His initial reaction to anyone is complete openness and enthusiasm. Due to a lack of positive attention from anyone but his brother, Luca craves the approval and affection of others, especially adults around him. He's friendly and trusting, and unless given a reason to feel otherwise, instantly like everyone he meets.
He's a young child, and behaves accordingly. He'd rather run around or climb trees over sitting and doing, say, math. (Not that he can do it, but!) Everyone's a friend and every small thing is some new adventure. That isn't to say he wouldn't love to learn if given the chance. He's never been taught to read or write, and so hasn't been able to express any kind of interest in them.
Naturally, this open and amiable behavior, is completely and totally contradictive to his past actions. So, let's talk about that.
Behind all of this is a single person: Jim Macken, Luca's older brother. When they were orphaned, Luca had only Jim to learn from. Jim's behavior shaped what Luca believed was and was not "okay". And considering Jim was nine shades of crazy, this didn't end well.
Just as Jim taught Luca happiness and loyalty and love, he taught him hate and anger. There are definite signs they both had all sorts of issues, but Luca's were fed by Alois, the fuel on an unseen fire.
Because Luca is absolutely devoted to his brother. Jim has served as parent, protector, friend, and provider. He's been the supplier of affection and safety. And in return, Luca loved him unconditionally, practically worshipped the ground he walked on. He calls him "Your Highness", a nickname later shown to be important to Jim/Alois when Claude Faustus picks it up to get Jim (now Alois) even more enthralled.
He was taught to depend on Jim. That he was the only person Luca needed (and vice versa) and everyone else should just die. That if someone was old and sick, well too bad, because they were going to die anyway. And Luca listened and learned, and some things he retained. Survival of the fittest, Brother only needs me and I only need him, fairy tales are real and wishes come true.
Jim hated the town, hated the people, and wanted them gone. And Luca wanted it because, more than his own hatred for the village, Jim wanted it.
One might want to say in the face of the villager’s hate and mistreatment, he came out (seemingly) relatively unscathed. But this isn’t true. When he is with Hannah and two boys run over to simply play on the swing he was telling her about, he merely turns to her and asks if they’ll be killed soon. When they are, he does nothing more than watch passively.
He’s good at hiding it, but looking at the brief flashes we get, Luca is just as damaged as his brother. He was willing to kill for him, and still is. The level of devotion and dependence there is fairly unhealthy. But it can be glossed over by most who know him for the simple fact that he hides it so well, acts so normal in a normal setting.
But beyond that apperance of normlacy, beyond the issues and unhealthy devotion, is simply a lonely child. It's a particularly striking line in the finale, when Luca and Jim/Alois finally reunite. "We won't be lonely anymore!" Luca asserts cheerfully.
Because though Luca had his brother, though he loved him more than anything else, there was something missing. There were no friends to play with, no parents to be love and be loved by. Instead there was hate and mistreatment, cold eyes and hurtful words. And it was lonely.
This, of course, does not justify him being a cheeky brat like he can be, but it's an endearing quality?! Sometimes.
no subject
Luca Macken (is/was/will always be) a good child.
His initial reaction to anyone is complete openness and enthusiasm. Due to a lack of positive attention from anyone but his brother, Luca craves the approval and affection of others, especially adults around him. He's friendly and trusting, and unless given a reason to feel otherwise, instantly like everyone he meets.
He's a young child, and behaves accordingly. He'd rather run around or climb trees over sitting and doing, say, math. (Not that he can do it, but!) Everyone's a friend and every small thing is some new adventure. That isn't to say he wouldn't love to learn if given the chance. He's never been taught to read or write, and so hasn't been able to express any kind of interest in them.
Naturally, this open and amiable behavior, is completely and totally contradictive to his past actions. So, let's talk about that.
Behind all of this is a single person: Jim Macken, Luca's older brother. When they were orphaned, Luca had only Jim to learn from. Jim's behavior shaped what Luca believed was and was not "okay". And considering Jim was nine shades of crazy, this didn't end well.
Just as Jim taught Luca happiness and loyalty and love, he taught him hate and anger. There are definite signs they both had all sorts of issues, but Luca's were fed by Alois, the fuel on an unseen fire.
Because Luca is absolutely devoted to his brother. Jim has served as parent, protector, friend, and provider. He's been the supplier of affection and safety. And in return, Luca loved him unconditionally, practically worshipped the ground he walked on. He calls him "Your Highness", a nickname later shown to be important to Jim/Alois when Claude Faustus picks it up to get Jim (now Alois) even more enthralled.
He was taught to depend on Jim. That he was the only person Luca needed (and vice versa) and everyone else should just die. That if someone was old and sick, well too bad, because they were going to die anyway. And Luca listened and learned, and some things he retained. Survival of the fittest, Brother only needs me and I only need him, fairy tales are real and wishes come true.
Jim hated the town, hated the people, and wanted them gone. And Luca wanted it because, more than his own hatred for the village, Jim wanted it.
One might want to say in the face of the villager’s hate and mistreatment, he came out (seemingly) relatively unscathed. But this isn’t true. When he is with Hannah and two boys run over to simply play on the swing he was telling her about, he merely turns to her and asks if they’ll be killed soon. When they are, he does nothing more than watch passively.
He’s good at hiding it, but looking at the brief flashes we get, Luca is just as damaged as his brother. He was willing to kill for him, and still is. The level of devotion and dependence there is fairly unhealthy. But it can be glossed over by most who know him for the simple fact that he hides it so well, acts so normal in a normal setting.
But beyond that apperance of normlacy, beyond the issues and unhealthy devotion, is simply a lonely child. It's a particularly striking line in the finale, when Luca and Jim/Alois finally reunite. "We won't be lonely anymore!" Luca asserts cheerfully.
Because though Luca had his brother, though he loved him more than anything else, there was something missing. There were no friends to play with, no parents to be love and be loved by. Instead there was hate and mistreatment, cold eyes and hurtful words. And it was lonely.
This, of course, does not justify him being a cheeky brat like he can be, but it's an endearing quality?! Sometimes.