And here's the next chapter for Chronicles of Eos. This chapter will have hints of an idea I got for this, a more serious story.
-miano53
Chronicles 8: Names
"Hey! Don't die! You can't!"
"Regina! NUKE IT!"
"Trying to, Aurel!"
"Cato! Hurry up!"
"Ventus, he's running as fast as he can! He's only three!"
"Hey, Stella, wait!"
"Hurry up with your stubby legs, Luca!"
"Stop making fun of my shortness! I can't help I'm a little person!"
Noctis jolted awake, having a rather vivid dream of six people fighting off what seemed to be daemons. They wielded power like his, but something was off. They wielded the elements: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Shadow, and Light. It was almost like watching something from the old RPGs.
Their names were like those from the Lucian nobility. But their faces were…like a mixture of his face and Luna's. Except for the one called "Luca", a short, dark-skinned woman. She was a bit pudgy, like a dwarf from Dead Fantasy 4.
He had started seeing people of shorter stature in Insomnia recently, just like how he had started seeing the cat-like people called "Mi'qote", the white-haired "moon people" or "Lunarians", and the tall, pointy-eared elf-like people called the "Elezen". Noctis had never noticed them before, and it was almost as if they had been concealed during the time of the Starscourge. Luckily for him, the people of Lucis took the revelations in stride, not seeing them too different from themselves. But the issue of race would come up soon and Noctis wondered if more groups would bring up the topic.
Luna stirred in her sleep and Noct could see one of the babies kicking. The poor woman hadn't been sleeping well, especially since she was going on her sixth month. Only a few weeks and the doctor said something about giving her a Caesarian operation for the babies' births.
Placing his hand on the left side of her belly, Noctis said, "Hey, there. You're really hyper right now, y'know. Everyone's asleep. I would like to go back to sleep and your mother, I can't believe I can say this, hasn't been getting sleep. So, it'd be nice if you can calm down a bit. We'll see you soon."
Another kick and Noctis said, "Incredibly restless…kinda like the wind. Um, we haven't thought of names, but…"
Moving from it and he could feel the baby's head. With a small smirk, Noctis muttered, "If you're a boy, Ventus. If a girl, Venetia."
"Ventus Lucis Caelum, that has a bit of a ring to it."
Lunafreya woke up from the constant moving of the baby on her left side. She smiled, but she was so tired. Noctis felt sorry for her, but his wife took it in stride…mostly. The queen said, "Well if they're all boys, what would you name them? Since you're in a naming mood."
"Well, I got Ventus already," Noctis told her.
He remembered his dream and he said, "Aurelius and Cato. Pretty sure those are good names."
"And what if they're all girls?" Luna asked.
"Luca…after that street in Altissia…Regina and Stella," Noctis answered.
"Why those names?" Luna asked.
Noctis remembered the dream but debated whether to say. Instead, he said, "It…just came to me. That's all."
Crystalline Realm…
The many Lucii gathered in what looked like an auditorium of sorts. Regis stood in front of a large whiteboard, holding a marker in his hands. He was so proud and was joined by Aulea, Noctis' mother.
Somnus and the others sat in their seats, almost like it was the start of a board meeting. After everyone was situated, Regis started with, "Well, it is almost time for the birth of the next generation of Lucis Caelum. I've gathered everyone that was willing here for this meeting as we need to help Noct think of names for the children. So far, Ventus has been selected."
"But we don't know if it'll be all boys or girls. Or if it's a mixed bag. Or if the children will survive the operations," the Lucii told him, all speaking at once their concerns.
Aulea, shushing them, said, "Even so, we still need to help him. The Crystal has given us all second chances at…well…life, despite many of us being turned into "summoned creatures" or "Astrals". Ardyn over there, despite being used by the Starscourge, is proof of that."
She heard a meek "what about me" and the former queen spotted a muttering Somnus. Her husband's ancestor felt left out, and she added, "And the progeniture of the clan as well…"
"Anyway, Ventus Lucis Caelum is a good name, meaning 'winds of the lit sky'. Something good after the Endless Night. Other suggestions, people?" Regis said.
Crepera raised her hand and said, "Well, Stella's good. Her name would effectively mean the 'sun'."
"What about Julia? That should be good," another Lucii said.
"Nah! No way! That name's terrible! You want her to be 'hairy skin of the lit sky'?" the Lucii argued with the prospect.
Regis didn't bother to put down the name, despite the world having a General Julius of Solheim fame. But he continued with the many other suggestions. The names that they came up with, besides Ventus and Stella, were "Terra", "Aqua", "Ava", "Gula", "Marcus", "Jupiter", "Aurelius", "Mars", "Cato", "Regina", "Lucina" and "Marina". After putting the names down, Regis turned to them and said, "Alright, now we'll vote on the top three for the children's names."
"Uh aren't we supposed to choose four? Pretty sure the crystal said something about six…" Tonitrus Lucis Caelum, aka the "Fierce", asked.
"Well, three are being born now and we need to know what names we need to suggest to Noctis," Regis told him.
They put it to a vote and the names they came with were "Aurelius", "Cato" and "Regina". The vote on the fourth name didn't happen as Regis quickly dismissed the meeting, thanking those that attended and hopping back into the living realm with his findings.
Just as he did, the old king found himself in the throne room, seeing his son talking with Minister Toph. Or was it "Ted". He was pretty sure it wasn't "Toot". What was that man's name, Regis thought?
"It's 'Tot', Dad…" Noctis muttered as he sat on the throne.
"Ah yes. That was his name. Wonder why it was so hard for me to remember," Regis said.
As the short in stature, scholarly-dressed, glass-wearing, red-haired old man stood before the Lucian King, Noctis muttered to the specter, "Why are you here now?"
"Oh, we've come up with more names for my soon-to-be-born grandchildren," Regis said.
Noct tried to keep his composure, as Minister Tootsie spoke to him about the new rationing laws after the fiasco of the Polar Vortex, the sudden appearances of new landmasses, and the names for the soon heirs to the throne of Lucis. Rolling his eyes, and making sure the minister didn't see him, Noctis muttered, "His name is 'Tot', Dad."
"Well, the names we agreed on for the children are 'Ventus', 'Stella', 'Aurelius', 'Cato' and 'Regina'. But, you've already picked a name for one of them. 'Luca', was it?" Regis said.
"Can we talk about this later?" Noctis asked, much louder and annoyed sounding.
Minister Tot was offended and asked, "Majesty? Are the reports boring you? I-I can create a Powerpoint presentation if you need…"
"No, no, no. I'm just…I'm just a little tired, that's all. Talk with Ignis about it and come back with me later," Noctis said.
"Um, how much later? As we need to know the names for the soon heirs. The press has been clamoring for something. Especially since you and the queen haven't said too much about it," Minister Tot said.
Noctis thought about it and Regis said "Just tell him you'll create a press release. The babies' names will be on there when Lunafreya gives birth."
The Lucian King did as his father suggested, and Minister Tot seemed to be pleased. He gave a bow to Noctis and said, "Well, I'll try my best to keep the press at bay. But I also want to know if you'll be taking paternity leave."
"What?" Noctis asked.
"Meaning are you taking off to take care of the children. You're going to have to if Lunafreya's having surgery," Regis said.
Noctis agreed to take paternity leave, leaving the country's affairs completely in the hands of Ignis and Minister Tot when the time came. The man took another bow, leaving the throne room and Noctis finally said aloud, "Okay, what?"
Regis grinned and said, "So, the names we have are…"
"I know. And it's only three, not six. Pretty sure neither of us will ever get sleep with six babies," Noctis told the specter of his father.
Regis leaned on the left side of the throne, asking, "The names I've told you. Are you interested in them?"
"I dunno. We'll see when we see them," Noctis told him.
"Fine then. If you ever need me, I'll be available," Regis said, disappearing.
Noct rolled his eyes, muttering, "Don't think I have to worry about that. You come and go as you please a lot…"
And there's Regis being "grandpa". He really wants to see his grandkids :)
Update: Now, that I'm an aunt myself, I can see where Regis is coming from :)
-miano53