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Oh, I love this picture, man! It's a very popular picture by a Sephiroth fan, but the Cloud plushie and Tifa look absolutely adorable.


And..... 3:16! 3:16! Booyakasha!

Oh yeah I remember this picture from a long time ago 3nodding It's so cute.

Okay... I never really liked following the story downpat, just read my aeriseph rants and you'll know, so I gotta agree. Whether or not that is how the story was meant to go or might have been, it's how the reader or player percieves it that really matters. Some people pervieve Cloud eventually moving onto Tifa, some think he'll always think of Aeris and never go on to Tifa, whatever, you know?

That Cleris moment in there, it's really cool. I mean, Aeris is their light, their strength, their confidence. She helps them get back up when they fall. Shows he really does care for Aeris, but whether it's in a loving way or not, I dunno. Now, gonna insert a life story...

WAY back when I was younger, met a girl named Melina. We were just friends, nothing too big, but we were close. There was another girl I knew, Stephanie. Now, when I was depressed, she helped me get back on my feet along with Mel, but I talked to Steph and could get pretty close to her. I was conflicted, you know? Mel was the girl I knew for a while and my first real friend, while Stephanie was the girl that helped me get my head out of the clouds and back on track.
Now, even though Steph really helped me and got me back to learning how to love again, I fell for Melina just because she was there for me from the start and the one who was always there. I always cherished Steph and her friendship, but even though she was my strength, Melina was my heart and soul.

Guess it's something like that, I dunno...

Here is a really nice essay that I found here. While I don't agree with some of it I thought it was a nicely written and in depth essay. So I posted it here as food for thought.



Hello, I'm new to forums. *waves*

I'd like to start off by saying that I'm a big Tifa fan.

Oh, and as a side note, my post contains spoilers for FF7 and AC for those of you that don't know the endings and big plot twists in them.

That being said, I believe that she deserves *someone* for all of her efforts, be it Cloud, Vincent, etc. I do think that Cloud would be the best choice for her though because it's obvious that she loves him. At first I believed that Cloud and Aeris were the right couple because one of my good friends had been a major Aeris fan. After playing the game myself, I still believed Aeris to be "the one" for Cloud, but further progress in the game completely changed my mind. I was under the impression that I was *supposed* to get a date Aeris, and had thought that everything and anything with those two involved together was adorable. Lo - and - behold I got the date scene with Tifa (which initially ticked me off because I wanted Aeris AND because I didn't like how she assumed the flower I bought from Aeris was for her. I gave it to Marlene.). After that I was open to Cloud being with both of them, but the more I played, the more I loved Tifa.

After playing through a few more times I re-evaluated what I thought of Cloud and Aeris. I am more than certain that Cloud viewed her as a sister/motherly figure. When she was acting juvenile and he was trying to be cool it reminds you of a little sister and older brother. ex. Aeris wanted to see the air ship and asks Cloud if he would take her; the first thing that pops into mind is "Big brother I want to see the air ship! PLEASE! PWETTY PLEASE!" or when cloud is on the tracks and he has to flip the switch. If Aeris isn't in your party she'll jump up and down and wave to him yelling "Yoohoo, Cloud!" or something to that extent. That isn't something you would generally yell to a guy to impress them.

On the flip side there were times that she acted very mature while Cloud was helpless. I know Cleris fans say the church scene is one of the proving factors in their relationships, but I beg to differ. I can hardly say that have a man fall several thousands feet from the sky, through my roof and crashing into my flower bed and profusely bleeding all of my hard work (and only source of income mind you!) is remotely close to being romantic. So we can assume that she bandages him or uses cure/whatever on him and waits for him to regain consciousness. Very mother like indeed. They could have had a very intimate chat had they not been interrupted. They were well on their way to having one in the playground until they were interrupted again. Once again Aeris plays the concerned mother by refusing to leave Cloud alone. I could go on, but I think I close the Aeris mother thing with a final note: Whenever she asks Cloud if Tifa was his girlfriend, I believe she could sense his awkwardness towards the question, and that's why I don't believe she pursued a relationship with him. Aeris is the kind of person that is open and honest with her feelings. If she loved Cloud in a romantic sense, I am more than certain she would have just said it.

Now on to our hero, Cloud.

Contrary to popular belief, I don't believe AC is about him getting over Aeris' death. The second half of the game was about Cloud getting over and grieving the lost of Aeris. The game comes to a resolves that issue quite clearly. Cloud is calm and collected at the end of the game and the ending fmv he seems at peace with himself. Yes, I know that because he doesn't seem like it doesn't necessarily mean that is so, but because this is the *conclusion* of the game, where loose ends are tied up, I think it's safe to say that he has in fact come to terms to with her. Of course he is still sad, but he *accepts* that she sacrificed herself.

I believe the main point of AC was Cloud trying to prove something to himself. Cloud has always felt "weak" and "inferior". He doesn't feel he has what it takes to protect the people that he cares for. He blames himself for Tifa's accident, he wasn't able to save his mother from Sephiroth's fire, Zack died trying to protect him and he wasn't able to do anything because of his current state, and when he had the chance to save Aeris he kind of blew it by just standing by and watching her because a human shish kebob. That being said, Cloud doesn't feel he can protect "his family" from the Geostimga, so instead of trying to confront it and fight it, he runs away and waits for death. It may also be because since he feels it is inevitable he will die soon, he would spare his "family" the knowledge of him dying and just let them assume that he ran away or something. Throughout the entire movie, there are blatant symbolisms of this. Everyone is telling Cloud "Fight" and they try to support him. Why would they be telling him this if the main point of the movie was getting over Aeris' death? The only time someone brings up his "grievance over Aeris" is when Tifa and him are talking. She brings this up with conjunction to the fact that he won't face his fears, and he 'can't give up'. This leads one to believe many things:
a) his grief of Aeris is linked to 'facing his fears'
b) why would he be afraid of Aeris' death? It can't happen a second time. This can only lead you to believe that he fears someone he cares about will pass way again.
c) don't give up, is Tifa reassuring him that things may not be as they were before. There is a good chance that he might lose another person close to him, but then again you could have a happy ending right? The only certain thing is that of you sit on your butt and become emo then it's only natural that people will die.

I don’t know if anyone has brought this up or not, but has anyone noticed the composition of characters in the game? This isn't something so obvious in the PSX game, but it's quite obvious in AC. Composition is very important in anything visual because it is how you communicate to your audience. In all of the Cloud/Aeris scenes in the movie (what few there are which should be a signal in itself) you never see Aeris' full face, on bits and pieces of it. This is important because the human face (and eyes) is the most powerful visual symbol to people. It's natural for people to make faces out of blobs and strange objects because it's what we were genetically programmed to do. Relating this back to AC, you can't see Aeris' face, you can't connect to her, and your attention isn't drawn to her as strongly as it should be. Because the face is what people normally center their attention on, you immediately feel 'off balanced' when you try to look at her face, but find yourself going of the screen, or your eyes are wandering around elsewhere while she is talking. Since the picture is seemingly 'off balance', you feel a little uneasy, and antsy. Further more when Cloud and Aeris are first seen together, they are back to back. When you want to talk to someone about something personal, you want to do it face to face. Being back to back implies the Cloud is ashamed of something - his inability to protect her. Cloud also has his head hung low like a little boy confessing that he did something wrong. Cloud feels so guilty about this that he can't even look her in the eye. Aeris does giggle at this, but not because she's flirting - it's because she thinks Cloud is cute for acting like a kid. She shows her mother/sister side here, imho, because instead of giving Cloud a hug, she puts a hand on should to reassure him. Then she scoots him on out to play with the other children. smile

The only other time you get to see her face is at the very end. I think this is highly symbolic because Cloud is at piece with everyone and everything. This is the only time you do get to see Aeris' face. Know that he is alright, Aeris gives him a smile and walks into the light, and behind her is Zack. Like a mother or sister, she knows that the 'weakest' one will do fine, so she doesn't have to worry about him anymore and just do her own thing. She gives him one last smile and walks away with Zack. If that doesn't scream Aeris/Zack, I don't know what does.

Now I know that no matter what Cleris fans will love Cleris, and more power to you; however I would have to firmly say just from that one fact alone that AC proves Cloti is infact the 'cannon' couple. But that doesn't really matter to anyone that isn't a Cloti fan, does it? xD

Phew, that was long but there's still one more part. The Cloti factor of AC. wink
At the beginning of the movie, we see a 'family' picture of Cloud, Tifa, Marlene, and Denzel. The movie specifically *centers* on it at one or more points in the movie, therefore it must have significance. You see many shots of Tifa and Cloud together, and close physically. Because of the somber tone throughout most of the movie, you get the feeling that the 'family picture' is "what should be" but for some reason isn't. At one point in time before AC, it is assumed they acted as a family. It doesn't matter that the children didn't call them 'mother' and 'father', because they were the mother and father-like figures. Another key symbolic point is that Tifa stays at home and tends to the resturant and the kids - a very tradition motherly role, while Cloud goes out and works - the traditional role of 'dad'.
Back to the subject of Cloud/Tifa scenes. Because they are often physically close, face to face/eye to eye, and the screen either centers on the both of them or pans from centered in on face to another, you get a feeling of intimacy between the two. ex. Is after the Loz fight, Cloud finds Tifa and holds her closely. You see very little of the background because their intertwined bodies take up most of the screen. Seeing Cloud's worried expression is also a plus for Cloti shippers. Then scene following it is also quite adorable. The two are sleeping side by side in the flowers, with their faces close to each other, and pointing towards each other. At least, I think they were, it's been about a month since I've seen the movie. To me, this shows that they are attracted to each other. If one face was pointed towards one and the other was looking away, I would be lead to believe that one is attracted and the other either doesn't know of the other other's feelings or completely disregards them. Another tell tale sign is when Rude and Reno bring them back to their house. The room they were in had 2 beds. It didn't look like the children's bedroom, and I highly doubt that the kids would share a room anyway since they are the opposite sex. It can be assumed that this was/is Cloud and Tifa's bedroom. While that doesn't show the kind of intimacy Cloti shippers wants, I think it's a sign that they are on their way. If Cloud didn't have feelings for her, then why doesn't he get his own room? The opening part to this scene is what seems to be both of them lying side by side together - yes a camera trick, but then again it makes you have the feeling of "this is the way it's *supposed* to be". Lastly, at the end of the film, when everyone is celebrating, you see Cloud specifically focus in on Tifa. He looks all happy and pleased with himself and what not. Makes you want to run up and slap him on the back. smile They look at each other for a little bit smile - reassuring the folks out there in TV land that things will go back 'to the way it's supposed to be' before Cloud gives one last goodbye to Aeris as she walks off with Zack.

And in conclusion, um, that is why I am a Cloud/Tifa fan.

The End.

I apologize for the length. ^^;; I wasn't aware my post would be so long.

Ok this is weird, because I have had a same experience as that, but I don't want to go into details because it's very personal and sad. As for that Jhay, that is a perfect example of how the Cleris and Cloti thing is right now and I'm glad you brought that up.

well I'm not starting a debate here but our interpretations of romantic are different so cannot be used a evidence cuz I got plenty too
basically most important moments square would highlight in an fmv sequence if the highwind was o so romantic why not make an a fmv for it?
anyways you dont have to reply to this just to avoid a debate but my reason for coming here is to post the other scene and I wanted to know what you guys thought about this scene:

ミディールでパーティーに復帰後
After the Party returns to Mideel

ティファ「なぜ、村に帰ってきたよきに私にさまっていたの」
Tifa: Why did we end up back at the village after I woke up?

クラウド「自分が情けなかった。
ソルジャーになると言って約束して出ていったのに、俺はだの一般兵。
故郷の人にそんなみじめな姿は見せたくなった」
Cloud: I acted so shamefully.
I said that I had kept my promise to go join SOLDIER, but really I was a normal trooper.
I didn't want everyone back home to see me in such a miserable condition.

ティファ「そんなことはないわ。
ソルジャーになれなくとも一生懸命やったならば」
Tifa: That's not the issue here.
I'm sure you gave it your all to try and get into SOLDIER.

クラウド「でも、そんな自分がイヤだったんだ。
そして、それを隠そうとしている自分もよけい情けなった。
俺の存在はセフィロスが消してのではない。
幼なじに自分の姿を隠しているときから、せに俺の存在などなったのかもしれない。
セフィロスはただそれに付け人ってきただけだったんだ……」
Cloud: But still, it was wrong of me.
And, hiding everything about myself really was shameful.
But Sephiroth couldn't erase my true self.
However having a childhood friend lie to be about my true self, that might be why I lost it.
Sephiroth could only do what he did because he had an assistant......

I always thought that Tifa only lied to Cloud to protect him, to try and let him lead a normal life instead of knowing that he was only a Clone of a man instead of a real man. Just my shot in the dark...
She wasn't really helping Sephiroth on purpose, she helped him by trying to help Cloud, which in turn, is sorta like what Testament said. "You try to help, but in the end, you lead to the world's destruction."

She wasn't trying to be bad, just trying to help...


And, please stop with the arguments, please? I mean, if you do, at least don't use super big text or super small text so it sounds more like a discussion than either an argument or debate.

Try to find some level ground between you two if you're going to discuss, but don't debate on whether what is what. Discuss, you find level ground and help each other understand each other's point of views. Debate, you try to prove each other wrong and that you alone are right. Only discuss don't debate....
And if this gets ugly, just saying... Warnings will be thrown...