So previously we've talked about how fans of CA need to ignore swathes of the lore to avoid uncomfortable questions about the ship. Indeed, it's not unusual to find many Cleriths haven't played Crisis Core at all, some even electing to drop OG after Aerith dies and yet others electing to sit out Advent Children Complete in favor of selected Youtube videos of the cut content. It's a ship that the longer you look into it, the less it makes sense. A very skin deep attraction, anchored on the principal that Cloud and Aerith look good together therefore they should be together. That in and of itself isn't a bad thing, but it isn't enough to contest the narrative as presented on it's own.
In any case, with ZA and CT we've discussed before how one can enjoy the entirety of the franchise unfettered, feeling like the Compilation comes to tie everything together rather than raise questions and appreciate the story the devs gave us - rather than the one we wish they did. The perfect example of this is the Gold Saucer dates in Rebirth.
Everyone, regardless of shipping preferences, should take the time to watch them all as they are all important in some way and aren't in the slightest contradictory. The devs actively encourage viewing them all via chapter select and the way Cloud relates to his friends, all of whom he loves, is important development for him and them. The fact that only one of the dates is unquestionably romantic for both Cloud and the date is not a problem because this scenario does not exist in any of the others. They all have a special place in Cloud's heart, even if only one of them is in an extremely non-platonic way.
However I want to take a step further. I saw some suggesting that this theory would balk at the Aerith as Rosa scenes. I find this quite an extraordinary claim as, nevertheless, Cloud still expresses the hope Tifa will take center stage next time. Nevertheless I feel the idea comes from a mistaken way of looking at the situation.
By this I mean, rather than focus on who is Rosa (be it Aerith, Tifa or Yuffie) the real question we should be asking is, who is Alphreid?
When Aerith plays Rosa, her poetic and moving delivery contrasts wildly with Cloud's awkwardness and inability to deliver the lines in a way that matches her energy. I feel this to be intentional insomuch as it's yet another piece of the Zerith puzzle. For you see, ignoring for a fact that Zack almost certainly would be a more enthusiastic Alphreid, the role was made for him just as in many ways the role of Rosa could be seen to be made for Aerith.
In LOVELESS Zack is established as the hero. The entire poem is coded about his journey through Crisis Core, his role in the poem is central to Genesis's reenactment thereof and even the lyrics - for instance, the oft mis-quoted "Even if the Morrow be devoid of promises, nothing shall forstall my return" appears on Zack's ability Apocalypse - attest to it being a song about him.
Zack is a big ass hero, Aerith is the last cetra and essentially a goddess of her own by the end. Two remarkable superheroes. Yet Final Fantasy VII is not, necessarily, their story. The story is about the dude who failed to become the super soldier and the girl who loves him. Cloud and Tifa are relatively normal, in comparison, yet they are the ones who live on and triumph in the end. They may not be Alphreid and Rosa, but it's even more relatable, more beautiful and inspiring that they aren't.
So then, it follows. Cloud is Alphreid even for Aerith - though it should be Zack - and this falls completely in line with her character arc because it's yet another attempt to force him into Zack's shoes, to try and recreate the magic of the relationship she once had and treasures to this day. Yet, just like in the Sector 5 date - and so many other times to boot - it all doesn't live up to the hype. Cloud can't match her energy, Cloud can't be Zack and that's fine, but it's Zack she wants. It's Alphreid, the hero, that Rosa, the princess, requires.
And so she sings her song, for everyone, and cries a bit. It's understandable, LOVELESS is a sad story in which the heroine is left, as the title suggests, loveless. But Cloud's right there? Why should she be crying? For many reasons I suspect, mourning those she's loved and lost, her loneliness, the fact she'll soon have to say goodbye to her friends and, perhaps, because Cloud isn't her Alphreid.
Cloud and Tifa match energy a lot better as Rosa/Alphreid respectively, which tracks with their own connection. But one can still learn a lot about Aerith's character arc the devs have developed by watching her perform as Rosa also. The same can be said for all the enactments of the play and, indeed, every route in the game. This isn't a choose your own adventure story, but a carefully woven tale that takes many twists and turns but always ends up with the same, beautiful tapestry.
