What is in a Name ( ͡≖ ︵ ͡≖)

Max was uncertain as the last time she was in a town she was almost killed. Who knows maybe Sage would not be willing to step in again. Black scales crinkled, as she contemplated their actions. Unlike most novels where the deities dropped their chosen on off with the traditional Isekai welcome package, Sage was willing to intervene.

That was something she could build upon. Whereas most beings would have chalked their Chosen's misfortune as ineptitude, Sage had not. Why? Max's tail tapped the ground a couple of times in thought.

Maybe Sage could take a break from their duties or were they not restricted by other gods or rules that prevented their descension into affairs of mortals? Max could feel warmth swirl around as she imagined traveling with Sage in person. This time she would not be adventuring through her character but with them. Perhaps Sage's deity-level OPness would go one of two ways. Marginally shield Max from a lot of potential issues, or dump them all on her.

But would Sage go for it? Minutes passed before the snake slumped. No. If Sage had been willing to do that they simply would have just done it themselves, and if Max were being honest, this probably was not how Sage would encourage Max. Max sighed. No, they would not want her to hide behind them or use them as a hypothetical anti-cannon fodder rail gun.

That didn't mean that Max couldn't get them involved. Well, she could if she played her cards right but this was not the right time. Now was the time for Max needed to figure things out first. She needed to get to know people and make friends with people who would not kill or eat her. Max had to build a solid foundation for herself in this life. Not that she wanted to build a kingdom or guild whatever. Whatever she wanted to do that would be it. There was so much she could do now that she gave herself the chance.

She knew that she wanted to adventure. Magic world. Reincarnation. Yep, adventuring it is. Maybe she could be human again. Max paused. Sure she had only been a snake for a couple of days, but now that she thought of it did she even want to be human again? Sure chocolate was nice but was there even chocolate in this world?

What about Arin then? Max held out hopes for Arin joining her if only to get back whatever bit Max had taken when she'd been boobed-punch into the next plane of existence. As for going back to Earth, Max did not want that. There was nothing tying her there, and truth be told the danger-noodle life was more or less complicated. Sure more things wanted to kill her and yeah okay communication was a big issue but Max would be lying to herself if she didn't admit that this period of adjustment was temporary. New world. New species. Enough said there.

As for the temperature, that just gave Max all the more reason to explore and travel. If this place had varying seasons why couldn't she go south for the fall and winter? Why should she stay here? Max had always wanted to travel but alas, she had been limited to her weekly sessions of imaginary adventuring.

That was all for the future though. In front of Max right now was a person. No, a person-ish, that wanted to be her friend or ally. Guide. Whatever. Faer represented an opportunity here. An opportunity to connect with someone in a positive way, i.e. no "Die Snake," or "AH! Snake! Focus on the present Max. Focus. Friends. You must make friends. Friends equal people understanding you are a good snake, not just a danger-noodle.

Yes, be a good snake and don't eat the little feathered being flying about her head like a delicious... No Max. Faer is a friend, not food. Breathe in, calm. Breathe out peace. As Max was centering herself, Faer's voice distracted her pulling her from her attempt at all things inner peace.

"I have a fantastic idea!" Faer exclaimed, her roughly accented voice sounding childlike and her large golden eyes gleamed with joy.

Max could feel a knot somewhere behind a few of her belly plates begin to form. Whatever it was. Nothing good would come out of it. She could almost feel a twinge of pain on her own forehead from the number of times Arin had flicked her when they'd gotten into trouble over one of Max's own inane ideas.

"Since we are friends now." Faer continued merrily as she flew above Max, "Then you need a name, after all, it's not like I could call you 'Snake' or 'Devourer of My People', right?" Faer asked.

Um. No, both were red flags. In her limited experience here and from her previous life, sapient lifeforms did not like snakes. Period. Snakes were either dead waiting to happen or devourer and neither were options Max wanted. She had no desire to inspire fear in others, be known for her less than cordial eating habits or danger that needed to be eradicated. The whole kill-on-sight- was a bit of an issue.

Overall, dislike for snakes seemed pretty universal, heh universal Max chuckled at her unintended pun. However, the Naming. Names contained power and are powerful things. Max didn't have a name growing up. She chose her name when the social services took her away. Names were how one identified oneself and a gateway for others getting to you. Max, well She herself was a maximum kinda' girl, hence the name Max so while the thought was sweet, Max would rather not.

In fact, Max prayed to her tempestuous Sage, that names did not have power over or give power like they did in stories, and if Faer tried to name her it wouldn't stick. Max looked at the most likely early adolescent Faer practically bouncing with excitement as she flew and felt a healthy bit of fear. Please. No names.

"I will call you Scaley -Ack!" Faer yelped and dodged the pebble Max slingshotted.

"Okay, what about Snakey, sounds a bit friendlier. Ok ok ok ok nevermind, what about Tiny?"

"Sneaky?"

"Leaf?"

"Shadow?"

"Hissiel!"

"Cranky?"

"Fine. Meanie!"

"I am sorry I take it back!"

"Toothy? Urk!"

"Devourer of- Eeeek!" Faer dodged a beetle-like bug that left Max shuddering while she rolled around to get the feeling of their little claws off of her tail.

Faer finally landed, chest huffing and the clawed tip of her wings resting on her knees. She looked up at Max, "Fine," she exhaled in a long whoosh. She straightened up, alabaster cheeks colored from mostly avoiding sticks, pebbles, and even a bug.

"I think I got it this time. It fits you perfectly and you will love it." Faer said proudly, her leonine flicking back in forth. "Blackie. I will call you Blackie since you are black. See didn't I do a good..." Faer droned on but all Max could hear was Blackie echoing in her mind as the rest of the world went silent. Black. Ie? Max's eyes narrowed.

The world burst into color and Max refocused. Her new friend, now wrapped up in her coils, Max's mouth agape in preparation for the meal while Faer blubbered her apologies for trying to name her. Shocked Max let Faer go and backed up. Faster than Max had yet to see her move, Faer darted into the trees above. The sobbing hiccups twisted Max's stomach. Faer was still a kid, and Max was well, who knew she'd react so violently?

It didn't make it okay though. Max usually had an age limit for making others cry and Faer was probably under that limit. With a huff, Max slithered over to the tree where the sobbing was loudest. She hissed to see if she could get Faer's attention and maybe Max could help her calm down or something. She wasn't even sure how she would apologize.

Max grabbed a small stick and whacked it against the tree. Other than some deep hiccup-sobs that sounded uncomfortable there was no response. Ok, Max, think. Think. Think. Think! She scrunched her eyes and knocked her forehead against the tree a couple of times as if that would push her mind toward a working solution.

What.

Bonk.

Could.

Bonk.

She.

Bonk.

Do?

Bonk.

Max's azure eyes snapped open and she began to climb to the tree. She didn't get far when she heard a watery, "Don't." Max paused in case there was anything else that Faer wanted to say, but when she didn't, Max continued her ascent.

"I said don't!"

This time Faer's voice was firmer. Good. Maybe Max could irritate her new friend into speaking with her closely. Though that may be too much to ask for given what had occurred. It didn't mean that she had to let things escalate. She lost control. That was her fault. Max would have to learn not to unconsciously try to eat things that irritated her. Which sounded kind of daunting given that it just happened. One minute she was irked and the next she was trying to eat some kiddo that only wanted to help. Fixing that issue was not going to be easy.