#but anyway. me Gongaga.

[icharchivist]

so one of my friends started ff7's og recently and he's been streaming to me how he advances inside the game (he played the remake, ended up hating it and thought the problem was that ff7 must suck, and then i started to ramble and it got him curious to try the OG instead. he's having much more fun so far)

i noticed a worrying pattern from watching him play, that he doesn't explore every houses or talk to every NPCs, and while in some places it's okay, in others well...... i get to worry.

so i told him "once you go to Gongaga take Aerith and Tifa with you as you explore the town" like i always do

and he laughed because "isn't Gongaga a meme" and once again i have to go :) yeah, anyway,

but so he went to Gongaga rn and he almost skipped all of the houses. And i had to go "no. you check all the houses. Please." and he was like yeah yeah

and so we reached Zack's parents' house and the moment they dropped "Do you know a guy in Soldier named Zack?" my friend audibly gasped like "no fucking way"

and meanwhile i was having emotions behind my screen as quiet as possible while my friend clearly was going through the motions like I See.

Friend in question has been nicknaming me "Zack Fair's most normal fan" so there were clearly dots connected

but man. I love doing that. Me making sure everyone who plays the OG gets the ultimate Zack Fair experience---

[rocketbirdie]

Weird thing that bothered me about Rebirth and I want to hear other people's thoughts.

Um... Why did they gentrify Gongaga? I can't be the only one who feels cheated by the chummy suburban development vibe in Rebirth.

OG Gongaga is an isolated village deep in a jungle. It's possible to completely miss the first chance to visit, because it's practically unheard of. All the young folks fled to the big city. A reactor blew up and killed most of the inhabitants, leaving the town in a state of decay. The houses are falling apart, the people are desperate, it's derelict and miserable.

An understated theme in the OG is how life is difficult without modern technology. Avalanche sets out to destroy these reactors without considering the consequences for their own futures, thinking "well it won't be easy but i'm sure it'll be fine." Gongaga is the story's way of showing you just how fine everything is going to be— despite being in a lush rainforest, long since violently cut off from Shinra's influence, these people still suffer immensely.

I wanted to see it in hd so bad honestly. The splintered rotting wood, the furskin rugs, the dirty brick walls. The unspoken yet unignorable trauma. The mournful purple twilight that quietly hangs over the whole village. I wanted to see the survivors' spiteful determination to make things work without mako.

Instead we got a squeaky clean Crisis Core rendition of Gongaga, with its down-to-earth upbeat stardew valley soundtrack and generic hard workin' country folk. The houses are like... twice the size i expected them to be. Neat and tidy, no holes in the roofs, no dishevelled interiors. No sign of struggle. Everybody is content at worst.

The reactor may as well have never exploded. Nobody talks about it. We hear some bullshit about Shinra trying to "make amends" or compensate people for the damages, and that's about it. Apparently everybody's just fine with this, because all of the original version's resentment and grief is gone.

Don't even get me started on the barker stationed at the town entrance. "Come experience nature's bounty!" Man... why are we treating it like a goddamn hippy tourist attraction. OG Gongaga would have had someone knock this kid's teeth out.

Idk I'm just sad. The melancholy is what made Gongaga so memorable despite its bump-in-the-road identity. I wish we could have gotten that instead of one big callback to CC.

[dangoulains-devotion]

on this late night i am thinking incredibly hard about how, when faced with a choice between preventing a new friend from harm + clearing up a misunderstanding and choosing the path that would potentially find him a cure for his catatonic friend, zack recalled marlene's words of saying that aerith liked cloud, and of course she did, because he (zack) wasn't there. hadn't been there for a long time

and after recalling these words and grasping at the ribbon tied around his hand, zack ultimately decides that by taking the right-hand path he can, with some luck, fulfill two of his own desires - 1) potentially seeing his friend cloud healed and healthily awake again, and 2) making sure that aerith will be able to be happy when she wakes if he succeeds the first part. he has not and will not let go of his adoration and love for her, but if cloud is seemingly what makes her happy in this bizarre world he's found himself in, he'll choose that option in a heartbeat, because her happiness means the world to him even if it means accepting that he's not the focus of it anymore. he just loves her so much . oh i'm in pain. zack fair the man that you are

[autistickaitovocaloid]

miku it's len they put bugs in him

[tadpoles-and-daydreams]

Has anyone tagged @snake-spotted yet? How do I do that is there a form I need to fill out or..... /J

[lecliss]

Why is there a no commentary playthrough of crisis core reunion on tv??? Just the whole ass game.

[rottenpumpkin13]

Inspired by recent events - how would modern AGSZC handle long haul international travel? The airports, the flights and the inevitable jet lag

♯ Angeal always tries to find the positive and bright side of everything, so he's game for anything. He’s the one making checklists, planning every detail, ensuring everyone’s luggage is in order, and being just a little neurotic (just a little) he sees it as part of the fun and a way to ensure everything goes smoothly. Even jet lag can’t dampen his spirits! He views it as just another part of the adventure.

*Angeal kicks the door down*

Angeal: To whoever had the audacity to go up to the packing checklist I've helpfully pinned to the fridge and write 'calm down Angeal', I just want you to know that I'M FUCKING!! CALM! I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO CALM IN ALL MY LIFE—HEY! GENESIS YOU GET BACK HERE AND EXPLAIN WHY I FOUND A WHOLE BOTTLE OF LIQUOR IN YOUR LUGGAGE? WE'RE GOING ON A BUSINESS TRIP, YOU DONUT, NOT TO A RESORT. IF I GET ONE WHIFF OF ALCOHOL ON YOUR BREATH I'M THROWING YOU FROM THE AIRPLANE!

*Sephiroth and Zack are watching from a distance*

Zack: Why is Angeal screaming at the wall?

Sephiroth: Don't look, Zack.

♯ Genesis loves traveling and views every aspect of it as part of the vacation, thanks to his aesthete heart. Packing is an artform to him, creating playlists for the car ride to the airport is essential, selecting books, and planning which episodes of his dramas to catch up on during the flight. Jet lag would be a downer for him, but he's rarely sleeping on vacation anyway, preferring to be out partying. But once he's back needs at least two days to recuperate.

*Genesis is sitting in the briefing room with sunglasses and a cocktail. Zack is fanning him*

Lazard: Commander, this is ridiculous. Your vacation ended two days ago.

Genesis: On the contrary, director. I'm still on vacation.

Lazard: Your theatrics are disrupting the workspace.

Genesis: No they're not.

*Sephiroth and Angeal walk in and immediately slip and fall on the sand that's scattered on the floor*

♯ Sephiroth is convinced that no one in the world hates taking trips more than he does. Work trips are terrible, and the 'getting there' part of vacations is dreadful no matter the 'distractions' he brings to keep his mind busy. Honestly, he'd be a happier person if teleportation were more widely used so he could just appear at places randomly. He's a homebody who loves the comfort of his own space and values his sleep, so jet lag hits him hard.

Zack: Hey, how are you—

Sephiroth: I haven't slept in 22 hours and if I don't drink something caffeinated and release my anger within the next minute, then I will be forced to enlist the help of the shadow that's been following me around all day to tape your mouth shut.

Zack: What shadow?

Sephiroth:

Zack, panicking: WHAT SHADOW?

♯ Zack loves trips, partly because his upbringing in Gongaga made him eager to see the world. He's just happy to be there, though he hates packing and always forgets to bring essential stuff like his underwear and toothbrush. But that's what Angeal is for! Jet lag is nonexistent to him because he can and will sleep through anything, as long as he has a comfortable enough space. The only thing he can't deal with about trips is the sitting still part... yeah, he needs to stretch his legs or else he starts to lose his mind.

*In the airplane*

Genesis: Are you alright? Your eye is twitching and your knees are shaking.

Zack: I can't take this anymore.

Genesis: Read a book.

Zack: I hate reading.

Genesis: Watch a movie.

Zack: I can't focus.

Genesis: Then do one of the two things I do when I'm bored—either poke Angeal with a back scratcher until he explodes or challenge Sephiroth to an arm wrestling match.

Zack:

Zack: Somehow I feel like Sephiroth breaking my arm is the safer option.

Genesis: It is.

Zack: Alright.

♯ IF Cloud survives the motion sickness, he will not be a happy camper during the trip.

Cloud: I feel like I'm gonna throw up.

Sephiroth: Ginger is known to reduce nausea and prevents vomiting. Consuming ginger in the form of tea, candy, or even chopped pieces can be effective to combat nausea and vomiting.

Cloud: Do you have ginger?

Sephiroth: No.

Cloud: Then why the hell would you bring that up?

Sephiroth: It's always nice to learn something new, Cloud.

Cloud: *visibly annoyed*

Sephiroth: I realize I've made a mistake. I'm in the splash zone.

[strayheartless]

Nice Cloud things that are pure headcanon but I like to think about (AGSZC friendship):

When Genesis first gets to know Cloud they bond over their mythology knowledge. Gen finds it fascinating to listen to Cloud about Fenrir and the old Nibel gods. Likewise Cloud is very interested about how Genesis worships the goddess. They end up doing some joint ceremonies together because their the only strongly religious people in the friend group.

Cloud is actually an excellent artist. He drew a lot when he was a kid and is mostly self taught. He bought some books when he got to midgar about colour theory and proper techniques and uses art as a way to destress often.

Following that he doesn’t really show his Sketch book to anyone, but Angeal has seen some of his art after they found out they had watercolours in common. It’s nice to sit with him and paint from time to time.

Cloud twirls his hair when he zones out or is comfortable enough to stim with people. When he was little he used to sit with his thumb in his mouth and his other hand twisting his hair. As an adult he usually only stims around Zack and his mom… though he has been known to let his guard down around Angeal too.

The first time he had a conversation with Sephiroth he very bluntly told him that he had split ends. He was later mortified but Zack and Genesis were on the floor Laughing.

He leans his head on peoples shoulders when he feels really safe. The first time Zack experienced this he actually cried. They’d all been talking after dinner and suddenly Cloud had plonked his head on Zack’s shoulder and closed his eyes. No one’s allowed to call it sweet or adorable. Cloud will murder them.

Kunsel once caught Cloud taking dog treats to the K-9 unit kennels. When asked why he liked it in there cloud replied “they don’t treat me differently. To them I’m the greatest person ever because I scratch their ears and feed them. I don’t have to perform.” Kunsel had to take a minute to compose himself in the brake room after that.

There is an older gentleman in the slums who stops to talk to Cloud every time he patrols. Cloud doesn’t really know why this man likes him so much, but he often finds himself helping the man carry his shopping bags and fixing his porch light. Cloud gets two days off a week and eventually he saves one of those every week to go and have tea with the man.

Cloud keeps most of his valuable things in Zacks spare room after a couple of cruel Cadets strung the contents of his footlocker across the parade square. Zack thinks of the room as “Clouds room” anyway, and he’s there most nights.

Cloud never used to like his birthday as a kid. His mom always used to try her best to make it special but Cloud felt guilty that she made herself bend over backwards just to make him a cake. With the first pay check he gets as an infantryman he sends her a gift on his birthday and hers to thank her for loving him.

Later when he’s friends Zack, they go on a trip to Gongaga and then Nibelheim to compare notes on backwater upbringings and to be spoiled by both mothers. Claudia makes him a cake and Cloud tells her he loves her so much.

[achurchinthesector5slums]

hey guys one of my favorite hobbies is analyzing the ff7 remake trilogy soundtrack and taking note at how the composers hint at or use certain motifs for certain tracks

like one track that has stood out to me recently is Mako Overdose, (the boss theme for the specimen at the Gongaga rector). while it does transition to the Those Who Fight/Let the Battles Begin motif about halfway through the song, the first half is a dramatic mix of the Shinra inc theme and Jenovas theme WHICH IS SO AWESOME AND CLEVER!!!

the specimen of course was made by hojo, who obviously works for shinra, but also the inclusion of the scale played at the beginning of jenovas theme signal that this isnt just another one of hojos horrible experiments, it implies this is specifically a jenova experiment which definitely influences or at the very least builds up to the following scene were cloud attacks tifa bcuz of jenova/sephiroths influence (i personally with the info we have right now in the re trilogy and my reading of the og game view them as one conjoined being)

anyways i love the clever use of motifs in soundtracks, remake especially does a good job of being creative enough with it that no motif feels too repetitive

[roeyliteratiforever]

(Rebirth Spoilers) I am so tired of shippers in the fandom trying to cheapen Cloud and Tifa's kiss, and say "Cloud only kissed Tifa because he was rebounding." Rebounding from what?! Cloud has known Tifa almost his whole life and has had feelings for her for such a long time at this point! He knew Aerith for what a couple of weeks?! I'm not saying that Cloud and Aerith don't have a cute bond, but I'm tired of people trying to to cheapen Cloud's feelings for Tifa or acting like she is some rebound. If she was such a rebound for him why didn't he kiss Aerith?? Someone was trying to tell me that the almost kiss between Cloud and Tifa in Gongaga was also him rebounding "because he was so hurt because he though Aerith still has feelings for Zack" (which yes she does she will always love Zack but that's not the point) Cloud and Tifa had a moment in Gongaga after he thought he nearly lost her and stayed up all night watching over her to make sure she was okay and then they have a heart to heart where Cloud opens up to her and gets vulnerable for the first time ever with anyone! Cloud has never opened up his feelings to anyone else, and in that moment he wanted to kiss Tifa because that's how he felt not because he was rebounding! Look it's fine if you ship Clerith that's valid, but it's so annoying when shippers try to gaslight us into thinking Cloud doesn't really have feelings for Tifa or she is just a rebound when clearly that is not true! Cloud kissed Tifa because he loves her and always has! If you really think Cloud is the type of person to use someone that has always loved him like that then I really don't understand why you would want him with Aerith anyways.

[prismaticpichu]

What Zack's nighttime routines/ brushing habit facial care routine if any? Shower routines? Does the boy floss regularly?

Does he have tinnitus or jeep any special white noise/rain etc to sleep?

*Zack glances up from the sink, freshly-brushed teeth flashing in the mirror as he plops his toothbrush back into a cup*

Zack: Heya, friend!! Excellent question!! As you can see, I’m currently in the middle of nightly bathroom scrub-up. Lemme show you around! 🪥💙

*opens the medicine cabinet, picking up his hairbrush*

Zack: This is my handy dandy brush-o-matic!! Keeps the spikes nice and spiky. Me and Cloud actually use the same exact brand, as a matter of fact! The kind that works the best riiiiight after a good shower. Speaking of which!

*he reaches behind him, grabbing a small silver bottle from the shower ledge*

Zack: I used to tease Seph all the time about his 2-in-1 rosy vanilla chinchilla-champ shampoo & conditioner… but it smells SO GOOD. Guy lent me all his extra bottles!!!

*he puts the shampoo back, reaching for his razor next*

Zack: This here’s my all-star shaving equipment! A litttleee bit worn out… but it does its job!! And it does a great one considering I try to keep my face as smooth as possible. Well—now, anyway! For the longest time, I always wanted to grow a stubble. Would always get so frustrated with how long it took. Really just wanted to look like, erm… Angeal. But then he kinda got up and left and, well… things happened, and… uh… Yeah I’m just gonna put this… back now—

*he fluffs his pillow, nestling into the thick cocoon of covers, letting out a yawn*

Zack: As a young squirt from Gongaga, it’s hard for me to sleep without the sound of the rain beading against the window. So I always keep my “dreamy drizzle” playlist shuttling on my PHS as I go to…

*he lets out another yawn, a content smile on his lips as he snuggles deeper into the covers*

Zack: …Sleep… ૮ – ﻌ–აᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

[pen-and-umbra]

I was just wondering something. OG spoilers I guess? 🙄 Anyway FS makes it so that Sephiroth sort of knew about mom in a sense that he had that picture locket until Glen kicked it away. Then,,Crisis core through Gen tells us that Sephiroth got told only her name, which doesn't hold true now. It got me thinking that in OG Seph is supposed to learn everything, and then come up with his big bang plan…but he never learns that the woman from the picture was REAL, as in his real biological parent, not some lovecraftian monster?? does it represent that he never finds anything about Lucrecia or just no longer cares and accepts Jenova's wat?🤔 Or is it supposed to mean that once he went psycho in Nibelheim, he never gained clarity in the lifestream afterwards? Many fans say that Seph got his mind back after “death”, but then there's the fact that he never bothered to look for the lost photo and the woman in it. Now I know it's a retcon, but it kinda bothers me 

Yk anon, I was thinking along similar lines; not Lucrecia-centric, specifically, but similar. Had you asked me this question years prior to Remake’s release, I would have told you in no uncertain terms that, yes, after falling into the Lifestream Sephiroth embraces Jenova as the only thing that is left for him — the only thing that provides his existence with a purpose, a place, a connection. Whether it's the result of a mental breakdown and subsequent psychosis, or a conscious choice motivated by a desire to feel superior to humans who „wronged“ him.

Eh, but Rebirth and now First Soldier episodes definitely muddied the waters for me, although I had always considered the Nibelheim incident to be a very — tragically — gray area.

Even if Sephiroth is not mindjacked by Jenova, as Rebirth seemingly implies, why is there such a strong belief that he regained his marbles in the Lifestream? The game's extended compilation promotes the idea that anguished spirits are still delusional, hateful, and anguished after being swept into the Lifestream. IIRC, some of the Aerith side novellas (Lifestream White or The Maiden Who Travels The Planet, can't recall which) touch on the idea that these spirits must be pacified, which is what Aerith tries to do in order to bring back balance. Sephiroth would remain just as delulu in the Lifestream as he was when he took the dive. As you mentioned, one could also argue that he never truly learns the whole truth, such as the fact that he actually had a human mother who is, in fact, still around.

Yet Jenova's mindjacking, as hinted at by his possessed-like behavior in Rebirth, really drives this angle of skewed perception, of overlooking bits of information and acting as if they never existed. Cloud's case exemplifies this well.

Right after Cloud finishes his account of the Nibelheim massacre, Jenovaroth raises some doubts in his mind about Tifa, which eventually leads to the two of them having a little spat about it in Kalm.

Tifa shows Cloud the scar she received that night when she attempted to stab Sephiroth. Cloud takes that information in. Spool forward, and during the fight in the Gongaga reactor, Cloud effortlessly forgets about the scar and attacks Tifa. All because Jenovaroth used suggestion to mind-control Cloud and plant specific ideas.

The most fascinating aspect is that Cloud later regains memory of this event, but only as a passenger or passive observer. He is horrified when he sees his limbs act independently and sees himself move.

The scene made me rethink the previously held black-and-white belief that Sephiroth had found out „the truth“ in the Lifestream but CHOSE to act according to Jenova's will. I believe it's a much more of a grey area now, and various conflicting pieces of information from the extended compilation and old Ultimanias (and such like) really do not help it. Who is to say Jenova didn't do the same thing to Sephiroth? Changing his perception or ability to perceive in ways that benefited the creature, both before and after Nibelheim. To prevent certain pieces of information from being consciously processed, such as those of Jenova being a parasitic monster who wiped out the Cetra. Or, as you point out, the piece about the woman in the photo.

There's something else to think about. Sephiroth's physical body is eventually repaired with Jenova cells in the Northern Crater, resulting in a symbiotic/physical link. Who's to say her hold on his mind/spirit ever weakened? In fact, I'm not sure if the Sephiroth that emerges after Nibelheim is entirely Sephiroth who has lost his mind, or if it's a chimera. Not in the sense that the party encounters and fights bits and pieces of Jenova that shapeshift into Sephiroth, but in the sense that the consciousness that controls them isn't entirely Sephiroth's, as in he's not the sole driver (hence why I usually use „Jenovaroth“). Jenova „wears the faces of the dead“ per Cetra. I don't think it solely reflects the entity's ability to change its appearance, but something bigger. An ability to „become“ the subject it imitates by emulating their personal traits. After all, „she can peer deep into your soul“, in other words, to learn all that makes up a person.

Now this is just guesswork. However, the Remake — and quite possibly FS too now — appear to be oddly insistent on revising Jenova's abilities and related lore. Who knows what purpose it serves. But honestly, the very fact that Jenovaroth is capable of making someone “forget” or “ignore” certain knowledge they had by overriding it, like in case of Tifa’s scar, is truly terrifying.

[rocketbirdie]

thoughts on gay cloud strife?

too many, actually........

He strikes me as the kind of guy who would pretend to have a crush on a girl because that's what he's supposed to do, right? And he doesn't understand why people make such a big deal out of it. love songs, romance movies, steamy novels, apparently everybody else is feeling some kind of feeling that Cloud just........ doesn't have access to. But he plays along with it. it's what's expected of him. It's not like there's any other options, as far as he knows.

but he's not interested in girls and he knows it, he just doesn't see anything odd about his obsession with SOLDIER. With Sephiroth. With these strong, confident men in their sleeveless tops and baggy pants and badass combat boots.

And when he finally gets to meet a real SOLDIER for the first time (Zack in CC), it's almost comical how Love At First Sight the scene is. What with its tender emotional orchestral swells and glittering snow and pretty-smiling hair-swooshing face reveal. Suddenly Cloud's got the giggles and he's trying to act all cool. then they're hanging out every chance they get. Cloud's inviting Zack to his hometown to meet his mom. somehow neither of them realize what's happening.

and it's over before it can even begin.

By AC, there are so many people who love Cloud dearly— whose love he feels unable to reciprocate because he never got the opportunity to learn what love is. He doesn't know that love is supposed to be more than just a sense of obligation. The way he sees it, he got a tiny taste of it one time, and it ruined his life and took the life of someone that, in hindsight, he loved.

[zaxxusu]

Happy Mother's Day

(a monologue, a kind of letters - originally published in 2014 on my old RP account that has been deleted by Tumblr, reposting here in modified a bit)

𝟣𝟧 𝓎𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝑔𝑜

Mom, you scare me! No ghost under my bed, I know it! Okay, okay, I'll go sleep. Mom? You still there? Well, I have a dream... I wanna be a hero I'm gonna save the world! Hey, don't laugh! I mean it. I wanna make you smile and proud. Mhh... love you too, Mom. Good night.

𝟣0 𝓎𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝑔𝑜

Sorry, Mom, but I must go. I wanna achieve my dream, and it can't be attained only in this small village. I wanna see the world. I wanna make many friends around Gaia! Bet you'd be all worried. Just pray for me and I'll do my best to make the goals. ...Wait! What's that? Come back with my wife? Hey, hey... I'm just 13! I'm back after I'm success. I promise... See me!

8 𝓎𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝑔𝑜

How's Gongaga? Pops still alive and kicking? Is he seeing mushrooms from below already? Sorry for writing only now. I meant to write earlier but work stuffs here really extreme. Either you do nothing at all, or you do too much. But let's face it, there's never too much for me, anyway! Nah, I'm SOLDIER now. Already 2nd Class and gonna make it 1st soon! Which should be easy, hehe. I met a few great people. The great Hero Sephiroth gives me few trainings. Have you ever heard his name? He's the Hero of Wutai war! Soon, I'll be dispatched there and be a great hero too! But Angeal is my mentor, he's 1st Class too like Sephiroth! And I'll always be remembering his words, that if I wanted to be a hero, I have to embrace my dream and honor. He's on vacation right now. He said hi to you, Mom. And Kunsel! He's my friggin' stalker... but in a positive way! I mean... we're best friends! Well, he knows what he does, and I have a feeling he purposively remains in 2nd Class to have an eye on all that happens inside Shin-Ra. So yeah, I get along great with everyone. How's Sotetsu by the way? Tell him I don't forget him.

6 𝓎𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝑔𝑜

Mom? There are so many things happened, I wanna help my friend. But I'm not strong enough to do. It is complicated... Though, not gonna give up and it'll be alright. Just like Pops always says: "If it's not alright, then it's not the end yet!" This one, Mom, praise your son! Well, I met a girl... at the church in the city slum. She's like an angel. Her hobby is tending flowers--bet you'd love her! I bought a pink ribbon for her, for a memento. She said she'll always treasure it. Then we went on a date! My first date! I also met another country boy! He's from Nibelheim and a Chocobo. ...No! I'm not talking to animal, not anymore! >////< His name is Cloud and his hair looks like Chocobo--all spiky and messy. He should try my shampoo or visit you, letting you mingle with his hair. Afterall, it's you who make me look the way I do haha.

5 𝓎𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝑔𝑜

It's been a while, Mom. New season, new responsibility. I made 1st Class, but somehow, I'm not happy with it. I command an army now, rookies, so I can't let it make me down. And Sephiroth is my partner now, he trusts me. In short, I'm doing my best as SOLDIER--just as Angeal taught me, embrace my dreams and protect my honor. He's gone, Mom, but he's always in my heart. By the way, remember the girl I met in the church? It's a next level. I'm serious with her, Mom. Her name is Aerith. Well, she is... A bit spoiled, picky, clumsy ...and also can't cook. But I love her! Pretty is just a standard and normal is overrated--I love her with all of her quirks and flaws. She matches my energy. Whenever I spend my time with her, I feel respite. So, I can always keep up straight thanks to her. Will pick her to meet you, but not in the near future, I guess. Still working hard, saving money, building flowers wagon--she and I start this business. You must laugh but I'm selling flowers as a side job. We have a dream to fill Midgar with flowers. This city is opposite of Gongaga. I miss the greens, water, fresh air. So yeah, gonna make everyone here happy with the flowers!

𝐹𝑒𝓌 𝓂𝑜𝓃𝓉𝒽𝓈 𝒶𝑔𝑜

Dear, Mom. How many seasons have passed? I wish I could knock your door, see your face right now, and apologize for everything. Sorry for not being a good enough son for you. Ha! A bit melancholy suddenly? I'm not homesick or so! Home is... where the heart is, isn't it? Just so you know, I still have my friend, Cloud. I won't abandon him whatever happened. I'll be fine, don't worry. Because if I wasn't, then how could he? I'm still in the road to be a hero. I'm not giving up in this rough and dire. I finally find a meaning and purpose. I think it's because of you and pops raising me--and my late mentor, honor to him. So, thank you, Mom. Pops, too. Say hi to him. PS: Oh, and... I dunno what Cissnei--that girl in the black suit--told you, but she isn't my fiancee! I still have my heart for my flower girl. And I'm on the road to fulfill her 23 wishes. Just to make that sure.

[meteorshcts]

starter for @askaeristheflower

Zack was not ready to die for his country.

For one thing, it wasn't even really his country. Shinra had simply annexed the whole Gongaga area, and there was basically nothing they could do about it. Gongaga had had its own army, sure, but it was nothing compared to the size of the Shinra army. Zack had gone to the capital city of Midgar to enlist, of course, because he had wanted to be a hero and defend his homeland.

For another thing, the fact of the matter was that Zack had no love for Shinra any longer. His hopes of somehow making things better for Gongaga had long since been abandoned when he had started looking into some things. Stories that didn't add up. Orders from the top that he knew were lies.

Angeal was dead, listed as a traitor, and Zack wanted to know why.

Unfortunately, he had turned over too many stones in his time, talked to too many people, and now Shinra was about to get rid of Zack too. He knew this was the case, even though the media hailed him as a hero for it. He was ending the long, bloody war with the merfolk. He was turning over a new leaf for Shinra. He was...heading for his own death.

He wasn't going quietly, of course; he had pushed back on the orders as much as he could have. But the orders came from the king himself, who didn't care to have his own son die, and there was basically nothing he could do about it. To continue to defy his orders would just get him killed anyway, and some other poor schmuck would be put in his spot.

He had also secretly acquired a potion from a local potion shop, one not affiliated with Shinra as far as he knew, for an underwater breathing potion. It wouldn't keep the merfolk from tearing him to pieces, but at least he wouldn't drown. It was potentially a bad idea, but it did give him a chance to get away, if that were possible.

Dressed in his military whites, Zack adjusted the stupid hat over his carefully styled black spikes, trying still to look rakish and cool. He knew it didn't matter, but this union would be attended by a lot of people, so he might as well go out looking his best. Well. He'd probably go out looking terrible and waterlogged, but it was the thought that counted, or something.

"Lookin' good, man," Kunsel said quietly from Zack's side. Kunsel was also in his military whites, but dressed down a bit from Zack's very formal attire. He wasn't the focus of the event, after all -- that was Zack. "You sure you don't want me to cause a distraction and you can get outta here?"

"No," Zack replied, sighing into the mirror. "But, yeah. I'm sure. They'd just hunt me down and probably put you in my spot. No point in both of us dying."

Kunsel said nothing. They both knew it was true.

Ten minutes later, the royal guard showed up to escort Zack to the ceremony, where he would be wed to the killer empress of the seas, the bloody Queen Aeris.

--

Zack had thought going in that he was about to marry a stranger, and that was still true, but he realized quickly that he had seen her before. He recognized that face, even standing where he was at the end of the pier. She hadn't been dressed quite so beautifully, and her hair had been tied up differently, but it was definitely her, the girl he had given directions to in the castle courtyard just yesterday.

He squeezed his white gloved hands together in front of him. He wasn't afraid to die, but he was kind of afraid she wouldn't kill him before eating him, and that seemed...unpleasant, to say the least.

The wedding was to be pretty stock standard for a Shinra wedding, with an officiator waiting with Zack while the Empress walked the pier -- an aisle, as it was. Many of Shinra's finest were gathered, and nobody looked particularly happy. But if Zack made one wrong gesture, he knew he would be killed instantly. So he followed the motions.

At least she's hot, he consoled himself, studying her slender frame and the flowing, gossamer gown she wore. She was decorated with pearls and seashells, and she had forgone the typical white dress for one coral colored, and the effect was stunning. The color complimented her green eyes, and the dress accentuated her curves. She was gorgeous.

Too bad she was here to kill him.

[rottenpumpkin13]

The Firsts meet Mr. Dilf Fair how does it go?

*Zack's father is visiting from Gongaga, he takes him on a tour around the base*

Zack: Dad, this is Genesis. He's—

Genesis: Single, into older men, prepared.

Mr. Fair:

Zack: Ignore him he's crazy. Anyway, this is Angeal who I've been telling you about. He's—

Angeal: What did you put in his cereal as a child? Tell me. Was it drugs? Did you replace his formula with gasoline? I need to know.

Mr. Fair:

Zack: Ignore him too. Lastly, this is is Sephiroth! Say hi to my dad, Sephiroth.

Sephiroth: I don't have a father.

Zack: Oh my god.