Changing Names

Cold. Windy. All the hallmarks of the deepening Alexandrian winter, moreso hours after the warming light of Daeus has set. Inside, of course, all is cozy. Bellies are full from supper. Thoughts of sleep shall grow stronger in the next hours.

Verna is curled up in her favorite chair and reading; both wholly typical. Her choice of material is more casual that the norm, and partially borrowed from the Auranar section of the shared library. A treatise on Llyranosian flora sits nearby, and her current is a small book of poetry.

Auranar is finishing up with the tea, a pot made especially for after-dinner and before-bed. She leaves a cup in front of Verna and then picks up Hunter for pettings. He quickly falls asleep in her lap. Tuckered out from his long day chasing around the house clearly. "Verna?" She speaks up quietly, hoping that the other woman will not mind her interrupting the book.

Verna may have been reading the same phrase intently for a few moments. It is also possible that Hunter's comfortable contentment was contagious and conspiring with the full belly ahead of tea. A moment passes before Verna looks up and over. "Apologies. Yes?" She follows with a pair of blinks.

Auranar smiles. "Well... it can wait." She defers, refocusing her attention on the kitten in her lap. "I didn't mean to disturb you..."

Verna purses her lips and shakes her head, closing the book to set it aside. She then adjusts some in her seat, turning towards. "Nonsense. You could never disturb me. If I was overly distracted, the fault is mine. What is is, love?"

Still Auranar hesitates but finally speaks up after a moment. "I went and visited Cor'lana the other day and... Grandfather was there. The man who officiated their wedding? I was talking to them both and I realized a few things... That I realized that I should talk to you about."

"Oh?" Verna's interest further piques: Cor'lana is wonderful, though Grandfather is more... uncommon. She acknowledges with a nod. "I met him the once. He is most ... interesting. A talented cook, as I recall..." She then trails off before her brow furrows lightly. "All is well?"

"I am renewed in my determination to make a curuchuil here in Alexandria. I still intend to add to the one where my parents trees are, but I think a new one is in order. One that encompasses our entire family. You, me. Cor'lana, Telamon, and Grandfather. I think I would like to ask Andelena and Dolan as well. I know it's not a human custom but they are like family to me." Auranar bites her lip and looks at Verna. "What do you think? Am I crazy?"

Verna's eyes widen. If she was concerned that something was amiss, that is quickly banished. This is quite the opposite... and yet wholly unexpected. She leans nearer, reaching a hand to brush Aura's cheek as a finger taps lightly at the chewed lip. "You are many things, dearest, yet crazy is not among them." She gives a light smile in assurance.

"Your custom is your choice. Your curuchuil is your choice. You are my choice. I am delighted and honored to join your family, whatever you consider that family to be."

Auranar smiles and leans into the touch. Every time she thinks she can't love Verna any more than she already does... She turns her face slightly so she can kiss the other woman's fingers. "Do you know anything about the human custom of taking one another's last names?"

There is a flinch felt in Verna's fingers, though the timing ties it to her words and not her kiss. Her lips are now rather thinly pressed. "Somewhat. My parents combined theirs as they did with their respective houses. I forewent any claim to that name much less any allegiance to it, long ago." A pause. "I have no surname to offer you, Aura, nor would I wish that name upon you even if I did."

"I have one to offer you Verna. One that does not come with the judgment of my family, nor yours. A name that only shows the love of two people who wish to join their family to ours. Lupecyll-Atlon is a fine family name Verna, and one that holds no harsh memories for either of us." Auranar lifts her hand to touch Verna's hand on her cheek.

Once again, Verna's worry is promply squashed. Inverted, even. Auranar holds the answer. As ever. Her face contorts under Aura's hand in growing of both smile and surprise. "Cor'lana and Telamon?" Her inquiry is not judgemental: there is no unpleasantness tied to either, though that still leaves a looming question or three. Surprise turns to curiosity as she searches Auranar's eyes with her own. She still holds all the answers.

"Indeed." Auranar replies smoothly, her eyes touched with warmth. "Grandfather suggested it, and I find that I am intrigued and honored. You know my story Verna. My grandmother left me to be raised by humans for a hundred years. She could have come and collected me at any time, but she was consumed by her own grief. Never thinking about mine. She had a whole family to console her and I was alone."

It's an old hurt. "Grandfather in a few moments embraced my worst fears and taught me a way to look forward to the future rather than the past. Cor'lana is like a sister to me anyway. All we need is to set aside traditions that no longer serve us and make our own future. Like you're always saying."

Verna's eyes tighten at the reminder of the old hurt. One that she, herself, could not personally assuage directly. This melts away as Aura continues, and her smile deepens. "It is not just that you would include them in your family, but they do the same for you." Finally the pieces are assembled. "I want nothing more than our future, love. The best future. You were right to hold celebration here, for friends and allies. They are family by choice and deed. That is more than a mere name. "

Auranar smiles and nods. "Yes. That is the way a real family works. They want one another. Love one another. Do things for one another. I can't so easily chase off the feeling that I've been abandoned but... It will fade in time and you - my real family will ease that every day."

"All of that is us," Verna notes, smile firming at the end when she caveats, "save one. I shall never abandon you. I do not believe that others would, either, but know that I shall not. I am yours. Whatever name, home, and life you share with me, I am ever yours."

-End