I received a new guestbook entry today, and I was pleased to see some suggestions for improvement to Hikari. However, there were some things I didn't agree with, so I'd like to know what others think.

Here's the entry.

The bit about it being more of an Aerith tribute - I don't agree with, because I love Cloud just as much as Aerith, and I thought that my site reflected that. I know that I have more essays about Aerith than Cloud, but that's because Aerith is bashed more than Cloud is, so she needs more defence than he does. They both have exactly the same amount of info in their respective sections, so I'm not sure where the 'this is an Aerith tribute' is coming from. Does anyone else think this? And if so, any suggestions for ways to give Cloud more lovin'?

Also, I don't think that it's possible to discuss Cloud and Aerith without mentioning Tifa, or her feelings for Cloud, and his feelings for her. That's why the two essays mentioned exist.

I do agree with the observation that I could do with writing more essays about Cloud and Aerith and the interactions that made me think of them as being in love, I haven't really touched on that much in the essays section, but I have mentioned it in the Relationships bit. Maybe I should move them to the essays section? What do you guys think?

Also, do you get an Anti-Cloti vibe from Hikari? That's something I really want to prevent, so I'd like to know what gives that vibe off.

Just to clarify, I'm not upset or whining about the entry by any means, I'm glad the poster let me know what they thought and offered suggestions, but I'd just like a bit more elaboration, which I can't get because they didn't leave me anyway to contact them. So, if any of you guys could help, t'would be much appreciated.

P.S: I didn't know where best to post this topic, so feel free to move it to a more suitable place, mods. ;)

Maybe the Suggestions and Help Forum? :rolleyes:

Anyway, I agree very strongly with your opinion on this matter. Hikari is my favourite C/A shrine out there, actually: it's a richly informative, thoughtful and opinionated site (and much credit to you for putting so much effort into it, because it really shows in the quality!). I like the fact that there's more to it than just Cloud and Aeris' relationship, that you're considering outside factors as well. I like how you spend time on other topics and I don't feel that it takes the focus of Cloud and Aeris at all.

Personally, I like your in-depth analysis of Aeris' character and I agree that she does get bashed a lot, so the key to understanding the C/A view is to learn our perspective on Aeris' character. Of course, if you wanted to balance it out, you could always write more on Cloud! ^_^

I agree with you on the Tifa issue as well. You can't talk about Cloud without talking about Tifa. You also can't talk about Cloud and Aeris' relationship without discussing the Love Triangle, which you can't discuss without talking about Tifa and her role. One of the things I love most about Hikari is how Tifa is given plenty of attention and credit, and not marginalised. You fully consider her character and offer your own opinions. So many C/Ters these days claim that us C/A fans refuse to acknowledge Tifa, her role, or her bond with Cloud (which leads them to claim why our argument is inferior). Hikari falls into none of these pitfalls. And I strongly think you ought to keep it that way.

Also, I didn't pick up any Anti-Tifa vibes at your site. I've always found it to be very considerate and generous towards her character, actually. Doesn't it even have an essay defending her? That seems very pro-Tifa to me! I'm a huge fan of Tifa's and I wouldn't like your site so much if I felt it only justified Cloud loving Aeris by making Tifa out as being some sort of terrible person, and I never saw any indication of this on your site.

What I actually find strange is that this person seems to equate your Tifa/Zack theory and your belief that Cloud and Tifa are just friends as being Anti-Tifa... <_<

But about the Cloud/Aeris material, I do agree. I'd love to see more! This is definitely where you should put your energy into. Opinions and essays are really what makes a site for me, so the more you include, the more I think your site will benefit. I think there are ways to go more indepth - compatability, quote analysis, speculation, that argument the C/Ters bring up about Cloud and Aeris never having emotional trust on which to build a relationship...

If you'd like to think of things to write on, look around this forum. There are a lot of diverse topics brought up here that might interest you, or might have potential for becoming an essay. I'm sure they'll give you some new ideas, at the very least! ^_^

Anyway, good luck! I think that Hikari is a lovely shrine and you do credit to the C/A pairing with it, so I hope this was useful to you! :huggle:

I think that person is a bit biased towards their own views and they just want you to make your site so that it suits them. I say leave it. It's wonderful as it is and I agree quite strongly with what you and H-B say. You are EXTREMELY generous towards Tifa. There is nothing there that you should change at all.

I agree with what both H-B and Cloud's Girl have said. I think the person is just wanting you to present things from their own perspective instead of yours. Your site is wonderful. No need to change it. :rolleyes:

I LOVE Hikari!! :wub:

I don't think you should take out those essays, because they show your opinions and ideas. It is *YOUR* shrine to them, after all.

More Cleris and Cloud-ness wouldn't be bad, but then, Seii can never get enough of it!! :lol:

Exactly! Hikari is just fine as is and that's why I (and others) love it.

There's no difference in what you're doing and what Cloti shrines do. I've never seen anyone tell them to be less anti-Cleris-oriented, and incorporate more Cloti. And most of them are huge Tifa shrines to begin with. At least yours has an equal amount of Aeris and Cloud goodness to where if you wanted, Hikari could easily become a shrine to one or the other.

And as said previously, you can't possibly mention CloudxAeris without talking about Tifa or Zack. They're a huge part as to why most people argue against Cloud and Aeris's love.

In sum, you can't really do anything without offending someone out there, so it's best to stay with you original intention. But more Cleris never hurts. :D So keep up the excellent work!

...I r teh sux. :lol: Thanks for moving it, CG!

And thank you so much for your feedback, everyone, it's been a great help. When I get a chance, more CxA essays are in order; I've had a lot of inspiration from these forums and Devotion (I still lurk there). Plus a rewrite of the Defending Tifa essay, which I wrote about a year ago and is in dire need of an edit. :) When the site will be updated with them is anyone's guess, as I am just lazy like that work in a phone centre and will mostly be killing customers with my brain for the forseeable future. :lol:

Again, thank you for your input, guys! :huggle: