J [Fandom Granny]

(I know that wasn't the core message of your post, but I just find the idea of adding real-world texture to fantasy fascinating)

I mean, they REQUIRE mako infusions for Soldiers, even though it causes destructions on a CELLULAR level.

There's several fics I've read that create side effects for things like potions etc too, because these ARE drugs--insofar as they are distinct from magic.

This is the kind of meta I really love, because you can build an entire structure around these questions. Maybe Shinra regulated drugs that impede productivity--alcohol, maybe--and subsidizes ones that do--amphetamines, anti-depressants.

I had two comments on All or Nothing commenting on the easy availability of a knockout drug and I want to talk a little bit about the default centering of modern Western (mostly American) culture in fanfic.

Madam M: What do you MEAN he didn't MENTION me?? I changed that man's FUCKING LIFE.

Reno: He said /what/? TSENG was on the helicopter with Aerith? Why the fuck would Tseng have stayed under the fucking plate with the most important person in the fucking world at the moment?? RUDE was on the helicopter--Tseng called in on the fucking SCREEN. Dumbass.

YES! Like, what if, to some degree, OG was Cloud's version--something he told to a historian 40 years later--and Remake is the version that was assembled after said historian actually went and interviewed the other people involved. Like

Which is not to say that I don't pick and choose aspects to suit the story, lol. Also, the idea of OG and Remake actually being the same story and characters could lead to some interesting unreliable narrator interpretations. Like, the factual differences being embellishments or mistaken memories.

Yeah, FF7 was so formative for me, and it existed on its own for so long, that is just mentally hard for me to connect OG to, for example, characters like Cissnei. She is a great character, but to me she's specifically a remake character, because I just mentally can't fit her into OG canon.

We may get there, we haven't seen Wutai yet, which was a real defining moment for the Turks, but yeah. I feel OG Reno wouldn't like Remake Reno more because he'd perceive him as fake and performative, while OG is the ACTUAL "consummate professional".

That said--while I do feel OG is portrayed as more jaded, I think the part that I tend to see is that he's having less fun. Remake and AC in particular give the impression that Reno, and to some extent Rude, are enjoying themselves. I don't get that same vibe from OG.

I have a perspective on the extended universe stuff where I put it all in the Remake verse, while I tend to view OG as completely self-contained. So for me, all those other versions are part of the same continuity, and OG isn't.

And all this time I was just saying manwhore.

... I'm not going to stop, tho.

OGR: /You/ take orders from /Rude/? That's /adorable/.
ReRe: If we weren't so fucking hot I would break your fucking face, asshole.
OGR: How about I just break your asshole?
ReRe: ...
Rude: ...
OGR: Okay good talk.
ReRe: WAIT I didn't say NO--

OGR: Oh yeah? You exfoliate in there, princess?
ReRe: I will exfoliate that smirk right off your face, fucker!
OGR: Oh yeah? You sure you don't wanna bounce around talking shit for an hour first, twinkle toes?
ReRe: Fuckin--Rude, can I kill this fucking guy?
Rude: For multiverse reasons ... no.

More like:
OGR: So like is your /entire/ personality being an obnoxious slut orrrr ... ?
ReRe: Hey /fuck you/, hobo.
OGR: I mean I guess it sucks that Shinra's so broke you could only afford half a uniform--
ReRe: A least I can afford a /washing machine/ and a /shower/--

Rude: ...
......
.........
I am conflicted about this.

Also maybe he and ReReno have hatesex because it's not really cheating.

he seems to know all their protocols, can get into their internal communications, he's just /way too good/ and anyway they finally find him and it's OG Reno, he stuck in Remake and fucking weirded out by all of it and he's just been trying to use Shinra shit to get home to Rude.

So what about a fic where Reno and Rude are sent to find this mysterious figure who's been fucking with Shinra hardcore like stealing weapons and breaking into secure locations but not actually like destroying anything or hurting anyone but they can never catch him,

Reno's still allowed to be mad/bitter about the fight because even though he chose to take the hits/lose, Cloud started the whole thing being an agro asshole and it didn't need to happen.

Getting injured is just him knowing how to really sell it. You can't really /mime/ being hit with a giant sword, after all.

AND this tracks with the Rude fight--Reno calls him to end things before he can finish it. Reno's still wanting to wait and observe.

Okay, let make a headcanon, then--Reno took a dive. He recognized Zack's sword and wanted to see what was going on with this guy and Aerith, and when /Cloud/ started the fight, he assessed and knew that, if he wanted Aerith and the guy to leave together, he needed to lose.

I love the description on this mod. "Reno default outfit without the jacket and shirt." like "Peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the peanut butter and jelly."

I'm kinda more into Cleno than I am with just about any Turk/Hero ship. But I just genuinely don't care much about the heros, lol.

Shirtless Reno Reno's Default Outfit without the Jacket and Shirt

oooh, no can do--but you can make him /totally/ shirtless if you want! 😂https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy7remake/mods/725

Messed up my math ... BUT
If Reno - Rude = 1/2 Man AND
Reno + Rude = 2 Man
Reno = 1/2 Man + Rude
(1/2 Man + Rude) + Rude = 2 Man
2 Rude + 1/2 Man = 2 Man
2 Rude = 3/2 Man
Rude = 3/4 Man
∴ Reno + 3/4 Man = 2 Man
Reno = 5/4 Man = /1.25 Man/ 😱

Hmm.
Reno - Rude = 1/2 Man ∴ Reno = 1/2 Man + Rude
Assuming Reno + Rude = 1 Man, then
(1/2 Man + Rude) + Rude = 1 Man
1/2 Man + 2Rude = 1 Man
2 Rude = 1 Man - 1/2 Man = 1/2 Man
Rude = 1/4 Man
Reno = 3/4 Man

SCIENCE

I looked it up--ths grey vest and motorcycle boots?

I dunno, its interesting, but as we all know, Tseng sprung, fully formed, from Da Chao's forehead ( I mean, how else could he be only 8 years older than Aerith yet have been the same age when she was a kid?) I feel like thats his evil twin, Tsang

I think he didn't take Cloud seriously at first because he a) knew he clearly wasn't a SOLDIER 1st class and b) came off as a dumb aggro blockhead. He just put on his game face a little too late.