[Sent: 20th February]

[shinrasfinest]

*PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL*

I sincerely hope that this letter finds you all securely. I took the liberty of strictly instructing my moogle to process each copy of this correspondence separately to achieve the highest level of data protection; I cannot afford for this, nor any replies to be seen by unintended eyes.

Now onto the subject of this irregular mail.

I've been given a task by Jessie, to conduct an observation into those of our number who remain in Crystal Stasis within the Aqures Ixen General Hospital. With the intention to locate and verify any tangible similarities that may link all of them together, with the hope no doubt, for her to conduct even further research into the nature of this affliction which, I am sure, is a pressing concern for everyone.

In order to do so, I need to gather whatever information possible about those Heroes that have fallen into Crystal Stasis and I would very much implore each of you to respond to me with whatever details you may know of any one of them - no matter how trivial it might seem.

As I understand it, privately addressed mail does not carry the same security risk as mail which is intended for a wider audience, but if you are concerned, and your own moogle companion is willing - you may instruct them to bypass the Mognet office with any replies and come directly to my abode at B-04, Aqures Ixen.

Yours sincerely,

Sephiroth

[ooc: This note has been distributed differently to how most mail over the Mognet gets sent. It's hand delivered by one of six, smaller girl-moogles with glasses - or by Spencer personally. Details here - Spencer has persuaded his sisters and a few younger cousins to assist him with the direct distribution of 50+ letters individually processed to each Hero of Light per Zelda's list of Heroes. As such there may be a delay in your character receiving their copy of this letter. Spencer then dutifully returns the original to Sephiroth. Call it micro-managing but he can't afford for this to fall into the wrong hands.

The moogles involved would most likely appreciate a Kupo nut for their hard work!]

Comments

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Sephiroth,

I certainly appreciate your discretion in this matter. If it'll help, the only one of the Heroes I got to know before she fell into Crystal State was Yeul.

Yeul was one of the people who got sick, with some illness, and she freely told me that she had died, in the incident right before I arrived here. But, her timeline is complicated.

Back in her own world, she was a Seer. Her life force was somehow tied into the timeline of her planet. She explained that she would live through her life, until she received a vision. To see the future, she had to give up the rest of her own timeline. So, she would get a vision, and then die. And then come back, like her time had been reset, the world had been altered. She didn't tell me how many times she had gone through this cycle back on her own world. And she didn't think that she had those powers here.

Except, that incident. She got her old powers back, she had a vision about this world, but she didn't die. She died from the illness, shortly thereafter. But it wasn't the same. That time, she also didn't fall into crystal stasis. She just woke up totally fine later. She thought that whatever was bringing us back, here, subverted her death curse. It gave her back more time than she was supposed to have.

But, then, one morning, I woke up, and she was like that. Was it just a delay? Was her time already up, and, she was still doomed from the moment she died? It doesn't make any sense.

Does Jessie think she can figure out a way to get them out of this?

-Captain Jack Harkness

[shinrasfinest]

Captain,

I remember Yeul. When I last encountered her, around the Starlight Celebration time, she had recently enrolled in the education system in Aqures - something she told me she wouldn't have had back on her home world.

Thank you for your reply, and this further information. It's most appreciated.

I'm not sure to what extent the events leading up to the Night of the Thirteen Moogles changed anything within our number, in a general sense, as I myself also personally suffered under the effects seemingly caused by the return of powers we can not, or maybe even should not, have in this world. I have not yet passed into Crystal Stasis - but this may indeed be something to take into account for Yeul's case on a personal level.

From what I have seen, Jessie has been working very hard on our behalf ever since the arrival of the first of our number. I believe if anyone will find a thread which will unravel the mystery surrounding our state of being here, it's more likely to be her.

~Sephiroth

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Sephiroth:

Yeul did mention, she had never been able to go to school. She never explained fully, but I got the sense her world had suffered in the wake of some tragedy. She'd never seen snow before, the place she had lived in was just a desert.

But, her abilities, they were tied into timestream of her world. What do you mean by powers that we can't or shouldn't have in this world? It's complicated, and a long story, but, if this is to help Yeul? And, if you're certain this will remain confidential?

Similar to Yeul, my life force was tied into the Time Vortex of my home universe. The abilities that I had before are gone now. You're saying that if they suddenly returned, that might put me at risk, as well?

-Jack

[aselfishfeeling]

Dear Seph-or whatever,

Are you talking about the ones only in the hospital, or the ones in the dream we had too? I don't know anything about the ones here other than the fact that the ones that showed up last time are no where to be found.

[shinrasfinest]

As I stated, this concerns specifically the Crystal Stasis'd Heroes that we are currently able to access and study.

But if you do know anything of those stolen away, it might also help with potential correlations.

~Sephiroth

[zodiac_brave]

Sephiroth,

My roommate, Laguna Loire, fell into stasis at the beginning of the month. He was a former soldier, and this was not the first other world he had traveled to.

There was Lady Lightning and Snow as well. They were from the same world, and fell into stasis at the same time. During the Night of the Thirteen Moogles, Lightning fought against Snow.

I do not know if there is anything to be gleaned from that, but I hope it helps.

Written by my own hand on the twenty-first of February,
Ramza Beoulve

[shinrasfinest]

Ramza,

I don't suppose it would be too tenacious to prospectively tie a link between the fact that all three of them were capable warriors. There are more than a decent handful of us that might fit into that particular category.

Do you know anything further of what happened to Snow around that time? It might help to put in perspective.

~Sephiroth

[umslay]

Sephiroth:

I wasn't too close with many of the fallen heroes, apart form Genesis, who I didn't have much contact with after she recovered from Crystal Stasis (which was due to getting killed at the Magitek Facility).

But that doctor fellow, Emmett Brown, I spoke with him. He also has been transported to two other worlds before this one, and in the previous cases, someone had plucked him and other fellows from their homeworlds on purpose. I think he mentioned that one time it was done as an experiment, and his memories had been tampered with upon arrival.

He mentioned a plant to conduct some experiments on the Crystals, so that might have lead to his downfall. Who knows?

-Ales

[shinrasfinest]

[He can't help but swallow a growing knot in his throat at the idea of them as 'fallen' Heroes. Zack, Angeal...and now that female Genesis as well. It's almost enough to make him feel sick with dread.]

Ales,

Thank you for your reply. It's most appreciated.

~Sephiroth

[nomorecowbell]

Sephiroth,

What about people who came out of Crystal Stasis? Kuja was rooming with us at first.

-- Nanami

[shinrasfinest]

Nanami,

I've found that there is a difference in some people who have returned from Crystal Stasis, but not so much in others. But that's not the subject of this particular study.

Kuja is also at the Hospital. Despite sharing a house with him, considering I was away on duty I didn't learn very much about him other than he was from the same World as Zidane.

~Sephiroth

[fusedshadows]

      Two months past there was a young hero named Link that arrived here. His stay was brief, but his existence cemented that another version of Hyrule yet existed undiscovered. I'm sure you know of Hyrule, don't you? Being that you and Zelda are so close?

Either way, if there is any information in particular that interests your little project, I'm sure I could provide something further.

          -- ℳidna.

PS. While I'm pleased to see that you aren't spending your time off of the battlefield foolishly napping all of it away, I admit I'm surprised to see you've taken on being a secretary. Oh well, 'different strokes' and all that.

[shinrasfinest]

Midna,

I've not heard of this Hyrule before. It's not a topic that ever came up in our previous conversations. I do know that there is another young Hero called Link, whom I believe is still very much among those of us that haven't slipped into Stasis. I did spot a youngster that resembles him though when I was last there.

Alternate versions of Worlds is a peculiarity that I'm already well aware of, do you have any running theories perhaps how this could tie in?

Also, with regards to your post-script, it's important to keep your mind as sharp as your sword.

~Sephiroth

[iscursednomore]

Dear Sephiroth,

I know of one who fell into status and I can tell you what you would like, but I must ask if there is something in particular you need to know about them? Or is it just in general.

Fai

[shinrasfinest]

Dear Fai,

The focus of my study is on similarities, or connections between the Heroes that have fallen into Crystal Stasis so if there is anything about your friend you think might be similar or even different to other Heroes that have fallen to this particular affliction I'd be appreciative to hear of it.

~Sephiroth

[nodreamsorhonor]

My old friend,

I think the two of us do know a little bit concerning our fellow SOLDIERs locked in Stasis. I also had been in Stasis and actually had a strange return of memories from the time on the Planet. I am not sure if this will allow us to learn more about it or if it is something that we may not solve yet.

I am coming to visit you.

---Genesis

-> [Action]

[shinrasfinest]

[Sometimes he wonders if Genesis still insists on referring to him as 'old friend' as a way to appeal to Sephiroth's desire for battered bridges to be mended or if it's to draw attention to the fact that they used to be, but not anymore.

There isn't any reason to reply when he's coming over though. Still, that means he has to move the tray of papers from his lap, haul himself up from the couch in the living room where he's just managed to get his leg semi-comfortable and head down the hallway to take the front door off the latch. It's not an easy task, but at least he manages it with only one crutch, using the wall as support on the way there and back.

Depending how quickly Genesis arrives, he may well be already sat back down by time he gets there.]

[whereishe]

I know quiet a few of the heroes who have fallen into stasis but I knew them from another time. I suppose you could say I knew them but they didn't know me. I don't think people are so trapped here as we've been lead to believe. There are many worlds and even if their bodies are shown to be here it doesn't mean that they are.

Of course, I can't prove any of this.

Even those I know might be different too. If we are looking for similarities. Well, peoples worlds are all different. I always thought that there was one thing in common with them. The thing that connected us all is that we are people. We feel, we fight and we hope. No matter what is thrown our way we over come it.

It doesn't matter what shape a person might take or the differences that we have. We have one thing in common with us all. I realize this might not help but maybe its something else to think about.

-Yunie

[shinrasfinest]

Yunie,

You mean to suggest that we are left with only impressions of their forms and that they really aren't here at all anymore? That they have gone home somehow, in a way that is out of their control? It's a hopeful theory, but alas like you said who knows how that could be proved.

Thank you for your insight. I too, find that it is important indeed, to keep the important things that connect us all in mind.

~Sephiroth

[goddessofthesky]

Dear Sephiroth,

I would like to help where I can. I did know those in crystal while they were here. I tried to meet everyone but I don't know what sort of information you might be looking for.

Sorry for such a short reply.

~Zelda

[shinrasfinest]

Dear Zelda,

Similarities, or even notable differences between the Heroes who have fallen to crystal. Physical, emotional, mental...anything you can think of at this stage. This sort of information may prove vital to uncovering clues which may link them all together.

I hope that has helped to clarify. I understand it's a strange topic.

~Sephiroth

[needsteaplz]

Sephiroth,

Two Heroes that I knew personally went into Crystal Stasis. One of them was my housemate, a girl by the name of Kairi.

The second one was Laguna Loire. We had arrived here at the same time. Apparently this was not the first world he had been to. Strangely enough, he recognized me even though this was the first world I've been to. At first I was naturally dubious about him but he brought up something that I wouldn't normally freely tell others unless they have my utmost trust. His attitude could fool most people but he was a strong warrior who deeply cared about others.

-Saori

[shinrasfinest]

Saori,

Thank you for your reply, particularly about Laguna as I'm to understand from another that he was of a couple of our number who weren't particularly new to the concept of being unexpectedly drawn across dimensional lines. I find it most intriguing that he could have known another version of you in one of those other realities. It's mind-bending to think of the implications; how many times any said universe might split and splinter off in any number of directions.

What of Kairi, could you perhaps share some general information about her?

~Sephiroth

[jadethenecromancer]

Sephiroth,

Tear Grants and Guy Cecil were both from my world. They came to Crystallis in December and entered Crystal Stasis shortly after the battle in Esdham -- roughly at the same time, as far as I am aware. Why they came and went together while the rest of us from Auldrant did not, I cannot say.

Is there anything specific you're looking for?

-Jade

[shinrasfinest]

Jade,

Most interesting, thank you for your input. Also, now since I have the opportunity, please allow me to extend my gratitude towards your support in the aftermath of the sorry state I found myself in earlier this month. I am somewhat in your debt for that.

I wonder, do you know if there there any common denominators that connect Tear and Guy?

~Sephiroth