First Adventure [Video]

[finnality]

[What's showing up on the video feed? It's a teenage boy wearing a white bear hood over his head! He's a little nervous as he addresses the network.]

Um... Hey. Howdy. Yo, what's up everyone? My name's Finn. Finn Mertens. I'm pretty new to these dimensional parts - just got here last month. And I figured it's time I tried talking some peeps up on this thing? I've got a few things to talk about, anyway. ...And sorry if I'm kinda weird. I'm not used to being around lots of other humans.

First of all, for anyone who coulda known Marceline? Sorry, but she's left the building. Things ate good for her back home, at least, and any friends should know she probably cared about you more than she let on? ...She did leave me her dog. Ozzy's a cool dude and all, but he's a lot different than the dogs I'm used to. Like, I was raised by dogs - they're my fam - but those're the kinda dogs who walk on two legs and talk and do taxes. This normal kinda doggo is pretty new ground for me, so I could use some pointers about taking care of his doggity self. [A beat.] Aside from picking up doo. I think I got that part.

Next up, some of you might know someone named Fern. Looks and sounds like me, just greener. He's... pretty much my brother! And it was his birthday recently, so, um, send him your wishes and all. He's a good guy.

Okay, just one last thing. Where I come from, I'm pretty used to the hero-ing biz and adventure and all. So can someone fill me in on things I need to know about the hero scene around here? What kinda baddies should I be looking out for? ...Man, I let this thing roll for way too long. Anyway, uh, nice to meet you all, and I look forward to your feedback? ...And to kicking lots of baddie butts!

Comments

video

[isthatyou]

It was your birthday too, ya dingus.

[Though it probably feels weirder to Finn since he just got here.]

IDK what I'd do with him either but I'm glad you got Ozzy.

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[finnality]

Yeah, but I pretty much just had my b-day. [And, even if things went a bit awry, he still had his friends with him on that day and something close to an actual birthday experience. His guilt glands really want to excrete some more joy to feed Fern.] This is your day, dude!

He's a good guy. You can come hang with him anytime, you know.

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[isthatyou]

I guess. [Well, as Finn can probably easily figure out, there's a part of him that feels good hearing that even if they technically have everything sorted out with each other. But...] I kinda ruined that last one for you, though.

Yeah...we've hung before. Now I'm mostly sure he won't try to bite pieces off me...did I tell you I got my hand bitten off by some dude's dog on my first day here?

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[finnality]

It wasn't all bad... I still had some good times with the group. [He feels he doesn't need to point out that Fern didn't get to enjoy that part.] So now it can be your turn for good times.

[And then he's more alarmed by the second part.]

Aw heck no, that happened?? Your hand? [Why is it always hands...] ...D-did you get get back or did it... grow...?

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[isthatyou]

If you say so.

[Anyway......]

I was taking a nap in a bush and the rude little dude was all "chomp" and that's what woke me up! But yeah, it grew back. At least I'm good at that.

[VIDEO]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Not used to living among other humans?

Did you live in a small town or somewhere in the wilderness?

[finnality]

Nahhhh, I lived by the Candy Kingdom and was raised by dogs. Where I'm from, the last human civilization lives off on a bunch of faraway islands. I only met them for the first time not too long ago!

[forgeabettertomorrow]

The...Candy Kingdom? If humans live on a bunch of faraway islands, who rules the Candy Kingdom?

And I gotta say, you're a lot less feral than someone I would have imagined being raised by dogs.

[finnality]

Candy people, of course! Princess Bubblegum specifically.

And thanks, I think? I mean, they're walking, talking dogs, y'know.

Audio

[by_candlelight]

Hey there. Ruby. Relatively new here myself, this is my second month. I can help with the dog thing - I can also talk with Ozzy if you need. I'm capable of animal communication, er, though I guess talk isn't the best word in this case? It's complicated.

As far as I can tell the local baddies are this group called OTO. Basically they want to invite a world-destroying god in to kill all imports because, probably a lot of reasons, but most of them amounting to 'OTO is full of short-sighted assholes'. If you ask me anyway. There's also an FAQ and a history primer. I'll send this to your inbox.

I'm still getting a lot of things sorted out myself, but if I can answer any questions I'll do my best.

[ After she's posted the video, a link shows up in his inbox from her. ]

Audio

[finnality]

Yo Ruby! Good to hear from you. Soooo you can communicate with animals? Well that's pretty rad! It'll be a humongo help if Ozzy ever barks up a storm and I don't know what he's going on about.

Okay, that sounds like bad news alright. A world-destroying god? That's pretty high tier villainy right there! Now my next question would be how the heck do I fight them...

Oh, thanks for the link! I'll read it up as quick as I can!

Re: Audio

[by_candlelight]

It's totally rad. [ She chuckles, mostly to herself. Mirroring some of Finn's own language is fun ] I can be really helpful when something's up with an animal! I do need to be in person for the whole thing to work though. Otherwise it's just guessing based on body language.

I think you should ask the Justice League and the Aegis Force about that. They're two super hero teams who are working against this Atropos person, and against OTO. I think the information I linked you has a link to information on the Aegis Force. The Justice League posted a video in the last week or so that I'll send you a link to after this. As far as I can tell they're the groups that are good at organizing people in this fight.

Have you been told about the Heropa Institute of ImPort Education yet? You look like you might be school age, so if you have literally any interest in school that might be an option.

[ This time the link takes a little while to be sent. She had to look through her inbox for a little while first. ]

Audio

[finnality]

Okay, so I can't do it over a video or anything. Gotcha. What area are you holed up in, anyhow?

Oh cool, we got some teams going on! Wow, with a name like 'Justice League', you know what they're about! I'll look into those groups and see what's up. Thanks again for the help, yo!

Right, I know about that school! That's where I went to get sworn in. It was during their, like, grand opening or some biz.

video;

[unglitch]

Hey Finn! Name's Sora. I arrived around the same month as you, sooo I'm still sorta new here myself.

[ There's an older Sora around too, but like with everyone he's introduced himself to, Data-Sora doesn't bother to differentiate. ]

Oh yeah... and happy birthday to your brother!

video;

[finnality]

Yo Sora! Let's have a new guy first-bump! [He taps his fist against the screen gently.]

Thanks, man! Just be sure to pass it along to the guy himself if you ever peep him!

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[unglitch]

Aw, yeah! Maybe we'll get to kick some baddie butt together sometime! [ He gladly gives a fist-bump tap right back on the screen. ]

And sure thing. Doubt I'll miss someone like him around.

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[finnality]

I wouldn't say no to that! You have experience with this kinda thing?

Sweet! I appreciate it, dude.

video

[am_i_a_monster]

[Abigail has two dogs with her.]

Hi Finn. I'm Abigail. This is Tommy and Fumio. Dogs are great.

You have to give them food and water, of course. There are different types of dog food, depending on your dog's size, age and activity level. You can make your own dog food too. Don't give them any foods that are bad for dogs.

Is the house already pet-proof? Make sure your dog can get exercise. You also have to give him baths or take him to a groomer.

Does any of that help?

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[finnality]

[Finn is practically starry-eyed at the sight of those dogs.]

Hey there Abigail! [Then in a squeakier voice.] Hey Tommy and Fumio!! Good to meet you all!

[Then he pauses for a few moments as he takes all of that in.]

Yeah, that's like a mondo-sized amount of help! I knew a few of those things, but not all of that. Looks like there's a lot more to figure out than I thought! Um... What does making a place pet-proof entail?

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[am_i_a_monster]

[The dogs bark and Abigail grins.]

They're saying it's nice to meet you too.   [She pets Tommy and gently scratches Fumio behind the ears.]  They're such good boys.

Put food, medicine and cleaning products someplace that the dogs can't get to.   Cover up any garbage baskets with a lid.   Make sure your house plants aren't poisonous to dogs.   If you have a fireplace that you use, put a screen over it.  Put a fence around your yard if the dogs play there.  Check the labels of any pesticides you use, to make sure they're pet safe or keep the dogs off the lawn when you use them.   I know it sounds a bit silly, but trying kneeling down at the dog's level and see if anything looks dangerous.   You can even crawl around a bit.

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[finnality]

[Finn gives a sunny smile as the dogs bark.]

Aw, I can tell they are from here! [He tries to wave at them over the screen.] Such good boys!

[Then he listens carefully to her instructions, occasionally jotting a thing or two down.]

Okay, thanks. I think I get it. I appreciate that a whole lot! Come to think of it, I think I did some of that for BMO... And hey, I dig that kneeling down idea. Time to tap into my inner dog!

Video

[shesalittle]

There's, uh, baddies on every level here. From our local looming apocalypse all the way down. Pick out who you can handle.

And, can I ask where you are from? Because human cities have a lot of evil, and a lot of crime, and those are two totally different things.

Video

[finnality]

Okay, okay. So, the land I'm from is called Ooo. It's mostly a bunch of kingdoms and all? Like, you've got your Candy Kingdom and the Flame Kingdom, and... a whole bunch of other kingdoms and princesses. But there's also a buttload of monsters, bad witches and wizards, and other kinds of nasties I've had to deal with. And crimes! Crimes exist too.

I think I get what you're getting at? But I'm pretty sure the two things can still have some mad crossover!

[shesalittle]

[Wait, is Finn from a board game? Whatever.]

They do. It's just worth remembering that the people who decide what makes something a crime can be every bit as bad as the most dangerous criminals. Maybe more so.

[finnality]

[Not the worst theory!]

Ohhhh. So this is like some kinda corruption biz we're talking, huh? [He frowns and then nods.] ...I get that. Even when it's someone you trust in charge, they don't always make the raddest calls. [Although at least Princess Bubblegum wasn't full-on evil.]

...I'll be sure careful about who I lay the trust on, for real.