#ffvii cloud

Heya! So, about this conversation between Zack and Marlene:

In both the JP and EN versions, Zack asks Marlene whether Aerith has feelings for Cloud. This is where the dialogue differs slightly.

In the EN version, Marlene answers, “Yeah, she likes him.” Zack then says, “She does, huh? Can’t say I saw that comin’.” Marlene cheerfully responds, “’Cause you weren’t there!”

That is an innocent and literal response from a four-year-old child to Zack’s statement, “Can’t say I saw that comin’.”

In the JP version, Marlene answers, “Mhm, definitely.” Zack then responds, “Is that right? A couple of lovebirds, right?” And Marlene cheerfully answers, “Hehe, that’s right!”

Again, this is a four-year-old child innocently responding to Zack’s questions. It is not Marlene delivering some omniscient declaration about the romantic relationships of the entire cast.

And notably, nothing in the game establishes that Marlene knew who Zack was, understood his history and relationship with Aerith, or knew the full extent of Cloud and Tifa’s feelings and shared history. She is a child giving her understanding of the situation at face value.

Now, some people may argue that Marlene’s statement somehow validates that Aerith likes Cloud and has definitively moved on from Zack.

But you cannot take the words of a four-year-old character, spoken from her limited understanding and use them as the ultimate authority on what every major character truly feels or what their relationships ultimately mean.

That becomes especially clear when you look at what the game itself shows afterward.

Aerith directly tells Cloud what she feels and, more importantly, what kind of “like” she means.

We then see Cloud and Tifa's relationship develop to the point of their almost-kiss in Gongaga, followed by an actual kiss during Tifa's Gold Saucer date when her affinity is maxed.

We also see Aerith continuing to feel Zack's presence, while Zack is ultimately guided toward the Lifestream. And at the end, Zack is once again in the church, his special place with Aerith, still holding onto the hope that he will be reunited with her.

Those moments provide the juxtaposition that is important here.

Marlene's innocent little statement exists alongside the much broader narrative evidence showing the feelings, relationships, histories and unresolved emotions of the actual characters involved.

Her words don't magically become the final verdict on Cloud, Tifa, Aerith and Zack.

Marlene is a four-year-old giving her innocent perspective. She is not the narrator, she is not omniscient and she certainly isn't the final authority on every character's romantic feelings.

Genuinely love how memeable this man is XD

These two are so cute 🥰❤️🥹