[VIDEO .005 | username edward.elric]

[alchemyfreak]

The way things work here, people are supposed to leave by choice. Has anyone been contacted by a friend, before they left? I’ve heard some theories that when we leave we don’t get a chance to say goodbye, once the portal points the right way either you go or you miss it.

A few of us have talked about leaving a message in advance, so if the opportunity comes and we have to take it without warning people here have something left behind. Some people used to do that where I was before… has anyone here done anything like that? It seems worth it.

Even if we don’t want to leave, I’m not entirely convinced everyone that’s gone left here by choice.

[A pause. There’s no emotion when he speaks, if anything there’s a distinct lack of emotion, expression carefully neutral with the last part.]

Yuffie’s gone. For anyone that knew her and isn’t aware yet.

Comments

[alchemyfreak]

That was my theory, but it doesn't make it any easier on the people that do get left behind. I just don't want to find out that leaving here isn't always optional when it's too late.

[He wasn't in much of a rush to get home like most people he knew, and being pulled from worlds without his consent or knowledge was hardly an experience he was unfamiliar with. Mostly though, Ed doesn't do open communication about feelings well so this is his best way of coping with Yuffie being gone.]

[anotheroldsoldier]

They don't force people to leave, just like they didn't choose to have people come through who didn't want to be here. They'd actually prefer us to stay, so it doesn't make sense that leaving wouldn't be a choice.

[alchemyfreak]

They wouldn't gain anything from forcing us to leave,
but no one chooses who arrives either. From what I understand the portal acts on its own,
if it can pull people here that don't want to be here couldn't it also send people back that didn't want to leave?

Guess I'd just feel better if there was a way to confirm that everyone who left so far has actually wanted to, and there isn't really a way to do that.

[anotheroldsoldier]

That's what I said. They don't choose who comes through. The theory is that people are brought here who feel as if they don't belong in their own world. If someone wanted to stay here, it doesn't make sense for it to work exactly opposite and send away someone who feels like they belong.

Finding a way to feel better is on you, but don't spread around paranoid bullshit and rile up the new arrivals. There's no conspiracy here. I've been here for months and I keep seeing this crap when the Riverview government has been nothing but transparent about what they do know.

[alchemyfreak]

People get brought here because of a fleeting feeling,
who's to say that it can't work in reverse?

I don't know where you got the idea I'm talking about the government, like I said the portal is what brings people in. Errors don't have to be conspiracy theories, you know.

You seem dead set on this topic, but I was talking about having a chance to say goodbye and options we can take if there isn't one since we don't know who will come or go next.

[anotheroldsoldier]

You were sharing suspicions. "I'm not convinced everyone leaves here by choice." And if all your questions are solely about the portal, you could go and ask the people who study it and spend time around it.

[It always seems to come back to the government in some way, either people being suspicious of them or people not going to them to ask their questions.]

I'm saying this for everyone else's benefit, too. Carry on.

[And he'll probably wind up saying the same stuff to the next relative newbie who goes off on this crap, but this is his last text here.]