Cloud Strife

Detailed Introduction

On the surface, Cloud Strife presents himself as a hardened warrior, cocky and headstrong, coldhearted and disinterested in anything beyond completing the hired job at hand. He tells others, often dismissively and with snark, that he has no interest in larger causes, such as the plight of the planet,[20][36] and appears unshaken by the devastation the bombings he helped carry out cause.[71] He is cool-headed, and mostly carries himself as an expert and professional.[note 3] Beneath the surface, Cloud is socially awkward, being well-intentioned but unsure how to carry himself in conversations, having difficulties to express himself. Many who are close to him begin to see through the cracks in his hardened persona, recognizing he is softer deep down.[note 4] Through it all, Cloud is steadfastly loyal to his friends, harboring guilt if he feels he has let them down, and strives to be a hero. He is willing to go through any lengths, from fighting off powerful enemies alone, to crossdressing despite the discomfort to don a disguise, to keep them safe. This, too, does not fool some of his friends, who in turn look out for him when they believe he is out of his depth.[note 5]\n\nThough most traits core to Cloud — battle-hardened attitude, awkwardness, loyalty to his friends, and striving for heroism — do not change, Cloud's surface-level presentation and warmth shifts drastically throughout his life, based on his own yearning for a true identity. Many of these traits began to form as a child (depicted in Final Fantasy VII flashbacks), as seclusion from the others children and guilt at being unable to help Tifa at Mt. Nibel motivated him to better himself and become a hero, inspired by Sephiroth.[note 6] While serving in Shinra's military (as depicted in Crisis Core), Cloud had a shy but happy-go-lucky attitude, eager to prove himself, and often got excited when Zack, who became a mentor to him, noticed him.\n\nFollowing Hojo's Sephiroth-clone experiments which led to his sense of self being completely shattered, Cloud as a mercenary (depicted in Final Fantasy VII and Remake) developed an arrogant personality, where he presented disinterest in a broader cause beyond collecting a paycheck (though interest in a common good occasionally slipped through[20][71] and he harbored vengeance toward Shinra[39]). Around this time, he also suffered many mental breakdowns upon being reminded about his past, up to the point of doubting he was even a real person, submitting to being a puppet for Sephiroth.[28] After Tifa repaired his mind, Cloud was finally a fully-formed person, accepting who he was, resolving to being a hero not out of being special, but having a cause to believe in. He became warmer and more open-minded towards others, as well as a more confident leader, though the awkwardness would still shine through at times.[81]\n\nDue both to Cloud's awkwardness and his tough presentation, Cloud struggles in forming interpersonal relationships. This is particularly evident with Barret; though Biggs, Wedge, and Jessie take more kindly to Cloud, Barret initially dislikes his attitude[63] and questions his loyalties, leading the two to be rude to one another.[20][36] After Barret sees through Cloud and gains respect for him, he begins to be able to open up with him and connect with him emotionally.[61][25] Cloud was also not close with Tifa when the two grew up, although he felt an obligation to protect her.[10] The two became closer and more reliant on one another after losing their home and reconnecting following the Nibelheim Incident. Cloud tried to atone for his perceived failure to protect her at Nibelheim, and Tifa in turn protected him as the last reminder she has of her home, looking out for him when she felt he is out of his depth.[note 5] Cloud opened up more easily around Aerith, who was more flirtatious and playful with him from the start,[82] though he would often respond stiffly and awkwardly to her advances.[82][83] He still showed his softer side around her, more willing than others would to entertain her antics when she communicated with her flowers.[84] Cloud is very protective of her and wishes to keep her out of trouble, though this grates on her.[82][85] By contrast, Cloud trusts Tifa more to handle herself, confident in her combat ability, though he is still concerned for her well-being.[86] It is implied that Cloud may have romantic affection for both Tifa and Aerith, but the extent of his feelings for either is left up to player interpretation.[note 7]\n\nCloud is greatly haunted by Sephiroth, a man he once idolized who became his bitter enemy. After the Nibelheim Incident, Cloud envisioned Sephiroth mocking him and urging him to make the wrong decision. This led up to Cloud giving in and believing he was little more than a puppet for Sephiroth,[28] though after Tifa repaired his mind, Cloud resolved to rid himself and the world of Sephiroth.

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