[ It's not the same. He knows it's not the same, different planets, different worlds, different armies. She's lost things that he'll never understand having in the first place. She's seen more of a real world than he did, and it hasn't been a kind one.

But some of the sentiments they have in common ring true all the way through to his bones. A lifetime steeped in war, in violence. Training until training became adopted instinct. That ongoing internal push and pull. Honesty for honesty, frankness for frankness.

Finn folds his hands behind his back. ]

I was trained to fight the New Republic. They told us a lot about that. We were protecting the galaxy from the Republic's deprivations. We were gonna be part of a greater cause. Bring order to chaos.

[ Because you really want to target democracy when you're starting out. That's really where you want to go.

You are the galaxy's chosen few, they used to broadcast. He'd stand in line with his cadre, straight-backed, and feel proud. ]

They lied. Once I got deployed, I found out pretty fast that my monsters were all on the side that raised me.

[ He thinks that makes sense. He hopes it does. ]