@ThePettyK The arguments against this interpretation are… interesting, to say the least

@LadyVikingTea @velvetcitypop But Aerith herself later refers to “our spot” later in the game with Cloud, seemingly as a direct callback. I’m not trying to convince you that your interpretation is wrong, mind you, only that it requires making more assumptions and ignoring parts of the lyrics whole cloth.

@LadyVikingTea @velvetcitypop It does not come across as abrupt at all. It flows quite naturally from the previous lines describing her feelings about being somewhat a bystander in her own life until this chance encounter.

@LadyVikingTea @velvetcitypop Does not seem*

@LadyVikingTea @velvetcitypop The line "Until I met you" is part of the same verse as the line @velvetcitypop is referring to and is also sung to indicate the end of that lyrical stanza.

@theory_dance @ActuallyCloud Agreed. The player-driven choices overall felt a lot less narratively dissonant in the OG than in the Remake series.

@_K0K0MI_ The symbolism of Cloud falling back into the flowers here I thought was also really poignant

@IkkiInori @AceX_50 @SilverWield @ClotiCANON @ButtStallion5k @Laura38460211 @pho_fun @tum_ultim Wouldn't this sort of argument apply to the Zack interpretation as well? Cloud at the time of Remake has not yet regained his memories of losing Zack.

@Saraonie @SW_Fan10000 The tonberry does indeed say "watermelon b-" in an earlier portion of the event. Is the confusion about who is speaking the "watermelon bash" line?

@MKH13Omasters I don't get the incredulity given that Remake's ending does indeed present an alternative timeline where Zack survives? Insofar as alternative timelines represent alternative identities, which I think could be an interesting point

@soveoclock @ShinraArch I find this interpretation the most compelling as well and fits with the larger, overarching metaphysical themes of Remake

@Zackastic @StygianSis The two events aren't mutually exclusive, I don't understand this reasoning or outrage at all.

@KenMastersUSA I interact with this side of fandom as little as possible for this reason. The tribalism is just so entrenched.

@TurquoiseHammer Yikessss

@santata12 @mbeisen This is not an argument against peer review, it is an argument against substituting reviews and journal curation for your own thinking.

@santata12 @mbeisen @Chebky1 It is good for people to read, period. Read deeply, make your own assessments, use your own judgement and expertise. How do you typically construct your evaluations?

@katalizorcuk @EvalinaRosen @SamuelBlondahl @DisneyStudios Ironic given that everyone who is upset thinks that mermaids are humans.

@EvalinaRosen @SamuelBlondahl @DisneyStudios She’s literally a fish? What does the concept of human races have anything to do with non-human animals?

@kogami_twt @AmateurStew198 @finalfantasyvii I don't disagree that reunion can refer to their second meeting in game. I think it can also be interpreted, however, in terms of the larger meta-narrative that Remake explores. This is not incongruent with your initial interpretation at all