[video; omwf]

[daretotry]

[ the video starts and you see Finn dressed in coveralls, working in Burt's tire shop. The hood of a car is up and he's tinkering with something inside it, until a woman - his mom - walks over holding a brown paper bag ]

Finn, I brought you lunch.

[ he straightens up, turning to her with a smile ] Oh, thanks. [ he ducks his head so she can stretch up and kiss him on the cheek, then tells her to leave the bag on the side near his toolkit. As he cleans the oil from his hands, she tells him that she and Burt won't be home for dinner since Burt has a meeting to discuss his campaign plans ]

But you're okay to close up the shop by yourself, right?

Sure, it's fine.

You are a good boy. It's so great that Burt can rely on you to hold down the fort here while he's busy. I'm so proud of you, sweetie.

[ Finn tries to return her smile, but it definitely looks a little forced. As Carole wanders over to talk to one of the other workers, some music starts playing (who knows how) and Finn starts to sing, watching her with a sad expression ]

Told you I was joining the army, had no excuse
Seemed the right thing to do.
And you called me a fool,
Said I'd come back mean and cruel.
I said I just wanted to make my father proud
Even though he's not around.
Been gone since I was a baby.
I'm still worried what he'd think about me.

Playing the drums just ain't gonna cut it for long.
I mean singing these songs don't compare to what he did over there.
Need to prove I can carry my share,
Take on my own load and bear.
To me it all seems fair.

[ and just like that the strange musical quality of the video stops. Carole waves to Finn, giving no indication that she heard the song, and leaves.

With a small sigh, Finn grabs his lunch and heads to the back office so he can eat ]

[[ regular text is Finn, italics are Carole. Replies will ICly come later, once he's home from work and realizes this got posted! ]]

Comments

[antibadstuff]

Make sure you don't leave without telling her. There's nothing wrong with wanting to join up, but you can't leave without telling her.

[daretotry]

Oh, man, no. I'd never do that. I mean, it'd be kinda tempting 'cause then she couldn't stop me from doing it, but that would be such a dick move.

[antibadstuff]

Glad you know that. Sometimes the easier things are what we end up doing, so it's good you decided to tell her.

[daretotry]

Yeah.

Um, can I ask you something?

[antibadstuff]

What is it?

[daretotry]

Do you think it's a good idea?

[antibadstuff]

[ Buffy has to think about this for a moment. She doesn't want to give him a quick answer because it's not an easy decision. She knows it can't have been for him and she doesn't want to just say something off-handedly about this. It's important to him. ]

From the people I've met who have joined up, I know that they're all brave, really really good people. They all make a difference and even if things get rough afterward, they all pull through because they learned what it means to protect others first-hand. I'd never say that wanting to protect people in whatever way you can and do your part is a bad thing.

Just make sure not to forget to question things. If something seems wrong, don't do it, even if your superior officers go off saying that it's what your orders are and you shouldn't question it. Sometimes the good guys can make wrong decisions too.

[ That's something she learned with Riley. What she went through trying to get him to understand that being a soldier doesn't mean all you do is follow orders was tough on everyone. ]

But I think if you know that this is what you want to do, then it's a good idea. Even if it's scary and dangerous and [ Her voice sounds a little teasing ] you still won't be able to beat me when you're done.

[daretotry]

[ he's really touched by her reply...but then her last comment makes him laugh and it's like a weight off his shoulders ] Yeah, but only 'cause you have superpowers. That's not exactly fair.

Seriously, though. Thanks. Everyone here acts like joining up would be the end of the world, so it's nice hearing a different opinion.

[antibadstuff]

You're taller, that's gotta count for something.

I think I can understand where they're coming from at least? I mean, they're worried. I get that, I'm just obviously some kind of.. guru of support.

[daretotry]

I dunno, sometimes that's more of a pain than anything else. Unless you're in a crowd and want to see what everyone's looking at.

I guess I just don't get why they're that worried. I mean, loads of people join up and most of them are fine.

[antibadstuff]

Or want to get the stuff on the top shelf or be a model.

I think it's the "most of them" part that worries.

[daretotry]

Okay, yeah, that first one is great. My mom always got annoyed that she couldn't hide the cookies anywhere since I could reach all the good spots.

Yeah, but the number that get hurt is pretty low, right?

[antibadstuff]

She could've tried putting them low down where it's a pain to crouch if you're that tall.

Doesn't make it any less scary for the people who don't want to see it be you.

[daretotry]

Nah, I was good at crawling around too.

I guess. But I'll probably be fine. I mean, it'd only be training to start with anyway. It's not like I'll be sent to the Middle East any time soon.

[antibadstuff]

Awkward middle ground?

You've got to survive boot camp first.

[daretotry]

Buffy. We're talking cookies and a little boy. If there were cookies, I'd've got them no matter where my mom tried to hide them.

...Right. Yeah. Well, Mr. Schue made us do Booty Camp last year-- I know it's not the same thing, but a bit of experience, at least. I can do it, I know I can.

[antibadstuff]

Right. Dawn's kind of taller than me, Mom always used to have trouble keeping her out of things too.

Booty Camp sounds like a lot more fun though. [ A pause. ] If you ever need private gym training time, if you can find someone with a worldhop you're free to use my training room. At the very least, we allow cookies in there. I don't know if the army does that.

[daretotry]

Isn't everyone taller than you? [ he loves you really buffy ]

It totally wasn't fun. It was hell. [ a shudder as he remembers all. that. dancing. bleurgh ] Hey, seriously? You mean it?

[antibadstuff]

Hey. [ Yes. ] I'm just short enough.

[ It's probably like Buffy's first attempts at actually being a good student. So painful. ] Chocolate chip or snicker doodle?

[daretotry]

I wonder who's taller, you or Rachel.

Hm...gotta go with the classic chocolate chip, I think.

[antibadstuff]

Oh! Me. I've been with her in person before, I'm like an inch and a half taller or something. [ She didn't measure, but she knows! From long ago. ] Guess Rachel kind of lost access here huh? It's been a long time since I talked to her.

Chocolate chip it is. Just give me a day's heads up before you come over so I've got time to make them okay?

[daretotry]

Yeah. She's been busy with plans for New York and stuff. [ does he sound a bit sad about that? Maybe. Because he knows what he'll have to do ]

You're the best.

[antibadstuff]

Tell her I said "hi" okay? [ If she remembers. ]

Only mostly~

[daretotry]

Sure, I will.

Only definitely. Is there a time that'd be good for you? I mean, I get a couple of days off but I dunno how busy you are.

[antibadstuff]

I am jobless-Buffy and possibly not going to make it through the college semester-Buffy right now. Just call me and I'll let you know if the world's going to end or if I'm available.