[He's quiet for several long moments. It's still difficult, talking about this, even though he's told Will, and knows Lilith isn't going to judge him. But he should. In the end, his mental vault had felt a tiny bit lighter after talking about it with Will.
His tone is soft when he finally speaks up.]
... Back when the town residents were wearing masks and acting crazy. I ended up killing someone who didn't deserve it. For no reason.
( she nods, a clear understanding in her expression about his concern. killing was not something that came easy, not to those with good hearts, particularly not the first kill )
Were they a danger? Or were you?
( had he killed someone who was threatening someone else or had this place affected him enough that he'd been the threat? )
[Which is the worst part of the whole mess. He knows he's capable of having done all that without the influence of the town.]
The point is, knights don't do that kind of thing. Finn was a knight, I have his memories, and since you're a queen who wants to help people I want to help you.
( she knows little about knights. demon legion and lords were different in their methods, far less honourable than those heard of in stories, that she'd observed throughout history.
but he was persistent. there was something that she could do, though, a compromise that might work for the both of them -- it would be easier to protect him if she kept him close )
Alright. But on my order.
( and hopefully he followed them as knights did )
Though if there is a fight that is not suited you follow that too. ( and, as if to give it a reason-- ) I'll need you for another time.
( don't send someone to do a job that they'd fail at when you needed them another time )
[He's fully expecting to have to keep fighting her on this, so to hear her agree has him lighting up.]
Oh - yeah, of course!
[Taking orders is no problem. He's used to taking orders from... pretty much every princess in Ooo, so he's happy to be doing something that feels familiar. Normal, for him.]
You'll get one hundred percent dedication from me!
[Because that's what Finn would do, give it his all.]
( she wonders how he'll feel about that when she tries to send him away from a fight for his own protection but for now she nods, leaning back in her chair again, drinking some of her tea )
[He believes her. The dragon was bad, but Finn's fought and killed dragons before. He's fought infinitely worse things too, though his success rate is pitiful compared to Finn's.]
Uh, I think I'm gonna join F.E.A.R., too. Someone convinced me it'd be a good idea.
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[Sure, Bubblegum's helped him out before, but he's never had any expectations that she would protect him. That goes for any royalty.]
I wouldn't be a very good knight if all my fights were easy. Most of the time I'm going in thinking I'm gonna bite it.
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( and she means that. she can recognise goodness. but this goodness she wants to protect, to not have it tainted )
It should stay that way.
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That's why I need to help people. If I don't, then....
[He shrinks in his chair, staring down at his teacup.]
Then I'm just someone who kills innocent people for no reason.
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What do you mean?
( she knows he said (or avoided saying) that he'd done bad things but-- )
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His tone is soft when he finally speaks up.]
... Back when the town residents were wearing masks and acting crazy. I ended up killing someone who didn't deserve it. For no reason.
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Were they a danger? Or were you?
( had he killed someone who was threatening someone else or had this place affected him enough that he'd been the threat? )
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He wasn't doing anything. He was just... there.
[Cliff hadn't been doing anything bad at all. He hadn't even been a threat at this time, with his werewolf abilities dampened.]
It was a scuffle, and I went overboard.
[He still isn't sure if it was the town, or just himself.]
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The town affected people's minds.
( she knows from wanda that the girl had lost control of herself, had lost herself. the town had done that )
You may not have been under own control.
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[Which is the worst part of the whole mess. He knows he's capable of having done all that without the influence of the town.]
The point is, knights don't do that kind of thing. Finn was a knight, I have his memories, and since you're a queen who wants to help people I want to help you.
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but he was persistent. there was something that she could do, though, a compromise that might work for the both of them -- it would be easier to protect him if she kept him close )
Alright. But on my order.
( and hopefully he followed them as knights did )
Though if there is a fight that is not suited you follow that too. ( and, as if to give it a reason-- ) I'll need you for another time.
( don't send someone to do a job that they'd fail at when you needed them another time )
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Oh - yeah, of course!
[Taking orders is no problem. He's used to taking orders from... pretty much every princess in Ooo, so he's happy to be doing something that feels familiar. Normal, for him.]
You'll get one hundred percent dedication from me!
[Because that's what Finn would do, give it his all.]
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And I'm confident that you're a good knight.
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Finn is a great knight. I'm trying, though.
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( he'd said everything but-- )
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[Mostly.]
Some of it's fuzzy, though.
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( all in the interest of keeping him safe )
I've seen your sword. ( the one he'd tried to use against ghosts ) But not your skills.
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[And the Grass Sword was very skilled.]
I've got that axe, too. I practice with both of them a lot.
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( if he wanted to be allowed in any fight she needed to know that he had a chance of staying alive. she didn't want to banish more of his ghosts )
You've seen what can appear here. There's worse to come.
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[He believes her. The dragon was bad, but Finn's fought and killed dragons before. He's fought infinitely worse things too, though his success rate is pitiful compared to Finn's.]
Uh, I think I'm gonna join F.E.A.R., too. Someone convinced me it'd be a good idea.
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Well, if they find anything of use you'll have to let me know.
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[If he isn't a total screw-up maybe he'll even help people, who knows.]
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( she's curious about what other people believe about this place )
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[Good job, Fern. He should've kept his mouth shut.
He slouches in his chair, scratching his head as he looks away.]
My, uh. Anger. Feelings and junk. It's not worth talking about.
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except-- )
But you have.
( at least she's not prying into the junk )
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[A good guy who he has opened up to because Will is very good at dadding problematic adolescents.
It... feels awkward to say that, though.]
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