[video]

[mywayofhelping]

[That's right, Alex is actually making a video post. Obviously something is up. Though anyone who noticed him missing for the last few weeks might have a faint idea of what it is.]

To anyone whose statements I doubted about the condition of our homes, I'm quite sorry to admit I'll have to retract my comments. In return, I'd appreciate any known possible explanations.

Comments

[pureply]

[When Mia turned on her phone, this was literally the last face she expected to see. She was taken aback at first, and still dealing with the conflicting emotions. On the one hand, there is a small part of her that's grateful he's alive. On the other, that part is eclipsed by the anger she feels after everything he's done; she's surprised he even had the nerve to show up here. But, here he is, and here's her chance to finally confront him.]

[Only, when she thinks about speaking, all the words seem to blend together and she can't seem to find what to express first. Instead, she'll stare. She'll stare so that he knows that she knows what he's done; she'll stare so that he understands that everything he's done is so nonredeemable that she literally can't find the words to chastise him for it; and she'll stare so that he knows that whatever friendship they once had is over.]

[mywayofhelping]

[Well there's something they have in common, they were both seeing the last face they expected to see. After that whole incident with that shadow acting like her and his recent trip back to Weyard, he had been quite sure she was dead. But Mia didn't look any different than she had 30 years ago. Perhaps this was like the others he had encountered?

It takes him a few seconds of trying to stare neutrally but unable to hide a hint of the surprise he's feeling before he's able to restore the rest of his facade.]

...It has been a while, hasn't it, Mia?

[pureply]

[And that's the last thing they have in common :|. Alex looked different; maybe it was just that he looked older, but there was something else Mia couldn't place. It might make her curious, but it's not going to make her any less angry.]

It certainly has.

[Can you feel the venom in her voice?]

[mywayofhelping]

[Or his strange fashion "choice". He's not too shocked by her tone actually. Frankly, he expected it were they ever to cross paths with the way her son reacted to him. He would just stop the conversation now, but it's already going so he doesn't want to appear weak.]

And I see you would have preferred it had been longer?

[pureply]

I would preferred if it had been never.

[She's going to hold this stare as long as she can. And he better hope she never finds out about his son.]

[mywayofhelping]

Of course. [He would have preferred it too, but for a completely different reason.]

It seems other plans were in store, however. [Well, unless someone shows up with details on him, Alex doesn't know either, at least!]

[pureply]

Oh? Who's to say you didn't plan this yourself?

[There is nothing Alex can say to this that will convince Mia he isn't the one responsible for Weyard's destruction. :|]

[mywayofhelping]

Now Mia, what good possibly could have come from the destruction of the world? You obviously have yet to see just how awful this place can be, as well.

[pureply]

I'm sure however awful this place is, it can't be worse than what Weyard would have looked like with Alchemy in the wrong hands.

[mywayofhelping]

I doubt that, frankly. Regardless, I'm not sure what the "wrong" hands would be exactly. No one's?

[pureply]

I can certainly think of a pair.

[She's looking at you. :|]

[cursedchosen]

You know, it might help if you started by explaining what the deal with our homes was in the first place.

[Usually Zelos doesn't care about speaking to guys, but this was important, so he'd make an exception.]

[mywayofhelping]

Oh, you hadn't heard? I must regretfully inform you they've been destroyed.

[That small smirk totally says "regret".]

[cursedchosen]

[Alex might see a momentarily look of panic flash over Zelos' face before he smirks in return.]

That is quite regrettable. Guess it can't be helped.

[That voice oozes sincerity.]

[mywayofhelping]

I suppose not, no. That is why I'm curious to gain more information on this, however.

[cursedchosen]

No disrespect, but with the way the mods run this place, you've probably got all you're gonna get.

[Not that it's going to stop Zelos for mining for more information, nope.]

[mywayofhelping]

I'm aware of how...secretive they prefer to be. However, I'm also aware that the other "refugees" as it were have been collecting what information they can. My inquest was directed at them.

[cursedchosen]

Sounds like you're getting some insider information. Mind sharing with the less fortunate?

[mywayofhelping]

Nothing more than what can be gathered simply by asking those that have been here for longer. I've heard things such as this place and our bodies being a mere illusion. You can learn quite a lot of things by simply inquiring from the others who are being held here.

[cursedchosen]

And you've been here for longer?

[flamingjustice]

You're actually admitting you were wrong? I think the world is about to start ending all over again.

[mywayofhelping]

There's no need to be surprised, Jenna. You should know by now that I'll take back any statements that are misconstrued or otherwise.

[seekinganswers]

...you went back too, huh?

[She can't even bring herself to taunt him. She's seen it herself - it's not something she can make light of. Not even when it's Alex.] I guess there's some things even they don't lie about.

[mywayofhelping]

Obviously. It was all quite inexplicable, however. Whatever could have caused that level of destruction...?

[seekinganswers]

It's hard to say. The last thing I remember before coming here was lighting Mars Lighthouse, so at first I thought that people had been right when they said if we did all that, we'd be dooming Weyard.

But it sounds like no matter which world someone comes from, they all see the same things when they go back. I can't really think of what all those worlds would have in common, though... some of them seem really different.

[mywayofhelping]

Of course that didn't doom Weyard. All would have been lost without it, remember? Perhaps violent change occurred, but it only served to regrow the world.

[Yeah, he's decided to play the "I'm from your future sometime" card with her. Might help his standing, after all.]

I presume it would be the destruction, then. How strange.