#FF7R Mona Version

[asoulofatlantis]

You know... I do not want to partake in the shipping war and I belong to the people who say "Both ships are valid" even tho I do have my preferences. But while scrolling the tags on Tumblr I walked straight into the "Tifa got an actual Kiss and Aerith doesn't" - discourse and I think it's funny.

Cloti Fans always say that Aeriths feelings for Cloud are actually because of Zack. Yet, when she doesn't kiss him, even tho there is still a lot of Zack in him, it is a win for Cloti? Hardly! If you think about it that way, Tifa kissed a fucked up Zack version of Cloud in her event and not the actual, real Cloud. Aeriths wanted to find the "real Cloud". This is why they didn't share a kiss, because this wasn't the "real Cloud". Tifa was fine kissing a man who was not the "real" Cloud on the other hand. Which puts this Kiss kinda into a bad light.

I have not yet seen the scenes, but from what I saw and heard, I stay with what I said in the first game, that SE made it really hard for Tifa on multiple occasions. It does look like she has a leg up here, because she got a kiss. But thinking about it... how much worth did this kiss have at that point? It's not like I am saying real Cloud doesn't have feelings for Tifa, its just... Tifa kissing him, when she knows he is not fully himself and his brain is kind of fucked up right now makes you question her a little bit.

And that has been an issue ever since the first game. When the plate was about to fall on sector 7 and Cloud could choose who to wake up first, it so happens that Aerith is the one jumping up, being all like: "We have to save the people in sector 7!" even tho most of them were likely just a bunch of random strangers to her and she KNEW she couldn't save them and yet she desperately wanted to try anyway. When you wake up Tifa first, her first thought is not saving her friends and neighbors, her first thought is her jealousy and she asks Cloud about Aerith. If you watch both scenes in comparison, it makes Tifa look really bad. In her "Date" - Scene in Remake, she also first talks about Aerith. She eventually gets her cute moment with Cloud, but first we talk about Aerith. In Aeriths Dream-Sequence with Cloud, they only talk with and about each other and even possible feelings for each other. They do not talk about Tifa. Or Jessie. Or anyone else. And as I've heard, even in her freaking Golden Date, Tifa and Cloud first talk about Aerith (and Zack) and I do not understand why SE can not give Tifa a moment with Cloud that is just for and about them.

And once again, putting the dates in comparison, yes Tifa gets a Kiss, but if you watch Aeriths date afterwards, you are made painfully aware that the man Tifa kissed wasn't even the real Cloud for gods sake. Making you wonder if she was so desperate that she was willing to Kiss a Cloud that wasn't fully himself, instead of waiting to Kiss the "real Cloud" eventually.

I mean "Hey Cloud, do you remember our first kiss?" - "Ah yes. That was when I was still partly impersonating Zack and got controlled, manipulated and brainwashed by Sephirot every now and then." doesn't sound so good.

Also... if Aerith had kissed Cloud, people would have said she kissed him because of Zack. So this way, was the best outcome for the Clerith ship.

It is sad tho... that we likely never get the chance to get our Kiss-scene, given that fate was not prevented in the end... oh well...

[asoulofatlantis]

I have a few words to say about chapter 14...

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILER FOR FINAL FANTASY 7 REBIRTH. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

As you know... I've been a Clerith shipper. I started shipping them while playing Kingdom Hearts - as I never managed to get past the Nibelheim-Flashback in the original game many years ago and can barely remember it I do not now if I shipped them back then already, to be honest - and FF7 Remake made me feel right about that choice. I loved the playful banter Cloud and Aerith had on the rooftops. I loved the way Cloud acted with and around her. I loved how when Tifa wanted an high five, he stoically ignored her (not saying that he didn't care that she was sad, but obviously not enough to get out of his shell) but when Aerith was disappointed that he wasn't giving in to it he actually put in the afford and was willing to go out of his way to give her that high five she wanted. I loved how he never once denied them being a couple or anything, when people hinted at that. I loved how he insisted to save Aerith from Shinra when even her own mother was at first to stupid to see what dangers she would be in as Hojos labrat. I loved how he asked Barett - who he had a heard time with so far - to get Aerith to safety. I loved the that Aerith and Cloud were always so touchy touchy even tho when it actually mattered, there hands never met and yet they touched each others hands and arms many times. (Not saying that Tifa and Cloud felt wrong, as I do believe that both ships are valid and there scenes should be seen, acknowledged and respected.)

Going into Rebirth I've already noticed that in most of the trailers we have been focusing on Tifa. The ones that focused on Aerith were amazing and full of great Clerith moments of course, but it were few. But as this is a game with a dating-mechanic, I knew we would still get our fill and I was enjoying the few but wonderfully shippy moments. From their "Date" in the Clocktower, to them coming back to the conversation about what Cloud will do if Aerith won't make it back on her own. I enjoyed them all. I really did.

But over time I've got a bit frustrated with how the game was handling things. I found Aerith holding on to Cloud after her "sort of date" - confirmation, even tho both he and Aeriths friend Tifa obviously felt uncomfortable about it absolutely out of character. She is a tease without any doubt, but that was plain mean. I also do not like that Aerith sad "Maybe" when Cloud asked her for her feelings for Zack. He was gone for 5 years without so much as a word and she said himself that it was time to move on and look towards the past and I get that with that somewhat connection to the Zack-Timeline it was getting harder to let go of the past. But either Aerith wants to move on and find the real Cloud or she doesn't. There is no MAYBE in the question if you love someone or not. I didn't like it that Clerith had a scene that gave you points with Aerith on that freaking Watertower. That is Tifas and Clouds place and the fact that they talked about Tifa and some shippiness from Cloud regarding Tifa doesn't change the fact that This conversation with Aerith should have happened inside the house, while Tifas conversation should have happened on the Watertower. I did not understand what SE was planning with doing that, but just EVERYTHING was actually wrong about this scene in the way it was. Also, despite Cloud almost killing her, after the "almost kissscene" with Tifa, she totally took over. Even after seeing how she slowly but surely lost control over Cloud even with bodycontact she still was the one trying to stop Cloud when he lost it, even tho in both Remake and Rebirth we saw that Aerith touching Clouds hand has always worked so far. But Aerith stood in the background, barely even said anything, while Tifa did all the work and that was no way in hell to make the ships feel balanced. In fact, after Tifas little trip to the live stream, the balance was almost completely gone as it has shifted over to Tifa almost completely, with only a few small minor moments for Aerith left here and there.

The fandom was saying that chapter 14 would be worth it. That Clerith would have a special date all to themselves and were celebrating this date - despite the bittersweetness, but beggars can't be choosers I guess. So I too was looking forward to this so called "date" and enjoyed what little shippiness we had in that weirdness of a dream.

Only for my Friends to make me face reality. My Friends are Diehard Clothi Shippers. And that's fine. Once again, both ships are valid in my eyes. HOWEVER, they have been heard over heels about their Tifa-scenes and I get why, I would have done the same. But I was sure they would come down a bit after chapter 14. Its a Clerith date after all, right? There is no way to ignore it, right? WRONG! This so called date, was almost a one to one repeat of a date Aerith had with Zack in crisis core. Only with the difference that Cloud didn't get any of the things he wanted and Zack did. With got a cheap Zack and Aerith Date copy and the whole Clerith-Fandom made it out to be THE Moment in the game. HOW? How is that a Clerith moment, when Aerith, who said she is searching for the real Cloud, chose to repeat her Zack-Date with Cloud in her own dream? And how on gods earith did no one mention that in any of the many posts and tweets and whatnot I have read about that date?

When my friends told me about it - and I got it confirmed as well - it felt like someone punched me in the gut. The scene that every Clerith shipper was celebrating that one moment were I thought all the Tifa scenes were worth it... turned out to be a Zack-Copy-Date with a Zack-Copy-Cloud. SE gave us what the Clothi-Shipper have always used against Clerith. A moment were Aerith does with Cloud, what she did with Zack, like he really is just a cheap copy of the man she actually loved.

And I do not know what diappointed me more. The fact that SE did that. That they were so cruel to us, so shortly before Aeriths death? Or that no one in the Clerith-fandom had the guts to stand to the fact that this date was a copy of a Zack-Date and yet made the best out of it, proving that our ship isn't that weak!

Why did no one say, that Aerith might have been in a pinch, given that they have been basically falling to their deaths and knowing that her time was running out and just wanted them to have one more memory together just the two of them. But as her only dating-experience was with Zack, she chose to copy the date, as she couldn't come up with anything different on short notice and it was a situation that she herself enjoyed once, but also kind of fit Clouds description of how a date should look like for him. And that the reason Cloud didn't get what he wanted wasn't because it was telling him that he can't get Aerith, because apparently only Zack gets what he wants but that instead, Cloud didn't get what he wanted because he wasn't Zack so of course things are different for him. Instead of replacing the hair-ribbon Aerith actually got from Zack, he gets her something knew. A broche that uses her flowers, which is the symbol of lover reuiniting, giving us a sign, that Clerith might reunite eventually. Then with the sweets, yes, it wasn't what they chose and the sweets actually didn't taste nice, but Aerith and Cloud both agreed on that one so it still shows that they have a similar taste. And with that stupid foto... Aerith wanted to make it look like the date of a happy couple. Buying gifts, holding hands, just enjoying their time - as the time unbeknownst to Cloud was running out on them - BUT that wasn't a happy couple date. That was them spending her last hours together with Sephiroth chasing them. She was trying to be cheerful and enjoy this little bit of time with Cloud, but her head wasn't fully in the game, because of the circumstances and that was why they didn't get the picture and not because it didn't click between them or anything like that. ALSO yes, the spot that Cloud shares with Aerith is also Zacks spot. Given circumstances, they mirror each other, nothing to be done about it. BUT even when you chose Tifa in your game, Cloud still considers having a "next time", meaning that despite him noticing that something was wrong, he still had a good time. Even tho he didn't get what he wanted. He didn't need to get what Zack got, to still enjoy spending time with Aerith.

So why did no one say, that Aerith chose this date, to see how she feels towards Cloud compared to Zack and that they way she acted in the end did show, that she did love the real Cloud and didn't just chose him as a Zack replacement? Instead, people acted like this date had never been a copy of the Zack-Date to begin with. That makes it look like you have nothing to say to defend our ship? Are we that weak? After all those years defining Clerith in front of everyone who said Aerith only loved Cloud because of Zack and would treat him in a heartbeat, you didn't manage to say: "Yes, it was a repeat of the Zack date. But IF Aerith truly actually wanted a Zack-Date, she could have chosen a timeline were Zack was there, willing to spend time with her, while she left Cloud behind "to rest" or something."? I am not just disappointed in how SE handled our ship, I am also disappointed in the fact that the fandom wasn't even willing to fight for our date, but instead just ignored the facts.

This whole mess ruined it all for me. And no matter what the future holds... I will not return to what will likely be FF7 Reunion. Because I can not take how badly SE treats us (saying that "No promises to keep" is not a lovesong, despite the connection to loveless is not just hurting is, it is also hurting the people who thought Aerith sings about Zack. And for what? To avoid getting beheaded by the shipping-war-mop?) and our ship but also because I am so damn disappointed in the Clerith-Shipper-Community.

[asoulofatlantis]

You know... this information just ruined the shippiness of that scene for me... damn it.

Sometimes ignorance is really bliss, I tell you.

[asoulofatlantis]

Lets fight together with Aerith one last time - and do not ask me where the hell she comes from I have no idea XD

Darn it! I tried so hard! Damn that one winged Idiot!

Oh god! I have to fight from the point were Zack joined Cloud. Do you know how many fights...

You know what?! Forget it! I am not doing that shit again! We watch the rest on YouTube!

Do you know... that in Japanese Media, holding hands like this is very special? Yes? I told you that already? Well yeah but this time it is CANON! Non-Optional. You get that scene no matter what!

Now imagine how great that ship could have been if Nomura and Co. had the spine to make this a canon lovestory...

I really don't get it. Like... at all. But at least we get some last shipping moments.

I am so confused I cant even mourn with them. I can not believe some people say her death hits harder here. HOW?!

I don't even know what going on. Is this Jenova or Sephiroth playing with his mind? Is this Aerith being unable to let him suffer the pain of her loss so that her lifestream Ghosts stays closeby? Or is it that Cloud experiences two timelines at the same time?

And once again. Tifa notices that something is off and doesn't say a thing.

Uhm... I don't even know what to say anymore. Because I am so freaking damn lost.

It seems like thanks to Sephiroth, Rufus is losing it to. Great.

The Flowers in that church are still in full bloom and haven't withered away. So wherever Zack has landed this time... Aeriths must still be alive here.

You were there when they were mourning her, what kind of question is that?

When you just see this scene without all the confusion, just knowing Aerith died, it really hurts and brings you to tears. I did cry when I saw it on the internet without knowing what a mess that death-scene actually was... but now... I hardly feel anything because... did we really lose her... or not? Why should I cry for someone who might still be there in the third game somehow? Its just... I don't know. It doesn't feel the way it should.

And why is this thing with him again? We gave it back!

That can't be good...

You know what is also odd? We do not see a scene or anything where Aerith told Cloud she would not accompany them anymore. She said "I see you off" but Cloud didn't question that and now he asked her if she was okay getting back. Back where? Midgar? She did mention missing her mother an all that, but never that she wanted to go back or leave the group behind. Makes also no sense, if she would still be alive - which Cloud doesn't know she isn't.

Great. That means whenever someone sends up smoke for an Airplane that idiot will think its you needing help.

I think that... if Aerith was just an hallucination, neither would have Red felt her touch nor would we still be able to see her and hear her say "Goodbye" here, as Cloud is already out of view. So I dare to say that is not what it is. But other then that... I stay lost.

So no more empty promises about changing fate or something? Great.

Seriously, I do not know what to think of that. I do not even dare to judge anything because I have no freaking idea what is going on.

What I can say for certain is that I would have preferred that IF Aerith REALLY had to die that they either left it the way it was in the original or made it so that she survived and died later in in a different way or something like that. Just... I do not have any emotions for her death or the scenes afterwards because they didn't really give you the time to feel the pain. Once again. Watching the scenes without knowing the confusion and all that, it is really sad. But... watching it while playing the game hardly got any emotion out of me and not because it wasn't sad as proven by the fact that a Video that only showed Aerith dying in Clouds arms and Cloud and everyone mourning actually brought me to tears. But the way it was shown in the game, you do not have time to feel the pain. And that sucks. They ruined it.

The only think we can hope for is, that when Cloud is finally confronted with the damn truth, his pain and suffering will be so strong that we certainly will all cry our eyes out for two games XD

Aside from that...

I really don't know what to say about the game. It wasn't as bad as the first one and I can not say that I hate it. But... I also do not really like it either. Playing it wasn't fun at all. I enjoyed my two or so shipping-moments and other than that I was mostly frustrated with the game.

I feel like while the plot of the first game (padding and everything that came with it aside!) was much more interesting and intriguing, this one was just... actually boring? I don't know if that word even fits, but I can not find a better description either. I mean, yeah, I knew the most important stuff, which was that Aerith would die and the thinks about the date. BUT it can not be that the only reason to play the game is Aeriths death. But it felt like it. Shipping-Moments and the final were the only interesting thing about the "plot" - if you can even call shipping stufff "Plot related", as it was mostly optional or minor anyway - however what else was interesting in the game? The Zack-Issue and that one was cleared up questionable about halfway through the game. I mean, the answer why Zack and Biggs survived was first and foremost "It was a miracle that no one can explain". Yes, they likely have a purpose that they were supposed to fulfill aber what purpose that is, we didn't find out either. I mean, apparently Zack is supposed to help Cloud, but in which way exactly is still unclear. So... what kind of questions are left that have been answered in this game? Yes. Exactly. We have the same problem with the game that we already had in the freaking first game. It didn't make you feel like playing though it so you can get answers, because you knew you wouldn't get them anyway. We got more questions instead.

I do not even know which points I want to give this game. But I am tending to give it a rather bad score. Like 6 out if 10 or so. But then again I feel that is a bit unfair, as it was not that bad. The last like 4 chapters aside, the pacing was actually good and fair no matter if you are a completionist or a story-rusher. Just the Minigame-Thing really ruined it more than once. And it was not like I didn't have any fun moments or so it just... wasn't enough.

I guess I give it 7 out of 10 points, but I do not want to go further because for me personally, this game does not deserve to have more points.

[asoulofatlantis]

Aerith was awake... so... was the one Cloud hat the date with, from another timeline?

Aerith told the others Sephiroth had to beat the shit out of Cloud to get the Materia. And those idiots believed it? And he isn't denying it? Stupi! All so stupid!

Uh... isn't it a bit too early for him to destroy the world? ^^'

Guys... I do not get most of the multiverse shit. But trust me, if the worlds merge, we finally find out Zacks true purpose and it will be wherever we are. So rejoice oh fangirls of Zack, because this is practically a promise that we will meet him in our timeline - if you can still call it that by then - eventually.

The white ones... aren't they on Aeriths side? Why do they stop us? Is it because she wants to die and would like for Cloud not to be present?

IF she needs me, why are her Wispers trying to stop me, tho?

Translation: There is a FINAL final boss fight with Sephiroth coming your way, so make sure your prepared for EVERYTHING!

IF the Wispers wanted him to do that, because that is what he did in the OG... why didn't they let him in? Or was it about only him entering to begin with? O.o

And here we go... tissues ready everyone? Might hurt a bit.

That was mean! Making it look like we made it at first.

But... I don't... why? I... we did it. Why? How? I don't get it! Cloud only glitched after we made it. So why? What was that? Wishfull thinking? Or did Sephiroth teleport us in a timeline were we didn't make it? HUH?!

Poor Cloud. He tried so hard...

We are glitching between two timeline within seconds and I have no freaking idea which is which. You see the Rainbow here... but... he cries... so... shouldn't that be the timeline were he did not save her?

I would tell you what just happened, but I have NO IDEA.

Not sure if I should enjoy the shipping moment or should I be distracted by utter and absolut confusion? ^^'

Remember, she did that in Remake too, in that dream sequence. Back then, he couldn't touch her hand, but at least now he finally can.

So... he put her hand on his face? How tragic.

You know... all that bullshit ruined this moment!

And now we are fighting. Sure. Nothing better to do right now...

Okay. The sequence in the Jenova fight was kinda cool.

I guess Zack has been stuck between worlds for a while...

The dreams of some fangirls are just coming true XD

"Cloud save her!" he says. As if the moment of truth isn't over already. I can not save her anymore.

Oh look! Its Seymore! XD

[asoulofatlantis]

My shipper heart ♥

No. Seriously. That is not HER dream, that is OUR dream. They walk hand in hand T.T

That one winged idiot tries to ruin out date!

Different dog again. We are now in a timeline were Zack chose to save Biggs.

So he survived just to get shot? WTF?! I mean... this is almost as worse as when Wedge was found only for the plot convenience and then died without having done anything but dragging the game on longer.

Was that another freaking dog?

I am lost. Like really lost.

The date is almost over...

There won't be a next time, honey...

Please say it louder! I think certain shipper in the back have not heard you XD

This will be our last hug...

IF you you know a certain scene from AC... then this is going to hurt you.

Its her last chance too...

I just wish he KNEW what was coming too. He looks so confused right now, not able to enjoy it, because he is worried about her behaviour.

I think I've read somewhere that the "and you" part, is a translation mistake. But I get why they translated it that way.

No wonder that Cloud is nuts under his control... Sephiroth himself has long lost it.

Which Aerith are you? OG-Timelne? R-Timeline? One of the 3000 Zack Timelines?

This is the third different Aerith in this scene. I assume its the R-Timeline one tho? Because she talks about something she said in our date?

Five or so at this point ^^'

When he gave it to her, it was white, when she fave it back it was hollow and clear? WTF is going on?

That was a bit... dramatic? ^^'

Seems like he did break her fall...

[asoulofatlantis]

Now I do not want to ruin the shippiness of that moment that follows in a few seconds BUT keep in mind that Sephiroth had what he wanted and he LOVES to torture and torment Cloud. So I would not put it past him, that he loosened his control over Cloud ever so slightly, allowing him to realize that Aerith is in danger so that later on he would be in pain realizing it was his fault to begin with.

Seriously. It IS cute, that he remembers Aerith and thus snaps out of it. But with how much control Sephiroth had over Cloud, with how he pushed away Tifa and chased Aerith down in that state without any regrets... how high is the chance that all Cloud needed to break free from Sephiroths hold of him, was to see Aerith in a situation that looks like the one from when they first met? There is no way in hell Sephiroth didn't let a bit loose for that to be able to happen. Its still cute, don't get me wrong, but I think saying it was his "love" or whatever for Aerith that helped him break free, is a bit too much in my eyes.

Believe it or not, but this time...

...we FINALLY made it! So close to the end, we finally managed to catch each others hand in this situation. Remember that in the first game, they not once managed to get that right. Now. Finally. So shortly before all this becomes basically impossible, we finally have managed to get this moment.

And Sephiroth had to ruin it!

Kinda... ruind it. We get there in a moment.

Look at him! Holding her like that. Awwww.

(What give me a moment of piece after all this mess!)

The final chapter is finally here. Thank the gods.

I am not really in the mood for you Zack... but since we both have come this far... we might as well have a last run around Midgar, you and me.

Did I... miss that part? When did he ask that? I mean, didn't I say he swallowed it without saying a word and that that surprised me? Huh?

I mean... to be fair. There are many, MANY ways to "like" someone, as Aerith will point out later herself. She could like him as a friend, as a brother as a comrade and yes, also as a lover. BUT we do not know which kind of "like" it is.

Now given that revelation from Marlene, it is easy to see why Zack could have thought about NOT saving Cloud. BUT on the other hand, Marlene also revealed that Aerith would die without Cloud... so no matter what, saving Cloud means saving Aerith and just because she MIGHT have feelings for Cloud, doesn't mean Zack would want her dead. So... we could argue if it was some sort of self-sacrificing decision or not. ALSO that Rainbow-Light, as I have learned is supposed to indicate a change in fate and thus a new timeline or... something like that? It will get only more confusing from here on out, I tell you.

Thanks for that Spoiler Aerith! XD

So uh... are these Cloud and Aerith from the other timeline, I mean Zacks timeline or is it actually Remake/Rebirth Timelien Cloud and Aerith whos souls use their counterparts bodys? I AM SO CONFUSED RIGHT NOW XD

Lets... just enjoy our final Clerith date, okay? We worry about timelines and stuff later.

Pffffff.... it looks like he is happily looking at them ^^'

XD She is so cute. I guess she wanted to have a "normal date" with Cloud. Doing all the things a couple would do. Including asking her boyfriend if he buys her something.

She is a bit overdoing it ^^' Cloud noticed that too... but we are back to him not being able to say "no" to her.

Wait a second! That is not the dog from Zacks timeline... O.o

[asoulofatlantis]

Aeris biggest trauma is losing her mother... I think Ilfana knew her time was running out and the reason she pushed herself so hard in her state was because she wanted a better, saver future for her daughter. She might have died earlier that way, but I guess she would have died either way, so she decided her daughters freedom and happiness was worth it.

I do feel sorry for Aerith but who's IDEA was it to let us run around listening to "My mom is sick!" so often that the scene loses its emotional meaning because of how annoying it is?

Poor child...

Okay. That enough. I canÄt take all that pain and suffering anymore!

And the worst part comes now! Our Cloud, in the state he is in right now, has to take care of this. URG! Or not? Everyone is coming out of their rooms now. So... what was that for? Pain?

That doesn't make it feel or sound better tho, Aerith. But I get it, you are in a position were making death sound not so bad is necessary...

Preparing Cloud for what is coming while he is so indifferent and doesn't seem to care much seems like such a waste of time and energy Aerith. Get the boy out of this state and THEN try again. Oh! That wasn't about the future, that was about Clouds words mimicking Sephiroth, saying that death is a homecoming. But... he is still indifferent about it.

Big words for someone who gets stabbed in an hour or two...

I really do not get the purpose of this shit at all. Aeriths speech doesn't hold any meaning as soon as you see her die the same way she always has and Cloud is not touched by it at all in his state and neither do I feel like it has been given us or the characters anything storywise or characterwise. It was a nice monolog, but for what?

Huch? Cloud Flashback? Is this his trial or... is Sephiroth messing with him again?

Okay it IS Clouds trial WHILE Sephiroth is messing with him...

I would't say Cloud didn't feel any sadness over the death of Jessie and Biggs... but it is true, that he did not shed any tears - but I am a very emotional person who easily cries when someone dies and I didn't cry either - BUT he didn't know them that long or that good to be fair tho. ALSO we did saw him cry when he "remembered" Aeriths death. So its not like he is incapable of feelings like that, like Sephiroth says. They are just very likely mostly buried under all the bullshit Sephiroth wispers in his ears and his Jenova Cells do to him. And his Trauma-Response after Zacks death.

Tifa is doing it again. Cloud needs someone to tell him that something is wrong with him but that of course they will find a way to help him. Instead she says "Its okay" but it is NOT OKAY!

Are these freaking Demon-Walls?!

Does no one in this freaking game know what it means to bleed to death? SE needs some medical training. Seriously.

Okay. Thats it. He finally freaking snapped. Its not like no one warned you idiots about this, but you decided to prefer to treat Cloud like a stupid child. Now you get what you deserve for it...

I guess... he felt bad about what he did? Or actually did it to protect them?

Did you see that scary grin just now? I highly doubt it! And its your fault that it came this far! You and the other idiots who decided to treat Cloud like he simply had dementia and so you have to play along to keep him stable. But his problem is far bigger and keeping him away from the truth only made it worse!

I could have sworn I saw a second puppet in Reeves office so... I can't feel sad here... sorry.

Glad that I didn't waste any tears on that one. I didn't expect him to be back that fast tho XD

I am glad to have him back tho. Just no so glad that I have to give him all the material back that I have already given the others, which once belonged to him ^^'

So that Materia was not the black Materia they were searching for, but the key to the actually black materia that can do awful things. And thanks to everyone being idiots, its now in Sephiroths hands. Wonderful! A round of applause for our team of idiots!

He is still out of his mind. Someone gonna free the boy from Sephiroths control or what?

And that was useful how? If you haven't noticed yet, letting go of the material does nothing to Cloud. Sephiroth is the problem.

Oh how great. Now Aerith has it, making her Clouds and Sephiroths target. Do you guys have any more bride ideas like that? Possible before Aeriths gets killed earlier than she should?

He pushed Tifa away, very unceremoniously. Which shouldn't surprise her, after he almost killed her before when he was in that state. But I guess she just had to overestimate her influence on him.

Clouds manic laughter while he chases Aerith is scary as heck!

Well I mean... at least he said please? ^^' I guess something inside of him is still not wanting to hurt her... just... not sure how big that part of him is and how much self-control it gives him.

The Shipper in me is crying in pain. No scene with Tifa could be as cruel then watching Cloud acting like this and putting Aerith in danger. Part of what makes their ship great is, that they always protect each other. She saves me, I save her, round and round it goes. Please, don't ruin this Cloud!

[asoulofatlantis]

I am not hungry anymore, but my motivation is so freaking low. But I kind of want to finish this game today and we still have over 10% of the game in front of us. So... I somehow how to force myself through it.

I think Aeriths part is shorter tho... and then we switch back to Cloud and the others instead of being done with the dungeon.

Is that so? Well... if you think I make extra rounds just to find them all, then you are wrong XD

Aaaand I am stuck already. Great. Just great.

I am not entirely unhappy about the switch. This was tideous.

We've just fought a bunch of monsters and helped the Turks just to... fight the Turks? Cloud really is nuts today.

Reno is lying. I am REALLY bad against them XD

Uff. We almost died. Their Team-Attacks are a nightmare.

Thank god our team is back together. Does this mean we are almost done here?

How naive of me... And how the hell can this still be several hours prior?

Aerith saved Cloud in a spur of a moment panic reaction XD Gotta love those two. (Even tho Cloud hardly deserved it ^^')

Oh just shoot me already...

FINALLY!

This time it does happen with Aerith around and it seems its getting worse by the minute. Not sure if Tifas plea actually works either.

They managed to distract him with the fact that there is no time for this, but the way he brushed Tifas Hands off was cold as ice. I think he is almost completely out of control at this point.

That is not exactly a great way to die Tseng. Especially not after you tried so hard to do your job right.

And while he is dying, he even helps us.

Well he is still alive. But how hight are the chances that he survived that wound? I guess it could have missed any vital organs.

URG! I fogot about these trials... is this chapter ever gonna end? T.T

In those Trials, each character has to face their biggest Trauma... I am not looking forward to this... In Reds case, we start with Shinra hunting them down until he ends up as Hojos prisoner.

Doesn't make much sense that he told Aerith group this name instead of his real birthname. Lack of trust maybe?

That is cruel! Why do I have to watch this? This reminds me of that one episode of Acient Magus bride, were I decided that I can not continue to watch this, after they showed what they did to that baby dinosaur. I had nightmares from this for weeks.

That night in Nibelheim, were she lost her father and everything else... is Tifas Trauma.

Yuffis Traum is what happened in Integrate.

I didn't need to see this again either...

I guess Baretts biggest Trauma is not what happened because of him trying to bring his city prosperity, but that all that lead to him losing his beloved wife...

Gotta hand it to Barett, he makes sure you always feel a lot of pain for him.

[asoulofatlantis]

CLOUD! I get that you are totally out of it right now and that this stupid Materia is your focus thanks to Sephiroth BUT Aerith is up there! The girl you are always so protective of! What are you freaking thinking?

That might just be the shipper inside me making things up. But could it be that Sephiroths control gets stronger whenever Aerith is not around/not close enough? Not like she could per se stop this. But in all those Beserker-Sephicloud-Moments Aeriths wasn't nearby so far. I mean, a scene later kind of proves that theory wrong but it seems odd that she is hardly ever around or close enough to Witness him losing it.

Leute... uh... das ist gerade nicht der richtige Zeitpunkt um sich mit Cloud an zu legen ^^' Ihr wisst schon. Wir hätten euch gerne noch eine Weile am Leben.

Oh good, we are not fighthing right now.

Dammit indeed. I am so sick of this dungeon, when it is ever gonna end? T.T And since we have two teams again, its likely even when I have finished this teams route, I am only halfway through. And I am hungry. But I can not stop without at least a Bench as orientationpoint or otherwise I will just get lost in this freaking dungeon.

What the hell?!

SEVERAL HOURS? We go over to Aerith now and Clouds team has already spend SEVERAL HOURS on his side of the dungeon?! WTF?!

This is the perfect time to stop. I need to take a break and eat something.

[asoulofatlantis]

I guess I did manage to get 80% around the 50 hours mark. Good that I could skip on those 3 Aerith-Sidequests.

What I wouldn't give for a WeMod-Version that works on the PS5, so I could cheat in those battles and get them over with quicker, while at it ^^'

I think Dio should hire them XD This rap is cool and much more entertaining that Dio talking about his past ^^'

This first match wasn't really hard, it were just soooo many of them. And it was hard to focus on the fight, when you wanted to listen to what was said from the commentators XD

Three? Gee. I thought I was close to winning soon ^^'

Worth the fight XD It was about time for true payback!

One last nostalgic high five for Clerith! (Tifa got one too of course, but it doesn't hold as much meaning for them, as it does for us...)

I knew it was too easy...

I told you, if someone like Cloud says to someone "I trust you" two times, then this can only mean some sort of betrayal is coming our way...

Not him too! T.T

I also have to say that despite what is coming we've got a lot of Tifa-Interactions lately. Like... almost unnecessary. I also do not get why your date is mandatory to join you in the fight, if there is not much interaction with them whatsoever. Makes not much sense to me. But... oh well. Our time will come.

Rufus is a pain in the freaking ass to fight. URG! And you have to do that with only Cloud and no healer or any kind of support. What a nightmare.

That is cheating! It was hard enough to fight Rufus on his own.

WHY?! We freaking won! EVERY SINGLE DARN FIGHT!

Don't stop her, Cloud! I want to hear whatever she has to say.

Ah... a wonderful displey of Cloud reconizing her emotions and knowing how she thinks. I didn't expect her to be comforting to the traitor who just stole her birthright from her, but he knew it was coming.

This chapter and the next and were done with this game. I am getting really tired of it. But we have to finish this... for better or worse.

Oh look! Reno is back! I've... kinda missed him. The Turks are not the same without him... And while Elna is a... somewhat... uh... interesting addition to the team, she could certainly not replace him. Tho I am NOT looking forward to having to fight him too now ^^'

Its getting serious now and all the while... I am for some reason really underleveled...

And now Aerith is having headache-moments. Great.

This temple will be one hell of a freaking nightmare dungeon...

I have some trouble with the immense shift in pacing. I didn't feel like we had enough plot after all that fighting, to actually get stuck in an endless and dangerous dungeon... it makes my mood go down to a "I hate this game!" - kind of way, were everything is just frustrating and boring and exhausting immedeatly.

At least the robed man are nice and show us the right direction. Thank you... I guess? ^^'

You know... I wouldn't mind a chace to heal right now.

Am I the only one getting Final Fantasy 10 vibes here? ^^' Almost feels like the copied the dance because everyone says its so beautiful... but it could be my imagination. It is probably not easy to come up with a unique dance with a staff...

[asoulofatlantis]

So here we have it. Finally! The Skywheel Date! And Aerith is the one holding her hand out to help Cloud in XD

She wanted him to sit next to her... but he didn't. You know... he is complicated and things are complicated as well.

Here we have the infamous scene from the Trailer. As I always knew, she actually fell and that is why she was in his arms, as he catched her and of course...

...they did not kiss ^^'

The embarrassment was adorable tho XD

Its very important that they finally talked about this. The fandom has been going on and on and on about this and so it was necessary for Aerith to admit that yes, at the beginning it truly was like that, but that now, things have changed and she actually wants to be with the real Cloud and she is trying really hard to find him.

It was also important that it was mentioned that at this point, both Aerith and Cloud are aware that Cloud has been Friends with Zack but that Aerith doesn't see it as something important. That sounds mean towards Zack but remember, in this timeline, he has been gone for 5 years. Aeris has the right, to finally move on and that also means, she doesn't have to hold back, just because Zack and Cloud have been friends once. She did not knew that when she fell for Cloud anyway...

I loved how she decided that instead of talking, bodycontact would be the better way to do this. Talking was confusing him, but she not once has not been allowed to touch him so far, so... that always worked and she knew it would again.

Isn't that kind of cute? ♥

Doing this has a huge meaning in Japanese media. Just saying... (And it won't be the last time you see them doing this.)

This was so worth all the trouble.

And now its his turn to give her his hand. She saved him, he saved her... round and round it goes ♥

We talk about this date in more detail in a minute, let me just get to a point were I can save first.

OKAY. I saved and ended the game for today. So... lets say a few word about the date shall we? And I think we should do the date as a whole too, not just the Skywheel-Part.

I did not like it so much to be honest, that Aerith vanished from the Loveless viewing. I get why and I assume she didn't know she would be gone for longer than a few minutes, but I still think it was not nice to drag Cloud there and then just "vanish" until she showed up as Rosa in the play. I also don't get why Cloud didn't go searching for her. Yes, she might just have been in the bathroom, but especially with Aerith and given how he usually is so overprotective of her, it seemed weird that he just shrugged it off and put his VR-Thingy back on as if it was nothing.

Aerith did show up as Rosa tho... and I honestly think - all shipping discourse aside - that she was meant to be for the role? I mean, she is a Cetra, which makes her something along the lines of a princess or goddess or so. At least she is more "special" than Tifa and Yuffi when it comes to her heritage. ALSO she is the only one who actually wields a staff in her actual life. Also "a chance meeting always ends in tragedy" is kind of... what happened to them, didn't it? Aerith actually even mentions it in her song by singing: "Could it be chance?" after saying she won't say it was fate or destiny. And it does end in a tragedy indeed. Tifa is fine and will stay fine all the way through the end. Same goes for Yuffi. This also could bring us back to "losing what you cherish most" part, which only fits Aerith. (Granted tho, you can cherish people in multiple ways...) In that sense, depending on who your date was, this character should be your most cherished person and should tragically die, just saying... *achem* In any case I also think it fits with the clock falling possibly representing them running out of time, but also the final, were he does not ask to promise she wait for him, because he knows she will. No need for either Tifa nor Yuffi to wait for him - at best to wait for him to get better, but even then it wouldn't fit Tifa, as she is the one fixing him, so no need to wait. Which explains why Aerith is the default Rosa. It just fits her story and character best.

All in all tho, Cloud would have never played that role this accurately XD This was just a virtual reality experience and I guess that is the reason why they did it that way. Its like "A wizard did it". There is no explanation needed for, how the characters know the text or what their role is about to do or the steps in fighting scenes and all that stuff. Tho it felt weird when at the end they were all on the stage like they actually proudly played that role themselves XD But once again, let's just not question it. I guess it was just there for the entertainment of the player.

Now to the songs. Here it doesn't matter who plays Rosa. Aerith is the one singing the song ALWAYS. Tho Clouds reaction slightly differed depending on who your date was. For example, when you Date Tifa, she is holding your hand the whole time while Aeriths sings a lovesong for Cloud... which is weird and tactless. BUT sitting on that Watertower with Cloud was also a bit tactless of Aerith, so I guess we led that slide. With Barett by the way, he is swaying with Cloud, which is really funny and adorable at the same time. Clouds reaction when Aerith is his date and he solely focuses on her, is the best tho and actually the most fitting - but I guess that after giving Aerith and Cloud a canon lovesong, which Aerith herself sings, they at least had to do something to give the other dates some spotlight while the song was playing. Either way, afterward Cloud gives Aerith the moment of recognition she deserves. We could talk more about all the possible reasons for her tears and sadness at the end of the song. But we know what is coming, so lets leave it at that.

I have to say tho, if you don't think about the Lyrics too hard, you could fit that song to Aerith and Zack as well. So if it wouldn't have been for the canon interview, people who prefer Aerith with Zack, could be fine with that song as well - especially if Tifa is holding hands with Cloud while Aeriths sings.

Anyway... back to the actual date and now we are getting to the Skywheel. Lets talk about why Cloud is... so... Cloud in this scene and gives us a hard time and why we do not get any kind of kiss. While Tifa gets an actual kiss and Yuffi kisses Cloud on the cheek.

So... for starters:

Aerith and Cloud do know each other for about 2 weeks or so at this point. While Tifa and Cloud know each other since childhood. And while I have no idea what business Yuffi had, kissing Cloud on the cheek, I am pretty sure it is just something that fits her quirky character, because she isn't much of an (over)thinker, if you get me. She feels like it? She does it! XD PLUS if the Soldier she has been in love with was actually Zack (I have not seen the other two dates yet, I just know some stuff... - I will watch them eventually and react to them, but I need to be in the mood for that ^^') then Cloud is the closest she can get to Zack at the moment if you get me.

The next thing is the way Cloud acts around the girls and the way their chemistry works is absolutely freaking different from each other. Its really hard to put into words, but watch Cloud interact with the girls, especially when they are out on missions and only one of the girl is active with him and you can see and feel the difference. If I had to put it into words I'd say Cloud and Tifa are more... intimate in the way they interact or touch each other, but they also have things between them that sometimes gets in the way. Cloud also lacks the attention he gives to Aeriths feelings, when it comes to Tifa. Witj Aerith he pays much more attention to her emotions and her emotional state and he is very protective of her, while he trusts Tifa (and likely also Yuffi) that they can protect themselves (as scene with the scene with the Tornados...) but their touches and the way their interact with each other are not intimate, its more on a cuter level, a more careful level. They don't mind the body contact, but its more the handholding-innocent- kind of body contact. With Yuffi... Cloud has close to no contact, if we are honest. Body and soul and even talking. No idea what SE thought giving her a date with a freaking cheek kiss. If anything, I think she annoys Cloud ^^'

And something that plays a major role in the relationship between Cloud and Aerith is the Zack - Issue. Even more so now that Clouds remembers him and the fact that they were friends and that Zack even gushed over Aerith right in front of him - obviously before Cloud knew her tho. That ought to create a rift between Cloud and Aerith, especially after she admitted that she maybe still has feelings for Zack. How close do you want to get to a woman who still has feelings for a man that was head over heals for her? Also... should you put yourself next to her, given how he was just friend who loved her dearly and deeply? And also Aerith. She was drawn to the Zack in Cloud, she admits as much in the date - and once again, it was good and important that she did - and while I think she is the one getting the real Cloud out of his Zack-Shell the most, she still has to be aware of the fact that she probably does not fully know the true and real Cloud yet, even tho she wants to. This is a quite messy situation. Complicated too.

So... there is lots of room for being careful and distant here and not much room for intimacy and closeness.

Cloud and Aerith, as much as it saddens me, were NOT ready for a kiss yet. Getting that moment of closeness via the hand holding and cuddling was plenty for a relationship that is more of an innocent nature and has yet many obstacles to overcome - sadly, we are running out of time for this.

And that is also an important point. Something we have to point out here. When Aerith told Cloud in the first game not to fall in love with her, she contradicted her own words by the fact that she wasn't able to stop herself from touching him. The reason for this warning wasn't just the Zack issue es her following words that those feelings are not real would suggest. Its also something to guard herself and him. She knows she is going to die and that it will hurt them both that they never had the time to truly explore what could have been if they did have more time. PLUS this Aerith knew Clouds struggled after her death. And I am not just talking about the mental breakdown Tifa got him out of. I am also talking about the state he was in in Advent Children. Melancholic, depressed and full of guilt and regret and a feeling of loneliness always within his heart. You don't know that yet, but in a later scene, Aerith specifically tells Cloud not to blame himself for whatever will happen and everyone who has scene their scene from AC knows exactly why. Aerith tried to prevent Clouds from suffering, making it so that technically she has to keep her distance. I guess that is also one of the reason why she is not opposing Cloud and Tifa. And all that plays a role in that date. She wants to be with Cloud. Aeriths has feelings for him. But she runs out of time and there is so much going on beneath all of that. And than we have Cloud, not knowing where to put that "on off" behavior of her. How to deal with Zack standing between them. Not knowing what to think of her warning from the first game. And probably not knowing what he truly wants himself either, because he said it himself in that scene with Tifa earlier in the game, sometimes he doesn't even know who he is anymore.

Once again, it is complicated and I think that is also what caused him to act cold at first. However, I do think, all things considered, that we got the best scene possible for this ship and we should be happy about it.

And we are not completely done yet. You will get another "Date" with Aerith later that is non-optional. So... enjoy it for it doesn't last much longer my dears.

[asoulofatlantis]

First of all I have to mention Aerith had Eye-Contact with a stunned Cloud multiple times. It was cute.

Cloud and Aerith first meet on a city street with worn cobblestones, were people were rushing past them.

She sings about them meeting at "our place" which the game will later reveal as the church.

Overall the song is full of Cloud and Aerith AND I may add that in a recent interview it had been confirmed that this song is IN FACT about Cloud and Aerith. Canon Lovesong everybody! (Now... Julia also had a canon lovesong with Laguna and they did not end up together for better - and not worse - but still!)

I feel like this song is also a little bit about a future timeline. You know, where these two will have an actual chance to be together evermore. She sings about meeting again and him finding her and everything, so... yeah... I feel like its a bit about a "what if" - kind of timeline that gives them yet another shot at a happy ending.

That moment was a real tearjerker and I was never a fan of Avalanche and still say that.

Aerith is crying at the end of the song and I think while writing it (yes, she wrote it herself) she realized that her time is almost up and that her wish for being together forevermore with the one she loves is not going to come true, as he, to say it with the words of Caiths divination, is losing what he cherishes most.

I can tell you I absolutly love that song and it really brings tears into your eyes. The only version that is sadder than this one, is when someone puts the full version on with scenes from both games about them and their sad ending.

Anyway... back to our Skywheel-Date!

[asoulofatlantis]

She loves to do that XD And with this... we are good to go. Aerith date it is!

This girl is never afraid of touch and she doesn't give a damn about if Cloud is XD

Aaaaaaand taking his hand again XD

We are watching an old recording of the loveless G-Version. That is why we actually can see Jessie in it. Nice idea.

Poor Tifa and Barett. That must have been as hard to watch as it was beautiful to see...

I thought something like the actors getting sick of something lead to our people playing characters in loveless... but apparently, this is all part of the Virtual show. Cool! But... does they all see our team or does everyone see someone else? O.o

If you think you can just sit back and enjoy the show without playing one of those stupid minigames, you are wrong! Thankfully, it is yet again one of those "dance" Mini-Games, or like it was with the Parade in Junon, so... its not like we don't have any practice here XD

Oooookay... it was not as easy as I thought, as it is REALLY fast.

The Shipping war makes be a a bit more of an asshole than usually so I have to throw it in peoples faces that Aerith is the default lead role if you have not a higher affinity for Tifa and Yuffi then for her, Barett or Red. Just saying...

Poor Red and Barett. Even if you go on a date with one of them, they will always be the bad guys...

Thankfully, the buttons are positioned on the screen in a way that it almost fits their position on the controller. Makes it a bit easier.

You could have chosen Barett or Red as your true love as well XD Nice. I guess that is the way out of this, if you do not love Aerith but got her by accident or default.

Our beloved Dream-Team ♥

She touching Clouds face is a thing for them, huh? XD

This play does have some similarities with their actual lovestory...

The Clock just fell and they said on social Media that it symbolizes their time running out.

In the promised land, I guess...

He actually drew her closer ♥

I loved that I could sing along to the song, knowing it by heart by now. I LOVE it! Sorry for not taking any screenshots, but I just wanted to enjoy the moment and sing along. I will provide screenshots and my thoughts about them in a moment, using a YouTube-Video for the pictures.

But first...

A big round of applause for our Aerith, who truly poured her heart and soul into that wonderful song and once more, provided a Final Fantasy game with a song that is special, because it has true meaning.

It was wonderful ♥

[asoulofatlantis]

Do... Sephiroth and Jenova play tricks on his mind too? O.o Wait, Jenova can't be. I think his eyes were brown...

Oh great... another boss-fight...

Cloud says "we trust you" so often to Caith Sith that I am wondering if this isn't a bad omen that he might not be trusted as much ^^' I do believe Reeves is a good man, but... he does work for Shinra.

Oh you've got to be fucking kidding me...

It is as if they need to put you through the wrangler before you can finally reach the Dating-Point...

So... does this mean theoretically, eventually... all Soldiers turn into hooded "men" (I've seen some woman too...) at some point? Cloud has been mentioning the degradation or whatever a few times by now and he is obviously afraid of it and now Roche mentioned that there is no escaping it.

I didn't expect him of all people to understand that...

Took you a while to get that...

Look who changed his mind about coming along! Makes me wonder tho... what kind of history he has with Sephiroth? Did they become Friends when he locked himself up in that mansion or something and then our guy with the long Sword betrayed him or something? ^^'

Why the hell has the game to slow down the pacing NOW of all times?

Just so you know... we were on our way to the saucer, were the good stuff is going to happen, but instead we crashed and now had to make a stop at Costa Del Sol... were we have to get all the way to the Sauver by food - or Chocobo... and I still don't know how to get to the Saucer because it would take hours if we do it like that.

We CAN use the former plaine to get to the Saucer, but we have to maneuver it ourselves. GREAT.

Okay, you can fast travel to Gongaga, and THEN we walk... to were we left the car... thank we drive over the water so we are at Corel and THEN we quickjump to the Saucer... UFF!

Did Shinra do that to him? O.O

Again? ^^' How... nostalgic XD

Nice. You even get a warning. But we should be good to go.

I am confused. We were asked to fight a battle and nothing else. Why is Aerith preparing a Song and why is Cloud not asking her what she is doing? O.o

And now we are back with Zack. (Somehow Cloud seems to have access to his "other self" in his dreams it seems...)

Marlene... the secret behind her is still a mystery. But one thing is for certain, apparently, she knows something about the future.

Marlene just gave us a big fat spoiler XD

Knowing the future is one thing... but she also knew what Aerith felt, when Cloud came for her? Now that makes even less sense than knowing what the future holds.

You know... he swallowed the "she likes Cloud" - thing without even asking more about it. I... am kind of irritated about that. Yes, it came from a child and all but still... I would wonder about that in his case.

Marlene certainly stirred something in him tho.

[asoulofatlantis]

I wonder if I can reach 80% around 50 hours of playtime. I've heard some people were done already after 50 hours. But some sidequests and A LOT of minigames as well as my orientation-problems have taken too much time for me to still be able to make it. We've only reached chapter 11 after all.

Well hello there Memories! How is it that while his mental stability is getting worse and Sephiroths control over him gets bigger... his memories are suddenly coming back?

So Cloud remembers Zack but... thinks he is the one who drowned in Nibelheim? How... does it makes sense that he does remember him but now his memory makes up shit about how he died?

This is the right question for once, my boy.

I am so frustrated about them constantly codling Cloud. She knew that his memories were wrong. That Zack wasn't the one who died. But instead of telling him that she remembers it differently, when he asked her about why she didn't tell him, she just played into his delusions. And I wish I could say that is only a Tifa thing, but Aerith is doing it too. I hope that one day, they will reach a point where they regret that very, very much.

Poor girl. After everything she has been through for her mission...

Not soon enough, if you ask me...

Seriously, this game isn't even half as bad as the first one was. But I still already have reached the point were I want to get it over with ^^'

And as if to punish me for saying that, I've got a Minigame-Dungeon with a mean final-boss at the end, just to slow down my progress...

For you maybe...

Another Fan-Favorite entered the fray... uh... the team, I mean.

I take a break now. Its time for my walk on the treadmill.