![[0123] Larisa Can’t Have The Cake, But She’s Eating It Anyway](/comics/2009-12-24-[0123]-larisa-can't-have-the-cake,-but-she's-eating-it-anyway.png "[0123] Larisa Can’t Have The Cake, But She’s Eating It Anyway")
The current story arc started with this strip: Two Pieces of Cake.
Self control is not the strength of chaotic characters in general and Larisa in particular.
Larisa is referring to the Golden Rock near Kyaikto in Burma, but apparently didn’t remember the correct name of the locality.
This somewhat risqué strip was inspired by one of the most emotional, and certainly no less risqué, cutscenes of Final Fantasy VII:
Final Fantasy VII: Cloud and Tifa’s night under the Highwind
I have attached the transcript of the scene taken from the great website Final Fantasy VII: The Complete Script. The original script also contains additional descriptions which I removed so that the post does not become too long even longer:
Script of Cloud and Tifa’s Night Under the Highwind
Sorry, but if you consider all the clues given in Tifa’s dialog, her reaction on the Highwind (the air ship) and the way the camera fades out, and still believe that they were just holding hands that night, you’re a hopeless Cloud+Aeris shipper. Like this guy/girl. Just notice the domain name of his/her website, www.clerith.com, lol. However, it must be noted that an alternative, non-suggestive version of this scene exists which is used when the player has not gained enough Tifa romance points during the course of the game.
I can’t deny it: Tifa was the first and last fictional character I had a crush on. Okay, she was attractive, but her appearance was rather blocky most of the time 😉 and I have never been particularly fond of big boobs. So I feel safe to say that it was indeed her extremely awesome personality I fell in love with.
Now I want to replay Final Fantasy VII.
Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you!
- Cloud: ???
- Larisa: Haha, Cloud. It’s just like in one of your stupid video games.
- Larisa: I see it in my mind’s eye: This is just the prelude of a much longer adventure! Sadly, one day our Sandra will have to sacrifice herself to save the world…
- Sandra: Hey!
- Larisa: And in the night before you defeat the supervillain in an epic battle on that golden rock near Kyoto, we’ll finally make sweet, sweet love.
- Sandra: HEY!
- Larisa: Don’t worry, Sandy. To preserve the memory of your sacrifice, we’ll name a national holiday after you.
- Sandra: I’m deeply moved.
|
That shock didn’t last long… Larisa is back in full chaos mode.
Fortunately for her she made it clear that she’s speaking of a virtual scenario, or we’d have seen the return of Sandra-trix Kiddo…
a very suiting title. Very funny strip.
I sense a “little” tension between Sandra and Larisa in the near future. Looks like Cloud could use some help right about now. I wonder if it will be “Woo to the Rescue”
Speaking of which, where is the little rascal? He disappeared after they hopped the fence.
Merry Christmas to all as well; and… I would probably be as “hopeless” if I saw that Cloud and Tifa’s night under the Highwind scene for the first time too. This is so funny!! And I haven’t even played Final Fantasy! Cloud, be very, very careful.. two girls are after you. I also love every single facial expression in this strip :D.
Bah. Terra is ten times the woman Tifa could ever be.
Oh man. At this rate, someone is going to get a sword through the chest and we’ll start hearing “One-Winged Angel” music.
ES, TUANS, INTERIUS, IRA VEHEMENTI!!! SEPHIROTH!!! (hahahahahaha I got to sing this with videogames live)
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
…That is all.
cloud is like “wha…how the?…oh well…its free money 😛 “
Well, look at it this way, Sandra. Decades later, people will STILL insist that there’s a way to revive you.
And a happy merry christmas to you too. And anyone reading this. ; )
I’m still fascinated about the way you draw the faces.
Their facial expressions are awesome! ^^
(Yeah, I know… I say that almost every time…)
Is Sandra supposed to be Aeris in this one?
Also, Larissa would rather be Yuffie than anyone else oÔ’ (you know why…)
This brings me to another idea…
Will there be a equipollent for Vincent Valentine???
A cool, not much saying but nimble-witted, character is the only thing missing in this comic XD’
(in spite of the fact that a ‘Yuna’ is already advised)
Also I always wondered why a Phoenixdown can only revive people if they did not die in the plot…
If you know what I mean…
Oh, and last but not least:
Merry Christmas everyone!!! ^^
I was only a kid when I played FFVII – 1995/96, so I must’ve been 7 or 8 – so I assumed that scene was romantic, but certainly not in the risqué way you’re implying. I mean, re-reading the script, it seems that;s how it’s meant to be interpreted, but… ah, innocence.
@Dreysabriel: I love Video Games Live, I’ve been twice, and have far too many versions of One Winged Angel on this machine 😀
@rozencrantz: Gotta love Terra/Tina, but Tifa had a lot going for her too.
gamerjoel135 says: I sense a “little” tension between Sandra and Larisa in the near future.
Me too.
That’s not a kitschy “beeeest friends” relationship between them with giggles and hugs.
gamerjoel135 says: Looks like Cloud could use some help right about now. I wonder if it will be “Woo to the Rescue”
What is Woo supposed to do in this situation? Seriously, I have no idea what you could possible have imagined.
gamerjoel135 says: Speaking of which, where is the little rascal? He disappeared after they hopped the fence.
After the next strip (once again Sandra, Cloud and Larisa) all four characters will get equal “screen time” until the end of the story.
Someone says: Is Sandra supposed to be Aeris in this one?
There are some subtle differences, but in general the answer is “Yes.”
Someone says: Will there be a equipollent for Vincent Valentine??? A cool, not much saying but nimble-witted, character is the only thing missing in this comic XD’
People are already complaining that they miss Woo after the very first strip without him. So the chances for the introduction of yet other supporting character are quite slim.
Someone says: Also I always wondered why a Phoenixdown can only revive people if they did not die in the plot…
Phoenix dawns cure fighting disablement, not death. However, the difference is generally sketchy in Final Fantasy games.
Hmm. But I could’ve *sworn* that Larisa was the Flower Girl just a couple of story arcs ago . . .
http://www.sandraandwoo.com/2009/09/28/0098-the-flower-girl/
Funny how Larisa calls Cloud’s videogames “stupid” when she seems so enthusiastic about her videogame fantasy.
Seriously, I was banging my head over the $17… guess I over thought it.
I hope she’s not really considering doing what she suggested in panel 3…
I think if Larisa is vividly fantasizing, that means she doesn’t need to do what she fantasizes about. On the other hand, if Sandra fantasizes about something vividly, she’s much closer to doing it (or they wouldn’t be looking for buried treasure right now). Which means the future rating of the comic depends on whether Sandra has more competitiveness or more common sense. (But so far, hints point to the latter)
Novil says: “What is Woo supposed to do in this situation? Seriously, I have no idea what you could possible have imagined.”
What indeed? He comes in and gives Cloud a big smooch right on the lips, grossing out Cloud and cracking up Sandra and Larisa, thus restoring their friendship for all time. ^_^
BobisOnlyBob says: I was only a kid when I played FFVII – 1995/96, so I must’ve been 7 or 8 – so I assumed that scene was romantic, but certainly not in the risqué way you’re implying. I mean, re-reading the script, it seems that;s how it’s meant to be interpreted, but… ah, innocence.
Yeah, at that age I didn’t even get much more explicit lyrics in (German) songs. But that changed fairly quickly after leaving elementary school.
Yellow Mage says: Hmm. But I could’ve *sworn* that Larisa was the Flower Girl just a couple of story arcs ago . . .
The roles of Sandra and Larisa are flexible in this regard.
Shyamalan says: Funny how Larisa calls Cloud’s videogames “stupid” when she seems so enthusiastic about her videogame fantasy.
It’s a love-hate relationship, I guess.
Lunaroki says: What indeed? He comes in and gives Cloud a big smooch right on the lips, grossing out Cloud and cracking up Sandra and Larisa, thus restoring their friendship for all time. ^_^
I’m glad I’m writing Sandra and Woo and not you. 😉 😀
Novil Says: “I’m glad I’m writing Sandra and Woo and not you. 😉 :D”
Me too! XD
Seriously, if Larisa goes to Hell, I think Satan himself is gonna shiver and surrender his position as the lord of evil.
Awesome! I really enjoyed this one! XD
I sense we’re about to see a ten minute long movie around a special attack that somehow involves death by a million raccoon scratches…or something.
I also sensed that I would be out the door nearly 2 hours ago. So, that says a lot about my senses. 😛
@ Somebody: When a fighter falls in battle, they aren’t truly dead. In fact, I don’t know if any of the RPG’s launched past the days of the Nintendo Entertainment System ever had, unless the plot called for it or did a kind of magic so strong that it could not be undone. Instead, when a fighter falls, they enter a kind of comatose state. It insures that they can’t continue to do a thing. (Oh, I love it when a fallen fighter is walking/talking perfectly normally in plot moving scenes.) However, they haven’t died. (Just looks like they did.) So, stuff like magic, priests/mages/inn keepers/kings/and whatever else they say can do the job on recovering the fighter’s status back to awake and healthy. (Most of the time.) And, of course, the smelling salts called Phoenix Down works well, too. Of course, if all the heroes in the party fall into coma, nobody is left to save them…well, unless it’s the “other” kind of RPG, where a traveler will always find your comatose party, have the curtesy to drag them all to the king/healer/medic/priest for a ‘cash on demand’ service of revival. (How nice that the traveler didn’t pick pocket your party in the process. Mighty kind people, roaming those hills.)
Now, way back in the day…when Nintendo was just a card salesman, I recognized the act of revival as a truly wonderous feat. One where a very select few could perform such a task. The cost was half their ability at even having the chance of entering the afterworld realms, hunting down the departed soul, dragging them back to the body while it was still cooling down and having a great deal of risk at losing the departed warrior, forever.
Boom. Nintendo walks in and opens up a McLifesavers. “Hello. I see you have a fallen hero in your party. Care for a McLife? Would you like to supersize that order?”
OK. I’d like to conclude this rambling with a sensored quote from Conker’s:
“Gregg: Yes! Apparently, according to the powers that be… I’m just doing my job. I do what I’m told, and don’t even get paid very much. Apprently, squirrels can have as many lives as they think they can get away with!
Conker: Oh, I see! So I’m not dead!
Gregg: You’re dead, but not quite.
Conker: Huh! Right! I’ll be off then!
Gregg: Tsuh! Just you wait, smart____! You don’t get out of that easily. Now, the thing is, you may not be dead, but that doesn’t mean you can’t die. You just have a few more, shall we say, chances. “
Saw the Advent Children? Tifa lost to a ghost
Besides in the Game when you dont have enough points nothing happends, nothing at all, the dialogue changes and is “do you were listening” insted of watching, also the dialog becomes apathic and pathetic. Also:
“After stopping Hojo from going amuck, the conversation with Tifa before they rush into the Northern Crater diverges into two conditions, according to Tifa’s affection rating for Cloud. When the affection rating is low, the conversation in the scene where they spend the night will be apathetic and ends quickly.” ~page 198, Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega
The sex scene it doesnt exist, mainly bacause is just suggestive and they could be doing anything from kissing to sex and anything in between, that was because of the fight Kitase and Nomura had, the intention of Nomura was expliciting sex, nothing more nothing less
“The original idea was more extreme. The plan was for Cloud to walk out of the chocobo stable in the airship, followed by Tifa leaving while she kept looking around, but Kitase rejected it”
So the player can decide if Cloud Have or not sex, or even if cloud see Tifa with a romantic intention or leave it as “only friends” thing.
However in the cannon the triangle Cloud Tifa Aerith never ever solves, If Tifa would have died then Cloud have had sex with Aerith and She would have lost for a ghost. The lesson we learn from this is that true love doesnt exist and Cloud proves that grass is always greener on the other side.
PD: yes Cloud is an Idiot, If Tifa Died he probably jump on another girl and If Aerith was still alive He wouldnt have courage to chose or would go from one to another, just hope that This Cloud it isnt as stupid as the original
Jup-Reindeer, Nintendo as a McLifesaver? had you played their games? Does Fire Emblem means anything to you?
@Gerardp Tejada: “McLifesaver, the leader in videoland extra-life insurance. We’ve been at it since the begining. ‘Pick-up’ your policy today.”
I like Cloud’s expression in the 3rd panel. I get the distinct impression that he does not consider Larisa to be his bff either. 😉
@Novil: “What is Woo supposed to do in this situation?”
I’be heard that racoons are rather good at mauling people’s faces.
Just a thought.
@Gerardp Tejada: “McLifesaver, the leader in videoland extra-life insurance. We’ve been at it since the begining. ‘Pick-up’ your policy today.”
Yeah, I guess Im sorry since I been buying your combos since your bestselling konami code
@Blitzkrieg1701:”Well, look at it this way, Sandra. Decades later, people will STILL insist that there’s a way to revive you”
http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/aeris_dies.png
I’m sure this has been said by now and I just missed it, but based on all the strips so far Sandra seems more like the Tifa here than Larisa…
@jup-reindeer: There’s one hole in your theory: Phoenix Downs aren’t smelling salts. Smelling Salts are smelling salts.
@Iron Ed: He looks like he’s facing down a Malboro solo, if that’s what you mean…
@Gerardo Tejada: Fire Emblem is one that I totally missed out on in my more youthful days. Now…the way my life is kept busy, I’d never have the chance to get into Dragon Quest that came out for the American Play Station 1. (I’ve heard it’s an RPG so unbalanced, some save points take eight hours to reach. Which means a choice of playing the game or having a life, I guess. Granted, I once kept an NES “toaster” going for a whole year, just to see a full season of Bases Loaded through to the end…) So, I may never even get a chance to start a single session of Fire Emblem.
@Zekermeme: True. A Phoenix Down is a one time item and can be bulk purchased for just a few gold coins. I guess it has to be ground up and sprinkled over the unconscious or force fed or something.
I’ll take the most wicked form of revival I’ve ever seen in a game over that…one found in a very classic game; Friday the 13’th. Your hero walks over to a fallen innocent and starts hacking upon the body with a blunt weapon. Over and over and over until they rise like some weird zombie and go about their business. It’s like physical theropy where you convince them that death is more painful then living.
Ah, it also strikes me as kind of odd that Cloud is the one who seems really surprised about the money. The way his family thinks of things like this in game terms, you’d think he’d just accept it. That said, maybe he’s wondering if it’s connected to the money they’re looking for.
Just found your web-mix. fun so far, although I was a bit taken back having 11 year olds discussing Satanic sex orgies or making sweet sweet love.
Hey, didn’t Tifa and Cloud finally end up together at the end of Advent Children?
(Only got here 6 months late, but who’s counting? :P)
It’s not like this is the only time there’s been a risqué moment in a Final Fantasy. I fondly remember (when I was a 9/10-year-old; isn’t nostalgia great?) a scene in FFIX where Garnet is climbing a ladder and being followed by Zidane, who climbs a little too quickly, saying “Ooh, soft!”
Ha ha ha! That moment is what got my first guniea pig his name. He would squeal like crazy when you picked him up only to calm down once you held him to your chest…if you were female. With boys he continued to whine. So in my head I pictured him going “Ooh, soft!!” and he was thus dubbed Zidane.
Plus that scene is no less suggestive than the Don Corneo sequence, or the Honeybee Inn, or a whole slew of other things that have occured in video games. Here’s a whole article about them that gives me the giggles. Most of them are about ‘unfortunate’ animations in old school NES games.
http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/sexual-games/1.php
And before I forget, the comic is simply brilliant. I just adore the look of horror on Cloud’s face from a simple peck to the nose.
Why does every romance have to include sex? Simple snuggling or snogging would be just as romantic (if not more so) and produce similar reactions from Tifa. Besides, they were fully clothed when they woke up. How often do people re-clothe after passionate love-making?
You know, this arc has potential, “unintentionally” the characters look like those rpg character, except for Cloud, he is a normal one.
@ rozencrantz:
Ohh…. Bad images…
Those who’ve played Birth By Sleep, or know much about Kingdom Hearts will join me in a >_<. If you don't get it, search 'Terra Kingdom Hearts' into Google images. 🙂
@ Gerardo Tejada:
Ah, Fire Emblem… I think that it may be the only video-game ever which actually encourages and advocates protecting life. While having you kill things… Lots of things. They’re mostly human too. Except for the furries. Yes… Fire Emblem advocates being prejudiced against, and often killing furries… Damn you Nintendo for ruining one of my favourite games!!!
Sorry, I like ranting…
🙂
@ brumagem:
Generally, unless they die during, or shortly after said lovemaking… Otherwise it’d be all “is that person a virgin? – Yup, he’s wearing clothes”
…
Yeah, sorry, I know what you meant, but after I got this idea, I had to put it down somewhere…
🙂
Just something I noticed that’s weird:
Larisa states that this is like in one of Cloud’s “stupid video games”. However, she has most likely played that exact genre and found it fun as proven by strip #120 where she states a long a complicated scenario to sound like fun.
On the other hand though, it’s Larisa we’re talking about so nevermind.
I’m guessing that over the course of the webcomic, every possible reference to every single part of FFVII will be made…
… Poor Cloud. His entire life has just become a series of references to an old JRPG.
…wheres the random shop or inn in the middle of nowhere? that and a evil jester or heaven forbid a man with long hair and a longer katana.
You have no idea how hard I laughed at this! Kyaikto, Kyoto, at least they sound similar. Oh, Larisa. If you weren’t twelve (and, y’know, fictional) I’d totally date you!
That girl has a vivid imagination, as also seen in:
http://www.sandraandwoo.com/2009/12/14/0120-i-hope-you-like-long-sentences/
well … thar escalated quickly … very quickly.