MIRROR

[throwsdown]

 
Umm... Do you think...

Are last names -- important?

I was, was thinking maybe... I dunno... My real mom had a last name, but I never used it... Lots of people got last names, though.

Maybe I could have one, too...?

[Not that he has one in mind. Only -- he does, but he's not sure if it's allowed. Is it? He wishes he knew.]

Comments

[circumitus]

No.

[In regards to importance, that's the quick and easy answer from someone who also doesn't technically have a last name, either. At least, Rey hasn't thought to adopt one.]

But, if it really means that much to you, suppose no one's going to twist up over you giving yourself one. [Not like there's official documentation here or anything. Not anymore, at least.]

[throwsdown]

[Geez, Rey, social etiquette much.]

I wouldn't like to make people twist up. That sounds like it hurts.

People can just -- give a last name?

[circumitus]

[Rey opens her mouth to say something, clearing up that she doesn't mean they'd literally twist up, but then snaps it back shut.

[Sigh.] They can. Usually through adoption or something. Since paperwork doesn't mean shit here, there's nothing really stopping you from going by whatever you want.

[Cursing in front of a kid? Pshhh, like she cares.]

[notyourutopian]

[Eleanor has a thin bit of cloth hanging over her mirror shard, so all that's apparent is her voice and occasionally shadows shifting around as she moves.]

...I think it depends on who you are. And where you came from.

[A pause.]

But if you want one, of course you can have one.

[throwsdown]

[He's feeling much more confident about this last name business.

But... Hm...]

Do you got a last name?

[bailedontheempire]

Most of the time, a last name comes from your family. It connects you to the past and the future.

But they all start out somewhere, right? Usually with a job, or a place, or just something that's easy to recognize about a person.

[throwsdown]

[He gives a nod.]

I had one before. I think. I think I got one from my mom... Or maybe it's my dad's and she tooked it before he died. I dunno...

[acapriciousthing]

They can be as important as you want them to be. For some people, their last name's a whole history and a legacy they want to live up to. For others, it's a legacy they're trying to get away from. But sometimes it's just... a word.

In Mayfield, they tried to tell everyone they had to the same last name as the man in the house. Which meant I was Mrs Door because Death had to pick a last name really fast one time.

[Bill Door is at least a little better than Steve Plate]

Sometimes people do pick out new last names to start a new life.

[throwsdown]

[He absorbs all that information with an eager ear -- sometimes it's just a word? Takeshi thinks everything's words, though. But he sort of... kinda' gets it... If you have a mean family, maybe you don't want their last name. He thinks he's this way, maybe.]

You can pick them out? So you don't have to keep one forever?

[muscovy]

Last names are only important when there are a lot of people that have the same first name and nobody knows their families, what they do or where they live.

But sometimes people get one because they did something special.

[...The concept of a last name might not have gotten translated very correctly here.]

[throwsdown]

People can get one for doing something special?

[This is something new. This, he'd like to know about.]

[axeyou]

This is such a stupid question.

Why do you even want a last name?

[throwsdown]

Oh, um... w-well... 'cus I was thinking... Maybe I could have Heather's last name. She's gone now, but if I had anyone's last name, I'd want hers. She took care of me! [He pauses.] You don't got a last name?

[tadashiwashere]

[It's been a while since Tadashi has shown his face, and he's avoided the mirrors for even longer -- he's had his attention directed elsewhere. Today, he picks up his bit of mirror and joins in on the debate.]

I think someone already told you this, but it's true: they're as important as you want them to be. It can help you hold onto where you come from.

[throwsdown]

[Gosh, people seem to have a lot of opinions on last names...

Takeshi'd thought maybe he'd get someone, but everyone seems to know so much about it!]

Is that what you do with your last name? To remember where you come from?

[tongueamok]

I would say they are important, unfortunately. Maybe not for a lad like yourself, but for some of us.

If you really wanted one, I don't see why you couldn't just pick one for yourself.

[throwsdown]

[Aaaah.]

I'd like that... I'd — I'd like to have Heather's name!

'Cus she was like my mom.

[benumbing]

I think that depends on how you feel about the people who would share it with you.

[throwsdown]

Oh... yeah...!

I don't wanna share my real mom's name... She's not my real family.

I want my new mom's last name.

[He gives a firm nod.]

[altercate]

Important for what?

[throwsdown]

......

[Shit, uh.]

Important... to tell people who you are! And who's your family!

Right?

[toomuchtenacity]

Sure you can have one. Just pick one that you want.

[Chell meanwhile has no idea what her own last name is.]

[throwsdown]

I pick Heather's last name!!

[EXCITEDLY SPOKEN. It's a given, right?]

Do you wanna get a last name, too? We can make one f'you want!

[foundafamily]

It can be. Like if you're connected to a Family or somethin'--they usually use the boss's last name. Even if it's not your name, you should keep it in mind.

[...But that probably doesn't apply to a little kid, does it?]

...Other than that, it's more the people who're important than the name. Like, if you've got your mom, that's more important than just another word, don't you think?

[Assuming the lady is still around, of course. In Firo's experience, that's not usually the case.]

[throwsdown]

Yeah... Yeah, the person's the most important!

It's 'mportant for people to got a name, too. Names are real important!