Welcome to Gaia! ::

That was beautifully said Jhay-R. But for future reference just ignore her. If she comes back spouting Claeris crap again I'm just going to report her to strawberryicecream. Anyway I want to see these fanfictions and stuff that you were talking about posting before.

I'm not even that bad. You should see what they were posting on the Cleris thread, pictures of Cloud beating up Tifa pictures of Cloud leaving Tifa behind for Aeris so on and so fourth. I mean I hate Aeris and Cleris but at least I can state my reasons why. They make pictures of Cloud beating up Tifa and then think it's funny. That's just wrong. I'm glad that we on this thread are a lot more mature then to post anti Cleris. Anyway about this stuff you were going to post?

Somthing else I found on the same site I thought it was really good.[LOVELESS] Tifa Lockheart


Many aspects of FF7, both story and gameplay, were left undone. Furthermore, vague concepts and scenes were left open to interpretation, without explanations on purpose. Many recent story driven games in general have rather open ended sequences, especially on endings. The focus of FF7 was the first use of cinematics, and, as expected, ideas from movies, novels and other entertainment were used. It has been proven that leaving things 'up to the player to figure out' is what makes a game replayable and interpretations discussed about long after its time.

The main thing to keep in mind is that the base of FF7's story is Tetsuya Nomura's creation. Cloud was and is in fact an idealistic version of the creator; Cloud carries many of Nomura's personality traits and tastes (even the way Nomura speaks/writes is similar to Cloud's dialogue). Moreover he also created the heroines which they would be attracted to. It's not rare to see writers and artists using self-insertion and wish fulfilment in their work, so the truth about the 'Love Triangle' could only come from him.

So what is the truth? When an interview was made public with FF7 Dismantling, Japanese fans revolted at his honest and blunt statement, "Let's kill Aerith and bring out Tifa". Many players were unhappy with Aerith's death being based on his decision to include a new character who would take the spotlight, and not some deep, metaphorical reason. He has since retracted and downplayed any statements regarding who Cloud "loves" and Aerith's death. Later interviews with him on the subject have left readers with vague answers, or Nomura saying "it's up to the player" to avoid losing more of his own fans.

After all, self-insertion is about making a character based on yourself, whom everyone is supposed to like and admire unaccountably. Nomura himself said that he wants Cloud to be liked and popular. Cloud was meant to be the character in FF7 which players place themselves in, but because Cloud mostly fulfils Nomura's wishes and not the player's, it wasn't the case. In the end, the truth is what Nomura wishes.

If you compare FF7 & FF8, there are glaring and undeniable similarities between Cloud & Squall and Tifa & Rinoa. As Nomura created Cloud to be an idealistic version of himself, so did he create Squall. Squall at the start was far too similar to Cloud, and Yoshinori Kitase (director) had Squall changed further. Nomura created Tifa to be his ideal woman for Cloud, much in the same way he created Rinoa's design and dialogue to be ideal for Squall. Both Tifa and Rinoa were designed based on Nomura's personal preferences, as a result of his self-insertion.

Nomura also has a penchant for long-haired women. When he first applied to join Squaresoft, he had to have an interview and show some of his artwork. All of the pieces he brought depicted busty long-haired women (like Tifa), and staff members even jokingly asked him if that's all he likes! Furthermore, he has stated on numerous occasions that his favorite designs are Rinoa (who Nomura has dictated Tifa look more like in Advent Children) and Kaldea (from The Bouncer, who is similar to Tifa in facial features and physique).

Additionally, it was Nomura's idea to kill Aerith and have Tifa take over as the game's leading female. He was personally unsatisfied with Aerith's design (in that she was someone who he himself wouldn't be attracted to) and role in the story and so he decided to replace her midway through the game with a character he found more agreeable - Tifa. That everything goes in Tifa's favor towards the end of the game as she takes over the spotlight shows that Nomura preferred her over Aerith who, having done her part in saving the Planet, is dead.

Although Nomura insists that he wants to leave it up to the players to decide who Cloud likes, it's clear that his personal choice would be Tifa!

Okay, I respect that, but one line just confused the hell outta me... You say that now that Aeris is gone, Cloud will move on and go after Aeris...
If he's mvoed on, and yet he is still going after Aeris, doesn't that technically mean he hasn't moved on?

Within The Compilation
By Seraphitta and Sheila
Although Tetsuya Nomura described FF7 as 'open to interpretation', the Compilation of FFVII puts another lid on the supposed FF7 love triangle, a triangle that fans interpreted into more than it was ever meant to be. The compilation additions are: AC (Advent Children), BC (Before Crisis), CC (Crisis Core), DC (Dirge of Cerberus) and the novellas. Contrary to Tetsuya Nomura's past words, the compilation finally cements FFVII's canon couple as Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockhart. The two are shown in all promotional paraphernalia together, and all related products are available for the two characters.

Before Crisis
Cloud mentions Tifa for the first time in Before Crisis (a prequel to the original game) as he returns to Nibelheim on a ShinRa mission. In this game, Cloud and Tifa only have minor roles. Cloud wears a mask to hide his identiy and becomes excited when Tifa is mentioned. He tells the player (a Turk) to not tell Tifa that he has returned due to his embarrassment at never having made it into SOLDIER as he promised her.

Cloud: You mean she'll be travelling with us?!
Shotgun (F): That's what a guide does for their job. She asked me about you.
Cloud:! And what did you say?!
Shotgun (F): I told her I wasn't sure if the soldier I met was you or not. I never thought the world could be such a small place.
Cloud: I see... Hmmm... I have a favor to ask. I want you to keep this a secret and not tell Tifa that I'm back.


(BC translation by XComp.)

BC further establishes Cloud's character and the importance of his past. A scene repeats his promise to Tifa and most importantly, his fear of failure. That fear will later become a much bigger part of Cloud's personality in FF7 and the reason behind many of his actions.

http://i10.photobucket.com/alb
Cloud: I want to join Soldier. I'm going to be the best there is, just like Sephiroth!
(BC screenshot: Cloud and Tifa's promise is shown twice during BC.)

Advent Children
Advent Children is a sequel to FF7 that originally started as nothing but a 20-minute special movie. It was written by Kazushige Nojima and starred only Cloud, Tifa and a few kids. After choosing the theme of 'survival' and 'family', a longer story was fleshed out. Cloud and Tifa were naturally the main characters of the movie.

They are portrayed much like a married couple with their own family. Working and living together, they had re-built 7th Heaven and took on the role of parents to two children: Marlene and Denzel. Tifa is referred to as Denzel's mom, she wears Cloud's ring, Tifa scolds Cloud without holding back, she rides behind Cloud on his bike, and the two are not shy about sleeping in the same room or making intimate physical contact. In a pivotal scene, Tifa helps Cloud gather the strength to stand up against his new enemies.

After contracting a mysterious and fatal disease, Cloud leaves to protect his family. He leads a short solitary life until his loved ones are threatened. When Tifa is found unconscious and the kids are taken, Cloud takes sword in hand once more to protect what's precious to him-Tifa and his family.

http://i1.tinypic.com/muisl3.jpg
(AC screenshot: an image of importance flashes in Cloud's mind)

In its creators' words, AC is Cloud and Tifa's story - AC attempts to complete and finalize it. By reflecting on what Cloud terms his past failures, AC brings a new conflict for Cloud and Tifa. Together they fight and overcome in order to hold true to the movie's theme of survival. Cloud realizes that forgiveness isn't easily received and peace of mind does not come from dragging along but through facing problems and being close to loved ones.

AC ends happily ever after (until DC) and everyone alive from FF7 is back together in 7th Heaven. After declaring that he is back home and promising the children to be with them, Cloud returns Tifa's smile with one of his own - his first true smile in the movie - indicating the acceptance of his past and his new future with her and the kids. Nobuo Uematsu was inspired by the idea of Cloud smiling and named the track 'Cloud Smiles' when composing the music for this scene.

(needed: screens of Cloud smiling then Tifa returing the smile smiling)
(AC screenshots: Cloud smiles and Tifa returns the smile)

The movie puts a great emphasis on Cloud and Tifa's relationship, and also what they call their family. It marginalized any new possibilities of Cloud and Aerith as a couple to the point of non-existence. Although Aerith is barely in the movie, Cloud refers to her as "mother" and the movie presents Aerith as a guardian figure who is happily in the Lifestream with Zacks. On the other hand, the movie has a large focus on Tifa, presenting her with the leading role of heroine and lover. As with FF tradition, the leading heroine's motion capture was by Mayuko Aoki.

As Aerith walks away with Zacks, the two canon couples are established with finality. Cloud returns to Tifa and Aerith returns to Zacks. According to the extas, Cloud even takes time off his delivery work to spend a day with his family after the movie.

http://i1.tinypic.com/muiubp.jpg
(AC screenshot: Aerith and Zacks leave together)

Dirge of Cerberus

Dirge of Cerberus focuses on Vincent but brings along a caravan of old characters, mainly Tifa and Cloud. According to the storyline, Cloud and Tifa continue leading their family lives together. Their non-platonic relationship and desire to always be together is accentuated. Also worth noting is that they have had closure with what had happened in AC (geostigma or Aerith), as everyone no longer wears their pink ribbon.

At the start of DC 7th Heaven is attacked while Cloud and Tifa's location became unknown. They later show up, together, to help Vincent. Cloud and Tifa are support characters but Square Enix still insists on making them inseparable and prominent. In the end, Vincent found a new reason to live. 7th Heaven and everyone else is also back to normal.

Crisis Core
Crisis Core appears to be the last game of the compilation. The game is a trip to the past and it focuses on Zacks, Cloud's best friend and Aerith's boyfriend. It's a story about three men and one woman. The woman is commonly believed to be Tifa (due to its focus on the Nibelheim incident), but recently is rumored to be Aeris. A big emphasis is put on Aeris and Zacks' relationship; their promise - mirroring Cloud and Tifa's promise - is one of the first things about the game revealed to the fans.

Case of Tifa
Case of Tifa is a short story written by Kazushige Nojima and is told from Tifa's point of view. It can be seen as the final confirmation of FF7's canon couple as it tells the story of Cloud and Tifa; starting from the end of FF7 and ending with AC. As expected, Cloud and Tifa did remain together at the end of FF7. In fact, Cloud was the one to pursue Tifa and openly declare that he wishes to start a new life with her.

Tifa: "Cloud, you're smiling."
Cloud: "I am?"
Tifa: "Yeah."
Cloud: "Everything starts now. A new..." Cloud looked for the right words, "A new life."
"I'm going to live. I think that's the only way I can be forgiven. We've been through... all sorts of things."
Tifa: "I guess you're right..."
Cloud: "But when I think about how many times I've thought about starting a new life, it's funny."
Tifa: "Why?"
Cloud: "I've always failed to do it."
Tifa: "That's not funny."
Cloud: "...I think it will be all right this time."
Cloud became very quiet for a moment. Then he said, "Because you're always with me."
Tifa: "I haven't always been with you."
"That's how it will be starting from tomorrow," Cloud replied smiling again.

CoT tells the fans that Cloud and Tifa had a home together, smiled together, supported each other through, worked together and had 'silly conversations' while raising a family. When Tifa is burdened by her grief, Cloud took her in his arms. He reminds her of how much more cheerful she used to be before.

When Tifa and Cloud were alone, Cloud said to her, "It's not like you to be troubled by your thoughts."
Tifa: "It's... Just the way I am."
Cloud: "No. You're much more cheerful and strong. If you've forgotten the way you were then, I'll be there to remind you."
Tifa: "You really will?"
"Probably," Cloud said blushing.

CoT paints the picture of their relationship; one filled with cute conversations, blushing, awkward moments, smiles and a bit of flirting from Cloud, strange as that is. However, it also tells that despite their fears and burdens, that Cloud and Tifa's promise to always be together holds true despite everything. Aerith also understood that, and brought a sick orphan named Denzel to them. Aerith knew Cloud and Tifa's family would be a loving home for the boy.

Tifa: "Aerith didn't bring Denzel to you."
Cloud: "Yeah, that's what I thought too."
TIfa: "Aerith brought that child to us, didn't she?"
Cloud gazed at Tifa and finally smiled. It had that kindness that made her think everything was all right.

Maiden Traveling the Planet
Similarly, Maiden Traveling the Planet (the story of Aerith) confirms this by further establishing her relationship with Zacks, a relationship of flirting and joking in the afterlife. In MTtP Aerith openly declares that she gave up on Cloud as she watches Cloud and Tifa hug in the Lifestream. She also admits to never knowing Cloud, only finding out about him after Tifa unlocks his past and brings out the real Cloud Strife. Aerith entrusted Tifa with everything. She knew Tifa was going to live together with Cloud.

Aerith: "You did it, Tifa. Thank you... I'm a little jealous of you but, do take care of Cloud and the upper world."

The story further stresses Cloud and Tifa's relationship through the eyes of Aerith as she watches from the sidelines. It was the first time for Aerith to witness Cloud's memories and true feelings unfold before her. Aerith realizes that Tifa has always been in Cloud's heart, and that Tifa will always be by Cloud side. Aerith's image as a guiding mother figure to both Cloud and Tifa was further emphasized in the novella.

Tifa embraced Cloud tightly as he returned to his senses. Aerith watched as both of them returned to the surface while smiling like an affectionate mother.

Zacks: "Man, you know Aerith. Out of all the girls I've gotten along with, you truly are the best. After that mission, we could have stayed the way we were and might have been able to continue to go out with each other after I returned home. I hate Sephiroth. And I hate Shinra who's been hiding all the stuff they've been doing."

Zacks: "Hey Aerith, did you see Cloud's finishing?" Zacks guided his energy into the second wave as Meteor was thrown back losing its force. "That was one my sword techniques too. Doesn't it make you fall in love again?"

Conclusion
The Compilation of FF7 closes the curtain on whatever love triangle happened in FF7 and gives birth to two new stories of love in the upper and lower world. Cloud and Tifa become the main couple, with their own movie, and the two main characters of FF7. Aerith and Zacks become the two reunited lovers, guardian figures to the rest of the cast before they both fade away and become one with the Planet.

The compilation ends with the same couple with which it began – Cloud and Tifa.

Clotif albums

http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/FaithAC/

http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/FaithACF2/

http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b166/FaithACF/

http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/FaithACF3/

http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d136/spirit3d_18/

ok my computer works now so heres more cloti pics





(the fourth pic i did not notice you had until after i posted this)