#point is. yeah Aerith too that's how much she trusts him. if that's anything?

[icharchivist]

I'd let Tseng kidnap me

Probably

Just. In general

PROBABLY.

to be fair when he faced Aerith (in what /i/ know is him kidnapping her), this happens:

so the implication, which perfectly makes sense, is that Aerith is going to let him kidnap her in exchange of dropping Marlene at her mom's house to keep her safe.

And he's likely ready to do that.

so like. my point is. Aerith too bro o7

[whiitemateria]

salvia, violet, willow, basil

— ( botanical headcanons )

salvia :   is your muse possessive over people or things that matter a lot to them ?how do they express that possessiveness ,   or lack thereof ?

— Aerith is incredibly possessive - sometimes to the point of pretty abject jealousy. Less so with physical possessions; the home and the things you own are replaceable. You can always get new things, but you can rarely get new people. When growing up, friends were something that Aerith had in incredibly short supply. Those who weren't chased off by her strangeness were likely chased off by her mother, and one of the few who she did eventually find closeness with, disappeared.

So, she clings tightly to the people she does have - which may or may not be a good thing, depending on how the other person feels. And if she feels like someone is trying to take them from her, she is fiercely protective. And though she wouldn't take her jealousy out on others, it would nonetheless fester - and she'd likely eventually turn it in on herself as opposed to blaming others for it.

She, obviously, cannot control others - and does not actively seek to - but she can't help feeling as lonely as she tends to and it shows in her fear of being left alone, causing her to hold onto what she has.

violet :   how does your muse respond to betrayal ?

— Betrayal makes her angry. Aerith tends to extend a blanket trust to most people, believing in the goodness in people's hearts, but any real and abject trust is incredibly hard to come by. Aerith is naturally dodgy, avoidant, and playful to hide her intentions; to be truly trusted by Aerith is to be loved. And so, when you betray her, you're betraying that love she has for you.

Something I think about lot, in this respect, is her relationship with Tseng. I don't think that Aerith has a lot of surface respect for him, but I think over the years developed a sense that though he worked for those who wanted her for their own purposes, that when it really came down to it he would do right by her. So, when this trust in him is shattered, she is angry and hurt - and Tseng would, likely, never get that trust back from her.

She takes being betrayed incredibly seriously, and you'll never get the same smile from her that you used to if you do it.

willow :   how does your muse handle sadness   &   depression ?

— Depending on its source, the chances are that Aerith will completely hide her feelings. She's good at it, too, locking the way she feels away behind her positivity. It's easy for her to think on the bright side, and even when she's using it as a means to hide her true feelings, it isn't ever really a lie. Aerith always believes what she says, even when it's hard; there is always a bright side, and even as she battles her feelings, she knows someday that things will be alright.

There are times, though, where she'll talk about her feelings, especially if she thinks it will benefit those around her, as much as herself. Dealing with things together rather than alone often yields better results.

basil :   does your muse have a love - hate relationship with anyone or anything ?

— Yes! Aerith has a love-hate relationship with everyone. With humanity itself, with her heritage, with Elmyra, with ... yeah, everyone. Aerith, in truth, has a lot of rage, but none of it is acted upon, and all of her less than kind feelings are kept tucked away, because much of it is largely out of frustration and complaints with circumstance, rather than any real founding.

At the end of the day, it's always far more love than it ever is hate.

[saanphoenix]

“Why do so many old-school FFVII fans think that Cloud took Zack’s memories?”

Alright, so first things first. We gotta start from the beginning. We gotta start with Jenova.

Jenova is the name given to the alien entity known as the Calamity. “Heaven’s dark harbinger.” This being, assumed to be female because of the body she was in at the Crater, was basically godlike in her natural abilities. Historically, she was able to shapeshift. She was telepathic. She had a nigh indomitable will. And she used her abilities to infect the race of human(oid)s that happened upon her crash site--the Cetra.

Now, Ifalna, within the English translation of the OG, states that Jenova turned the Cetra into monsters, nearly wiping them all out, and that the wee few that remained basically had to be sacrificed to seal Jenova away before she could do anymore damage to all life on the planet. The notes Sephiroth finds within the Shinra Mansion seem to corroborate this version of events, as he tells Zack that the Cetra chose to fight the Calamity while the other humans “hid”, thus being spared Jenova’s shenanigans, allowing them to become the dominant race on the planet, but ultimately being cowards unworthy to be the shepherds of any star, to quote Emet-Selch from FFXIV. Stay with me now.

We also know that the notes Sephiroth reads within the Shinra Mansion do not, in any way, call Jenova the Calamity. They still refer to her as a Cetra. Meaning that those notes are outdated, before the discovery of a living Cetra, a Cetra who is 2000 years removed from her own people’s history. Right? So.

(’Ah, but what about Genesis point-blank telling Sephiroth the truth? He knew what was up!’ Yes, because Hollander and Hojo found out from Gast’s recordings, and Ifalna herself, what Jenova actually was, and then Hollander told Genesis, who then said some stupid ass shit to trigger Sephiroth into looking into the wrong information, and now Nibelheim is not Nibelheim anymore and Cloud is missing one more family member than he was when he joined Shinra. Also, fuck Genesis. Anyway.)

HOJO, yeah? Hojo, in two separate novels written by Nojima himself, states to Aerith and Tseng separately that Jenova 1) will inevitably infect all life on the planet with her “cells” because of the very nature of the Lifestream and 2) turned the Cetra against each other via subtle manipulation and illusions of their loved ones, dead or alive, conceived from their own memories. She didn’t show up looking like the Eldritch horror with the eyeball nipple, she showed up looking like a run-of-the-mill Cetra. And she would further disguise herself as people a Cetra knew in order to gain their trust. And then, after she had gained that trust, she would say shit like, “Hey. Your friend over there hates you,” or, “Hey. Your friend over there wants to kill you.” And thus the Cetra, at the very least morally but probably also physically, became monsters and tore themselves apart.

You ever wonder why everything the Cetra had was booby-trapped and hidden behind riddles and self-sacrificial bullshit like their Temple? My guess is because Jenova made it so they couldn’t trust anyone, even themselves.

“Why did I read all that? What does that have to do with Cloud voring Zack’s memories?”

Because we gotta understand the mechanics of this bitch first so that we know what to look out for.

Now, we have an alien in stasis--presumed dead but definitely not--and a buncha scientists who really want a coveted spot sucking President Shinra’s dick as head of the Science Dept. who all think that taking the genetic material of a Cetra and splicing it into a modern-day human’s DNA will give them a Geiger counter to the Promised Land. Which they want to use as fuel because only some of them really understand what mako is and the others are just fucking stupid. Anyway, my guess is that they archeology their way to Jenova’s still-kinda-alive corpse and do some DNA testing and go, “Ah! We’ve found a Cetra. It has to be one! She’s by the crater, after all, and that’s where some of them were nuked by a Meteor! :) We’re geniuses!” And Jenova, in the Lifestream, went, “GOTCHA, BITCH!”

And through the power of dino DNA, out pops a lot of nonviable lifeforms, some monsters, and, eventually, a relatively normal kid with a flare for the dramatic who will become wholly obsessed with apples and very boring literature that he will insist on repeating every five goddamn seconds. As he was no Geiger counter to the Promised Land, out pops another relatively normal kid who will grow up to have dreams, and honor, and steal food from his neighbors because he was so damn honorable that he just could not ask for a handout.

With Hollander and Gillian’s experiments not producing anything of note other than children that need love and support, Hojo and Lucrecia decide to take a slightly different sample of Jenova’s cells and just start sticking them everywhere. They’re in Lucrecia. They’re in Lucrecia’s fetus. And...something strange starts to happen.

Lucrecia starts to feel the effects of Jenova. Lucrecia’s mind and body start to kind of deteriorate. Not the way that Genesis’ and Angeal’s do later on, but she is plagued by shit like severe depression and fatigue. She falls out on the floor multiple times. Her bodyguard is a little late on pulling the trigger of the gun aimed at her husband and, instead of doing anything productive about her husband proving he’s an amoral murderous fuckhead, she just decides to play doll with her kinda undead bodyguard, get even sicker, and then, finally, pops out a very strange looking baby. In fact, he looks a little alien.

“No, seriously, what does this have to do with anything?”

Genetics. How Jenova cells work. Whatever clump of cells they injected into Lucrecia, clearly different from those used in Project G, seemed to focus more on the mental fuckery aspect of Jenova than the physical, shapeshifting aspect of Jenova. I would also argue that one of the reasons Lucrecia was so adversely affected by the cells and Gillian was not is their mental well-being. Gillian, even when we meet her, seems very upbeat and doing pretty okay despite her husband having died from exhaustion a coupla years back. Lucrecia was depressed and very subservient even before she married Hojo. Losing her mentor--Vincent’s father--probably exacerbated that. And, later in Advent Children, that sort of mentality--hopelessness and despair--is what Sephiroth’s Geostigma feeds off of. That and thoughts of death/dying. But that is more speculation than anything.

So, Sephiroth’s cells are different from Genesis’ and Angeal’s, and they were all three bred differently, but they’re all kinda chimeras of Jenova’s. And once Genesis learns about his origins, it’s like the lightbulb goes off. This guy’s creating clones by infecting his 2nd and 3rd Class SOLDIERs with his own cells. And when he does that, their physical appearance becomes his own. As does their will. Whatever Genesis wants, the clones also want. And then he just grows a wing for shits and giggles. Once he tells his BFF Angeal the sitch, behold! He’s got monster clones--maybe because he realizes how fucked up overwriting a human being with yourself is--and wings, too. ...Why?

The power to do all of this shit was always there. It was genetically always there. They just had to be made aware of it, to have the puzzle piece put into place. When Sephiroth dies, that puzzle piece is put into place. And then he starts fuckin’ with shit. And turns into monstrous angels. And then dies again. And then comes back and finally grows himself his own wing. He did it, fellas. He’s a big boy now.

But we’re not here to talk about Sephiroth--ignore how much I talked about Sephiroth and his mommies previously--we’re here to talk about ZACK and CLOUD.

“What’s up with Zack and Cloud?”

First, what we must realize is that even though Hojo says that both Zack and Cloud are failed clones because they 1) didn’t take on any physical characteristics of Sephiroth, 2) didn’t seem controlled by Jenova (or Sephiroth) and, 3) didn’t exhibit the other signs of a Reunion impulse like the other clones in Nibelheim that does not mean that Sephiroth’s cells, Jenova’s cells, are not working on them.

As we’ve observed in other 1sts, abilities do not always manifest immediately or even noticeably. Clearly, Sephiroth’s physical appearance is a bit of a hint, but Genesis and Angeal look pretty damn normal and, if it weren’t for their mako injections, they probably wouldn’t be showing that much of an increase in physical capabilities. Theoretically. Maybe 10-year-old Angeal had biceps the size of a man’s head. I mean. Pff.

Zack’s tolerance to Jenova was strong due to his previous exposure in the SOLDIER program. Cloud’s mind broke pretty early on. Neither of these results matter to the fact that they both now have Sephiroth’s cells within them--just as Genesis’ and Angeal’s clones had theirs--and that their very wills are now going to be affected by Sephiroth’s. But they are also going to be a little bit like him in terms of power.

Zack’s hair, when ingested by a Genesis clone, a clone of a Type-G SOLDIER, transforms that clone into a monster. Zack doesn’t even have to do anything. The Jenova/Sephiroth cells within his body can just Do That, cause that change in another life form, of their own accord. I’m honestly shocked that, whenever they gave Zack these S-cells, HE didn’t turn into a monster. But that’s neither here nor there. I wanna talk about Cloud.

Cloud has mako poisoning, which the Remake describes as his spirit/soul being stuck between his body and the Lifestream. Weird. Anyway, he’s not fully aware of his surroundings at all times, and he clearly can’t control his body that much. He somehow has the ability to kinda get his feet shuffling, and I’m going to go on a limb and say he can chew whatever food Zack gives him, but most of the time, he’s a puppet with cut strings.

But he is also still recovering from a mind break caused by Jenova cells. The same cells that are just chilling in his body, like they are in Zack’s. And all the months Zack is dragging his ass across a continent, an ocean, and another continent, they and Cloud are listening to whatever the fuck Zack is saying. Cloud is also constantly in physical contact with Zack.

In The Kids Are Alright: A Turks Side Story, Kadaj has the power to not only read surface thoughts and memories just by being near someone, but he can also read deeper ones by making physical contact with someone. Because Jenova. And Sephiroth, whose cells Cloud and Zack have, in the OG demonstrates that he, too, can glean thoughts and memories from others. Because Jenova.

If this power is a genetic trait, as it is with Genesis and Angeal, then, sitting pretty underneath their skin, Zack and Cloud have this ability. Dormant. Snoozing. Kinda like the 1st Class Trio’s wings.

But Zack has a high tolerance and a high ignorance to Jenova and just what he might be capable of. Cloud’s mind is floating in and out at best. He’s not in control of himself. And when you have a situation like that, it is very, very easy to come to the conclusion that Cloud’s Jenova cells are passively absorbing the memories of Zack’s time in Nibelheim. That they are knitting these memories together with what little remain in Cloud’s head. That when Tifa comes across Cloud at the train station and calls him by name and remembers who he is that Cloud’s Jenova cells latch onto those memories in Tifa--as Sephiroth tells them they did--and they knit those memories with Zack’s and Cloud’s and the end result is the man we get at the beginning of the OG.

Because Cloud has visual memory of shit he never saw. It’s not just a visual medium telling a visual story. You wanna know how I know that for a fact? Because, in the Remake, Cloud remembers Sephiroth walking up to Jenova’s tank in the reactor from Sephiroth’s perspective. He is looking through Sephiroth’s eyes, through his memory, up at “Mother.” In that moment in the Remake, Cloud is Sephiroth. He’s not Cloud anymore.

Cloud sees Sephiroth delivering the speech of being an Ancient. Cloud wasn’t there. Cloud didn’t see that. Zack did. That is Zack’s memory.

The man writing the Remake is the same man who’s been at the head of MOST FFVII writing. He was on the OG, he wrote Advent Children, he wrote the novels, he wrote Crisis Core, he’s writing the Remake. He knows what these cells can do because he’s crafted this world-building for decades.

Cloud didn’t take all of Zack’s memories. He didn’t need to. Kadaj, in the novel, doesn’t glean everything from someone right off the bat. Because he doesn’t need to. Only when he needs to learn something else does he go digging. The same is probably true for what Cloud’s cells most likely did to be able to know what he knows. Hell! Kadaj gets punched in the novel and he ACCIDENTALLY picks up the emotions and memories of the guy who punched him. He didn’t want ��em but he got ‘em!”

There is evidence within the OG, and even more within the Compilation, that lend weight to the theory that Cloud unintentionally read Zack’s mind when it came to the events of Nibelheim.

For years, people have wondered, “How the hell does Cloud know that if he wasn’t there?” For years, people have wondered, “How can he use the Buster Sword if he was just a little grunt that used a gun all the time?” The logical answer is, “Because of his Jenova cells. They can just do that shit.”

[silver-wield]

FF7R: Cloud’s hyper vigilance

Since this has come up a few times in the last couple of days I figured I'd stick it all in one place so everyone can see just how differently Cloud behaved pre and post sim cut scene.

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 long.

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. Idk why they’re blurry or different sizes this time, so sorry about that and just bear with me.

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

Let's mosey!

Before Cloud sees the love of his life run through by Sephiroth, he is attentive towards her, which we already knew, but he wasn't overly attentive. He looked to her to make sure she was ok, but he trusted that she'd be ok without him watching her every move.

Cloud turns his head only. Before that he was facing forward and not turned towards Tifa. He looks at her when they're talking, but doesn't move his entire body. Tbf, this is the part where Tifa fell 30+ft and said she thought she'd die for sure, which likely put Cloud in a more attentive state towards her anyway, but after that came the stairs or elevator, so he probably calmed down again. There's no threats between that moment and the sim, so he shouldn't feel the need to become overprotective towards Tifa. Seeing threats everywhere when there aren't any is a very bad sign, so it's a good thing Cloud didn't change after that first event.

Tifa gets stabbed and Cloud's reaction is heartbreaking. He doesn't know it's not real at this point. This is genuine shock and grief. He's failed her. There's no undoing this. The look on his face as he tries to locate Sephiroth is murderous. It morphs into shock when he sees Barret dead, too. He's let them both down.

This is during the talk with Hart before they leave the sim. Cloud was literally just facing Tifa talking to her. He knows she's there. He has no reason to check on her again, other than he's worried what'll happen if he can't see her.

Not even in the office yet. They're in the archive and Tifa's just moved forward to look around and Cloud has turned so they're lined up. He's obviously still shaken by the sim and feels the need to keep her within reach in case she needs saving.

In the office and Cloud again half turns so that he is more in line with Tifa's position. Why does Cloud feel threatened during this point? Because he doesn't know Domino and it could be a trap. Common sense he wants to keep an eye on the person he wants to keep alive.

Things only escalate from this point. The degree by which Cloud turns depends on how stressed/worried he is at that point. He doesn't know Hart or Domino, but he's less threatened than in later locations, so doesn't feel as much pressure to keep Tifa within arm's reach, which explains why the degree he turns by is less than other times.

During the atrium section, Cloud seems to relax a little. The threat reduces for him and he begins to lower his hyper vigilance towards Tifa. The sim event seems like he was overreacting maybe and he doesn't have to keep as close an eye on her. It was all just messing with his head and he needs to focus. Soldier Cloud gets him back on mission.

But that's when he suffers a different kind of stressful event that pushes him to a breaking point and he cries. 

Cloud's stress levels begin rising again with the introduction of Hojo to the mix. He withdraws into himself, but even then he keeps some of his focus on Tifa's position. We can see here he is turned towards her, which accomplishes two goals. He's made himself a smaller target for Hojo, but also he can leap towards Tifa more easily if something happens.

It's during this event that Cloud has given up his position as leader. Barret takes control of the dialogue and later during the drum he gives Cloud orders, which are followed without argument. Cloud is doing the bare minimum needed to interact with people. He's focused on his goals. Protect Tifa. Save Aerith. Anything else is getting ignored.

Aerith's room after Cloud's collapse and you can see he's lined up with Tifa again, while talking to Aerith. It's even more obvious in the close up before this, but since Tifa wasn't visible I chose the longer shot because Cloud doesn't move from that shot to this and I'm not in the mood to deal with anyone trying to say I'm imagining things. I'm not.

This is even more obvious. Cloud is standing behind Tifa, lined up with her. On purpose. He moved to this position before we got control of him back. He's just gone through a very stressful event with the Jenova thing and he's not in a good head space in general. Focusing on Tifa may well be a comfort thing for him as well. If he focuses on her then he doesn't have to think about himself.

After reuniting with the girls and checking in with them, Cloud reorients his body to Tifa's position. The drum is one massive threat and Cloud's living through his nightmares with the medical room and the experiments. The last thing he wants is for something to happen to Tifa under his nose.

Right after the above screen we see he's once again lined up with her position before control comes back to us.

Lined up with Tifa's position again. I really don't have much else to say about this. It's all highlighting Cloud's anxiety after seeing her die in front of him. If he keeps her in line with himself then he can save her.

And again, Cloud turns to where Tifa is. There's other people around, but he's only speaking to her. Only looking at her. She is his priority at this point. The others are along for the ride.

Now, I'm sure someone will try and point out that she's the one driving the truck, but that doesn't explain why he's only talking to her and doesn't include the others. He was facing front until a moment before he spoke. He could've raised his voice to include everyone in a general “let's go” way, but he chose to turn to Tifa and speak to her exclusively.

And turns to her again. This is actually the third time he turns to check on her position, but the times before that were glances back because the threat was in front of them (Sephiroth). He didn't need to turn and check on her because he was already in the ideal position to save her.

After the arbiter battle, when they're in that between place which has something to do with CC with its sky and water imagery, we see Tifa walk into Cloud's peripheral vision and him turn towards her to check she's ok. He only turns away when he asks Aerith a question.

Last scene of the game and even though Cloud is talking to the others and his head is turned towards them, his body is lined up exactly with Tifa's position.

In conclusion.

I know some of yall are gonna be awww he loves her so much he can't bear to let her out of his sight. Yeah, ok, you're right, but at the same time, Cloud is very anxious. He's become that worried about Tifa's safety that he can't help but keep her in view at all times. The only time he's not focused on her is when there's an actual threat he needs to deal with because then he knows where the problem is and how to take care of it. It's during those moments between threats that he's become hyper vigilant towards her, even more than he was before he thought she died.

Before the sim, he was attentive, but trusted she could deal with most problems. He figured either she could handle it or he'd get there in time.

After the sim, he still trusts her, but he doesn't trust himself to keep her safe, which is why he's become even more watchful towards her.

I’m guessing this is gonna go towards his eroding sense of identity through the rest of the game until he shatters and we get the lifestream event where Tifa puts him back together again.

[secret-engima]

Random Clouds and Moonlit Skies verse HCs

-Prompto/Cloud still has some Wanderlust issues, so when he’s about 16-17 he approaches his dad with the request for Cor to help him find a Required Adult for a business idea. While Cor is ... supportive, he’s also very surprised. He kinda assumed Prompto would become a Crownsguard or even a Kingsglaive considering how tied to the hip Prompto and Noctis are. Prompto just smiles and says he can help Noctis more if he does things his own way.

-Some discussion and enthusiastic support from Noctis later, Prompto runs his first delivery to Hammerhead as part of his Cloud Strife Delivery, as sponsored, not by Cor (for reasons I’ll explain later) but Cid. Only Zack, Seph, and Aerith (and Tifa who I have yet to decide when she gets introduced into the narrative) know WHY Prompto named his business that, but there you go XD. At least it’s easy to remember.

-Cid squints at Prompto for a long time when Prompto makes his first paid delivery, an envelope from Regis that basically has a letter saying “Look at how the bby Leonis has grown! Thank you ahead of time for supporting this idea and having all your name on the paperwork even though you didn’t know this existed until now, and yes Cor is not sorry for forging your signature.”

-Cid rolls his eyes and calls Prompto reckless and Cor a cheat, but sure enough a poster advertising the new delivery business is up in the garage, the diner, and the general store by the end of the day.

-Cindy is thrilled and insists on being his go-to mechanic. Prompto takes it 100% seriously and Cid gets to quietly die from Grandadly Pride as his granddaughter and basically-grandson sit down and work out a contract where Cindy will get a major discount on all deliveries using Prompto’s service in exchange for Prompto getting free oil changes and a major discount on various repair services (but not any cosmetic services like new paint jobs, because those aren’t “necessary” for his business). Cid is So. Freaking. Proud. It’s all goodnatured and probably not as haggled or airtight as a contract SHOULD be, but Prompto and Cindy (who are not yet an item btw) trust each other and know each other and so know that it won’t cause any issues.

-Prompto’s business is seasonal, he still has school after all for at least a little while longer and he also has to make time for training with the Glaive and keeping up with Noctis and handling the politics that come from being the Immortal’s Son. So, to start, it’s a summer only business. After he graduates it becomes all year round.

-Prompto is never particularly busy, mostly having a small pool of steady customers dotted all over Lucis (his biggest income are the Hunters who really enjoy having a speedy, competent source of delivery for their letters and care packages to and from home). He also runs delivers for the Glaives, but only on a person-to-person basis. No official “military contracts” upon his insistence.

-This is all actually intentional. Prompto doesn’t want to be swamped in deliveries because frankly his business is just a very nice, profitable cover story for his real reasons. One being Wanderlust and the other being Helping Noctis.

-See, delivery businesses/import-export businesses can get special border licenses. While there’s a yearly license registration fee and a customary inspection at checkpoints, those licenses mean if you have one, you can basically go anywhere. Even Niflheim held territory. Even overseas. It’s basically a passport and a very minor political immunity pass. Of course, breaking crimes in other countries will still be dealt with harshly, but it means you can’t be detained on the border solely for being a citizen of the other side (or for being the Immortal’s kid). As long as he keeps his head down and doesn’t get caught anywhere near trouble, Prompto can go anywhere.

-Can you say “perfect spy cover”?

-And yes both sides know that this is a perfect spy cover which is why business licenses of this nature are usually restricted and the bigger the business the more restricted to different areas across the border it is to keep all the potential spies corralled. But Prompto is a one-man business, a small-time delivery service that mostly goes to rural areas and only occasionally goes into a city. Sure he’s the Immortal’s Kid, but he’s shown no interest in politics ever and he’s off running a delivery business on a motorcycle he built himself rather than, you know, getting any form of formal military training or rank. Despite literally all the warning flags, Niflheim is a Bit Too Busy dealing with other, bigger, way more obvious things then a teenager delivering Grandma Hunter’s care package of cookies to Mister Nobody Hunter.

-So yeah Prompto scouts out stuff while delivering letters and things and may or may not sabotage a few of the more urgent things on the way without ever getting caught or even put under suspicion because he was Cloud Strife The Terrorist/SOLDIER/Savior of the World. He can avoid a few cameras and sleepy watchmen.

-This is totally how he meets Aranea and they become Snark Buddies.

-Also secretly Prompto now has the long-unused position of the King’s Hawk. Aka a member of the Retinue who specializes in gathering info/scouting ahead and in general being AWAY from the rest of the Retinue until called upon by their king. Prompto still regularly stays in Insomnia to rest and report and hang out with Noctis, but outside of Regis and Co, Titus, and Noctis and Co, no one knows Prompto as anything more than Noctis’s childhood friend and the Immortal’s Son who decided to abandon the fancy lifestyle as much as possible in favor of running around the wilds delivering crates of beans to rural shopkeeper and letters to lonely Hunters. Cor is so proud of his boy. Even if it’s lonely now to have Prompto living in an apartment outside the Citadel to help sell the image of a semi-rebellious loose-footed teen/adult.

-Also also Aranea once sarcastically asks if he would deliver something for her and is stunned when Prompto immediately rattles off his rates and the list of things he will not transport (drugs that aren’t pre-approved six ways from Sunday by a legal pharmacist to the recipient because he understands needing a rare prescription but will not risk being used for a drug ring, military grade weapons, nothing militarily sensitive like classified papers, anything alive that isn’t a potted, non-monster/non-toothed plant, etc etc). Aranea gapes for a bit, then slowly points out she’s ... she’s a Niflheim officer. He’s a Leonis. Prompto just impatiently asks if she’s gonna hire him for a delivery or not because he has to deliver that box of frozen frog parts to a wacky researcher lady halfway across Lucis by Monday.

-Aranea, just for the hilarity of it, asks him to deliver some random object to Loqi. Just- just to see if Prompto will ACTUALLY DO IT.

-Loqi calls two weeks later from the freaking capital of Niflheim, screeching about how bby Leonis just walked into his office and made him sign off on a package from her. Why did she send him a spiracorn horn. Why did she use a Lucian delivery service. WHY DOES THE SON OF THE FAMED IMMORTAL RUN A DELIVERY SERVICE THAT CAN EVEN GET TO HIS OFFICE IN THE CAPITAL OF NIFLHEIM.

-Aranea quietly dies laughing, just holding the phone away from her ear so all her crew can silently die with her as Loqi goes on an utter tirade.

[selenityshiroi]

FFVII REMAKE SPOILERS

Okay, I’ve given it a few days since the official launch. I have to give my thoughts on this game. Don’t read if you are still playing through, as I WILL be talking about the ending and some things that diverged from the original game.

First off, this game was so good in so many ways.

I was worried about the gameplay, because I’m not really an Action RPG gamer. But the gameplay was smooth, fun and well planned. I played the game on easy, so I could focus on getting through the story, but I WANT to play the next difficulty because I feel like I will enjoy the challange.

Then there was the graphics. Oh. My. God. This game is SO BEAUTIFUL. The scenery (even though it’s not always supposed to be beautiful, it’s so intricate and detailed and has such a scale and world building to it), the characters, the battle animations, the attacks...even the grotesque monsters look so well done. We KNOW the FF series is always known for it’s stunning visuals, but they really outdid themselves. And, yeah, there are a few texture bugs that’ll probably be patched at some point, but even things like the lighting and the facial expressions and body language...it’s all SO GOOD. If this was a movie they would be fighting for art direction awards.

But the part they totally blew my expectations away on, everyone’s expectations, is the character and story development.

When they said they expanded Midgar they really, really did. But not by senselessly bloating it out. Everything they did led to making you more and more invested in the events. Spending more time with Team Avalanche meant that you cared about Biggs, Wedge and Jessie. Spending time talking to the NPCs in Sector 7 meant that you really, really wanted to stop that plate from coming down. And every time you spent time with one of the main characters, you felt like you knew and understood them better than you ever did.

By the time we got to the plate collapse I actually felt GUILTY for doing side quests and looking for treasure etc. Because it felt like I’d failed the people in the slums (even though, obviously, taking your time doesn’t change the story). And they’d done SUCH A GREAT JOB in making the slums feel real.

Now...before I go into characters and relationships, let me be clear and upfront. I always have and always will ship Cloti. But I don’t hate Aerith. I never actually played her much in the original game (I was spoiled for her death and was very pragmatic in not wanting to waste my EXP). This game is my first real taste of Aerith as a character and not a lost friend, so I’ve loved getting to know her.

Let me get the Cloti talk out of the way, first.

HOLY SHIT.

I’m sure there are fans of other pairings who won’t agree, but most people are in agreement. Cloud and Tifa got a LOT of ship fuel in this game.

From the start, Tifa is the one person Cloud isn’t standoffish around. He tries but within a few minutes of them teamed up in Sector 7 they are gently teasing each other in banter, and he is SOFT AS HELL towards her. Since this comes directly after the opening mission (where he and Barret are openly antagonistic to each other and he barely tolerates the rest of the team) it’s very obvious. As the chapter goes on he also listens to her and offers support and encouragement, which is completely different to the rest of his interactions thus far.

As the game goes on this difference continues, even when he starts to open up to others. Despite the fact that he has encouraging and impressed battle dialogue with Tifa and seems to respect her ability to take care of herself, the game has him constantly protective of her. They also touch each other A LOT (both initiated by Tifa and Cloud) and far more so than anyone else. There are some super charged moments between them, too (the train jump scene alone has enough sexual tension to start a baby boom) and there are several gratuituous scenes of them grabbing at each other in danger and showing extreme concern both physically and emotionally (and more of Cloud being SOFT AS HELL when it comes to Tifa). Plus their optional scene is super romantically suggestive (with the hug and his concern for her emotions and the hints at their shared history).

I could spend so much time going over all of their interactions and little moments because WOW. But I wanna go over the other relationships.

Cloud and Barret have such amazing development through the game. They start out as super antagonistic to each other. Barret doesn’t trust him and Cloud doesn’t care. But Barret is a softy at heart and he can’t help but soften up a little. By the time of the second reactor mission they start to tolerate and appreciate each other a little. But by the time they are fighting to save the plate? At that point Cloud is invested in the Team and Barret knows he’s a good fighter and maybe a good guy. The optional scene (I haven’t triggered it but was linked to a video) they have is such a good one where is shows how far they’ve come (Barret unloading his thoughts and emotions onto Cloud and feeling comforted by having spoken with him and Cloud willing to listen patiently and willing to be part of the Team).

Barret and Tifa have a rather familial relationship (Barret is super protective of his team and you can see this really early on) and their mutual respect and care for each other is wonderful. They know each other so well and are so emotionally open to each other.

Cloud and Aerith start out with him being pretty standoffish and barely tolerating her. But when she encourages him to save Tifa from Don Corneo they start to bond and their friendship starts to develop.

The slow build to Cloud finally sharing a high five (a few ‘how do you human’ moments with Avalanche, Tifa and Aerith and then misqueing one with Aerith before finally getting one right) was so damned adorable and is one of my fav moments!

I mean, I don’t ship them (and with the SHEER VOLUME of Cloti moments plus the increased hints towards Aerith’s relationship with Zack I don’t feel like I’m supposed to) but I am 100% behind their friendship. Also...Aerith knows how to flirt with Cloud and then back off when he’s uncomfortable...unlike Jessie who was well out of order several times. She is cool.

But talking about friendships I am 100% behind and very much grateful to Squeenix for giving us?

Hello Aerti!

DAMN these girls got a lot of moments together and plenty of chance to interact and develop a bond and I LOVED IT. Cloud was totally a third wheel to them, most of the time, and so he should be. Thank you for giving us girls being friends and not letting a man get between them. Tifa and Aerith protecting and defending each other felt so good after seeing so much toxicity spread around by the less stable parts of both ship fandoms.

Between letting Tifa and Aerith spend time together and having Barret help Aerith out of Shinra Tower it felt like Squeenix are trying to spend more time on developing Aerith’s relationships with the whole team. And I LOVE that because it’s needed before we get to THAT moment in future games. Nanaki doesn’t get much time with the others but it’s nice to see the starts of the bonds forming.

As much as I love shipping I love one thing just as much. FOUND FAMILY TROPES. And I want the next game to definitely go down this route for the entire Squad.

As for the characters individually...thank god we finally have the (not quite) real Cloud back. The emo fanon contruction is gone and we have our awkward, dorky, snarky boy back. I love him. He tries his best to be cool and all, but he’s a good boy at heart and it leaks out all over the place.

Same with Barret. Soft Team Dad hidden under a gruff guy who tries to come off as all tough and deadly. His moments regarding Marlene were super sweet and, like before, are such a contrast to his ‘big bad activist’ self that it’s great to see him in both stages and the inbetween.

Tifa was ~chef’s kiss~. A little playful but also a little shy. Full of compassion but not a pushover. Tough as nails, when needed, but also emotionally open.

Aerith was super playful and fun. But there is an undercurrent of sadness and insecurity around her and there is a lot of speculation that she may Know Things. Possibly even her future death.

We don’t get much of Nanaki or Reeve but I can’t wait for more from them (in Reeve’s case, through Cait Sith who got a small cameo during the plate collapse) in the next game. It looks like we might get Nanaki being a proper teenage wolf kitty which is gonna be great!

Team Avalanche were all pretty great, except for Jessie’s outrageous flirting going totally over the line...Cloud was very clear with his refusals but she still didn’t back off and was a step over the borderline of harrassment. That being said, other than the flirting, the team had some great moments. Jessie’s concern over how much of Reactor 1 was her fault and her GUILT was amazing. Biggs and Wedge, too, felt real and dimensional. Cloud building a small bond with the three of them (THEY GOT HIS FIRST TRUE AND BRIGHT SMILE) was so good and made the plate fall EVEN WORSE (despite the possibility of survival for them).

But now...the ending.

Oh boy.

There is a lot of talk and speculation about the ending and I’m sure it’ll be a hot topic until the next game comes out.

There are a few things it could mean on a scale of ‘barely anything will change but this means that Squeenix have given themselves some wiggle room with future events’ all the way up to ‘everything is gonna be totally different to the original game from here on out’.

Everyone is mad at the thought of the next game going in the latter direction and it’s the biggest drawback of the game to most. The one thing holding them back from thinking this game a perfect adaptation of the original game.

Personally, I think that the game is not going to change that much. I DON’T think Zack is still alive (the game was very clear to show us that Cloud still had the buster sword...so much so as to equip it on him during the cut scene after Zack’s appearance, even if it wasn’t his equiped weapon...Cloud probably wouldn’t have the sword if Zack was alive). I do think the Sephiroth we saw could be from the future. I do think the game will mostly keep to the same beats and events but that certain things will change in execution in order to keep some element of surprise and suspense. The biggest of things being that I think Aerith will still die, but not in the same set of events.

Overall, this game was utterly fantastic in almost every way. As a fan of the original I was so, so happy with what they did. The production team should be so very proud of the effort and detail they put into this game. The love they have for the original was obvious in the presentation.

10/10 would and will play again!

[bearpillowmonster]

FF7 Remake Review (Characters)

Next are characters, which I more or less already knew before this but have more context now: (only minor spoilers for this part)

Cloud-

He’s like Finn from Star Wars, Ex Shinra, Ex Stormtrooper, they know the ins and outs of the enemies. He really takes it serious about his money though, in a way I could see why with the slums and all as well as it being an excuse to hide his feelings but I just didn’t expect it. It sounds like one of his battle quotes is “It’s time” and I say out loud “Time to de-evilize!” He has a few similar to Sora too that I like. But I have a bit of a pet peeve...LET ME PLAY AS YOUNG CLOUD AND TIFA $%^*&#@!

Villains-

Is Sephiroth a cross between Palpatine and Scar? “Let the hate consume you.” The other villains such as Heidigger (who is voiced by John DiMaggio of all people) are kind of annoying to be honest, I was bored every scene he was in, I like John DiMaggio, it made me think we were fighting Dr. Drakken, scar and all but I just don’t think we need to see him deploy the enemies every time, it just seems pointless. It’s not a hamper on the story or anything, I mean there are tons of villains in games that are just there and it’s fine all the same, plus we have better villains in the game so it evens out.

Barrett-

He’s cool and gosh dang Marlene is adorable. But Barrett plays pretty nicely, it’d be kind of cool if he was the exception to gameplay type and went full on 3rd person shooter and you could just aim all over the place but he’s still really fun to play.

Tifa-

is a sweetheart. When I first saw her character, it was in KH2 and she was tearing apart this room, punching walls, and kicking down doors to find Cloud. While she keeps the strength, maybe she acted like that in the original but not here. I hear that personalities between her and Aerith have changed over time? Like there are different versions and they act different since there’s FF7, Advent Children, Crisis Core and this remake, maybe it’s just the fan perception, I’m not sure. Oh and I played Tifa’s theme on the jukebox and she started bobbing her head, so they respond to the music you play.

I know doing some of the mundane sounding side quests with Tifa, made them a whole lot better, when I said it helps the world building, I wasn’t kidding, she made me feel motivated like “Yeah this is a life in the slums but she’s making the best of it and I’m comfortable.” I’d say her play style (in Smash terms) would be similar to Sonic, she’s fast (there’s even a speed upgrade you can get) but carries a punch if you have the right equipment.

Red XIII-

They call him a ‘lab rat dog’ but he’s a lion...right? He’s not in it a whole lot so I don’t have much to say about him other than him having a killer design and he and Barrett make the best joke of the game (the car one). You don’t play as him which I believe you could in the original, he still helps out with damage though which brings me to another topic, I know I finished gameplay but this would’ve been a great opportunity to use more reaction commands, you don’t really see them in much of any game any more, they’re like the Star Wars prequels, you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone, there are a good bit of moments like that.

Aerith-

Trust me, I loved climbing rooftops with her. One thing I see pointed out is that she’s a bit more sassy in this version, it’s kind of funny at times. Her dodge could use a little work though I could say that she’s not an experienced fighter like the others yet her magic came in clutch for me time and time again. Both her and Tifa are cool with kids but Aerith and that scene in Chapter 12 was the first part I got chills.

I didn’t do all of the Chapter 8 (Sector 5, where Aerith is) side quests because I did the first few and hated them, those hedgehog pies and smoggers are really annoying, I figured whoever I choose, I’ll make up for it later. Now I’m going to put this is in a context so people who played understand and those who haven’t won’t since I’m not technically into the story section. The whole secret with Aerith is just weird in my opinion, I mean it ties in with the story and is in the original but I had to look that up, I actually thought that that would’ve been one of the big changes they made but no.

What route did I take? I knew beforehand that I would have to kind of sway towards one character or another, whether that be Tifa or Aerith and so on but I never knew who I was going to pick pre-game. I kind of tried to stay mindful of what exactly I was choosing while at the same time just doing it “my way” and see what happens, who I’ll like better. What I hate is that you have to choose before you give both girls a fair shot and get proper introduction because you have to do all the quests in chapter 3 to get Tifa and skip it to get Aerith (you could probably still save it because of the date points but still). It said you have to pick someone regardless whether you do the quests or not so I thought maybe do all the quests in Ch.3 and 8 then go from there, it got to the point where I decided to pick Barrett just so I wouldn’t have to decide but at that point the “point” system was already too high for each of the girls, Barrett’s route was already disabled. The big decision between the two was the sewers which I kind of have to appreciate how that was done. I even made a comparison list because of how much I was thinking about it and whoever got more...you think I’m joking? 

Yeah bad handwriting but I couldn’t come up with any bad things for Tifa other than her trying to be mature, only a few for Aerith as you can see however I actually ended up looking up something that put things in a certain perspective, Aerith saw Zack in Cloud when he was messed up, that might be why she likes him while Tifa likes the real him hence the scene afterwards in the original (plus I think I even heard her call him Zack during combat (unless I misheard, I can’t find any evidence online)). So that means I picked the dress for Tifa, Exotic. Also look at this and tell me that doesn’t fit Aerith.

So those are my ships, I’ll update what happened with them in the story section.

The others in Avalanche, I’ll just lodge together. Wedge, I don’t see why they got Matt L Jones to play him but he also doesn’t do anything so whatever. Biggs is kind of cool I guess, just another hot shot. I’m surprised Jessie got the part she did after playing through the first section, I expected her to be forgotten about after that but no, apparently the remake gave them bigger roles, in the original they were very limited. But Jessie’s pretty cool, my favorite of the bunch and I helped her out when I could but I didn’t choose the “no promises” date option or anything (does that mean I led her on? Is that bad in a video game?) You don’t play as them though, I get that they tried to vary gameplay types with each person and these guys had very similar styles to others already (and you can’t just play as every character you see).

Quick graphics section, you already know they look good, I mean it’s even better than Advent Children (which I haven’t saw much of other than models and screenshots) and that was obviously prerendered CGI but I couldn’t imagine being a fan of the original and seeing these updated designs, not even of the characters but enemies. I was looking at why you can use cure on ghosts and it brought me to the original FF7 wiki and I saw what they used to look like (granted they look cool) but I just never expected such a upscale. It’s something fans can appreciate, and also goes the other way around, I could tell some scenes were from the original and were really improved on, it almost gave me a sense of nostalgia and I never even played the game, this was made with love.

(PART 1)

(PART 3)

[aliceslantern]

Beyond this Existence: New Life, short 8-- Precarious

Recovery is a tedious, nonlinear process. Demyx, Ienzo, and the others living in Radiant Garden's castle have to learn to come to terms with their pasts and their memories, learn to grow, and begin to understand what, exactly, it means to be human. While there is unexpected joy in this, there is also unexpected sorrow. A series of oneshots set after Beyond this Existence.

Current short: “Precarious.”  Demyx finds Ansem wandering deliriously in the rain, and this dredges up painful memories for all involved.

Read it on FF.net/on AO3

----

It was a stormy, blustery kind of day. Wind wailed against the stone of town, eerie and ghostlike.

Demyx and Aerith hadn’t had a whole lot of work that day; he noticed, for whatever reason, these things seemed to come and go in waves, regardless of whether or not it was sickness. Instead they were making a backlog of medicine, jockeying for the limited counter space in Aerith’s kitchen.

There had been a point when this made him nervous, when memorizing lists of ingredients and their corresponding spells gave him intense anxiety. Even just a few months later, it seemed second nature.

Maybe he wasn’t so stupid after all.

“...You seem spacey,” Aerith said.

“What? Oh, sorry.”

“What’s on your mind?”

“Just thinking that it’s gotten easier. That’s all.”

She smiled. “I knew it would. I told you. It just takes practice. I think you’re more of a manual learner, anyway.”

“That what Even says.” Demyx put the capsules in their bottles and labeled them.

“You’ve been doing well with the injuries, too. How many broken bones is it?”

“Too many to count.”

“Exactly. It’s baby steps.”

He nodded, then said, “You don’t have to take care of my ego.”

She snorted. “Trust me. I wouldn’t.”

The wind kicked up even more firmly against the kitchen windows. Thunder echoed against the stone.

Aerith frowned. “You should go home, unless you want to wait out the storm here.”

“Is this sort of weather normal?”

“For late summer, yes. The beginning and end of the drought’s always like this.”

He shook his head. “Alright. Well. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’m visiting Theo and Anya in the morning, just to make sure Anya’s cancer has stayed gone. You should be there to observe.”

It was the first time she’d mentioned bringing him along to something so serious. “Oh… Sure. When?”

“I’ll text you. Now get going before it rains.”

Demyx set off. The sky was dark, almost black, and town had gone still. The normally busy marketplace was all but empty, stalls shuttered or battened down with tarps. He picked up his pace.

He liked rain. The smell of it, the feel of it against his skin. It could be calming, could quiet down the human noise of the world, leaving behind the rest. This was not one of those storms. This was the kind that could blow out windows. Demyx pushed against the wind and felt the thin needles of water as the rain began to break.

The angry music of it quickly soaked him though. He made it up to the postern at last, preparing himself mentally for Dilan’s inevitable lecture about him getting mud everywhere, when he saw something.

Ansem stood, in the rain and the wind, by the railing, his red scarf flicking agitatedly.

Demyx approached him. “Ansem?”

He didn’t turn; his orange eyes stared over at the town, his face grim, stony.

“We should go in case there’s lightning,” Demyx said. “This is all metal. It’ll go up.”

He turned slightly. While he looked at Demyx, his eyes were elsewhere, slightly unfocused. “I haven’t seen such a storm in some time.”

“Yeah, it’s bad. Which is why we should go.” The stare was unnerving him, sending little flickers of anxiety through him. “Why are you out here?”

“There wasn’t weather there. It was all black nothingness, stillness, hell.”

Demyx blinked. “In the Realm of Darkness?” A peal of thunder startled him. “Ansem, I’d love to talk this through with you inside. We can’t stay out here.”

“Nothing is sustainable.”

“Look, that’s very philosophical, but I--” Demyx exhaled sharply, his heart in his throat. “Ansem, you didn’t come out here to--?”

He blinked, slowly. “No. I--no, that was not my intention. I suppose I wanted to feel--” Ansem didn’t finish the sentence. “I suspect I am not well.”

“Yeah? I can help you.” Between his heartbeat clanging in his ears and the wind, it was almost impossible to hear. He offered his hand to Ansem. “We can talk about this.”

“What is there to say?”

“You’ve gotta have something. You’re a smart guy. You’ve got a doctorate in something or another. Help me out.”

Ansem’s grip on the railing tightened. He might as well have been choking him. “I failed. I left them to clean up my mess. When he… when he apologized to me, only then did I realize what they did to that poor boy. I should have known they were using him as a puppet. I should never have--”

“Ansem, doing this isn’t going to help.”

“I’m not sure what will.”

“Please--”

“I have treated everyone in my life so poorly, without remorse. I have utterly neglected the code I swore to uphold. Why is it I deserve this chance when so many have perished?”

This was all sounding too familiar. Demyx swallowed the spit welling in his mouth, tasting rain. “I felt the same way too,” he admitted. “In the war, there were so many of us in the unions. And do you know how many Dandelions there were? Three hundred. Three hundred people got to live while the rest suffered and died. And I lived again and again. You can’t… you can’t question why. Maybe consider that you’re meant to be here, for whatever reason. If you give up now, that’s kind of like spitting on their graves, right?”

Ansem turned slightly.

“You and me can do the right thing. We can help people. That’s why we’re here. You… you believe in fate, right? You can’t see that as not mattering.” He offered his hand again. “Let’s go.”

After a long, agonizing moment, he reached out and took it. Ansem’s skin was warm, uncomfortably so. Demyx towed him steadily to the door, trying to maintain eye contact. As soon as they had crossed the threshold he breathed a sigh of relief. Ansem watched the water dripping from his scarf and coat like he wasn’t sure what it was. Demyx kept hold of his hand and scanned his vitals quickly.

Ansem was a mess, physically speaking; feverish, low blood pressure, heart beating unsteadily. He’d caught a bug, the bug made him delirious, and the delirium made him vulnerable to the pain he could usually keep controlled. It was sad, but made a lot of sense.

“Come on,” Demyx said softly. “We should get changed. You’re probably tired.”

“Things are… very unclear…” He shook his head.

“You’re just sick. I’ll help you.”

“You’re too kind. I saw it in you when we met.”

Likely untrue. “Come on. We’re almost there.”

Demyx was able to get Ansem to go put on dry clothes, and to get in bed. He fell fitfully asleep almost immediately. Anxiety and his damp clothes made Demyx shiver. He decided to chance going to change and get some medicine.

Dilan met him coming down the hallway and was predictably huffy. “You do know Aeleus and I just washed the floors, right? I do not appreciate you tracking  mud and what have you--”

Demyx cut him off. “Ansem’s sick. I need to go get medicine. Can you keep him company for a few minutes?”

Dilan blinked. “Yes--quite--whatever’s the matter?”

“It feels like just a fever, but I--I’ll tell you in a bit.”

“...Certainly.”

He dried himself off quickly and felt a deep chill that only had partly to do with the rain. Demyx texted Ienzo and gathered some of the pills Aerith had gave him, including some antibiotics. Panic was making everything a little shimmery, as was the impact of what had just happened. He could freak out about this later.

Ansem was still asleep, flushed and washed out against the sheets. Demyx put up the kettle in the kitchen and shooed Dilan out of the seat he’d pulled up to the bedside. He felt again at Ansem, doing a little more of a thorough scan this time. It was a high fever, and seemed like one that had been unattended; he couldn’t be sure of the cause, as it didn’t feel bacterial. A virus. It didn’t seem to be causing any dangerous damage.

But the thing was, in order to do this spell Demyx had to feel at his energy, his aura, and you could feel a lot about a person from their aura. He felt Ansem’s guilt and pain pour into him, staggering regret. He let go of it and swallowed nausea. The kettle was whistling loudly. “Get that for me,” Demyx said to Dilan.

“Absolutely,” he said, with only a trace of bitterness, and came back with a cup of boiling water.

Demyx dropped one of the pills into it and watched it dissolve, turning a brownish pink.

“What’s that?” Dilan asked.

“Fever reducer.”

“I see.”

Demyx waited for the tea to cool. The proper thing to do would be to continue tracking his vitals, and try to destroy the virus from within, but the pain was just too much. No wonder, at first chance, it had come poking out of his psyche.

“What on earth happened?” Dilan asked.

“He must’ve been sick and decided to go out in the rain.”

“Your expression belies more than that.”

Demyx hesitated. Dilan had once been one of Ansem’s closest companions; didn’t that mean anything? Before he could even try to explain, Ienzo came through the doors, his face drawn.

“Is he alright?” he asked in a strained voice.

“The actual sickness itself doesn’t feel too serious.”

Ienzo frowned. “Then whatever is the matter?”

He took a deep breath. “Let’s go over into the other room. You, too,” he added towards Dilan.

The private study was a mess. Books and papers flooded the desk, as well as crusty glasses. It didn’t bode well for what Demyx had to say. Rain blew in from the partially open window; Dilan quickly sealed them.

Demyx took Ienzo’s hands.

“So it’s a mysterious fainting illness?” Dilan asked dryly. He leaned against the windowsill.

“Not quite. It’s a little baby virus. Once he gets some rest and fluids it’ll take care of itself. That’s not why I’m worried.” Demyx sighed. “I was coming up from town and I found him wandering deliriously by the postern. I think… and I’m not sure how delusional he really was, but I think he was trying to kill himself.”

Ienzo touched his throat. He breathed heavily.

“You’re sure you weren’t merely seeing things in the rain?” Dilan asked.

“I spoke to him. He asked why he deserved to live when everyone else had died. Stuff like that. I know he was sick, and that kind of twists things, but I…”

“I… I know he’s struggled, but I… I didn’t think he was…” Ienzo sat in the rocking chair.

“What can we do?” Dilan asked.

“I mean, there are medicines and spells that can help balance brain chemistry, but I mean, we really just have to talk it out. Get him to talk about it.” He took a few shaky breaths. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m glad we know,” Dilan said.

“I can probably do the most,” Ienzo said, looking at the floor instead of either of them. “I’ll… I’ll be here when he wakes.” His eyes were wide, and frightened. Demyx pulled him into an embrace, not particularly caring that Dilan was in the room. Demyx could feel Ienzo trembling. No doubt this was bringing up any number of unpleasant memories. He kissed him on the forehead.

“I’ll be right back,” Demyx said. “Keep an eye on him,” he mouthed to Dilan, who nodded in response.

He didn’t want to leave Ienzo, but he also couldn’t be sure how deeply Ansem was sleeping, or how delirious he really was. The tea was now cool enough to be drunk; he shook Ansem gently.

“Demyx?” He seemed groggy, disoriented.

“Here. Drink this. It’s for the fever.”At least, Demyx noted, he had enough wherewithal to do that on his own. “You’ll be okay. Just a virus.” He fought hard to keep his voice neutral, soft-spoken. “The rain doesn’t help.”

“The rain?” His expression sharpened. “I’m a--I’m a fool.”

Idiot. He shouldn’t have said that. “Try to get some rest. We can talk about this when you’re stronger.” Demyx took the empty cup from him.

“I do feel quite ill…”

“So sleep, okay?”

Wearily, Ansem turned over and went back to sleep.

They waited for a while. Ansem’s fever slowly dropped, but didn’t quite break. Ienzo sat on his other side, his expression grave, drawn. The rain continued to pour down. The room seemed dark, misty. Demyx didn’t know what to do with himself. He checked Ansem’s vitals, dabbed the feverish sweat off his forehead. Scrolled through Kingstagram. Held his breath.

After the longest few hours of Demyx’s life, Ansem stirred. Demyx got him a glass of water. “Here,” he said in a tone that was much more strained than he intended. “Drink some water. Keep up your fluids.”

He sat up slowly and touched his brow. “...Boys?” Ansem asked. “What are you doing here?”

“You fell ill,” Ienzo said, with difficulty.

“That is rather… embarrassing.” Ansem took the water from Demyx, and didn’t meet his eyes.

“What do you remember?” Demyx asked.

He frowned. “It’s all rather… hazy,” he said. “I was delirious, wasn’t I?”

“Something like that.” Demyx sat back down. “Do you remember anything else? Anything at all?”

Ansem held his gaze blankly for a moment, and then something seemed to spark. “Oh, dear,” he said softly. “I do believe… I was to do something reckless.”

“Reckless?” Ienzo asked incredulously. His face had turned pink.

Ansem turned to Ienzo. “My dear, sweet boy. How have you ever forgiven me for all I’ve done? Why? I left you there, with that… monster.”

Demyx could see Ienzo trembling, and trying to keep it contained.

“I have not even played a decent role in your recovery.”

Demyx felt like he was watching something too intimate. He started to go to the other room.

“Please stay,” Ienzo said in that same strained voice. Demyx understood. He stood behind him and rested his hands on his shoulders, feeling the incredible tension there. “Forgive me. I am… reeling.” A peal of thunder made him jump, slightly. “I can act as your… son, in this moment, or I can act as a therapist. Not as both.”

“I want nothing more than your honesty, Ienzo.”

He exhaled heavily. “I was told so many lies.” Ienzo spoke so softly that Demyx had trouble hearing him over the rain. “Lies about your sanity, about supposed experiments on children, about your… ulterior motive for adopting me.”

Ansem went to speak, but Ienzo held up a finger.

“And those lies…” His free hand was clutched tightly in his lap. “Those lies mutated the truth, mutated my memories. In dealing with this… guilt, I have been trying to forgive you, to realize now that your abandonment was not one by choice. I know that. But my heart…” His voice broke. “In my heart that trust is no longer there.”

“I do not desire your forgiveness, Ienzo. Nor do I deserve it.”

Demyx could feel him trembling. Ienzo needed him in this moment, for whatever reason, which is why he remained present, but he felt he were being a voyeur, watching something far too private.

“I…” His breathing grew more ragged. “I feel… used. Did you use me?”

“That was never my intention.” The pain stretched Ansem’s face taut. “I wanted to give you an opportunity. You were a bright light in a growing darkness, and I hoped to give you a chance to use your brilliance for good. But I… I should have let that be your choice. You should have been given the chance at a childhood, a real one. Rather than spending it wrapped in matters too mature.” Ansem took Ienzo’s hand.

“Did you truly desire an end to your own life?” he asked.

“Pain creeps unbidden. It is… difficult to fight it off.”

“I don’t want that.” Demyx could hear Ienzo’s breaths quivering. “I don’t want you to--”

“Then I won’t. Simply as that. I owe it to you, to live. I owe you so much more.” Ansem wiped, shakily at his eyes. “I am glad for your honesty. It gives me a sort of strength. If I know what is wrong, I can try to mend it.”

“I want that.” He was crying freely now. “I want that very much.”

Demyx handed him a clean handkerchief. Ienzo squeezed his hand once.

“Would you leave us?” Ienzo asked. “I do believe there’s a lot to say.”

Demyx kissed his salty cheek. “Okay.”

[minijenn]

Keys to the Kingdom Chapter 7

AN: SURPRISE new chapter of Keys so soon after the last one (that I forgot to fucking post alksdjalskdjklad) but yeah, this one’s kind of a lot shorter than I thought it would be, but I do like it quite a lot, so I hope you will too. Enjoy!

Previous: https://minijenn.tumblr.com/post/184403048029/keys-to-the-kingdom-chapter-6

Chapter 7: Promising Beginnings

You’re only everything I’ve ever dreamed Ever dreamed of, ever dreamed of

For as long as she had been able to remember, whatever life Kairi might have led prior to her arrival at the Destiny Islands had been a complete and utter mystery to her. It was as though her memories of her birthplace, the first few years of her life in general, had been washed away by the very same tide that had landed her on the island’s shore in the first place. At the time, the only piece of fleeting knowledge the girl had carried with her was her own name. And for the longest time, the absence of those essential memories, of a home, a family, friends, anything else she might have once known, had created a deep, almost aching emptiness within her heart. An emptiness that, in time, had been filled by new memories from the new life she had come to lead. By the sound of the surf washing up onto the sand, by the way the pale glow of the moon would illuminate the small, peaceful village at night, by the seagulls and sand crabs and paopu fruit hanging from the lofty palm trees. By the mayor and his family, who had kindly, warmly taken her in and raised her as their own. By Selphie, Tidus, and Wakka. By Riku and perhaps most of all, by Sora.

And yet… the moment Kairi stepped foot into the rising city known as Radiant Garden, she knew. This was exactly where she had come from.

The spark of familiarity that had burst inside her heart upon even so much as a glance at the city’s famous central plaza was undeniable. Though the memories of her childhood here were still distant shadows locked away in the back of her mind, Kairi was confident that she had walked these cobblestone streets before. She had a connection to this place, to her home, her real home, and the suddenness in realizing that connection was more than enough to rattle her to her core. She let out a shallow breath, her eyes wide as she pressed up against one of the courtyard’s shorter walls, a hand pressed again her head as she tried to remember something, anything else about her now former home.

And yet… the only memory that stirred was that of a woman’s voice, kind and gentle, followed by a burst of warmth centered around the very same pearl necklace Kairi still wore to this day. “I just cast a magic spell on you,” the woman’s voice said, her image all but indiscernible in Kairi’s practically faded memory. “One day, when you’re in trouble, the light within you will lead you to the light of another. Someone to keep you safe.”

Kairi’s gaze drifted down to the charmed necklace, her fingertips grazing it ever so slightly. She still had no idea who the woman in her memory had been, but she couldn’t help but feel as though her spell had rung true. Because for some reason or another, it had led her away from this place and to the Destiny Islands instead. To Sora and Riku. To someone who had kept her safe.

“Excuse me, are you all ri—oh! Wait… Kairi?! Is that you?”

“Huh?” Kairi blinked out of her thoughts, realizing that she had slid down to sit against the wall. Focusing on the present once again, she noticed a young woman, clad in pink, with long, braided brown hair, her face filled with concern as she knelt down in front of her. A face that, after a moment or two, Kairi quickly recognized from her rather brief stint in Traverse Town well over a year ago now.

“Aerith!” she exclaimed with a surprised smile, not hesitating to embrace the older girl. “It’s great to see you again!”

“Same to you,” Aerith chuckled warmly, returning the hug before extending a hand to help Kairi up. “Look at how much you’ve grown! What brings you here to Radiant Garden?”

“I’m actually here to train to use my Keyblade under Merlin the wizard,” Kairi informed.

“Oh, so you’re the other pupil he mentioned earlier!” Aerith said. “Well, in that case, it’ll be great having you around here for a while.”

“Thanks,” Kairi grinned, glad to know that there would be familiar faces around to help, even in some small way, ground her amidst the uncertainty she was facing in the new regiment she was about to undertake. “Actually, Aerith, could you maybe point me in the right direction to Merlin’s house? I… don’t really know my way around here anymore…”

“Say no more. I’m actually heading there myself,” the older girl turned to head off, beckoning Kairi to follow her. “The other members of the committee will be done their own rounds soon, but we’ll probably still be the first to make it back.”

“Committee?” Kairi asked as she walked alongside Aerith through the calm city streets.

“The Radiant Garden Restoration Committee,” Aerith explained. “For over a year now, we’ve all been working hard to rebuild our home to the way it used to be. There’s still plenty of work to be done, but for now, Leon says we’ve made pretty good progress.”

“What exactly did Radiant Garden need to be restored from?” Kairi wondered, eager to learn more about her former home.

Aerith’s expression saddened at this as she turned her glance over to the castle towering high over the city’s smaller homes and shops. “Several years ago, this world was overrun by Maleficent and her endless army of Heartless.”

“Maleficent?” Kairi interjected, familiar with the dark fairy’s name. “Isn’t she that witch who captured me and the other princesses?”

Aerith nodded gravely. “She came here completely without warning. We fought to protect the town the best we could but… it wasn’t enough. She took over, and Leon, Yuffie, Cid, and I were some of the only survivors that made it out alive. It wasn’t until Sora and his friends defeated Maleficent that we were able to take our home back and start rebuilding it.”

“Oh,” was all Kairi said, even though her thoughts were practically exploding upon hearing all this. She wasn’t positive, but she had a strong suspicion that Maleficent’s conquest of Radiant Garden had been the event that had somehow caused her to be cast out of her former home in the first place. She didn’t know how exactly, or why her memories would have been stripped away from her when Aerith’s seemed to be completely intact, but it made sense, given that it had been enough to drive most of the city’s other residents out. Still, that didn’t explain how she had ended up in the Destiny Islands in the first place, but she supposed that was a question for another time.

For now, their brief travel through the city had come to an end as they reached a seemingly small home tucked away between several others. However, upon venturing inside, Kairi was surprised to see that it was much more spacious than it appeared to be. A large computer mounted the wall on one end of the main room, a round meeting table filling out the center and still leaving ample space for several bookshelves and other collections of various items. She marveled in silent wonder at the almost impossible space as she followed Aerith into it, realizing that aside from the two of them, no one else seemed to be there. Until….

“Ah, Aerith, there you are! First to arrive back, as usual. I trust your patrol went well?”

“Yes, it did, Merlin,” Aerith responded dutifully to the wizard’s seemingly disembodied voice. Confused, Kairi looked all around for any signs of him, though sure enough, Merlin himself soon materialized before them in a burst of colorful magic.

“There, that should do it!” the wizard exclaimed, mostly to himself as he brushed a bit of dust off of his shoulder. “Forgive me for the abrupt appearance, my dear, I was just putting the finishing touches on the training grounds for our soon-to-be Keyblade trainees.”

“Speaking of trainees,” Aerith grinned as she stepped out of the way. “I happened to find one of them while I was out on patrol.”

“Well, what a spot of good luck that was!” Merlin exclaimed excitably as he stepped up to shake his newest pupil’s hand. “You must be Kairi. I’ve been expecting you for quite some time now, though I don’t blame your relative tardiness on you. Yen Sid does have a terrible habit for rambling for far longer than necessary, which I’m sure was exactly what he did before sending you off here.”

Kairi almost laughed at the wizard’s bout of witty humor, though she held it back in favor of maintain the proper respect for her new teacher. “I-I’m very glad to meet you, Master,” she said with a humble bow. “It’s an honor to be training under someone as wise and powerful as yourself.”

“Oh, huff to all that puffery!” Merlin scoffed with a wave of his hand. “You don’t have to be so formal around me, my dear. Just calling me Merlin will suffice.”

“R-right,” Kairi nodded, somewhat embarrassed. “Sorry.”

“Now, now,” the wizard said with a good-natured grin. “I can tell you’re feeling a bit anxious about this undertaking, but fret not. It’s been quite a while since I’ve taken any pupils in under my tutelage, but I can assure that you I am nothing if not a fair and competent teacher. And from what I’ve heard of you thus far, Kairi, I’m sure you’ll be quite a receptive, model student. Why, by the time we’re through, I guarantee you’ll be well on your way to becoming a true, bona-fide Keyblade Master!”

This assurance did the trick in finally setting Kairi at ease. Ever since Yen Sid had tasked her with this training, she couldn’t deny that she had been worried about it for more reasons than one. She had only the barest knowledge of how to use her Keyblade, and even then her skills were minute at best. She was nowhere near the level that either Sora or Riku were on, of that she was certain, and though she wanted to strive to accomplish the strength they both knew, she couldn’t help but fear that she never would. After all, she was already so far behind both of them, weak and under-skilled, a novice through and through. She would certainly have her work cut out for her to even just become competent with her Keyblade alone. But to hear Merlin voice his vote of confidence in her so early on gave her just enough hope to think that maybe starting from the bottom and working her way up to the top might not be so difficult after all.

However, before she could properly thank the wizard for his kind words, Kairi was all too quickly reminded of the other major misgiving she had when it came to her training the moment the door burst open behind her. “Alright, gramps,” Lea trudged into the house, apparently disgruntled as he glared over at Merlin first. “I’ve been looking all over town for that portal you opened up, but I haven’t been able to find it anywhere! What gives? Is this some sort of a secret test or something?”

“No, actually, it wasn’t,” Merlin pointed out patiently. “The errand I sent you on was for the sole purpose of finding and bringing your fellow pupil here.”

“But…” Aerith interjected with something of a wry grin. “It looks like I beat you to it, Lea.”

Lea prepared to fire back a sarcastic retort, though he immediately stopped short the moment he spotted Kairi standing stiffly beside Aerith. “Oh… h-hey, Kairi,” he greeted, his tone quite awkward compared to the cool confidence it usually carried. “L-long time no see, huh?”

Kairi took in a deep breath at this, her lips pressed into a thin line as she kept a cold, scrutinizing gaze on the former assassin. She knew, based on what she had been told, that he wasn’t a Nobody anymore, nor did he carry any further ill will towards her or her friends. But as far as Kairi was concerned, that was all just hearsay. Because when she looked at Lea, she still saw Axel, the man who had kidnapped her, who had dragged her away from her home again, all for the sake of hurting one of her closest friends. And even if all that was said and done and in the past now, Kairi still couldn’t help but harbor some mistrust towards him all the same. “Yeah,” she answered flatly before pulling her sights away from him quite intentionally.

Lea seemed to start at this, almost as if he wanted to say something else to her, though he didn’t get much of a chance to before Merlin intervened. “Well, its good to know the two of you are already acquainted with one another!” he exclaimed brightly, though it was clear he didn’t know exactly how they were acquainted in the first place. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check over the area I’ve prepared for the two of you to train in one final time. Be back in a jiff!” And with a simple wave of his wand, Merlin disappeared in a puff of magical smoke to do just that.

“And I should probably go out and find Leon and the others,” Aerith remarked as she began to head out herself. “They’re usually back by now, unless they got held up by something. Either way, I’ll see the two of you around!”

Kairi almost spoke out to ask Aerith to stay out of nerves alone, though by the time she decided she didn’t particularly want to be left alone with her former kidnapper, the older girl had already stepped out the door. An uncomfortable silence filled the room almost immediately, with Kairi quickly diverting her attention towards a nearby bookshelf in an attempt at distracting herself away from Lea. She hoped that the next several minutes until Merlin’s return could pass in that silence, but of course, the former assassin couldn’t just leave her well enough alone as she would have preferred.

“So…” Lea began, leaning against the nearby wall as he tried to put on a casual front. ‘H-how ya been?”

“Fine,” Kairi answered tersely, forcing both her expression and her tone to be apathetic and unyielding.

“You feel like you’re up for this whole training thing?”

“Mm hm.”

“You really think that wacky old coot can actually teach us anything when it comes to Keyblades?”

“Yes.”

Lea’s coy smile fell as even his attempt at reaching Kairi through humor fell. In fact, his attempts at striking up an actual conversation in general seemed to be getting him nowhere as she would barely even spare a simple glance over at him. So instead, he decided to go with a route he wasn’t entirely used to taking: being genuine. “Ugh, Kairi, look,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he pressed against the wall. “I’ve been thinking about this ever since the old man told me we were gonna be training together, so I might as well just come out and say it: I… I’m sorry.”

Kairi’s frigid manner quickly broke at this, mostly from just how much it surprised her. “W-what?” she asked, finally looking over at him fully.

“I said I’m sorry,” Lea huffed once more, clearly swallowing his pride as he spoke. All the same, his expression was earnest, perhaps even a bit remorseful as he elaborated on his initial apology. “Ya know, for the whole… kidnapping you thing. To be honest, I’ve sorta been sorry about it ever since I did it.”

If you really had been sorry, then you wouldn’t have done it in the first place, Kairi thought rather crossly upon hearing this, though even so, she said nothing as he continued.

“But since I can’t really undo any of it now,” Lea frowned, scratching the back of his neck as he looked down. “I want you to know that… well, I regret a lot of things that I’ve done in the past. And what I did to you is pretty close to the top of that long list of regrets.” He paused for a beat as he crossed his arms, still clearly not satisfied, even despite his sincerity. “Just figured I’d lay all that out on the table before we really get the ball rolling here. So… are we good?”

Of course, Kairi didn’t answer this right away as she continued staring at the former assassin, trying to wrap her head around everything he had just said. In her few brief past encounters with Lea—or rather, Axel, at the time—she had only ever seen him act callous and arrogant and cunning, a personality befitting one of Organization XIII’s cold-hearted cronies. And yet here he was now, standing before her showing guilt, remorse, honesty—things that, even despite her still-lingering uneasiness, Kairi didn’t doubt was genuine. Yet even so, she still didn’t know if she had it in her heart to forgive him, especially when she remembered exactly why he had kidnapped her in the first place. The fear and danger he had brought to her was one thing; but the fact that all of it had happened simply out of Axel’s malicious attempt to use her to get to Sora, to hurt Sora, was what Kairi just couldn’t look past after just a few mere words of supposedly earnest regret.

And she was more than prepared to tell him exactly that too, with all of the honest, pent-up frustration and anger she had to give. Or at least she would have had not both of them suddenly disappeared into thin air entirely without warning.

Fortunately, they reappeared just as quickly, though when they did, they found themselves in what felt like a different world from the wizard’s house entirely. The pair now stood within a vast, dense forest, with large, lush trees stretching out for as far as the eye could see, their wide branches reaching up towards a cloud-speckled blue sky. The entire wood was drenched in silence, no birds singing or crickets chirping as only the gentlest of breezes rustled the leaves of the trees. It was quite a beautiful place, though all the same, something about it felt strange, ethereal almost, and their abrupt arrival was more than enough to leave both Lea and Kairi in utter confusion as to how they got there in the first place.

“What in the worlds…?” the former assassin muttered incredulously as he looked around.

“Where are we?” Kairi wondered aloud, though her question didn’t hang on the empty air for too long before receiving an answer.

“A marvelous question, my dear!” Merlin’s voice suddenly broke through the otherwise quiet wood. The wizard himself was nowhere to be found, something that only bewildered his two new pupils even more as he began to explain. “Behold! Your very own training grounds, created by yours truly, of course. In this magical realm, time stands completely still, which means that you’ll both be able to hone your skills and abilities with almost no time at all passing in reality itself. Its quite brilliant, don’t you agree?”

“So what, we’re just supposed to hang out here, knocking our Keyblades against a bunch of trees until you decide we’re pros at it, gramps?” Lea asked, flashing a sardonic smirk as he called back to the unseen wizard.

“I’d watch that sharp tongue of yours if I were you, my boy,” Merlin said, clearly disgruntled by the former assassin’s playful teasing. “You’d be much better off saving that cutting wit for the battlefield instead. Let that be your first lesson.”

“Excuse me, Merlin,” Kairi cut in, much more politely. “But I’m afraid I don’t really understand either. Exactly what do you want us to do here?”

“Why, I figured that would be quite obvious,” Merlin remarked. “A training grounds is for the purpose of training, is it not? So here, you’ll both have ample time and space to do just that. In fact… I see no reason to not give the two of you a… running start, so to speak…”

The pair exchanged a somewhat worried glance as the wizard’s tone turned rather ominous. They immediately realized what he had meant, however, when out of nowhere, a sizable horde of shadows sprung up from the ground, surrounding them both instantly.

“Heartless!” Kairi gasped, startled as she took a frightened step back away from the twitching creatures.

“Mirages of a weaker subset of them, yes,” the wizard mused from wherever he was. “But still, they should prove to be a suitable test for me to gage the level of your current abilities. So, let’s see what tricks both of you have up your sleeves! And remember: I’ll be watching!”

“Greaaat…” Lea deadpanned as the Heartless began to move in. “As if this whole thing couldn’t get any more creepy. But no problem; this is just a little case of pest control.” The former assassin smirked as he called forth his pair of chakrams, sparks already bursting around them in anticipation for the battle ahead.

“Ah, ah, ah!” Before Lea could lash out, however, his usual weapons suddenly disappeared in two puffs of bright smoke almost as soon as Merlin spoke out. “I’m afraid there is a strict policy against using any weapons ASIDE from Keyblades in this realm. After all, that’s what you both are here to learn how to wield in the first place, correct?”

“Ugh… you’ve gotta be kidding me, old man…” Lea groaned, exasperated as he took up a weaponless defensive stance instead.

“Keyblades…” Kairi repeated thoughtfully to herself as she looked between the pair of Heartless inching towards her and her own hand. Slowly, she reached forward, recalling the same movement she’d seen Sora and Riku pull off to summon their own Keyblades many times before. And yet, despite her own attempt at getting her own weapon to materialize, for some odd reason, it just wouldn’t appear.

Lea found he was facing a similar issue, for much like Kairi, he had only ever summoned his own Keyblade once before. The effort and subsequent lack of a response frustrated the former assassin even further, to the point that he ended up simply kicking one of the Heartless that leapt at him first away with his boot. Still, it hardly kept the creatures as bay as they persisted towards the pair, neither of whom really had any sort of means of defending themselves against them with their Keyblades as absent as they were.

“This is stupid!” Lea finally shouted angrily, glaring up at the sky. “How are we supposed to fight these things if both of our Keyblades are no-shows, huh, gramps!?”

Surprisingly, Merlin didn’t offer a response to this, not giving either of them any sort of hints on how to proceed through this perilous exam. So instead, Kairi decided that there was only one immediate option left for them now: running.

“Forget it!” she exclaimed, pushing her way through the horde of shadows to break through their wriggling line. “Just come on!”

Lea didn’t argue as he followed after her, effectively fleeing from the Heartless as they ran deeper into the forest. Of course, the creatures made sure to give chase, diving into the shadows and speeding after them, forcing them to run even faster just to outdo them. Neither of them had the faintest idea as to where they were going, and even if they did, the woods itself seemed to constantly be shifting and changing all around them, disorienting them even more. Eventually, the forest maneuvered itself in such a way that it ended up cutting their escape off, trapping them between a tight thicket of trees on one side, and the encroaching group of Heartless on the other.

“Tch, cornered,” Lea said, scowling the Heartless down as they both cautiously backed away from them as much as they could. “Got anymore brilliant ideas over there?”

“Hey, at least I had an idea!” Kairi countered harshly. “I guess we’re just… gonna have to fight them with our Keyblades!”

“Oh, yeah,” the former assassin scoffed, rolling his eyes as he held his hand out inseriously. “Because summoning a Keyblade out of thin air is just soooo easy and-” Lea cut himself off with a gasp when, completely out of the blue, his fiery Keyblade suddenly flashed into his grip just in the nick of time. “Well, I stand corrected,” he remarked, a brazen grin crossing his features as he poised his weapon to attack. “Now we’re talkin’…”

Without any further hesitation, the former assassin rushed forward, blindly and rather haphazardly swinging his Keyblade at the opposing Heartless. There was little skill or finesse to his movements, but his brute-force attacks still managed to get the job done in downing several of them, though still more came to take their place in the wake of their defeat. All the while, Kairi simply stood by, watching Lea fight with an increasing sense of rising fury. In truth, she found she was angry at several things all at once: at Lea for being able to summon his Keyblade with such ease, at herself for not being able to so much as even call upon hers, at this test as a whole for proving just how of a disadvantage she was at, even compared to the former assassin. And as one of the Heartless managed to skitter past Lea and make its way towards her instead, Kairi found herself unable to contain her anger over just how unfair ever single part of this whole ridiculous situation was any longer.

“Kairi!” Lea exclaimed in alarm as he noticed the shadow rush for her. “Look out!”

The former assassin moved to take out the attacking creature himself, though ultimately, he found he didn’t have to. For in a flash almost too quick to catch, a bright, colorful Keyblade appeared in Kairi’s hands and with one single, swift swing of its radiant edge, the Heartless before he was no more.

“W-whoa…” Lea remarked, genuinely impressed, though Kairi herself didn’t take a moment to revel in her accomplishment. Instead, she continued acting on her frustration, rushing into the fray with Destiny’s Embrace tight in her grip. Despite how mild-mannered she usually seemed, the former assassin couldn’t deny that his fellow pupil had an odd sense of urgency and ferocity in the heat of battle. Things that not only completely caught him by surprise, but instantly forewarned him that, regardless of whatever he may have thought of her before, she was not one to be underestimated.

All the same, both of them were quick to fall into the steady flow of the fight, their stances keeping them back to back as they rounded out what was left of the surrounding Heartless. Overall, they did well to cover each other, though their swings were largely still uncalculated and unskilled, and their maneuvers sloppy to the point that their stamina was quickly drained. But fortunately, just as exhaustion was starting to wear down upon them both, the Heartless finally petered out, marking the end of their first, rather arduous test.

“Well now, I’d call that a wrap!” Merlin announced across the wood as the pair finally paused to catch their breath. “For beginners, I must say that you both preformed admirably, though you certainly have much to learn in the art of the Keyblade. Fortunately for you, that’s what I’m here for! All the same, I’ll give you both a generous pass on your first exam. And might I add that you two make a surprisingly handy team! Training together will do both of you a great deal of good, I can already tell. And with that, I’ll give you both a chance to rest up until our next exercise. For now, feel free to explore this realm, as well as your own abilities, to your heart’s content. I’ll be back to check in on you before you know it!”

“Hey, no rush, gramps!” Lea called back to the wizard, even though he was no longer actively listening in on them. “Especially if you have any plans of sicking more Heartless on us.”

Kairi almost laughed at this, though she was quick to stop herself, instead opting to let her Keyblade disappear as she turned her attention back on the forest instead. It seemed as though stiff silence was about to fall upon the pair again, but this time, Lea was quick to fill it instead.

“H-hey, so… back what I was trying to say before we were so rudely interupted,” he began with a huff, though his manner soon turned serious once more. “I really am sorry about what I did to you. I… I know its probably not gonna be easy for you, but… I hope you can manage to forgive me for it eventually, even if that’s not anytime soon.”

“…You’re right,” Kairi sighed, crossing her arms. “It really won’t be easy for me to forgive you.” Surprise, and what almost looked like genuine dejection washed across Lea’s face, and though Kairi wanted to revel in that, she found she ultimately couldn’t as she continued slowly, sadly. “I’m just… trying to understand how you could do something like that, how you could drag me away from my home and try to use me against my best friend, and then just… turn around and act like none of that means anything anymore just because you say you want to help us! Everybody keeps saying that you’ve changed and that you’re a good person now, but how do I know that?!”

“Because,” Lea interjected, his tone and expression both surprisingly hard. “Maybe you’d understand if you knew why I was willing to go as far as kidnapping you in the first place.”

“…W-what?” Kairi asked, both confused and appalled all at once.

Lea sighed, running a hand through his crimson locks. “I… I wanted to get Roxas back,” he admitted, looking to the ground morosely. “It was all I could think about. I’m pretty sure losing that kid drove me half crazy. Crazy enough to come up with a hairbrained scheme that, if I’m being perfectly honest with myself, probably wouldn’t have even worked. See, Roxas is Sora’s Nobody, so, I thought… I thought that if Sora lost his heart…”

“…I-it would bring Roxas back?” Kairi finished, shuddering at the thought of Sora losing his heart again. Even so, her tone couldn’t help but soften all the same when she heard the sheer longing in Lea’s voice when he spoke about his lost friend. This was a side of the former assassin she had never seen before, one that she found she couldn’t truly be angry with, no matter how much she wanted to be.

Lea nodded, though he shook his head soon after. “It was a dumb plan. The only reason I got you involved was because I knew you’d be more than enough to lure Sora in. But then Isa—I mean, Saïx had to go and stick his nose where it didn’t belong and—everything just got screwed up from there. Though I guess, looking back, the whole thing was pretty screwed up in general, huh?”

“I can’t argue with that…” Kairi frowned, rubbing her arm.

“Wanna know the worst part of it all?” Lea asked, leaning up against a nearby tree as he looked deeper into the forest. “For the longest time, I tried telling myself that what I did was what Roxas would have wanted. Guess it was the only real way I could justify it all to myself. But… knowing what I do now, I don’t think that could be any further from the truth.”

Needless to say that Kairi had no idea how to respond to any of this. She had never really considered any sort of personal motivation behind Axel’s actions before, and until now, she had never cared to. She had always just assumed he had been acting on the orders of the twisted Organization he had been a part of. But now that she knew that it hadn’t been for them, but for Roxas instead, it was as though her entire perspective on the former assassin had shifted. Kairi still wasn’t sure if she was willing to go as far as to excuse his slights against either herself or Sora, but she was willing to admit something that she hadn’t before. That perhaps, in all her close-minded anger, she had only believed that she was being treated unfairly by having to train alongside Lea in the first place, without even realizing that she had been the one to treat him unfairly all the while.

“Ax—Lea,” Kairi quickly corrected herself, her tone even and sincere as she addressed him. “To be honest, I… I’m still not sure if I’m ready to forgive you just yet.”

“Hey, no worries,” Lea said with an amiable wave of his hand. “I get it. Take all the time you need.”

Kairi couldn’t hold back a small sigh at this. He really was quite hard to dislike, though not even for a lack of trying. “Thank you,” she nodded earnestly. “Still, just because I’m not forgiving you yet, doesn’t mean that I’m not willing to meet you halfway. Which means… I’m willing to be part of the ‘handy team’ that Merlin said we make,” she extended a hand out towards him, offering him a small, if not reserved smile. “That is, if you’re up for it.”

“One thing you should know about me,” Lea grinned, genuinely glad this time as he met her hand in a solid, solidifying shake. “Is that I’m up for anything. Got it memorized?”

“Yeah,” Kairi chuckled, amused. “I do.”

The former assassin’s smile widened at this, though it quickly faded out as their handshake ended and he looked down to her again. An odd sense of concentration filled his expression as he stared at her in scrutinizing silence, almost as if he was searching for something he had lost. Admittedly, his tight focus on her made Kairi somewhat uncomfortable, which was why she didn’t hesitate to speak up and address it just when it felt as though he had been staring for too long.

“Um, Lea?” she asked, tilting her head in confusion. “What are you looking at?”

“H-huh?” Lea blinked, shaking his head as if to clear it. “Uh, i-its nothing. I just… I could have sworn I saw…” he trailed off, his brow furrowing in thought before he shook his head once more. “Never mind. I think I was just trying to remember something I forgot.”

“Oh?” Kairi implored, somewhat curious. “Like what?”

Lea frowned, genuinely perplexed as he glanced back over at her again. “Don’t know,” he said truthfully. There was a hint of what sounded like sadness in his tone, though he was quick to replace it with his usual casual manner as he began walking on ahead into the woods. “I’m sure it’ll come back to me sooner or later, though. For now…” he grinned wryly as he glanced back over his shoulder at her. “The old man said this whole place was basically ours to explore. You feel like taking him up on that offer?”

“One thing you should know about me,” Kairi quipped, essentially mimicking the former assassin with a playful smirk to match his own. “Is that I’m also up for anything.”

“I’ll make sure to get that memorized then,” Lea laughed as he began leading the way onward. Kairi couldn’t help but chuckle herself as she followed after him, realizing that she was much more at ease than she had been in quite some time. When she really thought about it, it was less what the former assassin himself had said that had led them to the relatively stable place they were in now, though that had been part of it. Instead, Kairi quickly realized, what had brought about the newfound fledgling camaraderie between them had been her deciding to let go of her own resentment and anger, perhaps not entirely, but enough to make peace between the two of them. It was a humbling thought to say the least, to make some sort of amends with her now-repentant kidnapper. But for the sake of their important training, and perhaps even her own peace of mind, it was a necessary sacrifice to make, for now at least.

All the same, the thought of just how strange, perhaps even impossible it was that she was now working alongside someone like Lea, who had chased her, captured her, effectively caged her, had all but drifted to the back of Kairi’s mind as she easily walked alongside him through the woods. What thoughts filled her mind instead, was the possibility that perhaps someday, with enough time and enough effort, the former assassin might actually be able to prove to her that he deserved her genuine forgiveness. They were still quite a ways off from being anything close to actual friends, but still, there was one thing Kairi couldn’t deny when she considered Lea’s earnest attempts at apologizing and setting things right:

It was a start. A small start, but a meaningful one all the same. One that she would make sure, above all else, to get memorized.

Next: 

[ciara-shaderunner]

Octopeacock, First Date(?)

“Oi, where’re ya takin me, Flare?”  A very confused Farley calls to the half-drow guiding her through the crowd of the city.  The man in question turns back to her and sends her his most charming smile.   “We’re going on a date!”  He proclaims with a small chuckle and blush as he turns back around, and guiding through the crowd. “W-wait...this is a date?!”  Farley calls out, a full blush on her face and reaching up her ears, she hadn’t exactly been expecting this when Flare had asked to see her before the ship trip tomorrow. Some music practice, a mug of cider, sure… but when did he have time to plan this?   He NEVER plans ANYTHING!.   These thoughts and more raced through Farley’s head, and they led to to how she got into this mess in the first place…

--- Flare HAD been unusually quiet since their mission, and the entire party thought the ring might not have worked, and each of them considered talking to him….especially Farley.   But when they had gotten back to the city, Flare turned on his heel and walked up to Farley without making eye contact. “H-hey...Farley.  Before we head back out onto the water tomorrow… would you come with me for a bit?”  Flare then looked to her with the nervousness of a small girl and it did not help that he was pretty enough to charm a bear out of its cave. Farley actually found it difficult to respond, when she felt a hand push her forward.   Looking back, she saw Gust and Chalice nod and wave for her to go with him.   As she turned back, to Flare, she stuttered out.  “S-sure, where are we goi-  Wahhdafuk!” Farley yelped as Flare grabbed her hand and held it in his own, just like she had grabbed his when they had their heart to heart and gave her the most radiant smile.   “Great,  let’s go!   We’ll see you guys later tonight!”   Flare said as he dragged Farley into the city. ‘Right...so...what do people do on dates?’  Farley thought to herself, coming back to the present as she looked to the responsible for such a wide spectrum of emotion in her since meeting him.  Before she could voice her question, Flare came to a stop and looked up to the building they stood in front of.  Farley followed his gaze and read the sign that read “SPA” among a bunch of other fancy lingo.  ‘Oh right...the peaco- Flare talked about Spas before left on the mission.’  Farley remembered as Flare looked to her with a smile and a wink that made her heart skip a beat.    She didn’t understand, she saw him wink at plenty of people, most occasions trying to score a discount on something they needed, so why did this one feel different?’ “So, are you ready to get pampered, Mon Amie?”  Flare asked with a slight hint of sultry undertone that passed Farley by.   “Uh...sure?  I don’t know what that is but I’m sure if you like it, it can’t be so bad, right?”  Farley offered, to which Flare chuckled and nods before leading them in. ---- All in all, this pampering is just…. a very weird experience to the druid so far.  She had her reservations when after Flare paid for them she was led into a room and told to strip down and put on this overly large towel..  Flare simply nodded encouragingly at her as she was guided into this steamy room she’s in at the moment.  The human that had helped her had called this place a ‘sauna.’  Whatever a sauna was, it was very humid and hot, and was making her sweat. Farley sighed, Flare had to have his reasons for bringing her here, right? Farley’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard a door opening behind her, but when she turned around in shock, she saw nothing but this screen that reached the ceiling.   “Right in here, My Good Man.”  a gruff feminine voice said to… someone? “Ah, thank you so much darling, I’ve been needing this!”  Farley knew that voice anywhere.  Flare.  A gruff grunt was all the reply that was given as Farley heard Flare lean back, and the felt a slight pressure on her back, for a moment.   “Ah!  Sorry, whoever you are!” Flare called over. “Fl-Flare?”   Farley croaked out in shock.  Flare gasped, Farley could tell, before responding  “Oh, Farley!   So they put us in neighboring rooms!”   Flare then sighed in relief, before calling over again.   “So, what do you think of the sauna, Farley?” Farley then saw the indent of the screen near to her, but they weren’t back to back like before. Somehow...this was less preferable after the shock of the happening.  Farley thought to herself before responding back to the question.  ‘I...I don’t know. I’m not sure what the point of a ‘sauna’ is. “Well, a sauna helped you seat, as I’m sure you’re experiencing, but the heat also helps with muscle relaxation and helps clean your pores.  I’ve also heard it helps breathing by clearing up our airways,”  Flare begins listing out the many benefits of the sauna, and Farley inched a bit closer to the indent in the screen.  

Closer, closer... “Lastly, it helps detoxes your body- Oh?  That you, Farley?”  Flare cuts himself as Farley leans against his back through the screen.   Immediately she felt more blood rush to her face, but she was a bit happier, a bit less lonely in this room by herself. “Y-yeah, it’s me.  Don’t move, though.   I can’t see in this blasted steam so It’s nice to know I’m not alone kinda.” “S-sure….whatever you want, Farley….”  a more nervous Flare responded, to which Farley chuckled.   “Are you blushing, Peacock?”  She says, an attempt at teasing the usually dauntless paladin.   “It-...It’s just the steam!  Yeah No I’m completely fine!”   Flare defended himself weakly, prompting another small chuckle from the druid.  “Liar…” Farley says softly, though the hem she got in response tipped her off that she had been heard, not she minded really. “So Flare, is this ‘Pampering?’ or is there more to it?”  Farley asked, to which Flare immediately laughs.   “Oh my dear friend… this is merely the beginning!” “Oh Aerith, what did I get myself into?”  Farley murmured before looking down and seeing a wilted piece of green vegetation on the floor that she was sure wasn't there before.  In fact it looked a teensy bit famil-

“Oh shite…”

“Something wrong, Farley?” Flare called over, his voice a bit heavier as he relaxed more.

“Erm...it’s nothing, don’ worry bout it.” Farley called over, doing her best to put as much confidence into the statement.

“I get the feeling I shouldn’t believe that. Won’t you tell me what’s bothering you?” Flare asks sincerely.

“It’s nothin I can’t handle on my own.” Farley calls back over as she quickly realizes that her and Flare’s stuff was placed aside for safekeeping. Remembering where it was, she resolved to go and get a spare leaf and was on her way out the door when the door opened and Flare was standing there looking concerned, a towel wrapped around his waist for modesty. Farley shrieked and took a few steps back, doing her best to hide her face from Flare. “Don’t look at me, not you!”   Farley yelled over her shoulder as she backed up.  A hand grabbed onto one of her own.   “Farley, what’s wrong? Why should I not be looking at you?  You’re beautiful…” Flare began, taking a step forward.  Farley shook her head.  “No, you’ll think I’m just some freak...you’ll just think I- !” Flare cut her off as he hugged her to him.  As soon as Farley got over the shock at this much physical contact...she realized Flare was shaking, and that her shoulder was getting water dripped on it. “No!  Don’t say I won’t like you!”  Flare choked out, doing his best keep his outburst under control, but by the trembling of his hands, he wasn’t doing a very good job.    “I’m an absolute idiot in most things and what I feel for you in new...but it’s definitely not something I could call dislike! Not ever… I saw my mentor get disintegrated in front of my very eyes, and to this day whenever I go to sleep I relive that horrific moment the minute I close my eyes.   I think you’re so amazing...but to hear you say that you think me shallow enough to not like you because of what’s under some silly eyepatch…..that hurts more than anything else.”  Flare breaks the hug but keep his hands on her shoulders as he looks at her square in the eyes, the streaks from his eyes glistening, even as he smiles for her.

“I will not force you….but know that I won’t run away, Farley...it’s far too late for that!”  He says with a chuckle, before trying to back away.  Farley’s hands snap up and keep his arms there, wanting to relish in the touch a bit longer.   “You and your honeyed, silver tongue of yours, peacock.  Fine...But you said it...it’s too late fer you to run...I’ll use my roots on ye if you try!” The druid replies as she reaches up and moves her hair out of the way of her eye. Flare, to his credit and by his word, didn’t flinch or recoil in disgust as he saw and empty eye socket marred with scar tissue..  He simply tilted his head a bit.  “Your god did this?”  He asked as one of his hands came up to trace around the scarring. “Yes, another reminder of how foolish I was in trying to trick my god.”  Farley said stoically.  Flare continued to marvel at it before realizing why he could even see it.   “What happened to your eyepatch?  The leafy one?”  Flare asked, to which Farley showed him the shriveled up green remnant of her eyepatch.

“It’s actually just a leaf that I use one of my spells on to form it into a patch…a wise woman taught it to me as my journey was just gettin’ started. But, even with the little trick I do, it is still jus’ a leaf, it shrivels up like any plant would in this heat and humidity. Speaking of which...how long are we supposed to be in here fer?”

A deep clearing of the throat brought both the half elves to the entrance of the steam room.   “I trust ye can contain yerself fer the rest of the treatment, lover boy?”  The dwarf woman said, looking accusingly at Flare who immediately blushed and coughed.    “Y-yes, er…. I was just…. Leaving.”  Flare stuttered out before shooting an apologetic look to Farley.    “I’ll...see you when we’re done, Farley.” “Oh...r-right. See ye later…”  Farley says as she hides her eye behind her hair again.  As Flare’s footsteps leave her audio range, followed by the dwarfs, the human that brought her in here came back none the wiser as to what occurred.   “My my, the steam room worked wonders on you! Look at that flush!”  The woman, Aella, Farley thinks her name was, remarked before pulling Farley along with her to a different room, this one containing a sort of bed-like table situated in the middle of it, another counterlike table in the corner with a bunch of bottles with labels Farley couldn't really make out from this distance.  After Aella closed the door, she bid Farley to lay face down on the table, to which Farley nervously complies.

That nervousness quickly dissipated, however,  when Aella began to knead and dig into her back, undoing knots Farley wasn’t even aware she had.  “Sweet Aerith- AH! That hurts, don’t stop! By the gods….”  Farley moans as she feels so much ache and stress she had just been unconsciously carrying all this time just vanish with this woman’s ministrations.  Is this what has Flare so hooked on these Spas?   Even Farley could see the merit in this ‘pampering’, now.   Farley almost begged her not to stop the massage, but the woman simply smiled and said that it was time for the last part of the service, which floored Farley….there was even more past that?

Farley was then led by Aella into a room with a fully drawn and steaming bath, to which she eased her way into. She had found a hot spring or two in her travels, but none of them smelt this flowery. That was a strange bit...this would never happen in nature…. But nature also wouldn’t ease away all her aches and pains like this spa had, so she had to give with her take, she supposed. Farley let out a sigh as she finally was submerged up to her shoulders when there was a knock at the door.   “Er...come in?” Farley called out, to which the doors swung open to reveal Aella carrying a deep green length of fabric. When Farley asked what that was for, the aide simply smiled.   “The gentleman you came in with requested I bring this to you at once.   ‘She’ll know what to do with it,’  is what he said.”

Farley took the fabric, which when she was feeling it felt like a heavy silk, inside the folds Farley found a note with a flowery script.   “This should last until we can find you a more….permanent solution to your problem, Farley.” With Regards   Like-Like, Flare.

Farley felt another blush coming on as she read the note a few more times, but she couldn’t help but smile at his edit, she didn’t even know why. It just brought her joy to see him correcting himself like that.

After placing the note aside for safekeeping, she took the silk back into her hands.  It had been awhile since she had to tie a knot, especially since she hadnt had to snare an animal in weeks, but after a bit Farley managed to tie a makeshift bandana around her head and right eye.   Despite how heavy the material felt, it actually let air circulate nicely, it wasn’t noticeably stuffy.   Though, now that it was in front of her face, she could see small tear marks.     ‘That fool tore one of his outfits to give me this?!  Of all the foolish things for that pacock to do!  She’d have to scold him for that later...she didn’t want him ruining his outrageous outfits for her comfort! She couldn’t possibly be that selfish, that’s where she had to draw the line and put her foot down!

Still…. It was nice of him to do, she supposed.

[icharchivist]

Time to wonder if other characters that this blog enjoys could solve the Kira murders

Belial would win. He's the archangel of cunning

Tbh I believe that Siete could do it too. Especially considering Siete isn't his real name, right

They're both gonna outplay Light tbh. Siete for the good of mankind, Belial for his own amusement

Lu Woh could be difficult, I can see it going either way. But he is a clever boy and he is technically kind of immortal, so

Not sure if Sandalphon could solve them, but he would murder Kira

Lucilius would solve them immediately and not tell anyone, because he doesn't care

Do you have thoughts about the FF VII gang in this regard?

ohmygo--

i think you're right, yeah. though also it's easy when most of the characters we discuss are immortal. or Siete.

But i don't even know for the humans characters like say, the dragon knight squad. I feel like only Siegfried would figure out who Kira is and would survive because he always covers his face when he's investigating. I feel like Aglovale and Tor would figure out who Kira is but i don't think they'd survive it, especially with Aglovale being a public figure. Lamorak COULD discover who Light is but he'd try to fix him and offer his help and honestly that's the worst type of options. all the rest i feel would either not figure him out or would easily get killed while trying to find him.

As for the FF7 gang, that's an interesting one. I genuinely don't think most of them could figure it out in general, but they might survive it out of sheer luck. that said they'd help one another so while the surviving odds are low, if one of them figure it out the rest will carry out the revenge if needed.

My exceptions in term of specifics:

-Reeve will figure it out and will survive. He's smart, he knows where to dig, and he hides himself when he's investigating by going under cover under his robot fursona that can't be killed. Genuinely he's the one person i'd trust with catching Kira if he doesn't do an overdose out of caffeine drinks.

-Aerith might figure it out, might not survive, but would find a way to bring Kira down with her. Not really because of investigation reasons but because Aerith can feel when people die and return to the Lifestream and can feel their departing thoughts, so if Kira kills people who have him figured out she may end up learning about it, or she could drive conclusions from the killing patterns. But her name is easily known so if she gets exposed it's over, but i feel like Kira would be blindsided by her and how sweet she looks when she can be cutthroat. And if Aerith gets killed i believe in her ability to influence people to avenge her and/or to fuck Light up in the Lifestream if she has to.

-Vincent might not figure it out unless he has help, but he will survive. He's immortal and fate loves to make him suffer and outlive everyone he loves, so this would be a mess for him. But i don't think he'd manage to get through without help. Hell in his own game Reeve is the one constantly helping him figuring things out DLKJDLKFJ Vincent would NOT do it on his own. Not to mention he usually only investigate things in his area of expertise and i don't think he'd invest himself too much into the case to start with.

-Red XIII/Nanaki will survive, unsure he'd figure it out alone. Might depend exactly at which point you take him from his personal journey because he specifically starts out the game refusing to go by his birthname and letting anyone call him whatever the fuck they want. He still have a strong attachement to his birthname so it's not a case of "new name will override the birth name", esp when he let anyone call him anything. That said late game might be trickier since it's when he reclaims his birthname and make sure everyone knows about it, even if he still lets his friends call him Red. so it may depend. But yeah i don't think he'd investigate alone, and he probably wouldn't be interested with figuring it out if not for his friends asking, so there's that too.

-The Turks would survive by virtue of the fact none of their names are their birthname and those are codenames to start with (it's why in Before Crisis, the game focusing on the Turks all of them are actually refered to by their weapon of choices, or why Cissnei (who goes by Shuriken in BC) also talks about wanting to tell her real name to Zack one day.) But in term of who would figure it out i only really trust Tseng. Though it's not like the rest aren't smart, but they can get easily distracted.

-Sephiroth will not care to figure it out unless Kira starts to get in his way, but i feel like he can use Jenova to try to get to know who it is if he does get in his way -- and probably would try to secure Kira at his sides if not killing him right away. And he would survive out of pure "this guy can't fucking die" energy.

Everyone else i think would not figure it out alone, nor would survive if exposed, and all they can really rely on is on being stealthy but aside from Cloud refusing to talk about himself, all of them either got caught doing things before or are just too loud to not be caught.

so yeah this is my final take--

thank you for asking ;3c

[leonawriter]

Second Chances

Read it on AO3

Fandom: Final Fantasy VII

Characters: Cloud, Shelke, Genesis, various others.

Summary: Following on from First Encounters, Shelke helps bring certain things to light about their new acquaintance. When Cloud finally finds him again, his attempts at getting answers are less than fruitful.

Written for @strifesodosweek, though this one’s mainly platonic again.

...

It happens while Genesis is away, and no one knows where he's gone. It isn't the first time that's happened, and they weren't too bothered about it, because everyone had things they didn't want to talk about, something that Cloud understood more than most.

It's one of those rare occasions when there's more people around than there aren't, too, which he'd be suspicious of if it weren't for how sometimes, that's just how things are. 

Vincent's talking to Tifa, Yuffie's stroking Nanaki's mane, and Cid's taking a drag of a cigarette by the door when Shelke comes walking in, looking vaguely uncomfortable and saying that she had 'information that she believed that everyone present might benefit from'.

...

"The man who is now staying here, I believe that he is the one that Deepground referred to as 'G'," she continues as soon as everyone is settled down. "He introduced himself to Cloud as a SOLDIER First Class, am I correct?"

Cloud nods. He doesn't look her in the eye.

"G... as we now know him, 'Genesis', was the origin of Deepground, in many ways, according to all of the information I was able to obtain on the matter, and the one whose cells were used in order to create the Tsviets. Shinra seems to have made extensive attempts to delete his existence from history, so what I was able to find was... at times inadequate, and often inconclusive, but does point to the indubitable fact that the Genesis we know may be the very same as the SOLDIER who despite Shinra's efforts, will agree caused a considerable amount of damage and loss of life up until some years ago."

It took effort for Cloud to not let the ringing in his ears overtake him, to keep listening to what was being said, to not grip the table so hard that Tifa was going to have to get a new one.

Tifa sighs, and he looks up, to see her sharing a look with Cid, who looks grim, but...

"Yeah, I figured as much," the man says. "I mean, with a name like that? There's only so many in the world, y'know? And damn, but I was around in those days - they can pretend it didn't happen as much as they like, but the Genesis war was a thing, and people tend to talk when there's something going on like a SOLDIER gone rogue. All hush-hush of course, but what wasn't."

His head- his head... 

The world flashed green, just for a split second, enough to put him off balance.

A voice-

You were a test subject in Hojo's new experiment. 

The monster has been harvested, and can be discarded.

"...thought I knew him from somewhere."

Tifa's voice snapped him free, but he still felt the sweat on the back of his neck. Her words registered to him only vaguely, as he tried to remember how to breathe again.

"Cloud?"

He shakes his head. 

"I'm fine," he says. Vincent doesn't look much like he believes him any more than Tifa does, but the last thing he wants right now is for them to start fussing over him, when they have bigger problems at hand than whatever his memories are up to this time. He's thankful when they just let the matter drop.

"Like I was saying, I thought I knew him from somewhere. His face seemed familiar, you know? And his name, somehow."

"So this guy waltzes in here like he doesn't expect anyone's gonna remember him, is that it?"

"I don't know, something about this seems-"

"He saved Raye and Este before I could get to them," Cloud cuts in, his eyes still squarely on the surface of the table and no one and nothing else. It's almost as though he's hearing someone else speak, and doesn't know whether to hate himself for speaking up for the person he didn't know if he could trust any longer, or feel relieved that he was saying it at all. "If all anyone's got is incomplete data and rumours," including me, he added silently, even now, I wouldn't rely on anything I remember from back then unless someone else is able to back it up, "then... even if nothing else... we can't judge him like that until we know everything."

When he eventually looks back up, Shelke's eyes are on her hands, crossed on her lap.

"I merely thought that additional information would be useful," she said. "Especially if something came up where a lack of prior knowledge would have caused further divisions."

...

Genesis doesn't return for several days, and it's long enough for some of the others to start wondering if he'd merely been toying with them, stringing them along, using their hospitality.

Cloud doesn't know what to think, and he doesn't really know what he wants to think, either. The two images in his head - that of the man who saved a couple of kids and their dog just because he was there, and that of someone who'd had a war named after him - clashed, irreconcilable.

He finds that his feet are taking him to the church in Sector Five, and wonders what Aerith would make of all this. What Zack would make of it.

The last thing he expects to find in the church are black feathers. His heart stops, hand going for his sword - the last time he had seen feathers like these... it hadn't been here, but Loz had been here, and fought Tifa, too.

A quick scan of the rest of the church suggested that there hadn't been another fight here, that nothing was out of place, that the pool of water that Aerith had called down that cured Geostigma was still as it should be. 

He finally sees the source of the feathers when he looks up to check that the Buster Sword is still in its place, and he feels himself go cold at the sight.

The wing was on the wrong side. Misshapen, compared to Sephiroth's. 

Instead of silvery-white hair falling straight down, the owner's hair was red, and fell over black and red leather, what little could be seen from behind, and with the way that the winged man was hunched over.

Cloud puts one foot in front of the other, and sees Genesis - because there's no one else it could be, no matter how much he wishes it wasn't - tense at the sound. 

"Shelke told us a few things," he says as he walks. "And we figured out a few other bits by ourselves."

He pauses several feet away, but Genesis still hasn't risen from the pew. He hasn't even turned to face him. A nervous tension pools in Cloud's stomach at the idea of Genesis, who had been unarmed the last he knew, taking Buster Sword and using it to turn on them all.

"What are you even doing here?"

When Loz had come, it was supposedly to find him, although he'd taken to fighting Tifa and stealing their materia. He had no such understanding of this man's motives. Not anymore, at least, if he ever had.

"My soul, corrupted by vengeance, hath endured torment... to find the end of the journey in my own salvation and your eternal slumber." Genesis let the church echo for a few moments before saying anything else, the words ringing familiar to Cloud, but not explaining anything. "I came to pay my respects, of course."

The wing shook itself out slightly, before settling down again.

"You knew Zack," he says, and it isn't a question. It's the only thing that fits.

"I... suppose you could say that."

Genesis says it in such a way that Cloud knows there's more to it, that it's complicated, and he wants to take the man by that stupid coat of his, and shake him until his feathers fall out along with some answers.

But he doesn't. Because Aerith's flowers aren't that far away, and he knew better than any that her presence still hadn't truly left them. There'd already been enough fighting in this place.

"I spoke up for you," Cloud hears himself saying. "I thought you deserved a chance."

Perhaps some part of him had intended it to come out as anything other than confrontational, but if it did, then it failed - it sounds like nothing more than an accusation.

"All in all, a terrible decision, really," Genesis says flatly. "I could list off any number of reasons why you and everyone else I've come into contact with should hate me." Something about the way he said it gave Cloud no doubt about that, either. "Unfortunately for you, however, I have promises to keep, and none of them include dying any time soon."

Genesis stands, and the wing stretches out as the man sorts himself out, head tilting up, as though attempting to judge the size of and distance to the hole in the roof.

"Promises?" Cloud asks, reaching for something, anything, to help him understand. "What sort of promises?"

"Nothing you need to worry yourself over, Cloud."

Genesis' head tilted, and Cloud wondered why hearing this man say his name already felt so different from when Sephiroth had  - there was something similar but off that he couldn't quite put his finger on. 

Then again, that was Genesis all over, it seemed. Full of contradictions, constantly shifting. Like fire.

The wing flaps once, and before Cloud can react to say or do anything else, Genesis is gone, leaving a trail of feathers floating down in his wake. 

He walks over to where the man had been, half expecting to see something there, some kind of trap, but finds nothing.

There is, however, a single Banora White apple sitting on top of a few black feathers in front of the Buster Sword, and Cloud almost thinks that he can feel a memory on the tip of his tongue before it disappears on him, like a whisper on the wind.

Zack... I hope I made the right decision. 

A single feather fell onto the water's surface as he walked back to the open doors, creating ripples as the wind blew it this way and that.

...

AN: I don't often write about 'how do the gang find out about Genesis' past', but I do feel like it should ideally be handled really carefully, and yeah, if people hadn't thought about it and then it comes up later, then there are going to be issues there. 

Timeline-wise, I'd also put this as before 'Spar With Me', which gives an idea that things do indeed get better.

[liberifatalis]

i dont know if this is allowed but u said we could still send in asks if were unsure ?? i really love ff7 and ff15 and i was wondering if u had any headcanons of who in those games would get along the best n worst? Im sorry if this js against the rules x

Yeah, you can still send in requests if you’re unsure if it conflicts with the rules or not! This doesn’t really conflict with the rules so I’d be happy to give you some headcanons on this, but I don’t have that much.

Instead of just doing the main FFVII game, I’ll do the entire series (excluding Before Crisis), since that means there are more characters to choose from!

SFW under the cut. 

Gladio gets along with Angeal the best. I’m not even gonna lie, as soon as I saw trailers for FFXV, I was immediately reminded of Angeal when I saw Gladio. In an alternate world, the two of them are definitely related…no doubt about that.

But it’s not just because they look similar. Their personalities are very complimenting of each other, too. I think Gladio would really respect Angeal’s views on honour. I can see the both of them training or sparring together, and Angeal would definitely bring Gladio into the training room while the 2nd classes were out.

There’d be a lot of playful banter and name-calling between these two. Angeal always makes fun of Gladio for never passing up the chance to flirt with the ladies, even though his pickup lines never really work, and Gladio finds it funny that a guy like Angeal is really gentle and into gardening.

And yes, Gladio always points out that his sword is bigger than Angeal’s, if you know what I mean.

Gladio would also really get along with Zack Fair, Barret Wallace, Tifa Lockhart, and maybe even Reno and Rude. He’d get along the least with Sephiroth, Genesis Rhapsodos, Vincent Valentine, and Cloud Strife (sort of, they’d have some conflict but not too much).

Prompto gets along with Zack and Yuffie the best, and the three of them are often seen together. At first, he was a bit freaked out by Yuffie, since she was rummaging through his stuff, and when he asked her what she was doing, she just pointed at him and said: “You better not be hiding my materia, spikey!”

Zack and Prompto are kinda like the two fun older brothers to Yuffie, and all three of them are usually joking around together or playing games. Yuffie brings them on her materia hunting missions a lot and some of the places she brings them are beautiful, so Prompto actually has fun because he gets to take photos!

Prompto gets along with Zack because he likes that he’s full of energy and always positive. He knows Zack will always be there for him when he needs a shoulder to lean on, or when he just wants to play around and be silly.

Prompto gets along with Yuffie because she’s also full of energy, and she never puts on an act—she’s not afraid of being herself, and she’s extremely confident (a bit cocky, too). He really likes all the nicknames Yuffie gives him, and he likes how he’s never bored around her.

I can really see these three being good friends. Yuffie and Zack would always make Prompto smile, and they’d just be so much fun to be around, and Prompto would feel really valued with them.

Prompto would also really get along with Cloud Strife, Angeal Hewley, and Aerith Gainsborough. He’d get along the least with all of The Turks (especially Reno, he’s an ass), Sephiroth, Genesis Rhapsodos, Cid Highwind, and Vincent Valentine.  

Noctis gets along with Zack Fair the best. A lot of people would assume he’d get along with Cloud, but I disagree, because Cloud’s really closed off and can be hard to talk to at times. Zack’s an open book and brings out the good in a lot of people, and he kind of reminds Noctis of Prompto at times.

He loves how Zack is always energetic and having fun, and there’s a lot of playful teasing and inside jokes between the two. He also loves how he can talk to Zack about anything, whether it makes sense or not, and Zack will always be open-minded.

Noctis hates Zack’s flirting though, since he gets enough of that with Gladio. He really doesn’t understand how Zack is actually successful in his attempts to flirt with women, because to him, it’s just hilarious and embarrassing. He rolls his eyes whenever he hears Zack use: “Did it hurt? …When you fell from heaven?”—because he’s heard it about a million times by now. Shit gets old real fast, Zack.

I can definitely see Zack, Prompto and Noctis being a golden trio or something. Those three would get along so well together, and Prompto and Zack together would just be…so much sunshine, and Noctis couldn’t help but getting a lot more dorkier when they’re both around.

Noctis would also get along with Vincent Valentine, Aerith Gainsborough, Yuffie Kisaragi, Angeal Hewley, Reeve Tuesti, and maybe Barret Wallace. He’d hate Sephiroth and Genesis Rhapsodos, and he’d really dislike all of The Turks (especially Reno, again, because I can definitely picture Reno being a cheeky little shit and making fun of Noctis all the time).

Ignis gets along with Vincent Valentine and CrisisCore!Sephiroth the best (yes, I know this is cheating, but still).

Vincent is a reserved guy who’s quiet for most of the time, which Ignis can deeply appreciate, but he’s also interesting to talk to and trustworthy, and he cares for others. Vincent is mature, as well, and I can see the two of them having a lot of conversations together and respecting each other.

CrisisCore!Sephiroth would also bond with Ignis, in my opinion. The two of them are both composed, and have a professional demeanor, but I can picture them both joking around with each other (of course, that’s in their own way—Sephiroth has a very dry sense of humour and Ignis is pretty witty and sarcastic, and they can both appreciate that about each other).

Since Ignis and Sephiroth are both really intelligent, I can see them having a lot of conversations about serious topics, and learning things from each other. They’re both well-spoken, calm and collected, and I see Sephiroth respecting Ignis a lot, and the other way around, too.

The relationship that Ignis would develop with Vincent and CrisisCore!Sephiroth would be a very mature one, full of mutual respect and trust. It would be very different to the relationship we see him having with Noctis, Prompto and Gladio—but it would still be one he’d treasure.  

Ignis would also get along with Reeve Tuesti, Cloud Strife, Zack Fair, Angeal Hewley, Tifa Lockhart, and Aerith Gainsborough. He wouldn’t get along with Yuffie Kisaragi, The Turks, Genesis Rhapsodos, and of course, he’d hate current Sephiroth.

[silver-wield]

What's your thoughts on when the plate falls and Cloud went to go help Tifa?

My thoughts or my analysis? Cause you’re getting the latter anyway lol I love doing action analysis, there’s so much happening and getting the chance to slow it down is great for getting a fuller picture.

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 long.

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.

Other analyses if anyone’s interested.

Shinra HQ vision scene (Cloti/plot analysis) 

Chapter 3 (Cloti reblog) 

Tifa character analysis 

Aerith Resolution (plot analysis/theory – I should probably update this since I’ve had other ideas since then) 

Train graveyard (not really an analysis, but I got some sweet screenshots of Cloti) 

Clotiscrew tunnel analysis 

Cloti reunion analysis 

The Promise Analysis 

Andrea’s approval (Cloti ask response) 

Leslie analysis (not mine, but a good read) 

Cloti action touching 

Aerti friendship analysis 

Cloti body language chapter 3 

Cloti healthy disagreement 

Cloti post heliboss battle (chapter 15) 

Clerith playground scene 

Now, strap in and enjoy the ride.

Recap time!

This is a 6m scene I'm going over, so I'm gonna skip anything not directly relevant or I'll be here all night lol

So despite our brave heroes best efforts the plate is coming down. We get a power slide from Rude, a call from Tseng (who times it so perfectly was he watching?) and some cloti.

First thing we see if Tifa looking distraught. She has no idea how to stop the plate from coming apart and from the way she's looking at this consol wouldn't know what to do even if she could work the computer. They were so close to winning and now defeat is about to stomp all over them and kill everyone she loves. Tifa is someone whose driven by the desire for those she loves to be safe no matter what. This is a crushing moment for her.

Murderous Cloud is murderous (and kinda hot). I mean, we know he's got very little reservations about killing people in cold blood because he's SOLDIER!Cloud when it comes to a fight, but I do like the deadly intent we see on his face at different points in the game. He looked at Johnny a bit like this back in chapter 3 and now he's looking at Reno the same way. He means business.

And then he doesn't because Tifa's in trouble and we all know Real!Cloud prioritises Tifa's safety above everything else. That's not me saying he's no longer SOLDIER!Cloud, but the difference between the last screen and this is that he was fully in that badass merc mode about to kill Reno because it's what badass mercs do, whereas this is Real!Cloud urging him to refocus all that skill he's got into protective ability and go save the woman he loves.

I get some people might not see the distinction between the two personas, but it's actually really easy when you break it down. If it's about Tifa then Real!Cloud is gonna push for dominant action to keep her safe. If it's any other situation then he's just gonna let SOLDIER!Cloud do what he needs to. Sometimes it's a more conscious battle between the two and sometimes they co-operate. That's how a fractured psyche works within the context of Cloud's character. Don't believe me? You see both of them on screen at the start of chapter 8 in the church. Real!Cloud is the one saying “You okay, buddy?”

How many times can you count that we get an 1st person pov with Cloud in the whole game? Like literally looking through his eyes? Because this is 1st person pov. We are Cloud at this moment in time and he's rushing Rude, but still takes a glance at Tifa. I don't think this happens at any other point. This game is a 3rd person game. We're over everyone's shoulder. We don't get in their head to see through their eyes. This is deliberate framing. We obviously can't see his face or his reaction, but the fact we're seeing this moment as Cloud and he's chosen to look at Tifa is a big thing.

So Rude's pushed the button and Barret's yelling. Cloud actually looks more halfhearted in this swing than I expected. It's like Barret's fury just isn't enough to get his blood boiling lol

He's about to go after him anyway, when Tifa's voice stops him dead. I can't think of a moment in the game where someone else calling for him to stop actually makes him stop.

AH! Honestly this is such a move! Romantic hero hello! I know it's a classic move from Cloud – which is kindly weirdly implemented since we first saw it after OG, but it's been retconned as one of his signature moves with Tifa and only Tifa.

Also! EYE CONTACT! I'm gonna scream about Cloti eye contact until my own eyes cross lol they do eye contact so damn well! The only other person who got Cloud to look him in the eye was Andrea Rhodea lol Everyone else it's either confrontational eye contact or total avoidance. Cloud and Tifa have good eye contact. This highlights how much they trust each other. Even though Real!Cloud is afraid of letting Tifa know how weak he really is, he's ok with her looking him in the eye. He wants her to see the real him.

Now, I know some people go on about Tifa's chapter 3 comment of “Cloud, you're scaring me/your eyes didn't used to look so” as a negative thing. I've already explained why this is fucking bullshit, and I'd like to add that if Tifa wasn't comfortable with him in combat situations or otherwise she wouldn't make eye contact with him. Eye contact is fucking terrifying! You're able to see so much. These two aren't afraid to look in each other's eyes, even with their “I don't think he/she likes me” misunderstandings.

And just to cap it. They both smile to reassure each other they're ok.

Ok, so Reno and Rude are making their exit. Barret tries the FF7 boomer version of turning a computer off and on again by shooting it. Then Tseng proves he's either psychic, a stalker or just dramatic af by appearing on screen at just the right point to answer Tifa's question.

And look at her face! Whoever said she's a heartless bitch can stfu forever! This is the face of a woman who is broken by what's about to happen! She's lived in that slum for five years. She probably knows every local by name, and takes time to actually get to know them too. She cares. So much. She doesn't want anyone hurt. She's pleading for their lives. Pleading with her enemy. Who literally smirked when he said “there's nothing you can do now”. Tseng has no conscience.

Just adding this to be a butt. This is Cloud's reaction to Aerith when he sees her....what reaction? Yeah...

Then he asks where she is in his SOLDIER!Cloud way.

So Aerith gets dragged away and explosions start happening. A siren goes off. Barret and Cloud turn away from the computer. Tifa turns and says, “No no no no no” and Cloud immediately turns back. His eyes widen and he looks a bit lost for a moment. There's nothing he can do for her and he's not got the first clue anyhow, and there's no time. It's hitting him just how much she cares. I mean, he knew, but he didn't know, you know?

Notice the awkward hand there? Yeah, that's an “I don't know how to comfort you, what do I do?” hand gesture. Cloud's literally never seen Tifa like this. She's always trying her best to remain optimistic. She fights hard to protect what she loves. She doesn't fall to her knees defeated.

I'm actually loving all the extra insight all these analyses are giving me into just how reserved, how introverted, how determined Tifa is. She's had a hard fucking life. Born in a dust bowl, lost all her friends to the big city, saw her father murdered, almost died, her town got burnt to the ground but she still somehow managed to pick herself up and build a new life. She did that on her own. Nobody got her to Midgar. When she arrived she was lucky Marle took care of her. She could've been left alone with no support system. She got in with Avalanche and built a new family – even though they don't always see eye to eye on method, she also believes in their goal to stop Shinra and save the planet. She's principled and brave, focused af. But she's not unbeatable. Stuff gets her down. She tries her best to be cheerful, but doesn't always succeed. She keeps her problems to herself. But this? This is too big. This has broken her. She can't stay up and Cloud doesn't know how to help. Not emotionally, anyway.

OMG HE OFFERED HIS HAND!! I didn't see that before!! (Check the spot where his name is, his hand is between Tifa’s hair and arm, palm open.) I knew he grabbed her by the arm and hauled her up when she didn't move, but he's actually holding his hand out for her before that!! She's too in her head to do anything, though, and I don't think Cloud really understands that. Any devastating feelings he had about personal tragedy he's locked away because they literally broke him. It must be distressing on some level for him to see his own emotions mirrored in Tifa. I said before the urge to comfort her starts at the beginning of chapter 13, but maybe the first spark of that is this moment here, when he can't do a thing for her, except pull her along behind him and hope he can keep her alive.

There's some really nice still shots in this game and this is one of them. I don't really have anything to say about it. I mean, we knew Cloud had both hands on Tifa's shoulders so he could direct her where to go and she's not really with it until the moment the debris falls in front of her and shocks her out of her stupor. Cloud's focused on the job at hand, no time to worry about anything but the next obstacle. By keeping both hands on Tifa's shoulders he's ensured he doesn't have to keep checking on her to make sure she's with him. He's basically piloting her because she's not capable of decision making for the moment.

Someone tell me, do action backhugs count? That's non-optional embracing right there. How many of you have seen this exact moment? Because I have literally been replaying the same 4s clip to get the screen for this bit and this is the first time in about 10 replays that I stopped it here. This is the between 1 second frames when the debris falls.

I mean, this is what a bodyguard actually looks like. Cloud's focus is all on keeping Tifa safe. He pulls her close to him, offers strength while she's feeling weak. He is literally using himself as a shield for her. They're such a balanced couple. When one is weak the other is strong for them, and whatever flaws they have they accept. They really are just a great couple!

Probably the worst screen I've ever grabbed lol

I was trying to figure out the moment he took her hand but I can't quite stop on it and it's just a touch too much out of frame. Instead, I got this. EYE CONTACT. I don't need to explain it again, right? We get the whole Cloud/Tifa eye contact deal by now.

Although, at the same time, that's a fucking scary shot of Cloud lol reminds me of that meme with Rinoa and Squall where she says he's the best looking guy there and it's all pixellated lol

Ah! I remembered why I was trying to get their hands, to see if Tifa grabbed his first or he took hers. But I could see through the playback that he took her hand. He initiated contact.

Yknow, I know people often compare the whole one half is always the summoner or mage and the other half is the warrior, but this screen right here looks a lot like another FF couple.

Tidus and Yuna.

I mean...do I have to say more?

Cloud looks behind to check Tifa's ok – I mean she's not but you get the point. Still getting Tidus and Yuna vibes from this moment tbf. This is the exact same type of sequence they had of them in FFX-2 when Yuna's dreaming Lenne's past and she and Tidus replace Lenne and Shuyin. They're running down a corridor and Tidus looks back at her. I mean, seeing how this type of comparison is usually only reserved for the whole mage/warrior pairing, it's strange that their body language here mirrors Square’s first fully voice acted installment. At the time the graphics were cutting edge and the cut scenes are still lauded as some of the most beautiful storytelling. Strange that Tifa and Cloud could have this comparison to Tidus and Yuna, especially with the whole Suteki da ne always being used to prop up a certain ship.

Anyway, Cloud’s checking on Tifa cause he’s totally not in love with her and wants to make sure she’s safe. You get the idea lol

I'd like to point out that Cloud doesn't – despite popular opinion – have hold of Tifa's jubblies. His arm is under them, wrapped around her ribs, which is actually a very secure hold for him since he's trying to hang onto Barret and keep hold of Tifa too. You'll notice she's not exactly paying attention to her own safety – which makes sense since Cloud literally had to haul her up when she wouldn't move. She's not in a good headspace during the end of this scene, so he's being very protective towards her.

Conclusion

Another great piece of action! I mean, does it really matter if these two are in the trenches or just hanging out? They have a synchronicity that's impossible to deny. They balance each other in pretty much every single way there is for a couple of be two halves of a whole. The FF10 comparison is a new one on me, especially since I don't look at two titles and try to see what about each one is like the other. They're both different and unique with their own charm. But, the second I caught that screen of Cloud pulling Tifa along I was immediately hit by the thought of “That's what Tidus and Yuna do”, so I couldn't not mention it.

We get a clear look at how devastated Tifa is immediately after the realisation hits that sector 7 is about to get crushed. She's just gone. Checked out. If Cloud hadn't stepped up to save her she'd have died. She wouldn't have got herself over to Barret in time and he would've died going to get her and get them back to the zip line. This is why it's so important that Cloud picks up the slack. He was strong when she needed him to be. She's strong for him later when he becomes weak. They really are two halves of one whole. 

I love that Tifa gets her own character development. She’s not just “the love interest”. Barret is basically a supporting character here, but we know he’ll get his turn in Corel and he does get his own moments to shine in Midgar, but this is cloti, so sorry dude, next time.

[silver-wield]

Final Fantasy 7R review

I finished the game this morning and I already have regrets that there’s nothing left for me to do besides replay and anxiously wait for news of the next installment. I want more. I want to not have finished it yet. I need to know what happens next, not just in the updated story, but with the game mechanics, too. I’m happy the team is taking their time to make the game as good as it deserves to be, but on the other hand I wanna throw a toddler tantrum demanding the rest of my game! 

Beware, spoilers.

The bad stuff

To be fair, not a lot from where I’m sitting. I’ve seen people bitch about textures and how the scrap yards don’t look dynamic enough and some stuff is flat, but seriously, why are yall looking at the walls? They’re the least interesting thing about the game and you’re just nitpicking. The graphics overall were amazing and I stopped multiple times just to rotate the camera and take in this massive city we actually get to really explore for the first time ever!

I have to admit a slight disappointment in the amount of space, verbally, that was happening. There were times where I expected characters to make comments and they said nothing. Things were overlooked or just not addressed and it wasn’t even anything plot related, just a point where there could have been dialogue and it didn’t happen. It wasn’t often, but those few times the air was left dead I noticed it. The most notable time was in chapter 17, right after Sephiroth appeared on the gangway. Now, I get them being too shocked to say anything when he’s right in front of them, but after, when they separate and fall into two groups? Nothing? No comment? Tifa, I definitely expected to say something in a shocked tone, but even after they found Cloud again, she didn’t mention it. It was like the moment didn’t happen. I know the other times nobody else but Cloud saw him, but this time they saw him, and he’s linked to Tifa’s past too, so she definitely should’ve had some kind of comment in that empty space.

That was the only major point, but other small ones were when people were talking and one character remains silent. The only one I expect to never speak if he doesn’t have to is Cloud. Because it’s Cloud. Everyone else should have something to say. Like when they climbed the stairs. If you took the stairs - I was all done in from so many fights and just wanted a break - then you got hilarious commentary from Barret, Cloud and Tifa. It showed how close they’ve become. Cloud made a joke! His second one of the game! If you missed the first, it’s likely because you obsessed over him going on about money all the time and saying that’s all he cares about when he’s with Tifa. So, yeah, after being shown how the group can talk to each other and banter I’m hoping Square adds more chatter to the next game. I know some people prefer less chatter, but this is a group of people who are supposed to be shown as friends, so conversation is important.

The other thing that got on my nerves was the mechanics of the weapons upgrade. Unless I missed a shortcut, having to go out of each one and then into the next one instead of just switching over to the next weapon’s skill tree. It took a long time to level things up and I wish there was an option in the auto to just unlock every skill one at a time, so they’d do it on auto without me having to go in there. And the ATB. That got on my nerves. I’m lazy af, so I’d like for action to just pause whenever someone’s atb fills so I can give them a command and then go back to the battle instead of having one eye on all the atbs. It’s probably more classic than Square wants to go with it, but having that as a battle option would be nice and a further throwback to the old style of gameplay.

The good

Everything from chapter 3 onwards. The intro chapters were good, too, but I really just wanted to dig into the game and that didn’t happen until chapter 3. The VAs killed it! Graphics were amazing! The weapon abilities were fun and added something different to the regular gameplay style of just grabbing the next strongest weapon. Side quests were enjoyable and I wish there was more of them, especially a save the citizens for after the plate fell. That really would've hammered home the tragedy.

The story

I’ve seen people - mostly OG fans - bashing the new elements. Sure, the whispers are a weird angle to come at it from, but the explanation for them, that they’re trying to maintain the OG storyline, made for an interesting twist on a 25 year old story. Sephiroth’s early appearance was just something that had to happen, along with a Jenova fight, because, come on, this section of the OG was like 3hrs worth of content and this is 40hrs, so ofc they had to include new things and it matches with the new storyline and I think people need to release their death grip on the OG storyline and enjoy this game for what it is. 

I found the ripple effect(?) interesting too. From what we learned, the OG happened in the future. If things hadn’t changed that’s the future everyone was heading towards. Ok, cool, pretty simple. 

This timeline had small changes. Biggs, Wedge and Jessie survived!? Or did Wedge finally get shoved off a building at the end, I really couldn’t tell if he bought it that time, but if he did I’m mad cause he was adorable. The plate falling didn’t have as big a casualty number as originally, either. And Hojo almost spilled the beans to Cloud early, but was cut off, and that’s the other thing Cloud ignored in dialogue afterwards, but it’s Cloud, so we’ll give him a security pass for that. The others ignoring his Ptsd induced freak outs isn't cool though and I expect Square to fix that level of callousness towards him from the others.

Those are the only two changes from the OG. Sephiroth showing up early instead of in Nibelheim doesn’t really matter. He’s his usual cryptic asshole self and his goal is unchanged. The team just knows he’s the big bad earlier now and have a solid goal instead of just randomly wandering after they leave Midgar. So, yeah, does Biggs, Wedge and Jessie living make a big difference overall? Will that ripple from them being alive make further changes?

We also saw that Zack survived because of our team, but the Zack in their timeline is still dead. I think we saw it this way because the planet is trying to find a way to prevent being hit with Meteor and ending up with geostigma, so the OG timeline, everything was still bad. Our timeline gives possibilities for a slightly better future and then the timeline behind it - the one with Zack - offers even better odds, not that we’ll see that. That’s the timeline I think Aerith will live through, so that way Square can say Aerith lives, just not in the game we play now.

Shipping

I’m not into wars, so if you love Aerith, cool good for you, I was focused on building affinity with Tifa and Square didn’t disappoint! There were so many romantic moments between them! And damn do they have chemistry! I squeed at such a high pitch the dog next door started howling! All the small touches, longing looks, affection, support, trust and OMGOSH IT WAS JUST THE BEST!!! They were so damn cute!!

I have no idea how the game changes if you focus on Aerith and to be honest I don’t want to. I think that’s what I love about the options for that. You can choose and no one can say your choice isn’t valid. 

One thing though, I would like an end to it because it’s 25 years of people arguing and it’s made the entire fandom toxic af and it’s actually the reason I avoid most of the final fantasy discourse because people can’t be civil to each other. Square should finally say once and for all that Cloud/ is canon and the other isn’t, instead of throwing a bone to them and being all “maybe if things were like this”, like no, pull on your big boy pants, Square, man tf up like Barret on a mission, and tell people who is the canon pairing in this damn game so people can just stfu and enjoy playing it without getting flamed.

This is why I want a FF8R because at least there’s no doubt who the couple is in that one.

Smol stuff

I’ve seen complaints about new characters being 1 dimensional, but they’re new characters in a game series that’s a trilogy, so they’re likely gonna appear again. Roche seemed added not just to give Cloud a boss to fight in the bike event, but also to show there’s other SOLDIERs beyond Cloud and Zack and the ones from Crisis Core, which not everyone has played.

Same goes for Leslie. I liked that dude and I’m interested to see him pop up again. His design wasn’t the typical bad guy henchman, easily disposed, thank you very much for playing. He has a story and I’m betting that’s not the last we see of him.

Again, same goes for Cloud’s infantry buddies. I’ve not played CC, but I get they’re from that, so will we see them again at some point? What about other CC characters?

Best Bits

Cloud in a dress. “Nailed it, thank you, moving on.”

Cloud dancing. Boy got moves and I wanna see him dance again!

Cloud/Tifa. Complimenting her like a smooth mutherfucker.

Cloud/Tifa Battle couple. They were my absolute favourite fighting combo and definitely kicked all the ass!

Cloud/Tifa. All the shipping bits, but especially jumping off the train and then trusting her to go kick Corneo’s ass. That’s how you show you know your girl

Wedge. Kitty momma

Biggs death. Damn you, Square, you got me all choked up.

Red. Specifically the bit where he highfived Barret with his tail lool

Barret. “Damn it, Red.”

Reno. Just Reno in general killed me. Love his conscience though and that he’s not a 1 trick pony.

Tifa/Aerith. Had more chemistry than Aerith/Cloud. Yeah, I said it. 

Barret and Marlene. Such a good daddy! His expression with her was like a whole different person!

Aerith bitchslapping a would-be rapist with a chair.

Cloud/Tifa/Aerith teamup to threaten Don Corneo’s balls - though I only include Aerith since she was there and she was about as threatening as a cupcake.

Conclusion

I want moar! I really hope the next one comes out soon! It’s not the same as OG, but has the best bits of OG along with something new to bring in a new generation of fans. The alt timeline angle feels fresh and open to possibilities and I’m excited to play this game for what it is, instead of comparing it and demanding for the OG like a crusty whisper lool

[aliceslantern]

Beyond this Existence, short 7--Burnout

Recovery is a tedious, nonlinear process. Demyx, Ienzo, and the others living in Radiant Garden's castle have to learn to come to terms with their pasts and their memories, learn to grow, and begin to understand what, exactly, it means to be human. While there is unexpected joy in this, there is also unexpected sorrow.

A series of loosely interconnected oneshots set after Beyond this Existence. Zemyx (Demyx/Older!Ienzo), roughly canon-compliant

Current short: “Burnout.” A tough patient causes Demyx to burn out, which raises some questions as to why he's turned to healing in the first place.

Timeline: at least six months after chapter 19.

Read it on FF.net/on AO3

----

Kaila’s baby was healthy.

It had been a big deal when she was born--it was the first live birth Radiant Garden had seen since the Fall. The world was stable enough that people had the confidence to begin families. Aerith had been abuzz about the pregnancy since the young woman came to them. Demyx had been there for the birth, the vaccinations. Seeing the little girl, now three months old, did give him hope. He wasn’t sure if he and Ienzo would ever have a family in the traditional sense--maybe they’d get a cat first--but he was happy that other people were ready for that step. A new generation, divorced from fear, living in safety. It was almost too good to be true.

Kaila’s baby was healthy. Kaila wasn’t doing so hot. The birth had fractured some of the vertebrae in her spine, pinching her nerves and making it hard to walk. It was the sort of thing that required repeat treatment to regenerate and strengthen the nerves, which was something he was still grasping. Aerith had left the new mother in his “very competent” hands to go run soup over to old Mrs. Fletcher.

Demyx wasn’t doing so hot either.

He’d felt sick all day, though vaguely so--a little nauseous, a little headachey, and so on. Self-diagnosis was a slippery slope, and the symptoms were way too common to mean anything. “How do you feel now?” Demyx asked her.

“My toe’s still tingly, but it doesn’t hurt anymore.” The woman flexed her foot.

It didn’t help that this was a high cost spell. The more involved things were, the more energy it cost. If he did it poorly, he’d have spent that magic for nothing, and left the patient still sick or in pain. Healing cuts? Cost nothing. Tedious nerve reconstruction, from the base of the spine all the way down the legs? Lots of stress, and he was feeling it; sweat was beading under his arms. “Let me see if I can fix that.”

He felt at Kaila’s aura. Her energy was strong, and tired from spending sleepless nights with the newborn, though he could sense her happiness. He found her spine, down to the place where the break had occurred. Directing the energy and urging it to heal felt like pushing through half-dry concrete. Down the thighs, the knees. A wave of dizziness washed over him, and his concentration broke. He fought the urge to swear. Start again. Aura, spine, hips, thighs, knees--

“I think it’s working. Is it supposed to feel warm?”

Did she have to say something? He tried to smile. “Yeah, that’s the spell taking effect.” He was feeling woozier still.

“You okay?” She frowned.

It wasn’t her fault, Demyx reminded himself. She didn’t know how tiring this was. One more time. Aura, spine, hips--

He could feel the nerve endings, each so distinct and fine, like a filament. He pushed a little harder, through a steady-growing pain in his chest, to the very edge of her foot. But getting there was only half the battle--the energy had to be held so it could do its work. Kaila remained silent, still. The back of Demyx’s mouth tasted raw. This wasn’t good, but there was no point dropping everything now when he was so close to helping this person.

The sense of heaviness eased from her aura. She wiggled her foot. “It’s gone! You did it.”

Demyx had to actively focus to stay pleasantly smiling, to not hurl all over the floor. “Come on over if anything changes,” he said.

“Thank goodness. You have no idea how frustrating it’s been. Like feeling white noise all the time.”

“I’m sure.”

She got off of the treatment table. “Everyone thinks you’re doing great, you know. I’m so happy Aerith has a partner now.”

The dizziness was worsening. As casually as possible, he leaned against the now vacant table, fighting the urge to collapse onto it.

Kaila reached into her pocket. “This is for you.” She tried to press the money into his hand.

“You don’t have to--”

“Take it. Please. You must at least need to buy supplies. I wouldn’t give it if we didn’t have it.”

“Thank you.” He set the money aside and tried to breathe.

“No, thank you. And if you don’t mind me saying, you look like you could use a little bit of a break.” She frowned.

“I’ll be fine. It’s an intense spell, is all.”

“Well I surely appreciate it. You have a good day now.”

Demyx watched her leave. He sat on the table and rested his head in his hands. His vision was swimming. Why did he feel so shitty? This wasn’t the normal low-magic exhaustion. The wooziness washed over him in little waves. Where was Aerith? How long did it take to drop off some soup? She’d have an answer. She always had an answer.

He felt so… incompetent. Would he even be half as good as her? He could barely handle the exhaustion--he’d almost snapped at Kaila. He was supposed to be the one in control. Aerith was finally starting to trust him to work unsupervised. And this was how he was handling it?

There had to be something he could take to feel better. What were his symptoms again? Nausea, dizziness, exhaustion, headache, chest pain? Or was it indigestion? Sometimes it was a side-effect of magic use. What would help all that, or some of it? Ginger, for the nausea, willow bark for the pain, maybe a mild anti-inflammatory? Was this also dehydration?

Demyx stood, to cross over to the medicine cabinet, but his knees gave out and his vision abruptly went dark.

The next thing he was aware of was the cool floor against his cheek, and the smell of something bitter. “There you are. Hi.”

If anything, he felt worse than before, like he was full of sludge.

Aerith crouched next to him, a bottle of smelling salts in one hand. “Come on. Up we go.” Gentle. Soothing. Her patient voice.

Moving was not a great idea. She eased him up on the table and handed him an empty mixing bowl just in time for him to be sick into it.

“I shouldn’t have left you alone. That was a lapse in judgement on my part. I’m sorry.” She took the sick away from him. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

“Well--Kaila left--”

Her eyebrows shot up. “You fixed Kaila?”

Why was she saying that as though it were a bad thing? “Yes?”

Aerith exhaled. “There’s a reason I didn’t heal her all at once. That’d be a challenge even for my stamina. I thought you were getting low, but you must be completely empty.”

“...Empty?”

“I thought you’d been pushing yourself too hard, but you never complained, so--” She crossed over to the cabinet and started grabbing a couple of things. “You burnt yourself out, that’s all. Use too much magic and you actually end up eating into your own metabolism. Kind of like a super mild version of what happened to Ienzo.”

“How do we fix it?” Demyx was feeling nauseous again.

“Can’t so much as fix it as treat the symptoms.” She frowned. “I should’ve kept a better eye on you. You’re still finding the balance. I’m sorry, but these next few days are going to really suck. Why don’t you lay down? I’ll get you some tea.”

He was too weak to do anything but listen. He felt her toss a blanket over him, sweet clean wool. He really was so tired. Lying here felt so odd, and off.

“Sleep for a little while,” she said.

He slept so heavily and instantaneously that he wondered if she might have knocked him out herself, but this wasn’t Aerith’s usual MO. Demyx woke in his bed, of all places, feeling more or less like animated garbage. Opening his eyes was almost too much; the light was bright and piercing.

“Well good morning sunshine,” Ienzo said coolly. He sat in the chair at the bedside, a book in his lap and several on the dresser.

“...Oh, you’re mad,” he said. His voice was hoarse and very soft.

“Moreso frustrated. And that frustration is born from worry.” He reached over and took Demyx’s hand. “I think it’s a touch hypocritical that you criticize me for overwork, and yet you collapse on the job.”

“To be fair, it wasn’t on the job. The job had already walked out the door.”

Ienzo sighed. “How do you feel?”

“Like the dead. How long have I been out?”

“The better part of two days.”

Demyx sat up slowly. Nothing seemed to have straight lines. Ienzo handed him a glass of water and a pill he knew Aerith had made.

“She said, and I quote, “prepare for the worst hangover of your life.” Unfortunately the only cure for it is rest.” He shook his head. “I may not be a healer, but at least I have basic nursing skills.”

Despite a sour stomach, the water went down easily. Demyx tasted something minty in the pill. “A hangover with none of the fun.”

“...Quite.”

“Sorry. I’m guessing this hasn’t been a cakewalk.”

“You vomited several times in your sleep. Hence my vigil.”

Demyx flinched. “Yikes. And you stayed?”

Ienzo rolled his eyes. “I have a surprising tolerance for the gross. Especially when it comes to you.”

“Gee, thanks.” He leaned back a little against the pile of pillows. “Have you gotten any sleep?”

“Some. Don’t turn this back on me.”

Demyx wrinkled his nose.

Ienzo sighed. He took Demyx’s hand, tracing its shape. “I see no reason to chastise you when you know what went wrong,” he said. “But I wonder...  why did you do it?”

The medicine was easing the nausea and dizziness, but at the same time made him feel somewhat loopy. “These people, they need… help.”

“They’ve gotten by without you. They can do it again. At least for a few days.”

Demyx shook his head. “She’s finally started to trust me.”

“Your competence has nothing to do with the fact that you’ve started to put them before yourself. I’m proud that your capacity for empathy has grown so, but at the same time, Demyx, is that what this is really about?” He leaned forward, trying to catch his gaze.

Maybe it was because he felt so shitty. His eyes were watering.

“I’m trying to understand it,” Ienzo said. “You stopped therapy so suddenly after what happened in the basement, but I’m not sure that means you’ve healed.”

If he weren’t so weak he would have pulled away.

“I think you’ve thrown yourself into this so headlong to avoid having to deal with your own pain. It might be guilt, too. You help them because you couldn’t help the others.”

“Is this what you’ve thought about the past two days?”

“Well--yes.” Ienzo took off his reading glasses. “But you and I are, at our core, more similar than we thought. We’ll do anything to salve the pain. You know. You don’t have to put up a front of recovery.”

“But you’re okay.” His voice broke. “I just want to be--”

Ienzo pressed his forehead against Demyx’s. “You’re healing. And that’s enough. It’s not quick. It’s not perfect. And it’s certainly not going to be the same as me. As I,” he corrected. “You’ve changed my grammar, you know that?”

He smiled despite the onslaught of tears. Ienzo pulled him close. He felt so horrible that for a few minutes he let himself cry and be babied. He was reminded of the early days of their relationship, when he was so starved of affection and touch that it was cathartic. This was, in a way, its own relief; the pressure he’d been putting himself under was completely arbitrary. He tried to tell himself that, at least.

It wasn’t guilt so much as… well… what he was worth. He understood he’d been manipulated and taken advantage of and he understood that the awful things he’d done were his responsibility. But for so long Demyx had been a pawn in a bigger game where the gamemaster was always shifting. He was no longer unmoored, but he wasn’t stable, either. Healing people was something to hold onto, a constant, a goal to work towards. Music wasn't so forgiving. Music made him think inwardly, which was now ceaselessly complicated.

He'd done the only thing he knew how, after ages of apathy and laziness; he'd made himself useful. He told Ienzo as much. “If I helped with Xehanort, and I help these people, that has to make this worth it, right? That has to make me worth it?”

Ienzo looked almost startled. “You needn’t destroy yourself to justify your own existence. Especially since you understand morality. You… you told me as much.”

“I thought it would be enough.”

“What?”

“I just…” He grit his teeth, swallowing a sob. “I’m supposed to be happy.  I’m human, I have you, I have Arpeggio, I have these bonds with people and yet I… I feel like an impostor.”

“I do, too,” Ienzo said softly.

“And as much as I tell myself that it’s okay to feel this way, or whatever, I don’t know how people don’t see it’s all…”

“A ruse?”

“It feels that way. Like someone’s going to take it all. Like I’m going to wake up and it’s all gone. So I guess that’s why.”

He blinked. “Why what?”

“Healing people. Pushing so hard. Trying to leave a mark of kindness so this pain isn’t for nothing.”

“But you have to express such emotion healthily. Or else this happens.”

“You’re one to talk.”

Ienzo’s expression went, abruptly, blank, and while he didn’t physically pull away from Demyx, he could feel the walls go up.

Demyx exhaled sharply. “I’m sorry, that was mean--”

The tension eased slightly. “No. You’re right. I… I don’t know how.”

“I don’t either.”

“All this reading, all this study of psychology. I know what is considered healthy. But I don’t know how to do it myself.”

“I guess…” Demyx settled back against the pillows. “I guess, it’s like, what feels the most right. Not good. But right. Like, you know, puking feels right, but not good.”

“You’re still nauseous?”

“Very.”

Ienzo sighed. He smiled, but it was small, and sad. “If only there were some way to purge emotionally.”

“Well. Talking, mostly.” Demyx doubted there was anything left in his stomach to empty, but he swallowed down the excess spit in his mouth.

“Yes. You are right. Maybe we should both go back to… talking through things.”

“I think we need to.”

Ienzo leaned against the mattress. “Since what happened in the basement I do feel quite a lot better, but things still linger. I think this will take some time.”

“Yeah. It will.”

“Can I lie down with you? Or do you feel too ill?”

“I’m not going to puke on you, if that’s what you’re asking.” He lifted the covers and Ienzo crawled under. The touch soothed him and took his mind off of his various miseries. “It’s hard to be patient. After waiting so long.”

“For humanity?”

“Stability. What have you.”

“I agree.” Ienzo looped his arms loosely around Demyx’s waist. “At least we’re not alone in this.”

He breathed in Ienzo’s clean, slightly sweet smell. “Ienzo?”

“Yes?”

“Do you want to get a cat?”