Well, things seem to be looking up for everyone again! The kid here's been doing a lot better than he was a while ago, and ah... funny thing. Turns out I'm not in trouble with the red-headed guy after all... things changed a lot in the years I was gone, apparently.

And... what's this new holiday we got here? Valentine's Day? It's great to see people still trying to find happiness around here, even with everything going on! Hope you guys all have a nice time then! I'll be happy to help out with whoever needs it, since... wellll, I don't really have to hide anymore. [laughs]

And Aeris? If you can see this... I hope you got home okay. I'm sorry we can't spend the holiday together, but I'll find something nice to bring back home for you. I promise. Even if you're not here, I'm still thinking of you... just so you know. And Rikku, Cloud, Tifa, Fugaku and anybody else not here anymore... you guys, too. I'll find a way back home and a way to travel worlds like this again and things'll be even better than before.

I miss you all. I really do. Here's hoping you're all just back safe and sound!

And everyone here, have a happy and safe holiday!

Something... feels empty again. Like when Sephiroth vanished, but not as bad.

[pauses]

Loz? Yazoo? Cloud? Are you guys still here? It... it happened during that blackout.

At least he's responding. But I really don't think he has any idea who or where he is right now. He just keeps babbling.

[restrained growl of frustration]

Damnit. Damnit, it's happening again, and I can't--! He--!

[sound of a bucket being kicked]

He doesn't have any eyes. He can't even see me. He probably doesn't even know I'm real.

Why can't I save anyone?!

...

I don't feel too good.

[sounds shocked, and more than a little upset]

You guys... you said you'd stay. That you wouldn't... wouldn't leave. You said you'd be there.

Why did you...

...

Come back. Please...

Welp, nice while it lasted. I'm outta here, and prooobably am gonna make myself scarce from now on. :D

Oh, and if anybody sees a guy with spiky red hair and wearing black, or a bald guy with sunglasses, don't tell 'em I'm here, alrighty? Things could get ugly~

Don't call me, I won't call you!

Sooo... one of the flashes came again this morning, but... this one was really weird. Either I was dreaming, or having a freaky out-of-body experience.

I was a wolf. Annd... I started following Cloud around. No clue why, I just did it. I couldn't talk, couldn't go back.

And he turned around and walked right through me. That's when I woke up... or whatever.

I think I might've found out how these things happen, too. I don't like the reason...

Why, though, I dunno.

hey.

you still around? someone got bit down there and he's in real bad shape. can you help? we're at the hotel.

thanks.

- Zack

That's it! I can't take this sitting around! I'm gonna go find these bastards and take them out myself!

You hear that out there?! Let my friends go! You won't get away with this, no matter what!

And Sephiroth, don't let them win! Just hang in there, I'll find you!

Sephiroth...

Hang in there. You're not done here yet, dammit!

...I didn't have any headaches or anything this morning, like I usually would. And my dreams actually made sense. I think I'm finally adapting to everything now!

Also, I haven't heard from Loz since the Clover-baby had its tantrum. Anybody know if he's okay? I'm really worried.

And Fran! Fran. Fran. I'm still up for doing that test if you are. You see, a friend came back and... yeah. Can we reschedule?

I wonder what would happen if we managed to feed the monsters Jenova cells. Would we be able to control them?

I'm thinking of trying it. The worst it could do is not work or get them sick, right?

Gotta try something! Who wants to help?

[ooc: Feel free to talk him out of it. >.>]

This is... horrible...

HEY! IS EVERYONE OKAY?!

[weak tone, weighed down by fatigue]

If anybody's wondering... I'm not at the hotel right now. I'm not really feeling too good, and I can't walk the distance back there. Sara's with me though, and we're staying out in a place called Times Square.

It's not a crab bite, don't worry. I just... kinda overdid things.

Cloud, Sephiroth? You guys... um. Okay? I know I should've stayed. I'm really sorry.

[ooc: Posted after Tifa leaves.]

[voice is weak and strained, and slightly out of breath, but hurried]

Cloud... Sephiroth... fighting... had to go... can't... can't get back.

Couldn't stop them...

[violent coughing]

Sara... are you okay?

Someone's out there. Someone's out there and taking us away and torturing us.

We... we found Sara, but she's sick. Really badly sick. And there were marks all over her arms to indicate that someone was restraining her.

If you can see this, I don't know who the hell you think you are, but this has to stop! I won't let you keep attacking innocent people like this!

I'm not resting until she's better. I have to help.

I'll stop this, Angeal. I won't let you down again.

[ooc: Backdated to this thread here: http://community.livejournal.com/daisychainrpg/333808.html?thread=7100400#t7100400]

[Have a little thirteen-year-old's voice, sounding confused and a bit curious]

Everybody, don't eat the cookies. I just had about one or two, and I shot back almost ten years. I think there's some kind of spell on them.

[clank]

Can anybody find me a new belt, too?

[voice is hurried, panicked, and very very worried]

G-guys, guys. Something's really, really wrong here. I-I can't find Sara, and all of her stuff's still here. The door's still locked from the inside and she... she even left her gun behind.

She never does that. N-never.

I don't know what's going on, but I have to go find her. I'm sorry, I'll be back soon. Right now, I have to see if she's okay.

[sound of shuffling and running is heard, followed by a door slamming and silence until the post cuts out]

Y'know... I've been thinking lately.

First I hear something about Cloud 'pretending to be me', then I hear 'mixing up his memories with mine'.

Aeris told me most of what happened after my supposed death, but... I can't help but feeling like I'm being pushed away from something else.

It's really just my curiousity getting the better of me, but... I think I deserve to know what really went on, guys. What happened to Cloud after I was gone that you're being so vague about?

Just wondering.

[Filtered from all FF7 dudes//hard]

Hey, Santa?

I know he's done a lot of bad things in the past, but could you please bring Sephiroth something good, too? He's really trying here, but nobody else wants to give him a chance.

Thanks.

~ Zack
[/filtered]

I haaate being sick. I'm not used to it!

...I need a hug.

Merry Christmas? Think that's how you say it.

The food came back, huh? That's good; at least someone out there is trying to help us.

Santa? Was it you?

I just... wonder if we had to sacrifice someone in order for it to happen...

Rikku... please, please tell me you're still here and okay.