[h3][b]Meanwhile. Again.[/b][/h3] By the time Finn arived, Betty had already gotten to the place he had mentioned, She was waiting in line for some ice cream. The ice cream parlors wouldn't be open much later in the year, so this was likely everyone's last frozen treat for the year. It was amazing places like this could even stay open with all the recent happenings. But regardless of what fell in the cursed city, somehow, people found a way to survive. After a short wait, Betty took the banana float to the table Finn was sitting at and set it down between them. The thing was massive. Three different piles of ice cream sat between a split banana. Vanilla, chocolate, and straberry, drizzled in chocolate and caramel. And since they were in America, there was a giant dollop of whipped cream on top of each mound, topped with cherries and garnished with rainbow sprinkles. Betty pulled out one of the spoons and licked her lips. [color=ade81b]"They all look so good!"[/color] She pointed at each mound with her spoon. [color=ade81b]"Which one is your favorite? Maybe we should sample each of them, and then decide which one we like mo-"[/color] And yet as she spoke, Finn was already digging into the dessert, quickly glancing up when Betty suggested they sample. [color=7F2A3C]"What? Oh."[/color] At least he wasn't picky. [color=7F2A3C]"Try getting more than one flavor in your spoon, trust me!"[/color] Betty watched Finn consume his food [s]like a heathen[/s] in haste. She turned her spoon in her hand before digging in herself. Though she didn't rush. Each bite was savored, even as Finn tried to make a muckbang out of it. [color=ade81b]"I didn't realize you liked ice cream so much."[/color] He paused for a second, then sheepishly glanced aside. [color=7F2A3C]"I didn't eat breakfast."[/color] [color=ade81b]"I see..."[/color] For a moment, she just stared at him without trying to eat anything. [color=ade81b]"But you didn't call me up to eat ice cream, right?"[/color] Finn frowned. [color=7F2A3C]"Yeah. I-I've had a rough few days."[/color] Rough didn't even begin to cover it. He told her about his whole situation with his curse, Dante, and Amanda. This time without hiding any details, and how the investigation of Dante's diner went. Betty listened without interupting or breaking eye contact with Finn. He wasn't eating anymore, he felt slightly nauseous. [color=7F2A3C]"I-I just don't understand [i]why[/i] I'm like this. Am I just [i]that[/i] unlucky? I keep trying my best to be this hero everyone seems to want of me, but it's like everything I do bites me back in the ass no matter what [i]it[/i] is."[/color] His gaze on her turned downcast. [color=ade81b]"That’s… a lot to take in."[/color] Betty Folded one of her arms over her chest and tapped herself on the shoulder. [color=ade81b]"That whole deal with Dante’s doesn’t sound like it went your way, but um, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you."[/color] She pushed her spoon into the melting ice cream. [color=ade81b]"If you weren’t here, I’m pretty sure I’d be drinking someone’s blood right now. Or I’d be dead. But because of you, there was some interest in saving me. And I’m here now. I don’t think you failed with me."[/color] [color=7F2A3C]"...Yeah, maybe."[/color] Finn's expression softened when he looked back up at her. [color=7F2A3C]"But [i]Oros[/i] nearly killed me cause I, well, nearly killed [i]you[/i]. I still don't know why."[/color] [color=ade81b]"Well, I’m sure vampire me nearly killed you a few times, so I think we’re even on that front."[/color] She sighed. Finn genuinely smiled. [color=7F2A3C]"At least you understand."[/color] [color=ade81b]"But who’s Oros? I’ve heard his name a few times, but it’s always in passing."[/color] [color=7F2A3C]"Oh right, you're still new to this esper shit. Most of what I know is from the grapvine, but Oros [i]is[/i] an infamous cultist esper. Had a nasty run-in with her followers lately so the cultist part's officially legit. GEMINI, Maverick [i]and[/i] the Freelancers are all wary of her and how dangerous she could be. Having both your legs sliced clean off by her for example? [b]Quite the gas[/b]."[/color] He added with a sarcastic smile. [color=7F2A3C]"But I don't know how she knew what happened between us if she wasn't even there in the first place. Maybe she has some form of clarvoyancy as a means of getting the upper hand? Or her own network to spy on people? Hell she even spared me [i]this[/i] time cause I had agreed to go on a date with you.[/color] Finn furrowed his brows in thought. [color=7F2A3C]"What I wanna know is why you're apparently that important to her. And if that's the case, why didn't she help any when you were kidnapped?[/color] [color=ade81b]"This person sounds very unstable."[/color] [color=7F2A3C]"On brand for cultists, I guess."[/color] Betty ate a spoon full of ice cream. [color=ade81b]"I’m not really that popular a performer. Maybe they’re a fan? I’m a little nervous now… "[/color] [color=7F2A3C]"Somehow I doubt she's just a fan."[/color] Finn poked at the ice cream with his own spoon. [color=7F2A3C]"Whether or not she is though, she's gonna have to get through me first if she's wanting to hurt you. I'm not leaving you behind again."[/color] Finn grinned at her. [color=7F2A3C]"Who knows, if you do decided to join GEMINI, we can be partners!"[/color] She playfully nudged him with her elbow. [color=ade81b]"Hey now, if we're partners, maybe I'll be the one to save you! You can't white knight your partner, it goes both ways. Are you okay with that?"[/color] After staring at Finn for a moment, she continued. [color=ade81b]"As for the situation at Dante's, I think you did your best. But if you feel like you messed up, apologizing to Amanda might give both of you some closure... Maybe? I mean, Dante cursed you. You were only doing what you thought was right. It was sort of an accident. That might not make her happy, but she might be able to move on if she realizes it wasn't malificent. I don't know..."[/color] Finn flinched at the suggestion. Apologize? For murdering her father?! He anxiously chuckled. [color=7F2A3C]"Sure! Maybe if she doesn't try to kill me at first notice! What if I end up killing her too!? I mean the last few times I tried to fix things ended in someone getting hurt, what if it-"[/color] He shook his head, hiding his face in his hands. [color=7F2A3C]"I can't. [i]I can't...[/i]"[/color] [color=ade81b]"And you don't have to!"[/color] Betty half shouted. [color=ade81b]"You walked into Dante's the way you did because you felt like it was something you had to handle yourself! You didn't!"[/color] She sighed and placed a hand on Finn's shoulder. [color=ade81b]"You have allies, you have me. Just [i]talk[/i] to us. It's not you against the world, Finn. Nobody beats this city by fighting it alone."[/color] She pulled back her hand and continued eating. A bit faster than her usual pace. [color=ade81b]"I know I couldn't."[/color] The boy lowered his arms back down onto the table, eyes admittedly widened at her words. He looked down to his hands, mulling over everything she's said, then his lips quirked up into a smile. It felt good having someone understand him. [color=7F2A3C]"Thank you."[/color] She sighed and brushed a hand through her hair. [color=ade81b]"You're quite welcome. I'm glad you decided to ask me for help."[/color] Her eyes moved back to the icecream. Most of it was eaten, or at least, it looked like most of it had been eaten. There was a pool of melted icecream in the bottom of the dish. [color=ade81b]"That was way too much, I'm ordering a sundae next time."[/color] He giggled. [color=7F2A3C]"I'm sure this place allows for takeout."[/color] Finn shrugged. After a moment, he spoke up again. [color=7F2A3C]"I-Is it alright if we continue hanging out a little longer...?"[/color] [color=ade81b]"Sure! I don't have any plans. What did you want to talk about?"[/color] But Finn's earpiece poured Fritzi's voice into his head. [color=bd71e8]”Time Keeper? I understand you left an opperation in progress. That is not behavior that we tolerate in GEMINI.”[/color] Her tone was more like a teasing mother than a mission opperator. [color=bd71e8]”Anywho, you're upsetting Orion. Could you [i]please[/i] come back? After mission donuts with the agents wouldn't be the same without you.”[/color] Ah. Finn quickly cleared his throat. [color=7F2A3C]"Nevermind, guess I'm taking a raincheck. Here!"[/color] He rummaged through his wallet and set down the amount of money the banana split costed. [color=7F2A3C]"See you at the Great Escape later?"[/color] Betty picked up the money and held it out towards Finn [color=ade81b]"It was going to my- Yes, yes I'm looking foward to doing that with you later."[/color] She sighed and opened her purse. [color=7F2A3C]"Don't worry about it, consider it a part of my thanks for letting me be here with you."[/color] With one more smile, Finn got up and stepped out of parlor. As for Ms. Moller, [color=7F2A3C]"Forgive me for my conduct, ma'am. I grew overwhelmed and acted on instinct. But I'm alright now, I met up with Betty for a bit."[/color] He finally responded. There was a short delay before Fritzi spoke again. [color=bd71e8]”We're not beasts, Time Keeper, we shouldn't rely solely on our instincts. That's the difference between us and them.”[/color] [color=7F2A3C]"I... A part of me hoped I wasn't right."[/color] Finn took a deep breath. [color=7F2A3C]"Despite them cursing me, they didn't have any intent to hurt me at first. [i]Apparently[/i], I was supposed to meet with [i]Dante[/i] at some point. For what, I don't know. They didn't exactly give me any specifics."[/color] Omitting information from him was what got Dante killed, wasn't it? He was bound to figure it out eventually. So he might as well fess up to the boss now before it kills him too. Somehow. [color=bd71e8]”That's very interesting, you should include it in the report when you get back.”[/color] Fritzi sounded like she was only half listening. [color=bd71e8]”Return to HQ, I don't have the manpower to evac you that far away from the opperation.”[/color] [color=7F2A3C]"...Very well, ma'am."[/color] Later then.