ORIGIN

James wasn't quite sure what to think. As he walked along, he listening silently, one ear swiveled to face Pride in order to catch every word. He didn't want to miss anything.

"... Sins?" he asked softly, frowning gently, "... Why did you keep your name?"

An innocent question, by all accounts. If he'd been named something associated with something so awful, then he would have taken a different name. Thankfully, James was untainted by any sort of evil aura. It was just James. Nothing special about it. He was pretty sure he'd woken up with it in his head, and he was rather proud of naming himself.

"Who was Livius? What happened to them?" James asked, brows furrowed.

He considered Pride's role, and his, if he chose to take it up. He was too small and weak to really make a difference to anyone, but maybe when he was larger and stronger, he could. He could do the same for others what Pride, Dragon, and the others had done for him.

"When I first hatched, Reseda--Greed--asked me what I thought my name was. I could project my thoughts, or perhaps she read mine--I cannot remember, it was so long ago, and I was so young. But she asked this, and I focused on my thoughts, and... projected to her the sensation of... I would say nobility, courage, pride in oneself. She chose Pride based on that. While she was misguided, in many respects, I still do believe in taking pride in yourself--she insisted that it was a 'sin,' a terrible thing to embrace in all its negativity. That pride is destructive arrogance."

"But pride is all that we have, in the end, James. Pride in who we are, in our values, in our inner strength. Confidence. I have learned to always do the best that I can, in any given task--then, even if I fail, I can take pride in knowing that I tried as hard as I could. I have always pushed myself in that regard, and I do not regret that. Perhaps one day I will change it; but pride is not a sin, and I never felt the need to discard that. I kept it as... a rebellion, of a sort, I suppose."

"As for King Livius--they slept for a very long time, after Reseda's death. They've only recently reawakened; I do not know yet how much they want to take on straightaway." Pride turned, and nodded to James. "Do you wish to rest, or train further-? Or shall I go and search for someone to bring you lights?"

James stopped in his tracks, mulling over what Pride said. He looked up at the stag and cocked his head, eyes narrowing before he looked down again.

"... That... that's awfully noble," James said slowly, "... How do I know if my name's right for me? It's simple, I suppose... just James. One syllable, it doens't really mean anything important... Not like yours. Do you think that one day, it could? Could I make it something people will remember?"

James was tired, both mentally and physically, and honestly? A nap didn't sound so bad.

"Could we head back?" he asked Pride, "I'm tired... Maybe we can do everything else tomorrow."

And maybe, he could start his journey to becoming someone people would know and remember. A hero, maybe. But that was ambitious, so he'd aim to just be... kind. That sounded alright.

"I think," Pride answered, thoughtful, "that it is who you are, not what you call yourself, that matters most. If you are James, then you are James--unique, and I think, good. Our strongest impacts are on those we support when they need it most; they will certainly remember your name," he answered gently.

He paced over to the buildings, picking out, after a moment, the one that James had chosen for his home. "Go ahead and rest, for now; I will try and find someone to make you lights for the future, and I will help you decorate a little more once you're ready. Don't forget--soil, if you want live plants," he added, in kindly reminder, stopping beside the doorway.

James trotted after Pride and nodded, "Okay. I'll go get some dirt when I'm awake... can I bring Ari with me? He's my friend in Eridanus. He's a lion with pale fur and a feather hanging from his gem."

He walked into his little house and stepped onto his bed of grass, spinning around for a few moments before slowly laying down, ears perked up as he looked up at Pride.

"... I want to give back what you've given me," James said, "I want to make sure that no one feels alone, and no one feels afraid. I want to help people like you do!"

Pride's expression crinkled up in kindness.

"Of course? That is your decision, not mine, you needn't ask. My best friend is a lion," he added, in a confiding tone; "a white lion named Mercurius. He is very kind; perhaps you can meet him, some day." But he didn't dare say where Mercy was--not even to James, not even to the child.

James' words touched him, though. "Thank you, James. At times I doubt myself, particularly after I've turned to violence to defend others; your words mean a great deal to me. And I will do my best to help you get there, or wherever you choose to take yourself."

He stepped in, and offered a brief nudge to the child's head. "I'll wait outside until you're asleep--if you see Mischief, that's my white rabbit familiar, she'll just be watching over you."

He offered a nod, and plodded back out, ready to stand watch for now.

James nodded at Pride's words, glad he was able to reassure the other, and rested his head on the ground, sighing softly through his nose. He certainly had a lot to think about. Mercurius, Reseda, Livius...

"Thank you," he called out softly, before closing his eyes.

He drifted off peacefully, eyes closed and body slack, consciousness fading slowly. Asleep.