I appreciate Square Enix supporting LGBT rights in FFXIV.

[KizuyaKatogami]

If hypothetically one day say Yoshi-P says that yes, the relationship between Ryne and Gaia is indeed romantic in nature, does it really change any lore of FFXIV in any way or making it "murky"? Will it make any story beats we see during, before, or after Eden storyline become suddenly incoherent, because of that one change? In what why do you suggest that one change will make the lore/story incoherent?

If they say it then sure that’s fine. The fact of the matter is currently, they’ve said nothing, and there’s nothing in game supporting it. So headcanon of them being together shouldn’t be spread around as fact.

[KizuyaKatogami]

way to completely miss their post - and their point

And their point besides classifying this story as “queer” and saying gaia and ryne are in a relationship is...?

[Rinhi]

And their point besides classifying this story as “queer” and saying gaia and ryne are in a relationship is...?

I don't know! I was agreeing with you :3

[KizuyaKatogami]

I don't know! I was agreeing with you :3

Oh okay sorry lol. I got so confused i even had to go back and re-read it to make sure i didn’t miss something major xD

[Skiros]

They kinda had to make it a little ambiguous since there are many places in the world that would flat out ban the game for putting a blatant lgbt couple in the game.

And why would we cater to what they demand?

[Vinupra-Rosa]

It was fairly obvious to me what the whole gaia and ryne thing was, it's very in-your-face about something romantic existing being them, while at the same time being so indirect that SE can deny it when asked (which is important, since one of the regions XIV is released in gaols people for being gay / writing about gay relationships)

Granted, LGBT folks know this sort of 'coded presentation' that fly past most straight folks, who will take them at face value.

"They're just friends!" is one of those code phrases.

[Tsiron]

I've been somewhat dismayed at how adamantly against it people here have been, so it's nice to see a few speak in support/defence of LGBT representation.

As for Ryne and Gaia (whom I love dearly), they're referencing Final Fantasy VIII, which the burgeoning relationship between Squall and Rinoa is a huge part of, right down to recreating the ending scene for scene, with a huge rainbow-coloured crystal as they're reunited in a suddenly lush field of flowers. I'd argue that says enough, even if they won't outright confirm or deny it lol...

[Rinhi]

you know what ryne's and gaia's romance is? wishful thinking

[Nothv13]

It was fairly obvious to me what the whole gaia and ryne thing was, it's very in-your-face about something romantic existing being them, while at the same time being so indirect that SE can deny it when asked (which is important, since one of the regions XIV is released in gaols people for being gay / writing about gay relationships)

Granted, LGBT folks know this sort of 'coded presentation' that fly past most straight folks, who will take them at face value.

"They're just friends!" is one of those code phrases.

The straightest girls I know act almost exactly like Ryne and Gaia. They are both happily married to good men and have kids. Seems more the LGBT folks just looking for what they want rather than anything objective.

[Vinupra-Rosa]

The straightest girls I know act almost exactly like Ryne and Gaia. They are both happily married to good men and have kids. Seems more the LGBT folks just looking for what they want rather than anything objective.

And... this simply proves my point that most straight folks simply won't see the coded messages, and "oh, but I've seen straight people act like that" isn't a strong rebuttal. Sure of course, there will be straight people who act like Ryne and Gaia, just as there are gay people who will act innocuously / pass as straight in public. A single, anecdotal counterexample doesn't disprove a general trend / media stereotype.

Like, sure. It's just a total coincidence that the two of them are that close, fight off an obsessed ex who clearly sees their bond as a threat and tries to tear them apart, almost frame by frame recreate that scene with squall and rinoa that basically implicated a budding love between those two, and... yes, I know, rainbows are not always gay, but right after that scene they stand right next to a giant rainbow crystal together in a garden with lots of flowers. Yeah, totally coincidence that all of these things have to come together.

It's extremely, extremely obvious to people who are LGBT, but it's going to fly over the heads of straights who don't recognise the pieces set in place, or refuse to, and just take things at face value.