Why are you here?

Luau Says Hi

Days seemed to pass by in a blissful blur. Just Radley and Radlynn, together, enjoying each other's company. It was a peaceful Tuesday afternoon. Radlynn lay on the couch, flicking through TV. Foodian TV was weird, she'd learned.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Radlynn frowned and glanced over at it. Nobody ever visited Radley, save for Shida, who usually called ahead of his visits.

She swung her legs over the couch and stood up. She walked over to the door and pulled it open. She looked up and- oh my god.

Radlynn was greeted by a fuzzy brown body and bright, striped arms. She looked up at the person.

Luau LePunch.

"Uh- hello! I was wondering if- if Mr Madish was home?" He spoke. Radlynn stared at him for a few moments before speaking.

"Uh- no, he's...in the shower..." She glanced behind her at the bathroom door, then at him. "Do you wanna come inside?" She asked. Luau seemed to brighten up.

"Oh-! Oh yeah sure-" Radlynn moved out of the doorway, letting him in. He looked over at her for a moment and frowned. "Wait-" he pointed a gloved hand at her. "Do I know you?" He asked.

Radlynn shrugged. "You might've seen me during the kidnappi-"

"YOU'RE ONE OF THE HUMANS-!" She blinked in surprise. He'd only realised that now?! "Radlynn, right?!"

"How do you know my name?" She asked.

"Oh-! Mr Madish had photos of you on his computer, he talked about you a lot!" Luau chirped back. Radlynn stared at him. "...you weren't supposed to know about that."

As if he knew what was happening outside, Radley opened the bathroom door and looked over at the new guest. "Oh- hello Luau," he greeted. "I didn't know you were coming over."

"I don't have a phone." The coconut man replied sheepishly.

"Oh yeah- I forgot..." Radley adjusted his glasses. "I see you've met Radlynn."

"Uh- yes! She's n-"

"You have photos of me?" Radlynn cut in. Radley froze. Luau backed away towards the door.

"Wh-" he looked at Radlynn, eyes wide, then over at the coconut man. "What'd you tell her...?" He asked quietly.

"U-Um- just that you talked about her a lot-?" Luau replied nervously. This was it, this was how he died, Radley Madish was going to kill him.

"So that's how you knew my name!" Radlynn pointed a finger at Radley, grinning, like she'd figured out some great puzzle. "You..." She trailed off and tilted her head. "...Why me?"

"Um-" Radley glanced aside. "I think it's best to discuss once Luau is gone-" he replied quickly, dodging the question.

"Oh- well I gotta go home anyway I gotta uhh- do some fishing!" Luau backed up towards the door. "Um- see you-! Mr Madish!" And with that, he stepped outside the door, turned, and ran. Radley stared after him, shocked. Radlynn looked back over at him slowly.

"So uh-"

"I-I can explain, I swear!" Radley yelped. "I just- well when I was gathering a list of who would be on the cruise ship I...I saw you and I just-" he looked away from Radlynn, fiddling nervously with his hands. His cheeks were flushed red. "I'm sorry- it's creepy I know a-and-"

Radlynn stepped towards him. She took off her hat. "You gave me this," she held it out. "Two years ago. Why? How did you know about me?"

"...social media," Radley replied slowly. "I was researching humans- seeing how their culture worked. And I found you."

Radlynn tilted her head at him, her curiousity growing. "Why me?"

"Why y-" Radley froze. "I-" he didn't answer her.

"Radley?" Radlynn stepped closer. She reached out to touch him, and he flinched away.

"...I thought we were similar." He said. "I thought- you'd understand me," he glanced away. "That sounds stupid I know..."

"Radley-" she didn't know what to say to that, and her silence seemed to make him more uncomfortable by the second. She hesitated, then reached out and hugged him. Radley tensed, unsure of how to react to the sudden contact. "...it's okay." She said simply. His arms wrapped around her gently and he sighed.

"Okay." He replied, his voice soft like a child's. He wished it was okay- okay to say the truth about why he cared for her so, but not a word passed his lips as they hugged.