Chapter 14 - The Ark Of Names (1/2)

Mavislin did so, out of curiosity.

”Ah! There, that isn't so bad. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back! Now, your name is a unique one. Not many have it, but I can conjure up a meaning for you. Let's see...”

The Angry Man thought long and hard. Mavislin's head tilted to the side, pondering on what he was thinking about. As Baldwin's eyes flew open, the poor child flew backward and into the pool of toys.

”I've got it! Eh? Where'd you go?”

Baldwin was downright confused when he could only see two dangling child's legs in the air. He then grabbed the two flailing legs and pulled them.

”You scared me...” murmured the upside-down Valkyrie.

Baldwin quickly placed the Valkyrie properly onto the mountain of stuffed toys.

”Anyways, the name of 'Mavis' means 'song thrush'. The later part, 'Lin', is known as either 'forest' or 'fine jade or gem'. Putting these two meanings together, I'd say your name means 'song thrush of the forest'. Acceptable?” asked Baldwin, grabbing a plushie of a song thrush to show to the young girl.

She nodded happily, grabbing the bird and instantly giving a tight squeeze.

”So, back to Abi's middle name. Shall I tell you what that name meant?” asked Baldwin, once more.

The Valkyrie eagerly nodded. Baldwin then gave her the star-shaped plushie, which greatly confused her.

”The meaning of Esther is 'star'. She was my star for a very long time.”

”I know it's hard not to fight back. But violence doesn't end violence, it extends it. I know you want to rebel against the humans and you are not wrong for doing so. But what I did was wrong. And I'm ashamed that I did it. So don't harbor such hate.”

”But...”

”Hate won't bring you anywhere. With that word, you can tear families apart. That's how wars start, by having two people hate each other. How conflict thrives. You hate war, right?” asked Baldwin, looking at the small child.

Mavislin looked upset at the mere mention of conflict. It was what took her family away from her at such a young age. Why did children suffer because of it? What they'd done to deserve such treatment?

”Always be strong, never be wrong. In this case, hating someone is easy and wrong. To be strong is to forgive. You will find that forgiving a person who's wronged you would be the most resilient thing you'd ever do. Courageous is who you are when you can forgive the person even when they aren't sorry.”