Once theyd finished giving Squiggles her reward for capturing the Golden Sli, the Chosen One carefully wiped his hands on Sewer Bards outfit, and watched with fascination as the fabric absorbed the liquid and instantly restored itself. For his part, the Bard put up with this indignity with surprisingly good grace, not even bothering to put on his diplomatic mask but instead just shooting the Hero a puzzled look.
I like how fast it dries, the Chosen One explained, which did nothing to clear the Bards confusion.
While, naturally, Lady Squiggles did a fantastic job in defeating the Golden Sli, capturing it when no other could even touch it, I do wonder how we are to return our bounty for our reward, Sewer Bard said instead of continuing to engage with the Hero.
Well, they would still pay us if we gave it back in a jar, right? the Hero asked leadingly.
Presumably, yes, Sewer Bard said, frowning as he tried to think ahead of the Chosen One. The Hero pointed at the very pleased-looking sharktopus.
So we just show them Squiggles. Not our fault they dont know how to get the sli out of her, he said triumphantly.
Oh, Sewer Bard said, his brow instantly clearing. Of course, thank you, Noble Patron.
Please, the Hero said, modestly waving away the Bard, just call Chosen One.
Ah yes, Sewer Bard said, a strange, almost sickly smile appearing. We were going to discuss the topic of nas, were we not?
Oh yeah the Hero suddenly looked uncomfortable. I may have, uh, may have done a not-great thing with the naming, hey?
I have always been Sexy Screamy Spider Lady, the Hunter said with a shrug.
I, too, have no mory of being known under any na other than Definitely Bad Guy, the Mage confird.
About that the Chosen One said. Apparently the Devs gave you guys nas, but when I arrived hmm. So do you guys know what adoption is?
Qube blinked, before the information flooded into her. She nodded, then looked at the rest of the party to make sure that they were following. Each of them nodded along.
And how it ans that your adopted parents love you just as much wait, this is going sowhere weird, the Chosen One said. Anyway, right, so, when you each joined my quest to save the world, I technically adopted you all, and it gave a chance to change your nas. I dont know why, but it did. Probably so kind of traditional holdover. Its stupid, but there it is.
But Ive always been known as Sexy Screamy Spider Lady, ever since I was a child, the giant arachnid said.
And you dont think its weird, that they were calling an elf kid sexy? Also, you werent a spider, then, the Chosen One asked her. And you he pointed at Definitely Bad Guy, why would literally anyone trust you growing up if you were called Definitely Bad Guy? I dont know how they did it, but they have to have made you guys forget you used to have different nas, otherwise the whole adopting a new na thing wouldnt work. Adoption.
Qube was still trying to grapple with the idea that her na might not have always been her na. It certainly felt like her na. Shed known that the Golden Prophecy had been controlling her behaviour, trying to guide her into being the best possible Companion she could be, but the idea of it reaching into her very mories and just changing them, was horrifying.
But then this wouldnt be the first ti it had done so, would it? It had erased the na of her childhood friend, Felix, and chained her mind so she couldnt even conceive that the Chosen One might not be the boy shed grown up with.
How many of her mories were truly her own, untouched by the guiding light of the Golden Prophecy?
I rember that I had a different na, Sewer Bard said quietly. He looked at the ground as he spoke.
Ive been thinking about that, the Hero said, I think its cuz we broke your initial quest with those thief guys, coulda glitched you a bit. That and the old lady getting healed so we could bring you into that Temple you werent supposed to ever be in.
Sotis Qube felt like she understood all the words the Chosen One had said, but the way he used them was gibberish.
The point is, the Chosen One said, barrelling past all that, is that when I adopted you into this party and bound you to the main quest, it changed your nas, and I just gave you all nas that I thought were fitting. In hindsight, not my best mont, but there we are. Youve all got nas from your birth parents? Devs? Original nas? But youve got additional special nas that I definitely dont regret giving to any of you at all and arent going to be a bit of a problem with ascending.
The way you said that last part makes think youre not giving us the whole story, Qube gently called her friend a liar. Can you please clarify what you an by a bit of a problem with ascending
Well, youre gonna be fine, the Hero said to Qube, not taking the slightest umbrage at or, potentially, even noticing the fact that shed just called him out on withholding information. Might have so pronunciation issues, but none of the higher ups are gonna get what your na ans.
My na ans sothing? Qube asked, startled.
Yeah, the Chosen One looked slightly sheepish. Its, uh, the na of a famous companion back in my world. And so old technology. And a couple of other things. Also thats the na you ca with, so we dont have a lot of alternatives there.
Qube felt a rush of relief at the news that her na was her na. Maybe, just maybe, so of her mories were hers and hers alone. But then she thought about the others, and her heart sank.
The rest of you, however, arent going to get taken seriously in the real uh, in the realm of the Devs. The Chosen One changed what he was saying hurriedly and looked a little upset at himself.
But its my na, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady frowned as she struggled to take in what the Hero was telling them. You say people wont take my na seriously, but thats not my problem.
No, what Im saying is, its not really your na, the Chosen One clarified. Its just what I called you, and the, uh, Golden Prophecy changed your mories to match? Hang on, thats actually really ssed up.
Correct, Sewer Bard said, with a slight bite to the word. Especially given the connotations to each of our nas.
What do you propose as a solution to this? Definitely Bad Guy said with the expression of soone who is just realising that his na is Definitely Bad Guy.
The Chosen One scratched his head.
Well, he said slowly. I guess, I adopted you all, and kinda-accidentally erased your identities a little, so its your call? What do you guys want to do?
I wish to know my original na, Definitely Bad Guy said without hesitation. I also wish to know how, exactly, the Golden Prophecy modified our mories. The other two werent as fast in their replies.
I, too, would care to know my original na, as long as it didnt open up to any threat, Sewer Bard said cautiously. Given you dont know why our nas were taken, it would be prudent to know the reasoning before learning our original nas, no?
Uh, yeah, the Chosen One said, sowhat shiftily. I dont think its cuz of any danger to you all, or anything. Just tradition.
The Bard inclined his head, indicating that hed heard the Hero, but was not in agreent.
I would still prefer to have more information than an I dont think itll hurt you, he said, his voice briefly mimicking the Chosen Ones with surprising accuracy. In all the old sagas the heroes are generally known by title, or role, so I must assu there is a purpose behind that. There is, after all, much power in a na.
The Chosen One grimaced, but let it be.
Sexy Screamy Spider Lady shrugged all of her shoulders.
Honestly, it doesnt matter to , she said carelessly. A na given to by my parents, or the Devs, or you, theyre all just things I was called, not who I am. If you say itll cause problems in the Devs realm to be known by my current na, then change it. Her thoughts seed to turn inwards. Or perhaps I can choose a na for myself, she said quietly. And if they have a problem with that, well, then they just have a problem with , and thats their issue to deal with.
Sewer Bard looked at Sexy Screamy Spider Lady with a mixture of admiration and concern.
My fair beauty, he said, frowning slightly, I would not so easily dismiss the opinions of the Devs out of hand. They are imnsely powerful, and shouldnt be treated lightly.
If theyre so powerful, why would they care about my na? Sexy Screamy Spider Lady asked. Either theyre so much more powerful than that my na ans nothing to them, or were close enough in strength that they let sothing as petty as my na bother them, in which case theyre not really that powerful.
Sewer Bard ruefully shook his head.
My dear, its obvious that your parents are true and just rulers, he said. But there exist people who wield trendous power over others, but still concern themselves with things one would think far beneath them.
Of this, we are in agreent, Definitely Bad Guy said with heavy aning. Qube, rembering the pettiness of Dev Dan-the-man, nodded. The Hunter tossed back her hair, and gave them all a fang-filled smile.
If they invite to ascend to their realm, and help them with their problems, then turn around and have a problem with my na, then I have no interest in being accepted by them, she said savagely. If they choose to do sothing about it, then let them. I refuse to waste any more of my life trying to contort myself into sothing Im not just to please others.
This felt like blasphemy. Qube laced her fingers into her robe and shivered, looking at the giant arachnid that towered over the party, unsure of whether the fluttering in her chest was fear for what might happen to the Hunter who had just challenged the Devs, or excitent. The thought of Sexy Screamy Spider Lady going toe-to-claw with an Evil Dev like Dan made the fluttering sensation grow until Qube was practically vibrating with emotion.
The Hero had crossed his arms and was nodding his head supportively at Sexy Screamy Spider Lady, Squiggles had caught on that sothing was happening and had climbed up onto the back of her abdon and was waving so tentacles about, and Definitely Bad Guy was looking extrely unimpressed at the wisdom of attempting to call out the Devs, while Sewer Bard
He was looking at the Hunter with an expression that it took Qube a few monts to place, so rarely had she seen it on his face.
He was looking at her with respect.
While I have not your bravery to openly defy the Devs in such a manner, as well as being desirous of completing the half-finished mory of my forr self, I must comnd your courage, fiercest of maidens, he said, bowing as low as Qube had ever seen him go. She was amazed his nose didnt touch the ground. I will support you in your defiance, in whatever small way a humble Bard can.
Sexy Screamy Spider Lady (seriously, how had Qube never thought about how her na fit her too perfectly before) showed every inch of her Royal lineage as she graciously tilted her head at the Bard, for all the world like a Queen accepting the pledge of a Knight. It was all so beautiful that it wasnt until the Chosen One started applauding and whistling that two thoughts occurred to Qube.
One: why did they think that having their own identities was defying the Devs?
And two: what had Sewer Bard ant by not having the bravery to openly defy the Devs?
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