It also seems to be the only way to get affinity between two non-main characters (i.e. between Reyn and Sharla). It doesn't seem like it would happen unless you were controlling one. And you need other characters to have affinity towards one-another for certain heart-to-hearts. Which, I've noticed, there's a LOT of heart-to-hearts I can't access. And it won't even tell me the conditions for it. Which considering the one between Reyn and Sharla did tell me, I can only assume that means they're for characters I have yet to obtain. Which means we'll definitely be coming back. And I think I kinda like that idea. In most RPGs, hometown gets forgotten as you go out on a grand adventure far beyond anything anyone else has ever even dreamed of seeing. I think these guys might end up appreciating their roots a lot more