Icicle Inn - Aeris's Birthplace

Exploring Icicle Inn

Gast's House

A Run-in with Elena

After crossing the snow fields, Cloud and the others reach Icicle Inn.

Girls Building a Snowman
It's almost finished!
Next time, I'm gonna make an even bigger one.

In the Weapons Shop...

Little Girl
Grandpa, wake up! We have a customer!!

Old Man
...smack... mff... Oh... welcome, glad you came.

Old Man (on speaking to him again)
You'll have a hard time selecting from all the good things we have!

Inside the large house...

Old Woman in Rocking Chair
My husband left 20 years ago and still hasn't come back.
He should at least be at the foot of the Gaea Cliffs. It's marked with a check on the map...

Young Woman
Grandma, don't sleep so close to the fire!

Old Woman in Rocking Chair
I just get s-o comfortable.

Young Woman
The master is an experienced climber, you know.
I've heard that he knows every corner of that Great Glacier!

Man in Yard
It's nearly impossible to reach the Northern limits without a map.
If you're thinkin' 'bout going to the Northern limits, you'd better take that map on the wall.

If Cloud has already taken the map...

What nerve! You already tore down the map.

Cloud takes the map on the wall and leaves the house. Inside Icicle Inn...

Black Surfer
You heard about the gnarly hill in this town? They tell me it's off limits!

White Surfer
What luck! We came all this way... crap!

Woman
We came from Costa del Sol to snowboard, but we're just about to leave!

Man by Furnace
Phew, what is it? Don't get too close, or it'll burn ya.

Innkeeper
It's colder than usual today...
It's 200 gil, you wanna spend the night?

Cloud
- Yes
- No

Inside the inn's bar...

Woman
Welcome! You look like a STRONG one...
If you want, I could lend you an ear...?

Cloud
- Yeah
- Not interested

Barkeeper
I've heard there's a snow woman, at the Great Glacier, that hates hot springs...
But I think it's just a myth to scare off visitors.

Redhead
I heard some guy went to the Great Glacier in the North.
What an idiot. Is he thinkin' 'bout going to that hot spring?

Blond Man
He's probably gonna get lost in the glacier and freeze to death.
No matter how well equipped he is, out there in that cold on the glacier, I give him two days at the most.

Redhead 2
You thinkin' of going North?

Cloud
- That's my plan
- No

Man
Do you know what a Cetra is?

Man 2
What was the Cetra......? Oh yeah, it's the same as the Ancients, right?

Man
Yeah, a Cetra lived in this town a long time ago.
Her name was Ifalna, and she knew about a lot of things...

Man 2
Whadaya mean?

Man
I heard she was abducted by the Shinra and was taken somewhere.

Man 2
Shinra and the Ancients... I smell somethin' fishy...

Man in Bathroom
WHAT YOU LOOKIN' AT!?
You're a real freakazoid, aren't you?

Woman in Bathroom (later)
Eyaaaaaaaaaah!!!

She punches Cloud.

In exploring the village, Cloud finds a vacant house that once belonged to Professor Gast. There are several videos that Cloud can watch.

• [The Original Crisis]

  The camera turns on and Gast adjusts the angle to center on Ifalna.

  Gast
  Camera's ready!
  Then, Ifalna, please tell us about the Cetra.

  Ifalna
  2000 years ago, our ancestors, the Cetra, heard the cries of the Planet.
  The first ones to discover the Planet's wound were the Cetra at the Knowlespole.

  Gast
  Tell us Ifalna... Where is the land called 'Knowlespole'?

  Ifalna
  Knowlespole refers to this area. The Cetra then began a Planet-reading.

  Gast
  Ifalna, what exactly does Planet-reading entail?

  Ifalna
  ...I can't explain it very well, but it's like having a conversation with the Planet...
  It said something fell from the sky making a large wound.

  She shakes her head.

  Thousands of Cetra pulled together, trying to heal the Planet...
  But, due to the severity of the wound, it was only able to heal itself, over many years.

  Gast
  Do the Ancients, rather, the Cetra, have special powers to heal the Planet?

  Ifalna
  No, it's not that kind of power. The life force of all living things on this Planet becomes the energy.
  The Cetra tried desperately to cultivate the land so as not to diminish the needed energy...

  Gast
  Hmm, even here so close to the North Cave, the snow never melts.
  Is that because the planet's energy is gathered here to heal its injury?

  Ifalna lowers her head.

  Ifalna
  Yes, the energy that was needed to heal the Planet withered away the land... then the Planet...
  The Planet tried to persuade the Cetra to leave the Knowlespole, but...

  Gast
  Ifalna... Let's take a break.

  She turns to him and shakes her head.

  Ifalna
  I'm all right... When the Cetra... were preparing to part with the land they loved...
  That's when it appeared!
  It looked like... our... our dead mothers... and our dead brothers. Showing us spectres of their past.

  Gast
  Who is the person that appeared at the North Cave? I haven't any idea.

  Ifalna
  That's when the one who injured the Planet... or the 'crisis from the sky', as we call him, came.

  She buries her face in her hands.

  He first approached as a friend, deceived them, and finally...... gave them the virus.
  The Cetra were attacked by the virus and went mad... transforming into monsters.

  She drops to her knees.

  Then, just as he had at the Knowlespole.
  He approached other Cetra clans...... infecting them with... the virus...

  Gast
  You don't look well... Let's call it a day.

  
  

• [What is "Weapon?"]

  Gast
  Ifalna, can you comment on the thing called 'Weapon'?

  Ifalna
  Yes, Professor.
  The one the Professor mistook for a Cetra... was named Jenova. That is the 'crisis from the sky'.
  The Planet knew it had to destroy the 'crisis from the sky'...
  You see, as long as Jenova exists, the Planet will never be able to fully heal itself.

  Gast
  Back then, Weapon was a weapon the Planet produced of it's own will?

  Ifalna
  Yes, but... There is no record of Weapon ever being used.
  A small number of the surviving Cetra defeated Jenova, and confined it.
  The Planet produced Weapon... But it was no longer necessary to use it.

  Gast
  So, Weapon no longer exists on this Planet?

  Ifalna
  Weapon cannot vanish. ...it remains asleep somewhere on the Planet.
  Even though Jenova is confined, it could come back to life at some time...
  The Planet has not fully healed itself yet. It is still, watching Jenova.

  Gast
  Where is Weapon?

  Ifalna shakes her head.

  Ifalna
  I don't know...... I can't hear the voice of the Planet well...
  Times... have changed. The Planet... is probably watching this situation closely.

  She buries her face in her hands. Gast turns away and shakes his head.

  Gast
  ...Thank you, Ifalna, that will be all for today...

  
  

• [Confidential -- Daughter's Record: 10th Day after birth]

  With this recording, there is only dialogue against a black background.

  Ifalna
  What are you doing, Profes...... I mean, honey?

  Gast
  Oh, I'm thinking of taping it on video. But, the video's not working right...

  Ifalna
  What are you going to tape? Is there still something I haven't mentioned?

  Gast
  No, that's not it. I'm going to record my beautiful daughter.
  And when she's sleeping, her face... looks like an angel.

  Ifalna
  First, we have to figure out her name. We can take the video later!

  Gast
  I've already decided! If it's a girl, then it'll be Aeris. That's that!

  Ifalna
  You are SO selfish! But Aeris is a good name!
  Hee hee... it's a good name, considering it came out of that forgetful head of yours!

  Gast
  Right!? Oh, the video tape......

  
  

• [Confidential -- Daughter's Record: 20th Day after birth]

  Ifalna
  Video again? You just got through taping!

  Gast
  .........Please don't say it that way.
  It's our lovely daughter, both yours... and mine!
  Don't you want to capture her childhood on videotape?

  Ifalna
  If you keep doting on her like that, she won't grow up to be strong...
  Aeris is different from the other children. I wonder what dangers await her...?

  Gast
  Never say that! I will protect you and Aeris no matter what!!
  You and Aeris are my only treasures. I'll never let you go!!

  Ifalna
  I feel so much better now, darling.
  If I hadn't met you, I......

  They start to embrace, but there is a knock on the door.

  Gast
  Who could that--I was just about to...
  Damn!!
  How dare they intrude on our 'private time' together!

  Ifalna
  I'll send them away.
  Yes, at once!!
  Who the devil?

  She goes to the door and opens it.

  It, it's them!!

  She runs back down the stairs and hides behind Gast. They both back up as two Shinra soldiers enter, followed by Hojo.

  Hojo
  Heh, heh, heh...... I've been searching for you, Ifalna... or should I say, Cetra!
  Long time no see, Professor Gast!

  Gast
  Hojo... How did you know?

  Hojo
  Believe me, I had to turn over a stone or two to find you.
  Two years I waited... That's how much I wanted this new sample...... Ha, ha, ha.

  Ifalna buries her face in her hands and Gast shakes his head.

  Gast
  ...New sample? You don't mean Aeris!?

  Hojo
  Hmm, Aeris? What a nice name...... Ha, ha, ha.

  Gast
  That's it! I'm severing all ties with the Shinra.
  Hojo, please leave.

  Ifalna moves to kneel at Hojo's feet.

  Ifalna
  Please, Aeris has nothing to do with it! All you want is me, right?

  Gast
  Ifalna!

  Hojo
  I'll need all of you for my experiment.
  You understand don't you, Professor Gast? We can change the future of the Planet!

  Gast kneels down beside Ifalna.

  Gast
  Don't worry, Ifalna. I'll take care of this!

  Hojo
  Please don't put up a fight. I don't want any harm to come to my precious sample.
  Mmm? What a funny looking camera. Guard! Destroy it!

  One of the soldiers turns to shoot out the camera. The video feed fails.

  Hojo
  Be careful with her!! Ha, ha, ha......

  Ifalna
  Wh... what are you doing, Professor!?

  Gast
  Ifalna! Take Aeris and run!!

  There is a gunshot and a thud.

  Ifalna
  Eyaaaaaah... Darling......!!

  Hojo
  Oh, and uh... don't forget the child!
  Hmm, a video? The Ancients... Weapon!?
  Heh, heh, heh... a mountain of treasure! Thank you Professor... Ha, ha, ha

Having seen everything, Cloud leaves Gast's house and heads for the slopes.

Man in Thicket
No, don't!! It's a steep downgrade, past here.
It's dangerous, please don't go!

Cloud
- I'm still going
- Thanks for your kindness

When Cloud says he's still going, Elena enters the village, accompanied by Shinra soldiers.

Elena
There they are, hurry!!

Soldiers
Yes ma'am!!

Elena and two soldiers run up to Cloud.

Elena
Cloud... huff... wheeze.
I won't let you go any further!

Cloud
What's down there?

Elena
It's a SE-CR-ET.
It really doesn't matter! But you really got guts doin' my boss in like that!

Cloud
You mean Boss...... Tseng? That wasn't us. Sephiroth did it.

Elena
No! Don't think you can fool me, liar!

Cloud
I'm not lying... it was Sephiroth.

Elena
Don't try to act innocent. I'll never forget it!!

Cloud
Oh, man...

Elena
Looks like talking alone won't cut it. You're going to have to feel some pain!

Soldier
Just you... and me!!

Elena
No, I can handle him! There's no way he can avoid my punch.

Soldier
What? Yeah......

Now, Shinra soldiers stand guarding the town's entrance.

Soldiers
This village is now under martial law!

Cloud
- (Do what you're told)
- (Kick his butt)

Girl Sledding
Who is that man?

Man on Roof of Small House
When I first moved here, I saw a man with a Black Cape heading North.
It seemed strange seeing a Black Cape against the snowy white.

Inside the small house...

Woman
My boy got hurt right about the time we moved here...
I never should've bought him a snowboard.

Boy
......whimper...... weep...
I got hurt on my snowboard, and now I can't go out for a while...
Hey, I'll give you my snowboard.

Boy
Tell me when you get good at it.

Man in Thicket
Sorry I just took off a while ago... It looked like there was going to be trouble.
Anyhow, you'll need a snowboard to get down that hill. Want me to teach you how to ride one?

Cloud
- Yeah, maybe you should
- No, not interested

Cloud heads off down the slope.

Man in Thicket
Be careful!

Or, if Cloud is lacking either the map or the snowboard:

I told you, you can't!

He physically pushes Cloud back into the village.

You won't make it without a snowboard and a map!!

Cloud and the others snowboard down the slopes, finally flying off an edge and falling down into the Great Glacier.

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