So Larsa was totally tapping dat Penelo

[Forsaken Lover]

Now, putting aside the fact I think they're lovely together, I still think thre was some definite sparkage there. I'm not sure if the writers intended it or not but just look at this scene. (skip to about 2:45)
‪Final Fantasy XII: Cutscenes (pt. 16)‬‏ - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3MTtIa_Pck)

I mean, Larsa is always extremely sweet to Penelo and this is just one more scene where he demonstrates this. However what I love about this scene is Vaan in the background.

You have Larsa, acting his usual suave self, strolling over and presenting Penelo with a beautiful gift. She in turn is flustered and thanks him.

And Vaan? He kinda fidgets and rubs at his nose. Body language is a delicate art but I'll take a stab at what he's thinking.

"I'm being outmaneuvered by a 12-year-old..."

And of course Penelo is thinking "that's because you're an idiot Vaan."

And Larsa is thinking "Indubitably".

So, what do you all think of the love between our young Emperor and the sweet peasant girl? I just think Penelo can do better than...whatever Vaan is. He's some less evolved species of human I think.

[G13]

Love may be stretching it a bit.

But, yes, I agree. Vann is definitely of a lesser species.

[demondude]

I think you'd like my Dajh/Snow slashfic.

[TrollHunter]

Love may be stretching it a bit.

But, yes, I agree. Vann is definitely of a lesser species.

My thoughts exactly.

[Roogle]

There was definitely a little bit of synergy between the two characters. I wonder if that was done to make Penelo a little more relevant to the storyline?

[TrollHunter]

If that was the case, it was a failed attempt.

[Forsaken Lover]

There was definitely a little bit of synergy between the two characters. I wonder if that was done to make Penelo a little more relevant to the storyline?

I've considered this quite a lot and my final conclusion is that the "main cast" is largely pointless within the game's core narrative.

Basch serves no purpose in the storyline from the moment Vossler dies all the way up to the end of the Pharos.

Balthier only becomes relevant once you head for Archadia.

Fran is superflous and stupid the entire game.

Ashe is the only one with any vague consistency in terms of being necessary to the storyline.

The game is really about the imperials. it's about a despotic bishounen's attemtpt to take over the world. It's about a mad scientist's attempt to help make men into gods. It's about a man with a dead soul rediscovering his purpose in living by serving a noble leader.

And who is the brother of this tyrannical bishie? Who is the noble leader the knight serves?

Larsa is the real main character. And, by being his main squeeze, Penelo is rendered more important than Basch, Vaan and Fran combined.

[Mercen-X]

It would have been cool if Larsa went off to marry the lowly orphan-girl Penelo... and of course, where would any prince be without his faithful stooge? "Oh Vaan!?"

[Goldenboko]

If Larsa didn't talk to Penelo in that scene her appearance would've been irrelevant.

[TrollHunter]

Larsa vs. baltheir ~ Pimp Off

[Roogle]

I've considered this quite a lot and my final conclusion is that the "main cast" is largely pointless within the game's core narrative.

I agree with this in the sense that I found Vaan, Penelo, and Fran to be unnecessary to the story of the entire game. At the very least, Fran can get a pass by acting as the partner of Balthier, but Vaan and Penelo are completely extraneous to me when one takes into account the political story of the game.

[Haha_YouAint]

I think you'd like my Dajh/Snow slashfic.
Omg, please tell me you did not go there. -dead-

[Forsaken Lover]

I've considered this quite a lot and my final conclusion is that the "main cast" is largely pointless within the game's core narrative.

I agree with this in the sense that I found Vaan, Penelo, and Fran to be unnecessary to the story of the entire game. At the very least, Fran can get a pass by acting as the partner of Balthier, but Vaan and Penelo are completely extraneous to me when one takes into account the political story of the game.

Vaan is really no more unnecessary than Basch. In fact, Vaan adds a great deal more to the game than Basch does.

You mention FFXII is a "political story" and I'd agree. That is why Vaan is no less valid than any other party member. FFXII is not "Good Country Invaded by EviL Empire" as seen in the other FF games. Archadia is a complex and living country, with leaders ranging from the degenerate Bergan all the way to the paragon of light Larsa.

But sadly, outsider perspective is a luxury we alone possess. To the freshly conquered Dalmascans, the Archadians were evil embodied. What do political turmoils matter to the peasants who just had everything they loved stolen from them? What do these sort of noble intentions matter to the displaced royalty? You could say that, while Ash is eager to reclaim her country, Vaan just wants to reclaim his home. He doesn't have any other greater wisdom or thought process than that. In fact, neither did Ashe for most of the game and she damn near blew up th Empire rather than use politics.

Vaan and Ashe represent two perspectives on the same issue at hand. There really isn't any difference between the arrogant, whiny Ashe and the stupid, clueless Vaan.\

What I said earlier was of course mostly a joke. It's just that I really hate the cast they hoisted upon us in FFXII. I can only remember screaming upon a second playthrough "hurry up and get to the Judges! And Larsa! And Cid! Ya know, the interesting characters!" Yet instead I had to listen to Ashe bitch and Balthier act kewl and Fran talk in some terrible accent.

And Basch...well, he just stood there like so much scenery.

[demondude]

I think you'd like my Dajh/Snow slashfic.
Omg, please tell me you did not go there. -dead-

"It was a raining friday night in Bodhum ..."

[Haha_YouAint]

I think you'd like my Dajh/Snow slashfic.
Omg, please tell me you did not go there. -dead-

"It was a raining friday night in Bodhum ..."

AHH MY EYES!! x_x


I just can't see Penelo with Vaan. They seem to have too much of a brother/sister relationship. I could always see Penelo and Larsa happening.

[Forsaken Lover]

I think you'd like my Dajh/Snow slashfic.
Omg, please tell me you did not go there. -dead-

"It was a raining friday night in Bodhum ..."

AHH MY EYES!! x_x


I just can't see Penelo with Vaan. They seem to have too much of a brother/sister relationship. I could always see Penelo and Larsa happening.

Wise words. I agree with all of this.

[TrollHunter]

I think you'd like my Dajh/Snow slashfic.
Omg, please tell me you did not go there. -dead-

"It was a raining friday night in Bodhum ..."

AHH MY EYES!! x_x


I just can't see Penelo with Vaan. They seem to have too much of a brother/sister relationship. I could always see Penelo and Larsa happening.

Well from a certain picture of vaan posing I'm convinced that either he was/wants to be a woman so I see their relationship as more of a... sister sister.
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSHNUj7jonsbgmjRskY07ksBZaPFrOGuH7wP9a29M7GdyX82hiveQ&t=1

[Quindiana Jones]

Officially love this thread.

[champagne supernova]

I wonder if that was done to make Penelo a little more relevant to the storyline?

Doesn't that suggest that Penelo initially had some relevance?
And yes, they failed.

[Mercen-X]

I agree with this in the sense that I found Vaan, Penelo, and Fran to be unnecessary to the story of the entire game. At the very least, Fran can get a pass by acting as the partner of Balthier, but Vaan and Penelo are completely extraneous to me when one takes into account the political story of the game.

I think I read somewhere in the XII is SW thread that Vaan is comparable to Luke Skywalker. If we base the comparison on role rather than age, I'd say Basch is more comparable to Luke as he is the one who is ever part of the resistance. Vaan was and remains consistently a part of nothing.

I never gave much consideration to Chewbacca in the SW series... like Fran, he's cool, but their presence adds nothing.
Who could I possibly compare Vaan or Penelo to? Can't really think of anyone proper. Comparing Vaan or Penelo to anyone in SW would be insulting SW.

[TrollHunter]

http://cache.ohinternet.com/images/b/be/Ackbar.jpg

[Rodney]

Really don't think Larsa felt that way about Penelo at all.

[Remon]

Nah, Larsa gives off that nice guy friend only feel.

[Mercen-X]

That's because *kero* Larsa's but a boy *kero* and has yet to understand his deeper passssssions! *kero kero* ... "What'd you do to me!?"

At his age, being "just friends" is actually as close to dating as he's likely to get. Boys + Girls = coodies... nyeh.

[Bolivar]

"I'm being outmaneuvered by a 12-year-old..."

Almost just burst out laughing.

[Mercen-X]

I could so sympth with his patheticness.

[LunaRaven]

I'm not much for shipping--I generally take whatever pair is handed to me and just accept it--but I have to agree, Larsa/Penelo is adorable, and superior to Vaan/Penelo in so many ways. Firstly, Penelo really did seem like Vaan's caretaker, or older sister, and not a romantic interest. Clearly he's too immature for her, and I imagine that any relationship they could have would be comprised of her looking after him and him doing brash and inconsiderate things in the typical, "i'm an obnoxious video game hero" sort of way.

Larsa, on the otherhand, is incredibly mature for his age and he's still growing, so I hold hope that he'll begin to look a little less feminine as he ages and maybe inherit some of his brother's masculine features. Aside from the cuteness between Larsa and Penelo(and the ineptness of Vaan) in the OP's clip, I love Ashe's reaction to Larsa's mini-speech about doing what is best for Dalmasca and the Empire. There is this slight moment of hesitation before she hesitantly responds, "very well, then" where I'm sure she's thinking,
"HOW old is this kid?"

On a side-note, I don't really think of Penelo and Larsa's hypothetical(possibly fannon?) relationship as Poor Peasent Girl/Noble, because I don't think that would be the dynamic of their relationship. Others might view it that way, but I'm sure there would be very little distinction made on either of their parts. Their personalities seem more compatable than Vaan and Penelo's as well. Both are cool headed and gentle-hearted, and I always thought that Penelo might be smarter than the game's creators let on. Darn you for poor character developmen SquareEnix! That's okay--we have fanfiction! Fanfiction fixes everything! Muahahaha!

[TrollHunter]

Fanfiction also destroys everything.
It's a double edged sword.
Gotta agree with all your points though, spot on.

[LunaRaven]

Fanfiction also destroys everything.
It's a double edged sword.
Gotta agree with all your points though, spot on.

I'm not sure i'd agree with the assertion that fanfiction detroys everything as well as preserves. Fanfiction is just a tool for exploring ideas sparked by the fandom in question--usually, it's only your fanfiction that you pay attention to. Fanfiction is a useful outlet for letting out fan tension, issues, or ideas regarding a fandom, and while the majority of fanfiction is bad, it's never truly legit. Fanon differs depending on the fan, and if I read a cruddy fanfic it doesn't destroy anything for me, nor does it affect the fandom as a whole. If I write a fanfic however, it helps to preserve my personal interest in the fandom as well as perhaps spark someone else's interest. It's odd in the way that fanfiction doesn't really alter things when it's bad, but it has the power to alter things when it's good.

Back to the pairing, I was suprised at how little fanart there is for it. But then, FFXII doesn't have all that much in way of fanart to begin with. If I weren't such a cruddy artist....

[TrollHunter]

Oh the terrifying badfics I could link you too...

[LunaRaven]

Oh the terrifying badfics I could link you too...

By all means--bad fanfiction is always good for gigglesnorts.

[TrollHunter]

Oh the terrifying badfics I could link you too...

By all means--bad fanfiction is always good for gigglesnorts.

I'll send you pms~ just gotta take care of some things.

[WhiteStorm]

Larsa shouldn't waste his time with Penelo.