Timeline seems to be skewed, so I think they're slightly modified, not unlike that of the Restoration Committee. But then again, Joshua makes mention of "This world is layered like ours" or paraphrase. Mostly paraphrase.

About Joshua... I think he isn't much of a troll this time. He's too introspective, which is probably why I can't think of him as anything but post-canon, simply because he cares so much. But yes, he's good at moving plot. Also, he's with Beat in one of the screens.

Rhyme, it looks like, is in 2nd District, inside the inn. The same place Aerith was, when she was talking to Goofy and Donald before they met up.