Cloud's last line

[Tennyo]

The convo with Marlene was adorable, and it was a great turning point for Cloud. He really started to seem like he was ready to play the hero there, doesn't it?

 

[Isabella]

It was a nice way for Cloud to verbally express his transition, rather than suddenly going from glum to kickass like he did in AC. He still deserves a kick in the ass for leaving home without a word, though.

 

[Tennyo]

Oh I'm sure he'll get his kick in the ass. Tifa smiles at him playfully then they get home and she'll be all like, "Nope," and Cloud will be all D:

 

[Isabella]

I wanted to see that though. Cloud owes Tifa an apology and I wanted to see him reconcile with her. I still think ACC gives their connection short shrift. It hits on their connection to the kids, but what about with each other?

 

[Makoeyes987]

...What do you think Cloud's apology was for when he saved her?

 

[Tennyo]

And his whole "I feel lighter," which was "I was willing to drag myself until there was nothing left" in Japanese. and then Tifa smiles. That was when Cloud was apologizing, I think.

 

[Isabella]

I don't see how that's an apology. Cloud says he's feeling better and Tifa's all, yay!

 

[Makoeyes987]

Well Cloud literally says "Sorry" for not coming back sooner so I think that's a pretty indicative apology, ne?

 

[Isabella]

I thought that was a reference to the running joke about Cloud always being late rescuing her.

 

[Makoeyes987]

He didn't say he was late though. And how would he be late if he got her in time and saved her? He says "Sorry I didn't come back sooner."

 

[Ryushikaze]

Can't it be both, really? In universe and out of universe perspective and whatnot?

 

[Isabella]

Watching the clip again, the English dub says "sorry that it took me so long." I guess it could be taken both ways, now that I think about it.

 

[Alessa Gillespie]

If the promise is "If I'm in a jam, come and rescue me." and he did come and rescue her, then it seems entirely possible he was apologizing for giving into his past failures instead of trying to move on.

 

[Makoeyes987]

Oops, I guess I didn't remember the dub line as much as I thought.

But yeah, it's not just a line about him being late to save her since...

A.) He wasn't late

and

B.) He didn't take long at all saving her.

I think he's talking about the other thing. As in, it took him so long to get back home and back to his family.

 

[Masamune]

Well what about him admitting and saying he started his journey as a hero there and no longer seeing his past as something to be saddened by, but to embrace?

And I figured you'd like that tweak on why he left. Him having a more...active role in trying to help rather than just being depressed and wallowing in his fear and feelings of failure.

And what about his convo with Marlene?

I would consider it damage limitation, because you're well aware how I feel about Cloud's characterization in AC. I don't like the fact it takes kids like Denzel & Marlene, who have their own shit to deal with, to give Cloud a kick up the ass. Particularly when Cloud's already fought against the odds and challenged his past failure.

 

[Makoeyes987]

Ahh okay.

Fair enough point then