Date Senario

Towards the end of the first disc, the party find themselves at the Gold Saucer for the second time. During this visit, Cloud will be invited on a short 'date' by another member of the party either Aerith, Tifa, Yuffie or Barret. These four characters begin with differing degrees of affection towards Cloud which can be increased or decreased depending on the players choices during previous dialogues throughout the game to this point.

Aerith is actually the default character who accompanies Cloud during this sequence, she has the highest affection level to begin with and it increases with very little effort on the player's part. Though it is relatively simple to have Aerith join you for this little scenario, below is a list of the opportunities the player has to directly influence Cloud's partner and also what you should do or say to best please Aerith.

• Strangely enough when you first meet Aerith the short dialogue between her and Cloud does not affect the date mechanics. Also if you want to date Aerith technically you should not buy the flower from her.
• Talk to Jessie twice on the train home from the first mission and reply "looking forward to it!" when she offers to make you a security pass.
• If you did buy the flower from Aerith, give it to Marlene upon entering the Seventh Heaven bar.
• Don't talk to Tifa behind the bar, but if you do decline her offer of a drink.
• When Tifa asks you if you've forgotten your promise reply "...Sorry".
• Ignore Tifa the next morning, but if you do speak to her reply "Barret's snoring kept me up...".
• Get caught by the security lock down on the train the Mako reactor, forcing Tifa and Barret to jump out early.
• After defeating Air buster in the reactor, before Cloud falls tell Barret to "Be strong".
• The conversation with Aerith after you wake up has no effect. You can even get away with calling her the slum drunk!
• When Aerith is fleeing the guards in the church be sure to push the barrels, knocking out her would-be-attackers.
• When Aerith asks if Tifa is your girlfriend answer "No way!".
• After reaching the playground in Sector 6, say you want to move on to Sector 7.
• If Tifa is chosen as the Don Corneo's date ask Aerith if she is alright before worrying about Tifa.
• After the party is dropped into the sewers by the Don, talk to Aerith first.
• When Marlene tells you that Aerith likes you reply "Let's hope so!".
• When you first meet Red XIII in Shin-Ra headquarters, tell Tifa to take care of Aerith.
• After agreeing to split up make sure that Aerith is in your party.
• When Tifa asks you if can break out of your cell, reply "(Kinda hard)".
• When you get the option choose to think about Aerith first.
• When you choose your party after escaping Midgar make sure Aerith is in your party.
• In Kalm town ask Barret to "Wait a sec" and then "Is that all?".
• If Aerith is in your party in Kalm town tell the woman who says Mako energy is convenient "You're full of it".
• If Aerith is in your party in Kalm town tell the girl upstairs who thinks the old life is better "Yeah, maybe".
• In Fort Condor agree with the old man twice.
• In the cargo ship from Junon to the Costa del Sol tell Aerith "I'll take you someday" when she asks you about the airship. Don't give Yuffie the tranquilizers and tell Tifa "I don't know" when she asks you about war.
• Nothing in the Costa del Sol affects the date mechanics even the encounter with Hojo.
• On Mt. Corel the choices you make regarding the birds nest makes no difference to the characters affection towards Cloud whatsoever, even if you steal the Phoenix Downs.
• At the Gold Saucer choose Aerith to accompany you first.
• In Corel Prison choose Aerith to go with you to meet Dyne.
• Make sure Aerith and Tifa are in your party when entering Gongaga. After meeting Zack's parents talk to Aeris and reply "(...Jealous...envious...)" but completely ignore Tifa.

Some of the affects certain answers do or don't have on the date sequence are quite surprising. For example there are lots of instances where you are prompted to make choices that seem to be part of the date mechanics, when they are not. The 'correct' answers you must give in order to get Aerith to invite Cloud on the date can also show her to be slightly self-centred. For example in the Don Corneo scenario if Tifa is chosen as the Don's 'bride', you score more points with Aerith if you make sure she is alright first and lose points if Tifa is your first thought. However if Aerith is chosen as the Don's girl for the evening the reverse is true. Tifa becomes a little annoyed if you ask how she is, but is impressed if Aerith is your first concern.

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