text | un: mazd

[mazd]

Something that's on my mind right now is how one goes about choosing a username. Of course I've chosen one and so has everyone else, but simple observation can't always tell you why someone chose something or what it means. A significant chunk of the population appears to be using their own names and that at least is self-evident - it's their name so of course they'd want to use it! This doesn't account for people who may be using aliases in order to mislead others, which is always a possibility. But the ones that are of more interest and that take more thought are the names that aren't just names. Little phrases or words mashed together...why were those things significant to that person? I can't help but wonder about it.

While observation can absolutely give you a window into someone else's point of view it can never be as good a view as the one you can get simply by knocking on the front door and asking. So I really do want to ask. But is that sort of knowledge something to be given freely? Maybe some of it is private, but also there could be a more fun way to learn than just asking, right?

If you'd like to volunteer the information, please do so. Otherwise...would anyone like to play a game with me? I know there's several going on right now from looking but I don't mind if it's just a few people. I'm just in the mood for something a little more involved than telling a lie and hiding it in the underbrush of truth.

Recently some students were passing by playing a game they called 20 questions. The concept is fascinatingly simple but can get complex depending on how devious your opponent is. You have to think of an object and your partner can only ask yes or no questions to discover what it is. Given our different points of origin, however, we should refine what could count as an object, no?

So, for the purposes of this game please consider the "object" to be "the reason you chose your username and the true meaning of it" or "an animal found in this world". If you're unsure if an animal exists here, there seem to be lists of them at the Guilds alongside our potential powers as creatures we may eventually be able to transform into, as well as an available bestiary. Just specify if you're thinking of your username or an animal. Then players (possibly just me) will ask you questions that can only be answered with "yes" or "no"...if they go over 20, they lose. Apparently the consequences for losing can be quite dramatic among the student body but that seems a bit much to me. Instead I'll tell you something interesting if you win or I lose, okay?

And of course you're free to guess the meaning of my own username using the question framework. That said, those of you who know the true meaning behind it already are obligated to assume I'm thinking of an animal instead. In those circumstances I'm going to include animals from back home, too.

As I said you're free to play with one another, too, but I mostly just wanted to try it out myself. For some reason the students were too nervous to play with me...but you wouldn't mind doing just one round, right? Even just one person would be okay.

Comments

[mazd]

Do you mean the meaning behind the use of your alias as a username?

[monoceroscaeli]

No, more as in why I was given this alias to begin with. I know you've met The Doctor, and his is quite simple to figure out. But mine isn't so recognizable, unless you know what it means.

[mazd]

Oh, you mean which part specifically was yours?

[monoceroscaeli]

Ah, perhaps. I'll let you explain what you mean by that, and in turn you very well may uncover what's a well-known truth in Snezhnaya about "Childe" and what that name means.

[mazd]

I know that the code names come specifically from a type of theater. Each Harbringer's codename refers to a separate role, no? But now I think you must be referring to something else.

[monoceroscaeli]

Yes, I think we are. I'm not referring to the theater in this sense. I'm speaking more towards the direct meaning of the word, and how it relates to me.

But that's three guesses now, right? You've got seventeen more. I'm not counting the ones prior to you figuring out that I'm a Harbinger.

[He's been keeping track!]

[mazd]

If you mean the direct meaning of "Childe", in Liyue it's meant to refer to a young nobleman...correct?

[monoceroscaeli]

Correct. But why would they assign me this name?

[mazd]

Were you quite young when you joined?

[monoceroscaeli]

Yes. This is another truth, if you mean the Fatui in general. But there are many who join at a young age...so you'll have to be a little more specific.

[mazd]

Do you mean to say that you are a young lord?

[monoceroscaeli]

Yes, I am. But there lies something significant in that fact.

me, dumber than nahida: sweats

[mazd]

A young lord who has yet to achieve something...?

LOL SO CLOSE THO

[monoceroscaeli]

Sort of. That's also true, and yet isn't correct at the same time. You're running out of guesses, haha.

SHE HAS TO LOSE SOMETIME

[mazd]

Were you assigned the name "Childe" as you had yet to achieve anything for the Fatui, but were expected to do so?

of course it would have to be to a harbinger of all people LOL

[monoceroscaeli]

Not at all. That actually couldn't be farther from the truth.

[mazd]

In that case, could it be because you accomplished something no one else had before? You received the title "Childe" as proof of nobility for completing something which your countrymen speak of to themselves even now.

[monoceroscaeli]

Correct! I'm tempted to give it to you based on that answer alone, but I think it's more fun to make you guess what that achievement is.

[mazd]

Given the nature of the Harbringers' interests, I suspect it probably had something to do with the Abyss.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He feels the smallest amount of adrenaline rush through him at the mention of the Abyss, but it sounds like she doesn't actually know, which he's very okay with.]

Good guess, but no. I think you're leading yourself down a stray path, here.

[mazd]

That's likely the case. I do not know specifically to what you are referring, but I suspect it isn't something publicly spoken about in other nations. No story I have heard about the 11th harbringer gives me any basis for a better guess.

[monoceroscaeli]

I don't imagine it is, given that most people in other nations don't even know my name save for those who the Fatui deal with in diplomatic terms, or those who stalk the battlefield.

If you'd like to give up, I'll gladly tell you, but you also have at least nine or ten more guesses before you officially lose.

[mazd]

No, I will ask the remaining questions. There isn't any reason not to try.

Was this accomplishment combative in nature?

[monoceroscaeli]

It was. ^^

[mazd]

Did it involve defeating another Harbringer or Harbringers in battle?