That seems like a nice tradition. [even if she knows the unfortunate truth of why he doesn't have a name... she's lost her parents far too young, it's terrifying now to risk being separated from a child. as reckless a lifestyle she's lived, seeking safety and stability now is important. somewhere the Captain too can feel secure, unthreatened.]

If you don't mind me using it.

[tentative smile] Another round?

So predictable. [hehe]

Alright. How about you? When there's no longer a ship to be the Captain of, do you want to take another name?

[shrugs] Just curious. If there's power in such things, I didn't know if maybe giving yourself one was like... self empowering.

Oh. I thought it was more of a title. Or a role. Like when I go by Ghost.

Maybe if I stop using the in front of it...

Full naming your friends sounds stiff and awkward...

True. [can't argue with that] And if you prefer I don't shorten it, I won't.

Alright, your turn. Dare.

[stares in surprise, after his answer she thought he was content with the one he had.] Really? But I thought you...

Alright. [but every name in existence suddenly fizzles out of her brain.] Right now? Is there... any sort of naming ritual part of the tradition?

Hang on. Do you have a marker? [holds up the balloon that she intends to draw a goat upon, because like her joke clown she also can't make balloon animals...]

[quickly doodles out a goat-shaped animal upon the squeaky latex. makes sure to give it big horns and a squiggly beard so it looks less like a dog.] There. A sacrifice.

[it helped buy some time to go over her options] So last time you asked me, for a hypothetical... [about why he couldn't envision a happy future for himself.] I suggested Casimir. And you called me a nerd. [because it's from quantum field theory but whatever.]

Something else then?

[pops the balloon with a swift stab right into the goat doodle.]

Men do it all the time. That's why they're all junior and the third.

[but she's not about to dub him Sir Sparkles the IV. nor does she want to name him after anyone, the way he's taken inspiration from literary figures in the past. because he should be his own being, defined by nobody else.

the truth is, Ava prefers simple names with good meaning rather than anything pretentious or flashy. her own means a variety of things, she read in one of those little baby name books once. voice, like a bird... to live. and hasn't that been such a driving desire.

and she knows his greatest as well.] Azad. I believe it means free.

[relieved smile, wouldn't want him stuck with something he'd hate being called

although...]

Do you want me to use it, or keep it secret? [there's power in names, she's been told. even if she doesn't quite understand what that power is. wouldn't be nice of her going and giving that away.]