so something that ive been thinking about since drawing my silly eva stratt bubblegum comic, partially due to some of the tags that have been added, is how PB would handle the situation stratt is in. one dear mutual left a very funny tag stating PB could've fixed everything in two weeks and I honestly don't disagree, lol. But she does have a lot of advantages, including being a scientist herself, and also cartoon logic,
anyways, what I'm more interested in considering is how PB would handle the choice of sending someone she cared about on a one-way suicide trip. for stratt that's grace; the equivalent for PB would be finn.
assuming the absolute basic scenario is the same - i need you to go on a ship into far-off space to find a way to save our planet, and we don't have the means to bring you back, and the only logical option that follows after success is your death - things already shape up quite differently. finn the human would not WANT to leave, but he would absolutely be willing to do it, and with little to no hesitation (none at all if jake could come with him)
(also yes again we are ignoring all of the ways they could definitely return to Ooo shhhh)
however, ironically, i do NOT believe PB would be willing to send finn to do this! and that marks a fundamental difference between her and stratt. PB is definitely a "do whatever it takes" sort of person, but that devotion and ruthlessness extends exclusively to her kingdom, her people, and her friends. PB is a much more selfish person than stratt (and i say that as a neutral statement)
there are even two very distinct canon examples of PB valuing finn's life over ethics. when she, finn, jake, and a candy citizen under her employ are stuck in a situation where escape is only possible through someone's sacrifice, finn comes to that conclusion and is willing to go, but PB realized this faster and sabotages his attempts. she has the candy citizen take his place, because (due to cartoon mad scientistry) they can be cloned, but there is no way to being back finn.
in S2 of fionna and cake, when an adult finn is dying of a magical illness, PB uses all resources available to her in an attempt to save his life. failing in this, she believes the only way to preserve the finn she cares about is to upload his consciousness into a supercomputer, which would also destroy his body. finn is saved before this happens, but the fact that PB nearly prevented any chance that he could be affects her so deeply she breaks down.
obviously another major difference here is that PB and finn have known each other for many years; 5-6 within the main timeline itself, but also, PB is old enough to have engaged with a past life of finn's. they are friends, have been friends, always will be friends.
i dont think that difference makes stratt's decision with grace any easier. but even if they were just as close, i still believe stratt would make the same choice. her devotion and ruthlessness is for all of humanity. preserving the life of someone she cares about is unacceptable if that means the end of the world. but, of course, that doesn't mean it hurts any less.
