[he shakes his head and munches on some more carrots, balancing his cup on his knee with his free hand]
Oh, I couldn't join the Defense Force. I'm no good at fighting. I only recognized the name because two of your number came to my timely aid the other day, when I was attacked. One was a brave young man with a sword who said he was not human, and the other was a human girl with pumpkin-colored hair who could summon a magical golden shield to heal my wounds with. A most remarkable pair, they were.
My friend, Miss Peregrine Mendicant—she is the prison's Postmaster, I am sure you have heard of her—told me she had wanted to join your Defense Force, but did not think she would be accepted. She has taken lives.
[his voice wavers on that last bit; it feels a bit painful to say it out loud]