text | un: anonymous

[possessum]

( This is not Peter Graham, though of course, posting anonymously takes away that possibility. The user didn't want to use the boy's network handle, to inevitably be seen through the filter of "Not Peter."

The user is trying to define his own identity. )

why did you choose your title here on this THING
what is the meaning
?
?

( ...Texting is still something he struggles with, though the demon has been watching and learning and forming his own conclusions on how to do it. Autocorrect is a life-saver. Two questions get two question marks. ....Even if they go in the wrong place. )

i will grant you a
GOLDEN COIN
if you
RESPOND

( ...For those who know Paimon fairly well, that particular offer of exchange might betray who he is. But the demon of Knowledge is curious to hear reasons, and within them: perhaps stories, memories, self-perceptions. There is a meaning to everything, whether simple or complex.

And perhaps by the end of it, he will know what title he would give himself, here on the network. )

Comments

Voice; un: ...

[opress]

Names are given not chosen.

[At least, that was true in his culture and from his experiences. He didn't choose his name or what others called him.]

[possessum]

( Now this rings true in the demon king, as well. A name is an extremely powerful thing, and for what he is, names and titles are not something that can be forged on one's own. )

i have found it strange that people are able to choose their titles here
but it seems to be something humans do

( He's seen... snippets of it from his host. Peter had something called "Facebook" and "Twitter", and he was able to choose his titles there, too. )

is that why you have not chosen one for yourself
?

text, un: GoldenFlowers

[the_obedient_servant]

When I died they buried me beneath a bed of buttercups. I also died of eating buttercups which are a golden flower, and requested that my body be taken to the surface to see the flowers in my home village.

You shouldn't offer your gold so easily, Paimon. Others might take advantage of your generosity without really offering anything in return.

private

[possessum]

( Paimon recognises Chara's username here, and there's a thrum of excitement to be speaking with them again. He does have the thought to switch to private, so he can speak freely. )

you knew it was me
but it is all right
i am obtaining information in exchange
i am learning many things

you do not mind being reminded of your death
each time you see your title here
?

text | un: deku

[wannasmash]

It's my Hero name. Makes it easier for people to contact me if they need help. Uh, a Hero name is like... well, part of my job, and it's like a codename? or a stage name?

[possessum]

( This is a very helpful answer! Explained in a way that makes sense to him. )

i under stand
that is use ful
and good

( He enjoys giving praise for all this assistance... and eager to learn more. "Deku" isn't a term whose meaning he's familiar with. )

does it have a MEANING
the word
DEKU
?
?

Text - un: Uravity

[floatsaway]

It's a play on my last name and the word "GRAVITY".

Uraraka + Gravity = Uravity

[Vague enough to not give too many details about herself, but still a polite and honest answer nonetheless. Give ya girl that hot hot dollar, my good chap.]

[possessum]

( This is another very helpful response...! Things are spelled out and shaped in a way he can understand, and the demon king finds he quite likes this username. A combination of words, a way to protect one's identity by not giving their full last name.... )

i under stand
this is a very WISE title
thank you for your WISDOM

( He's enjoying praising these helpful folks. )

i can deliver your REWARD
or
i can make it appear in your home
if you will send me the picture of its outsides

Text UN: ClickClickBloom

[onekindsoul]

I've had a lot on here I've changed it up a few times.

My current one lyrics to a song I heard in the dream. But I added a bloom to it instead of a boom because I'm kind of flowery.

[possessum]

do you change it because you wish to keep your identity
MYSTERIOUS
?

text; un: lady

[dohaeris]

[something about the wording of this feels familiar.]

It is a title that has always been granted to me, and the name of my very best friend.

I have thought that I might change it to have my true name, but I like that my friends know it is me anyway.

[possessum]

i under stand
it is a good title
it is WISE
it may be dangerous to use your true name
because
there is POWER in names

text | un: valravn

[warminded]

[...Hm.]

A supernatural raven mentioned in old pre-Golden Age tales. Some accounts describe it as half raven, half wolf.

The Raven is one of my titles.

[And wolves are a symbol of the Iron Lords.]

It seemed fitting.

[possessum]

( Oh... This is all extremely interesting. The demon king's perking up on his end, absorbing what information he is given, and filled with more questions. It seems that whomever he is speaking to is of Importance. )

you have many titles
is this the one you most
IDENTIFY with
?
?

( The concept is certainly relevant to why he made this post at all. )

text | un: echo

[individualized]

It is my name. It said "user's name". It seemed very simple.

[possessum]

i under stand
it is simple
but i have learned that many people choose TITLES for them selves
that are not their names
if you did not use your name
what TITLE would you use
?

( Getting philosophical... )

text | un: lyra

[sleepinglyra]

Keep the gold. Instead how about an exchange of information? Why did you choose anonymous?

My title is a riddle in the shape of a symbol I chose for myself. It's a reminder that I can overcome any obstacles the world throws at me.

[possessum]

i do not have my own TITLE on the net work THING
but i am trying to find one

( A riddle... That's a new one so far, and it certainly piques his interest. )

yours is a reminder of some thing important to you
i under stand
does it make you feel
HAPPINESS
?

<ren>

[dyaddyissues]

Because it asked for a title, and so I gave it one.

[possessum]

how did you decide which TITLE to give
?

text | un: quibbler

[creidim]

[ Information in exchange for granting a gold coin? Of course she knows it's Paimon even without going to find him in person. Still, she'll play along, even if he'll know what her username might mean; she's shown Peter some old copies of The Quibbler from the bottom of her school trunk, after all. ]

"Quibbler" is the name of my father's magazine. It's the alternative voice of the press back home.

And to "quibble" means to argue.

[possessum]

( It's Luna........! Paimon's certainly very thrilled to see her comment to his first-ever public post, even if it was made anonymously. And while he might be familiar with her "title" here, the response still gives him plenty to think on. )

did you choose it because it makes you think of your father
because it is a HAPPY thing to think about
?
?

private; un: ushiromiya

[entreats]

[ It's instantly obvious to Ange who this is. Between the way of writing, and the offer of the gold coin? It doesn't take a genius.

At least she's kind enough to private this, rather than publically outing him. ]

Paimon, do you want to have your own username on here? Different from Peter's?

You could just use your name, you know. Unless you feel like there's something wrong with that.

private

[possessum]

( Ange is here! He immediately recognises the username, and of course she's so wise as to know it's him.... and also exactly what he's after, here. )

yes i wish to have my own TITLE on this THING
i have been using his but it is not accurate
i am not graham crackers

( And he's starting to really communicate with people more on this thing... It's important people know that he is Not Peter, but also that he is more than just that. )

i must not wear my true name too freely
or else some one may try to MANIPULATE me

un: aquila

[grice]

[ .... paimon? no. unless—??? ]

It used to be just my name. I changed it to the word for "eagle".

[possessum]

why did you decide to change it
do you identify as EAGLE more now than your name
?
?

Text; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul has a suspicion he knows who this is asking (the mention of giving a gold coin in a dead giveaway) so he'll give a serious answer instead of a flippant one.]

It is because I am on the Dark Side of the Force. Some think being affiliated with that side means that one is automatically evil but that is just not so. Darkness can easily be good just as easily as it might be evil. So the name on here tells people who and what they are dealing with right away.

[possessum]

( Paimon's certainly well-acquainted with Maul's concept of "darkness", and has always agreed with and appreciated that perspective. It's interesting that he would choose it to represent him, and it makes much sense to the demon. )

it is a very good TITLE
very WISE
i believe i would also enjoy a TITLE that is similar

text; illiana

[spiritwalks]

I have taken many network titles over the years

🤘 rockhard - triple entendre to match with my best friend, metalhead69. changed it when I realized there were kids here on this THING

🦌 cariboy - my son called me Caribou Boy the first time we met. thinking of him made me smile 🌳

👩‍🦳 vyng - the name my mother gave me. went back to the basics after I gave up my ability to shapeshift into animals

🌰 nuttman - to match my friend, the amazing BUTTMAN 🍑🍑🍑 until he actually read his username and changed it to something "respectable"

💥 🙌 zing - part of a joke I made at somebody else's expense

🤷‍♀️ zig zag - got tired of "zing", was also having an existential crisis

🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ zing zang - play on words with my birth name. (similar vibes to "zig zag" but more personal and less obvious)

😜 zing zang voombah - butchered version of my full birth name that I don't use much anymore



I was stuck on that last one for awhile. But your question made me re-think a few things.

From henceforth, illiana shall be my new title*

*Subject to change, but I'm feeling good about this one, guys

[possessum]

( He understands hardly any of this! And it's extremely interesting!! Anything unknown is a puzzle to be solved, and this person has certainly given him many puzzles.... Also he thrives off of Busy Energy and Zappy Words.

(There is one thing he understands, albeit in the wrong context, because he very much enjoys collecting them—) )

🌰 that is an acorn
i like it
nuttman is a very good TITLE

( Mmmmm Paimon no.... )

do you change your TITLE so much because you wish to make a mystery of your IDENTITY
or is it because you are evolving
?
?

[Text] un: QueenCobra

[abornfighter]

Queen Cobra was a title the announcer gave me at a big karate tournament. I was fighting for the Cobra Kai dojo.

But instead of the coin, you can answer a question for me in return.

Why do you want to know about the names people use on the network?

[possessum]

( He ordinarily might not agree to change the terms he's presented so easily, but this is someone with a queen title...! It's very exciting, even if he hasn't had the greatest experience with Cobra Kai. Paimon doesn't really understand how karate works regardless. )

i am trying to find my own TITLE for the net work
so i am gathering information from others

it is a good TITLE
did you choose to use it because it makes you feel HAPPINESS
?

( Trying to make sense of emotions is also a part of his curiosities. )

Text | un: londonstar

[slightlytaller]

It's one of many ridiculous nicknames that one of my students in my home has given me. I previously used the other part of the nickname-- bigben -- but it left the wrong impression and led to an awkward confrontation on the network.

A contact I met in Trench advised me to beat my student to the punch and just use it whether or not he comes to shore.

If you're looking to give yourself a net handle, my advice is to not reveal your name if you don't have to.

Just pick something comfortable, intriguing, or familiar.

Also: don't just offer gold to strangers. Its not necessary and people might abuse that privilege... As we've already seen in the public conversations here.

Both of these tidbits are free. I don't need gold.

[possessum]

i see
it seems that these TITLES can cause discord
they must be selected carefully

yes it is not WISE to reveal a name
there is power in names

( His type of demon certainly functions that way — he can be summoned by those with magic powerful enough to do so. If the wrong person were to get ahold of his name... well. He's extremely careful who he divulges it to. )

i am gathering information in return
it is exchange
some thing must be given in return for some thing taken

( But there's a pause. He hadn't thought anyone here has abused it, but has someone else perceived it that way...? He's curious to hear this person's thoughts on it. Paimon is well aware he's been used by humans in the past, so the thought doesn't rest easy in him. )

you have seen some one abuse it here?

text; un: firefly

[melodyofsilence]

My name means "firefly" (Hotaru) in Japanese. It's believed that fireflies are the altered form of soldiers who have died in war, which suits me in a way. Some also believe that they represent the cycle of life, death, and rebirth and is also suitable to life here in Trench.

[possessum]

( Oh... this is very helpful, and also very interesting! He definitely enjoys reading this response. )

thank you this answer is very WISE
i believe i know fireflies and i believe i like them
they look like

( He has to think about it for a few moments. It's a memory that doesn't entirely belong to him, but to someone else. Eventually it comes, the shape and feel of them. )

tiny lanterns
?

text | un: inkmetal

[inkedspell]

It's the name of my guild back home, simple as that.

[possessum]

( It feels like a term he was once familiar with, something old and important, but he's forgotten so many things. )

what is a guild
?

text; un: asogi

[truerevival]

Simple enough. It's my family name, and I was new to using such things. Simplicity and ease seemed the most logical means that choose a name.

I'm not quite sure what I would do with that gold coin, though.

[possessum]

( It's another very informative answer — some have chosen their usernames based on emotion, feeling: a good memory. Others, something that's simple and logical, like this. )

i under stand thank you for your WISDOM

( The demon of Knowledge is happy to praise anyone who answers in such clear ways. )

it can be traded because it is shiny

( There may be no monetary worth in it here, but the Trench locals do so love shiny things, and in that way, it's still quite useful for bartering. But coins don't have to be the shape of it— )

or i can make it into some thing else
not a coin
flower
tool
insect

text; un: imyarek

[unsheathedfromreality]

It is a placeholder name until someone chooses another to refer to me. I then go by their preference.

Names are better given than chosen, to my people.

[possessum]

( Ahhhh... Now this is interesting. For the demon king has no memory of ever choosing his own titles and names (and there are many). They have simply always existed — but why? Who granted them? Was it his Lord Lucifer, or some thing else?

And even here and now for something so simple as a username, Paimon struggles deeply with the concept of choosing one for himself. It feels.. almost wrong.

This stranger has certainly captivated his attention. )

can any one give you a name
or do they have to be

( There's a lengthy pause as he tries to find the right word, the right shape. )

special
?
?

text; un: harbinger

[bolstafir]

it's the same name as my weapon
thought it sounded cool

[It's also an oblique reference to his semblance which he hates, but he's not nearly comfortable talking about that openly on the network. But he's curious about this, so:]

what brought this on?

[possessum]

( He has forgotten many things, many words, but this is not one. )

harbinger
something that will happen
a storm roll ing closer

( ....He knows how hold a normal conversation, clearly. )

i do not have my own TITLE here
it is not easy
i am gathering information from others

Text; un: Seeingtheworld

[schoolingfish]

i picked 'seeingtheworld' because my dream is to see the world!

[possessum]

( Ah...! This is a nice answer. It makes sense, and he understands it. But of course Paimon is filled with ever more questions. )

this world
or another
?
?

text; un: rosestorm

[thunderingcourage]

Rose storm? Well, it's because a rose is my favorite flower, specifically pink ones. And I just added storm because of the turbulent winds and electricity that they have. It sounded pretty but is kind of tough too.

[possessum]

( Yet another intriguing response! Paimon is very pleased for all of this to chew on. And by now he's seen some others form usernames much like this — combining words and concepts together into something new. )

roses are very nice i like them also

is that how you see your self
or how you wish others to see you
?
?

( Getting philosophical.... )