A gorgeous and heartfelt read!
'Applause'

Wow. It's no mean feat to tackle such an unusual pairing and you've not only pulled it off, you've actually written it really well.

You have this amazing ability, as said before, to make unlikely couples work. Not only that, but I managed to like the Cloud you made! Most times, when people make Cloud angsty and... shitty... (like I do-damn!) I hate him. But like, wow! Yay!

...wow. Just -wow-.

Massive respect for anyone who gives Elena the depth she deserves. This hovers so perfectly between 'sweet' and 'edgy', not gratuitously or excessively either but with enough of a hint of both to suit her personality - a personality that I personally feel was lost in translation in-game, and is so rarely done justice to in fiction.

Also: you make unlikely couples work. Very few people can do this. _

Oh, I *love* this. Great work! The sense of poignancy was so strong, I could practically feel it... This is such an interesting and thoughtful piece, and one of the most original and touching romance-fics I've seen on this site. It's so different and unique and this makes the story fascinating to me. And you wrote Elena perfectly, bringing out her personality so well.

Cloud and Elena...an odd couple, yes (one I've not given ANY thought to previously, too), but that's kind-of what makes it work, I think. And you wrote a possible romance so well and so believeably with such respect for the characters that I'm actually keenly interested now, and would love to see more on them. You wrote the past-tense development of the relationship so well, and you made it not only plausible to me, but appealling.

I love how bittersweet this is, and how you refuse to flinch from the difficulties in a relationship like this - they both comfort each other, but they're still so far apart. There's something so sad about it, but so hopeful too. It's not exactly love, but it's *something*, and you write Elena's feelings wonderfully, making her emotions seem completely genuine. You bring so much realism and honesty to the relationship in all its imperfections, and that really makes me want it to work between them. Touching and lovely work. I love it.

I, I just don't know what to say, this is lovely, all that you write is lovely, this is sad, and bittersweet and so damn honest.

I love it. I'd love it if I didn't ship those two.

Wonderful

Very odd couple. I love the surprise as you unfold the indentity of the speaker...very appealing to me.

agreeing with you on the odd couple... i never played this game... sat on the sidelines watching other people play... so i don't know much of elena and i totally missed the 'short and blonde' hint of her hair which i knew beforehand. Anyways, enough rambling... i loved it. The way the characters are connected, the couple doesn't seem as odd as it could. I love your stuff Sabriel, keep it up and keep it coming!

I said it before, and I'll say it again. That was beautifully done. A touching bittersweet piece. More sweet towards the end, as Heather Cat pointed out. Very realistic and true to the characters - who yes I've figured out. I like the unique pairing; love those who dare to be different and it makes it even more interesting when you make something fit, opens up the doors for some pretty amazing possibilities. Lovely work as per usual, Sabe.

Jess 0:o)

Well... so this is what you've been doing when you should have been working on your "real" fanfic... I do the same thing :). I've been trying to finish one of my stories, but I keep spinning off on these little tangents that pop up in my other stories. It's hard to complete stories when your muse has ADD.

Good story, all told, though I must say, this was the *last* couple I expected to see in a fanfic. Strange how the twists and turns of your mind works... still, it's a good idea, though not very workable without some OC-ness. I prefer Cloud/Tifa myself.

It was slightly confusing at first as to who the two main characters were, but the obvious Aeris references revealed Cloud early on. I was stuck as to who the observer was until she mentioned her short blond hair, which made me realize it was Elena. Once figured out, the other references finally clicked... the devil in the white suit is probably Rufus.

You are something of a bittersweet woman (Grey Lady, remember?) but this story is more sweet than bitter. You must have followed through on your promise to sit in the sun for a while after the "Angels" fanfic...

A good story. I'll recommend it, though that's partly because I want to play with the new feature on the review list. :) Happy days, Sabe.

Your Friend,

-Silverlocke980

It certainly is bittersweet and well-written. The clues and character development were excellent.

Hey Sabriel41,

An interesting little story. An odd pairing, for sure, but nice all the same. I don't believe I've ever come across anything like this before and so congrats for being unique. That can be difficult in fanfiction. It was oddly sweet and strangely comforting. Nicely done.

~T. Pirate

*starts blinking* Well, methinks the observed is Cloud...and the observer...I have no clue. Trying to think...short blonde hair...I can only think of one blonde and that's Elena...*shrugs* I don't know... *cries* Might you tell me? In an e-mail? Please?

-Skie

M ...

Powerfully poignant - and yes, bittersweet, but done so in a manner that was delicate and balanced. Regret and sorrow are almost tangible as you read. Well done!

Very... odd. Different. I really enjoyed it, but it makes you think and than think again as you read it. Definitely bittersweet, and an odd pairing, but that's completely alright with me. _ The ending made it more sweet the bitter, and it felt almost tangibly real. I particularly enjoyed the bit about sulking in the spring.