#source: ffxv

[phoenixwithapencil]

I think ff15 would have gone very differently had anyone managed to frame the prophecy not as a divine inevitability but a demand made by the imminent threat to the world and to Noctis that is Bahamut.

Bahamut gets framed as- not benevolent per se, but *good* by the narrative. You’re told that this is the god who created the crystal, the prophecy, the ring. This is the god who has been in your corner from the jump. Don’t question it too hard. Go quietly into that goodnight.

The chessmaster has never once had the best interests of their pawns at heart.

Hold Bahamut up to scrutiny and he is the reason that Noct must die. Who orchestrated the growing darkness? Who demanded sacrifice to stop that same darkness in its tracks?

It is, I maintain, not necessary sacrifice. There exists a world in which the ring of the lucii demands a blood toll- a life for a life- and it goes unpaid. There exists a world that the crystal demands a blood toll- the king for the world- and it too goes unpaid. Still, the sun rises.

So then if Noct’s death is unnecessary, that means Bahamut is demanding the frivolous death of the man Gladio, Ignis, and Prompto swore to defend. That makes Bahamut a threat, just the same as daemons or Nifilheim or Ardyn or Ifrit.

And I think, come hell or high water, that the bros wouldn’t fold to that sort of threat. They’d stand and fight.

[xiiiwayfinders]

Gladio: Alright which one of these wires-

Prompto: Blue and yellow.

Gladio: The bl- Do you wanna look at it for more than half a second?

Prompto: I wired the damn thing. Ass.

Gladio: Well I didn't know that. Ass.

Gladio: *cuts wires* Ok-

Prompto: Oh my god.

Gladio: What?

Prompto: I lied I didn't wire it.

Gladio: WHAT?

Prompto: Ba da bum 🥰

[minzart]

So guess who rewatched the 10+ ff15 sotry videos again? me bb

these two could have been everything

[acecaelumizunia]

Got half way through a rant about just because the developers hate us and the game (a joke of course) doesn't mean they should have slacked of with simple details, just to fact check myself before posting and realised what I thought was canon was something I just made up...

Sat my stupid ass down real quick.

[obscurekinfinder]

Current Name/Pronouns: Ignis, he/him

Body Age: 27

Source: Final Fantasy 15

ID: Spiritual kin

Character(s) you are: Ignis Scientia

Type of relationships you want: Platonic only, online friendship, company, familial.

Canon lenient or divergent: Lenient, with branching divergent timelines. But my 'main' is canon compliant.

How to contact you: Interact with this by liking, reblogging, or replying and I will reach out.

Extra: 20+ is my only requirement. I am fine with doubles.

Good luck, Ignis!

[sunsetzer]

Does anyone else get the impression that the whole point of Episode Ardyn was to reveal that the real villain of ffxv was Bahamut all along or is it just me

[guildwarsgirl]

Lizzie, on the phone: Hello?

Ravus: I need your help! Can you come here?

Lizzie: Well, I can't. I'm buying clothes.

Ravus: Alright, hurry up then come over here.

Lizzie: I can't find them.

Ravus: What do you mean you can't find them?

Lizzie: I can't find them. There's only soup.

Ravus: Whaddya mean "there's only soup"?

Lizzie: It mean there's only soup.

Ravus: Well then get out of the soup aisle!

Lizzie: Alright, you don't have to shout at me! *moves to the next aisle* There's more soup!

Ravus: Whaddya mean "there's more soup"?!

Lizzie: There's just more soup!

Ravus: Go into the next aisle!

Lizzie: *moves to the next aisle* There's still soup!

Ravus: Where are you right now?!

Lizzie: I'm at Soup!

Ravus: WHADDYA MEAN YOU'RE "AT SOUP"!?

Lizzie: I MEAN I'M AT SOUP!

Ravus: WHAT STORE ARE YOU IN?!

Lizzie: I'M AT THE SOUP STORE!!

Ravus: WHY ARE YOU BUYING CLOTHES AT THE SOUP STORE?!

Lizzie: FUCK YOU!!!

[lesbianbishounen]

you know its fucking bad when you consider buying a game ultimania that was never translated into english

[queenoffishingandcookies]

Random information about Bridal Wear for traditional Shinto Weddings:

*Note: I am in no way an expert on kimonos, so some of this might be wrong or inaccurately named. Really this is just me rambling about it.

The Ceremony | Hair:

- Traditionally, a woman would carefully wear her hair in a Japanese style (Nihongami) known as Bunkin Takashimada. In the modern era, this is usually a pre-styles wig rather than someone’s actual hair. However, You can get your actual hair styled into the Bunkin Takashimada - such as at the Atelier Iro in Kyoto, Japan. You can watch the process of styling the hair in this video by Q2Japan.

- To simplify the art of Nihongami, hair is primarily split into five sections. The bangs (maegami), the wings (bin), the bun/topknot (mage is the front, ichi is the back - usually just known entirely as the mage), and the hair at the nape of your neck - which is usually used to form a loop of hair below the topknot/bun (tabo or tsuto).

- An important part of the style is the Ne, or the base of the mage. This is because it supports the mage, bin, and tabo/tsuto. If it’s too tight, it will cause pain. If it’s too loose, you risk the hairstyle loosing its shape entirely.

- In the Bunkin Takashimada style specifically, the bin are styled to be full and rounded, and the maegami - pulled back from the face - is fuller as well. The mage is typically set high on the head, with the tabo being shorter but fuller compared to usual. However, specific styling - the shaping of the tabo, for example - differs from region or region in Japan.

- Like any other bride, the style is often accessorized with hairpins, combs, barrettes and many other articles, which are known as Kanzashi. There are a lot of types, and the style can also be divided by season - though, in the modern day, this rule of following the seasons is mostly followed by Geisha and Maiko.

Head Coverings:

- There are two traditional head coverings that a bride can wear for the Shinto Ceremony - The Wataboshi (cotton hood) and/or the Tsunokakushi (hiding horns). In the modern day, a bride typically chooses to wear one or the other, if not to simply wear neither.

Firstly, I’ll be going over the Wataboshi.

The Wataboshi (Lit: Cotton Hood):

- The Wataboshi is said to have originally been outdoors-wear, derived from the Katsuki - another headdress usually worn by married woman of samurai family in the Muromachi and Muromaya periods.

- It served to keep dust and grime generally off the hair, and could also keep away the cold in the chillier months.

- In the modern day, the Wataboshi functions most similarly to the western wedding veil. Due to its large size, it mostly obscures the face of the bride from view so that no one other than the groom can really see her until after the ceremony is over.

- Due to its white coloring, it��s generally and symbolically thought to represent purity, new beginnings, and so on - though, similarly to the Shiromuku (a type of kimono kimono) below, it can have a red lining.

- The Wataboshi itself is specifically worn only during the wedding ceremony, and only with the kimono worn for the ceremony - typically the shiromuku.

- Once the ceremony is over, the bride will remove the Wataboshi, and instead wear a different headpiece known as the Tsunokakushi to the reception if she wishes. She will also change from the Shiromuku into the more colorful brocaded kimono, the Iro-uchikake (see below).

- I’ll go into this more below, but according to one blog I read, some brides possibly used to actually wear the Tsunokakushi beneath the Wataboshi, tying to a different theory regarding their white coloring.

The Tsunokakushi (lit. Hiding the Horns)

- The second piece of bridal headwear, the Tsunokakushi, can be worn both during the wedding ceremony and during the reception. Unlike the Wataboshi, it can be worn with both the Shiromuku and Iro-uchikake.

- The Tsunokakushi is a rectangular, almost boat-like cloth that partially covers a bride’s hair. Typically, it’s made of white silk to match the white silk of the bride’s kimono. A bit similar to a Navy cap worn vertically, it peaks at both the front of the forehead, and in the back just behind the mage. There’s also usually a hole in the top of the Tsunokakushi, so that the mage remains uncovered and can be seen.

- Traditionally, it is accepted that the Tsunokakushi is worn to hide or prevent horns from growing on the head of the bride, as an old folktale spoke of woman turning into demons from jealousy. It also has been said that it symbolizes obedience to her spouse. Essentially, it suppresses dark and negative lines of thought.

- The theory I mentioned above hypothesized that it actually represents the underworld, not just being meant to hide the horns of the bride. It ties to the Wataboshi and Tsunokakushi being worn at the same time.

- The Tsunokakushi is thought to have rose to prominence during the Edo-period as a sort of headdress women would wear when inside Buddhist temples. In some sects of Buddhism, women were expected to cover their hairlines in front (widow’s peak, I think?), traditionally shaved off in men’s fashion.

- In other words, there’s a lot of debate over the etymology and origin.

The Ceremony: The Kimonos

Traditionally speaking, a bride wears two (?) types of kimono.

For the ceremony itself, the padded shiromuku is worn atop a lighter kakeshita (a type of furisode kimono. I think hon-furisode? except the collar and hem is padded). Though, she may choose wear the more colorful iro-uchikake instead.

Following the ceremony, the bride may then change into the Iro-Uchikake (if she wasn't already wearing one, so I've split them apart in this post)

She may also simply forgo the uchikake entirely, either displaying the furisode she was wearing or changing into a different furisode-style kimono (hiki-furisode, usually) for the reception.

The General Kimono Undergarments:

The silhouette of the kimono isn't focused on curves of the body, the way western clothing styles did/do. It's a more smooth, cylindrical shape instead. This leads to different sort of undergarments to preserve the shape of the kimono.

When people wore them, they didn't wear bras or panties/boxers that go under modern western style clothing - or, not in the same way.

Instead, the hadagi - also known as the hadajuban - was worn. Usually made from cotton, this can either be a one piece garment or divided into a top shirt and a skirt known as susuyoke, though this can also be replaced by trousers, etc. The hadagi usually has cord attached that is used to tie it shut/secure it in place. Just like the rest of kimono wear, it is folded left over right.

Traditionally, this goes directly on your skin and nothing is worn underneath (though I think in modern day you can wear kimono bras to smooth out your bust, and in the past woman used Sarashi as bindings instead).

If you require it, hoseigi - kimono padding - is added atop to hadagi to fill out the space, making the rounded shape of the kimono firmer, fuller. (Using it depends on the occasion, individual need and comfort, etc).

Over top that, the juban is worn.

This could be either the nagajuban - a one-piece originally having been an essential garment in a woman's kimono wardrobe, but also very common for men to wear today - or the hanjuban, which in contrast is made of two pieces.

Regardless of which type of juban you wear, unlike the hadagi, it has a thick collar referred to as the han-eri, which is meant to be seen above the collar of the actual kimono. This can either be sewn on, or just pinned in place.

The han-eri is akin to a boning channel, in that usually most people will put a collar stiffener called the erishin through it. In the modern day, it's usually plastic, but it can also be made out of paper.

The juban is tied shut with a fabric tie called the himo. This is usually around the waist of the juban, and is also used to tie the kimono shut (the koshihimo around the waist and then the munahimo just below the chest).

In the modern day, elastic korin belts can be used in place of himo ties, as their flexibility makes them more comfortable, and the clips at each end are more manageable than tying them off.

The juban can also be tied shut with broader ties, such as the datemaki.

There are a lot more options for kimono undergarments, but the differences between names and roles goes a bit over my head, so these are (for me) the simplest ones to understand.

(Billy Matsunaga's channel is great for understanding the structure of the kimonos and how to wear them in general, and a video by PaprikaGirl shows how one gets dressed in a kimono).

The Shiromuku & Kakeshita:

In many weddings, when a bride wears a shiromuku kimono, she's often wearing several kimonos - the shiro-kakeshita kimono, and then the uchikake over top. Possibly more, depending on whether or preference?

The term 'shiromuku' actually refers to the upper kimono, the uchikake. It's an extremely formal kimono worn as outerwear - I've heard it likened to a coat once, so it's never actually tied shut by an obi -> the kimono below it is.

It's constructed to be very thick, being heavily padded at the hem to prevent wear. This is because the shiromuku isn't tied shut. Where as the kakeshita below would be tied with both the himo and obi after being lifted up so as not to drag on the floor, and the excess bagginess folded over to hide the himo - the shiromuku isn't.

As a result, it's much longer that the kimono/kimono undergarments and intended to drag along the floor when indoors.

Traditionally, the uchikake is purely white, and therefore referred to as the shiro-uchikake. It's just more commonly called shiromuku.

In comparison, the kakeshita isn't so heavily padded at the hem, and it is thinner then the shiromuku kimono - and as I mentioned, it is the kakeshita which is tied shut with both the himo and obi.

(According to a series of rabbit holes I went down, as I mentioned earlier, the kakeshita kimono is bridal variant of the hon-furisode. Furisode kimono are known for their long sleeves and usually only worn by unmarried woman, the hon-furisode being the most formal with sleeves around 114 cm in length.)

The Iro-Uchikake:

As mentioned above, the Shiromuku kimono a bride typically wears is a white uchikake. In comparison, the iro-uchikake, though similar in padded design, are vibrantly colored with dyes and embroidery instead.

Accessories:

After the bride has been dressed in shiromuku (or iro-uchikake), traditionally she will have three primary accessories tucked into her clothing to carry during the ceremony.

The Hakoseko:

The hakoseko is a small box-like container, though I've also heard it called a folding purse or wallet. It has a very practical purpose in that the hakoseko holds the cosmetics of the bride - though, usually it's more symbolic than anything else in the modern day. Originally it was made of folded paper.

Inside, there's often a comb and mirror set, as well as lipstick. It may also carry lucky charms. This was used for any touch-ups needed for the bride's appearance, and also represents her will to maintain her beauty.

This is tucked into the han-eri (collar) of the bride's kimono.

The Kaiken/Futogorogatana:

A kaiken small blade given to the bride, often tucked into her obi. It's meant to be used to protect her home and self - or to commit suicide if necessary. In the past, these were carried in brocade pouches for easy access, and for weddings they're usually decorated with tassles of some sort, meant to hide the daggers.

The Sensu/Suehiro:

The sensu/suehiro (i haven't yet figured the difference between the two terms, though I think it pertains to shape) is a fan carried by the bride. It's said to symbolize the happiness of the couple - growing larger over time.

Wedding Death Theory:

In Japan, the color white can mean two things: Purity and Death.

I think it's less directly related to death, and more the fact that the dead are dressed in white kimono prior to cremation or burial. Still, the connection sticks.

The death/underworld theory I've mentioned is that, in taking on her husband's family name, the bride herself had 'died'. Though putting on the tsunokakushi and wataboshi headress is still tied to repressing more negative emotions - it also signalizes resurrection from the dead, re-entering the human world.

SOURCES

https://kimurakami.com/blogs/japan-blog/kimono

https://shop.japanobjects.com/blogs/editorial/japanese-kimono?srsltid=AfmBOop9UpgSSgamaLBSJeFUrhXrzjVkiYVkEiU41EUU7hRN5o9_4A-7

https://shop.japanobjects.com/blogs/editorial/kimono-types

https://imgur.com/gallery/introduction-to-kimono-types-4vEkAHc

https://livinginjapan.net/2020/04/00516/

https://www.tsunagujapan.com/10-different-types-of-kimono-for-women/

https://members.tripod.com/wonderful_weddings/tsukikajiphotoalbum/id11.html

BRIDAL KIMONO:

https://luckyricefield.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/the-truth-behind-the-white-wedding-kimono/#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9Ctsunokakushi%E2%80%9D%20used%20to%20actually,the%20removal%20of%20the%20horns.

https://myjapanslice.com/2016/10/31/attending-a-traditional-wedding-in-japan-the-ceremony/

https://www.es-kyoto.yumeyakata.com/single-post/20180325

https://www2.northwestmuseum.org/museum/detail-traditional-japanese-wallet-hakoseko-57219.htm

http://maihanami.blogspot.com/2016/01/kimono-q-wedding-kimono.html?m=1

http://kyoto-weddings.jp/bridalkimono.html

https://japandreamwedding.com/cultural-information/womens-traditional-wedding-ensembles/

Difference between Furisode & Hiki-Furisode

https://iwabijin.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/the-transformation-of-a-frisode/

Bridal Accessories

https://www.amazon.com/DEAR-VANILLA-Authentic-Traditional-Accessory/dp/B0DCWJFQ7Y#:~:text=Hakoseko%20is%20a%20wallet%2Dlike,in%20matching%20color%20or%20patterns.

PLUS - a screenshot of videos I've watched.

[impatient-traveler]

You know, somtimes I get briefly a bit salty about never seeing cool screenshots of the mods I've made* but then I remember all my mods are fucking shitposts. Yeah ok that does actually check out.

*there have been notable exceptions and all of my love goes to those people

[mimble-sparklepudding]

FFXIVwrite2024 Appreciation Post!

Having just recovered from my efforts at completing FFXIVwrite20224 (organised by the inestimable @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast) I thought it might be a good idea to celebrate just some of the excellent writing produced by the FFXIV Community for the event!

Saturnine by @naejlas-axe. A great piece of writing about an OC doing a piece of writing - it's very meta! Plus I suggested the word for it!

Taken by @kannedia. Semi-platonic piratical parleying. I learned that QPR does not always mean the football team!

Bar by @lilbittymonster. Featuring the Chais, who are some of my favourite characters. This one's on the Archive of Our Own site, but it still counts I think.

Two Heads Are Better Than One by @musesofawolf. Fun with Thancred! Definitely a blog you should be following.

Steer by @johnnylandslide. Alisaie takes a driving lesson with a bit of a FFXV crossover.

Perpetuity by @hares-and-hounds. A brief reflective piece. I enjoyed how the entries tracked the character's story at different ages.

Reticent by @starrysnowdrop. A certain Astrologian has an accurate prediction of future events. Hali is always a joy!

Third-Rate by @elliewiltarwyn. A great scene set at the end of ARR/beginning of Heavensward. Plus extra credit to the writer for producing so much work whilst very poorly.

On Cloud Nine by @autumnslance. A unique perspective on events from an unexpected source.

Zip by @ainyan. A short, but sweet little piece that I really liked. Romantic and just a little bit suggestive.

Stamp by @astrology-bf. A little piece of erotic writing about... well erotic writing of a slightly different kind.

Horizon by @otherworldseekers. A particularly nice piece that takes the prompt and does something unexpectedly romantic with it!

Cellar (free day) by @houserosaire. I really enjoyed this piece. Two refined Ishgardian gentleman have a meaningful exchange in a wine cellar.

Shade by @umbralaether. A wistful, but intriguing piece that I enjoyed very much.

Hackneyed by @irisopranta. A piece of fanfiction about fictional fanfiction. I laughed a lot!

Obviously this is just a small selection of writing from a small selection of writers, but definitely worth checking out. I will post a masterlist of my nonsense FFXIVwrite2024 pieces at some point, but I can't promise it will approach the quality of any of these examples!

[obscurekinfinder]

hi. i'm noctis from final fantasy 15. i'm looking to talk to anyone! please be an adult (preferably over 21) as i am 26. thank you!

Good luck, Noctis!

[silalcarin]

Cloti's growth in touch and why their famous kiss may foreshadow their canon status in Part 3

In Remake, in Tifa's Resolution, Tifa approaches Cloud for comfort, and after a while, he reciprocates and hugs her.

Let it be known that, throughout the entirety of Remake, Tifa is literally the only one with whom Cloud shares a hug. Yes, Tifa had to initiate the physical contact, but it doesn't change the fact that Cloud never shares a hug with anyone else in the game.

However, in Rebirth, if Tifa is Cloud's date during the second Gold Saucer visit:

During the Loveless play, Cloud pulls Tifa towards him and touches her waist as he spins her.

During the Skywheel date, Cloud initiates a hug with Tifa, in both the Low Affinity and High Affinity versions.

And, if it's the High Affinity version of the date, after the hug, Cloud initiates a kiss with Tifa.

Let it be known that, during the Loveless play, between the 3 female party members, Tifa is literally the only one whom Cloud pulls towards him, and Tifa is literally the only whom Cloud touches as he spins her. (Video source)

Let it be known that, out of all the possible date options in the Skywheel, in all of the Low Affinity and High Affinity versions of each and every single date, Tifa is literally the only one with whom Cloud initiates a hug, and, most significantly, Tifa is literally the only one with whom Cloud initiates a kiss. (Video source)

Now, remember that the entire Final Fantasy franchise is a JRPG. This is a franchise made in Japan, a country in the Eastern hemisphere. Back in 1997 (when the OG FFVII was released) and even today, in Eastern countries like Japan, public displays of affection are still taboo. So, if a kiss ever does occur in an anime or video game, especially if it's aimed for teenaged males, the kiss will only happen once (this is not always the case, but it is still the norm, even today), it will only happen between a canon couple, and it will be treated with the utmost significance.

Most notably, throughout the entire Final Fantasy franchise, the only pairings that have ever shared an on-screen kiss have been canon couples. (Video source)

As you can see in the provided video, all of those Final Fantasy pairings that have kissed on-screen before Cloti are canon couples:

Cecil/Rosa ─ FFIV (1991)

Squall/Rinoa ─ FFVIII (1999)

Tidus/Yuna ─ FFX (2001)

Rasler/Ashe ─ FFXII (2006)

Snow/Serah ─ FFXIII (2009)

Noctis/Lunafreya ─ FFXV (2016)

Terence/Dion & Clive/Jill ─ FFXVI (2023)

Now, by the end of Rebirth, Cloti is still not a canon couple. The Gold Saucer date in Rebirth is mandatory; it's just that who becomes Cloud's date depends on how well the player has treated the other party members. However, no matter who ends up being Cloud's date, there are still no canon couples at the end of the game.

But, remember, the Lifestream event (where Tifa pieces the Real Cloud's mind back together, and the Real Cloud's POV of the Nibelheim incident is shown) and the Highwind scene (where Cloti makes love under the Highwind) from the OG game have not been covered yet.

Most likely ─ particularly due to the importance of the Lifestream event (not just within the game, but based on what the game's creators have said in the FF7 10th Anniversary Ultimania and 25th Memorial Ultimania) ─ both scenes are being saved for Part 3.

For the time being, as of now, only theories can be made about what will happen to Cloti in Part 3 ─ such as how different the Lifestream event will be, now that a somewhat similar event has already happened with Tifa at the Gongaga reactor in Rebirth; if the High Affinity version of the Highwind scene will be the only one used; if more nods to Trace of Two Pasts and the new 2000 Gil to Becoming a Hero will be referenced, etc.

But...

Because out of all the possible Skywheel dates, Tifa is literally the only one with whom Cloud shares a kiss. And in a video game franchise that's geared towards teenaged males like Final Fantasy, only canon couples have ever shared an on-screen kiss ─ as early as FFIV (1991) to as late as FFXVI (2023), the latter of which was released just 1 year before Rebirth. The fact that Cloti has already shared an on-screen kiss, after all those canon couples, may foreshadow them becoming a canon couple in Part 3.

This is emphasized by the fact that Kazushige Nojima, the head writer of the Remake trilogy, also wrote Trace of Two Pasts and 2000 Gil to Becoming a Hero (which, as of now, can only be found in the FF7 Rebirth World Preview, which hasn't had any official translations yet).

In TOTP, Cloti is established as having been childhood friends up until they were 7 and 8 (it's heavily implied that Tifa's father didn't approve of their relationship and, off-screen, he threatened Cloud to stay away from her, even before the Mt. Nibel bridge incident). Tifa didn't know how she felt about Cloud initially because he was "a beautiful, untouchable presence," but she realized she is in love with him after their promise; read the quote below. (Sadly, because Nojima used "suki", SENA translated "suki" to "like", since, admittedly, "suki" can be both "like" and "love". If only Nojima had used "daisuki"...) (Source)

"But once the promise was sealed, it seemed to her a thing of singular importance. She'd discovered that Cloud ─ the quiet neighbor who had always seemed as unreachable as the stars ─ was just a normal boy like any other. She'd come to understand that she did like him. And it was that special kind of "like" ─ the one that ties up your heart, making you yearn to be with that person for the rest of your days." (Source: Official English translation, "Traces of Tifa", page 25 ─ Amazon Kindle Edition)

In 2000 Gil, during Cloud's journey to Midgar to become a SOLDIER when he was 14, it's reaffirmed, from the OG game, that the only reason why Cloud wanted to be a SOLDIER in the first place is because of Tifa. (Source)

"This was something he wanted to do of his own free will. He would do whatever it took to become a SOLDIER. If there was a path, he would try to walk down it. If there was a door, he would try to open it. Because didn't he promise Tifa? Of his own free will, he had decided to become an exceptional man. To become a SOLDIER, a hero, and a special existence to Tifa."

Again, Nojima is the head writer of the Remake trilogy, and he also wrote TOTP and 2000 Gil. Therefore, what Nojima writes is 100% canon.

Why would Nojima go through all the trouble of writing that: (1) Cloti has a hug in Remake; (2) Cloti were childhood friends after all and Tifa fell in love with him in TOTP; (3) Cloud's desire to become a SOLDIER solely for Tifa is reiterated from the OG game in 2000 Gil; (4) the entirely new Gongaga reactor scene was added in Rebirth, where (a) Cloud becomes catatonic after Sephiroth gaslit him into attacking Tifa, stays in her room alone as she sleeps, and doesn't fully recover until she wakes up the next day, and (b) Tifa discovers the truth about what happened during the Mt. Nibel bridge incident; (5) Cloti nearly kiss after the events of #4 in Rebirth; and (6) Cloti has a kiss in Rebirth? (For #6, remember that only canon couples in Final Fantasy have ever shared an on-screen kiss up until Cloti in Rebirth.) Why?

It's actually really damn obvious why. Because, as I said earlier, it may foreshadow that Cloti will become a canon couple in Part 3.

NOTE 1: I keep saying "may foreshadow", because, officially, as of now, we don't know what's going to happen in Part 3. We have to wait until 2027 ─ 3 more years ─ for Part 3 to be released and find out what will happen.

NOTE 2: I know that some people may wonder why I'm not referring to Cloti as being already canon.

Let me explain.

I first played the OG FFVII when I was 11. I'll be honest, I had just hit puberty, so I didn't care about shipping at the time. However, even as an 11-year-old girl, as soon as I got to Sector 7 and Tifa was introduced as Cloud's childhood friend, I knew that Cloti was going to be canon by the end of the game. Even before Aerith was killed and the so-called "love triangle" was officially killed along with her, as soon as it was established in Sector 7 that Cloti had known each other since they were children, I knew that Cloti was going to be canon.

If anything, I think that FFVII made me start shipping in general. And I think Cloti was my very first ship. (I say "I think" because I don't remember how my 11-year-old brain worked. I did also ship Haku/Chihiro from Spirited Away and Syaoran/Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura around the same time as when I first played FFVII, so I think all 3 of them are collectively my very first ships.)

Also, I know that the various Ultimanias have (1) stated that Cloti realized they were in love with each other after the Lifestream event, and (2) shown screenshots of the High Affinity version of the Highwind scene and not the Low Affinity version.

However, here's the problem, which I know has been complained about here on Tumblr and other sites: the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII screwed everything up, especially Advent Children.

AC establishes that Cloti lives together with Marlene and Denzel, but they're never actually stated to be a couple in the film, and their interactions, for most of it, are depressing AF. I remember how heartwrenching it was when Tifa lamented that they were "not a real family." This frustrated me as a teenager in the mid-2000s.

Now, remember that, in the mid-2000s, the Internet was nowhere near as ubiquitous as it is today. Any Final Fantasy-related Ultimanias were not available outside of Japan, not even fan translations. Therefore, I had no idea that the AC Reunion Files ─ where Tetsuya Nomura describes Tifa as being "a sweetheart", which is translated from the word "koibito" ─ existed at the time.

Then, in Dirge of Cerberus, in which Cloti briefly appears with Barret, they're only actually shown together once.

After AC and DOC felt like huge letdowns for me regarding Cloti, along with me entering high school around that same time, I lost interest in shipping in general for over a decade. In terms of Final Fantasy shipping, it was because, even though I saw that Cloti was a couple by the end of FFVII, Square jerked us around because they prevaricated over Cloti's canon status in the Compilation. Nowadays, I can't remember how my teenaged mind worked, so, at best, I think I can say that I never stopped shipping Cloti; I just didn't partake in exploring it or any of my other ships in general for over a decade.

TL;DR ─ If the Compilation didn't exist, I wouldn't have had any reason to doubt Cloti's canon status in the mid-2000s. I never doubted the beauty of Cloti itself; it's just that the Compilation made me feel disheartened over their canon status.

Now, I'm aware that Crisis Core ─ which reiterates Cloti's feelings for each other ─ was released 1 year after DOC. However, I'll admit, because I put FFVII out of my mind for over a decade, I didn't even know that CC existed until literally last year (yes, 2023). When I finally discovered it by stumbling upon its fan-translated cutscenes, I liked it. It's one of the only things I like in the Compilation.

But…

What truly revitalized my interest in Cloti again, after I got back into Final Fantasy recently, was hearing about a leak, pre-release, that Cloti shares a kiss in Rebirth. And then, post-release, I saw that Cloud initiating a kiss with Tifa in Rebirth blew up on social media and YouTube.

Then, my interest in the Remake trilogy (yes, 4 years after Remake came out) and its supplemental material like TOTP was piqued. I have the official English translation of TOTP through Amazon Kindle. I now own a PS4 and have played Remake, using the Japanese voices and English version subtitles. But, for the time being, I can't play Rebirth because I don't own a PS5. Everything regarding Rebirth, I've had to learn about either through spoilers on social media or YouTube.

Then, I saw that Crisis Core had an updated re-release in 2022 called Reunion, with the UI and character models resembling the Remake designs.

Now, remember that Crisis Core Reunion ─ with its usage of Remake's UI and character models ─ still shows what really happened at the Nibelheim incident (or, rather, how Zack thinks it happened). Also, while some of the dialogue changed, the Cloti scenes did not: Tifa still subtly asks Zack if Cloud is also a 1st Class SOLDIER; Tifa still sends emails to Zack about a blond SOLDIER/blond knight in shining armor; Cloud still tries to protect Tifa, even though he's just a grunt; Cloud is still ashamed that he didn't become a SOLDIER, and thinks that he didn't keep his promise to Tifa by failing to protect her; Zack still senses that something's going on between Cloti; Cloud still caresses the unconscious Tifa's cheek; and Cloud still lays Tifa down on the floor before he fights Sephiroth.

Now, also remember that the Lifestream event ─ which, again, among other things, shows the Real Cloud's POV of the Nibelheim incident ─ has not been covered yet.

Yep, all of the above got me excited for Cloti again, for the first time in a long time.

Also, as I said earlier, given that Nojima is consistent in his writing thus far in Remake, TOTP, 2000 Gil, and Rebirth ─ particularly for Cloti ─ I have hopes for Part 3, and that, afterwards, Square will finally state that Cloti is canon and then never ever touch them again.

(End my extremely long explanation for NOTE 2.)

(Also, end my long post.)

[why-raven]

Happy New Year from the FFXV team! (source)

[sparklecryptid]

@starfata commisioned: Was reading your Broken Ice update and this line jumped out at me "Luche’s face breaks into a dawn with a smile." Do you think, given Daemons and everything, there's a lot more use of sunlight related sayings/metaphors etc? A stronger emphasis on sun in general?

----

Let’s start with FFXV in general. FFXV, in general, is a game that focuses on fate. It is a game that focuses on a predetermined path and the characters that walk it. Final Fantasy XV is a game that gives you choices only for those choices to ultimately lead you further down the path you are destined to walk.

Is a choice a choice when it will lead to the same destination? Is a choice a choice when you know that the character you play as would never allow the Scourge to go unchecked? When Noctis is developed, so that you know that he knows that he has no choice, that even if he did have a choice, he’d choose the same path? Choice is important, and I think how FFXV is written, how as you play it seems like the days get shorter, how there is the constant threat of illness and death after night falls, how each settlement has to have floodlights to protect them from daemons, I think this all lends to an idea that the sun, that light is something important. It leads us to think that light might be something rare, something to be hoarded. It makes us more cautious during gameplay, we pay attention to when it’s getting dark and try not to stay out past nightfall unless we are levelling or on a hunt.

So if FFXV in general is a game about predetermined fate and choice. If the game is about the fight between light and darkness and if the people of Eos believe that darkness is something to be feared: Then wouldn’t that make the light that much brighter? Wouldn’t they want to hoard what they could get? In Insomnia, I imagine that it’s common for nobility to hoard jewels that reflect light. I imagine that it’s a source of tension between them and the Galahdian community.

The nobility associate jewels and light with wealth, with power, with royalty, why wouldn’t they be threatened by these islanders with jewels in their hair? It’s a threat to the status quo. They’re saying that they’re just as important as nobility, or even royalty. That being said, since the game itself lends itself easily to speculation that light is important in Eos, that it is something cherished and that the lack of it brings daemons and illness, then it lends itself to metaphors and poetry about the light, about the sun, about how the light is something to be cherished and loved and given to only those that are worthy. It is telling, isn’t it, that the magic of the Lucis Caelum’s seems to heavily rely on light? Copies of weapons made of light. Teleportation using light. Summoning using light. Light is being used to buff your allies. Light is a source of protection. It all comes back to choice in the end. If light is choice but the alternative leaves you dead or desolate or sick, then do you really have a choice? If the choice is between living under the sun, safe from daemons and night wrought ruin or living in the dark, amidst ruins and scavenging like an animal, then do you have a choice? If the choice is a dark future or a bright one, what would you choose? Within the narrative, not everyone is told everything. Given the information they had available, would you follow their choice to the dawn? Or would you struggle to find another way? And in that struggle, would you find the day?

The answer to your question is that, of course, there is, given the nature of the game, given everything I've laid out, how could there not be more sunlight/day sayings and metaphors? It's inlaid in the narrative, and ripe enough to eat.

[silver-wield]

Hey, what is this about FFXV translator shipping Noctis and Ignis? Can you share a source for it?

That's a different translator. They changed the English dialogue to make Noct and Ignis more shippy because they shipped it.

I didn't know at the time but thinking back Iggy did seem very one sided in love with Noctis but I just ignored it cause Noctis was in love with Luna. Now I know it's because some dipstick on a power trip changed the script I'm annoyed. Why tf can't sena employ people who just do their damn jobs?