#ff7r reunion flowers

[somebodys-nightmare]

Those Chosen by the Planet: Are Cloud & Tifa Soulmates?

We know from the OG/Compilation that Cloud & Tifa share a deep emotional and spiritual bond. But after Rebirth, I am curious about the true nature of their connection and how soul-bound they really are - and why.

In order to organize this efficiently, I’ve broken this down into parts to best explain both background information as well as specific events that have led me to my conclusions/thoughts. The outline is as follows:

Part 1: The Lifestream (Background)

Part 2: What’s Happening with Cloud?

Part 3: The Lifestream Scene (Chapter 9)

Part 4: The Reunion Flower & Tifa’s Trial

Part 5: The Ending

Part 6: The Lifestream Scene (OG/Part 3)

Part 7: Those Chosen by The Planet: Soul-bound

Let's get started!

Part 1: The Lifestream (Background)

To set the context, I want to first explain my thoughts on the nature of the Lifestream, which is the primary worldbuilding and lore context of FFVII and in particular, how it is being explored in the FF7R trilogy.

In the FFVII Rebirth Ultimania, scenario writer Mr. Nojima shares that he studied Buddhism’s Yogacara & Jung’s theory of the ‘collective unconscious’. He states these concepts inform the “worldview” of the story and give hints about the mysteries and the ending of the trilogy.

I believe that he is referring specifically to the multiple “worlds” that we see in FF7R, which in turn are manifestations of the Lifestream. Let’s break these down first. I will try to explain these concepts as succinctly and relevantly to FFVII as possible.

Yogacara is a school of Buddhist philosophy that states our experiences of the world are shaped entirely by our mind. What we perceive as the external world is really a projection of our consciousness. Thus, everything we experience is a result of mental activities & states.

There are 8 levels of ‘consciousness’ in the Yogacara philosophy:

1-5: The 5 Senses Consciousness: Sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. These are the things we “experience” in reality through our body’s physical perceptions.

6: The Mind Consciousness: The mental process that integrates and interprets the above sensory information. This is how our mind translates the Sense consciousness of what we see, hear, feel, etc.

7: The Self Consciousness: The aspect of consciousness that involves the sense of self and ego. This is the level of consciousness that revolves around our identity and how it relates to everything else.

8: The Storehouse Consciousness: The deepest level of consciousness that stores all past experiences and ‘karmic seeds’, influencing current and future experiences. These also shape and store an individual's hopes and dreams.

I believe that the Yogacara philosophy forms the lore’s basis of the ‘individual’ consciousness of a person, or their soul, as it relates to the Lifestream. Every human being has their own individual “Lifestream” which becomes a part of the “collective” Lifestream at death.

In this process, a person’s consciousness diffuses into the collective consciousness of the Lifestream. Considering what is happening to Cloud in the game, it is important to understand how the Yogacara and its levels of consciousness influence this lore.

Additionally, it's important to understand that both Sephiroth & Aerith are able to maintain their individual consciousness & not “diffuse” into the Lifestream. This is why after death they are still both ‘whole’ & able to traverse the Lifestream “worlds”.

Which brings me to…

The Collective Unconscious: In psychology, Jung’s collective unconscious describes the part of the unconscious mind that contains shared memories and archetypes common to all humanity.

These universal symbols & experiences influence our thoughts, feelings, & behaviors, connecting us to the broader human experience. It explains why people from different cultures or time periods can share myths, symbols, & themes in their stories and dreams.

I believe these both set basis for the “collective consciousness” of the Lifestream & its relation to the indivdual, which contains the essence of the planet & the memories, emotions, & knowledge of all who lived on it. In Rebirth, we see two representations of the Lifestream:

1. The Physical Lifestream: below ground, represented by ethereal green liquid, energy wisps, and rocky landscapes of the planet’s core. This is where Tifa falls in Gongaga, where the WEAPONs & Whispers are fighting, and where Sephiroth’s true form is.

It is also where Tifa sees fixed memories represented by holographs. This also seems to be the form of Lifestream reality in which the OG Lifestream scene takes place, again seen by the physical structures and the manner in which Cloud and Tifa fell into it in Mideel.

I believe the manifestations of individual consciousness/soul, or an individual’s lifestream, are seen here. Note that there is a physical battle between “the planet & its enemies” seen here and that Sephiroth is seen fighting perhaps more strenuously & aggressively than anywhere else, where we typically do not see his true form.

2. The Metaphysical Lifestream: This seems to be the “plane” of existence that manifests in infinite branches & paths, represented by rainbow imagery we see throughout the game & manifests the “worlds” present in 'Zack’s Story', each marked by a different breed of Stamp.

I believe that this is the manifestation of the “collective” Lifestream, thus containing memories, emotions, knowledge, AND hopes and dreams of the collective spirits within it.

This is where Zack’s realities manifest, representing, it seems, unfulfilled desires or unfinished business, creating a purgatory of sorts or a confluence of memories and emotions. Sephiroth and Aerith seem to have great power in and over these manifestations in different ways, which I believe is also a source of the conflict involving Zack (a separate conversation).

Now that we understand how the Lifestream seems to be functioning, this brings me to…

Part 2: What’s happening with Cloud?

Cloud’s true self/spirit/psyche is currently shattered within the collective unconscious of the metaphysical Lifestream. This is the definition of mako-poisoning, especially in a severe case like Cloud’s.

We see this explained with Jessie’s dad, as well as with Cloud in Mideel in the OG. When a person comes into prolonged contact with mako, they are at risk for information overload from the knowledge of the collective of the Lifestream.

This can cause a person to lose their sense of self, similar to how a person’s consciousness/soul diffuses into the Lifestream upon death. In the case of a living person who cannot withstand the mako poisoning, however, they become “trapped” or “shattered” in the Lifestream.

At this stage, Cloud is still functioning because his contact with Tifa allows him to “wake up” & build a persona, aided by the Jenova cells reading her memories, by his own desires & delusions of grandeur, and his memories of Zack’s experience.

However, we see his true, broken consciousness throughout the collective unconscious of the metaphysical Lifestream (Zack’s side story).

Tifa’s role, as we know, is to help Cloud restore his sense of self after further mako poisoning following the events of the Northern Crater when his false persona is broken and he falls into the Lifestream.

Which brings me to…

Part 3: The Lifestream Scene (Chapter 9)

There’s a lot to say about Chapter 9 and Gongaga, but Tifa falling into the Lifestream is arguably the most important scene in the game as far as foreshadowing for the final installment of the trilogy.

This scene’s purpose is to solidify Tifa’s heroine role for the third game and to prepare her for the task she will undertake, while giving basis for it - a basis that was famously unexplained in the OG but has now been fleshed out.

Tifa falls into the reactor’s mako pool & is carried directly into the physical Lifestream by the WEAPON in the earth’s core. Here, she sees her fixed memories, represented directly in the rocky terrain of the planet, & surrounded by energy wisps and liquid of the Lifestream.

While locations are fixed, images of memories are represented and play out with green holograms, and voices by green pulsing energy wisps. She also sees the white Whispers of the planet & the black Whispers of Sephiroth/Jenova fighting, & Sephiroth’s corruption of the Lifestream via Jenova, aka “Black” or “Negative” Lifestream, represented by purple energy.

Note that Sephiroth, in his true form, physically attacks Tifa & the WEAPON carrying her here.

I can’t say for sure, but while these are definitely Tifa’s memories, they also seem to be Cloud’s. Before Tifa falls into the Lifestream, Cloud becomes vulnerable to Sephiroth’s mental attack because of the effects of the mako fumes in the reactor. This leads me to believe there is an opening for Cloud’s consciousness in the Lifestream to be connected to Tifa's, and that the Planet took the opportunity of Tifa being pushed into the mako (by Cloud) to connect them.

The memories Tifa sees are her own but are also Cloud’s, and given the context of Gongaga but also Cloud’s identity crisis and the entire internal conflict, this is significant and what we must focus on.

The perspectives of the memories are more Cloud-centric - in 2 out of 3 the camera is behind Cloud (bridge and Tifa’s house) and in the third, the memory focuses on what Tifa is saying to Cloud (water tower).

We also have to consider Tifa’s lack of awareness of events and her memory loss during these memories. The Planet seems to be showing her these scenes from Cloud’s perspective to inform and prepare her prior to her duty in disc 2/part 3.

There are also untouched memory locations you can spot in the scene: the gates of Nibelheim, Stargazer Heights, and Seventh Heaven. The Nibelheim gates we know are important for Cloud’s identity from the OG Lifestream scene.

Stargazer Heights is where Cloud tells Tifa he remembers the promise (curiously, that memory is placed close to the water tower memory.)

And while Cloud and Tifa have obviously a lot of interactions in Seventh Heaven, I think the critical moments are actually those seen in Ever Crisis after Tifa finds Cloud at the train station, as those memories directly influence Cloud’s identity.

The “planet and its enemies” - The WEAPONs, Whispers, and Sephiroth and Jenova - are physically fighting over these memories. Sephiroth tries to kill Tifa here. We see the purple corruption of Lifestream Black occurring in this scene.

We see Tifa on the brink of death and seeing Cloud’s spirit being led away from her and her voice silenced from him by Sephiroth.

It seems to me that following this event, Cloud and Tifa’s consciousness’ are already linked. Tifa also has been given preemptive strength and knowledge to save Cloud when the time comes in part three.

Which brings me to…

Part 4: The Reunion Flower

The Reunion Lily appears on the mailbox of Tifa’s house twice: In Cloud’s flawed flashback of the Nibelheim Incident in Kalm, and during Tifa’s Trial in the Temple of the Ancients.

It does not appear at her house during the fixed memory in the Chapter 9 Lifestream scene. I think this is because the flower wasn’t actually there, but is rather a “totem” or marker of Cloud’s psyche.

Cloud knows from events in Remake what the flower symbolizes. In his flashback, he falsely remembers that he and Tifa reunited with him being a SOLDIER, though we know this isn’t true because he hid himself from her.

The flower reappears during Tifa’s Trial in the ToTA. Her trial takes place during the promise scene & the Nibelheim Incident, the same period as Cloud’s flashback, and when she was hoping to reunite with him - but thinks that she did not (because Cloud hid himself).

In the OG, the appearance of young Cloud is representative of the Real Cloud and his psyche. My belief is that his appearance here is another indication that after Tifa falls into the Lifestream, Cloud and Tifa are mentally and spiritually connected.

Next...

Part 5: The Ending

While the ending may be confusing, several replays make it clear to me that Aerith is dead & that once again, the metaphysical Lifestream (indicated by rainbows) is in play in what we see.

Cloud, who is shattered in the collective unconscious of the metaphysical Lifestream, can see what is “manifested” in these worlds. Similarly, these worlds are influenced not only by memories, and knowledge, but by hopes, dreams, and desires.

Without going off on another tangent, I think Cloud is seeing the manifestation of his desire to save Aerith’s life in the metaphysical Lifestream & that she is temporarily aiding him in this delusion (remember, Aerith can maintain her sense of self within the LS after death).

After the murder, Barret & Tifa run up & we are given BOTH of their perspectives of this death scene. Barret very clearly only sees the real-world scene - Aerith dead, bleeding, etc.

However, when we get Tifa’s perspective, she sees glimpses of what Cloud sees - including his mental static - with interspersed scenes of the real-world death and the rainbow Lifestream where Aerith is not dead or bleeding but is "saved”.

Tifa is quite confused & horrified but seems to accept the actual scene - her death. She is not deluded or blocking things out, she knows what is real.

It’s confusing but it is purposefully clear to me that Tifa is seeing, or can see, what Cloud sees. It is not revealed how much Tifa knows is Cloud’s delusion but it is clear that she is deeply affected, not only by the murder of her friend but by something else.

And Tifa remains disturbingly distraught for the rest of the game. In fact, when she calls Aerith’s name in this scene it’s her last line in the game - she does not speak again. Once again, this is a clue to me that Cloud & Tifa are soul-bonded bc of the chapter 9 events.

In the ending CGI, Cloud tells the group not to look up. Barret does and says he doesn’t see anything. Tifa looks up but doesn’t comment, instead continues to look distressed. Does she also see the rift that Cloud sees? Her behavior is the most jarring of the entire party.

In the penultimate cinematics, we see the WEAPONS circling Tifa & Cloud’s memories again, trying to protect them from “the planet’s enemies”. We can see Tifa’s house, the bridge, and the gates of Nibelheim under them.

These sequences are plot arrows for what we should expect to see in Part 3. It should be lost on no one that the planet is actively fighting to protect Cloud & Tifa’s precious memories, especially after personally guiding Tifa through them.

Which brings me to...

Part 6: The Lifestream Scene (OG/Part 3)

All of the above has led me to conclude that Cloud & Tifa are now spiritually or “soul-bound” in some way, explicitly for the preparation of the Lifestream Scene of Part 3.

Tifa’s role is to help Cloud “restore his sense of self” by entering his individual Lifestream and navigating their fixed memories and the truth about his identity in the physical Lifestream, which occurs when they fall in Mideel.

Rebirth has not only prepared Tifa for this role, but has given us the navigation, insight, and background lore for how it will occur and what the experience might actually entail. This may include elements of both the physical and Metaphysical Lifestream mentioned above.

It has set the stage for an in-depth expansion of the original scene that does not solely focus on what happened when rebuilding Cloud’s psyche, but the why behind his choices and decisions that let them to this moment.

These scenes have also demonstrated why Cloud’s consciousness - his individual Lifestream consciousness that contains his “self-consciousness” and “storehouse consciousness”- is and will remain closed off to anyone other than Tifa.

This is where Cloud’s true desires are concealed and must be revealed to Tifa in the Lifestream scene to facilitate his restoration and their reunion and reconciliation.

Which brings me to…

Part 7: Those Chosen by The Planet- Soulmates?

Why is all of this happening? Cloud is the boy who is destined to save the planet, and Tifa is destined to save him. If the planet has memories of the future as well as the past, then it knows this.

Just like the planet knows that it needs the last Cetra in the Lifestream to help save it, it also knows that it needs Cloud to defeat Sephiroth. And I think the planet has known this for a long time.

Is it far-fetched to wonder if the planet is somewhat responsible for the genesis of Cloud and Tifa’s bond? That, in keeping with the theme of fate, it has influenced the circumstances that have both brought them together and pulled them apart throughout the Compilation?

Is it possible that the planet kept baby Cloud and Tifa alive during the bridge incident? Now, with the context of the Remake Trilogy, I don’t see how two small children survived that fall.

Are Cloud and Tifa chosen by the Planet?

Are they soul mates?

Maybe we’ll find out.

Thanks for reading!

[terraxcloud]

Final Fantasy 6 drawing by Nomura that was found around 2013. Can be found in the FFWiki.

An additional image of Cloud's prototype is under the Mog section.

This version of Cloud was used to create Squall - the reason why the FF6 Opera featured so much in FF8.

You can see that the characters are unfinished. Relm's hair is straight, Terra doesn't have a ponytail and has a circlet on her forehead instead (she doesn't have her earlier short hair at least), Celes has a piercing (which became Cloud's), Strago has a mohawk, Lara is Strago's wife but didn't make the cut just like Cloud (his original name is unknown), etc.

When this image was put on the internet, people began referencing a very early 1994 V-Jump interview with Sakaguchi where he said that the main character was originally Terra as a male. Well, Cloud takes a lot of stuff from Terra, so maybe it was a half-truth. Many also latched onto the idea that it was originally Squall, but appearances are deceiving. Squall was made after this prototype of Cloud as Squall & Rinoa's relationship is a modified version of the storyline that was cut in FF6.

This is why the symbols of shooting stars, orphans, witches, angels, a flower field, and the late game promise are found in it. Some of these things seem to have come from FF7, but it's older than that.

Another character that was made after this prototype of Cloud is Leslie from FF7 Remake.

Leslie's talk with his Fiancée is about Cloud (as the FF6 main character) talking to Terra (as her earlier prototype?). Did you wonder why Cloud reacted so strongly to his story? This is why.

It's similar to the ending of Loveless as Cid originally said at the end of OG FF7:

"When the sister of the lead asks her lover, 'Do you really have to leave?" And the guy says, 'I made a promise. The people I love are waiting.' '...I don't understand. Not at all. But, take care of yourself.' 'Of course...I'll come back to you. Even if you don't promise to wait. I'll return knowing you'll be here."

Tifa immediately mentions that Leslie's necklace means "Reunion".

The ending of Loveless isn't the beginning of that storyline. It started in the FF6 Opera, which is actually about Terra saying that she'll wait for Cloud to return. Yes, it's sung by Celes, but it's actually about Terra. The character who represents this FF6 Opera/Loveless thing is Aerith (who also lost her love). Aerith borrows Celes' opera design and her theme song starts exactly like the FF6 Opera main theme.

Regardless of how few people talk about this, it's far more important than anything in the game. Honestly, the entirety of FF7 may have been crafted around this one thing. The game's theme is "Loss", and the game keeps reminding Cloud of what he had lost.

All main themes of FF7R are in Terra's words. I know that confuses everyone, but I promise is makes much more sense seeing it this way than it does forcing the meanings into the other characters of FF7. What character hasn't yet met Cloud in any timeline? Well, maybe they're not in the game yet.

I'm not sure if Rebirth will be the one that'll reveal this "secret" to the light, but I'm sure that any hints it gives out will start to be noticeable. The main portions of FF7 Remake to include these "hints" are Biggs/Wedge/Jessie, Marle/Mireille, Betty/Oates, Tifa/Aerith, Leslie's sewer mission, and the Sector 5 slums, although there are many other random things. Moogles are used as a symbol for Terra, which is why it appears heavily in the area that highly implies her, The Children's Hideout.

Oddly enough, it's well known that FF7 was made with elements from FF6 and Terra herself, yet no one has ever asked why? I guess no one played Dissidia.

Yes, there are hints in games last decade that Terra would make a visit to FF7 land, even get attacked by Sephiroth. They're very subtle, but if you can pay attention to patterns you'll notice them. You just have to find out what Cloud does in every game and it'll make sense...it really is that simple! It has nothing to do with canon, since what the developer thinks is not what the fandom thinks, and the best hints are found in the games no one will readily believe in.

[setoangel01-fanfiction]

In the Silence

Fandom: Final Fantasy 7 Crisis Core, Crisis Core Reunion, FF7R

Pairing: Zack x Aerith (Zerith)

Rated: T

Story Summary: Aerith's introspection when Zack comes into the church after the fateful mission to Modeoheim.

...

Fanfiction.net

A03

...

The silence was the worst.

Zack's arrival typically meant a billion gil smile and his excited greeting as he loudly clomped his way into the church like a beacon of pure sunshine he usually was…

But not today.

The change in the air was immediate open the church doors opening this day. The visage of Zack walking in used to signify a day of countless smiles, hugs, kisses and laughter, but instead, visceral grief and anguish was palpable in the stuffy church as Zack merely walked into the church without even looking up from his feet.

Silent, his steps light as if he didn't want to disturb the dust-motes lingering in the cracks of the wooden floors. Any greeting Aerith might have given died on her tongue as she watched with bated breath as Zack made his way into the sanctuary. A gigantic sword she'd never seen before pulled off his back and laid with utter gentleness against the wall before Zack made his way to the middle of the aisle of broken pews and sat down with his back to her.

It was only staring at his silent form for more than a minute than she realized how hard her heart was pounding. The backs of her eyes burned and her hands shook as she looked at his dejected form. Zack was so tall, the top of her head fitting perfectly under his chin yet as he sat so silently on the floor, he looked so unbelievably small and just so sad.

Without knowing what else to do, Aerith finally spoke, "Hey…" the words, 'are you alright' died on her tongue before they materialized. "The f-flowers got some rain while you were gone. I think they liked it, what do you think?" the words felt hollow in the midst of his silence and she cursed her tongue for ever moving.

But before she could verbally say much else or even think, she heard him crying.

And everything stopped.

It wasn't loud, it wasn't sobbing or even letting out the normal cries a person might make.

The grief was utterly silent, the barest hitches of his breath yet she felt the tears dripping down his face, the utter ache in his quivering chest and Aerith didn't say anything more.

Aerith's feet moved without prompt.

Steps felt so loud in her ears as she made her way towards him, not even caring about her white dress, Aerith's knees hit the the dirty wooden floor. Leaning forward, she pressed her chest against his heaving curved back and her arms immediately enveloped him from behind in the tightest hug she could muster.

Zack was shaking.

The minute trembles were felt throughout wherever their bodies touched, his grief, the sounds of his unsteady breath and the warmth of his tears from where she pressed her cheek against his ripped her heart out of her chest.

Eyes burning and filling with tears that dripped down her face to mix with his own, Aerith held him close. Brushing her temple against the soft nest of black spiky hair as her hands caressed and rubbed at his chest, Aerith gently rocked back and forth with him. The motion soothing her probably more than him for Zack's crying only increased. He wasn't sobbing, only his lower lip trembled, his eyes opened yet unseeing. The only visual tale of his utter and devastating grief were the tears dripping in torrents down his bleeding face.

Aerith gasped lightly upon seeing the large 'X' carved into his jaw, the deep cut was red, swollen and mixing with the tears slipping down his face. It was then she noticed everything else. His clothes were torn in places, dirty and bloodstained, his normally glossy black hair matted and dusty and so many cuts and brushes littered the skin of his arms.

When she let out the gasp, Zack finally looked at her.

The eyes she fell in love with, so deep, blue and utterly perfect were now completely haunted and blood-shot with grief and pain echoing in their depths. A rusty pair of pliers ripping her heart out right now would have hurt less than looking into his eyes. Zack, her beautiful black-haired angel who always had a smile on his face and positive outlook was broken and bleeding in her arms and she wanted nothing more than to take his pain away.

"Zack…" Aerith sobbed, ever so gently using her trembling hand to touch his unmarred cheek. "Let me help you…please?" she asked, fingers wiping at his falling tears.

Zack blinked, a few more tears leaking down his face. Aerith looked at his face, normally smiling and clear was marred with dirt and tear tracks. His nose was running and his eyes were puffy and cheeks were a blotchy red yet he was still the most beautiful man she had ever seen. All she wanted was to help him… Finally, Zack's jaw tensed a bit under her touch but he finally nodded in agreement.

Even if was only a little bit, Zack allowed her to heal him.

The cuts, scrapes and bruises marring his tanned skin faded away in a wash of green from the Cure materia in her bronze bangle to cover her Cetra healing. Her own magic working in her fingertips as she hovered over cuts and bruises that healed slowly underneath her soothing touch. Skin finally clear, Aerith ran her fingers over every healed wound, wanting to touch him, to sooth him for him as well as for herself. Yet when Aerith went for the largest wound, the one on his face, Zack pulled away from her, refusing to let her heal the cross shaped scar on his cheek.

"No, not that one," he sniffled, his voice small, nasally and broken.

Aerith relented, pulling her hand back to rest over his pounding heart instead, wishing she could heal his heart as easily as his wounds. Yet all she could do was hold him close, her hand massaging his sternum.

"Can I at least clean it? I don't want it getting infected," Aerith offered, hoping she wasn't pushing her luck but to her surprise, Zack nodded, silently moving to pull out a small plastic packet filled with alcohol wipes, cotton swabs and gauze from his pocket. A white sticker with the Shinra Logo on the front with the words 'Minor Field First-Aid Kit' written on it.

Aerith took the item he handed her, tearing a few packets open and ever so gently, she cleaned the cross-shaped wound. Fingers trembling as she brushed over the red throbbing gash, she knew it must have hurt yet Zack didn't even flinch at the potent sting of alcohol. Once it was clean, Aerith opened a square of taped gauze and gingerly pressed it to the languidly bleeding wound, the crimson of his blood soon dyeing the bandage a faint red that soiled the once white cloth.

Zack was determined to make the wound a permanent scar.

Aerith said nothing.

Laying the items aside and ignoring the ache in her knees, Aerith leaned against his back, her arms over his shoulders in a loose embrace. Zack's eyes stared at something she couldn't see, reliving a memory that would most likely haunt him for the rest of his days - and she couldn't help him. As much as she wanted to ask, to have him talk to help relieve the burden, she refused to pry. She wanted answers yet she didn't allow the questions on the tip of her tongue to leave her lips.

Once or even if Zack was ready, he would tell her - and she would listen.

Until then, all she could do was hold Zack tightly in the hopes that her mere presence would suffice. That her thin arms around his strong, over-burdened shoulders would lighten the weight pressed on his heart - if only a little…

[chubbybeaver77]

LILY OF FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE: ALL SCENES MASTER ANALYSIS [2/2]

If you have not read PART 1, I recommend that you read PART 1 first. Thank you!

PART 1: LILY - AERITH GAINSBOROUGH - LIFE SYMBOL -THE FATE OF AERITH

PART 2: LILY - THE REUNION FLOWER 

I saw people fighting about which characters Reunion belongs to. Reunion is a wholesome concept, another central theme of Remake imo, so why can’t it be shared between characters? I know Final Fantasy VII is dark, but I am glad there are 2 bright themes brought in Remake: one wholesome (Reunion) and one poetic (I will talk about it some other time). I really love the positive energy the Reunion Theme brought into the Remake. It is such a bless for our life to be able to reunite with our beloveds.

This part will be my take for each scene, since this topic has been heavily discussed, you might have encountered some ideas here and there.

#1

The first Reunion when Aerith gave Cloud the flower is Cloud and Aerith’s Reunion. It’s their true Reunion in FF7 Compilation after 23 years, a true Reunion to fans because Aerith is still alive here. 

It is also a message from Aerith to Cloud that they would reunite later after this event. She was very likely to have some knowledge about that.

Narratively, it could also mean an indirect Reunion between Aerith and Zack because Cloud reminded her of Zack and this is their first time meeting. They don’t know each other yet.

I am quite against the idea of Aerith travelling back in time, so no Cloud and Aerith’s Reunion because of time travel. I am against that idea because during the Evergreen Park talk and ending of Remake, Aerith’s sadness for Zack was still very raw. She was clearly disappointed and upset. In my opinion, if she was going back in time to fix things, she would be more accepting and at peace with what was going on like her portrayal in FF7 Advent Children.

#2

When Cloud gave Tifa the flower, it was the Reunion of Cloud and Tifa. They were separated for 7 years from Tifa’s memory and 5 years from Cloud's memory. The story began when the 2 childhood friends were reunited as Nojima called it in the FF7R Insider series. Notice Cloud took the flower from his heart’s place and gave it to Tifa. Heart is a symbol of someone’s real self. Just like the message that Cloud will remember Aerith forever in his heart, this is a message that from his heart, True Cloud was for Tifa.

#3 

Surrounded by Reunion Flowers, Cloud and Aerith were reunited in the church as she predicted earlier

#4

Aerith was pleased to know where her flower ended up. She was happy for Cloud and Tifa’s Reunion. Notice that she learnt about this before the resolution event, where if you had Aerith’s scene, she told Cloud “it was not real”. She might understand there was something going on between Cloud and Tifa right here.

#5

This is a foreshadowing of True Cloud and Tifa’s Reunion when he gained his memory. Reunion was mentioned in Tifa’s Resolution Scene. The Reunion Flowers was placed next to a stream in one shot here on purpose. Lifestream - Reunion. In a recent interview, Hamaguchi, co-director of Remake directly stated this stream was connected to Lifestream. You can read more about True Cloud and Tifa’s Reunion foreshadowing HERE where I explained in detail why Reunion Flower here is about Cloud and Tifa, not anyone else.

#6

In this sequence with Leslie, his fiancée left him the pendant with the Reunion Flower. She said it was just a dream. Was there a message? Message: We will meet again. 

You see Cloud’s perplexed expression here. The dream was a reference to Aerith’s Resolution Scene. The message was a reference to Aerith’s message to Cloud. Cloud was perplexed because he realized that Aerith had been trying to send him a message the whole time. There were also a lot of other weird things happening around her so Cloud now understood Aerith knew things and wasn’t straightforward. He looked sad and sorry that he didn’t get it earlier and maybe could have prevented her from being captured by Shinra if he knew more. Hence, later on in Chapter 17, we see the continuity of the narration. Cloud asked Aerith to reveal what she had been hiding.

Back to Chapter 14, when Tifa was telling Leslie the meaning of the Reunion Flowers, Cloud turned to Tifa with a little surprised expression. It was a moment where Cloud realized that Aerith had known that they would meet again after their first encounter when she gave him the flower. 

It is also a reference to Tifa’s Resolution Scene and their future Reunion. My explanation is that True Cloud subconsciously became triggered as Tifa mentioned Reunion and “We’ll meet again”. Tifa - Reunion - We’ll meet again. He didn’t truly know it right now, but at heart, True Cloud was still there. 

#7

In the ending, there was another close-up shot of Lily Flowers blooming beautifully in a pot. The image of Marlene watering the flower is her nurturing a hope that her dad - Barret would come back to her. The image is very bright and positive conveying the message that Barret and Marlene will definitely meet again. And, everyone will have their due Reunion fulfilled.

And also, when Aerith met Marlene for the first time, she asked Marlene to remember the flower. Marlene will remember the Flower - Aerith. The image of Aerith will live on beautifully in Marlene’s memory. She is taking care of the flowers, she won’t forget Aerith. 

My final thought is that the beauty of symbols and indirect messages is that they are capable of carrying more than one meaning. I hope that people don’t have to fight which meaning is canon. They are all canon as long as they make sense and we have enough evidence to believe in them. Hope you have enjoyed this.

----------------------------------

You can also find my other analysis here:

INTRODUCTION & MASTERPOST

[glamgoblin]

When are they going to announce the Crisis Core Reunion release date? I need to know when I can see my murder baby in 4k 😭😭😭😭

[serinigalini]

Reunion 🌺

[daintyrobot]

I’ve been a working artist for years, but never commissioned anyone myself until i recently saw @mearbar ‘s work and completely fell in love with their style! They were so fantastic to commission from, so patient and enthusiastic and i would absolutely LOVE to work with them again in the future! I mean, just look at Cloud and Tifa! Perfection! 😍😍😍

[aerith-week]

(Gif credit to @aerithdaily)

Our prompts are here!!!

Need some additional ideas to get your gears turning for these themes? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered below! And if you don’t vibe with these, no worries -- the prompts are completely optional.

0207: Happy Birthday, Aerith  Ideas: A day to celebrate our girl’s birthday - a party, some gifts, or time with the many special people in her life? It’s all up to you!

0208: A Slum Girl under The Steel Sky  Ideas: Childhood life after being adopted by Elmyra / Some unseen moments in Crisis Core / Activities she partook in based on FF7R Ch 8 / Her unique views on the plate above

0209: Red & Pink Dress  Ideas: Her original design, Amano's design, her KH designs, her FF7R design, the Wallmarket dresses, or maybe even your own original design? It’s all up to you! 

0210: Yellow Flowers  Ideas: Tending to the flowers around her house or in the church / Selling flowers / In the flower field / Flowers as a reunion symbol

0211: Boundless Freedom  Ideas: Desiring freedom while she’s trapped in the Shinra lab / Wanting to go outside Midgar despite her fears / Gazing at the unfamiliar blue sky / Embracing her identity as a Cetra / Changing fate

0212: Prayer  Ideas: Praying in the church / Praying before the collapse of Sector 7 / Praying in the Forgotten City / Praying from the Lifestream 

0213: Cherish The Memories  Ideas: Your favorite Aerith scene or moment /  Her spending time with other characters / Remembrance of her by other characters / Her Remake resolution scene. 

0214: (Bonus VDay) It's A Date!  Ideas: A lucky guy or gal of your choice gets to take Aerith on a date -- where do they go? Dinner? A show? It’s all up to you!

A reminder that all media -- artwork, writing, edits, even music! -- are all allowed for this event. Our full list of rules and guidelines can be found here.

We will be checking our mentions as well as our hashtags during the event, so please remember to mention us @aerith-week and use the hashtag #aerithweek or #aerithweek2021 within five first tags, we��ll be sure to take a look.

We are also on twitter!

And as always, our ask box and DMs are open should there be any further questions. We look forward to seeing all your content soon!

[blankbeat]

—The Cloud x Aerith dream scene is in the credits.

—Cloud (not Zack) wants his OWN SAY on loving Aerith.

—The automatic trophy for completing the chapter “Budding Bodyguard” is “Reunion.”

—In regards to Zack, Aerith says she wants to move FORWARD with her life.

—Tifa said the flower Cloud gave her is “dead & buried.”

—“Hollow” (the official FF7R song) plays while Cloud & Aerith are in the Sector 5 slums.

[dansantcaparet]

From the moment Cloud falls to Aerith’s Church, all the way to Wall Market, it is nothing but Cloud & Aerith one-on-one. Beauty, fun, flirting, & flowers. Magnetism, electricity, and excitement. Soulmates reunited (the automatic trophy for the "Budding Bodyguard" chapter is "Reunion" — “Reunion Flower” in Japanese):

Aerith’s Church & flower bed is beautiful. Cloud & Aerith poetically run through the breathtaking rooftops. Cloud saves Aerith from falling (holding her like a Prince holds his Princess). They pick flowers together at her house. Give high-fives in the tunnel. Share a date in the park. Fight in the battle arena. Cloud even dresses up as a girl. Aerith watches Cloud dance. The red dress. Fireworks. Magic. Chemistry. Love.

The perfectly constructed romantic progression. Then, after ALL that, Cloud is obsessed with rescuing Aerith from Shinra HQ. Cloud has to constantly remind Tifa & Barret that finding Aerith is the #1 priority. He is her bodyguard, after-all. At the very end, Aerith is the one who confronts Sephiroth and asks everyone to join her in stopping him. Unlike Tifa, Aerith is the main storyline. Aerith propels the story forward with her Cetra heritage. Cloud x Aerith is literally given a dream scene where Cloud states he wants his OWN SAY on loving Aerith. The dream scene is also found in the credits (unlike the Tifa hug). By the time Cloud goes from Aerith’s Church, to Wall Market, to Shinra HQ, Tifa’s lackluster moments are long forgotten. Tifa is given filler scenes during the first few chapters. Her promise scene is muddied within Jessie’s side-mission. In-fact, everything Tifa gets is overshadowed by Jessie, and eventually forgotten after Aerith comes into the picture. As a Clerith, the Remake is more than anything I could have ever DREAMED of. Remember: in the dream scene Cloud disagrees with Aerith’s proposition that his feelings aren’t real & states he wants HIS OWN SAY on loving Aerith. After Aerith says Cloud’s love for her isn’t “real,” he completely disagrees with her:

Cloud wants his own say on the matter.

This is SE’s way of telling us the REAL Cloud loves Aerith. This is SE’s way of making it crystal clear that these are Cloud’s feelings; *NOT* Zack’s. Again — Cloud wants his OWN SAY on the matter. —

In regards to Zerith, in the Remake Aerith states she must move FORWARD with her life: 

In the OG, Aerith said Zack & her were "never serious," that her relationship with him is "in the past now," and that Zack probably moved on because he's a "real lady's man." The Remake confirms this to be true. Aerith wants to move FORWARD with her life. Plus, we know from the CxA Gold Saucer date that although Aerith initially liked Cloud because of Zack, she grows to like Cloud for Cloud. — The great flower debate: Aerith gives the flower to Cloud. Whether or not Cloud gives it to Tifa, it still initially represents the reunion between “lovers” Cloud & Aerith. Tifa has to inquire about the flower. Cloud doesn’t automatically give it to her without prompting. Later, when Cloud interacts with the flower, he still associates it with Aerith:

Cloud doesn’t want to admit to Aerith that he gave the flower away.

After going to Aerith’s house, which is filled with flowers, Tifa confronts Cloud about the origin of the flower (ie: Aerith). As if she knows Cloud's heart is with Aerith.

The automatic trophy for “Budding Bodyguard” is “Reunion” — “Reunion Flower” in Japanese. — Aerith brings Cloud’s happiness to the surface — he slowly starts to high-five her on the reg. In addition, while sleeping at Aerith’s house, Cloud is triggered into a real memory of his Mother telling him to have an “older” girlfriend. Between Cloud’s memory of his mother, and his desire to be playful with Aerith, we are witnessing Aerith evoking the real Cloud back to the surface. I mean, hell — Cloud is now willing to sit around and pick flowers for a living. With Aerith, that is, of course. Cloud even vows to rescue Aerith from Shinra HQ at “all costs” and wants his “own say” on if he is allowed to fall in love with Aerith:

“Gradually, Aerith’s warm cheer begins to melt Cloud’s frosty exterior.​It is the heroine, Aerith, who opens Cloud’s eyes, and helps bring him closer to understanding the mystery that is his past.” ~Square Enix​​

—

“Hollow” — Official FF7R song:

Smile bright​ Once more​ This time​ I will never let you go​​

"Hollow" also plays during Sector 5 (Aerith's Sector). This is when Cloud & Aerith spend tons of one-on-one time together. I was wondering why I thought her Sector had the best new song in the game. Now it all makes sense ^.^

[silver-wield]

Hi! Can you do an analysis where after you do all the sidequests in chapter 3 and Tifa asks Cloud which outfit to wear? Thank you!

You're talking about the alone at last discovery, but you want all the dress options? I mean, the mature one is canon for her even if you don't do alone at last, so the other choices are optional within an optional scene – and the only reason it's optional is because you get the mature dress anyway.

Basically I'm just gonna do the mature dress lol

Ok, spoiler warning for ppl who haven’t played – do I still need to do this? Eh ok, (I tag FF7R spoilers as final fantasy 7 remake spoilers) and it’s gonna be medium.

Also, this is one person’s interpretation of the scene, so if you disagree that’s cool and we’ll agree to disagree.

You’re also gonna have to excuse the janky quality on some of the screens, I’m grabbing them from Youtube and it’s frustrating af trying to get the exact moment I want.

Please check my master post to see if I've already covered your question, thanx

Recap time!

A pouting Cloud – who will always be my favourite Cloud cause adorable af – has been convinced by Tifa to help collect money for water filters to cover his pay for the reactor job. While they're making their rounds he gets stopped by Marle for a little heart to heart and a very important life lesson that he takes with him through the rest of the game.

Once that's over and he's changed the filter in his room, he pops next door to see Tifa.

AGH SHE'S SO CUTE! She's totally being cute on purpose too! Big eyes, hands behind her back, leaning forward, she's doing everything she can to put Cloud at ease because she's about to be nosy and we know Tifa doesn't push people.

The wide eyes, surprised “hmm?” and unguarded expression show he thought she had something else in mind besides this question lol

This isn't real!Cloud btw, it's just surprised Cloud lol

This is real!Cloud. After some back and forth between them, where Cloud seems to have a small deliberation with himself what he's ok to reveal while Tifa wears an earnest and hopeful look of expectation he'll share with her, Cloud turns away and gives some basic info that's emotionless and has very little attachment to his SOLDIER persona. A part of him seems to realise that and we see a flicker of grief cross his face. His mouth downturns and his brows pull together for a brief moment. He may well be getting a reminder of Zack's death, but it's so detached at this point he can't recall it or feel anything besides the slightest flicker. He grows confused and tries to muddle it through, but there's no conclusion. It's yet another odd feeling he has that comes with no reason why.

Tifa senses Cloud's upset and apologises for pushing him. She's very aware of his feelings and the distance between them from the long years apart.

We get a wide shot of them, showing the physical distance, which highlights their emotional distance. However, between them on the rug is the pattern of the reunion flower. This imagery has likely been placed there as a metaphor for them reuniting.

Cloud gives Tifa his profile as she talks about them maybe never meeting again and it being a strange coincidence they did. Since part of him assumed she was dead the entire time, it's likely a painful association to him and that's why he can't face her when she says it. With his head down and eyes obscured we can't really read his face very well, but from the glimpse we get, he looks hurt.

The distance between them closes when Tifa takes steps towards Cloud and he turns to her. She suggests they celebrate and Cloud looks surprised. Since he's probably wanted to ask her out since forever, the ease in which she does it makes him doubt she's sincere.

Tifa clearly becomes defensive here. The potential rejection from Cloud's “really?” has made her cross her arms over herself in a protective gesture. Her expression is hiding the hurt that Cloud might not want to go out with her. She tried to close the distance between them, but then took a small step back, indicating they're not quite comfortable with each other still. They're both wary and tip-toeing around each other, being careful. In Tifa's case, it's likely so Cloud won't up and leave all of a sudden. And for Cloud, we can guess it's because as much as he wants to be with Tifa, he feels like he always fails her and has no right to be around her.  

Cloud, you're a goddamn troll and I hate you lol

Caught the smile the third time I watched this bit back. I knew he was teasing her anyway, but his micro-expressions give me life and I need to find the exact moment they appear. He wants to see her dressed up. Just the idea of her dressing up for him is making him want to smile. Cloud joking around is adorable and I wanna see more of it. This is hints of real!Cloud teasing his crush because he thinks she’s cute.

Remember during their promise scene when Cloud would try and bait a reaction out of Tifa and she'd one up him and he'd end up being the one who got stuck in his feels? Yeah, this is that.

You'd think by now Cloud would've learned not to tease Tifa if he can't handle the come back. I mean, this is a clear, check me out, pose.

When Cloud says, “Something refined,” Tifa smiles and replies “we're not kids anymore” which is definitely suggestive of her. The look on her face hints that she's got plans already and she's pleased that it seems Cloud doesn't think of her as just his childhood friend anymore. Which is why she draws attention to them not being kids any longer. She wants Cloud to think of her as a woman.

And Cloud likes the idea of them matching. It's suggestive of a couple, which he'd like to be with her, so the fact she's asked him to match her is a huge hint that she still has a crush, although Tifa's so reserved her hints are very small and take a keen eye to spot. That Cloud smiles at the thought shows how much he's looking forward to going out with her, he does this tiny little shy glance away then back to her – we were robbed of a cute date up on the plate #cries#

More Cloud smiling. He's looking forward to it, even if he replies “maybe” to Tifa saying how much fun they'll have. He was asked out and agreed. That's how dates work. We were robbed #cries even more#

It's an introspective moment for him. He's likely wanted to ask her out for years and this is how easy it was the entire time lol

Conclusion

Get married, make babies, we're getting old here!

Cloud isn't pressured into going out with Tifa, the amount he smiles during this exchange shows he's excited to have a date with her – even if they're not calling it a date. Tifa got Cloud to open up a little and they closed some of the emotional and physical distance between them. It's a step on the path to them becoming a couple.

I say a lot that they have good eye contact and this is where they begin. Before this moment, Cloud looked at her, but didn't hold her gaze as much. After Marle telling him to try more, he's putting himself out there for her and making that emotional connection. Their eye contact in this scene isn't there at the start, because of the seriousness of the conversation at times, but Tifa's very sympathetic to Cloud's needs and does her best to cheer him up. It works because he teases her and by the end, they're on their way to that moment in the corkscrew tunnel when neither of them broke eye contact even after getting up.

[eleamaya]

so whats tour opinion on the remake cloti?? do u think theres hope for zerith reunion with all this aerith will live theory??

Cloti is my secondary pairing, I’m a straight-forward person and slow-burn romance is never my top favorite in every fandom. I just accept that they’re end game in FF7 Compilation. So, I don't think I’m as excited as everyone else who really ship them to their heart haha. 

But I can agree it’s handled much better. I noticed that the whole chapter 3 which full of Cloti interactions in their apartment and Cloti side quest is something new you can’t see in OG. Well, that’s what Nojima wanted you all to look forward. Cloud also remember the childhood promise without Tifa need to remind him like in OG. It’s shown in FF7R that she never thought about her childhood wish deeply anymore as she grows up more mature and stronger by herself (she’s a badass fighter!). But for Cloud who is mentally 16 years old as if Nibelheim incident just like happening yesterday, the desire to fulfill his promise is really etched to his deep memory subconsciously. 

No matter how strong and kickass a woman is, a man would always have instinct to protect the woman he loves--emotionally and physically.

We see some scenes indicating it, how he grip his own hand hardly, how two events in the past flashed in his head that he felt failing her, and there are also so many scenes Cloud rescuing her with gentle touch or stretching his hand to reach her. It’s the core and a good set to slowly build up towards the climax in Lifestream sequence, how it will eventually reveal the real Cloud is a simple man whose action motivated by his childhood crush to Tifa, to be noticed by her, to be strong for her, to be a hero for her. Isn’t it a romantic side from a man named Cloud Strife? He is never a badass hero picturing a big dream to save the world like Zack to begin with, but he ended up to be that one by the journey framed in OG/FF7R... as Zack’s living legacy.

Yeah, Zack is his opposite. His motivation to leave his hometown and join SOLDIER at the same age as Cloud is very different. It drove him being a hard-worker and idealist, duty and career is number one. But later, as he read Aerith’s 23 Tiny Wishes, it reflects how he wanted to be a simple man who will always be there for her, to spend his time with her no matter how cheesy it would be. Building flower wagon and forming a new dream including her in his life was the first sign and that’s his romantic side. That’s what he would do first and fulfill if FF7R really show his alternate story that he could reunite with Aerith after being survive. Fixing her broken wagon and doing all quests in entire Sector 5, selling flower in upper plate. Becoming a mercenary is still priority but he would do it next.

No matter how a man pursues other passion that don’t involve his partner for time to time, he would always commits to the woman he loves.

As for the hope, I don’t buy a theory of Aerith will live. I think SE just give us a false hope by showing few characters survive so her death would still shock us. But I also have no idea how SE would frame two parallel timelines together because Zack is definitely alive in FF7R ending! Maybe there’s an alternate universe when both are alive, and the real one is when both are dead--as two separated things although at some point, it’ll be converged. Though, I could picture how they would reunite in death based on Aerith’s farewell monologue in FF 30th Anniversary exhibition held in 2018.

I’ve written how her farewell monologues hinted event in FF7R as few lines are accurately happened in first installment. You can read it here---> [x]. Yeah, based on it too, I’m pretty sure her death would still happen. And it’d be slightly different from OG, at least on how SE has changed the death meta since portraying Kadaj’s death in AC (2005). Yes, it still returns to the planet, but in this new meta, they would soar to the sky. Kadaj’s body dissolved as he reached Aerith’s invisible hand from the sky---we knew it’s Aerith because we hear her voice. Zack’s spirit took Angeal’s hand picking him up to the sky. And Aerith, instead sinking down to the bottom of the lake, she would take Zack’s hand (whether it’s by showing his gloved hand or just a voice). And it’s consistent to how Nojima build up their lines like this since Crisis Core:

"One day, I'll take you to see the sky, the real sky." 

"If that's the sky I'm looking at, not scary anymore." 

“Hey, Zack, the sky is closer.”

"I won't be afraid if you're with me (going to selling flower under the sky)."

"I wish I show this sky to..." 

"That girl, she said the sky frightened her." 

“Freedom. Boundless. Terrifying like never-ending sky.”

"I hate the sky."  

Yeah, Zack would really take her to the sky by metaphor, I’m confident about it haha. Nojima must’ve already imagined it in big picture.

[terraxcloud]

I'll be repeating some things on this post to summarize the past months (especially for Yuffie fans).

These two moments are hinting at the Loveless ending (which Cid originally said at the end of OG FF7, but specifically what's shown in the three date Loveless plays).

The Loveless ending is likely the ending to FF7R part 3. One of the three girls (Aerith, Tifa, or Yuffie) will say goodbye to Cloud as he returns home (his reunion in his "promised land" [in the game he was cut from - FF6 w/ Terra]).

The girl who plays the "role" of Jessie will be the one that says goodbye. This is rather easy to know by a process of elimination based on what things revolve around each character.

Biggs - Orphans Wedge - Cats Jessie - Princess

So...

Aerith - Orphans Tifa - Cats Yuffie - ...

"Princess" is a fancy way of saying either "heroine" or the main girl of the Loveless play (Yuffie wants to be both, although she already sees herself as the heroine [main character of her DLC]). In an easy-to-understand way, the girl with the greatest single-minded interest to Cloud regardless of his negatives represents Jessie.

There's already hints that Yuffie will dance with Cloud by what's shown in her date scene. It'll be connected to the "dance dream" from Remake (Miss Folia) which is connected to Zack's "Dreams and Honor". If Cloud holds on to that "childish dream", he'll break from Sephiroth's control.

It's not my idea, it came from Dissidia with Terra using Firion's dream as a catalyst (fill the world with flowers). Also Zack and Aerith sharing their "dream" in CC to fill Midgar with flowers.

Whoever it is, they will have a very big role in FF7R Part 3, but I'll be frank, it can't be Aerith.

Although, Yuffie is technically the daughter of the ruler of Wutai and calls herself a princess in her date scene, unlike the others.

The "Girl" in Barret's sidequest is representing Terra Branford, the "angel/goddess". That's likely the role Yuffie wants to play. There is a reason why Zack calls Aerith "an angel", the "Angel of the Slums, the Fluffy sidequest in Nibelheim, and also Rinoa from FF8.

For posterity-sake, I'll post a few of the hints from the Yuffie date. The dancing hint is the 3rd image (hard to show in one image), which happens when Aerith is singing. The "Materia Song" Cloud mentions after the 1st image is prob the one she sings in Gongaga when you pick the "funny" option.

Barret though? You do know there are consequences that have to happen first if Yuffie can get what she wants?

[setoangel01-fanfiction]

Unforeseen Reunion

Fatefully Intertwined - Chapter 2

Fandom: FF7R

Pairing: Zack x Aerith (zerith) with implied Cloud x Tifa (cloti)

Rated: T

Story Summary: It's been two months since the sky took Zack away from her and now Aerith is leaving Midgar for the first time. Along with her newfound friends, the last Cetra is determined to follow along the path of destiny Gaia has in store for her. Little does she know that the true gravity of the final battle with the Whispers of Fate changed something she'd never expect…

Chapter Summary: Upon arriving in a new town a week into the long journey they embarked upon, Aerith runs into someone she thought she'd lost forever…

......

The city they entered a week later wasn't one Aerith heard of before.

Gaia's expansive world so sweeping and open compared to her small few sectors of the slums she'd spent the majority of her life. That included her brief stint on the top plate in the Loveless District selling flowers (only at night where the sky was dark and didn't scare her as much) and her fading memories of her early years in ShinRa's labs were nothing to compare against being out in the world beyond the towering steel sky. Even their short time spent traveling towards and through Kalm was brief enough for this all to feel so brand new to the girl who'd been so afraid of stepping out underneath the sun… and still was apprehensive of it if she was being honest.

Unlike Kalm or Midgar, this town they arrived in was small and was a mere gateway to their next destination. Homey and quaint yet populated enough to hide themselves away from the ever-present pursuit of ShinRa. The people who lived here were kind and financially well-off if the town's thick lush gardens and manicured lawns they passed in the residential district were any indication of wealth. But more so, it showcased that there was an abundance of greenery and life the farther they got from Midgar - at least it was for now.

All in all, it was perfect place to rest their heads.

Once reassured by the distinct lack of ShinRa guards, Turks or any military presence that would cause them trouble, the group made their way through the cobbled stone streets.

Nowhere near the crazed bustle of Midgar or the busier sections of Kalm, the townsfolk here walked slowly as if simply enjoying the journey rather than rushing toward their destination. Folks from all walks of life scattered the streets and anyone who happened to meet her green starry-eyed gaze gave polite nods and gentle smiles towards their admittedly strange group; walking past them with hardly a second thought or glance.

Yep, they definitely weren't in Midgar anymore.

As Aerith eagerly drank in the sights around her, the rest of the group discussed plans. The flower girl listened partly and contributed where she could while still gawking at everything this new town had to offer. Yet as the conversation delved towards gil, Aerith tuned out a bit.

The Flower Girl had little ability to contribute to that specific conversation given she she didn't have any gil on her with the circumstances around her departure from Midgar, so she stayed silent and absorbed the wonder around her instead. There were bookstores, a cute clothing boutique she needed to convince Tifa to check out with her later, and even a cafe with delicious looking pastries displayed behind painted glass windows just to name a few.

As eyes absorbed her surroundings, Aerith carefully kept her vision below the horizon line. Even after a brief glimpses of the daytime sky throughout her travels, her heart still ached fiercely whenever she reluctantly caught sight of it. Hating to face it everyday hurt - it signifying yet another day that she'd wake up and realize once again that he was gone and never coming back, that the hope she'd felt so briefly after leaving Midgar was a mere fluke. So, she'd steadily been refusing to stray her vision upwards to save herself that pain and keep ignoring the massive expanse of blue sky and clouds waiting to swallow her whole like it did to him…

Coming back into focus, snippets of the group's conversation broke through her thoughts. Cloud and Barret were bickering on logistics of planning to get to their next destination without alerting ShinRa of their presence while juggling the groups need for upgraded weapons (Aerith's eyes skittered towards the painfully familiar sword on Cloud's back), materia and potions amongst the budget saved for food and shelter. Tifa played mediator per usual while Nanaki's gentle voice of reason slowly becoming part of the myriad of sounds that blended into a cacophony of white noise surrounding her.

What would have been overwhelmingly loud for anyone else, for Aerith, it was still too quiet. For even after a week since their final bout with Sephiroth, the planet continued to remain completely and frustratingly silent.

The planet and all its mumbled voices contained in the lifestream had been there ever since she could remember. Locked in ShinRa's tower as a child, she could recall the familiar voices and whispers always surrounding her, but ever since Sephiroth disappeared in a cloud of black smoke and wispy charcoal feathers - the voice that had been there for her through it all - was absent. The faceless friend she always could listen to and count on, even if she couldn't always understand what it was saying, was alarmingly silent for the first time in her life…

And without the constant hum of voices in her head, it felt way too damn quiet.

Being stuck with her own thoughts was a terrifying aspect at first even if traveling with others made it more bearable. In her own head, without the voice of the Planet and the constant hum of the lifestream to guide her, she felt adrift. Lost. Forced to confront everything she tried her damnedest to block out. Stemming back all the way to her tragic childhood at Hojo's slimy hands and the unbearable losses she'd experienced. Her father, her mother, her home,…him. The freshest wound that still gnawed away piece by piece at the very core of her being, leaving her nothing but a hollow shell. Leaving her a husk merely waiting for guidance from the planet's voice that refused to speak to her now.

Like him, Aerith wondered if the Planet decided to leave her too…

Feeling the burning of tears, Aerith quickly shook her head to dislodge those thoughts. Refusing to allow herself to drown in her sorrow, especially now in this small oasis of peace she found herself in with her new friends. And dammit, she would enjoy it for as long as she could… Mask back on and empty smile once again adorning her pink lips, Aerith's shoulder's relaxed. Allowing herself to let out a breathy sigh of frustration before she found herself taking in the surroundings and falling back into the cycle of forcing herself to remain positive.

The Planets voice was silent and whatever that meant, Aerith would continue on no matter what happens. She needed to keep moving forward - towards the future, not the past...

It was the only thing she could control, so that's what she would do.

Feeling slightly antsy at the wait, Aerith folded her hands behind her back while patiently waiting for the leaders of the group to decide their next move. Aerith contributed in at times with suggestions as Barret and Cloud hashed over the smaller details that probably didn't matter in the long run. She and Tifa shared a fond yet exasperated smile as the boys nearly began bickering over nothing in particular. Time went on slowly as she remained unsure of how long the group stayed lingering on the small street corner discussing their plans quietly amongst each other under the generous amount of shade the awning of the building provided.

Pushing herself up on her toes to stretch, her legs immediately protested the sudden movement. A huff of frustration left her lips as Aerith tried to ignore the horrid aching of her calves. Feeling rather annoyed at how unused her body was to all this walking and fighting she'd been forced to do during their travels. She was inwardly debating trying to drink a potion or use Cure to see if it would help the soreness of her muscles when she heard the soft chime of a bell from somewhere distantly behind her.

The sound itself was nothing alarming. Merely a bell hanging above a door like some nicer shops in the Loveless District had. The sudden sound almost immediately forgotten admist the rest of the cacophony around her, becoming mere background noise until she heard one set of footsteps among the myriad of many suddenly come to a sudden screeching halt roughly half a block behind where she and the group stood.

Quietly, a voice suddenly spoke amongst the many and yet she heard it clear as day. A voice and achingly familiar timbre that might as well have punched her very last breath straight out of her lungs.

"...Aerith?"

With just two small syllables, Aerith's entire world froze to a halt with the sound of that voice.

A voice she hadn't heard in person for over five years…

The last time was on the other end of a crackling cell phone call from Nibelheim before it was heard briefly for the final time in that horrific vision Sephiroth taunted her with.

One she thought in the depth of her very being that she would never hear again in this lifetime…

Not daring to hope, Aerith suddenly hesitated.

No.

It couldn't be…

The grief that relentlessly plagued her for the five years he was missing reared its ugly head with what felt like a physical punch to the sternum. So long she pushed it down and away. Hiding her unbearable pain behind a cheerful personality, fake smile and layers upon layers of denial not unlike the stack of 89 tear-stained letters she had written to him.

All her 23 tiny wishes that would remain unfilled when she felt him leave her forever after five hellish years of waiting for him to walk back into the church doors and into her arms…

No.

Like that vision that monster had shown her, this had to be another trick.

Yet another figment of the unbearable grief she refused to accept. Not when it was so much easier to hide behind the denial of his fate, to pretend it simply didn't happen. Easier to think that he simply abandoned her for another - that he tired of her and found someone else than the fact that he'd actually died on his way back to see her…

"...Aerith? I-Is that you?" the hauntingly familiar voice spoke again, trembling much like it did when he collapsed in tears at her church after the death of his beloved mentor.

Aerith's heart stuttered in her chest and her futile reluctance crumbled to dust.

No…

No!

The longing for him hit her like a train, desperate for anything after all these years. Five years waiting for a visit, a call, even a ripped piece of paper with a few words scribbled in smudged ink just to let her know he was alive would have been more than enough to console her… But to hear him so close and so clear now - even if this was merely another figment of her desperate imagination or a cruel trick by Sephiroth, Aerith knew she could never turn him away…

Heart lodged deep in her throat, Aerith ever so slowly turned around.

Dusty boots dragging on the streets, Aerith shifted, ankles pivoting as she turned around to face the source of the voice. The small rocks catching along the soles of her shoes scraped on that streetcorner and scattered before coming to a stop. Everything faltered to a stop it seemed. The thrum of her pounding heart grew louder and louder in her ears, not even realizing how the group around her froze at the arrival of the newcomer. The conversation they were having amongst each other slowed but their actions and words were meaningless when her widened eyes landed upon the man who spoke her name standing roughly 50 yards away.

Meadow green eyes first caught on sturdy, dusty SOLDIER boots before traveling up charcoal baggy pants, that dark chocolate brown belt with a SOLDIER logo beveled into the leather, a faded black turtleneck along with painfully familiar pauldrons (she recalled so many times she made him take them off so she could snuggle with him properly)...

Could it…?

...How?

Finally she forced her eyes to leave his broad chest and shoulders to finally take in the familiar vision of spiky raven hair, tanned skin with a cross scar etched into his jaw before meeting the prettiest blue eyes in existence…

Aerith's heart ached deep in her chest.

Questioning immediately if what indeed she was witnessing in front of her was real. Not daring to hope that it wasn't just yet another figment of her grief and imagination or a sick joke from Sephiroth. So many days in her church where she swore he had returned only to disappear the second she reached out to touch him. A specter like those swarming the train graveyard. A ghost that stole Zack's likeness and pretty smile that dissolved under her fingertips and left her a sobbing mess on the floor of her church more times than she cared to count…

Yet the townsfolk acknowledged him - they walked around him - not through him.

…Could it really be?

But…how?

He was… dead…

She'd felt him die… She'd experienced the horrific pain as the sky ripped him away from the world… away from her…

There was no way he was here now…

…Right?

Aerith wanted to scream. It seemed to good to be true. After all the hell she'd been through, she couldn't trust this to be nothing more than a fanciful wish, a vision caused by grief. Yet the longer she stared at his face, that face she missed so much, her resolve wavered.

It was too much...

Not daring to hope but seeing other people acknowledge him - it gave her a burst of something close enough to it…

An emotion she never thought she'd ever feel again.

"Z…" only one letter came before breaking completely. It was a name she'd only spoken once since she felt him die. An uttered breath of pure grief spoken to Cloud atop that slide in Sector 6 (a slide she and him would spend so many afternoons and evenings leaning against one another and talking about nothing and everything). His spoken name given life to a desperate hope that the blonde-haired SOLDIER somehow knew him only to be disappointed even if she knew that sword on his back was his…

Breath caught in her throat until she swallowed past the growing lump of grief - and finally, finally, his beautiful name escaped her trembling lips.

"...Z-Zack?" his name came out as nothing more than a stilted breath, a sob catching in her throat but it was out. A name she could barely think about for months fell from her lips like a desperate broken cry. Eyes misting as she stared at that beautiful perfect face she hadn't laid eyes upon for half a decade.

A face she swore she would never get the pleasure of seeing again until she met him again when she joined him in the currents of the lifestream…

Yet with that one word, he smiled at her with white teeth contrasting beautifully with his tanned skin and dammit, how could she ever have forgotten just how utterly handsome he is…

"Aerith..." he whispered her name like a long awaited answer to a prayer. Her pulse thrummed against her neck and heart hammering against her sternum as she watched a tear slip down his face. His shoulder's relaxing at her verbal acknowledgement and his arms immediately opened wide in invitation.

That was all it took.

Once her knees stopped shaking - Aerith ran.

Nearly tripping over her own two feet in her attempt to get to him, to close the small distance that felt like a million years between them, legs that burned so bad a few moments ago felt renewed as she sprinted toward him as quickly as if her feet had sprouted wings.

Aerith ran to him, his name heavy on her tongue as she sobbed it out, "ZACK!"

Zack stepped forward with his arms held wide open. His perfect (they were so damn beautiful) blue eyes filling with more tears when her legs obeyed against the strain of her muscles, finally closing that yawning distance between them.

Instead of slipping through him, watching him dissolve like smoke like so many grief-fueled visions over the years, Aerith instead collided hard with a loud thud into that thickly muscled chest.

SOLDIER strength the only thing keeping Zack on his feet from the force of how hard she ran into him, her feet leaving the ground and legs suspended in the air knowing for sure that he would catch her - he'd never let her fall.

Upon feeling him, his body thrumming with life, warm and solid beneath her hands, Aerith collapsed against his chest. Not caring in the least that they were making a scene in the center of this small town. It was as if her and Zack were the last living creatures on Gaia at that moment. She didn't care who saw them and all the questions and concerns that flooded her mind were completely ignored as her arms wrapped across his thickly muscled shoulders and around his neck.

Aerith found herself silent upon looking at his face, into those gorgeous eyes she fell in love with seven years ago, his breath warm and steady as it brushed against her throat and he looked at her as if she hung all the stars in the sky.

It was as if her heart instantly stitched all its broken pieces back together…

Zack's pulse in his neck a steady thrum of life against her arm, Aerith could take it no more. Tears slipping down her face as she closed her eyes before leaning in to kiss him.

A shiver went through her when those warm lips pressed against her own and the moment they touched, the voice of the Planet roared to life inside of her.

The pieces she lost along the way all suddenly clicked back into place. Tingled like the warmth of a Fira against her skin from where every inch of her flesh was against his own regardless of the cloth, metal and leather between them…

Warm.

He was so warm…

The cold she'd been lost in faded against his skin. The light nestled deep in her heart, the one that had been extinguished, was back in her chest. Sunlight that was burrowed against her soul that had left her two months ago slot back right into place like the missing puzzle piece falling perfectly where it should be.

Aerith felt whole again…

Lips brushed, pulling back, chasing, delving back in deeper until they were merely touching, trembling against each other as their combined tears slipped and mingled against their cheeks. Aerith soon realized that she was sobbing, her voice muffled against his jaw as he kissed her tears away, his hands (they were so big and warm) continued to hold her against him, one rubbing gentle circled against her trembling back as she finally sobbed all the grief she'd held in for all these years into his throat. The smell she missed so much filling her nostrils with the wonderful combined aroma of light sandlewood from his cologne, sword oil, heady warm musk, and the thrum of pure life.

Unsure of how long she cried, she came to finally hear the voice of the planet wrapping around both of them. When Aerith finally pulled back to look into those eyes she immediately fell in love with over seven years ago…there was a knowing in them that hadn't been there before. There was eternity laced in his gentle indigo eyes, a knowing that matched her own…

Different, yet exactly the same.

All doubt she'd felt faded, because no matter what happened to cause this, this was her Zack.

Nothing would ever change that…

"…I knew you would look good in pink," were the first words he said and Aerith let out a broken chuckle mingled with a sob. His voice so soothing as it echoed through her ears, his timbre so familiar and warm she wanted nothing more than to simply rest in it.

Zack smiled at her then, tears heavy on his thick black lashes when Aerith's eyes slid shut as she pressed her forehead to his. The Planet wrapping around both of them, its voice laced with a fondness that felt all too familiar. Aerith knew Zack could hear it too and so she kissed him again.

Yes…this was definitely her Zack…

It could have been a second, it could have been a year until she felt him pull away. The Planet a mere satisfied hum in the back of her subconscious as she basked in Zack's presence. Their breaths mingling together in soft huffs after their lips parted, she felt so free in that moment. A weight lifted from her shoulders she'd been carrying far too long eased of the burden. Zack shifted his arms and she finally felt her feet touch the ground but her arms never unraveled from his shoulders and his forehead never pulled away from her own even if he had to hunch down to meet her height.

The tears were heavy in her eyelashes making her vision hazy when she finally opened her meadow green eyes and her heart throbbed happily when she met those perfect blue eyes and that beautiful face again.

"Zack…" she whispered his name again. Unable to help herself, her lips brushed his before he closed the distance again. The barest press of his mouth on hers. A comfort she'd spent too long without.

"Aerith…" he replied, his voice like a balm to her weary soul.

Zack's arms loosened around her, forcing her arms to fall from his shoulders as he stood up to his full height. But before she could worry about it, his hands reappeared at her arms, sliding gently down the entire length before grasping her hands in his. Had his hands always been so much bigger than hers?

There were so many questions she had, but as his hands grasped hers and she felt the warmth and thrum of his pulse, she knew they didn't matter now. So instead, Aerith centered herself and glanced over at the others when she finally remembered her and Zack weren't in fact alone.

Blush staining her cheeks but unashamed of the witnesses to her and Zack's reunion, Aerith turned to her new friends.

At the sight of Zack, there was a light of recognition that sparked in Tifa's eyes but the burden of Cloud leaning against her with a hand pressed to his temple as he let out pained groans much like he did before he passed out in ShinRa tower was the barmaids main focus. Barrett looked instantly distrustful given the uniform Zack wore, but mostly, he looked confused while Nanaki appeared merely amused at the entire situation.

Zack let out a breathy chuckle and her eyes immediately went to him when one of his hands slipped out of her own to scratch the back of his head. Aerith pulled closer to his side and wrapped her arms around his waist and clung to him like a leech, not ready to sever any contact. Fearing the second she stopped touching or looking at him, he would disappear.

Zack grunted at her sudden movement but didn't make any mode to dissuade her, "Heh. Uh, looks like I have some explaining to do, huh?"

Barret gave an unamused grunt while Tifa flashed him an encouraging smile while struggling under Cloud's sudden tilting before Barret stepped in to help hold him up.

"Sure, will do but introductions can wait til after we get Spikey to rest up a bit first, huh?" Zack tensed under her hands, his eyes filled with concern as he stared at the wavering blonde that had now passed out against Tifa's shoulder.

"That would help," was Nanaki's reply, his eyebrows lifting in confusion and concern at her face that was probably splotchy with red-rimmed eyes.

"Great! My place isn't far, let's get going!" Zack broke the tension per usual with a beaming smile, gently pulling out of her hug to instead hold her hand as he began walking down the street. Waving eagerly at the group to follow him as he headed further into the bustling town still thriving around them.

Aerith glanced back at the the group when they didn't make an immediate move to follow. All members showing varying looks of concern and confusion on their faces before she smiled encouragingly at them, and apparently that was all they needed for, with her approval, they began walking after the couple.

Sure, the others might have questions and she had so many of her own, but with his warm (alive) hand grasping her own, nothing else mattered…

[chubbybeaver77]

LILY OF FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE: ALL SCENES MASTER ANALYSIS [PART 1/2]

The Lily flowers, in particular, the yellow lilies, is one of the main themes of Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Before Remake, Lily was considered only a symbol of Aerith. However, Remake has sort of given it another name and another meaning, the Reunion Flower. So now, Lily dually represents both Aerith and Reunion. 

Throughout Remake Part 1, the image of Lily was emphasized on multiple occasions and it carries either a message or a symbol each time. In this post, I will explain the meaning and message of Lily in every close-up shots and will divide them into 2 sections: Aerith and Reunion.

PART 1: LILY - AERITH GAINSBOROUGH - LIFE SYMBOL -THE FATE OF AERITH 

Flowers, in general, symbolize Aerith Gainsborough. What is the purpose of flowers? Flowers adorn and colorize our life making our life more beautiful and positive. In Remake, Aerith is portrayed the same way, bright and positive. She always carries a smile and supports others like Cloud, Tifa, Wedge etc when they feel down. Flowers mean beauty. Aerith means the bright side of life. Despite Aerith’s misfortuned fate in Final Fantasy VII, she will always represent Life as much as her tragic death represents Death. That's the direction Remake is going for.

I’ve heard enough fans speculating that Aerith will survive this time because Destiny is no longer fixed. Yes, it is possible narratively at this point but it seems people are neglecting the Visual Story of the game. Usually, the visual story will reveal the truth without spelling it out to us. Like words to literature, images are the storytelling device of movies (I compare the cutscenes of Remake with a movie because of the high quality it delivered. Also, Square Enix is a professional in movie making. They have made at least 3 movies as far as I know and right now an animation show).So, let’s examine the representations of Lily for Aerith. These shots are from the opening of the game.

The first image of Lily in Remake is a dried and wilted Lily. It is a contrast between the lifeless - the villains and the lively - Aerith to show how important and beautiful Aerith is compared to the bad.

We all know the flower is dead because of what Shinra has done to the planet by sucking up and using Lifestream. It’s the literal meaning, but it also symbolizes how the bad forces will impact Life - Aerith. If you are still in doubt, let’s move on the next shot.

This is a significant detail that is added from the opening of Final Fantasy VII and they don’t add it in for no reason. Just by the image, it could mean the coldness of Midgar residents but that idea was never expressed throughout the game. Actually, even Shinra’s employees are portrayed as innocent people who are ignorant of what they are doing to the planet by working for Shinra. They are not mean people. So, that possibility is eliminated. The only meaning we have left here is the misfortuned fate of Aerith. When she picked up the flower, the screen displayed Aerith staring into the screen, not blinking once. It symbolizes the fearlessness, courage, and determination of Aerith to face her fate. She is one tough flower.

Later near the end of the game, the flower was focused one more in Aerith’s hand, we had this image:

In Language of flowers, Aerith was sad and pessimistic when she became serious and dropped her cheery mask briefly.

A bonus aftermath message, did you notice these focuses on Lily? A close-up shot of the Aerith putting the flower on the left side of Cloud’s chest where his heart is. And, pretty much every shot after that until Cloud gave Tifa the flower, no matter what position he is in, they make sure the flower is shown on the screen. I include some examples here but you should replay this part for yourself to see how conspicuous it is. Their choice of direction here serves 2 purposes:

It draws your attention to Lily and shows you how important this flower will mean to the whole story. “Reunion” as Aerith told you immediately before she gave it to Cloud. They are telling the audience to remember this flower and its meaning! There were no “lovers” mentioned in the Japanese original dialogue. The translation narrowed the meaning of Lily and it is a sign of bad translation (they probably did it on purpose). Always remember Japanese dialogue is the ORIGINAL SOURCE written by Nojima himself. No matter what the translations are approved, if you want to do a real analysis on texts, it’s the golden rule to go to the original material because not everything can be translated precisely. Wording means a lot especially because SQ used a lot of symbols and indirect messages in this game. Even when the writer himself translates his own work, he might not be able to make it 100% the same as the original.

This sequence also delivers an important message, Aerith is implanting her image in Cloud’s heart. Cloud will always remember Aerith even after she is gone. This idea has been reiterated throughout post-FF7 games/stories.

Are the messages clear here now? Yes. It is very clear which direction the game is heading regarding Aerith’s fate. They never shows any contradiction even once. If you are not familiar with Eastern’s literature, you might not know that a wilted/trampled flower is a classical motif that is frequently employed to symbolize the tragic fate of a woman, usually a beautiful and bright woman. It is nothing new. 

Since the game is not complete yet, I don’t want to be absolute, but this is not a random prediction, more like finding an answer according to the clues we are given from the game. We will see where the game heads later. If they show one thing and mean another thing, I would call that misrepresentation. I am confident that they are professional and they know what they are doing.

==> Please continue your reading of Part 2 here because Tumblr doesn't allow me to add all the images I want in a post.

====> PART 2: LILY - THE REUNION FLOWER 

You can also find my other analysis here:

INTRODUCTION & MASTERPOST

[astoryofalove]

Cloud and Aerith’s Importance to the FFVII Story: Their Fates Intertwined

So I’m seeing some people gloating about Tifa getting a lot of time in the trailers. The Tifa fans are free to feel however they want. But I wanted to give my thoughts on this since a lot of people don’t understand how this works.

We're only seeing a lot of Tifa (and Jessie, let’s not ignore how much Jessie we’ve seen) content in the trailers because Square Enix knows that all of the Cloud and Tifa scenes are not important to the overall story. They’re not spoilers. So, of course, they’re forced to show a bunch of Jessie and Tifa content and not Aerith.

So let’s examine, shall we? 

First, let’s establish that if something can be CUT from the game, then it is in fact not crucial for the story and therefore shouldn’t be considered a “spoiler” (in terms of plot). 

So for a moment, pretend to be a movie editor here. Our production said we have to cut the scenes that are not necessary for the audience to understand the crucial parts of the story.

Tifa’s + Marlene scene. What does it add to the overall plot? It introduces us to Marlene/Tifa. So it’s partially important. Can’t be cut.

The hand-reach/save.  You can argue that it’s development for Cloud and Tifa’s friendship, but it is not crucial to the story. It adds nothing to the lore for Sephiroth or Cloud’s dynamic. It adds nothing to the fight for the Planet. It can be cut and the story would move along normally.

“ I feel trapped “.   You can argue that it’s development for Cloud and Tifa’s friendship, but it is not crucial to the story. The plot would continue as it does regardless of the audience seeing this scene. It can be cut.

Flower exchange.   You can argue that it’s development for Cloud and Tifa’s friendship, but  it adds nothing to the story other than being nice to Tifa. Therefore, it is not crucial to the story. It can be cut.

Apartment scene.  You can argue that it’s development for Cloud and Tifa’s friendship, but it’s more of an “extra” piece of information to enrichen a friendship but it does not add anything to Cloud/Sephiroth/Planet/or Shinra plot. It can be cut.

* Childhood promise. Important, because it shows the audience why Cloud joined SOLDIER--i.e., to be a hero like Sephiroth. Sephiroth is the antagonist. Scene must stay.  This scene is presented in the trailers as being all about Sephiroth, not about some oath Tifa strong-arms Cloud into.

 * Cloud falling from the reactor bridge.  The introduction to the (or one of the) heroine(s). From here this is what is considered the INCITING INCIDENT in writing. This is where the crucial plot elements are finally introduced (I.e., Jenova, Cetra, Shinra, etc). Scene must stay.

If you don’t know what “inciting incident” means;  the inciting incident is a  particular moment in a story when an event thrusts the protagonist into the MAIN action of the story.

Cloud meeting Aerith is the inciting incident because it introduces Shinra fully, it introduces the Cetra, it introduces Sephiroth fully, and it reveals TWO threats that the characters spend the rest of the game trying to solve. 

So again, go over all of the Cloud/Tifa scenes that we’ve seen in trailers. What do they add to the CORE storyline? 

Are all of these scenes Tifa? Do they show Cloud and Tifa? Yes and yes. Big deal for those that ship Cloud and Tifa, but for normie fans and for newcomers, when they see those scenes they’re walking away with zero knowledge about what this game is really even about, i.e., Sephiroth/the Planet’s threat/Cetra. 

The only two that are necessary for the CORE plot (as in, it cannot be “cut”)  is the childhood promise (it introduces Sephiroth) and Cloud falling from the bridge (inciting incident).

The Cloud and Tifa cutscenes are filler content. Square Enix literally has no choice but to show nothing but Jessie and Tifa content because they can do so freely without actually spoiling the crucial parts of the story. 

Just compare. 

 Aerith's introduction scene is also where the Watchmen of Fate first appear. These ghostly figures play a massive role in the remake. When the June trailer was revealed, literally everyone was talking about what these “dementors” were and what role they had in the story. That goes to show just how crucial Aerith’s introduction is.

Tifa’s reveal was literally her at the bar, introducing Marlene (a very minor character) and saying that she’s in a “pinch”. This reveal trailer cutscene with Tifa had zero elements from the core storyline. People could watch that moment and walk away with no clues as to what FF7R is even about. This is why we’re seeing the same few Tifa scenes stretched out over and over again. Not just because she’s a popular character, but because the developers can show her cutscenes without spoiling anything major.

You can’t do that with the Cloud and Aerith moments.

Cloud’s first encounter with Aerith introduced the heroine and introduced Watchmen of Fate. Can’t but cut.

Aerith meeting Cloud again in the church is, as I said earlier, the INCITING INCIDENT. This is where all the subplots start to come together to thrust the protagonist into the MAIN action of the story. From here, Cloud’s fight against Shinra gets personal, Sephiroth is “revealed”, the Cetra are revealed, Shinra’s purpose is revealed. Everything is propelled forward BY the church reunion between Cloud and Aerith.

Hence why their meeting is CRUCIAL to the FFVII storyline. Hence why we’re only literally seeing 2-3 seconds worth of content for Cloud and Aerith at a time (with the longest being their first encounter). 

We’re not NOT seeing Cloud and Aerith cutscenes because they’re “not important“ or because they don’t exist. We’re not seeing Cloud and Aerith’s moments because every single second they spend together is going to reveal more and more of the core storyline. Sephiroth. Jenova. Cetra. The Planet’s threat. All of these elements are revealed in Cloud and Aerith scenes. 

Do you really think Square Enix is going to spoil their most anticipated game of all time?

Of course not.

In closing, at the end of the day, the CT fandom now only has two scenes left to look forward to (not counting the optional minor (not even romantic) dialogue that happens throughout 7R). 

The Clerith fandom, however, has yet to see any of our moments other than the first encounter and the red dress reveal. While CIotis are seeing stuff that was already spoiled for them months in advance, we will be freaking out about all the content for Cloud and Aerith that Square Enix strategically kept secret just to ensure the impact of Clerith is as strong as they intended it to be.

Basically, the cloti scenes will be fizzled out by the time people play 7R, and they will be left with Clerith content as the “lasting” first impression of the story.

That’s the strategy, folks. 

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