(Heaven's BBS)

[stonebird]

From: Dali
Date: June 19th

I should think even soulless Shinki deserve a name? Since I cannot say they are a male or a female, are there names that are...neutral? I have sought out Georgian names - since their origin seems the most fitting - but only a few appeal to me.

Eteri, for example, has a nice sound; as does Imeda. Can you immediately determine gender based on them?

(The first means "ether, air" and the second means "hope", which is why they appeal to her so much (besides their sound).)

I welcome all suggestions.

Comments

[latebloomingeros]

It's thoughtful of you to try and find one that matches them well... I don't think either one sounds very gendered, personally? I don't know anything about the Georgian language, but...

[stonebird]

Neither do I; I only know what sounds pleasing to me.

Have you ever encountered or been in the company of a soulless Shinki?

[latebloomingeros]

They both sound beautiful, if that's the concern.

And no, I haven't. Two people I spoke with told me about ones that they knew, but I haven't really... met one in person, myself.

[The idea of them terrifies him, when he lets himself think of it. If they came about the same way as normal shinki, just with a little too much stripped away from them... could the same thing have happened to him, in that case?]

From: Kairi; Text

[pure_radiantics]

That's really nice of you, giving your Soulless shinki a name, Miss Dali. I know they may never say it, but I'm sure they're grateful.

[stonebird]

I am more accustomed to being called Sansa. Dali is the goddess who has chosen me, I suppose.

I wish for them to be happy. I want my temple to be a haven.

[pure_radiantics]

A haven... that sounds so nice. But a haven from what exactly?

[neitherdevilnordeath]

Why not ask them which they prefer?

[stonebird]

I have and they do not seem to have a preference.

[neitherdevilnordeath]

Neither sounds obviously gendered, but the second feels a little smoother in speech. Perhaps flip a coin if you don't feel particularly partial to one over the other?

[papas_bunnydoll]

Everyone deserves a name!

[stonebird]

I agree. Names should be given with care and they should hold a positive meaning.

[papas_bunnydoll]

Exactly! It says a lot about them and you since you picked it.

[nolittlesecret]

Why not name it after a family member? You gods remember people from home, so why not? Or pick a name from there that might sound like a dude or dudette.

[stonebird]

I...suppose. (Recalling her family is a sensitive subject.) I did think of naming my children after my brothers and sister. Should I consider my Shinki like my child?

[nolittlesecret]

My god pretty much treats his soulless one like a grandma. She sure acts like one, too. Really does not like me drinking a ton of coffee during the day.

If you treat it like a kid, then it'll be like your kid. That you use to fight with.

[revolutionfalcon]

Soulless shinki need some kind of name whether you feel for them or not, but at least you're putting thought into it. I wouldn't assume anything based on either of those names, though Imeda looks more feminine to me.

[stonebird]

I must agree and I see no reason to not be thoughtful towards them. They can move and communicate and aid me in my time of need. I do not wish to seem ungrateful to them.

text;

[oathkeeper]

i like both eteri and imeda. i can't really tell if they are boy or girl so those are nice. i think my name is neutral too! it's sora. lots of japanese names seem to be.

it's good that you give your soulless shinki a name, i think all things like to have names, right? it would be kinda sad not to have a name.

text;

[stonebird]

I like your name. (It isn't far off from her own.) What is Japan like?

(So many strangely named lands!)

I would not deny them that simple right. Besides, a name binds us as allies. Soulless or not, I refuse to turn kind souls away.

From: Athena

[adventurology]

I've named my soulless partner based on a figure from mythology that she reminds me of. Though, mine happened to be female, and quite clearly so.

But for your question, I'd say that Georgian is a good choice given your new position. I'm not immediately familiar with the language so I couldn't tell if those were gendered names or no. They do sound like good names, though.

I'd be most partial to Eteri, as it does avoid geographic naming conventions for gender, as a name that ends with A is commonly associated with female in that region of the world.

[stonebird]

May I inquire as to her name?

The meanings drew me to them. Eteri is "air" or "ether" and Imeda is "hope". Both would be pleasing to say and hear. I will, ultimately, let them choose.

I am in agreement with you, however. My name ends in an "a", so that tradition must span worlds. If they choose Imeda, that might indeed tell me more of their gender.

Anon

[rev13_3]

A shinki is not a person. They are a tool to support your glory, dim as that glory may be. Call them by the use you want to make of them.

[stonebird]

Your view makes me ill. I cannot agree with treating anyone, soul or not, like a tool.

voice;

[alittleglow]

Isn't a name mostly a declaration of purpose, or perhaps sentiment? A ship or a river can have a name, so why not a weapon?

[Unseen, she shrugs.]

The name I bore in life is a flower and a poison. If it has any meaning, I've forgotten it.

voice;

[stonebird]

(Her voice is quiet and thoughtful.) Both, but with an emphasis on sentiment, I think. They are worth more to me than a ship or a river.

What is your name?