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Seth's family were dramatic. Most things were a spectacle. Usually, it was alright, sometimes even fun, when they prepared for the holidays. Guilded Carrot Day was always something to look forward towards.
However, their flair for the dramatic did also appear up in less than ideal places. The names of their children.
Severian didn't mind his name. Honestly, it fit him quite nicely. Made him seem important, which he was, and better than everyone, which everyone claimed to Seth's face. Plus, it rolled off the tongue quite well.
Seth wasn't always named Seth. In fact, the minute he graduated from the Academy, he was able to legally change his name. It didn't change much, his nickname was always Seth. Everyone called him it, teachers at the Academy, his family, other students when they talked behind his back (quite literally: he didn't think they understood that his cat ears weren't just for decoration). Easier to say when scolding when he did something reckless. And far less embarrassing.
Seth had to bring in some documents for another review. Including his birth certificate. New Eridu's laws were old. You couldn't change the name on a birth certificate, since that was the one that was used to keep track of everyone who survived the Hollows years ago. Obviously, you could change your name afterwards, it just won't affect the birth certificate.
Seth's tail was wagging in embarrassment. He was fine with Captain Zhu Yuan knowing. She would be shocked for a second but compose herself nd be professional. He would not put it by Qingyi or Jane however to tease him relentlessly. And they already do that! Them knowing his birth name… that would make things so much worse.
"Officier Lowell. Your papers." Oh right. He was next to be in her office.
He entered the office, holding everything. Qingyi was there to automate everything, and Jane was there as a representive of the Metropolitan Order Division. Despite not actually working for PubSec. Seth has met a good portion of the task force (?) that his brother keeps around. It made sense to him that his brother would offload the work to a consultant.
Seth relunctantly handed the papers. It was going smoothly until the birth certificate.
"… Is this… a typo?" Captain asked, looking up at him.
"It would be a very long and specfic typo…" Jane was looking over Captain's shoulder's, grinning.
"… That's my name. My birth name. I changed it."
"… Your parents really named you Sephiroph?" Qingyi was drinking some hot water and almost spat it out at that.
Seth was pretty sure he was as red as he could possibly be. "… My parents are dramatic."
"No foul, my name is actually Jane Doe." Everyone went to look at Jane. She was spinning a knife absentmindedly. "What? I don't try to hide it. My parents were practical jokers. Everyone just thinks I'm lying."
Qingyi was back to drinking her hot water, having composed herself. "I wonder why everyone thinks you're lying. My original designation is 01NG V1. I don't mind Qingyi at all though."
Seth felt a bit more relaxed. "So… none of you won't make fun of me for this?"
He heard three voices at the same time
"Of course not, Seth, we won't ever."
"Don't count on it."
"Promises are like water in a stream."
Yeah that was to be expected actually.