'Do you know who I am'. There's a way that could be interpreted; does she know him because they were the same people that met before? Or... And it's quick to occur to her because it's what she's experienced in the past. The loss of memories. What if when Sephiroth went back, those Portals of his, had somehow wiped clean the experiences of their time in Kamurkia? And then he was brought here. Just because she ended up being pulled directly, would that be the same experience for him?

It's actually almost enough to cause tears. Angry ones. Frustrating ones, but Gaia is also a fighter. And someone that's learned it's okay to hope. She blinks a few times as if to try and keep the suspicious damp from escaping and puts on what can only be called a game face. Now's hardly the time to cry.

That can be later, if this is all in vain.

"I met someone very like you. In another world. And he was stubborn and prideful. You could know the bell of the day by what he was up to. He was one of the first people I met on Kamurkia. And you could tell he cared, even if he said it was his duty or purpose."

At the end of everything, Gaia knows she's bracing herself for disappointment. Being asked whether she knows him... that could have only been a question asked of anyone who looks shocked then runs out to confront a 'stranger'. And it might not be fair to push her grieving and memory on this person just because he may be 'another him'.

But surely this much is okay, right? Just.... to explain things. She'll respect any refusal.

"His name was Sephiroth. And he was my friend. Though he hated that word."

Maybe hate was a strong, even incorrect word. But the Sephiroth she knew denied it with most of his being.