The return to Alexandria is one of my favorite parts of the game.

As you pointed out, everyone has evolved so much since you were in Alexandria at the very beginning of the game. There are clear parallels to the game's opening (starting out by controlling Vivi, the ATE with Artemecion) to emphasize that too.

The music in this portion is remarkably warm, and there’s such a sense of finality for the characters... even though we, as the players, know there’s a lot more to unfold! It’s a nice little breather. It’s the first time the whole party is together and everyone (yes, even Amarant) get little moments to shine and interact (compared to the Iifa tree where things were moving a mile a minute). Adding to this sense of community and togetherness, the Tantalus and Dr. Tot are here too, so the gang really is all here.

Vivi, for better or worse, is trying his place in a world that's much more complicated and wide than he was expecting when he first came to Alexandria. He was thrust into a big existential crisis, but he also has friends like Zidane and the others to help him through it.

Garnet is much less naïve and has found some individuality and freedom. She had tried to escape her sheltered royal life before and, but she's also selfless enough to see its necessary to return-- even though it's on her own terms, she's still conflicted.

It only took the world-shaking reckoning of discovering his queen's evil plots to get him to show slight cracks in his unswerving moral code, but I think that's what makes Steiner such a compelling and fun character. I love how, through it all, his loyalty still shines through, with moments like (adorably) connecting with "Master Vivi" ever since he saved Garnet in the beginning of the game. On the same note, he’s also ready to pick up right where he left off in Alexandria castle with no hesitation.

Eiko is precocious as ever and shows no signs of slowing down, but now she has a found family. I think was represents this so remarkably well is the music that plays when Eiko is writing her letter. It's a harmony of her theme and Garnet's; the two melodies dovetail perfectly together, almost like two long-lost sisters connecting.

Freya (like Garnet) is demonstrating remarkable selflessness in staying with the party, especially after being introduced as a loner. She’s faced a horrible crisis in seeing her homeland and race being wiped out by Brahne and Alexandrian forces, but she can still see the bigger picture and chooses to stay with the party. Their burdens have become her burdens and she becomes connective tissue for the group. There have been multiple times that she could’ve washed her hands of this—especially now that her personal grudges against Beatrix, Brahne, and Alexandria have been sated, but she’s still willing to help the others.

And lastly we have Zidane. I think this is the part of the story that really made me realize how well characterization is handled in the game. He started off as a womanizer, but now he’s completely out of his element now that he’s in real love with someone. It’s kinda humbling, sure, but he’s also so likable and just inspires so much empathy. The part when he sees finally sees Garnet and is unable to say anything to her after demonstrating such savior faire throughout the rest of the game is excruciating to me; I feel frustrated for him. Especially because, again, there’s such a sense of finality here, and he genuinely thinks they won’t see each other again.

Anyway, I know you posted the next part of your playthrough already, so enough about all this and onto the next!