Banished

Chapter 3: By Any Other Name

After the farmer had returned, they all went back to his farm in his 'pickup truck', which Loki's kids would later describe as the most terrifying experience of their lives. After having a lovely dinner with the farmer and his family (his wife Betty, son John, and daughter Mable), they were taken to the attic of the barn. There they laid on hay, and listened to the animals below them. It wasn't perfect, but Loki found it quite homie. 

Loki looked at his family. He looked at his eldest, laying by the edge, looking down below at his apparent horse-crush. That did seem to be something that ran in his DNA. Which was... Fun. He would have to talk to him about it later.

He looked at his second son, curled up, pretending to sleep. 

And at his third son, wrapped around the former like the serpent he used to be. It would take a while for any of them to get used to being Human, but it would be a lot more difficult for those three, Loki knew. 

He looked at his newly two-headed daughter(s), sitting in the corner and quietly whispering to one another. It was surprising how easily they had gotten used to that. 

His two youngest children were sitting cross-legged, and reading books that nice John boy had lent them. The farmer family really was weirdly generous, and didn't seem to care how bizarre Loki and his family were. 

Finally his gaze moved to his wife, who was laying against his chest as he stroked her hair. She looked worried, which was fair. They were in a very odd situation. How could they live as Humans? Loki wondered if they could even pass as humans, for more than a day. What would happen if the Humans found out?

This train of thought led Loki to a decision. 

"We need names," Loki suddenly said, quietly enough that not even the cows could hear, but loud enough that his family could.

"We have names." Fenrir opened one eye slightly, looking at him.

Loki shook his head slightly, "No, I mean Human names. Like me and your mom being 'Lue' and 'Susan'."

"Your father's right," Sigyn said, sitting up a bit and leaning her head against Loki's shoulder as he adjusted with her, "We can't go around using the names of Gods. People may get suspicious. Besides, we'll need a second name for Hel."

After a moment of thought, Fenrir said, "I'll be Finn, then. With two Ns." And closed his eyes again.

"I like Hannah," said Hel's right head.

"Helene still has 'Hel' in it," came her left, shrugging.

"You don't have to decide now. Take the night to think about it," Sig- Susan said.

So they all laid down and thought about what the future may hold.

When everyone woke up the next morning, the first thing Loki's youngest son said was, "we have given it a lot of thought, and we have decided that I will be Nickolas and Váli shall be Victoria."

"Nicky and Vicki for short," came his youngest daughter, smiling. Loki was quite sure when they had the time to decide this, as they had both been silently reading until they went to sleep. But he had learned long ago that, when it came to twins, there would be many things he'd never truly understand. Loki was very proud of the fact his children seemed to have such strange powers.

"Lovely choices indeed!" his wife said, smiling at their children.

Loki looked over to his eldest, who was trying to figure out how to brush his hair. Honestly, Humans did need so much maintenance! "Have you chosen your title yet, Sleip?"

"Not yet," His son frowned, dealing with a particularly difficult knot, "I just haven't been able to find one that fits..."

"Don't worry yourself too much darling," said Susan, taking the brush, and helping Sleip with his hair, "it took us months to pick your siblings' names. And I'm sure it took Loki just as long to pick yours."

Loki nodded, though it wasn't entirely true. He had spent his entire pregnancy trying to find the right name for his son, he really had! But, well... Though Loki would never admit it, he was about as good at picking names as he was at magic. In the end, he had only been able to name his son when he saw how clumsy he was, he reminded him of a kitten trying to ice skate, and Loki meant that in the best way possible. Loki was forever grateful that none of them had mentioned the fact that he had technically just picked his middle name to go by.

"I wanna be Xander, short for Alexander," his third son said, absentmindedly, as he put his somehow already brushed hair in a ponytail.

"What, why? That sounds nothing like Jörmungandr!" came Fenr- Finn, incredulously, looking up from a map.

"They both end in a 'ander' sound. Besides, I like Xander." Shrugged Xander. 

"No! You have to pick something starting with J or with its sound!" his second son complained. Then, pointing at a spot on his map he added, "What about Jordan? Jordan sounds nice."

"Your brother can pick whatever name he wants. Xander is a lovely name," Loki said proudly. He quite liked the odd name. It was very different and similar to his old one, in different ways. Quite unique indeed.

"Fine. I apologize. I suppose it does fit you brother." Finn sighed. He looked to his older brother and asked, "Will you be keeping your S initial?"

Sleipnir thought for a moment, then said, "I do like the sound. Yes, whatever name i choose will start with an S."

Loki had heard his eldest repeating different names to himself throughout the night, regardless of what they began with. He doubted his son was really stuck on the letter, as much as he just wanted to make his brother happy. Loki had always been so proud of his son for how much he cared about his siblings. Of course, if he was going to pick a name he didn't like, just for someone else's sake, Loki would stop him. But Loki really did think this would simply help him narrow down his choices.

Just then, they heard the sound of the barn door open, then farmer Jack's voice called up, "Mornin'' y'all! Ma wife made flapjacks for breakfast, if y'all wanna join us?"

"We would love to join you," Loki's wife responded, "we'll be down in just a moment!"

As they heard the barn door close, Loki looked at his oldest son. "If you're sure about keeping the same initials, then let's stick with calling you S.L. until you decide?"

"Works for me." Sleipnir shrugged.

And that was the end of that, for the time being.

So everyone quickly finished getting ready and headed down to eat.