"I'm ready now." It is something that Bela always wanted to tell him, but there was an uncertain feeling within her every time she thought about it. She does trust James without question, even more so than when she told him about her father a few months ago.
"Abby is my real name. Short for Abigail. When I decided to embark on a career as a professional thief, I couldn't use my real name. I had to create a completely new identity to make sure the authorities were unable to get me." It's a practical reason, one she think he will understand.
"I had a more personal reason for changing it too. That name carries a pain that I don't know if I can fully let go of. My parents gave it to me and they were awful people. I didn't want the name to hold power over me, you know? So I chose something for myself that no one could take away."
"No, I get that. Obviously, the first being the wisest option for protection and in case you needed to move and change it again. And then the other, that's absolutely fair. Some believe words and names hold power...I'm guessing there's a bit of that where you're from as well?" Beyond how she meant it, that is, what with the whole supernatural elements.
He's also curious about the origin. "Where did you come up with it?" The dropped "l" he's used to seeing in Bella, the surname. She seems like she was always Bela, the name fits that well.
"Names can invoke a kind of power, yes. In magic." Bela explains, glad that she had told him. "I'm not a magic user, though. Nor do I hold any kind of power." But she is very aware of the witches and warlocks in her world.
The next question makes her laugh softly. "I got it from an actor. I'm a fan of old horror films and it just seems to have stuck. His name was Bela Lugosi, and he was most famous for portraying Dracula - you know, a vampire."
Realization visibly dawns on his features. "Lugosi, right. Your username?" It's less of question and more of a confirmation. "Even though I'm hundreds of years ahead of you, certain names - " he pauses to raise a brow, since this comes full circle " - are still floating around because they had that much of an impact, and Bela Lugosi is one of them. If this place ever gets one of his films, we should watch it together."
"Incredible. I didn't think his legacy would last that long." Bela replies, shaking her head with a smile. "We are absolutely going to watch one of his films if we find it here. Should we find several, I am proposing a marathon." Her smile turns softer. "You know, you're the second person to have realised that about my username. The last time was...oh, a few weeks after I arrived."
She finds it amusing in a way.
"So, I believe I am going to learn your middle name?"
"Yeah, sure. Absolutely. I've never seen one before." As he's long since told her, his thing was more space gladiators, and Lugosi definitely didn't dip into that genre.
Pronouncing the Italian name properly, James says, "It's Riccioli. Some of my ancestors were...I think you call them Italians?...and that was one of their surnames. If I'm remembering what one of my moms told me correctly."
"Riccioli." Bela repeats with a smile, her pronunciation flawless. "I've been to Italy before and I've always had a fondness for the country. And it's people too. Their language is beautiful as well, but I wouldn't say I was fluent in it."
She reaches over with a hand, smoothing it through his hair and ruffles it with affection.
"I like the name. Thank you for telling me, James."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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"Abby is my real name. Short for Abigail. When I decided to embark on a career as a professional thief, I couldn't use my real name. I had to create a completely new identity to make sure the authorities were unable to get me." It's a practical reason, one she think he will understand.
"I had a more personal reason for changing it too. That name carries a pain that I don't know if I can fully let go of. My parents gave it to me and they were awful people. I didn't want the name to hold power over me, you know? So I chose something for myself that no one could take away."
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He's also curious about the origin. "Where did you come up with it?" The dropped "l" he's used to seeing in Bella, the surname. She seems like she was always Bela, the name fits that well.
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The next question makes her laugh softly. "I got it from an actor. I'm a fan of old horror films and it just seems to have stuck. His name was Bela Lugosi, and he was most famous for portraying Dracula - you know, a vampire."
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She finds it amusing in a way.
"So, I believe I am going to learn your middle name?"
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Pronouncing the Italian name properly, James says, "It's Riccioli. Some of my ancestors were...I think you call them Italians?...and that was one of their surnames. If I'm remembering what one of my moms told me correctly."
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She reaches over with a hand, smoothing it through his hair and ruffles it with affection.
"I like the name. Thank you for telling me, James."
Fade out?
Yes! :)