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

[survivalthroughhate]

Because even good emotions like love and compassion can hurt sometimes. That is the price we pay for loving others and having them love us in return. It's how we know to appreciate what we had even if the ones we cared about are no longer with us.

[schoolingfish]

Yeah...I guess you're right.

Make sure Reaper knows about this. He was friends with them, too.

[survivalthroughhate]

I will. He'll be sent back to you all as soon as he's done healing.

[Which should be very soon if Maul knew his mate at all. Reaper could be frightfully stubborn when it came to letting himself rest. If it hadn't been an exercise in futility given he could smoke out of nearly any situation, Maul would have already tied him to the bed.]

[schoolingfish]

Thanks.

I hope he'll be back soon.

[survivalthroughhate]

He will. I just want to make sure he's not going to be a danger to anyone including himself. His corruption was very bad by the time I caught up with him.

[schoolingfish]

That's a good idea. I know he was doing pretty...um...bad when he made that post on the network, so it's probably better if he's fully recovered.

[survivalthroughhate]

Yes, that was a rather low point for him. But he loves all of you in that house dearly. Even at his worst when he was in the throes of corruption, he still wanted to protect you all.

[schoolingfish]

Yeah. I know. That's why even though I know there's some people here that think he's scary, I know he's just trying to help us and I just want him to be okay.

[survivalthroughhate]

Yes, he cares more about people than he likes to let on. Just remember he's not tame. He's a monster the same as I am. But sometimes it helps to have a monster on your side.

[schoolingfish]

Right. I'll keep that in mind.

[He'll also have to remember that monster to Maul isn't just someone who looks different. Luca's confident that Reaper will never intend to hurt him or any of the kids, but it's important to remember so he's not shocked if Reaper crosses the line in some shocking way with someone else. But even if Reaper is a monster, Luca still genuinely likes being around him. It's not just good to have him on his side for safety reasons, it's nice having him around. Besides...Luca feels like with his new and frequent desire to drink blood, depending on his level of corruption, Luca might even start to dip into Maul's sort of monster from time to time now.]

And I'll try not to be too shocked if he reminds me of that, but...he's still my friend, and I like having him on my side.

[survivalthroughhate]

Remember I am on your side too. If you need me, I will be there for any of you in the house.

[He may have not been able to patch things up with Varian and Fern but he can honor their memory by protecting those that remained in the house.]

[schoolingfish]

Yeah. I'll remember that.