˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ a franky franklin analysis ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
I think what Franky says here is so interesting and gives such great insight about his character.
Because firstly, he's an informant, so he's someone with connections and information, so of course he knows this country like the back of his hand. But this threat, almost, that he could disappear for good without even WISE being able to track him down, is aura-farming, yes but also genuinely so incredible.
When we see Franky for the first/only time in Loid's flashback, he looks to be a relatively new recruit who wants nothing to do with the military or the war, hence the desertion.
(He honestly reminds me a bit of Usopp in One Piece, who is one of my favorite characters, so I might do an analysis on that in the future)
Anyway, despite seeming scared and cowardly, Franky's not stupid. As seen in these pages below.
When he's talking to Loid, it's very clear that Franky is a deep thinker and that he's thought long and hard about this conflict, and how stupid the whole thing really is. Comparing it to Loid, who is frankly (haha see what I did there) acting the way you would expect Franky to be i.e. taking it at face value and not looking too much into it, well it makes everything much more compelling.
Franky is often a gag character, getting into silly scenarios and usually ending up as the butt of a joke. Loid is a master of observation, and always analyzes situations from every angle possible before making a move. Yet, in this moment in their past, Franky is the the introspective one while Loid can only see things as black and white. Good and bad.
So what was the shift, then? At what point did Loid become Twilight, a master of espionage, who overthinks everything? Sure, Handler trained him and made him into the spy he is today, but there had to have been some moment that made a light go off in his mind. That made him think that this war, this conflict, is just two sides fighting over control, the concept of power, with no care for those who get caught in the crossfire.
Well, I think meeting Franky was that lightbulb moment for him.
(Kind of similar to the moment where, in FMAB, Riza meets Winry for the first time, and the two are so impacted by this moment, that they alter their styles to resemble each other. Riza grows out her hair, while Winry pierces her ears. A small moment that had a rippling impact)
For Franky, working for WISE could be a more dangerous choice than it is for Loid, in some ways. Like, this is Franky's actual home; where he grew up, fell in love for the first time, where his family lives, etc. etc.
Loid goes into this field because he wants to create a world where children do not have to cry. But we still don't know why/how Franky ended up as an informant, apart from him mentioning that he wants to be "rebellious", which is probably just scratching the surface of his past.
Because sure, Franky alludes to his hopes; he says he's tired of all the fighting and wants peace. But the path from being anti-war to becoming an informant is not a linear one.
My hope is that Loid sought Franky out after becoming a spy when he needed intel, or someone on the inside. Years have passed, but when the two see each other, it's like they're transported back to when they first met on the battlefield.
Loid asks if Franky will be an informant, but he says he doesn't want to get mixed up in something like this. Franky starts to walks away, with Loid trailing after him, but, somehow, Franky vanishes. Loid is so confused because he's memorized the roadplans and schematics of this area, and there's no feasible way Franky should've been able to evade him, let alone disappear entirely.
"Not so high and mighty in my neck of the woods now, are you?"
Loid spins around and sees Franky lounging on a fire escape about two floors up, looking entirely too pleased with himself. If Franky had been holding a pistol, he would've had a clean shot. Stabbed, or rather, shot in the back, as it were.
But Franky doesn't have a weapon, unless you count the endless knowledge in his mind. And Loid, or rather Twilight, well he isn't giving up that easy, either.
"Think of all the good we could do. How many lives could be saved!"
Franky lets out a hollow laugh. "Why would I care about the lives of random civilians? It's not like those in charge cared about me when they killed all of my friends."
Well, that, at least, they shared in common. Two people on opposite sides of a needless conflict, having lost everyone they had ever cared about. And yet, they keep on living.
"I lost all of my friends in the war, too. And my mother."
Loid's never actually spoken these words aloud before. It wasn't a secret, not to those at WISE who had been keeping tabs on him, at least; but it wasn't something he went around advertising. He kept the memories of his mother and friends close to his chest, even if the details of their faces faded more and more with each passing day.
It's silent for a beat, as the two think about those they've lost.
"Look, I know it won't be easy, and you will undoubtedly be putting your life at risk. But the promise of peace, a world where no child has to cry over senseles violence, isn't that the kind of future you want to create?"
Franky rolls his eyes, his feet dangling through the bars of the fire escape. Loid looks at him intently. Sure, he could find another informant, get intel from antoher source. But Franky is kind of person they need on their side if there's even a chance of maintaining peace between nations.
Franky sighs, waving a hand in the air.
"God, you're so sentimental, pulling on my heartstrings like that."
"Fine! I'll help you," he declares at last. Loid allows himself a small smile, as Franky starts fidgeting with his hair, realizing the disaster he just signed up for.
Loid lets out a short laugh, thinking back to the scrawny deserter he met in the forest ages ago. That was the first time he ever thought this conflict wasn't just black and white.
"But just remember," Franky states, pulling Loid from his memories.
"I know this country like the back of my hand. If I wanted to disappear, even WISE wouldn't be able to find me."
Loid flinches, taking half a step back.
"How did you know I'm a part of WISE?"
Franky grins, certain this won't be the last time he surpasses Loid in skill.
"You still have a lot to learn."
