don't seem to notice us at all.

I did see my father.

What disturbs me the most are the news broadcasts and the promotions for SOLDIER. Seeing Sephiroth painted as Shin-Ra's hero is disconcerting to say the least.

It appears I'm not back home or alone at least. Others are as confused as I am.

Turks, I will meet you in the lobby of Shin-Ra. It shouldn't be difficult to find given its size once more. The transport displays are in place still. This must be before Strife broke in and stole one, doing untold damage to the lobby.

Matt, be careful when you come downstairs. Our stairs now, uh, move. Like an escalator.

((There's a pause of Mello opening doors, or rather the doors whooshing open for Mello. A few seconds of stunned silence follows))

Sweet merciful...

There's a bathroom.

((Cue Mello turning on the taps, rushing water heard in the background.))

With hot water! And toilet paper.

My house is gone. There's... different things here. Where I had a firepit yesterday is what I think Sakura called a 'stove'. There is an icebox as well, and lights that work on a switch. What happened? Why are there cars outside and a train roaring around the city? What's going on?

I...hope this isn't all because of that bit about redecorating. Yes, it's something of an improvement from before, but I could do without the tentacled things with really bad breath. Even if this is the first paycheck I've seen in weeks.

Still, I wonder about these buildings. Are they as ghostly as the people?

On to business.

More people. And less people. I think a revolving door is a good way to describe this place. Still no sign of Yohji, Matt. Maybe he did go home. Maybe he's just playing hard to get.

GRAM, you're not playing shy too, are you? It's not like I took that personally. Promise.

Brienne, was it? I think we need to chat.