Hey there, sorry for the long wait. My computer died on me and it took awhile to get fixed. But I'm up and running again, so hopefully the next update will come quicker than this one.
Also, I'd like to thank all of you who have reviewed the story so far. You guys helped motivate me to keep this thing going. And don't worry, I'll get to Cloud, Sephiroth, and Vincent as soon as I can.
Me: Hello everyone, and welcome back to my show, which still has no name due to a legal dispute with the people down at Disney. I'm your host, Alekos Vahen. If you recall, I am currently interviewing the cast of Final Fantasy VII to gain their opinions on the topic of OOC writing and character stereotypes. My guest today is one of the most tragic heroines in videogame history. Everyone give a big hand for Aeris Gainsborough!
(Aeris walks on stage to enthusiastic applause)
Me: Hello Aeris, and thank you for doing the show.
Aeris: No, it's my pleasure. This is much better than being dead.
Me: Speaking of which, just how did you come back to life?
Aeris: (giggles) Well, there are lots of resurrection stories out there.
Me: But most of those aren't that good.
Aeris: Well, why don't you write one then? Revive the idea?
Me: (laughs) No pun intended there, I'm sure. Actually, I am writing a resurrection fic right now. I'm trying very hard to have everything make sense and keep the characters from being OOC.
Aeris: (smiles) Good luck with that. I hope it turns out good.
Me: Thank you. But we're not here to talk about me; we're here to talk about you. I know that you are often OOC and stereotyped in fan fiction. Do you have any idea why that is?
Aeris: It's probably because I didn't have as much time to develop as everyone else.
Me: And you think that's caused people to misunderstand you?
Aeris: Yes. Because I wasn't around as long, people didn't get enough time to really know me.
Me: And that means a lot of gaps in your character for writers to try to fill in.
Aeris: That's right!
Me: And they don't always do a good job of it.
Aeris: (nods) Exactly.
Me: Alright, so now that we know why you are often miss-written, why don't we move on to how you are miss-written?
Aeris: Okay, what's first?
Me: (checks note cards) Well, for starters, there are many fanfics where you are sad, depressed, and emotionally fragile. Why do you think authors write stories where you are so obviously OOC?
Aeris: Actually, I'm not OOC in those stories.
Me: (shocked) What? But you're such a lighthearted person, always so optimistic.
Aeris: And why do think that is?
Me: Uhh…umm…because it's your nature?
Aeris: Sort of. I'm lighthearted and optimistic because I've made myself be that way. It's my way of coping.
Me: Coping with what?
Aeris: My past. I don't like to talk about it, but I haven't had the easiest life. I spent the first four years of my life in Hojo's lab before escaping with my mother; then she died, and Elmyra took me in. I then spent the rest of my life living in the slums and trying to keep the Shinra from capturing me. And the fact that I'm the only remaining Ancient hasn't helped matters either.
Me: And yet you always act cheerful, despite all this?
Aeris: Like I said, it's my way of coping. I don't let myself get bogged down by what's already happened.
Me: So then all those stories are true?
Aeris: Let's just say that sometimes I let myself slip a little. Some of those stories take things a little too far though.
Me: I see. Why don't we move on, before I start to cry?
Aeris: (laughs) Alright.
Me: You are often made out to be naïve and childish. Are you?
Aeris: Naïve? I'm not naïve. It's hard to be naïve when you've grown up in the slums. And I'm not that childish either. Sure I act like one sometimes, but I'm a lot more mature than people think. Most fanfics just take these things too far.
Me: I guess so.
Aeris: So what's next?
Me: Well, this next one is highly controversial. It is known that there is a love triangle between you, Cloud, and Tifa. When do you believe your part in this relationship becomes OOC?
Aeris: Wow, this is a tough one. I guess one thing that makes me mad is when people trivialize my feelings for Cloud.
Me: You mean when people have you fall in love with Cloud just because he reminds you of Zack?
Aeris: (nods) Yeah. I mean, think about it. Is that really enough to fall in love with someone?
Me: Well, Zack was your boyfriend…
Aeris: We weren't that serious. And besides, I hadn't heard from him in five years.
Me: He was dead.
Aeris: I didn't know that at the time. I thought that he'd just found another girl.
Me: I see. So you did not fall in love with Cloud because he reminded you of Zack.
Aeris: Right, Zack has nothing to do with how I feel about Cloud. I love him for who he is, not who he's like.
Me: That's wonderful. What about stories that have you telling Cloud you love him, are those OOC stories?
Aeris: Most of the time, yes. But it's not because I do tell him as much as why I tell him that makes it OOC.
Me: What do you mean?
Aeris: It's kind of complicated, but it all comes down to reason.
Me: Reason?
Aeris: (nods) Right, reason. There has to be a good reason for me to reveal my feelings to Cloud.
Me: How come?
Aeris: Because of the possibility that he'll reject me. I don't want to confess my love if there's a chance of that happening. That's why there must be a reason for me to tell him.
Me: And most fanfics don't have a good reason?
Aeris: Right. In most fanfics, if something even remotely romantic happens, I tell him without hesitation. In reality I'm a little more cautious than that.
Me: So what would be a good enough reason for you to tell him?
Aeris: Ideally, it would be if he told me first. (laughs) There's not much chance of that happening, though. Cloud's not the type to admit things like that. If I was positive that he loved me, even if he didn't say it, then I'd tell him. Either that, or if I was in a situation where I had to tell him.
Me: What kind of situation would that be?
Aeris: Well, if he asked me if I loved him, then I'd tell him. I wouldn't have a choice. He would really have to force it out of me though.
Me: Kind of like in So Tell Me Something by Katie 4 Clorith and Diary of a Cetra by TinaK.Number1?
Aeris: Yes, exactly.
Me: Alright, now that we've cleared that up we can move on. Is the way you act around Cloud ever OOC?
Aeris: People tend to make me too shy and embarrassed with Cloud. I flirt with him a lot in the game without much problem, yet in most fanfics I blush and stutter whenever I so much as lock eyes with him. Isn't that terrible? I'm a grown woman, yet I'm constantly reduced to a schoolgirl with a crush.
Me: I see your point. How about your relationship with Tifa? Is that ever OOC?
Aeris: Tifa and I are best friends. Making us anything else is OOC, and she'll tell you the same thing. We know that we both love Cloud, but we don't let that get in the way of being friends.
Me: So even if Cloud chose Tifa over you, you wouldn't hold it against her?
Aeris: Not at all. I admit I'd be heartbroken that it wasn't me, but I wouldn't hate or blame Tifa for it.
Me: That's good to hear. Now on to the last question, and possibly the most controversial as well. Did you know beforehand that Sephiroth would kill you at the city of the Ancients?
Aeris: (sighs) I knew this would come up.
Me: I'm sorry, if you're not comfortable talking about it, we can skip it.
Aeris: (shakes head) No, no, it's fine. This is something that needs to be cleared up. And the answer is no, I did not know I was going to die. I knew that I would be in danger, but I didn't think Sephiroth would find me. I thought everything would be ok.
Me: Then why did you leave the group?
Aeris: Because of Cloud. I knew that he would come with me if I waited, but he needed to worry about himself instead of me. I wanted to give him a chance to recover, at least a little.
Me: I see. Well, that's all the time we have for today. Aeris, I'd like to thank you once again for agreeing to do the show.
Aeris: Thanks for letting me. I had tons of fun.
Me: Ok everyone, let's have a big hand for Aeris Gainsborough.
(Aeris walks off stage to wholehearted applause)
Me: Well, another interview down, and hopefully many more to go. I'm your host, Alekos Vahen, and this is my show, which still does not have a name thanks to the Disney corporation.
Well, is this as good as the last chapter? Review and tell me what you think.
Also, if you know of any ways in which characters are typically OOC, or know any stories that have them acting OOC, don't hesitate to tell me. Any information you can give me will mean I spend less time researching and more time writing. And that means faster updates, which will make everyone happy.