Did Cloud Read Zack/Tifa's Memories?

[Knuxson]

Is Jenova able to absorb info without physical interaction? I find it interesting how Cloud was able to recall the Nibelheim Aftermath so clearly even though he was in a bad... state at the time. Was Jenova's cells simply absorbing it all? Or did the in-Zack's-mind info kick in when they touched again (before/after Zack got shot by Shinra troops)?

Well, I don't think it matters that much, but the way I see it, it's mostly thanks to Jenova's ability to read memories rather than Cloud's ability to imagine things that got him all mixed up.

I am not sure if whether Jenova can use its mimic ability without physical touch is ever addressed. However, Jenova apparently infiltrated the Cetra tribes without showing them her true form. Maybe she somehow touched one of them before they saw her. But I always envisioned her getting close enough to the Cetra and then taking on the appearance of their loved ones before approaching them.

But, regardless, Zack and Cloud touched many times after escaping Nibelheim. Zack carried Cloud most of the way and even put a SOLDIER uniform on him. So, if physical touch is required, there definitely was plenty of it between Zack and Cloud. I don't think Cloud's state at the time matters. The Jenova cells inside a person seem to be able to do quite a bit, despite the host's state, as we saw in the other messed up clones whose Jenova cells forced them to march toward the Northern Crater. But yeah, I agree, though many characterize Cloud's personality in disc 1 as him making stuff up, it really was the Jenova cells and Jenova's mimic ability that created a new identity and personality for him.

EDIT: I just thought of something. In Crisis Core, as Zack is dying, he pulls Cloud's head to his chest, which leaves Zack's blood all over Cloud's face. I wonder if this was supposed to be a subtle way of saying this is when Cloud and his Jenova cells absorbed Zack's memories. Of course, Cloud didn't need Tifa's blood, so maybe not. It might just be symbolizing that Cloud is taking Zack's place or something.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Based on what we know about Jenova approaching the Cetra, and the various mental powers Sephiroth displays, I would feel confident in saying physical contact definitely isn't required.

 

[hleV]

I am not sure if whether Jenova can use its mimic ability without physical touch is ever addressed. However, Jenova apparently infiltrated the Cetra tribes without showing them her true form. Maybe she somehow touched one of them before they saw her. But I always envisioned her getting close enough to the Cetra and then taking on the appearance of their loved ones before approaching them.

Instead of "Jenova" I should've said "someone with Jenova's cells", as in, could Jenova's cells in Cloud observe his surroundings without physical interaction?
With the original Jenova it's an entirely different story, because back then Jenova was a fully intelligent and self-aware being. There's little doubt that she could've changed her form by merely seeing the Cetra.

I don't think Cloud's state at the time matters. The Jenova cells inside a person seem to be able to do quite a bit, despite the host's state, as we saw in the other messed up clones whose Jenova cells forced them to march toward the Northern Crater.

I was referring to a theory that it was Cloud's own memory that made him remember Nibelheim Aftermath, where I'm subtly shooting it down due to Cloud's condition at the time.
Basically, it couldn't really have been just Zack's stories and Cloud's imagination that mixed him up, it had to be Jenova mixing existing memories of different people into Cloud's mind.

That effectively solves the topic:

• Cloud has read Zack's memories after Nibelheim Aftermath and possibly multiple times before.
• Cloud has read Tifa's memories in the train station.

 

[Knuxson]

Instead of "Jenova" I should've said "someone with Jenova's cells", as in, could Jenova's cells in Cloud observe his surroundings without physical interaction?
With the original Jenova it's an entirely different story, because back then Jenova was a fully intelligent and self-aware being. There's little doubt that she could've changed her form by merely seeing the Cetra.

Ah, gotcha. Sorry for my misunderstanding.

I was referring to a theory that it was Cloud's own memory that made him remember Nibelheim Aftermath, where I'm subtly shooting it down due to Cloud's condition at the time.
Basically, it couldn't really have been just Zack's stories and Cloud's imagination that mixed him up, it had to be Jenova mixing existing memories of different people into Cloud's mind.

That effectively solves the topic:

• Cloud has read Zack's memories after Nibelheim Aftermath and possibly multiple times before.
• Cloud has read Tifa's memories in the train station.

When you say "and possibly multiple times before," do you mean before the Nibelheim Incident? I don't think that is what you mean, since Cloud didn't have Jenova cells before the Nibelheim Incident, but a reference to before the "Nibelheim Aftermath" leads me to think that means during or before the Incident. Sorry, lol.

 

[hleV]

Yeah it's pretty much anytime they touched after breaking out of the lab.