N of Nickname

Prompt: In their family, nicknames are needed.

To say that the nicknames were needed in their family would be an understatement.

Not only did they have more than one son and daughter (heck, Zeldris and the others would admit that it felt like having the heart attacks of their seven hearts when they found out how prolific and fertile those two were, which was an understatement, considering Meliodas and Elizabeth had seven kids) but having a birth mother who reincarnated for 107 times also made having the nicknames their topnotch priority.

Their mother was, had been, and would always be Elizabeth.

The question was which Elizabeth she was?

The next question would be which kids or which ones?

So yes, the nicknames were needed.

One day, Diane asked, "Say, I'm curious. How do you decide their names and nicknames, Captain?".

King pondered "Now you mention it... there are seven kids of the Captain with princess Elizabeth and there are more of princess Elizabeth's reincarnation".

Tristina munched her meat steamed bun "The reincarnations, you mean. There are exactly 107 in a total of our mother's reincarnations, after all".

Meliodas crossed his hands over his chest "Well, you can say that it's almost by instinct. Though, yes, I admit that part, I gave nicknames for Elizabeth's reincarnations to differ them, especially for the ones who have given birth to our kids. It's always Elizabeth who gave the names and nicknames for our children, though. I let her pick".

Guinevere caressed her chin, tilting her head "As for me, you obviously know it. My birth mother is the 'Original' one, Goddess Elizabeth. Though, I'm curious. Has mother already planned to give the name 'Gwen' for me, Dad?".

Meliodas grinned "She does. And what do you think about your mother's nickname, Dear?".

Guinevere smirked "The Bloody Ellie does sound cool".

Elizabeth cleared her throat "Both of you, seriously... this father-daughter really...".

Ban guffawed, clutching his stomach,

Elaine giggled "Oh. How about the others, then?".

Tristan tucked his hands behind his head "Speaking about our names, I don't really know what's the meaning behind our name. What I know, is we barely shared the same name".

Tristina pouted "Well, Mom and Dad indeed debated about whether should they name me 'Trista' or 'Tristina' or 'Tristana'. Something like that. Though, thankfully, they chose 'Tristina' in the end. My nickname is 'Tina' because obviously, they could not call me 'Triss' as well. It's brother's nickname".

Lancelot blinked his eyes curiously "Come to think of it... How did mother get the nickname 'Elsa', anyway?".

Elizabeth blushed furiously and turned her head away.

Meliodas pulled his mouth into a thin line.

Surprisingly, Merlin snorted, so unladylike of her.

Tristan waved his hand "Oh, I heard it from our Aunts and Uncle. You see, it happened because of their first meet".

Tristina snorted and laughed in between her wheezes before she elaborated "Mommy Elsa kicked our Dad's crotch in reflex... and Dad stuttered Mom's name... El... Za... like that... thus, it sounded like 'Elsa' and that's how Dad called Mom's 13th reincarnation".

Elizabeth stuttered "I-I thought that it was a boar and I was gonna get attacked!".

Lancelot slammed his fists on the table "So you tried to defend yourself?".

King guffawed as well "With kicking his crotch? Seriously!".

Ban drawled in between his wheezes "It's a miracle that you've still got kids afterwards!".

Merissa bluntly blurted out "It's not our fault that Dad is prolific and Mom is fertile".

Elizabeth fumed "Merissa!".

They laughed out loud.

Meliodas grinned mischievously "You should be grateful that we don't produce children for each of Elizabeth's reincarnations".

Mael pleaded "Stop".

Zeldris shuddered "It's creepy, Idiot brother. Aren't the seven of them enough?".

Ignoring her lover's remarks, Gelda asked "Back to the main topic. How about the others? The history behind their names and nicknames, we mean".

Yeah, thank you very much, Gelda.

Merissa tilted her head "Oh. I guess mine and Lily's mothers have something to do with their full names. My mother's name in that reincarnation is the Princess Mermaid, 'Elizabeth Syrena', which was why her nickname was 'Elena'. It's similar to Lily".

Lily hummed "As for me, Mother's name was 'Elizabeth Titania'. This, Dad and everyone, called her 'Bethany'. About our nickname... well, I guess the name 'Lily' is short enough and doesn't need the nickname? Though, sometimes my siblings or Dad indeed called me 'Lil' as my nickname".

"Well, I am not too picky with my nickname. When I was called as 'Cordellia', my nickname was 'Delia', 'Dell', or 'Cordell'. After I forbid everyone to call me 'Cordelia' and asked to call me by the name 'Merissa', my nickname is either 'Rissa' or 'Merry'. I needn't tell you why do I not want to be called the name 'Cordellia' anymore, right?".

Because it would remind her of her dead first love and deceased lover. Because it would remind her of her Sin. It was left unspoken.

Drole said helpfully "Of course. It can't be helped if you don't want to be called a certain name".

It was a similar thing with Melody. Before she changed her name, her nickname would be 'Mede' or 'Med' from 'Medeia'. After she changed her name to 'Melody', her nickname would be either 'Melly' or 'Mel'.

Gloxinia ruffled Melody's head "I think it's cute. Kinda reminded us with Meliodas. However, why did you guys call Elizabeth's reincarnation 'Elise' in that time?".

Meliodas explained, lowering Gloxinia's hand from Melody's head "Other than the Saintess of Solon and the Herbalist, Elise was also the organist in the Cathedral. She would play the organ in the church or Cathedral and the most famous song she played was 'Fur Elise'. Thus, I called her 'Elise' in that lifetime".

Diane clasped her hands "Whoa... you're so talented, Elizabeth!".

Last, Lancelot casually tucked his hands behind his head "Nothing special, I guess. Other than the fact that Dad was the Grand Master of Danafor Kingdom and Mom was the Knight of Danafor, who was the former spy and slave from the enemy Kingdom who got the assassination task. Oh, if it were not for Mother Liz, I guess we would be starving. Dad's food sucks".

Meliodas smacked his son's head "You should be grateful that your nickname is either 'Lance' or 'Lan' and not the ridiculous one such as 'Lanny', you brat".

They laughed again at the duo father-son.

Well, every name and nickname had its story, indeed.