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unknown-lifeform · 8 months ago

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Also more on the asgzc dragon au, two main more plotty scenarios I do have for it:

The Aerith Disaster:

Genesis and Cloud one day went to attack some rich traveling humans in order to take their riches all for themselves. Among them they found Aerith, a human princess. Aerith was being sent off to marry someone, which she really didn't want, and asked Genesis and Cloud if they were perhaps interested in kidnapping her for a while. They asked her why the fuck would they do. Aerith said well, I'm a princess, I am one of the most important people around, I'm sure I can be a valuable addition for any dragon's hoard :) Genesis and Cloud were like do we look stupid to you

Angeal: why is there a human in the cave.

Zack immediately made very good friends with Aerith. So did Cloud. Genesis started liking her because of the sheer drama keeping her caused. Angeal was extremely dubious at first, but then humans started coming to try and free her, and well that was free treasure for his hoard wasn't it

Sephiroth did not like Aerith. He was neutral on her at first because whatever, it's just a human. But then he saw his hoard starting to get attached and he was very much not happy about it. How dare she monopolize so much of their time. He can and will be jealous of this little soft pink thing. And angry that she keeps sassing him despite the fact he can literally swallow her whole

There were a couple interventions staged to make Sephiroth calm down about it. Reminding him he is a dragon and she isn't, he is the strongest and most good looking, lots of either exasperated reassurances or rolling around and showing belly. Sephiroth learnt to sort of tolerate her

In the meanwhile, there was a regular stream of knights coming around to fight the dragons and promptly getting eaten or chased off. Aerith found it all very entertaining. Sitting around on Zack's tail watching Genesis chase people off a mountain and all

Among all the various knights was Tifa, who is a traveling knight without any particular allegiance, and had decided to come save Aerith. She was very determined about it. Kept managing to escape being burnt to a crisp and then coming back. Aerith liked her, honestly. Determined. Strong. Hot

Cloud, being landbound, usually saw the knights coming long before the others did. After a while, he started kind of just hanging around in his burrows watching this happen. His own personal show. He also saw a whole lot of Tifa showing up and then running down the mountain very fast with new scorch marks on her armor

Cloud, laying outside of his hole to bask in some sun: you again? Give it a rest buddy

Eventually Aerith started saying she kind of liked Tifa. Wouldn't mind going off with her. The dragons all thought well, in that case, Tifa should court her properly. Show off she could be a proper mate. Except they're dragons so obviously they have no idea what humans want

Cloud, relaying the information to Tifa: you should... Alright, no scales to shine, obviously, but whatever, make yourself look good for a human. And you can't roar to show off either. Do you have a hoard? Something to impress her? Anything at all? Can you at least catch a deer or something?

Tifa: is like a couple pheasants ok? Because I don't think Aerith can eat a whole deer

Honestly killing the dragons might have been easier than trying to prove to them that Tifa was a good prospect mate

Aerith and Tifa eventually rode off into the sunset to marry and everyone was kind of sad they wouldn't have to bully knights around to protect her. Except Sephiroth Sephiroth is still a jealous ass. Everyone get here they're having an orgy to celebrate the human being gone

The other scenario is the Baby Denzel scenario:

So wyrm packs sometimes overlap in territory with dragons. Cloud is grumpy around other wyrms, but he could accept some being in the general area so long at they didn't come bother him. The combined territories of three dragons + a wyvern are massive, after all, and Cloud originally showed up in Zack's territory so that's where most of his burrows are. When Angeal told him one day a couple wyrms had settled in his territory, Cloud didn't think much of it

But then one day there were some large landslides in Angeal's territory, and he didn't see the wyrms around after, so he got Cloud to come and see if they were alright. Turned out the landslide had hit their burrow, and they had ended up dying in the cave in. But digging about, Cloud did find one intact egg, and he couldn't in his right mind abandon it there

Of course everyone was dubious about it because if the egg hatched then they would all be responsible for a baby, but Cloud just couldn't abandon it to die

He took it to his own burrow and made a nice nest and got to trying to care for it. In a wyrm pack the parents (and eventually older children) would take turns caring for eggs, but Cloud's mates were all too big to fit in his burrows - well, they could in human form, but it was less than ideal and also dragons and wyverns can be a bit claustrophobic in a dirt tunnel - so Cloud was mostly doing the caring while the others hunted for him

Egg eventually hatched. Baby wyrms are extremely tiny. They mostly stay in the burrow for the first weeks, and when they start coming out they are small enough to be vulnerable to a lot of predators. Cue baby Denzel taking his first steps in the grass with five extremely apprehensive parents around him ready to roast anything that gets a little too confident

Denzel learns very fast the joys of sunbathing while lying on top of a very warm parent. Especially those with darker scales, they absorb the eat better. True bliss. Meanwhile Angeal is lying with his son on his flank and never moving from here ever again

First winter was a bit of a problem, because Cloud generally spends it in Sephiroth's gave, but Denzel was still too squirmy to safely transport and too young to understand what exactly was happening. So they had to hibernate in Cloud's burrow. Cue other four apprehensive parents periodically showing up outside the burrow to check if everything was alright

Cloud, getting woken up for the tenth time this winter, barely warm enough to form words: let me fucking sleep

After that they started bringing Denzel and Cloud over to Sephiroth's cave for the winter. Much better that way

Now once wyrm children around grown they either go their own way or stay with the pack. Denzel probably did go off on his own at some point to start his own pack, he was a very independent young wyrm, but he still comes back from time to time to see the good old parents. Which is way more than Zack, Angeal, Sephiroth, or Genesis expected, dragon and wyvern kids leave the cave and never come back as grown ups

#ff7 #asgzc #asgzc dragon au

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srs-deep-dives · 1 year ago

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Tifa's Theme: A Musical Deep Dive (Part IV)

Parts I-III here.

Section (D) Tifa’s Leitmotif Across the Original FFVII

(D) (I) The Leitmotif as Setup and Foreshadowing

Tifa’s leitmotif is heard just twice in the original game. The first time – in Tifa’s Theme – it loops over four crucial back-to-back story events:

Cloud and Tifa’s (first shown) reunion in Seventh Heaven;

Cloud and Barret’s argument in Seventh Heaven’s basement;

Cloud and Tifa’s recollection of their promise; and

Cloud agreeing to join Avalanche on the next bombing run.

Tifa’s Theme begins before Tifa welcomes Cloud “home;” before Marlene mistakes his arrival for her “Papa’s;” before anything at all is said about her. The music is the game’s first statement about Tifa.

As well as introducing the character and what she represents, Tifa’s Theme communicates the subtexts of the Cloud and Tifa’s bond:

The ‘reunion’ foreshadows their reunion in the Lifestream where their arcs climax;

The argument (with Barret) establishes Cloud as having no ties to any person, affiliation or cause but Tifa;

Cloud’s promise to protect Tifa is the memory tying their past throughout the narrative;

And Cloud joins Avalanche to keep their promise.

Screenshot from Cloud’s profile in Final Fantasy Ultimania Archive Vol. 2.

The second time the leitmotif is heard is in the track, The Planet’s Crisis: the conclusion of Cloud and Tifa’s arcs. Before that, however, there is a melody directly connected to the leitmotif, and that is in the high flute segment of Words Drowned by Fireworks.

(Which I will call WDBF for short.)

(D) (II) The Leitmotif as Echo and Resolution

For decades now, players have debated which Gold Saucer outing is ‘the most’ canon. That they occur as substitutes for one another and shine insight on Cloud’s canonical bond with each comrade means they are all canon. But the accompanying music track on these outings pertains to one duo very specifically. And that is in its subtle relationship to Tifa’s leitmotif. I am not talking about the instrumentation here – the flute is not unique to Tifa (it is used heavily, for instance, in Aerith and Nanaki’s leitmotifs). Nor am I referring to the track’s title – which is a homage specifically to Cloud and Tifa’s date (her words are the only words to be drowned by fireworks). No, there is a treasure here which undoubtedly gives the track away as belonging to Cloud and Tifa. And that is the pitch-for-pitch nine-note bridge to each melody’s climax (WDBF and Tifa’s Theme).

If we were to transpose one melody into the key of the other, this segment would be identical in pitch. In Tifa’s Theme this bridge is the ending of Subphrase 3. In WDBF, this bridge is the ending of the flute-passage.

Here is our segment from Tifa’s Theme in its original key of F major (untransposed):

Transposed into the key of G major – the key of WDBF – we have:

This section circled in blue is echoed in WDBF, in the exact same place where the bridge takes us into the climax.

Here is our quick comparison of this section in the original keys, and transposed key (Tifa’s Theme in the key of WDBF):

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The effect of this subtle echo is huge. Recall from our last post that Subphrase 3 of Tifa’s leitmotif culminates on a held A – the note she had been trying to rise to again and again since its beginning…

…And ending on that initial rising point, we were taken into the climax (Subphrase 4) which ultimately ended a tone below that A (our G meaning Tifa just missed the mark).

Now, with the pitch-for-pitch echo of that bridge signaling the climax-point of WDBF, we have Tifa literally, openly, trying to express her yearning love for Cloud. This note-step echo, so to speak, presents her direct, now unmistakable attempt. For while Tifa’s Theme culminates in a final struggle where Tifa locks her feelings away, WDBF bridges into the game’s main leitmotif – which is specifically, in its minor-keyed, ‘unstable’ rendition, the heart of the ‘finding-Cloud’ conflict.

WDBF does not only play at Gold Saucer. We hear it for a second time in the Temple of the Ancients when Cait Sith ‘predicts Cloud and Aerith’s future.’ Of course, by Disc 1’s end, this is revealed to be the narrative’s ruse – this conversation (metaphorically) being the drowning-out firework as Cait Sith says, “Poor Tifa.” The third and final time we encounter the track is when Tifa finds the comatose Cloud in Mideel, ending where she learns that he has mako poisoning and circumstances again keep him from her reach. This is her last ‘drowned’ expression of feelings – their next reunion (occurring with the main leitmotif in Who Am I?) being the real deal, where Tifa and Cloud together piece back their memories, recover Cloud, and Tifa learns of Cloud’s life-long devotion to her.

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It has often been overlooked that Tifa has, at the point of Who Am I?’s second occurrence, lost her own semblance of self. (Forgive my error in the video – the track occurs three times and is first introduced through Cloud in the Temple of the Ancients.) I have rarely seen the subject of her own memories broached in discussion, which are, it must be emphasized, just as in need of resolution as Cloud’s. Noted in the video above, Who Am I? also applies directly to Tifa – its second occurrence being during her time in Scarlet’s gas chamber. Cloud, the anchor of her past and present, has been taken from her. Tifa doesn’t know what is real anymore, wondering whether her memories are “made up” (as she confesses later in the Lifestream). The life and home she’d rebuilt in Midgar is destroyed. And she is in a state of despair, having failed to keep Cloud safe. Tifa, simultaneous to losing Cloud, has lost herself, allegorized by her being strapped to a chair, alone in darkness, left to die under the foggy and suffocating fumes of the gas.

Moreover, this occurrence of Who Am I? bridges the two times that our brave and persevering heroine breaks down. The first, when Cloud hands over the Black Materia, where she is ready to die as North Crater crumbles. The second, on the Highwind, even after having fought for her life and escaping Scarlet’s chamber. Here, the party confronts her about Cloud and encourages her to push forward:

Nanaki: Do you think we aren’t strong enough without Cloud? Do you think we can’t save the Planet alone? Tifa: Meteor is coming, and Weapon is on the rampage… At a time like this, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. No idea at all… Barret: Get a hold of yourself, Tifa! C’mon, let’s think about this! No way we can get offa this train we’re on! Tifa: If only Cloud was here, everything would be fine. Cloud would… stand that cocky little way he did, and tell us what to do. He’d say, ‘Everything’s under control, Tifa.’ Barret: Tifa! When’d you become such a wimp! Tifa: I’m sorry, Barret. I’m so depressed, I’m surprised at myself. Nanaki: And Tifa… the reason why we all thought it was Cloud was because… Tifa: I know. That’s why I want to make sure. That’s why I have to see him again.

Before turning to the game’s grand climax, The Planet’s Crisis, let us look at some instrumentation. The intro melody of Tifa’s Theme is played on a solo oboe, and harmonized by an electric piano and clarinet. This is interesting because, as we saw in the leitmotif and its echo in WDBF, Tifa’s voice is represented by the solo flute. Remember from Part III of our deep dive that the intro of Tifa’s Theme presented two collocating viewpoints (ours/Cloud’s, and Tifa’s) and that its ending tension (the dominant chord) took us for the first time directly into Tifa’s own viewpoint. We see the same thing happening with the instrumentation: the oboe – the flute’s neighbor relative instrument – playing the intro; and the flute then picking up her leitmotif. Flutes and oboes serve different kinds of roles all over FFVII. But in the context of Tifa’s Theme, two perspectives can be taken on the oboe:

The first, as representing both Tifa’s view and the views of everyone else for whom Tifa is ‘home.’ (The oboe presents Tifa’s view but it is clouded by her secrets, whereas the flute lifts us up into her true desires.) Because her secrets are only foreshadowed and locked away in this intro, we see the Tifa that Cloud and the party sees – we see her as home, distracted from her sufferings. Thus the two views collocate: Tifa’s and the party’s/player’s/Cloud’s.

The second, as foreshadowing Tifa and Cloud coming together – the oboe playing the climax (the game’s main leitmotif) which follows the flute (Tifa’s leitmotif echo) in WDBF, and the oboe later being Tifa’s voice (for Tifa’s full leitmotif) overlapping Cloud’s on the English horn in The Planet’s Crisis. (We’ll get to this shortly.)

While WDBF’s flute passage echoes Tifa’s Theme and climaxes with the heart and resolution of Tifa’s conflict – saving Cloud – it very, very closely resembles the instrumentation of the track Lifestream, as we’ll see in the video below. In terms of Tifa’s character arc, therefore, WDBF can be called the track that bridges Tifa’s Theme (her arc’s conflict) with the Lifestream itself (the physical setting of her arc’s resolution).

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Finally, we have reached The Planet’s Crisis. Aside from WDBF’s little echo, Tifa’s leitmotif is hidden from the time of her introduction until the grand climax of the game. Why is this, from a musical-narrative standpoint? My conclusion is: to be the conveyance (together with FFVII’s main leitmotif) of the conclusion of Cloud and Tifa’s arcs. Here, at long, long last, the two leitmotifs overlap.

(D) (III) The Leitmotif as Conclusion

Cloud set off to join Soldier to gain the strength to protect Tifa, and his promise to be her hero continually drives his arc. It is during the Planet’s crisis that Cloud – free of Soldier and Sephiroth, as just Cloud – has finally carried this out. (Bear in mind the distinction between resolution and conclusion. Tifa’s arc resolved in the Lifestream with the saving of Cloud and her own sense of self. Cloud’s arc was there also resolved, with his regaining his psyche, his feelings being bared to Tifa, and his accepting of himself. The Planet’s crisis, following their night under Highwind, is the final carrying-forward of that resolution. That is to say, it is the tying up of all ends – the conclusion. Cloud who has accepted himself – his ‘weak,’ ‘failure’ self who truly was Tifa’s hero and had her heart all along – is able to save her in the very way he dreamed in the incident that kicked off their journey (Mt. Nibel).

Let us consider this narrative now together with the music.

Firstly, a note on the key. When we began our deep dive, we began with a quote by Austrian composer Ernst Pauer, who summarized F major as:

“…at once full of peace and joy, but also express[ing] effectively a light, passing regret – a mournful, but not a deeply sorrowful feeling.”

D major, the key encompassing our passage of The Planet’s Crisis, Pauer summarizes as:

“…express[ing] majesty, grandeur, pomp, and adapt[ing] itself well to triumphal processions, festival marches, and pieces in which stateliness is the prevailing feature.”

D major is popularly used in marches, carols and holiday songs. Where Tifa’s Theme carries home along with underlying suffering, its leitmotif with the main in The Planet’s Crisis carries victory.

When Cloud has caught Tifa in the crumbling crater, we hear Tifa’s leitmotif on the oboe, solo over arco strings. Below is a screen from the orchestral partition, courtesy of Courcelle Kevin here (all thanks and credit to this amazing musician and arranger whom I highly recommend looking up).

This first subphrase plays over the couple holding each other and discussing reuniting with Aerith.

As the second subphrase ends, we have the overlap of the four-note ending of Sephiroth’s leitmotif, on the English horn (cor anglais) and trombone. This ending represents the vanquishment of Sephiroth’s influence in Tifa’s life; Cloud has at last defeated him once and for all. (Well, until Advent Children, but for our present original story…) This is conveyed in the merging of Sephiroth’s leitmotif into the main leitmotif (through the same instrumentation), representing victorious hero-Cloud. The triumphant melody overlaps with the third and fourth subphrases of Tifa’s – Tifa’s cry from WDBF being fulfilled: Cloud is found and she is safe in his arms. It is now that Cloud lifts Tifa safely onto the rock.

In contrast to the unstable, minor synth and strings of Who Am I?, the main leitmotif – Cloud’s voice in major – is now on sure ground. And in an almost cheeky playfulness, it starts its first subphrase, stops halfway, and then restarts a tone higher with a series of accidentals; more triumphant, more glorious, more free (image below). (Accidentals are chromatic notes foreign to the key, giving off tension against and breaking through the key’s constraints.) It is as if Cloud, stepping into hero status, begins as ‘Soldier Cloud’ would – following the pattern of his once-idol Sephiroth – only to immediately stop and go, “Hey, wait, he’s gone. It’s finished, he’s gone!” He backtracks and starts again, realizing himself different from that hero he’d dreamed of being in Sephiroth’s shadow; Tifa’s man in his own wholly free of any and all his influence.

This restart of the main leitmotif kicks off on a low E note, synchronizing with the ending high E note of Tifa’s. It is a merging of the two character voices – an effectual becoming of one. It is then that the main leitmotif takes the forefront, Tifa’s effectively being drawn up into it, as the pair turn to meet the rest of their friends.

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What is also interesting is the instrument combination. I mentioned earlier that the oboe is a relative neighbor of the flute. The English horn (cor anglais) is not actually a ‘horn’ – in terms of being a brass instrument (like, for instance, the French horn). The cor anglais is in fact a double-reed woodwind instrument of the oboe family. It is played in the same manner as the oboe, but differs in that it is bigger (giving it a lower pitch range), and has a rounder bottom (giving it a more reverberation). It is these two very related instruments that sync on that grand E note, in which Tifa’s voice is drawn up into Cloud’s. Meanwhile the trombone is the perfect voice for Cloud’s triumph as Tifa’s hero – no class more fitting than the brass to grandly express victory.

Cloud and Tifa are not the first Final Fantasy couple to have their leitmotifs overlap together. Final Fantasy VI’s ending track, Balance is Restored, introduces Celes’ leitmotif on an oboe. Then, transitioning into strings, Locke’s leitmotif simultaneously enters on… guess what? The English horn. Of course, there are many differences between Cloud & Tifa’s and Locke & Celes’ music synchrony, but I just love that little parallel.

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To wrap up in summary the use of Tifa’s music in the original game (ie. Posts I-IV):

The intro of Tifa’s Theme (Post I) established Tifa as embodying home. In juxtaposing viewpoint – Tifa’s own viewpoint – were her locked-away burdens. Here we examined how the music sets up that Tifa: holds a profound motherliness toward others which outweighs thought for herself; strives to keep herself distracted from the insecurities of having to deal with her emotions; and embodies home for everyone else despite her own life being plagued by suffering.

Climaxing on the dominant chord (Post II), her conflictions were forefronted, and we were taken from the viewpoint of those to whom Tifa is home, into Tifa’s secret world of suffering. Here we saw the conveyances of Tifa being burdened by her: longings to confront Cloud with the truth; uncertainties of what the truth is; fears of losing Cloud should she take action; and doubts toward the validities of her own memories.

The leitmotif (Post III) revealed to us her drive, rock, reason, hope and the heart of her conflictions – Cloud – through its expression as: a theme of love; a clash against the always-home harmony; and a theme of perseverance.

Now that we have considered (to our efforts) the full picture, there is one final thing to point out. And that is the foreshadowing of arc closure in Tifa’s Theme itself – how Tifa’s character and journey, right down to the music, finds completion in her oneness with Cloud.

What I mean is that Tifa’s own theme track is, on its own, incomplete. Remember our observation in Post III that the leitmotif ends on and eternally loops from the dominant chord (our tension highpoint)?

And that the final note is a held G – a tone below the A the melody was trying to reach the whole time?

Tifa’s Theme ends in the highpoint of her conflictions which, despite consistent perseverance, could not be overcome through her strength alone. This ending note – a fall-short with Tifa’s greatest efforts – at last finds resolution in The Planet’s Crisis with the synchronizing support of Cloud’s victorious lift.

Tifa’s leitmotif seeks resolution, lest it loops and loops and loops, until The Planet’s Crisis at last sees it taken up into the main. It is an ending, and it is a new beginning, of a new life together. A life where, as is vice versa, Tifa finds completion in Cloud.

That brings us to the end of the original game. But we have one more post left, where we’ll observe Tifa’s leitmotif throughout the FFVII compilation. Seeing Rebirth is just months away, I will likely post it after its release. In the meantime, thanks for journeying with me here. If you enjoyed, please follow my blog as I will be posting more deep dives on Final Fantasy VII, anime and other stories.

#final fantasy #final fantasy vii #final fantasy 7 #ffvii #ff7 #advent children #nobuo uematsu #tifa lockhart #cloud strife #sephiroth #avalanche #cloud x tifa #cloti #character analysis #music analysis #my deep dives

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freelanceexorcist · 9 months ago

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Spoilers and more pedantry that I would ever ask you to live though if I was in my right mind right now:

So I’m pretty firmly in the camp of Watashi Sephiroth and Ore Sephiroth being two different people, or more accurately, two versions of the same person from different timelines. I’ll find out soon enough if I’m wrong about this or not, but there have been clues dropped that this could be the case.

So let me put my speculatin’ hat on one last time.

I know I told you the last time was the last time, but things change.

The pronoun switch from Watashi to Ore in Japanese is just the first clue, and I can’t blame anyone who misses that one because they don’t speak Japanese and/or don’t have access to good faith translations of Japanese materials. I was lucky enough to stumble upon the Twitter account of @aitaikimochi, who is an absolute treasure in this department as she’s fluent in both English and Japanese (don’t know which one is her first language).

Then there’s the bit in the Ultimania (or maybe an interview? I don’t remember) where they pretty much come right out and say Ore is a version we’ve never seen before. But that’s also in Japanese so again, no one can blame anyone for missing that one either.

Another subtle clue is the other characters’ reactions when Sephiroth is onscreen. When Cloud has one of his glitches in the presence of others and Sephiroth appears, the others don’t react the same way he does. This is because Cloud is the only one who can see him and the creators have said as much. There are multiple versions of Sephiroth, according to official sources. One version is a memory and the other is described as an illusion. It’s not clarified if by illusion they mean a vision with an external source or a hallucination. That one will probably remain a Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane (warning: TV Tropes) situation.

He has a third form in which he manifests using Marco and the other black-cloaked men as a meat suit. But still…other characters’ reactions make it seem like Cloud is still the only one who can see him. In Marco’s apartment, Cloud is attacked by Sephiroth using Marco. Tifa rushes in just in time to see Cloud about to cut him in two with the Buster Sword.

So how does she react? Is it shock at seeing Sephiroth after all this time? Is it fear? Is it happiness that Sephiroth is about to get got? Nope. It’s concern. For Sephiroth.

But why though? She of all people should be thrilled that the man who ruined her life is about to get what’s coming to him.

Yet she stops Cloud and goes to help. Why? Because all she sees is Marco, perhaps. She doesn’t see Sephiroth.

Another instance is in The Drum. Cloud glitches and then all of a sudden Sephiroth appears. Cloud is scared and angry, but the rest don’t react in a way you’d expect. That is to say they don’t really react at all. When Cloud charges at Sephiroth, Tifa cries out to him. But is it because her friend is going full Leeroy Jenkins on someone who can squash him like a grape? Or is it because she sees him charging at Marco?

My point, and I do have one, is that Watashi is the one that likely only Cloud can see. Meanwhile, Ore can be seen by and can interact with everyone. Hell, they all fight him.

Then there’s the issue of behavior. I’ve talked about these differences before, but here’s a summary. Ore Sephiroth is helpful to Cloud. He asks for his help. He seems dejected when Cloud refuses. When they fight, he merely disarms him, drops a cryptic line and peaces out after deciding Cloud isn’t strong enough to help yet (that’s how I’m interpreting his “not yet” line, anyway). There are other differences though, that I’m just now realizing.

The way he walks. Watashi’s gait is slightly feminine, with softly swaying hips. It’s subtle, but he got dat lady swagger. In the Rebirth demo, his gait is more masculine. You can’t tell much from Crisis Core, because the mechanics are just as clunky as the original even though the graphics have a new coat of paint.

His facial expressions. That is to say, Ore actually has more than one. Watashi’s facial expression is rarely anything but smugness or malice. Ore’s face expresses gentleness, openness, disappointment and determination or, when he’s fighting the party, anger and intensity. He gets a smug look before he fights Cloud, but even then it looks more like he knows he’s about to have some fun. This same expressiveness can be seen in the Ever Crisis trailer, Crisis Core and the Rebirth demo.

His body language. Watashi faces a target or opponent head on and looks them dead in the eye nearly the whole time. The latter can be a sign of attentiveness but also a display of dominance. He never allows himself to appear vulnerable. He never turns his back on his opponent. We don’t see him sitting in any scenes, so there’s not data there yet. He gives no clue to what he’s thinking or feeling using his body movements.

Ore, in Crisis Core, Ever Crisis and the Rebirth demo, often turns his body away from someone he’s speaking to if he doesn’t fully turn his back to them. He bows his head or looks at the ground when he speaks so his hair hides his expression. This can be interpreted as shyness or discomfort. He crosses his arms over his torso. This can be interpreted as a self-protective gesture or one of defensiveness. It’s the same with the crossed legs when he’s sitting in the truck in the Rebirth demo. Like Watashi, we don’t see Ore sitting, so nothing to analyze there.

Finally, and this one is a little tricky, is his fighting style. There are indications that the remaining Whispers have at least some degree of control over him and are trying force him into his one-winged angel role during his fight with the party. For example, his wing dissolves into a cloud of them.

But that’s neither here nor there. When he’s fighting the party (presumably) under the influence, he fights like hell. In some shots you can see the effort he’s putting out there. He takes it very seriously, as well he should.

Ore in the Edge of Creation looks like he’s having fun. He’s just playing with Cloud, likely testing him out. He’s just styling on him, barely putting any effort into the fight and he doesn’t really need to, using over the top, dancer-like moves and blocking strikes without even looking. At the end, he merely disarms Cloud. To him, the fight was just a friendly sparring session.

If at any point Ore covers his face with one hand or places a hand over his heart, I think that will clinch it that he’s not the same as Watashi, who is highly unlikely to display such vulnerability.

So where does Ore come from? Well, I’ve speculated in the past that Ever Crisis takes place in a different timeline than main Remake story, quite possibly in the one where Zack survives. If this doesn’t turn out be the case, everything I’m about to say is rendered invalid.

But if it does…

In the Ever Crisis timeline, he knows what his mother looks like even though he was given a false name. He even has a picture of her until he loses it. This picture means so much to him that he’s willing to search corpses in hopes of finding it again. In the original, he didn’t even have that much, as Genesis knows he doesn’t even know what she looks like, because he taunts him with it.

In this timeline, he makes friends early on, and he grows close enough to them that he’s willing to rebel against Shinra alongside them. He cared enough about them to risk his own hide. The First Soldier trio will probably end up getting fired. But Sephiroth? Based on what we know of Hojo’s treatment of him, he should be so lucky. He seems to know that firing him is not an option because he’s so valuable to Shinra. Assuming “I’m one of Professor Hojo’s soldiers” is just a whiffed localization, he’s the only one of his kind. But based on what we know of how Hojo treated him, he would be punished. Painfully. He would need to be reminded of his place and who he belongs to. He was willing to risk that to be with his friends and help someone he’s never met.

His friends, specifically his big bro Glenn, teach him compassion. Companionship and camaraderie. They teach him how to loosen up and have fun. They teach him empathy. They treat him the same way they would treat any other kid. He gets to see how a normal group of friends interacts and tries to be a part of that group.

And if it wasn’t just a whiffed translation? That would mean there were at least a few others like him, at least for a while. He would be less alone. He would still know he was different and special, but he’d at least have others in the same boat to relate to.

That little bit of kindness, camaraderie and having others like him in his life who were like him, even if only briefly, while we must assume that Watashi didn’t have these things, could very well have set Ore on a different path. And the people who want him to suffer endlessly and become irredeemably evil in every universe will just have to be happy with the one version.

But what about that line about him acknowledging that he killed Tifa, you ask. Good question.

This seems to suggest that Ore accepts responsibility for the Nibelheim incident, but without context, it’s hard to say.

Trailers and promos are notorious for deceptive editing that misdirects the audience, especially if the editors are trying to keep a lid on a big twist. Naoki Hamaguchi has been notoriously enthusiastic about the huge twists he promises are coming yet he’s still doing a great job of preventing us from figuring out what they are.

So that bit from the trailer might be misdirection. How many times have we seen bits of dialogue in trailers and promos that are spoken while scenes the conversation doesn’t take place in appear onscreen? It’s also not unheard of for lines of dialogue being spoken in two or more scenes to be edited together to seem like they all took place at the same time. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if that line doesn’t even appear in the final product, although that’s unlikely. Without context, we just don’t know what’s going on.

Ore may be responsible for Nibelheim and Tifa’s injury and the trailer truly is being plainspoken about that. This is the simplest explanation.

Or maybe it’s a wee bit more complicated. Here are some possibilities ranging from zero to Epileptic Trees (again, TV Tropes).

Ore Sephiroth killed his own version of Tifa and the Nibelheim incident went down as usual. Zack and Cloud ending up in the same place at the same time and under the same circumstances in the timeline where he survives as they were in the one where he was set up to die strongly indicate that. At some point, Ore shook off Jenova’s influence and has his own agenda now, though that agenda is unknown at this point.

Ore, for some reason, believes himself to be responsible but for reasons unknown may not actually be.

As they merge the multiple timelines to bring about Rebirth, Mommy & Me may be performing a Fusion Dance (you know the drill) and absorbing all the variants of Sephiroth in the other timelines/universes to gain their power, and Ore is no exception. He “remembers” killing Tifa for the same reason Cloud “remembers” being a SOLDIER 1st Class: because he’s receiving bits and pieces of Watashi’s memories and confusing them for his own. I kind of like this one because damn, what potential for drama. Ore would feel all of the guilt and shame of an act he didn’t even commit. He would be desperately trying to atone for something he wasn’t even responsible for. He would be slowly losing himself and becoming a part of some twisted hive mind without knowing it. Hmm, maybe one of the promised twists is that it will be a race against the clock to stop Mommy & Me from becoming too powerful and keeping Ore from getting assimilated.

Ore says “I killed her” because saying “he, that guy that looks like me and is probably what I would have become if I’d gotten even fewer hugs growing up” just seemed to awkward to him. Yeah, even adjusting my tinfoil hat doesn’t make that one sound less stupid.

But I digress.

In conclusion (“oh, thank GOD” – everybody), Ore may not be who we think he is because he is from a different timeline and while the same person as Watashi in a sense, he is a version of him whose life took a slight detour.

#Sephiroth #Sephiroth theory #FFVII Rebirth #FFVII Rebirth spoilers

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vvooper · 2 months ago

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ok I'm making another ffvii character pokemon team post because I cannot be stopped. here's barret

a couple of these were more difficult to come up with, but I didn't even have to think about a few of the others. details under the cut

his sprite is a recolor of lt surge. the outfit and sunglasses were made for him. nothing I could do about his arm though

species: coalossal

ability: steam engine

item: heavy-duty boots

moves: flamethrower, power gem, body press, iron defense

a coal pokemon named after corel seemed like an obvious choice, given its coal mining history. heavy-duty boots because we follow workplace health and safety standards in this household.

the rest of the set isn't all that exciting. flamethrower because of... yknow. and body press and iron defense more generally feature because of how tanky barret is

species: octillery

ability: moody

item: assault vest

moves: fire blast, octazooka, flash cannon, charge beam

dyne the octillery features as one of the vaguely gun-shaped pokemon.

I gave him the moody ability because he acts pretty erratically, especially in rebirth. all of his moves are also vaguely gun-shaped. charge beam specifically because he uses electrical mines in his rebirth fight.

species: kangaskhan

ability: scrappy

item: protective pads

moves: fake out, return, low kick, safeguard

barret is such a dad that we have to represent his relationship with marlene with kangaskhan. she gets the protective pads to help keep her safe :)

return because she loves her dad a lot. low kick because she's tiny and low to the ground I guess lmao. and safeguard because again barret just wants to keep her safe

species: avalugg

ability: own tempo

item: rocky helmet

moves: avalanche, take down, stomping tantrum, recover

I mean how could I not?

own tempo ability because terrorists tend to go against the grain a bit. in addition, barret's particular avalanche cell is doing their own thing separately from the rest of avalanche.

avalanche as the first move... again how could I not? take down because we're stickin it to shinra. and stomping tantrum represents barret's temper.

species: magmortar

ability: vital spirit

item: heat rock

moves: fire blast, focus blast, solar beam, sunny day

catastrophe is barret's ultimate limit break. this calls for another vaguely gun-shaped pokemon!

again, barret is rather spirited, so ability is vital spirit.

fire blast and focus blast are explosion-shaped moves. solar beam in particular was chosen because catastrophe really is just kind of a giant laser

species: ting-lu

ability: vessel of ruin

item: assault vest

moves: lash out, earthquake, payback, ruination

I wanted to continue with giving everybody one legendary, mythical, or ultra beast, but I actually had a pretty tough time landing on one for barret. I'm still not super happy with it, but I decided to go with the angle of how barret's actions against shinra are in large part motivated by revenge. the treasures of ruin seemed like decent options for that since they're embodiments of negative emotions. while wo-chien represents grudges, I thought ting-lu was more fitting as a ground-type given barret's previous occupation. I named it angermax after another of barret's limit breaks (and one that, under certain conditions, is actually stronger than catastrophe).

the moves lash out and payback both reflect barret's motivations against shinra. ruination of shinra is of course his ultimate goal.

don't know if anyone will actually be interested enough to follow these, but I'll do one for tifa next. you can find the one I did for cloud here

#final fantasy #barret wallace #ffvii #final fantasy vii #pokemon #coalossal #octillery #kangaskhan #avalugg #magmortar #ting-lu #ffvii x pokemon

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afi-mukami · 9 months ago

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Fic Masterlist

DIABOLIK LOVERS

⚠️ Please note that my DL stories might include steamy content for adults, canon typical violence, and triggering things. Read at your own risk. ⚠️

Master and You Series

His Realm to Conquer

Ruki x fem reader

Explicit

A couple of weeks before Ruki's coronation you two are ready to set down in your new castle and the bedroom. Your master is about to become your king as if he doesn't get enough kicks from being the master.

Pleasuring Your Master

Ruki x fem reader

Explicit

From time to time, your master grants you privileges, letting you touch him the very way you love to. That is if you have been a sufficiently obedient and good girl. Today was one of those days, and of course, you didn’t miss your chance.

Pleasures for Your Master

Ruki x fem reader

Explicit

It was your master's birthday once again. You wished nothing more than to please him on this special day. The problem was he didn't treasure it in the same manner as you did.

Punishment from Your Master

Ruki x fem reader

Explicit

You were supposed to study. Yet the vampire next to you sent your thoughts trailing off… and since you were being such indecent livestock it was clear that you were asking for punishment.

Other DL Fics

After the Ball

Ruki x OC

Explicit

Against the Wall

Ruki x OC

Mature

Bedtime Stories

Ruki x OC

Teen and up

A Bite for a Bite

Ruki x OC

Mature

Claimed

Ruki x OC

Mature

Daring Fingers

Ruki x OC

Mature

The Early Morning

Ruki x OC

Teen and up

Entirely Mine

Subaru x Yui

Mature

Finger Play by Shuu

Shuu x fem reader

Mature

His Very Own

Ruki x OC

Explicit

Livestock on the Loose || Kotieläimet karkuteillä

Ruki x OC

Yuuma x OC

Teen and up

Nothing Else Mattered

Subaru x fem reader

Teen and up

The Storm of Souls 1: His Possession

Ruki x OC

Explicit, eventually shameless smut

Eve stayed with the Sakamakis and Ruki’s life had lost its meaning… but then new livestock appeared. The one whose blood smelled almost as intoxicating as Eve’s even though that shouldn’t have been possible. Ruki decided to make her his possession.

The Storm of Souls 2: Her Calamity

Ruki x OC

Explicit, shameless smut

After saving Yuuto from the Demon World and learning that her mother was dead, Yuriko's life seemed to settle down. The sadness still lingered with her, but she looked forward to summer vacation and the autumn semester. Yet, the Vampire king presaged a new thread for his plans rising. Was calamity about to strike?

Their Deep Waters

Azusa x OC

Explicit

FINAL FANTASY VII

She and I Series

Did she see something more?

AerTi

Teen and up

Tifa disagrees with the other members of the Avalanche about the way the organization works, so she leaves the scene to vent her feelings. Her legs take her to Sector 8, where she accidentally runs into a woman selling flowers.

Her Scent of Magnolias

AerTi

Teen and up

Tifa and Aerith have fallen from Don Corneo's trap into the sewer along with Cloud. The group will not be able to proceed until the broken water pump is repaired. While Cloud stays to monitor the meters, Tifa and Aerith have a moment to chat alone.

Her Touch on My Skin

AerTi

Mature

Sector 7 has fallen; many have lost their lives and the Turks have taken Aerith. However, Tifa has survived and is now in the bathroom of Aerith’s home gathering herself after everything that happened.

Other FFVII Fics

Temptation

RudTi (+ a couple of other ships that will be revealed along the story)

Explicit, eventually shameless smut

Tifa and Cloud live their daily lives in Edge, which seems to be finally safe now that Vincent has defeated Omega and Deedground. However, the couple’s life is not quite what Tifa has hoped for. When she cannot find happiness in one direction, the offer may come unexpectedly from another.

IKEMEN SENGOKU

A Smile Written to the Stars

Sasuke x OC

Masamune x MC

Sasuke has returned to the modern days without Mai who stayed in the Sengoku era together with Masamune Date. The fate tore them apart but that was exactly how things were supposed to be.

MR. LOVE: QUEEN'S CHOICE

Coffee for Two

Explicit

Gavin x female reader

You and Gavin are coming home from a date and he asks you to come to his apartment for a coffee. The drink is served with extra spice.

Rivalrously Chivalrous

Explicit

Helios x female reader

You are after a target when Helios gets in your way. This isn't the first time he messes up your work, but things heat up this time.

#masterlist #afi writes #fan fiction

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silver-wield · 9 months ago

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In OG, Cloud and Tifa only realize their feelings are mutual after LS . But since they already or almost kiss in GS, they should know that they like each other right?? They can't be that clueless?

It's more the revelation they both always liked each other and it's not that they fell in love during the time before the lifestream scene. They share the deepest parts of their souls and memories with each other. Tifa learns Cloud did everything to be worthy of her and he sees how much she treasured their time together growing up and that they both loved each other already the night of their promise.

#final fantasy 7 remake #ff7r #ffviir #final fantasy 7r #final fantasy viir #cloud strife #cloti #tifa lockhart

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legitimatesatanspawn · 2 months ago

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I remember when KH first came out I was EXCITED for the possibility of what other FF characters would show up as plot OCs and minor cameos.

... then we got the OC Brigade of Organization XIII. BUT we got Seifer and Vivi in one-off scenes and the Prologue of KH2 had the rival/villains from SeeD as the asshole kid gang. AURON ACTUAL AURON had a major plot bit in Olympus! Tifa showed up... in a confusing manner. Yuna and her FFX-2 friends showed up as fairies!?

Then the existing FF characters got less screen time. BUT we got Zack in BBS who raised weird questions of Cloud's situation! DDD had TWEWY going on for some reason! ... and then it fizzled out. Except for Heartless boss fights in Chi like Kefka, Gilgamesh, and the classic Summons had their own Heartless (Shiva, Ifrit, Iron Giant, Titan, Leviathan, Ramuh). No I'm not counting Chi's Medals.

But really. Imagine if other FF games had their cast running around. Hell, imagine if it also had stuff like Live A Live, Chrono Trigger, the Bouncer, Treasure of the Rudras, Mana/SeikenDen, SaGa, Xenogears, Parasyte Eve, Einhander, Vagrant Story, or Breath of Fire. And that's just the Squaresoft side not even Enix! Although also not counting subsidiaries, merges/buyouts, or more specifically stuff made by previously Square people like Xenosaga, Xenoblade, Shadow Hearts, Blue Dragon, or Last Story.

So much fanfic fuel for the characters getting dumped or transposed into KH.

#kingdom hearts #squaresoft #gaming #ramblings #fanfic ideas

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afi-writes · 7 months ago

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Fic Masterlist

AMNESIA: MEMORIES

For My Princess' Sake

Ikki x MC (but can also be seen as x reader)

Mature

CW: Masturbation, obsessive thought process

Seduction would only take a month. But sometimes a month can be such a long time… and one night Ikki needs his release.

Of All the Women He Could Have

Ikki x MC

Teen and up

The heroine spends the girls ’evening with Sawa and Mine when she gets a call from Ikki, who is home alone.

DIABOLIK LOVERS

⚠️ Please note that my DL stories might include steamy content for adults, canon typical violence, and triggering things. Read at your own risk. ⚠️

Master and You Series

His Realm to Conquer

Ruki x fem reader

Explicit

A couple of weeks before Ruki's coronation you two are ready to settle down in your new castle and the bedroom. Your master is about to become your king as if he doesn't get enough kicks from being the master.

Pleasuring Your Master

Ruki x fem reader

Explicit

Pleasures for Your Master

Ruki x fem reader

Explicit

It was your master's birthday once again. You wished nothing more than to please him on this special day. The problem was he didn't treasure it in the same manner as you did.

Punishment from Your Master

Ruki x fem reader

Explicit

You were supposed to study. Yet the vampire next to you sent your thoughts trailing off… and since you were being such indecent livestock it was clear that you were asking for punishment.

Other DL Fics

After the Ball

Ruki x OC

Explicit

Against the Wall

Ruki x OC

Mature

Bedtime Stories

Ruki x OC

Teen and up

A Bite for a Bite

Ruki x OC

Mature

Claimed

Ruki x OC

Mature

Daring Fingers

Ruki x OC

Mature

The Early Morning

Ruki x OC

Teen and up

Entirely Mine

Subaru x Yui

Mature

Finger Play by Shuu

Shuu x fem reader

Mature

His Very Own

Ruki x OC

Explicit

Livestock on the Loose || Kotieläimet karkuteillä

Ruki x OC

Yuuma x OC

Teen and up

Nothing Else Mattered

Subaru x fem reader

Teen and up

The Storm of Souls 1: His Possession

Ruki x OC

Explicit, eventually shameless smut

The Storm of Souls 2: Her Calamity

Ruki x OC

Explicit, shameless smut

Their Deep Waters

Azusa x OC

Explicit

FINAL FANTASY VII

She and I Series

Did she see something more?

AerTi

Teen and up

Her Scent of Magnolias

AerTi

Teen and up

Her Touch on My Skin

AerTi

Mature

Other FFVII Fics

Temptation

RudTi (+ a couple of other ships that will be revealed along the story)

Explicit, eventually shameless smut

IKEMEN SENGOKU

A Smile Written to the Stars

Sasuke x OC

Masamune x MC

Sasuke has returned to the modern days without Mai who stayed in the Sengoku era together with Masamune Date. The fate tore them apart but that was exactly how things were supposed to be.

MR. LOVE: QUEEN'S CHOICE

Coffee for Two

Explicit

Gavin x female reader

You and Gavin are coming home from a date and he asks you to come to his apartment for a coffee. The drink is served with extra spice.

Rivalrously Chivalrous

Explicit

Helios x female reader

You are after a target when Helios gets in your way. This isn't the first time he messes up your work, but things heat up this time.

#fan fiction #writing #masterlist #afi writes

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phoenix-downer · 1 year ago

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Every Moment Matters

Every Moment Matters: ~2120 words. As Tifa grapples with her grief over Aerith's death, she imagines what she would say to her friend if she could talk to her one more time. But in her half-awake, half-asleep state, she begins to wonder if perhaps she really is speaking to her friend.

Story Info: Gen with a focus on Tifa and Aerith's friendship. Borrows elements from the FFVII Remake Continuity and set post FFVII-Remake, assuming the story hits the same overall plot points as the original. Tifa POV. Grief, Mourning, Angst, Dreams, Friendship.

Tifa had always wanted an older sister. Someone she could confide in and look up to. Someone who would understand what it was like to grow up in her town and family and who would laugh at her inside jokes. Someone who would always have her back no matter what, who she could always count on in a pinch. Of course, Tifa was an only child and an orphan now on top of that, as she didn’t have any blood relatives left. Her dreams of family were nothing more than the sad musings of a woman who had lost her home years ago.

And yet, Aerith was like that sister she’d always longed for. Older and confident, outgoing and bubbly to Tifa’s introverted, shy self. They complemented each other perfectly in their hobbled-together adoptive family. Even their fighting styles fit like a glove, Aerith’s sweeping magic doing damage from afar as Tifa rushed in for a flurry of physical blows.

And it wasn’t just that. Tifa had opened up to Aerith about things she hadn’t told anyone else before. She just instinctively knew that Aerith was safe, that Aerith was to be trusted. And so the things she kept locked deep inside came out more easily, and Aerith treated them with the utmost care and respect. Aerith had confided things to her too, about her mother and her past. About Zack. For someone with so much loss in her life, Aerith had a lot of joy, and she helped Tifa see the good in things too.

That didn’t mean their relationship was perfect. Far from it. Just like blood sisters, there were the rivalries and jealousies, the insecurities and uncertainties. Moments when Tifa couldn’t help but be hurt or frustrated or question whether Aerith thought she was just a pest or an annoyance or an obstacle. Instances when Tifa envied Aerith’s bond with Cloud and how easily she shared what was on her heart without hesitation.

But none of that mattered in the end. All that mattered was that they loved each other. Nothing puts life into such crystal clear perspective as death, and each tear that dripped down Tifa’s face was evidence of how much Aerith meant to her. Funny how it took Aerith dying for Tifa to fully realize just how deeply she cared for her friend.

She rolled over on her side and silently wept as she pulled the checkered blanket closer, shivering a little. Even with the glowing embers in the hotel room’s sole fireplace, it was still cold. But adding more firewood might wake the others, and she didn’t want to disturb them because it was still dark outside. Gentle snow fell in icy flakes, carpeting the world in white and muffling all noises outdoors while amplifying the sounds inside. But despite her best efforts, she couldn’t fully stop the tears. During the day she could distract herself, but at night there was no escaping her grief.

Aerith was so young. So healthy. It wasn’t fair. She had so much life ahead of her, so much she wanted to see and do. She lived each day to the fullest, inspiring them all to do the same. Every day was an adventure with her, and no moment was too small to treasure and appreciate. Aerith’s death made Tifa feel like she’d been robbed. Like all the future moments she should’ve had with Aerith had been yanked suddenly and violently out of her hands. In their place was a bloodied, mangled mess and an empty future that stretched out endlessly before her. The thought of living the rest of her life without Aerith made her feel like one of those waves back at Costa del Sol kept engulfing her and crushing her under its weight.

If only Tifa had stopped Aerith from running off on her own. If only Tifa had noticed Sephiroth before it was too late. If only Tifa were as good a white mage as Aerith was, then, maybe, she might’ve been able to heal her friend before it was too late.

If only, if only, if only. It didn’t matter how illogical Tifa’s guilt was. It persisted all the same, haunting her and tormenting her and never giving her a moment’s peace. Of course, in her more rational moments, Tifa knew that Aerith was always going to do whatever she wanted; she was stubborn and strong-willed, and that was one of the things Tifa loved about her. Sephiroth would’ve found some other time to kill Aerith if not at the Forbidden City; he was a super soldier and out for her blood. And some wounds just couldn’t be healed, even with the strongest of white magic.

Tifa knew all of these things, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to let go of the knife in her hand and kept stabbing herself in the heart with it instead. That was the only thing that felt close to atoning for Aerith’s death. For making up for her failure to save her friend.

Aerith was the important one. She was the last Cetra, the one who could save us all. And now she’s dead. Fresh tears welled up in Tifa’s eyes. I wish it were me instead. Aerith would live her life so much better than I would. Her life was so much more valuable than mine—

The moment she had that thought, she imagined Aerith scowling at her, hands on her hips and green eyes flashing.

“Tifa Lockhart, don’t you dare say that crap about yourself!” she could almost hear Aerith say, her tone scolding yet loving at the same time. “Your life is just as precious as mine, and just because I’m dead doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to live.” Aerith’s expression softened. “I want you to live, okay?”

But Tifa wasn’t sure she wanted to. Yet another person had been torn from her life, and she wished with all her heart that it had been her instead. Her mother, her father, Jessie, Biggs, Wedge, and now Aerith, too. What she wouldn’t give to have them all back. They deserved to live. She didn’t.

Why am I always the one who survives? Why does everyone I love always die? As her breath came out in warm puffs of steam, a dark thought entered her mind. Do I bring death to the people around me? Am I some kind of angel of death? Did my jealousy and envy kill Aerith?

“No,” came Aerith’s voice again, firm but gentle. “Sephiroth killed me, not you. And jealousy is only human. I was jealous of you too, you know.” She could almost picture Aerith’s rueful smile. “It all seems so silly in hindsight, but it is what it is. I’m not some perfect saint, so please don’t remember me that way. I want to be remembered as I was. Fully myself and fully flawed and fully human.”

A deep pang coursed through Tifa. It was all too easy to make a saint out of someone who had died young and tragically, but was that truly honoring the deceased’s memory? Or was it better to remember the person as they really were, flaws and all?

Still, it was hard not to worry that in some way her jealousy had led to Aerith’s death somehow. That she hadn’t made the most of the time she had with Aerith because of it. She glanced worriedly at Cloud, who was fast asleep on the bed next to hers. What if I lose Cloud too?

“You won’t. You bring life and healing, Tifa. Your name even means miracles and compassion. You’ll live up to your name.”

It doesn’t matter what my name is. I haven’t stopped a single person I love from dying, Tifa thought bitterly to her mental version of Aerith. I couldn’t stop you from dying, she admitted to her friend, trying to put into words all the guilt and shame she’d felt since Aerith’s death.

She could almost feel Aerith’s hand gently stroking her hair and resting a hand on her cheek in the same way she’d done for Aerith before running away sobbing. As if Aerith knew what Tifa had done for her and wanted to repay the heartfelt gesture in kind.

“My time on this Planet was through,” came Aerith’s voice at last, “but that wasn’t your fault. There was nothing you could have done. Please, don’t blame yourself.”

This illusion of Aerith was much kinder to Tifa than Tifa was to herself. Tifa was starting to wonder if it really might be Aerith in some strange way. Or maybe her memories of the sister she wished she had were just that strong.

I wish I could believe that, she told Aerith, but no matter what I do, the guilt remains.

“I know. But there are people who still love you in the land of the living. If you can’t live for yourself, live for them for now until you can live for yourself again. And when the time is right, I’ll see you again in the Promised Land. This separation won’t last forever, Tifa. I promise.”

At this Aerith clasped her hands. A prayer was never too far from her lips, even in death. “Until then, please live your life with the people you love while you still can. Every moment matters, and I want you to make the most of each one you have left.”

She smiled at Tifa, a beautiful, bittersweet smile, and with that, she was gone. Only silence remained. Tifa’s heart already ached for her to return, but she was grateful she’d had these few moments with her. This brief conversation that defied all rational explanation.

A few final tears dripped down her cheeks, and at last her eyelids fluttered shut. She’d been flickering at the edge of consciousness this entire time, and sleep was overtaking her once more.

When Tifa awoke, she sat up and stretched. Light streamed through the windows, and Cloud and Barret and the others must be downstairs getting food because she had the room all to herself. Well, they did have a full day ahead of them, so a hearty breakfast was in order. She needed to get bundled up in the winter gear she’d gotten yesterday so she could join them, and—

She paused, her hand mid-way to grabbing her fuzzy red sweater. Aerith. Had she spoken to Aerith? She had faint, foggy memories of doing just that in the early hours of the morning.

But Aerith was dead. Talking to her would be impossible, right? Maybe it was all just in her head. And yet…it had felt so real. She couldn’t remember much of the details, just a few specific phrases and feelings.

She pulled the sweater over her head. What if Aerith were haunting them all like a ghost? A shiver went down Tifa’s spine. Tifa hated ghosts, and even the ghost of a beloved friend and sister-in-arms might be too much to handle. And yet…Aerith’s presence hadn’t made her feel scared or unnerved. Just safe and comforted.

She brushed a hand through her now-staticky hair, and her breath caught as she remembered a flickering impression, a moment when Aerith had gently stroked her hair and touched her cheek. Surely she hadn’t imagined that.

“Aerith, I wish you were still here with us in the physical realm,” Tifa said sadly as she pulled on her thick woolen socks. “I miss you so much. But whatever happened this morning…thank you.”

She could almost picture Aerith’s smiling face in her mind. As if her friend were telling her to finish getting ready and go join the others and live her life, one moment at a time. So she did just that. She finished getting ready and took the big wooden stairs covered in plush green carpet two at a time, wishing that Aerith were here to race her but happy that she knew Aerith well enough to know Aerith would want to race her.

There were so many nuances and quirks and tics and habits that made Aerith Aerith. Tears welled up in Tifa’s eyes again, but she didn’t try to hide them this time. The tears were just a sign of how much she loved Aerith. Little things like racing down stairs wouldn’t remind her of Aerith if Aerith hadn’t so thoroughly made herself at home in Tifa’s life that her absence was sorely felt and her presence was sorely missed.

And so long as Tifa didn’t forget Aerith, so long as she kept the sad memories and the happy ones alive, the silly ones and the serious ones, the funny ones and the heartwarming ones, a part of Aerith would live on in this world.

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A/N: This story is dedicated to all my readers who have lost a loved one. My heart goes out to you, and while nothing can ever make up for the loss, I hope you can find ways to honor your loved one and keep putting one foot in front of the other, one day, one hour, one moment at a time.

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mejomonster · 8 months ago

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I genuinely just see ff7 (remake rebirth etc but also the original to be honest with you) mainly about friendships. If i ship anyrhing, im shipping the massive polycule networks cloud is in the center of. Im shipping tifa and aerith as super close and kind to each other and so grateful they never fight over something dumb. Im shipping zack/aerith aerith/tifa aerith/cloud cloud/tifa cloud/zack and cloud/sephiroth in the sense i see those as the strongest Potentially romantic relationships going on. (Aka the big main polycule). Im also not really shipping anything, cause like... zack loses aerith due to shinra bullshit and is technically closer to cloud due to the whole mutual experimented on and fleeing stuff, cloud breaking from the trauma of losing zack. How aerith likes cloud partly as a rebound replacement to project About zack and only gradually truly likes him, tifas probably got the most complicated yet simplest relationship w cloud. Hes her old loner friend, his old childhood crush, the guy traumatized like her from sephiroth and nibelheim, the stranger who she met as an adult whos acting so different and not reliable but she'd like to Be reliable and be an echo of one good Enduring thing that survived the trauma they went thru, they grow a close friendship based on cloud growing to care and gradual shared values. A friendship close to what tifa has with barret, and what cloud eventually has with barret. Aerith dies so, any romance that started (since cloud and tifa cared about her) is impossible with her gone. Zack is dead so any romance with aerith or cloud is unable to be fulfilled. Tifa and cloud are just... the last of the polycule left. By the time any fully realized romance blossoms from friendship and finally the world calmed down a little, of course theyre the only two left to have and hold. They adopt (and is barret in the polycule, ur guess is as valid as mine). If aerith had been alive i think she'd either been in the polycule, or left them to be kind to tifa. Or tifa wouldve left cloud to be with aerith. (My ideal is just all 3 happier together tbh). Then of course, if zack was alive? The more the merrier, my ot4 where everyone kept dying. And sephiroth well, hes not wanted in the polycule but possessing cloud permanently does make him a part of it (just involving cloud thanfkully not like tifa or anyone else dragged into the mess... much). But sephiroth is there.

And i could go on about how to potential shippers ff7 is a treasure trove where u can link cloud to vincent, vincent to yuffie and reeve. Link aerith to tseng to rufus, link rude to tifa and rudes linked to reno and elena, the potential shipping web gets Huge. Can link rufus to cloud, vincent to cloud and vincent had the whole girlfriend with hojo thing, and now oh no even hojos in the web. But thats how it goes. A treasure trove for open minded shippers and lovely doujin creators.

But also just. I think shipping fights are so energy sapping. I think ff7 stories, all the games of them, are more about friendships and caring anyway. It doesnt matter if cloud kisses aerith or tifa or both or neither, he cares about both of them, and they care about him, and tifa and aerith care about each other. Aerith and tifa wouldnt fight over it! Why would i care when they dont even care. Theres a lot of really lovely relationships eaxh complicated and nuanced in their own way and id like to explore and reflect on them all, in their canon and of course fans exploring the what ifs.

#ffvii rebirth #ff7r #lb #its jusr ahh idk #i wouldnt argue about if tidus should date yuna or rikku! in ff10 #rikku and yuna would never fight over a boy lmao #and aerith and tifa care for each other way too much to want the other belittled #idk

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pyronormalsimplicity · 10 months ago

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FF7 Treasured Times Headcanons

- Whenever they cuddle together, Tifa likes to place her head over Cloud’s heart and listen to his heartbeat. When Cloud asks her about it, she blushes and says that she likes it because it makes her feel safe and reminds her that he’s still alive and present.

- Cloud also likes the color of Cloud’s mako-enhanced eyes because even though it’s unnatural, Cloud’s eyes are soft and gentle. It still makes her sad that she’ll never be able to see his natural blue eyes again but she admits that she’s secretly grateful for them since they can now be together

- Cloud likes the tuft of hair that always seems to cover one side of her face and likes playing with her hair if he can get away with it.

- He also likes the sound of her voice with how husky and low it can be at times while being much higher and feminine when she’s excited

- He also finds her physique extraordinarily attractive, causing Tifa to roll her eyes and tell him that she’s heard those words a thousand times before and that he needed a better compliment. In response, Cloud murmurs some NSFW stuff into her ear and causes her to become embarrassed before slapping his chest playfully

- Cloud admits that he likes her legs and finds the way her hip sways when she walks to be particularly eye-catching. He also enjoys hugs from Tifa since she presses up against him, much to her chagrin.

- Tifa fuckin’ hates being stacked, believe it or not. She’s gotten used to the lecherous looks over the years, but there are still times where she complains about her back aches and not fitting into a lot of her clothes. She has to order specially-made bras from a company that specializes in “unique” body shapes and is often forced to spend a lot of money on them since they’re so expensive.

- Tifa also admits being an hourglass figure sucks because she can never find pants that fit, hence why she prefers skirts. It’s still small potatoes in the grand scheme of things and its the back aches that get her the most.

- Her back aches only becomes a problem on days where she’s not wearing a bra. Cloud asks why she doesn’t go commando and she blushes, saying that they would only get in the way and that having them swing around can and will become extraordinarily painful. Plus, bras can get uncomfortable

- Tifa only orders black bars. Since she runs the bar and washes the dishes a lot, having a translucent top is kinda not the way to go

- When Tifa wore her old clothes, Cloud notices a small difference and points out her black sports bra underneath her tank top. Assuming that it was just another tank top underneath, he gently pulls on it, causing her to yelp and slap his hand away before playfully scolding him.

- Tifa finds the most attractive part about Cloud is his arms, face, and chest, but that she doesn’t really care what he looks like because he’s already perfect in her eyes, causing him to blush heavily.

- When Cloud asks her why she puts up with unruly customers, Tifa explains that it was because she knew that they likely didn’t have anyone or anywhere else to go to in order to talk their heart out, so she offers her bar. If it helps people, she’s fine with their rants. Cloud stares at her for a few seconds before declaring that he loves her, shocking Tifa with both words and how sudden and un-Cloud-like it was.

Inspired by this post on IG by uwelables: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNmRWaiDu2N/

- Cloud’s worst fear is failing Tifa and the family again.

- Tifa’s worst fear is losing Cloud and her family again.

- Tifa has a fear of ghosts, which is a common teasing point for her from Cloud. The reason she’s afraid of ghosts is because she can’t physically touch them but they can touch her, so she’s practically defenseless. Obviously there’s the ghost monster in the Remake but it’s the concept of them that she’s scared of.

- Cloud isn’t actually scared of anything, but he is able to get startled, espeically when Denzel and Marlene jump out at him from a dark corner and he almost piledrives them into the ground

Inspired by this classic vine! https://youtu.be/gJu1xEZEuto

- When Cloud collapses while doing dishes, Tifa and the kidsrush him to the hospital. There, they learn that Cloud is suffering from advanced celluar degradation. According to the doctors, the reason Cloud’s cells are dying is because they’re too used to having mako-enhancing them. Without the mako enhancing his cells, they’re unable to survive and start dying. The only way for cloud to continue living is to receive doses of mako every so often. Not like when Cloud was being experimented on by Hojo but enough for his body to stop his cells from killing themselves. It’s sort of how a heavy smoker is dependent on constant cigars to prevent withdrawal. It’s the same thing for Cloud but he’s not a smoker and he has to take mako doses via pills

- The pills themselves are extraordinarily expensive to create since they’re perfectly diluted so that Cloud doesn’t give himself mako poisoning but have enough mako to trick his body into thinking its doing good.

- The doctor then leaves Cloud and Tifa alone in the hospital room with the pill on a table for Cloud to consume if he chooses to. Cloud refuses at first but relents when Tifa breaks down, crying that it wasn’t fair for them to be torn apart after they finally became happy together. Upon seeing her breakdown, Cloud decides to steel himself and takes the dose.

- It is unknown whether or not these mako doses can affect pregnancy, though neither Cloud or Tifa are worried about that right now, at least.

- For the future though, it doesn’t actually affect their child beyond having their eyes have a faint hint of green.

- A normal day for Tifa consists of waking up early (5:30-6:00), prepping the bar and making breakfast, waking the kids up at around 7:30, bartending late, and going to bed at around 11:30-12:00, though she may stay up late to talk with Cloud.

- Cloud's normal day consists of waking up at around 5:30-6:00, usually a few minutes before Tifa, leaving the bar to make deliveries at around 7:30 after helping Tifa out and finalizing his routes, leaving at around 8:00 to take the kids to school before going on his delivery runs, returning home at around 10:00-11:30 pm, and spending the rest of the night with Tifa.

- On weekends, when the bar is closed and Cloud doesn't have any deliveries, they usually spend the day together. Sometimes Tifa does paperwork and handles finances while Cloud plays with the children or does some grocery shopping. Other times, Tifa is the one spending time with the children while Cloud is outing grabbing more supplies from more dangerous places though he's always back in a few hours. On days where Barret takes the kids away, Tifa and Cloud either cuddle, "cuddle," talk, go out, or watch a movie.

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bbrojenreed · 2 years ago

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Guys, I was playing Final Fantasy VII Remake earlier, saw this image, and it gave me a Chris/Adrian Vigilmaker fic idea.

For those who don’t know- in FFVII the main character Cloud runs into a girl who gives him a flower that symbolizes ‘the reunion of lovers’. He proceeds to run around, and he fights with it attached to his person until he later runs into his childhood friend Tifa for the first time in years.

When she asks what it is he gives it to her knowing good and well what it means. When Tifa asks, “for me?” Cloud blushes and shrugs it off like it’s no big deal, and Tifa treasures the flower after, taking care of it and fawning over it.

Now I need THIS but Chris and Adrian.

…

It’d take place in an AU where Chris knew Vigilante was Adrian Chase before prison.

Like, I’m not a writer, but here’s a snippet/outline of what I picture.

It’d been years since he was locked away in prison, years since he last saw Adrian, but he had fond memories of the time they spent together before. He misses him. Fighting beside him as Vigilante was amazing, sex with him was even better, but he’d never admit that Adrian’s smile was what he liked the most. It’d take 40 years but he swore the first thing he’d do when he got out was make the younger man smile again.

After only serving 4 years and getting shot in the neck, he gets to go home earlier than he ever expected. He doesn’t waste the chance. He knows what he’s going to do first.

Adrian is super into flowers, and he once mentioned his favorite flower was the yellow lily. It was a rare color for a lily which apparently made it special. The flower when given to someone meant ‘the reunion of lovers’ and Adrian said he’d always dreamt of someone giving him one someday. Chris made fun of him in the moment, but the more time he spent away from the brunette the more he thought about the flower’s story. He always thought about how much he wanted to give Adrian one when he finally got the chance to return to him.

When he gets out of the hospital after almost dying that’s exactly what he does. His plan is to surprise him. He drives hours out of the way for the rare colored flower and buys the one single yellow lily the florist has in stock.

That night he drives to Adrian’s apartment, flower clenched tightly in his big hand, almost crushing it. When Adrian opens the door, the shorter man almost passes out from forgetting how to breathe. His green eyes go wide and lips get caught on a word he can’t seem to form.

When he finally does remember to breathe he can’t speak, can’t even put thoughts together, so he just smiles that giant, ear-to-ear, dimpled smile that Chris loves.

It’s then that Chris forgets to breathe himself, in awe that Adrian is standing right in front of him looking as beautiful as the day Chris last saw him. He boldly hands him the flower, never looking away from his face.

Adrian still can’t speak, but when he takes the flower and realizes just what it is, he feels his smile damn near rip his face in half so he has to close his lips around it to ease the tight feeling.

“A yellow lily?” His voice is a whisper.

“Yeah,” Chris says, “I remembered.”

Adrian caresses the flower petals with timid, soft fingers for a few seconds and the entire time Chris can’t do anything but stare at the man in front of him like he’ll disappear if he looks away. When Adrian meets his eye again, he gazes at him with more love and admiration than Chris feels like he’s ever deserved.

Annnnnnd you get the point!

… like GUYS ITS SO ROMANTIC! I can’t write for shit, but I want it so bad😭😭😭😭 also flower boy Adrian is present here and I won’t rest until he exists.

#stupid ramblings my brain won’t shut up I’m sorry #flower boy Adrian is still my precious baby so I brought him back #also like tifa in final fantasy VII and Adrian Chase have a lot of shit in common and I can’t stop the comparisons #vigilmaker #adrian chase #vigilante #christopher smith #peacemaker #my stuff

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axgmented · 1 year ago

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[ 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐇 ] ― sender cooks receiver their favourite meal .

@meteodrives

"And then, the kid tried to push another girl off the swings and I wasn't about to have that."

Rem lifts an eyebrow at Denzel, the underside of her jaw cradled in an upturned palm. she likes this kid, how his face lights up when he tells the stories from his memory and the facial expressions match the tone. He'd be a good storyteller when he gets older. Obviously, he wouldn't stand for that injustice, just as Tifa taught him. She hums, encouraging him to continue and he does, with animated movements as he reinacts what happened. She entertains him, leaning back slightly to take a sip of her cider and her eyebrows lift at the correct times to show her surprise, adjusting her emotions in order to convey the right reactions at the right time.

"two fer flinchin' right?" she grins a little around the edge of the bottle, a breath escaping out of her nose as he nods his head. She sits up a bit straighter, head lifting from her hand before that very one reaches out and knocks her knuckles against his cheek softly, ever so softly because he's innocent and while Rem has an aversion to things that are pure, she finds herself wanting to protect this kid -- him and Marlene. She wasn't part of the family, but the little rag-tag group had somehow wormed its way into her heart.

"dinner!"

there's a chipper tweet from the little birdie in braids, running from the back of the kitchen towards the bar. Each slap of her feet, her braids bounce against those bony shoulders and Rem looks confused. Oh, it must be their dinner time; crimson eyes steal a glance at the clock and sure as the sun sets, it reads its nearly half past six. She goes to stand up, knocking back the rest of her alcohol before dropping the bottle in the sink basin behind the bar. She never throws it away because she isn't sure exactly what Tifa does with the bottles-- surely, there was a place around here that would take the bottles, paying a little gil for the treasure.

"wait, where are you going?"

Marlene stares at her, the edges of those little lips pulled down in a frown as she stands at the swing door of the bar. She pouts, lower lip pushing out and those big brown eyes widen with hurt. Oh, shit. She pauses, sliding her arm through the designated hole in her blazer, and fixing the collar before glancing at the door. Surely, she didn't expect Rem to stay? This was their time; she didn't want to intrude, to disrupt whatever routine they had going for them.

"uhh.. fer a smoke, princess. yer ma dont allow smokin' indoors."

"because its nasty and itll kill you."

"yer right; an' if i ever catch ya with one in yer mouth m'tell'n yer daddy."

Marlene makes a face, grabbing at her throat and making a god-awful gagging noise that makes Rem steel her stomach. Jesus, that was convincing and her lips curl into a vicious smirk. That's right; Barrett would kill them both. Marlene for accepting the cigarette and Rem because he'd think she offered it.

"But.. Tifa made dinner for us.. she made your favourite!"

Marlene smiles back at the brunette, excited little hops take over her feet as she scrambles to sit up at the bar, climbing into the stool and turning the seat to face Rem.

"I asked Cloud what you liked and he wasn't really any help. He said he remembered you buying all this stuff at the market and.. Tifa did some digging and found out that you liked this stuff."

Marlene motioned towards the bowl that Tifa sat in her abandoned spot, shyly glancing up at the Turk. Something stirs in her chest, barbed wire and chains begin to move, slithering like a snake and Rem tightens her jaw. The muscle twitches beneath her skin and for a moment, Tifa fears she's angered the Turk but then notices the way those pretty red eyes well up with tears. Her face softens, with that motherly kindness that Rem's never known; she shouldn't be cooking for her. Rem can cook-- barely, but it takes her three hours to complete a meal that's supposed to be ready in twenty minutes. She's scared of messing things up, wasting the ingredients and having to throw away what she's messed up.

She doesn't know when her feet started moving, but she's back at her seat and her blazer is being shucked off to dangle off the back of the stool. Its kindness, she realises, that stirs in her chest. The reaction to kindness, the thought of being included in something. Her throat feels tight, staring at the beef bulgogi bowl and it smells ten times better than Rem could ever make it. Her eyes go from the food, to Tifa's face and Rem feels like a trapped, wild animal. This was a trick-- it had to be, no one feeds a Turk without wanting something in return. Protection? she had it. No questions asked, mainly because no other bar particularly liked having Turks milling about. Did.. she need money? Rem would finance whatever she needed, the girl was a cheapskate and held onto every ounce of money for no reason.

"whats wrong? don't you like it?"

Denzel was already digging into his own, sauce on the corner of his mouth. Oh-- they were all eating it. Of course, they would; "it could turn out to be your favourite too". Her chest aches, heart picking up speed as she tries desperately to control herself; she's only known a Mothers obsession, never a mother's kindness, or tenderness-- things that Tifa offered, Rem felt wrong to accept. Her hands are shaking and she swallows past the lump of conflicting emotions in her throat.

"n-no. it's perfect, kid. don't talk wit'cher mouth full."

her voice is tight, strangled and Marlene catches on but Tifa gives her that silent look, one of patience and understanding because even if the kid doesn't know it, Tifa does. She gets it because of course she does. A Mother always knows. Rem mixes the beef and rice around, adding the carrots and the zucchini in to get the flavours all distributed. Her first bite has her eyes closed like she's in pain, but it's the best thing Rem's ever tasted. After she swallows, Rem sniffles faintly, blinking rapidly and lifting her head towards the ceiling, as if she had something in her eyes; tears, but she wouldn't cry in front of the kids.

"..thanks, Ma."

#answered;;#I TEARED UP WRITING THIS #SOFT SHIT IS NOT WHAT SHES USED TO

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