video; un: seeingtheworld

[schoolingfish]

[When Luca comes onto the screen, it looks like he's been crying.]

So...um...I just wanted to let everyone know that Varian and Fern are gone. They...probably turned back into squids. Which...I mean, they're still together, so it's fine. They're fine. They're happy out there in the ocean, doing squid things, and really it's not like it's the first time I've realized I'm going to be separated from the people I care about, so...

[After all, when he went to school he was separated from Alberto and his family, expecting to not see them until the summer. Then he ended up here and realized he might very well never see them again. Still, having a feeling of loss strike him like this even in his new life when he's still longing for the people he loves from his previous one to show up...it hits him hard, and he looks like he might start crying again.]

So I'm fine, too.

[This is obviously a lie.]

That's all. I just thought everyone should know.

[He ends the recording right there.]

Comments

[demonicbeauty]

[She looks up at the camera, eyes filling with...maybe some understanding.]

You know what, Luca? I'm going to miss them too.

[schoolingfish]

Yeah.

A lot of people are. They were really nice and had a lot of friends.

[demonicbeauty]

They were.

[A beat.]

They are. It's important to remember that. They're not dead.

[schoolingfish]

You're right. They're not dead, they're just squids, and they could still come back. And even if I don't...maybe I'll see them when I'm out there swimming.

[demonicbeauty]

[She nods. And pauses for a good long while, before sighing.]

It's hard, though. Isn't it? Knowing they're not dead, but still feeling like...

Well.

You know what I kind of miss from Deerington? The Goodbye House.

[schoolingfish]

The goodbye house? What's that?

[demonicbeauty]

It was...well, a house. But a special house. Where we could go to pay tribute to the people who...

...left.

[schoolingfish]

Oh. Maybe we should make one here, too.

[demonicbeauty]

Maybe.

Or something...some kind of ritual or ceremony to just...say goodbye.

[schoolingfish]

Yeah. We should do that.

Maybe by the beach? That's where they disappear to, after all, right?

[demonicbeauty]

You're right!

And so many cultures link water to both life and death. Even marriage.

[Her eyes widen.]

Do you suppose we could marry them as squids?

[schoolingfish]

I...kind of think they should know what's going on for their own wedding, so we probably shouldn't. But still, a memorial type thing by the water might be good.

[demonicbeauty]

You're right, you're right.

[Ariadne shakes her head. What was she thinking?]

A guess a wedding felt happier than a...goodbye.

[schoolingfish]

It would be. But...it is a goodbye, and it's hard and it hurts but...there's really no avoiding it.

[demonicbeauty]

[She ducks her head.]

You're right.

Maybe simple is best. Just...goodbye.

[schoolingfish]

Yeah. I'll head down to the beach if you want to meet me there.

[demonicbeauty]

I...

[She shakes her head.]

I need to think...

[schoolingfish]

Okay. Well...let me know if you decide you want to do something. I'd like to help out if I can.

[demonicbeauty]

I just...

Luca, I just suggested marrying them!

[She shakes her head.]

I'm not sure I should be doing anything yet...

[schoolingfish]

Okay, but if you change your mind, let me know. Just because we're not doing that idea doesn't mean we can't do something else if it makes you feel better.

[demonicbeauty]

I don't...I don't know what will...

[She looks damn close to crying, though. And that isn't Ariadne's style at all.]

I just can't believe it...

[schoolingfish]

Me neither.

If you figure out something that can help, let me know.

[demonicbeauty]

[She nods.]

Thank you, Luca. At least...at least I heard it from a friend.

[schoolingfish]

Yeah.