Hi folks! To preface: 29F- had sudden onset double vision & slight facial droop, was sent from Urgent Care to a nearby ED for stroke work up in June 2023. Discharged later that day after being cleared & treated for a possible ocular migraine. Was sent to my PCP with instructions to get a referral to a neurologist. In October, neuro discovered extremity weakness & he ordered AChR & MuSK (both negative). MRI of brain results were unremarkable. He sent me to ophthalmology, who sent me to neuro-ophthalmology.
Come March 2024- Only eye issue neuro-opth found indicated that my eyelid muscles are weak. She expressed her high suspicion of MG. Explained SNMG & oMG. An unrelated CT incidentally showed “soft tissue mass in anterior mediastinum” (thymus area). PCP said possible thymoma but admits it’s out of her wheelhouse. Now no one is really addressing it? LPR4 was negative. Lots of blood labs, all normal.
Had a RNS & sfEMG last week, most of which was preformed by an “EMG Tech” & sfEMG by a random neuro. He sent the report saying everything was normal to my neuro-opth who I’ll see this week. I read the results & saw that the RNS of trapezius shows severe amplitude (26%) & area decrement (14%) despite his reporting of a normal study.
Symptoms have progressed to 4+ episodes of vision changes a month, eye droop, can’t smile very well, frequent weakness worse with exercise, & difficulty chewing/swallowing. How do I approach my concerns w/ the report without sounding like I’m fishing for an MG dx? Should I request a repeat run of the AChR & MuSK labs? Or does this sound like we’ve ruled out MG?
Thanks in advance!

I noticed ANT said in his post game interview, he’s gonna matchup with kyrie. How does this work? I assume Jaden is gonna guard Luka and if ANT is on kyrie then Conley is guarding their SF? I dunno seems like an awkward matchup, I think Conley probably has to guard kyrie. Let me know what you guys think. Anyone remember how they played em this year?
Edit: Spelling

I tried to post this on asknyc but I couldn’t for some reason.
But I want to make the move from San Francisco to NYC, but I’m not sure how to do it. I’m originally from San Francisco, have lived elsewhere, visited elsewhere, but whenever I’ve been to New York, the thought of living there just feels completely right. It’s exactly what I would want in a city, I feel more at peace in New York than I do in SF. And after analyzing and dissecting it, with respect to the pros and cons, I really want to move. But I’m not sure how, logistically.
One of the reasons I want to leave SF is the amount of opportunities in NY for the type of work I want to do compared to the tech haven of SF. SF is very limited in opportunity in that way, and I can’t completely grow here at the pace I would like to. I love my city, but again I feel like for me New York is where I need to be.
That being said, how the hell does one make that move? Financially? Career wise? Would it better to find a job first before moving? Should I have a certain amount of money saved? I currently don’t have a corporate job so it’s not like I would be moving as a software engineer or something that I could easily transfer as. I’ve seen people say you don’t need anything saved at all or you need thousands of dollars saved. Life in SF is expensive af so I’m already used to the need to spend wisely and the high cost of everything, and living as an average worker. These are things I need help figuring out. Friends I know that live in the city came they for school or for work so their experience isn’t quite the same.
I am determined y’all !

https://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/mairia-cahill-michelle-oneills-belated-apology-for-storey-funeral-is-a-distraction-tactic/a1179279534.html
Never was there a starker illustration of the state of Northern Ireland, and the state of Stormont’s handling of the Covid pandemic, than images from December 2020 of ambulances full of patients, queuing outside hospitals full to capacity.
Michelle O’Neill, then deputy first minister, was quick to offload blame on to her coalition partners in the DUP, telling RTÉ’s Morning Ireland: “Let’s not tar everybody with the same brush… I have never deviated from the public health advice.”
She had a short memory. Only six months earlier, O’Neill had been in Milltown Cemetery in Belfast — disregarding all the public health advice to socially distance — posing with others to have their photographs taken at the funeral of former IRA man Bobby Storey.
Afterwards, she had the ­audacity to act as if she had no apology to make for going, no responsibility for the thousands of people on the streets, irreparably damaging trust in government and the public health message.
“I will never apologise for attending the funeral of my friend,” she said the next day.
Crowds line the Belfast streets for Bobby Storey's funeral. Photo: PA My beloved grandmother’s funeral was just five days before Storey’s. We had to watch from a distance as masked men in blue boiler suits lowered her into the ground.
In contrast, the Storey funeral saw republicans travel from all over Ireland, including leading Sinn Féin figures such as Mary Lou McDonald who attended the funeral and an event at Milltown cemetery, where Pearse Doherty and O’Neill addressed thousands of people.
It later transpired that there was no need for anyone to be there at all — Storey was cremated miles away. All this, in the midst of the worst public health crisis to befall us in a century.
The resulting row almost collapsed the Stormont executive. Last week, Arlene Foster told the Covid Inquiry in Belfast that it was “a moment of maximum risk” for her to try and keep things afloat amid pressure from colleagues to walk.
Last Tuesday at the inquiry, O’Neill finally apologised for her attendance: “I also know equally that my actions compounded the hurt and that horrible experience that those families have gone through. I also know that my actions also angered the families, and for that I am truly sorry. I am sorry for going…” It only took four years.
Where is Mary Lou McDonald’s apology? Or Pearse Doherty’s? Or Matt Carthy’s? Previously, defending her attendance, McDonald said: “If I were taoiseach, if I am ever honoured with being in that role and leading a government, of course I would still go to the funerals of people who are friends of mine. Why would I not?” She added: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to say goodbye to a friend of mine.” Where does O’Neill’s apology leave McDonald now? What does it say about McDonald’s political judgment?
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald The minutes of ­a Stormont meeting the day after Storey’s funeral show O’Neill was bullish about her attendance, stating that in her mind there was “no dilution” by her of the public health message.
She now accepts that “that was wrong, because clearly I did”.
She’s under pressure, a far cry from a few months ago, when some secretly harboured a wish that she would take over from Mary Lou McDonald. This was reflected in a Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll in March, which showed O’Neill a clear 16 points ahead of the SF president. The poll was taken just two weeks after O’Neill’s fluffy Late Late Show appearance, where she gave a smiling, polished performance.
Overly buffed surfaces tend to tarnish with the slightest scratch. Michelle O’Neill is affable, and can repeat the party line, but she lacks the ability to foresee the consequences of her decisions. In government, this is a liability. But in a government during a pandemic, it can be lethal. Asked at the Covid Inquiry if she realised at the time “the hurt and anger that going to the funeral would cause?”, O’Neill’s answer was short. “I didn’t, but I ought to have.” Still, she insists she led “from the front” — apart from that one time.
So why apologise now? Perhaps she is truly sorry, but her apology also distracted the media from probing further the fact that her witness statement to the inquiry — where she denied using informal messages to discuss policy — was, in the words of KC Clair Dobbin, “wrong”. Had Arlene Foster not provided her messages, the official record may well have been different. Despite legal advice, O’Neill deleted her devices — meaning no records or conversations stored on her work phone were provided to the inquiry. That is an extremely serious matter and needs to be addressed. Weeks before the pandemic, I highlighted Sinn Féin’s woeful record in Stormont’s government in this paper, and invited people to scrutinise it, so they could see how they would govern in Dublin. I rest my case. Even in a pandemic, the party came first.

SOURCE: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/launch-academy-announces-strategic-pause-immersive-pamjc/
The TLDR: no matter how good the students are and how great they are coming out of the bootcamp, Launch Academy does not believe a bootcamp can systematically help people get jobs solely because of the market - beyond their control - and is pausing until the market recovers for bootcamp grads.
Selected Excerpts:

While our graduates are of high caliber, there is a difficult cognitive leap for hiring managers to overcome when comparing our entry-level graduates with established engineers affected by recent layoffs. With such an ample supply of the latter, it leaves the former at a strategic disadvantage. Even with the best available preparation, there is no substitute for work experience.
With so much seniority in the job market, it's difficult even for the strongest of graduates to find a job.
Despite this market downturn and adverse hiring environment, larger competitors still continue to speculatively fill cohorts. Make no mistake, bootcamps survive on tuition dollars, and without students, there is no revenue. With no revenue, there is no business. They will continue to enroll students regardless of market outlook, and we think that's not in the best interest of the bootcamp student.
Given our commitment to outcomes, we are pausing code school enrollment until the market improves, and the whole product can be a reasonable certainty for our graduates.

COMMENTARY:

• I appreciate the openness about the thought process behind this decision.
• NO ONE IS ABOVE THE MARKET. We saw Rithms CEO be super transparent here about the market and we've shee Launch School's founder be super transparent here.
• Codesmith is absolutely not acknowledging the market openly. They are giving successful alumni free stuff to flood Course Report with reviews, their CEO is touting 'over 15 offers in a week and over an offer a day' - but doesn't say that during the weeks with 1-2 offers. They laid off about 1/3 to 1/2 the staff but only spoke about positive things in this post (which 3 months later we have not seen co-working spaces in NYC and SF and we have not see new curriculum) and while Launch School and Rithm are talking about challenging results in 2023, Codesmith instead brands their drop is results as "Outsized Opportunities, CIRR and Other Stats That Matter". Their Director of Outcomes did an Official AMA on Reddit talking about how amazing the results were and not mentioning any challenges at all.

Should you go to a bootcamp in 2024?
MAYBE! It highly depends on you and your unique situation. But be careful! Don't trust a single review, anecdote, "friend", alumni, staff member, OR CIRR RESULTS as a decision making factor in 2024. Seek out a bootcamp that is open and transparent about how it works and helps you figure out if it will work for you.

I tried to post this on asknyc but I couldn’t for some reason.
But I want to make the move from San Francisco to NYC, but I’m not sure how to do it. I’m originally from San Francisco, have lived elsewhere, visited elsewhere, but whenever I’ve been to New York, the thought of living there just feels completely right. It’s exactly what I would want in a city, I feel more at peace in New York than I do in SF. And after analyzing and dissecting it, with respect to the pros and cons, I really want to move. But I’m not sure how, logistically.
One of the reasons I want to leave SF is the amount of opportunities in NY for the type of work I want to do compared to the tech haven of SF. SF is very limited in opportunity in that way, and I can’t completely grow here at the pace I would like to. I love my city, but again I feel like for me New York is where I need to be.
That being said, how the hell does one make that move? Financially? Career wise? Would it better to find a job first before moving? Should I have a certain amount of money saved? I currently don’t have a corporate job so it’s not like I would be moving as a software engineer or something that I could easily transfer as. I’ve seen people say you don’t need anything saved at all or you need thousands of dollars saved. Life in SF is expensive af so I’m already used to the need to spend wisely and the high cost of everything, and living as an average worker. These are things I need help figuring out. Friends I know that live in the city came they for school or for work so their experience isn’t quite the same.
I am determined y’all !

Who leads PT during SOCM? Is it different for everyone? (Rangers, SEALs, SF, SOAR, etc.) How does it work with the tight schedule? I have been told its usually 9-5 for first phase and then second phase picks up to a 12-hour daily schedule. I know 18D and SOIDC have an extra couple months of training where the schedule is even tighter. How do those who attend SOCM stay fit enough to directly attend an active SOF Unit after completing the course?

Not me, but my friend (I am being truthful lol). I actually myself was declined by a 3-letter agency a few years ago for similar reasons because my work history was "unsatisfactory" (I was fired from a recent job) and my friend was asking me based on my own experience if it would affect his processing, as he was one of my references at the time, and he now himself is currently going for what I assume a secret clearance. I presume that as he told me he doesn't have to take a polygraph or psych eval or anything. His situation is that he got fired because the employer claimed performance and he refused to sign a bad performance review that he felt he was blindsided by and not given prior feedback for. He says he left on bad terms, hung up on HR as soon as they let him know he was terminated, and then didn't sign any separation paperwork. He's a bit paranoid as he's filling out his SF-86, and does not want to put down his supervisor's information rather a coworker whom he is cool with. How should I advise him accordingly based on his situation?

I'm not looking to start an argument, I don't have a lot of experience w/ various models and brands, shot a LOT of .45 out of a MEUSOC .45 20 years ago but those were pistols tweaked by armorers and basically of 1 brand. They gave them to me and they worked, when they broke I got another.
I obviously understand the difference between the quality of a high cost hand built pistol and an inexpensive mass produced one, however, I recently purchased a Tisas Nightstalker SF (Stupidest name in the world) and having put only 300 rounds so far through it find it to be a fantastic pistol. It certainly does not have the beauty of a traditional 1911 given the optics cut and the rail, it won't take my Wilson Combat mags, but it has a decent trigger, the fit and finish are quite good, I don't care how it looks that much anyway, more how it fits and works, eats everything I feed it from 230 ball to multi types of HP and all of my handloads. I can put 6 rounds into a 3 inch circle at 25 yds if I brace my wrists and while I understand a tight gun is better, this is just loose enough so that if some dirt and sand get in there it will not seize up.
So my question, what would keep this sort of pistol from being recommended? I believe the build quality to be quite decent, is it because of long term quality? Customer service? Metal ingredients? How its assembled? Not trying to sound stupid or start a pissing contest just not familiar enough w/ the history of the debate and would like some knowlegable thoughts from people that know more then me (which is about everyone). Thanks for your answers!

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/sJnhug3
Went through a massive restock of supplies over the past couple of weeks so it's back to work!
What you see listed below is what is available today. If you have any questions please ask! Additional pictures are below for each item. If I don't respond right away I'm probably working on homework but I will respond! Buy any 1 MYOG thing and get $2 off each additional item!
READ THE RULES!!! NO NOTES!!! Zelle (preferred), CashApp, PPFF, or PPGS for +30 Flair ONLY with NO NOTES. I will ask you to send a PM when you call dibs so you know it's me you're PMing. Please let me know if you wish to use PPGS; I will use a Paypal fee calculator and send you a total prior to payment. If you use PPGS and we did not discuss I will refund you what you sent less the fee Paypal charges me. If you are forced to use notes by Paypal just put in ":)". Everything will be shipped USPS priority or First Class and I ship everything insured. Anything dibsed and paid for by 2100 nightly normally ships next business day.
PLEASE USE PM ONLY NOT CHAT. I have disabled chat. DO NOT CHAT ME.
BASICBITCHSLINGS. Made from Mil-W-17337 or A-A-55301 1” webbing and ITW/Duraflex hardware. $2 off each additional sling after the first one! Glamour shots of the slings!

• 6x 5x M81 God's Plaid (tan hardware) $24 shipped each
  
• 6x 5x M81 God's Plaid (black hardware) $24 $22 shipped each
  
• 13x 12x Woodland MARPAT $24 shipped each
  
• 12x Multicam $22 shipped each
  
• 14x 13x MC Black $22 shipped each
  
• 8x MC Alpine $22 20 $18 shipped each
  
• 6x 5x MC Tropic $22 shipped each
  
• 6x 4x MC Arid $22 shipped each
  
• 5x ATACS-AU $22 shipped each
  
• 5x ATACS-FG $22 shipped each
  
• 4x 3x Kryptek Nomad $22 shipped each
  
• 5x 3x Ranger Green (black hardware) $18 $16 shipped each
  
• 10x 6x Coyote $15 shipped each
  
• 10x 9x Wolf Grey $15 shipped each
  
• 12x 11x Foliage Green $15 shipped each
  
• 5x 4x Tan499 $15 shipped each
  
• 6x Just Black $15 shipped each
  

sweatshopslings https://imgur.com/a/75ggP66 I took a chance on some "Vietnam Tiger Stripe" webbing and it is definitely imported and not true VTS pattern. That being said, the material is still good so I whipped up some slings and will keep them on until they are gone.

• 5x 2x "Vietnam Tiger Stripe" $15 shipped each SOLD OUT come back next week!

MEMERS https://imgur.com/a/HRhHipR Mostly Elastic, Maybe Ergonomic Rigs. Something for a credit union thief. Holds 4x AR mags (or whatever) and has the shock cord for 2x more whatevers. Comes with skinny straps and backstrap.

• 1x Wolf Grey MEMER $45 shipped each
  
• 1x Coyote MEMER $45 shipped each
  
• 1x MC Black MEMER $55 shipped each
  

TQ Hammocks https://imgur.com/a/xnre0T0 Hold onto your TQ boys and let them chill!

• 2x Multicam TQ Hammock $16 shipped each
  
• 2x Ranger Green TQ Hammock $15 shipped each
  
• 1x Coyote TQ Hammock $15 shipped each
  
• 1x Just Black TQ Hammock $14 shipped each
  
• 2x Wolf Grey TQ Hammock (Wolf Grey hook and loop was upcycled) $13 shipped each
  

sWINGers https://imgur.com/a/2azTs0w Allows you to mount AR mags or similar sized items in all the ways, left, right, front, or back, just like the way you spend your weekends. Functionality here. All are $20 each shipped or 2 for $35.

• 1x MC Black
  
• 2x Wolf Grey/Mas Grey hook and loop
  

2YOG Pouches https://imgur.com/a/kWyxtfr This is a spinoff of the YOG pouch I made previously to have 2 separate compartments, sized to slightly larger than 3x AR PMAGs. These were each mounted once then I pulled them off because I want to get a little crazy with the design. There is still the rear insert area that is sized for 2x AR mags. I don't have inserts made but if you need one I can make and add it on for an additional $10.

• Nemesis Woodland Wolf prototype 2YOG (I made the middle seam too big so the pouches look lopsided when filled. $35 shipped
  
• DNC 2YOG $40 shipped
  

DNC prototype blow out pouch https://imgur.com/a/TGMrZX6 Same size as the LBT, but I wanted a pouch I could mount vertically on my cummerbund, hence the 90-degree rotated MOLLE on the rear. It is still able to be slid horizontally onto a belt and there is ~3" of clearance in that space. The pull tab is from a different pouch (LBT maybe idk) and is not made by me. $25 shipped.
RG Eagle Operator's Belt https://imgur.com/a/YxjAKD9 Size Small. This was on my kit for a few years but left the basement maybe a handful of times and it's in good shape. Does not come with the inner belt. Comes with my Prototype Dirt Chomper TQ holder. $80 shipped.
First Spear AOR2 SCAR-H Chest Rig https://imgur.com/a/sfSVGNG Catch and release from GAFS, bought it with an idea in mind and it did not work. I added the bungee and pull tabs (made from ATACS FG-X webbing which is close to the AOR2), not tied down so you can adjust it. Asking $65 shipped. If you need skinny/back straps and the male buckles I can whip those up with Ranger Green webbing and add them in for an extra $10.
Holsters and misc https://imgur.com/a/G47ElYE

• Aliengear XD holster. GAFS catch and release. Bought it, tried it on once, went into a box. I think it’s made for the XD9 compact but it fit an XD9 just fine. Asking $40 $35 $30 shipped.
  
• P226 Holster (brown one). I believe this is a JBP leather dual use concealment holster. Comes with one extra snap button. $20 $18 $16 shipped.
  
• Streamlight clicky caps $3 each ADD ON ONLY
  
• MYOG MC Black 1x AR mag pouch. Fits USGI mags only because I suck at measuring. I will throw some shock cord in if bought. $8 shipped or $5 add on
  
• MYOG Wolf Grey/Ranger Green 2x AR mag pouch. Thought I needed this and naturally I do not. $10 shipped or $6 add on
  

Anyways if you made it this far thanks for looking and my FAQs are next!
FAQ
Where are all your things made? By me, on my 1940s sewing machine, in my craft room.
What materials do you use? For the most part, everything is made in the USA and Berry compliant. Generally speaking, I use the following: AA55301 or MIL-17337 webbing; Berry compliant 500D Cordura; MIL-W-5664 elastic; Berry compliant 550 paracord; Berry compliant shock cord; either Velcro and/or generic hook and loop; and ITW or Duraflex hardware. There may be some outliers. All my thread is a TEX 75 heavy duty thread from a US company.
What will the slings fit through? Anything that has a 1" slot, whether it's a QD, HK clip, plastic clip, rifle sling mount, paracord, zip ties, etc.
How do I install this through something or to my weapon? Step by step procedure here of what I do.
Do I have any clips or QD mounts? Not at this time, no.
Do you do custom work? Sometimes, depending on my schedule, but any transactions would not be through GAFS.
Do I have XXX color or product? If it's not listed I don't have it at this moment. Also, I have only been using Berry compliant webbing and no I have not found waifu webbing that is Berry compliant. Yet.
Why did you start this? In 2022 or so I was in the market for an inexpensive sling in a color other than black and also made in the USA. After I made a few for myself I started to produce these as a low-cost, high quality sling for anyone who was in the same boat I was in.
Why do you keep doing this? It's fun! Sewing has let me be creative and make myself kit that I like! Also allows me to prototype things and pass on my "old stuff" to you!

The system is completely messed up. I originally had an appointment for 6/11 but the appointment glitched and gave me 6/19 when I tried to get an earlier appointment. Now I can’t get my previous one back. The call helpline is absolutely useless. I have to leave the country on 7/9 so I’m not sure if I’ll make it.
I noticed that you can't reschedule for things earlier than your current appointment even though it’s not clear at all. The error you get is "reschedule is not allowed before 1 days from booked date", which could mean a number of different things. The website says: "Once my appointment is booked, can I reschedule? Of course. You can reschedule your appointment (for a future date only) and up to a maximum of two times." "future date only" is very vague. It could be future to your current appointment date, or any future date in relation to the day you're booking the appointment. I'm not sure who to talk to anymore about this it's absurd. I can't even book an earlier appointment even if they show up.
Sorry for the rant. I really need an appointment earlier to 6/19. If anyone knows anything about the SF office (i.e. do they allow walk ins? or premium services?), I would love to know.
​

My background: Grew up a military brat, my dad was a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps as an officer, did his 20 years & left as a Lieutenant Colonel. I’ve wanted to serve my country as well, and only recently learned about the officer route as an option. Currently a senior in college getting my Bachelor’s in Media Arts Production (think along the lines of Public Affairs but more video production/media editing) with a 3.5 GPA, set to graduate in December 2024. Have had minor leadership roles throughout college as club officers/leaders and captain on my college track team, otherwise just worked part time at Lowe’s most of college.
Looking to join AF or SF as an officer and go through OTS. I’ve spoken with a recruiter to get a decent basic understanding of my options, but just curious to get any insight or advice from those going through OTS, been through it, or those already in jobs.
Ideally would like to end up as an Intel Officer in the Space Force, or in the Air Force. Or a Public Affairs Officer in the Air Force. [EDIT: Public Affairs best matches my degree and what I want to do. Intel Officer is something my recruiter said takes any degree supposedly.]
My Q’s 1: Are there different odds/chances of getting into the Space Force vs the Air Force? With my background, which would be ideal to apply to first? 2: How does the AF handle individuals going through OTS and tech school that are married already? Does their spouse get to live nearby on base, off base, do they have to wait til the AD individual gets assigned their duty station? Etc. 3. I’ve heard the wait to go to OTS after being accepted has been close to 2 years now. Is that true? If so, what you y’all do between getting accepted and waiting? Continue with civilian jobs I’m guessing. 4. Any other advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Hello everyone MCC is fully back! wooo. here is some minor updates regarding the subreddit.
Firstly we are once again on the lookout for new moderators to join our team, if you would be interested in becoming a moderator read the moderator information page here https://www.reddit.com/MinecraftChampionship/wiki/generalinfo/moderators/ and apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5EluUYlnDxzWNasPzheqc8MkQg2vFuB9o3trPQuyZEPW_4A/viewform?usp=sf_link
Note that there is no deadline or closing date for moderator applications, we work on a perpetually open moderator system where anyone can apply at anytime and after applying you may be offered a role at some point in the future (even if you don't get accepted right now). Due to some minor changes and also that its been a while, we recommend that even if you have applied for mod in the past, this is a good time to submit a new application. Incase you are too lazy to read the wiki page please be aware of some hard restriction we have on moderators.

• You must be at least 16 years old
• You must have a discord account
• Your reddit account must have 2 factor authentication enabled and not be shadow or sitewide banned
• Your reddit profile must be SFW

In addition, if you are member of Noxcrew, Noxcrew global moderator, or an MCC participant (that is active on the subreddit) who would like to obtain some moderator powers for the subreddit please dm me or send us a modmail. (NOTE: Obtaining perms via this does not make you a moderator, if this applies to you and you would like to become a full moderator please send in a regular application)
As well as moderators, we are looking for people who would be interested to help out for smp stuff, if you are unfamiliar this year and last year we have run limited time SMP events for the subreddit both of which were a major success, We are considering the idea of running "mini events" on a quarterly basis however this is looking to be very difficult for us to put together on our own. If you want to help out with this send me a dm
Secondly, in the past few days and still continuing we are making some under the hood changes to our filtering and automod systems including experimenting with a new reddit tools which for an example, allows the profanity filter to apply before making your post rather than removing it after you send. Adjustments are planned to how automod handels reports in order to make rule breaking comments that we miss get removed by automod more reliably. Reports still is a very useful way for us to find and take action on rule breaking content, thank you to everyone who does reports. Also the word "stan" will no longer be auto filtered. 🎉
Finally in june or july we will be running a subreddit census survey, you may have noticed we didn't do our aprill survey, this was due to low activity, if you have a question idea for the survey let us know in the comments
I also want to shout out the subreddit discord server: https://discord.gg/whszgwAMaf its a cool server and we are running a few events there so its a perfect time to join

“We are king and queen, chained together as surely as prisoners in a dungeon. And if we are not to suffer as prisoners do, we must make peace with each other.”

Happy Thursday writing friends!

I apologize for the second week in a row of tardy posting! I hope you like this new theme. I’m really looking forward to seeing all your different interpretations! <3 Good luck and good words!
[IP] [MP]

Bonus:

(These constraints are not required! If your story is better for not including them, please do what’s best for your work!)
Constraint: (10 pts)

Your story should be told by an unreliable narrator. Please note at the end of your post whether you’ve included this constraint! (An unreliable narrator is a narrator who cannot be trusted, one whose credibility is compromised.)

Word of the Day: (5 pts)

demarcation/de·mar·ca·tion/ˌdēmärˈkāSH(ə)n/
noun

• the action of fixing the boundary or limits of something.
  
• a dividing line.
  

Here's how Theme Thursday works:

• Use the tag [TT] when submitting prompts that match this week’s theme.

Theme Thursday Rules

• Leave one story or poem between 100 and 500 words as a top-level comment. Use wordcounter.net to check your word count.
• Deadline: 7:59 AM CST next Wednesday
• No serials, established universes, or stories that have been written for another prompt or feature here on WP
• No previously written content
• Any stories not meeting these rules will be disqualified from rankings and will not be read at campfires
• Does your story not fit the Theme Thursday rules? You can post your story as a [PI] with your work when the TT post is 3 days old!
• Vote to help your favorites rise to the top of the ranks! I also post the form to submit votes for Theme Thursday winners on Discord every week! Join and get notified when the form is open for voting!

Try out the new genre tags!
Theme Thursday Discussion Section:

• Discuss your thoughts on this week’s theme, or share your ideas for upcoming themes.

Campfire

• On Wednesdays we host Theme Thursday Campfire on the Discord voice lounge. Join us to read your story aloud, hear other stories, and have a blast discussing writing!
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Last week’s theme: Summoning

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My (43m) wife (45f) and I have not been romantically involved since 2018, but we've stayed together because we have a son who's now 13. My wife has been seeing someone and staying with him sometimes and has gone radio silent on us occasionally for weeks at a time. She is currently gone and has not been home (or communicated with us) since Tuesday last week.
I don't mind that she has a boyfriend. We don't dislike each other, and I want her to be happy. For the record I've seen other people too, but not for a long time because I realized how disruptive it was. So I've kind of put that part of my life on hold.
The surprise disappearances are increasingly a problem, and have made me realize we just need to get a divorce so we can move on and be able to explain this situation to our child.
Money is a real issue here -- specifically the lack of it.
We live in a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, and can barely afford that. She hasn't worked since (I think) 2017. It's a problem. She has a host of physical and mental health issues that I'm not going to get into.
So I'm the lone source of income, and for SF I'm not making much (less than $80k/yr). Our son is trans and has a whole support system in San Francisco that would be... difficult to replace if we had to move. I also deeply value my relationship with him and don't want to create a deep and lasting resentment by pulling up stakes.
I can't really afford a lawyer, but I don't know how best to start this process. Especially since I can't rely on her to participate.
Does anyone have any advice on first steps to take? I'm a bit lost, and it feels like most of the information I find is basically marketing material. Thanks for reading :)

Hello, I’m sorry to ask this here but I need help for a fan art commission ! I never did a thing like this before and since I really didn’t knew how to do it, I came here since my fan art commission is related to Star Fox. I have some questions, could you help me, please ?
I have five questions :
N•1) Is it problematic if I ask a question here if I am not a member or did not present myself on this subreddit ?
N•2) That one is important, I wanted to know if the artist « Ares² », who did a lot of fantastic SF fan arts, accept commissions ?
And if she accept them, how do I take contact with her for my commission ? It’s for a personal project with Star Fox characters if you are wondering !
-Miyu is going to be featured in these drawings
-A character I wanted to create will also be included but I can’t draw… a male lynx
-And maybe some other characters…
One important thing, I only have a Reddit account, I don’t have other accounts like TwitteX etc !
I also live in Europe, is it problematic in some way ?
N•3) In case « Ares² » does not accept commissions, do you know an artist that could draw my commissions ? I’m ready for any price, as long as the artist is doing great art !
N•4) I never asked a commission for a artist before so if someone can explain the process and how it works, that would be appreciated, please !
N•5) Can I ask for two commissions ?
I obviously will pay the artist who will draw my commissions ! Sorry if my post is uninteresting but I didn’t have another option !

I typically play No Squad Rec with either my PG or Center and I come across some players who are absolute detriments to good gameplay and even sometimes explicitly the sole reason why we are losing. Sometimes these players are just inept and ignorant and just don’t know how to be a good teammate. Other times, they’re intentionally selling the game or emotionally sensitive and want to ruin the game for others, for a number of reasons.
For those who would like to be a better teammate (specifically No Squad Rec), I’ve decided to write up some glaring mistakes made by players as well as advice to improve your gameplay.

1. There is NO reason not to have shooting. The most egregious offender of this are often centers. You can block shots, rebound, defend, set screens, dunk AND shoot as well. You do NOT need to choose 1 or the other. On my center, I can shoot at all 3 levels (3pt, midrange, paint) while doing all the center duties listed. Please stop building non-shooting centers. As a center, when I see a matchup who can not shoot, I LOVE it. That means I don’t need to leave the rim and I can ignore my matchup outside the paint and I will make it HELL for any of the other players who attack the rim. If you have a non-shooting center, you are completely handicapping your teammates & team. I don’t care that you have 10 pts & 14 rebs. You lost because you were a liability on offense and I ended up shutting down many of your teammates at the rim and my teammates can play tough perimeter defense because I’m right behind them to clean up any players that blow-by them. STOP building non-shooting centers. This also applies to ALL other positions. You NEED to be a shooting threat if left open.
   
2. Please put passing on your builds. Some of you put so little passing on your builds that your passes are late by the time they arrive and the contest is now going to force a bad shot. Also, your passes are so slow that it’s incredibly easy to pick off because you decided to put minimal passing on your build. It’s selfish and you’re causing turnovers and poor shots.
   
3. Put SOME defense on your builds. Especially your point guards. You don’t need to be a lockdown, but you should not be a complete liability on defense. You should absolutely have even more than minimal defense if you are a short guard. Also, by defense, I do not mean a really high steal rating and no perimeter defense. Spamming steal is not defense.
   
4. Please do not ask us to play zone because you put ZERO attributes in defense and now you’re getting killed by your matchup. Stop bringing that build to the Rec.
   
5. Just because we have an 18 point lead does not mean you should stop playing defense or not coming back to play defense so you can cherry pick. We see you, and as a the PG, I will never pass to a player making us play defense with only 4 players. It’s selfish and you are toxic.
   
6. Just because you haven’t gotten as many shots as you like in the 1st half doesn’t mean you are being frozen out. Sometimes your defender is draped all over you. Sometimes another teammate has a poor defender & we’re exploiting that weak matchup. Or a ton of other reasons. Do NOT use your emotional weakness and expectation that you NEED your shots to mean you’re gonna start selling or walking back on defense. You’ve now signaled to your teammates that you’re willing to lose and will make us work harder. I will not give in to threats of selling so you can isolate. I would rather lose than capitulate to a players temper tantrum.
   
7. Make the open pass! Your teammate is open in the corner… what should you do? Make the pass. Don’t hesitate. Don’t try to blow-by your matchup and then make the pass. Just make the right pass. When you send a late pass or look off a teammate, you’ve started a contagious pattern of selfishness.
   
8. Sometimes you’re open and a teammate may have missed you or not seen you or sent the ball late. Give them some grace and don’t assume it was malicious and start selling. It’s only going to start a pattern of this throughout the team. Stop!
   
9. Stop slashing into 2-3 defenders and praying for a dunk animation. If you have 2-3 defenders waiting for you in the paint, that means at least 1-2 players are open on the perimeter if they’re spacing.
   
10. Space the floor. You should not me in the midrange or sitting under the basket. Preferably, you should be in a corner or on the wing. Space away from your teammates. Remember, WHERE YOU GO, YOUR DEFENDER GOES! That means if you sit in the interior or in the midrange, you’ve now set up a defender to clip a driver to the rim and a defender to rotate to an open man. Space AWAY from your teammates. That includes spacing up higher on the wing from the corner so that 1 defender can not guard you both.
    
11. Centers, please put passing on your MyPlayers. If you have Breakstarter on Gold, the outlet passes are much crisper and less likely to be picked off. I would say Gold is a minimum. When centers without passing or Breakstarter on Bronze send those passes, they sail out of bounds, have me spinning to collect the pass, or create a turnover. Outlet passing/scoring is one of the easiest modes of scoring in No Squad Rec.
    
12. Stop starting an insurrection against your PG. I am well aware there are shitty PGs and they can’t play their role. What is unacceptable is inbounding to other players because your PG had a turnover or bad possession and now you lost all faith in their ability to run the point. Again, this is for the PGs who are good players (check their stats before tip-off).
    
13. Check your teammates stats before tip-off (Press Triangle on PlayStation). I check for assists, teammate grades, who can shoot, matchup stats, poor defenders, efficiency, etc. A lot of good intel can be gained about teammates & matchups. Also, you can see who is typically a good player and show them some grace when they start 0/2 from the field.
    
14. STOP SELLING. Just quit & leave. If you’re not willing to play defense & offense correctly, just leave. You do not need to be here for 30 mins.
    
15. Stop trying to steal the inbound from the PG in the 1st qtr. It’s toxic. Go down court. Stop making me bring the ball up with multiple defenders draping me.
    
16. Pinch the drive. When you see your teammate is blown by on the wing, you as the corner man should pinch the drive. If you have to commit, your teammate should be running out to the corner man. 2K is not a game of five 1v1s. HELP your teammates. Crowd their matchup. Pinch the drives. Hedge screens. Switch if necessary. Communicate when needed.
    
17. If the center is struggling on the boards and his matchup is getting offensive boards, as the PF or SF, STOP leaking out and help the center on the boards. Either box out or go for the rebound but don’t leave the center struggling.
    
18. STOP running around and sit corner or hash. Only move with a purpose and don’t conflict with others. Otherwise, sit corner or hash and wait for opportunities without ruining the offense.
    
19. Do not force up a shot because you don’t think you’ll touch the rock again. If you’re shot is not there, then set up a teammate for an assist.
    
20. Spamming steal is NOT defense. Stop. Also, if you’re matchup is going off, ask for help or a switch, otherwise you’re our liability.
    

Possibly to be continued.

Clover

Five humans, missing...

Spoilers for all of Undertale Yellow's main routes below
Undertale Yellow is a fan-made prequel to the hit indie game Undertale. While Undertale follows the story of Frisk, the seventh human child to fall into the monster ruled Underground, Undertale Yellow follows the story of their immediate predecessor. Meet Clover, the sixth human. Unlike the humans that fell before, this gun-toting cowboy is unique in the sense that their journey to the Underground was no accident. Clover entered the Underground voluntarily in order to investigate the disappearances of the previous five humans and, if it turned out they perished at some point after their fall, hoped to avenge their deaths. See, while Frisk possessed a red SOUL that embodied Determination, Clover's SOUL is yellow for the trait of Justice. Clover's journey would lead them all throughout the Underground, meeting some monsters that will be familiar to those who have played Undertale and some brand new faces as well.
Like Undertale before it, Undertale Yellow's story can be altered significantly depending on the player's actions. Perhaps Clover befriends the monsters they meet and determines they were unfairly trapped underground, deciding to sacrifice themselves to bring monster kind closer to freedom. Or maybe Clover will blame the monsters for the deaths of the previous human children, avenging them with swift cruelty. Either way, Clover will act in the way they believe they can best embody Justice.

So How Do the Fights Work Anyway?

Like its predecessor, Undertale Yellow tends to treat RPG mechanics as literal aspects of the game's world. Due to the abstract nature of fights in both Undertale and Undertale Yellow, with enemy monsters targeting Clover's SOUL rather than their physical body, it's understandable that there may be some confusion about how Clover actually scales to certain monsters. Luckily, this is a bit more clear in Undertale Yellow than it was in the original game, as the reveal trailer shows that the attacks of monster are things that Clover physically has to react to and dodge (we even see this same attack utilized in game) even though the battle menu only shows their SOUL.
But this is just for when encounters have already begun, what about before that? And what triggers encounters anyway? There's an area in the Wild East where boulders are falling onto the path that Clover needs to dodge. If they fail to avoid them, this begins an encounter too, where Clover is given the opportunity to avoid the "attacks" in the battle menu to negate damage. Other examples include Clover escaping damage from hot steam after touching it and avoiding damage from Axis' energy balls after they hit them. What this means for standard versus fights is a little vague, but it likely means that any attack that would deal meaningful damage starts an encounter and that it would be impossible to simply kill Clover with a sneak attack. Even if it hit them, Clover would still get the opportunity to dodge before the proper fight begins. That said, there is one example of Clover dying without triggering an encounter at the end of the Neutral Route. It's possible this is because it was an unescapable situation but the mechanics of it are still vague and unclear.
As seen with the previous examples such as the falling boulders and steam, it seems that attacks that hit Clover's SOUL and their physical body are more or less interchangeable. Or rather, it isn't possible to circumvent the SOUL to only hit the physical body because even attacks that hit Clover's physical body will trigger an encounter that can then be dodged or endured by the SOUL.
Finally, it's worth noting that the sizes of objects can vary from their appearances in the battle to what they look like in the overworld. We see Clover's SOUL alongside their physical body a few times throughout the game and it's pretty consistently a little larger than their torso. So this thread will describe feats with that scale in mind.

Other Things To Note

• At the end of certain routes, Clover acquires certain abilities/powerups that don't necessarily apply to the rest of the game. Feats or items that are limited to those routes will be marked with the corresponding route.
  
  • [Pacifist] Feat
• Like your standard RPG's, Undertale Yellow possesses a leveling system that will increase the more enemies that Clover kills, with certain abilities being unlocked after certain levels are achieved. However, in the Genocide route Clover showed off the ability to level up rapidly simply by being filled with enough righteous fury. Abilities that are locked behind certain levels will also be marked accordingly.
  
  • Feat^{LV 19}
• The majority of feats will come from Undertale Yellow, but occasionally clips from trailers and other promotional material on the director of the game's Youtube channel will be used, which will be labeled with a T like so:
  
  • Feat^T

Physicals

Strength

• Breaks a piece of wood that had jammed an elevator door with a pickaxe, which broke the pickaxe despite it being described as sturdy previously
• Pushes aside a cabinet
• While physically holding the lid of a trash can Clover is able to deflect Axis' energy attacks back at him which destroyed portable generators about as tall as Axis himself
  • Clover also uses this lid to deflect Axis' bombs
• [Anti-Feat] Needs Martlet's help moving a table

Speed/Agility

• Runs roughly 2/3rds faster than they walk, traveling the same distance in 1.5 seconds that it took them 2.5 seconds to walk
• Climbs a good distance up a rope, though Flowey resets the timeline before they reach the top
• While fighting Decibat they react and move relatively to various attacks that appear to be sound-based
  • Note that blue attacks don't harm you if you're standing still and orange attacks don't if you're moving
• Passes over a bridge when the boards were constantly elevating and lowering
• Moves out of the way of Dunebud's arrows
  • We see in the game's reveal trailer that these arrows move much faster than their in-game counterparts would suggest
• Avoids the soundwaves produced by Starlo's bell attack
• Escapes Axis during their chase
• Jukes the hell out of Axis
• Moves relatively to the arrows and flintlock pistol shots of a pair of mini robots
• Climbs a laundry chute

Durability
Blunt

• A tumbleweed knocks them onto a lower platform and they don't even flinch
• Even while using the Patch, Clover's starting accessory that offers no extra defense, Clover can withstand several giant boulders smashing into them
  • While using the Steel Buckle or superior defensive items, this damage is totally negligible
• Takes several blows from Ed that launch massive boulders into the air
• Withstands the Guardener's attacks which could smash giant gears that are larger than Clover
• [Genocide] Gets hit by large meteors summoned by Zenith Martlet

Falling

• Jumps down a hole into the Underground and lands on a bed of flowers
• Falls through the floor of the Ruins and lands in a bed of flowers in the Dark Ruins, quickly jumping to their feet afterwards
• Crashes a speeding boat over a ledge, sending them over and into the mines
  • Flowey did comment they seemed pretty hurt by this
• Falls down a trap door

Heat

• Survives in the Steamworks with no issue, which was hot enough to light Moe's clothes and stand on fire over the course of their conversation
• Withstands multiple fire attacks from Asgore before eventually succumbing to them (with Asgore being the strongest non-final boss monster in the original Undertale)

Other

• Gets shocked repeatedly by Dalv's electrical attacks, enduring four before eventually succumbing
• A giant fan produces a sandstorm that pushes them back a considerable distance
• Gets hit by dynamite thrown by Starlo
• Survives multiple shots from Starlo's revolver
• Withstands hits from Axis' energy balls which later destroy Axis' portal generators
  • During Axis' boss fight, Clover takes no damage from this at all
• With the highest defensive accessory they take negligible damage from Ceroba's attacks which shatter stone pillars (they also take a glancing blow from these attacks in a cutscene without damage, though it takes them some time to return to their feet)
  • [Pacifist] Clover later withstands Ceroba's attacks after she had powered up into her Kitsune form, which dealt double damage compared to her previous attacks (2HP with the best defensive item instead of 1HP)
• [Pacifist] Endures for a little over a minute after their soul had been extracted from their body (though they were too weak to do anything but crawl)
• [Genocide] Gets crushed by blocks with enough force to shatter them which are not affected by their SOUL's energy beams
• [Genocide] Here is the top of UG Apartments before Clover's battle with Zenith Martlet compared to after, which assuming Martlet's attacks were responsible for any of this damage means that Clover would scale to it
• [Genocide] Clover grows so powerful that Asgore's trident shatters against their SOUL^{LV 20}

Skill

• Shoots a hat off a dummy
• Beats Starlo in a quickdraw contest
• After being fully lasso'd by Starlo, Clover is still able to effectively avoid his attacks and even tricks him into shooting his own lasso twice
  • Starlo is accurate enough to shoot sticks of dynamite out of the air
  • Clover is still able to fight back as well
• Can shoot something as small as a micro froggit
• Opens a door by shooting its control panel
• Plays a mean harmonica^T
• Holy shit they're so sick with it^T

Justice SOUL

• Flowey talks about how Boss Monsters are stronger than others and that a human SOUL is even more powerful than them
• [Pacifist] During the final boss, Clover is powered up and given a plethora of different abilities (the reason for this isn't explicitly stated, but it's likely because they felt their cause was just, more so than they ever had in the rest of the game)^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Endures repeated enraged attacks from Ceroba that should have killed them before returning to full HP as the next phase of the boss starts^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Can fire energy blasts from their SOUL which are strong enough to overpower Ceroba's own charged blasts^{LV 1}
    • They can quickly fire smaller shots on top of the more powerful charge shots^{LV 1}
    • A weaker version of Ceroba's attacks could shatter stone pillars^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Is able to phase through attacks, including otherwise unavoidable AOE attacks^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Clover is able to Hope, allowing them to take an extra hit without damage^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Clover is able to Endure, regenerating health from a range of 5HP to 10HP^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] Clover is able to Remember, granting them a speed buff over the course of that turn^{LV 1}
  • [Pacifist] After cracking Ceroba's Kitsune mask, Clover is able to see a memory of her past talking to her dying husband^{LV 1}
• [Genocide] After hearing that Axis, the penultimate boss, killed a human child, Clover is filled with such rage and a desire for justice that they automatically leveled up and developed the ability to shoot energy blasts from their SOUL. The first blast obliterated the trash can lid Axis was using as a shield and after further leveling up they fired a massive beam that obliterated Axis entirely. Clover also gained an assortment of other abilities at this point^{LV 15/19}
  • [Genocide] Smaller shots can be rapid fired and a brief charge allows Clover to fire the beam^{LV 19}
    • [Genocide] It required two small shots to destroy the meteors Zenith Martlet summons and they're completely obliterated by the beam^{LV 19}
    • [Genocide] With enough shots Clover destroys Martlet's armor that their gun was completely useless against (based on the fact that the Fight button is locked during the phase of the fight that she's wearing the armor)^{LV 19}
    • [Genocide] Clover's beam is strong enough to completely obliterate Asgore as well as his throne and the wall behind him^{LV 20}
  • [Genocide] Like in the Pacifist ending, Clover is able to dash which smashes blocks that their shots and beams couldn't break and allows them to phase through otherwise unavoidable attacks without damage^{LV 19}
  • [Genocide] After destroying Martlet's armor, Clover is able to see into mind and witness her backstory^{LV 19}
  • [Genocide] Clover is able to Endure, automatically recovering anywhere from 20HP to 25HP^{LV 19}
  • [Genocide] Here is the top of UG Apartments before Clover's battle with Zenith Martlet compared to after, with Clover presumably being responsible for at least some of the damage^{LV 19}
• [Genocide] Throughout the game, Clover is able to undo mistakes thanks to the SAVE function. Primarily, this is thanks to Flowey doing so for you, becoming an in-universe stand-in for standard RPG Saving and Loading and ultimately allowing them to revive at the latest SAVE point for standard enemies or directly back into the battle for Boss encounters. However, at the end of the Genocide route Clover levels up enough to steal Flowey's control of the timeline, ultimately taking the SAVE ability for themselves which they can use to SAVE and LOAD in the middle of battle^{LV 20}

Gear

Note that while Clover can store excess items in boxes they find around the Underground, they can only carry eight items in their inventory not including their current Weapon, Ammo, Armor, and Accessory. Later in the game they discovered the Dimensional Satchel which allows them to access the boxes from anywhere, but they still only have eight slots to bring into an encounter.
Weapons
Guns

• Toy Gun - Clover's default weapon is a simple toy gun
• Wild Revolver - A gift from Starlo, purchased from Blackjack's shop
  • While the Toy Gun only fires once per turn, the Wild Revolver is fired six times in a row
  • While the Wild Revolver looks and functions like a typical revolver, note that Blackjack does say that he made it so as not to be lethal (though the following line about how anything could be lethal if used enough times consecutively makes this seem more like a meta joke about RPG fight mechanics, even going so far as to mention the ballet shoes that are a weapon in the original Undertale)

Feats
Note that cutscenes will always play out the same regardless of whether the Toy Gun or Wild Revolver is being used, so while the Revolver is obviously the more powerful of the two the Toy Gun is much more powerful than it's name would suggest and the following feats apply to both weapons.

• Damages machinery
• Critically damages Axis who could withstand his own energy balls being reflected back at him with no physical damage, merely draining his power instead
  • After being rebounded Axis' attacks destroyed portable generators as tall as Axis himself
• Destroys robots with repeated shots
• Executes undamaged monsters in cutscenes/scripted fights in both the Pacifist and Genocide routes
• [Anti-Feat] Was unable to destroy the trash can lid Axis was using as a shield

Ammo
Rather amusingly, Clover will jam whatever odd materials they can find into their weapon which somehow works perfectly^T

• Rubber Ammo (AT 0) - The default ammo that Clover started their journey with
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• Pebble Ammo (AT 3) - Small rocks that Clover discovered in the Dark Ruins
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• Ice Ammo (AT 6) - Discovered near the start of Snowdin, these fragments of a shattered ice crystal don't melt and cool Clover's gun upon being loaded
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• Coffee Ammo (AT 4 + 1 SPEED after perfect attack) - Found in a barrel near the exit of Snowdin
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
  • Compare the increased speed to Clover's normal battle speed
• Flint Ammo (AT 9) - Salvaged from an ore deposit outside the East Mines
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
    • Note that the shots make small explosions upon impact
• Glass Ammo (AT 5 + 2HP) - Taken from a shattered glass in the Dunes Gift Shop
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• Silver Ammo (AT 3 + Bonus Damage for Perfect Shot) - Purchased from Blackjack's shop
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• Nails (AT 10) - Found in a box in the Steamworks greenhouse
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver
• [Neutral/Genocide] Friendliness Pellets (AT 11) - A gift from Flowey, acquired outside of the Steamworks
  • Toy Gun Wild Revolver

Armor

• Warn Hat - The default armor that Clover started their journey with
• [Pacifist/Neutral] Nice Hat - Visually identical to Clover's old one and offers no extra defense or benefits, but it is a pretty nice hat

Accessories

• Patch (Armor DF 0) - The default accessory that Clover started their journey with
• Feather (Armor DF 2) - A stray feather located in the tunnels near Dalv's house
• Honeydew Pin (Armor DF 4) - Purchased at the Honeydew Resort shop
• Band Merch Pin (Armor DF 5) - A pin given to Clover by a band's super fan in Honeydew Resort
• Steel Buckle (Armor DF 7) - Found inside a cubby in the East Mines
• Safety Jacket (Armor DF 6) - Found on a hook in the East Mines
• Fancy Holster (Armor DF 8) - Purchased from Blackjack's shop
• Safety Goggles (Armor DF 9) - Acquired from Vendy in the Steamworks
• Silver Scarf (Armor DF 6 and +2HP Every Turn) - Given to Clover by Slurpy in Snowdin after freeing his tongue from a frozen pole
  • Here is the scarf in use
• Delta Run Patch (Armor DF 10) - Purchased from Bits and Bites at UG Apartments
• Golden Bandana (Armor DF 12) - Found in a chest in the Steamworks
  • This did come at the cost of sacrificing the Golden Pear, Golden Coffee, and Golden Cactus

Food/Healing Items
Note that at their weakest (LV 1), Clover has 20HP and at their strongest (LV20), Clover has 100HP
Single Use

• Lemonade - 7HP
• Lukewarm Pop - 8HP
• Candy Corn - 9HP
• Packing Peanuts - 10HP
• Sea Tea - 10HP (+ Temporary Speed Increase)
  • Here is the Sea Tea in use
• Monster Candy - 10HP
• Corn Dog - 12HP
• Cold Pop - 12 HP
• Sponge Cake - 14HP
• Hot Pop -14 HP
• Trail Mix - 14HP
• Corn Chowder - 15HP
• Moss Salad - 17HP
• Ice Tea - 20HP
• Green Tea - 21HP
• Flower Stew - 20HP
• Hot Dog - 20HP
• Fruitcake -25HP
• [Pacifist/Genocide] Adult Soda - ???HP
  • It's actually 20HP
• [Genocide] Oasis Latte - 25HP
• [Neutral] Cake - 30HP
• [Genocide] Cinnamon Cookie - 35HP
• Golden Pear - Invulnerability for two hits
  • Here is the G. Pear in use
• Golden Coffee - Increases Clover's speed for 3 turns
  • Here is the G. Coffee in use (also note that this buff carries on to future encounters if the three turns aren't used)
• Golden Cactus - 15HP for 3 turns (Lose 5HP after first bite)

Two Uses

• Grassy Fries - 14HP
• Beef Jerky - 16HP

Unlimited Supply

• Spider Donut - 12HP
• Popato Chisps - 13HP
• Honeydew Coffee - 14HP
• Honeydew Pancake - 16HP
• Ice Water - 15HP
• Monster Candy+ - 15HP
• Root Beer - 18HP
• G.B. Bear - 20HP
• Dihydrogen Monoxide - 20HP
• Feisty Slider - 30HP
• Gravity Granola - 30HP
• Cinnamon Butterscotch Strudel - 30HP
• Floral Cupcake - 50HP
• Gun Powder - ???HP
  • Completely maxes out Clover's HP
  • Note that Clover can only acquire one of these on the Genocide Route

Misc

• Solves Martlet's extremely complicated lava rock puzzle
• Beats the infamous Shuffler gang at their own game
• Uses flint and a steel buckle to burn a thick stick that was jamming an elevator
• Keeps up with El Bailador during their dance off, who was out of breath after the fact
• [Pacifist/Neutral] The Doc in the Wild East can overcharge Clover's health with a one time extra 15HP (nearly double their health at LV 1)
• Stealthily creeps around the Steamworks factory, figuring out a passcode while staying out of Axis' view
• Clover has incredible willpower, since even after Flowey kills them and attempts to absorb their SOUL, Clover is able to resist him for the entirety of the ensuing boss fight which ends when Flowey realizes they'd be fighting for all eternity if they continued and opts to simply reset the timeline instead
• Breaks it down

Somebody calls for help
You answer the call

tl;dr: I want get myself in shape both physically and mentally to follow the 18x pipeline to becoming a Green Beret by ideally next year. Currently, I recognize that I need a better sense of direction and am looking for advice/tips/feedback on things that I could be doing.
I've recently acquired an interest in pursuing the 18x contract pipeline and going on to become a Green Beret. I've been absorbing a lot of information and resources on the matter. What I'm trying to do in this thread is get a better sense of direction on what to improve on and areas to work to improve my chances of getting approved at as SFRE, getting enlisted for an 18x contract and eventually going off to selection and the myriad of other things that are required.
As of writing this I'm currently 31 years, 5'11" and 150lbs. . Needless to say I'm kind of a string bean. I've never been especially active or pursued much in the weigh of sports, lifting, running etc. Today I did some cardio in walk/run intervals and it was difficult, but I got through it. I wouldn't say I'm in the worst shape ever, but obviously I have a lot of progress to make.
My main focus is increasing my physical fitness. Being able to run to the standards that SF requires and also meet the strength requirements. My plan is continue to train my cardio until I get to the point I comfortably jog for 30 minutes without stopping then I'll start adding in rucking and hiking longer distances in different terrain, dirt, sand, etc. and toughen up my shoulders/increase my endurance.
For strength training I'm starting off with some similar calisthenics routines to build some initial muscle and strength then move on to lifting free weights at the gym. Increasing my functional strength and overall health/posture in the process.
I'm also taking up a sport. Tennis seems like a great combination of cardio and hand eye coordination. I also just think it would generally be a fun sport to train that would supplement the rest of what I'm doing.
Obviously, there's a lot of progress to be made and I know I'm asking the obligatory "how do I get in shape" when I have access to the internet and there's countless other threads undoubtedly on this board that cover the topic. I suppose what I'm asking is that does this physical plan seem feasible?
On the other end of the spectrum, I know that selection comes down to more than just the physical standards. Those are essentially a prerequisite. I'm looking to learn and be as prepared as I can for the selection process. I'm going to enroll in a firearms course. Get a good sense of land navigation since that plays a huge role in the process. Some boxing classes and further my understanding of medical knowledge. I'm even considering playing airsoft/paintball as a way to get familiar with at the very least and elementary knowledge of some small unit tactics.
As far as applying what I am able to do in the immediate, I'm trying to do my best to excel in my life and at work. Trying to be a better team player. Trying to set a much higher standard for myself and make sure my department is functioning as high as it can.
My understanding is that the age cut off is 35. I would like to believe that I can get myself as ready as humanly possible come summer of next year with consistent training and studying.
I apologize if this post comes off as one long ramble, because it somewhat is. I'm feeling very motivated to pursue this and become the best version of myself I can. It's spilling over into so many different areas and has me moving around with an extra pep on in my step. I don't want this to be just a wild ambition that fades away so I'm making this thread in an effort to gather whatever advice, feedback or criticism it attracts.

I'm encountering a specific problem with my watch app and could use some help. I'm using Apple's SF symbols as images on buttons in my app. When I tap a button, it bounces using the .bounce function, which I call in the button action. Everything looks great in both the preview and the simulator.
However, there's an issue when I place this button in a view that's activated from the main view of the app. For one particular image (which consists of two elements), one element disappears momentarily and then reappears. I've tried placing the button inside a ZStack to see if it's a layering problem, but that didn't work. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

(continuation of part 5)
Post-OG Cloud ruminates on what he could have done to save Aerith. Had he not been so lost in his own mind —distracted by Sephiroth and Jenova, consumed by his need to fulfill the emptiness at the core of his identity—, would he have paid more attention to Aerith’s sadness and anticipated her plan to go to the Forgotten Capital alone? Could she have survived if not for his obsession with what tormented him at the time? Could he have figured it out and kept her by his side? He’s angry with himself in retrospect, drowning in guilt, just like in Advent Children.
Here are the choruses, which usually contain the thesis main message of a song:

“Shine bright once more
Guide me to you
Smile bright once more
This time I will never let you go”

&

“Hear me once more
Show me your smile
This time for sure
I'll see the truth hidden inside your tears
But I, I know
That you're long gone
But I, I will
Go on, howling and hollow”

In these choruses, Cloud asserts that he will get it right this time (“this time” referring to the second chance that is the Remake trilogy). He will make sure he saves Aerith and never lets her go. He knows she’s gone, but he will fight against time to get her back. He longs for her smile and her light again, and he cannot bear the guilt: so he doesn’t. Post-OG Cloud embarks on a new adventure: ”I want to go to a place where everything is new,” said Cloud to Wol and Echo in Eclipse Contact before facing his past and being launched into Remake. “Hollow” makes far more sense now, doesn’t it? It’s a song not only about Cloud’s loss, but also about his determination to save Aerith this time. Given that it’s the theme song of Remake, the fact that “Hollow” fits with our theory perfectly is a very good sign: a theme song is meant to reflect the main plot of a story, indicating as our theory states that Remake is principally, albeit secretly, about Cloud saving Aerith. Because of this hope being set up, I’m confident that they will be together in the end, reunited for good. My dear Clerith friends, this is the hidden purpose of the Remake trilogy. Cloud and Aerith will be reunited.
VI. e) ii. “No Promises to Keep” Lyrics
This is quite obvious. Aerith is resigned to her fate, but still harbors hope that she will meet Cloud again in a permanent reunion:

“Till the day that we meet again
Where or when?
I wish I could say
But believe, know that you'll find me
[…]
Till the day that we meet again
On our street, I want to believe
[…]
Till the day that we meet again
At our place, just let me believe
In the chance that you'll come
Take my hand and never let me go
Take my hand
And believe
We can be
Together evermore
[…]
Still I hope someday you'll come and find me
Still I know someday you'll come and find me”.

VI. f) The Theme of Reunion Explained?
The last point I want to hit on is the concept of reunion. In OG, this theme was pretty much dominated by the Jenova Reunion. To an OG fan back in 1997, “reunion” meant “Sephiroth and Jenova’s evil plan”. However, in the Remake trilogy, the theme is expanded into something more. The first time Cloud meets Aerith in Remake, she gives him a flower and tells him something she didn’t in OG:

“Lovers used to give these when they were reunited...”

In addition, we’ve already talked about how part 5 of “Aerith’s Theme - The Cetra” from the Remake OST tells the story of Cloud and Aerith’s reunion (see section “V. b) ii. 2)”).
Many moments exclusive to the Remake trilogy serve the same purpose: linking the theme of reunion to Aerith. This expansion of the theme is highly significant. Our theory is that the Remake trilogy exists to reunite Cloud and Aerith, so the fact that the trilogy would implement so many Clerith-centric references to reunion is great support for our theory.
VI. g) i. The Leslie-Cloud Parallel
Let’s consider another instance involving the reunion flower in Remake, more precisely, the chapter 14 subplot surrounding Leslie’s lost lover. In case you need a refresher, Leslie is one of Corneo’s lackeys, although he secretly plans to betray him. He once had a fiancée and things were looking up until she was selected as one of Corneo’s brides. The day before she disappeared (presumably taken by Corneo), his fiancée broke up with him with no explanation. It was confusing and left Leslie perplex. As she broke up with him, she returned a necklace to him, one with a flower pendant. Of course, that flower is the very same reunion flower Aerith gives Cloud in chapter 2.
Evidently, Leslie and Cloud are going through parallel situations. At this point in time, Aerith was just kidnapped by Shinra, and Cloud is on his way to get her back. Both their loved ones have been taken by tyrant rulers, one being slumlord Corneo and the other being the Shinra government. In fact, even Leslie and Cloud’s attitudes share similar disillusioned, cold and stoic qualities. Leslie’s fiancée would evidently be paralleled by Aerith.
The most obvious proof of the Leslie-Cloud parallel is written plainly on the list of Remake’s chapter 14 main scenario objectives. Objective 7, called “For the Reunion”, consists of receiving the grappling guns needed to reach topside and save Aerith. The description of the objective reads as follows:

“Leslie gives them grappling guns, and they wish each other luck in reuniting with their respective loved ones. Leslie walks off, and the three prepare to climb the wall.”

The grappling guns are “For the Reunion”, because evidently, the loved one Cloud wants to reunite with is Aerith.
All this is simple and apparent enough. Just the fact that the theme of reunion is linked to Clerith in this way is proof enough, but there’s another layer to the Leslie-Cloud parallel. Not only does Leslie’s situation reinforce the concept of a Clerith reunion, it also mirrors the specifics of our theory: namely that Cloud will save Aerith from specifically Sephiroth (represented in Leslie’s scenario by Corneo) and that Cloud will take the initiative to accomplish this reunion. These two specific aspects of our theory are reflected by Leslie’s circumstances, meaning the Leslie-Cloud parallel not only pushes the theme of reunion, but also supports our specific theory.
VI. g) i. 1) The Separators: Corneo and Sephiroth
I’ll first prove that Leslie’s scenario is not meant to echo Cloud’s separation from Aerith at the hands of Shinra —or at least not exclusively—, but rather Cloud’s separation from Aerith at the hands of Sephiroth. Corneo would therefore be paralleled by Sephiroth rather than the tyrannical Shinra government.
The first piece of proof for the Corneo-Seohiroth parallel lies within the way in which Leslie’s fiancée broke things off: by lying. Aerith also lies to Cloud to create distance between them, but not pertaining to her kidnapping— rather, pertaining to her fated death. Since Sephiroth is Aerith’s killer and not Shinra, Corneo’s role in the Leslie-Cloud parallel is analogous to Sephiroth’s rather than Shinra’s.
There are two pieces of evidence that the Corneo-Sephiroth comparison makes more sense than the Corneo-Shinra one. The first lies in the fact that Leslie’s breakup resembles Cloud’s resolution scene: the topic of Cloud’s resolution scene is Aerith’s fate at the hands of Sephiroth rather than her kidnapping by Shinra, meaning Corneo and Sephiroth are the antagonists of both heartbreaks.
Let’s examine Leslie’s breakup. Here is how his fiancée broke things off, taken from the English script of Remake’s chapter 14, with tone indicators added by me in bold:

“Fiancée: It was all just a dream, wasn't it[?]
Fiancée: (Hopefully) But one day…
(She trails off, then shakes her head and stops herself.)
Fiancée: (Sadly, hopelessly) — no. Time to wake up. And forget.
(She walks away.)”

Now, here is a more literal translation of this quote from the original Japanese (verified by me via DeepL), with tone indicators added by me in bold:

“Fiancée: It was only just a dream we had / We were only dreaming...
Fiancée: (Hopefully, as though as a hail Mary) In the language of the flowers...
(She trails off, then shakes her head and stops herself.)
Fiancée: (Sadly, hopelessly) — no. You should forget about me.
(She walks away.)”

Leslie’s fiancée is clearly breaking up with him to spare him the pain of blaming himself for not being able to protect her from Corneo, as she knows it’s too late for her to escape from the slumlord’s clutches. We know this because we understand that the pendant she gave back to him symbolizes a reunion (especially between lovers, as Aerith told Cloud in chapter 2). In fact, the Japanese version of the script reveals that the fiancée was about to reveal the meaning of the flower, perhaps in the hopes that they would find each other once more, but she lost her nerve at the last second. Notice that she tells Leslie two specific things. One: their love or their future together was only a dream, meaning that it wasn’t real. Two: he should forget about her, because the dream is over now and it’s time to wake up from it.
If you’re finding this familiar, then you might be ahead of me. Let’s take a look at what Aerith says to Cloud in his resolution scene, also in the English script of Remake’s chapter 14, with tone indicators added by me in bold:

“Aerith: […] you can’t fall in love with me. [It]’s not real […]. (With a sigh, as though from sadness or difficulty, but resolutely) It’s almost morning. Time to go.”

Now, here is a more literal translation of this quote from the original Japanese (verified by me via DeepL), with tone indicators added by me in bold:

“Aerith: You can’t let yourself fall in love with me. [It]’s only your imagination […]. (With a sigh, as though from sadness or difficulty, but resolutely) Looks like it’s already morning. Time for me to go.”

Just like Leslie’s fiancée, Aerith is rejecting or denying Cloud’s love for her in order to spare him from the pain of not having been able to be with her before her death, as she believes it is inevitable. Just like the fiancée, Aerith also tells Cloud two things. One: their love is imaginary or isn’t real. Two: it’s morning, and she has to go (she says this right before Cloud wakes from the pseudo-dream).
In both cases, the women know something about their fate that the men don’t and are hiding this impending tragedy from them. Just like Leslie’s fiancée, Aerith uses well-intentioned deception to protect her loved one from the pain that will come from her fate— the lie, of course, is that their love isn’t real. Both women are hopeless, and both men are initially clueless. Aerith’s resolution can’t be about her kidnapping, because Aerith thinks her rescue is anything but hopeless— she’s sure Cloud will come save her from Shinra. She says so herself in OG’s disk 1, chapter 8:

“Cloud: Aeris!? You safe?
Aeris: Yeah, I'm all right. I knew that [you] would come for me.”

What Aerith is so resigned about in Cloud’s resolution scene isn’t her kidnapping, but instead her fated death at the hands of Sephiroth. Nojima hints at this in FFVII Remake Ultimania:

“If you know Aerith’s fate, then this line would really pull at your heart strings […]” (section 08 “Secrets”, “Development Staff Interviews, Part 2: Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinori Kitase, Yoshinori Kitase, Kazushige Nojima”, page 744).

Here is what codirector Toriyama had to say on Aerith’s words:

“[While] these words are intended for Cloud, I think Aerith is partly speaking them to herself. The contents of her request may be at odds with how she truly feels inside” (FFVII Remake Material Ultimania Plus, VA Script Notes, “A Dream Shown by Aerith”, “Scenario Staff Q&A - Answered by Motomu Toriyama”).

These two quotes by the devs show that Aerith is trying to protect Cloud from her death. Therefore, the Corneo-Sephiroth parallel is far more apt than the Corneo-Shinra parallel.
The second piece of evidence supporting my belief that Corneo mirrors Sephiroth and not Shinra in the Leslie-Cloud parallel is the inclusion of the theme of revenge that crops up in the following piece of dialogue:

“Tifa: Why did you wanna come down here?
Leslie: Revenge. I know I need to let go, but I can't. I need closure, 'cause without it... I'll never be able to move on” (Remake, chapter 14).

Leslie’s sentiment toward Corneo resembles Cloud’s feelings toward Sephiroth after Aerith’s death. Revenge links Cloud to Sephiroth, not to Shinra. Corneo and Sephiroth reflect each other in that, as a consequence of their actions toward a woman, the man who loves her desires revenge.
Additionally, it looks like Leslie’s obsession with revenge as a means to closure is the reason he didn’t bother trying to understand the message his fiancée left him with: he’s focused on his hate rather than his love, and it’s hindering him. He doesn’t succeed in killing Corneo either: his focus and energy are misplaced. Cloud’s desire for vengeance against Sephiroth is also depicted as an obstacle to accomplishing his goals (see how in section “III. c)” of my previous literary analysis). Once more, the Corneo-Sephiroth parallel fits far better than a Corneo-Shinra perspective.
VI. g) i. 2) The Reunion Seekers: Leslie and Cloud
The other aspect of the Leslie-Cloud parallel that supports our theory is that in both scenarios, they both take charge of the situation and decide to actively seek reunion with their respective lovers. The following dialogue excerpt, supplemented by the VA script notes, shows Leslie’s initiative:

“Tifa: [Your fiancée] could still be out there.
Barret: Can never be sure how much someone means to ya till they're gone. Don't give up on her yet.
Leslie: (Looks at the flower pendant, [recalling his lover’s words) A message in the language of flowers… I wonder what she meant by it.
[…]
Tifa: Reunion.
Leslie: Huh?
Tifa: In the language of flowers, it means ‘reunion.’
(Leslie shifts his gaze from Tifa to the pendant and stares at it for some time. At last he understands the words his lover left him. With that, as if his mind has been made up, he clutches the pendant and hangs it around his neck.)
Leslie: Then I guess I’ll just have to find her first” (FFVII Remake Material Ultimania Plus, VA Script Notes, “Other Notable Stage Directions - Chapters 14-16”).

Take note of Leslie’s final response and the determination with which he speaks: “Then I guess I’ll just have to find her first”. Remember that we’re searching for evidence that Cloud is going to be the one reaching out to Aerith in the Remake trilogy, and that it’s his turn to take his future into his hands. He must be more attentive, more active this time. And Leslie’s words of determination reflect this perfectly. Leslie must find his fiancée first, just like Cloud has to be the one to offer his hand to Aerith in the Remake trilogy and fight for her. This is exactly what our theory is all about.
VI. g) i. 3) Delayed Realizations
Interestingly, not only does Leslie’s determination mirror Cloud’s, but both men are depicted as realizing the truth too late. Just like Leslie only began searching for his fiancée six months after her disappearance, Cloud only realizes he loves Aerith in OG once she’s died. It took him this long to actually get somewhere in his mission to reunite with her— “somewhere” being the Remake trilogy.
Even Barret’s words highlight the lovers’ delay: “Can never be sure how much someone means to ya till they're gone”. Barret would know: he lost his wife Myrna, whom he loved dearly. The devs have Barret comment on the situation as a man whose lover died, mirroring Cloud’s situation in OG. Just as Barret says, Cloud only truly realized the strength of how he felt for Aerith in OG once she was gone. The gunman’s words apply to both Leslie and Cloud’s tardy initiatives. Regardless of this delay, both men are now determined to see their respective reunions through.
The degree to which the Leslie-Cloud parallel fits our theory is a great sign of its validity: even the details are lining up!
VI. g) ii. Reunion in the Theme Songs
Too easy: in our analysis of the lyrics of the theme songs, we covered how both texts include the theme of reunion. “No Promises to Keep” is especially relevant (see section “VI. e) ii.”), as the entire song is Aerith hoping against fate for a reunion with Cloud (even if you believe the song is about all her companions, that still includes Cloud).
On top of these reunion-themed lyrics, during Aerith’s in-game performance of “No Promises to Keep” at the Gold Saucer production of Loveless, her yellow blossoms signifying reunion bloom all around her as Cloud watches her, captivated.
Another great sign for our theory: the highly significant theme songs are on our side!
VI. g) iii. Waking Up Reunited
The thing I want to juxtapose to our theory is a small yet special moment in chapter 2 of Rebirth that stuck out to me like a sore thumb and got me really excited about sharing it with you. This moment occurs after the battle against the Midgardsormr. We’ll be comparing it to two other clips, describing all three in chronological order, and making deductions based on their similarities.
The first clip I want to address occurs in chapter 8 of Remake (1:32-2:12). There are a couple of things I want to point out in this scene. First, Aerith wakes Cloud from unconsciousness with a cute call of “Hello~?”. Second, despite pretending that he doesn’t, he immediately recognizes her. The VA script notes prove it:

“Aerith: Nice to meet you again.
Cloud actually remembers Aerith, but he pretends not to, perhaps wishing to make himself look cool.
Cloud: Again, huh?
Aerith: What? You don’t remember? How about…the flowers?
Cloud looks at the flowers at his feet and pretends as if he’s only just remembered.
Cloud: Oh, the flower seller” (FFVII Remake Material Ultimania Plus, VA script notes, “Reuniting with Aerith”).

So: she wakes him with a cute call, and he recognizes her. Also note that these two elements also apply to the OG church reunion scene.
Now onto the Rebirth chapter 2 scene that stuck out to me. After Cloud is saved from the Midgardsormr by Sephiroth, Cloud wakes from an unconsciousness spell with Aerith calling for him (7:20-7:34).
Once more, Aerith wakes him with a cute call (this time, it’s “Wakey, wakey!”), and Cloud recognizes her. In this Midgardsormr clip, unlike their reunion in the church, Cloud verbalizes that he remembers her. This time, there’s more: next, Aerith tells Cloud “おかえり, クラウド”, or “okaeri, Cloud”, which translates to “welcome back, Cloud”. “Okaeri” is what you say in Japanese when someone has returned home. In the third clip we will analyze, Aerith says “okaeri” to Cloud once more. But first, let’s break down this second clip.
I don’t know about you, but this cutscene felt extremely weird to me when I first encountered it. That is, it would have been, if not for the theory I’d begun formulating at that time.
You see, the devs could have chosen for Aerith to ask Cloud if he remembers his own name or where they are, if he’s okay, or check if he responds to his own name. In fact, asking someone who’s been hit on the head to say their own name is a much more common reaction to them finally waking up than asking them if they remember you. Even stranger is Cloud’s reaction: he could have answered “Yeah, you’re Aerith,” or “I remember everything, I’m fine”. Instead, he says her name with this airy and wonderstruck tone. He sounds like he’s opening his eyes to something mystic rather than his comrade leaning over him, like he’s seeing someone unexpectedly for the first time in a while… or rather like he’s waking from a trance of some kind— a trance in which he did not remember Aerith, and now he does. You may see where I’m going with this.
Let’s examine the third clip, wherein Aerith tells Cloud “okaeri” again. More specifically, in chapter 14, Aerith welcomes Cloud back when he snaps out of his zombified, Sephiroth-controlled state and runs toward her. Of course, it’s the sight of her and his memories of meeting her in chapter 2 of Remake that shake him awake (2:17:43-2:18:02).
For a third time, Aerith wakes Cloud. This time, she’s pulling him out of a trance and back to himself. And for a third time, Cloud remembers her. In fact, it’s remembering her that wakes him up. Cloud calls her name and Aerith says “okaeri” in both the post-Midgardsormr cutscene and this third clip. And in both scenes, not only does Cloud return to himself the way someone returns home (recall that “okaeri” is used to welcome someone back home), but he’s also returning to her, recognizing her as his home.
Now we’ve got three scenes lined up: the church reunion scene (both in OG and Remake), the Midgardsormr scene and the hand-reach scene. All three of these recognition scenes feature Cloud being woken up by Aerith and remembering who she is. The main difference is that, in the scenes among these three that are exclusive to Rebirth, Cloud’s return to Aerith is far more meaningful, as he already knows her name, and knows more about who she is to him. Evidently, in the OG church reunion scene, Cloud only remembers being sold a flower by this girl. In the Remake version, he remembers the same thing, plus the attack of the whispers. So there’s something much more weighty about the Rebirth recognition scenes: he remembers more, and he remembers deeper. These aren’t just recognition scenes, they’re also mini-reunions. Of course, as we’ve already analyzed pertaining to the hand-reaching scene, Cloud remembering Aerith is followed by him being the one to take action and run toward her, eager to save her, because she means the world to him. When you place the Midgardsormr scene between the church reunion scene and the hand-reach scene, an evolution of Cloud waking up and remembering Aerith is formed. Each mini-reunion scene adds a piece to the story: the church scene informs us that Cloud and Aerith are meeting again, the Midgardsormr scene tips us off that something mystic is going on from Cloud’s tone when he says Aerith’s name, and the hand reach scene tells us that as a consequence of remembering who Aerith is, Cloud saves her from falling to her death and saving her. “Meeting again”, “mystic”, and “saving Aerith”: these are the keywords of the mini-reunion scenes. They are also the keywords of our theory on Cloud’s mission to save Aerith. This time around Cloud knows more and is more conscious about how he feels for Aerith, just like he feels more when in the hand-reach scene in Rebirth compared to the church reunion scene in Remake. From the latter scene to the former, Cloud gradually wakes up and remembers his love for and loss of Aerith in the OG more and more. Each mini-reunion brings him closer to saving her when he blocks the masamune. This is why I am certain that in part 3, whether Cloud comes to his full senses or not, whether he remembers the events of OG or not, he will save Aerith this time. The Remake trilogy is centered around Aerith, after all. In fact, don’t take it from me, take it from Nojima:

“Aerith's the most important character in the remake so we paid special attention to her lines” (FFVII Remake Ultimania, section 08 “Secrets”, “Development Staff Interviews, Part 2: Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinori Kitase, Kazushige Nojima”, page 744).

I have full confidence in this fact: one way or another, these two will have a happy ending. This is Cloud’s second chance, and as he swore in “Hollow”, he is not losing her again. That is why I don’t think you should fret, and that our Clerith hearts will be very happy to see these two together again for good in part 3.
VI. h) Zooming In
In fact, this zooming-in method of directing players’ attention to important narrative beats is far from new.
VI. h) i. Changing Fate
Let’s divert our attention to Nanaki’s Skywheel date (2:28-3:30). The dialogue goes like this: Nanaki brings us the Whispers and suggests the party might eventually forget about their existence, and Cloud says that frankly, if it’s impossible for them to change fate either way, then it would be better for them to forget to Whispers altogether.
This is a very clear message from the devs: “There would be no point in including the Whispers in the Remaketrilogy if we did not make use of their defeat”. They’re telling us through Cloud’s dialogue that they know it would be foul play and bad writing to introduce the theme of defying fate if it didn’t eventually pay off.
As if it weren’t clear enough what the devs are referring to, Nanaki brings up Aerith’s death directly after Cloud delivers the devs’ message to us. He actually makes Cloud promise to save her. This is pretty on the nose. By promising Nanaki he will protect Aerith, the devs are promising us the same. I’m certain that part 3 will deliver on this promise.
If you still aren’t sold, I’d like to direct your attention to the framing of the shot where Cloud says “If we can’t change [fate]” (2:49-2:51). There’s a zoom-in on his mouth, which is a visual cue that translates to “what this character is saying right now is important to the plot”. It’s very indiscreet in theory: the camera literally hones in on the invisible words as though the script has them highlighted, italicized triple-underlined and in bold.
VI. h) ii. Aerith’s Knowledge
We’ve seen the Remake trilogy use this camera framing at least twice so far. The first time occurs in Remake’s chapter 8, before it becomes clear that Aerith knows things from the OG game that she wouldn’t normally know if this were just a remastered version of the same 1997 plot. I’ll let Remake Ultimania‘s description of this moment speak for itself:

“When Cloud and Aerith return the rescued children to Oates, the man in the tattered black cloak shows up again at the hideout. The moment the man grasps Cloud’s arm, he’s overcome by another violent headache and sees a vision of Sephiroth. Cloud wonders if this man who supposedly died five years ago could possibly still be alive. When he says as much to Aerith, she gives him a vague reply” (FFVII Remake Ultimania, section 04: “Scenario”, “Chapter 8 Main Story Digest”, page 256).

Aerith’s “vague reply” is accentuated by a very deliberate zoom-in on her mouth (1:18:05-1:18:09), and therefore her words.
The framing of this shot indicates to us that what Aerith says provides an important hint as to the plot’s direction. Sure enough, with hindsight, it’s easy to see that’s true.
VI. h) iii. Tifa’s Question
Another time this framing is used is in chapter 1 of Rebirth, after Cloud recounts the Nibelheim incident. Tifa asks the group why Sephiroth is choosing to come back now, after five years (37:55-37:58).
Once more, we are being signaled that the reason Sephiroth chose to return at the moment he did is significant to the plot, but cannot be revealed explicitly yet. The reason why Sephiroth took five years to return is because that’s how long it took for Cloud to get back on his feet after the Nibelheim incident: Sephiroth wants and/or needs to manipulate Cloud in particular rather than all the other people with Jenova cells in them. It took five years for Cloud to not only go through Hojo’s experiments but also escape Shinra and make his way to Seventh Heaven, where Tifa nursed him back to health— therefore, it took five years until Sephiroth’s favorite pawn was available to be used. There are a few reasons why Cloud is the one Sephiroth wants to use, and all of them would be spoilers at this point in Rebirth to players who don’t know the OG plot. The devs can’t reveal any of them yet, but they do indicate via a close-up shot of Tifa’s mouth that her question is important.
VI. h) iv. The Takeaway
As you can see, this framing of characters’ mouths when they speak signals a plot-significant piece of dialogue. This means Cloud’s words on his gondola date with Nanaki can’t be brushed off as a red herring or an unimportant or throwaway line: it has narrative weight.

VII. The Devs

I think it’s important to remember the devs and their commitment to the world of FFVII. They know best for this story, and they’ve proven it to be true many times over. There are many things about the devs’ intentions that the fandom don’t seem to know that I think would give you confidence to find out.
VII. a) Shifting Themes
Good storytellers don’t introduce themes as a way to pull the rug from under audiences’ feet by later rendering them completely irrelevant to the plot.
In other words, the devs would not have introduced the notion of fate as an antagonistic force in Remake, nor allowed the players to defeat it in chapter 18, had they planned for these themes not to pay off at all. Think of how good FFVII OG and FF stories in general are, how strong the writing is from a narrative point of view. Nothing is included for no reason or for a cheap reaction— especially not a central theme of a story. Fate and defeating it is a huge point of Remake, and not for no reason.
I mean, think about a storyline all about defying fate ending with a shrug and a “Oh well, we tried.” It would be ridiculous! The devs are better than that.
VII. b) What the Devs Want
The devs are well aware that fans of FFVII have been begging for Aerith’s resurrection since 1997. All those petitions, all those myths of a revival hack… SE knows about them all too well. They were even referenced by FF’s 30th anniversary expo, which partly promoted Remake:

“No one expected [Aerith’s death] in the middle of the story. Rumors of a secret way to revive Aerith spread, and it was clear players were having a hard time saying goodbye to her too. Even now, twenty years later, it still feels like a shocking turn of events” (Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Exposition Pamphlet, page 36).

Hamaguchi, codirector of the Remake project, commented on these rumors:

“Interviewer: Do you have a favorite fake rumor about the original FFVII?

Hamaguchi: I hear a lot about Aerith coming back to life and that's something that's very interesting to hear” (Hamaguchi interview: “129 Rapid-Fire Questions Answered About Final Fantasy VII Rebirth”, by Game Informer).

The devs are also aware of how beloved Clerith is to the FFVII fandom, especially in Japan— in fact, the only FFVII ship name that is an official iOS search term on the Japanese Apple Store is Clerith’s (“クラエア” or “kuraea” in Japanese). Aerith herself is a widely beloved character, particularly, once more, in Japan. For instance, Famitsu and NHK’s recent polls on the best FF heroine and on the best FF character in general both resulted in Aerith ranking number 3, beaten only in the latter poll by Cloud at number 1 and FFX’s Yuna at number 2.
The devs know how well-loved both Clerith and Aerith are. And in fact, they love Aerith at least as much as we do:

“Cloud's feelings [of guilt] cannot be resolved by anyone other than Aerith. I tried to convey [that Aerith is saying to Cloud] ‘I'm still here for you’” (FFVII Reunion Files, Nojima’s note on Aerith’s character file, page 58).

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“When I saw the finished product of [Aerith’s face in] CG, I thought, "Oh, isn’t she so cute?” (FFVII Reunion Files, Nomura’s note on Aerith’s character file, page 58).

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"The idea of having Aeris die during the story had a great impact on all the dev staff," Toriyama explained, "and personally I decided to dedicate my efforts to depicting Aeris in as appealing a way as possible, so that she would become an irreplaceable character to the player in preparation for that moment" (Toriyama interview “Final Fantasy anniversary interview: Toriyama speaks” by VG247).

The devs care about Aerith, and they’re fully aware we do too.
I think a lot of people have it in their heads that the devs don’t want anything to change from the OG story, but there’s a lot of evidence that says otherwise. Codirector Toriyama spoke on this, stating the following about the production process of Remake:

“[…] there were times the original version became a hindrance. Specifically, staff members with a strong attachment to Final Fantasy VII would often hold themselves back for fear of deviating too much from the original. When we created the original game, we obviously didn’t feel bound in that way. We were passionate about creating a brand new Final Fantasy title, and so we dove in and embraced whatever seemed most interesting to us. We wanted to take that approach this time as well, so we made a special effort to liberate ourselves whenever we held back, remembering that it was okay to do the things we wanted to do” (FFVII Remake Ultimania, section 08 “Secrets”, “Development Staff Interviews, Part 1: Motomu Toriyama, Naoki Hamaguchi, Teruki Endo”, page 737).

Codirector Nomura said the following:

“When I asked Nojima if he’d write the scenario, I was clear about my demands up front. I said, ‘If we're going to remake Final Fantasy VII, I want it to be done like this.’ At that point, I was intent on making something more than just a remake. [Similarly to how] the battle system this time incorporates elements of the original game’s ATB mechanics [while] also been reborn using a real-time approach […], I wanted to make a story that players would feel is fundamentally Final Fantasy VII but also something new” (FFVII Remake Ultimania, section 08 “Secrets”, “Development Staff Interviews, Part 2: Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinori Kitase, Kazushige Nojima”, page 745).

Clearly, the devs don’t want to be bogged down by the OG, and are making efforts to do things the way they want to rather than the way they were previously done. The newer generation of developers such as codirector Hamaguchi is also involved in these story changes:

“Interviewer: There are also drastically more scenes with Sephiroth than there were in the original game.
Nojima: We weren't planning on having him appear so much at first— the idea was only to hint at his presence. But we changed our approach partway through and became more proactive with having him appear, after which the number of scenes he features in rapidly increased.
Nomura: Hamaguchi [codirector Naoki Hamaguchi] came up to me one day and said in a mysterious tone, ‘I'd like to talk to you about something.’ He asked me about having there be a battle with Sephiroth in Midgar. In the original game, Sephiroth’s true body is located elsewhere, so he didn’t think I'd give in to the idea so easily. I think he even prepared materials to persuade me. But in the end I agreed readily [laughs]” (FFVII Remake Ultimania, section 08 “Secrets”, “Development Staff Interviews, Part 2: Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinori Kitase, Kazushige Nojima”, page 746).

Kitase, the producer of the Remake trilogy, even says that after working on this project for so long, and after spending almost 30 years on the FFVII project and getting to know the characters, he has realized that:

“The more [he works] on it, the more [he wants] to make all these characters happy. [He wants] to give them a happy ending. The rest of the team’s opinions [obviously] also have to be taken into consideration, so it won't be all happiness and rainbows. But [he] just [wants] to make [the characters of FFVII] happy” (Kitase and Hamaguchi’s interview “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Producer Just Wants 'the Characters to End Up Happy'”, by Vandal, translated by me).

Kitase is indeed only one developer, but he’s the producer of this project: that’s the very top position. He oversees everything and nothing goes without his approval. That counts for something. Of course, Kitase is fair and values the input of all the devs, so of course it won’t be “all happiness and rainbows”— but I sincerely believe there’s a big chance that Cloud and Aerith are heading toward their happy ending. Even if this theory is completely bogus, I want to have faith that the devs would not sacrifice good storytelling for nostalgia and a conservative attitude toward preserving the OG story, as that would be cheap of them, and we have not known them to be cheap. This game truly matters to them, so I think they deserve our faith.
(conclusion in