Names!

[x_catseye]

When Catseye first came to the mansion Catseye did not like human names because human names confused Catseye because they did not mean anything so Catseye named people what they look like or what they do but now Catseye understands that naming people after what they look like or do is like telling them that they are a thing and that it is mean and Catseye does not want to be mean to people at the BigHouse or Catseye's other friends in the BusyTown so Catseye is going to ask what people want Catseye to call them if they like to be called by their real names to be nice or if they like their special name Catseye gave them.

Also Catseye learned that peoples names are veryveryspecial to people sometimes because of the people who named them what they are named but Catseye does not know why people have their names and Catseye wants to understand if people want to tell Catseye why they have their special names Catseye would like to read, nyah!

Comments

[xp_daytripper]

In magic, names are important. Magic users hardly ever use their 'real' names, because names are power to other magic users. It's the reason why, with people I care about, I tend to slide into nicknames; the part of me that's a magic user is trying to 'protect' them by using a name that isn't theirs. Not that there's actually danger - it's pretty much a magic user thing, but it's the way I was brought up. So I'm a bit like a cat that way - I tend to use my own name for people instead of their own, except if they ask me otherwise.

My name isn't the name I was given when I was born - my birth name was Gemile Szardos, but I got taken away from my family and that name got used against me by the man who had me: whenever he wanted to control me magically, he'd use my real name. Otherwise he'd call me "Blossom". Ugh.

When I got taken away from him and left at the hospital, I was given the name "Amanda Sefton" by Romany and that was the name I kept growing up. Even after finding my birth family again, I kept using Amanda, since that was the name I was used to. When my mother disowned me, I changed my name legally to Amanda Sefton - it's who I am, and who I'll always be.

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

Just please tell me "Gemile" doesn't rhyme with "Emily" because otherwise I think you get to wear the Silly Name Hat for the day.

[xp_daytripper]

Not quite, but I'm happy to wear the hat any way. My little sister got it worse - she wound up with Jimiane. "Jimi" for short. ;)

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

I do think "Medusalith" comes close, as HRH's given name tends to make me think of weird stone formations. Crystal got off lucky compared to everyone else in the Attilani royal family.

Although that's an interesting theory you have about the importance of names. Reminds me of the conversation I had with Scott about X-Men and the reason people use code names in uniform.

Well, people who aren't me.

[xp_daytripper]

Although that's an interesting theory you have about the importance of names. Reminds me of the conversation I had with Scott about X-Men and the reason people use code names in uniform.

Yeah, it is a bit the same. With magic users, telling another mage your real name is a sign of ultimate trust - it's a bit like handing them a loaded gun and trusting them not to shoot you with it. With the code names, you're protecting those closest to you - your friends, your families - since the wrong someone getting hold of your real identity could be just as dangerous.

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

That's exactly my reasoning for not using one. I don't want to draw a line between what I do as an X-Man and who I am out of the leathers.

[xp_daytripper]

Funny, it's exactly my reasoning for having a dozen passports in different names. Well, apart from the fact Remy thinks it's funny to see me passing myself off as "Penny Lane".

[x-catseye.livejournal.com]

Catseye will call CityMagicGirl Amanda then if that is what she likes best. Does Amanda get yelled at sometimes for using ownnames for people like Catseye does sometimes?

Catseye thinks Blossom is SillyStupid. Even more SillyStupid than Catseye naming people after what they look like or do. Because Amanda is not a blossom!

[xp_daytripper]

You call me what you feel most comfortable calling me, Cats. And yeah, sometimes people don't like the nicknames I give them. If they're a friend, I stop when they ask. If they're not, I have to admit I'll keep using the name to take the piss out of them.

'Blossom' was the name Rack used for me when I was a kid to make me think I was weak and breakable. Like I said, names have power. I think you're finding that out now, that sometimes the names you use for other people do more than you meant?

[x-catseye.livejournal.com]

Yes Catseye understands now about names being powerful and are more special than Catseye meant! Catseye thinks it was extramean to make Amanda think she was weak because Amanda is not weak or breakable! Pokeable, maybe, but not breakable.

[xp_daytripper]

Rack was that kind of person. Not very nice at all. All that's over and done with now.

[x-gambit.livejournal.com]

It's not just important in magic. Mention the name 'Gambit' in the right places, and you get all kinds of interesting reactions.