Etched Into Your Soul

20250601

Prompt from “Pride on the Page”.

“Good afternoon.” The fey behind the desk smiled politely. “Mr and Mrs Wilson, isn’t it?”
“That’s us.” Samuel confirmed.
“Excellent. Please, take a seat.”
Samuel and Rebecca complied while the fey shuffled through papers. “My name is Jasper. Now, is it correct that you’re here looking to adopt rather than exchange?”
“Yes. Is that allowed?”
“It’s unusual, but certainly not forbidden. Mind if I ask your interest?”
Rebecca leant forward, her expression earnest. “I have a changeling sibling. My parents took part in the exchange program when Harris got childhood leukaemia. I was two at the time, so growing up with Clark was perfectly normal to me. But, looking back, having him as a big brother was truly magical. He’s still part of the family and will make a marvellous uncle. So, I just… if there’s a changeling without parents, or…?”
Jasper smiled widely. “Not many, but yes - and it’s very hard to place them. So if you’re willing to submit to the checking process…”
“Oh yes, of course.” Rebecca said, and Samuel nodded agreement.
“Excellent! Sign here and we can get things kicked off.” Jasper deftly plucked two forms from one of the stacks and slid them over.
For a minute there was just pens scratching. Then Samuel asked “What’s this ‘true name’ box?”
“Ah, for this to be recognised in both realms we need both your legal name - what human courts recognise you as, and your true name - the one etched into your soul.” Jasper squinted. “In your cases, that’s ‘Becky’ and ‘Luna’.”
Silence.
Rebecca’s head slowly turned towards her husband, who was gawping dumbfounded at Jasper.
The fey looked between them. “Erm, sorry, what’s the problem?”
“I…” Samuel set the pen down and took a shaky breath. “Are you sure?”
“Quite sure.” Jasper said bemusedly. “I’m a professional. But you should be able to tell? I know such things are fuzzier for humans, but don’t you feel the resonance?”
Silence again. Samuel was staring down at the form. Avoiding their eyes.
Rebecca coughed. “Well, it is the name you use for all your online profiles. And isn’t the main character for that comic you draw named ‘Luna’ too?”
“…Yes.” Samuel mumbled.
Rebecca leant over to squeeze his hand. “Would, um, would you like to process this and we’ll come back another day?”
“I… uh… I think that’s best.” Samuel shot an apologetic glance at the baffled Jasper. “I-I’m so sorry, I just… this, this doesn’t change wanting to - I mean,” he looked uncertainly at Rebecca, “it doesn’t change my perspective on adopting a changeling, but we might need to…”
Rebecca laced her fingers into his with a gentle smile. “Well, if it turns out I have a wife, I would like to get used to that and all the paperwork updated before adding a child into the mix. Let’s get home and talk, shall we?”
“Yes.” Samuel squeezed her hand tight. “Yes, we’ll talk and then we’ll… well, we’ll figure everything out and get back to you.”

Prompt was “name”.