None of the Mewnans knew. None of the monsters outside of Septarsis knew. To the world, and practically the universe, he was dead. But in reality, he very much lived, the Septarian whose infamy at one point had the whole of Mewni after him stood before Ludo. Seth is an ancient being, stated to be over 1,000 years old. It is said that the Septarians are immortal. And while this particular Septarian certainly doesn't look old by his physique alone, one can tell by the tired look in his eyes just how world weary he is. Seth's personality, however, comes off to a surprise to Ludo.
Ludo: You're Seth? I thought you died a long time ago. Weren't you killed by Queen Solaria?
Seth: I see you still live within the world of fantasy that the Mewnans have painted. Such a naive world.
Ludo: I don't understand
Seth: Well kid, you're getting quite the grand treatment today. You get to have the honor of being the privileged first to behold the truth. Now don't you just feel like a special little man?
Ludo: Wait. Is this a secret?
Seth: Not anymore.
Ludo: That's a relief.
Seth: They'll know sooner or later. I don't plan on staying here forever.
Ludo: What do you mean, sir?
Seth: You'll find out in due time, my little friend. But it's not quite time yet.
Septarian: Lord Seth, we must kill this outsider! He could ruin our plan!
Seth: We're not doing anything to Ludo. He is our guest.
Ludo: With all due respect, um, Lord Seth... father... whatever you want me to_
Seth: Just call me Seth, kid.
Ludo: Okay, Seth. I really think I hear my friend calling me. I should go... perhaps far away.
Seth: You're not going anywhere Ludo.
Ludo: Eep!
Seth: You don't have to be in such a rush. I'm not gonna kill you, or let any of these ravenous, bloodthirsty reptiles have at you, or anything unfortunate like that. You see, I need you Ludo. You're important. Ever since I saw you, these rusty old gears up in my noggin have been churning, and I've had quite a few delightfully sinister thoughts cross my conscience, and I'm positively salivating just thinking about how useful someone like you could be.
Seth looks up, and away from Ludo, and towards the horde of nosy onlookers.
Seth: Begone! All of you! I wish to speak to my guest in privacy!
Without hesitation, the Septarians all leave the room, the last one closing the door behind him loudly. Seth, peering down at Ludo with glowing amber orbs proceeds to elaborate.
Seth: Look, I know you just got here, and this is rather soon. This must be quite overwhelming of a revelation to you. But I need you Ludo, and you have no idea how integral you are to the puzzle that you, and you alone, hold together by the seams.
Seth paces back and forth along the wooden floor. His heavy boots like thunder crashing against the earth, granted mercy on the ears by a mere carpet beneath his soles. Seth casts a harsh shadow on Ludo as he passes back and forth. The shadow swallows him and spits him back up. Ludo stands there motionless, only his eyes following the green reptile before him as he elaborates further.
Seth: Our world is ruled and governed by 3 classes, Ludo: The Mewnans, the monsters, and the Septarians, which, in and of itself, is a sect of the monster population. Mewni is governed by the Butterfly family, I rule over the Septarians, and take a wild guess as to who governs over the monster population.
Ludo: Also... the Butterfly family?
Seth stopped and looked over at Ludo, and for a second Ludo was certain that the monster before him would unhinge his jaw and bite his head clean off his neck. But then Seth grinned at him.
Seth: Well, it really is no wonder you would think it that way.
Ludo: What do you mean?
Seth: Ludo, do you drink?
Ludo: I guess. I don't know.
Seth: Of course you don't. You've always been a prudent young lad, and I respect that. Really, I do.
Seth reaches onto the shelf and pulls down a fancy alcoholic bottle of Septarian origin and a places two goblets on the table.
Seth: Care for a glass?
Ludo: Sure.
Seth: Atta boy Ludo! You see, I know you're not like your pop. That man could drink the ocean. Now, this isn't a jab at your old man or nothing. I know Brudo, by the way.
Ludo: You've met? He never told me about you.
Seth: Your father wouldn't tell you about me because he never really knew it was me. I don't think you've noticed really, but I don't quite fit my old mugshots anymore. I was a significantly younger man back then, and we had a few shots together. Anyway, I'm meandering. There's nothing wrong with the drink of adults. Of course, moderation, is the key. A sole glass, maybe once a day, or once a week, just to put some fire in your belly, some pep in the old step, it's all one really needs. At least, I do. Don't get old, son. It sucks. It really does.
Ludo is perplexed. He never imagined someone like Seth to be so... courteous, well mannered, and kind. He feels the tension in the room melt away bit by bit as he becomes more accustomed with the man that was at one point labeled a killing machine, literal, walking death.
Seth: Alright. I've beaten around the bush long enough. You, Ludo, you are the leader of the monsters.
Ludo: Me?!
Seth: Of course! I've been watching you, Ludo. I know of all the things that you've done. I know you rallied an army of monsters and threw your folks out, and then used that army to try to take the Butterfly wand, with... lets just say... less than stellar results.
Ludo: I'm not proud of those times.
Seth: Relax, I'm not here to bust your stones or make you recall your times of weakness. Just remember, those times are what forged who you are now. The struggles you've gone through, the icy tundra, the harsh wilderness. You tiny, little man, all on your own. It's a mystery how you're even standing here in front of me, and I watched the whole damn thing happen. That, is why I respect you Ludo. You're strong. You didn't buckle no matter how high the odds were stacked on top of you. I need you. I need your army. All of monster-kind needs to rally together, so that we can crush the Butterfly family, and eradicate them from the face of this world, once, and for all.
Ludo:...
Seth: You look conflicted, and I think I know why. I've already told you I've been watching you. I know of your "interactions" with the youngest Butterfly, Star. Most unfortunate.
Ludo:...?
Seth: She showed kindness to you. Even after you've given her every reason not to. She removed that frightening, ghastly wand from your arm, healed you when you were sick... which, I suppose, was the fault of my men. I do apologize on their behalf, and I hope you forgive me.
Ludo looked into Seth and saw genuine sorrow in the expression on his face that only contrasted greatly with the gates of hell that were Seth's eyes.
Ludo: I do.
Seth: That's a relief. See, even I'm nervous right now... That girl is not your friend.
Ludo: Why not?
Seth: She is your sworn enemy. She is the only thing keeping you from happiness. She and her family are the ones dooming us to the perpetual terror that looms over us. We will never be free with her and her mother in the way. That's just what Butterflies do. They aren't just barbarians with magic. They're manipulative. They exploit your weakness. That's what Star did. She knows...
Ludo: She knows what?
Seth: She knows that beneath that exterior of a tyrant, the facade of a ruler, the face of the monster, that you're just a kid.
Ludo: But I'm not just a kid!
Seth: I never said that there was anything wrong with being a kid Ludo, but admit it. You're a kid. I know that you've lived with your parents for most of your life. I know that you've spent the better part of the last 15 years looking for a mere stick to satiate your desire for power, and you operate on very much of an id. I know that besides her, and your little brother that you've never had anyone that you could call a friend.
Ludo was getting flustered.
Seth: I know that you've never been on a date, never met a lady... or a lad, not that I'm to judge... and that you're still... a virgin.
Ludo: I'm not a virgin!
Seth: Yes you are Ludo! If I brought a pretty young one right in here this moment, you wouldn't have a clue what to do. I bet you don't even know where babies come from.
Ludo started to cry. Seth went from laughing to looking over at Ludo who was so embarrassed about being told the truth that he started to cry.
Seth: Aw man, jeez. Turn off the water works kid, you're bumming me out. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings like that.
Ludo looks up at Seth with embarrassment over showing such weakness before someone as masculine and oozing with machismo as Seth. He rubs the snot from his beak with his arm.
Seth: Look at me Ludo. I'm not a bad guy. I'm not your enemy. Maybe... well, maybe I'm just outta touch with how to interact with people. I'm not socially savvy like that anymore. I know that people today are different than when I was younger. I feel like an alien around people anymore. Here Ludo, have a drink. Take a load off. This stuff's really good. I'm a jerk. And I wanna get better.
He looks at his hands, and he smiles.
Seth: Well, say something kid. I'm not a stand-up comedian putting on a show or some politician holding a rally. This is a conversation. It requires two people. Talk back to me, for goodness sake you're making me ragged.
Ludo rubs the tears off his eyes. He's calmed down.
Ludo: You're a strange man.
Seth: Right back at ya. Ludo, do you like me?
Ludo: I just met you.
Seth: Fair enough, but I don't feel like I've made a good first impression on you. For obvious reasons, I can't let you leave... not that you have anywhere to go anyway. But I want you to really enjoy being here Ludo. I want you to feel safe here, like this is your home, because I like you Ludo. You're a good kid.
Ludo finishes the small glass given to him by Seth.
Seth: Alright, that's enough. I don't wanna get you plastered. I know what a lightweight you are from watching you spend time with your old man.
Ludo: Hic, you saw that too?
Seth: Ohh man. you're trashed. Here, ally oop.
Seth lifts Ludo up onto his shoulders and carries him out of the room. Jade is outside waiting for him.
Jade: Ludo! I was looking all over for you! Oh... father.
Seth: Tsk, tsk, tsk. Jade, bringing in an outsider. Boy are you lucky. If it had been literally any other person you would be out the door begging for the Butterfly Kingdom to find you just to protect you from my wrath.
Jade: Huh? I'm NOT in trouble?
Seth: Oh, you are, but not for this. We'll talk about it later. Lets get your little friend back to your place shall we.
Jade: Um, my mother doesn't exactly know Ludo's staying with me.
Seth: You let me worry about her.
They walk together, almost in tandem, approaching the front door of Toffee's lavish manor. Seth raps on the wooden door. Jade's mother answers the door, not particularly ready for what she's about to see.
Seth: Emerald! My dear woman, how are you? You're looking quite delectable today.
Emerald; Father Seth. I mean, Seth, why thank you. My daughter hasn't been a nuisance has she?
Seth: Not at all. She's a doll, this little one.
He places his heavy hand right on Jade's head, rubbing it and messing it all up.
Emerald: My goodness. Who is this? An outsider? Poor dear must have wondered in, what a shame he'll have to die.
Seth: You can breathe a sigh of relief, Emerald. Take a good look at this little fellow in my arms.
Emerald: Gasp! It's that Avarius boy, the little one?
Seth: His name is Ludo, and he's gonna be staying here a while, unless of course, that's a problem for you.
Emerald: Oh, not at all. I'm sure he'll be fine here. Plenty of bedrooms, it'll almost be like he isn't here.
Seth: Well that just works out swimmingly.
Emerald: But Seth, why must we bend the rules for this particular one?
Seth: Sorry Emerald, that one's a little confidential. Just rest assured, I have plans for him, so make sure he's nice and comfortable here. I want this lad to have the best impression of Septarsis one could have. He is our guest.
Emerald: Yes. I understand.
Seth places Ludo over Emerald's shoulder. She's noticeably taken about by the bizarre situation that's unfolded before her. She takes receiving Ludo with the same level of reluctance as if Jade had brought a stray puppy into their clean home.
Seth: Get him to bed. I made the mistake of giving the little guy a bit of Septarian ale and he couldn't take more than a few sips without becoming completely inebriated. Certainly doesn't have his old man's stomach that's for sure.
Emerald: Well, we do make a rather strong brand. Even a typical Mewnan doesn't hold well to our brand.
Seth: Hmm. Well, take care.
With that, Seth leaves, hands in pockets, carefree, an anomaly of a Septarian. Emerald closes the door. With Seth gone, her demeanor becomes much more serious and displeased.
Emerald: Why in the world is he pawning this Avarius bird off on us? This isn't your doing, is this?
Jade: Of course not, mother.
Emerald: You're a mess. Get yourself cleaned up and I'll find a room for this one. Who knows what I'll do with him when he wakes.
Jade: You heard what he said. We have to take good care of Ludo.
Emerald takes Ludo to the room, and just drops him onto the bed, he bounces on the pillow, giggling in his drunkenness.
Ludo: Heheh! Whee! Hic!
Jade: Mom! We have to take care of him!
Emerald: Correction, you have to take care of him. He's your responsibility. Understand?
Jade: Yes mom.
Jade tucks Ludo in and he begins snoring almost immediately.
Emerald: Oh, and get him some water in him, or he'll have a hangover like you wouldn't believe.
Jade: Yes mom.