“Okay, so… you think I’m the excitable girl’s grandpa, just because we have the same first name, look a little alike, and I didn’t give you my last name? Do I look old enough to be someone’s grandfather?” A slight twitch hit the corner of Finnegan’s smile. “Actually, on second thought - don’t answer that last question. Please.”
“Well, I’d certainly be a lot less suspicious if you’d stop dodging my questions.” Cedric shrugged. “As for your age… Well, I’m a little taller in my physical form, and Andie is a little shorter. All of our appearances are a little bit exaggerated in our dreamwalker forms. Not how we are, but how we imagine we are. Is it really such a stretch that someone past their physical prime would picture themselves a decade or so younger while bouncing around a mindscape like a pinball?” He sighed. “Honestly, at this point you’re just making a fool out of yourself trying to dig your way out of this.”
“Yes… I know…” Finnegan’s smile deflated, leaving behind only a faint curl at the edge of his lips. “But my dignity has been long spent, and I was really hoping to avoid this conversation… so it was worth a shot, was it not?” He forced a chuckle. “Besides, you were having such fun playing detective.”
“I… well… Was it that obvious?” Cedric’s face flushed red with embarrassment. “Back on topic! Why were you so intent on keeping your identity a secret - from your own grandchild no less!”
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“Because she’s my grandchild, Cedric.” Finnegan sat down on the public bench opposite the one his patient was sitting on, then gestured for Cedric to follow suit. “See, there’s some things in life you can’t teach, some things where the more you explain them, the more your student becomes convinced that the rule doesn’t apply to them. No matter how many thousands upon thousands of people have argued that they are the exception to the rule, only to be proven wrong… every new dreamwalker is still dead convinced that this time for sure, they are different. You can’t argue with youth, Cedric - and when you try, you only make things worse.”
“None of this explains why you kept your identity secret from Andie.”
“I’m getting there, be patient.” Finnegan grinned mischievously. “Like I said, some things not only cannot be taught, but should not be taught. Some things Andie has to learn for herself, but she’s sure to ask. So what could I do if she asked a question I couldn’t answer? From Andie’s perspective I’d be keeping secrets that could save her life. Worse, I’d be keeping secrets that could save her friends’ lives! For a stranger to do that to her is one thing, but her own grandfather… I couldn’t let her go through that.”
For a long moment, Cedric was silent. Then, without warning his face lit up. “Oh! One of Andie’s favorite comics, Team Spectacular #37! There was a plot line in that issue similar to what you describe.” A cocky grin sprouted on his face. “Maybe you can’t argue with youth, but you shouldn’t underestimate it either. The young are quick to learn, to understand - so even if you can’t tell Andie everything… at least tell her what you can.”