[Sparrow]

Their Second Name is a book that has been slowly circulating throughout Meranthe- Typically from hand to hand, there exists a half-dozen copies in circulation though it has not quite been 'published' officially, per-say, prior to now that is. With copies of the book starting to circulate more freely and so, too do these copies find their way to meranthe's still-active libraries in time. It's more public than some other biographies- And this is intentional, on account of the authors intentions. The contents of this book will be contained here-in for ease of reading. Eventually, at-least. 

The first chapter has music, even.

Foreword and introduction

Their Second Name

My name is Elisha Arabal and this is not my story, it is, however, my story to tell by virtue of a promise I made to Them.

This book is a biography of one Kateto Espero— Or as I know them better. and as I prefer to remember them, Nightingale. My first friend. My mentor- My parent.

'It did hold meaning after all. A point of symbolism, as the nightingale was always such a beautiful bird to me. Singing their songs in the night, to make even the blackest dark not feel so scary.' —Nightingale, 2173

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When the world is at its most bleak. When good people you love die around you, we all do things we wouldn't otherwise. We make mistakes. These mistakes aren't impossible monoliths to overcome, though they may appear that way in the moment. It is never too late to turn back and do the right thing No-matter how it may feel, no-matter how it may seem. Nobody truly is beyond redemption.

If you come away from this story with only one message, please let it be this—  Please keep hope! This story is told to preserve memory and pass it on. So that others needn't despair in these same ways.

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Chapter 1: Powerlessness
Their Second Name
To be well and truly powerless is a feeling that comes about naturally in most people's lives; it's familiar to many of us. Though experienced in full by a select few. Life does not pull its punches, we are taught to be thankful for each day as it happens for the next is not guaranteed, truly nothing in life is. While often-times we have a choice in how we wish to respond to things. This is not always true. There are times such a choice is not presented, you have no option but to accept what life, or fate has forced upon you. When that choice is stripped away from you, and you lose your ability to navigate as you wish? That is when you will feel truly powerless, the feeling sinks in, deeper than marrow.

Some of us, however. Never had a choice to begin with.

Kateto Espero began their life in Goldlight, somewhere around 2125 [1] their first writings came much later than simply their birth, early on in life they despaired not having access to magic, blocked circuits from a young age made Kateto think they weren't a magi. Kids are cruel beings and they noticed this weakness within them. Forcing Kateto to learn such an adage first-hand. They suffered relentless bullying from their peers, enough to turn the stomach. Live rats would be thrust upon the felinae while they teased them jeering and laughing all the while- 'Because they were a cat', obviously. Dead birds tucked where they'd least expect to freak them out when found It grew to the point where they decided they'd rather live on the streets than within the orphanage— even in the middle of the Atrellyan invasion the treatment had grown so unbearable that they'd have rathered the streets than another day in that place.

The struggle to survive on the streets was a very real one at this point in time, so many people were falling on hard times, there were so many displaced and orphaned that a single one like Kateto saw very little chance of standing out from the crowd- They were powerless, as they had been their whole life. But the current was shifting, and their fate was changing. Kateto discovered the smallest of openings in their blocked circuits. Something they were able to open up properly with effort.

The world stretched out before their eyes, the colors shone a little more vibrant and the unseen became visible. Someone who had only known a lack was suddenly booned with excess. The powerless became the powerful.

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1 It's very hard to ask your parents these things

[Sparrow]

The contents of the book will be contained here-in for ease of reading. Eventually, at-least

 Well, let it not be said that I didn't know my own procrastination would bite me.

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Chapter 2: Friends go a long way
Their Second Name 

Have you ever simply wanted to wander? Abandon all that you've known to go elsewhere and make something brand new? I have, it's how I met them- In fact.
They did, too.

This is a chapter of first meetings and the foundations laid for the story to lie ahead, my father's first meeting with so many people who would later to go on to change their life- It started small however, Kateto abandoned their home of martyr's vigil with the discovery of their new calling, their new passion. They wished to see the world, walking the beaten, dusty roads and seeing all that it had to offer. From Dal'thala to Arcadia and even out to the shadeless deserts to the west. These travels saw them meet many others, one particular to keep in mind is one Nomul Nightfall that their journals had spoken of at length. Something like their first mentor, much like Kateto under the mein of their second name was for me- It's heart-achingly similar though these initial interactions were oh so brief things they did leave an impression upon Kateto.

Their wanders across Meranthe brought them far, they learned much and accrued some measure of personal strength along the way but it was hollow, aimless wandering. Without purpose, eventually they found something worth settling down for. A boy by the name of Aricles Alline hit things off with the young Kateto and they spoke at great lengths over their first meeting. Which itself culminated with Aricles inviting Kateto to come live with them and others on the Isle of Nilhirra, which the world-weary cat eagerly leapt upon the opportunity for stability
Within the island things started to turn around and improve, what was once aimless wandering became a community which nestled within Kateto's heart and brought them such warmth. They even found a family to call their own where once they'd had none in their adoptive mother Tate Briar [2] took them in and their heart was filled with warmth. These were good days, surrounded by friends and family, familiar faces and names that would go on to impact history in their own ways. I'm only focusing on one Kateto, today. Among them numbered names like Grey Aundeoth an at-the-time wellspring magi with a penchant for healing and complex surgeries who would be a friend of his for a long time and- eventually for myself go on to be one of the most impactful people in my life. For Kateto they were a friend, someone who they played with, talked to- and eventually worked along side, however. They were not their Mentor in the way Grey later was for me- Also within the island of was the many members of the Malibu family and, most importantly for this; their Rival. Lavenza Malibu. Though their rivalry was little more than lip-service and play in practice they did grow quite close.

It's a saying that opposites attract but that's not wholly true, in Kateto, Lavenza found a kindred soul and vice-versa. The non-binary necromancer, dual-crafter and medic mirrored Kateto in so many ways and they even helped one-another with self discovery, Kateto never particularly felt like he was a he, or she was a she. Neither felt accurate. And their understanding of it was slim. It was their conversations with Lavenza that helped shed illumination on it. They had a rival, a best friend, family, and before too long even a mentor in medicine to call their own, being introduced to one of the former Menders of Arcadia, Juniper and displaying a great talent with medicine even at this early age?

They were happy, truly.

Arcadia's town hall was popular on that day, bustling with people coming to attend the class on medicine, the last one that Kat would need to attend before they had their certification proper, even Lavenza was there to take notes, was how far the reach of the class had gone

Though that would prove to be a mistake.

"The first taste of cruelty. That's what it was— A fateful taste that would linger upon my tongue for years to come and change everything."—Kateto Espero, their fourth journal on the events of their life thus-far.
2 If anyone from the Briar family is still around I would love to get into contact, please send me a letter, Elisha Arabal

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Chapter 3: Trying is Hard
Their Second Name

It's a story I've seen and perhaps one that you've heard before. Redemption is hard and there are only so many chances some people will afford others. When that limit is reached and good people do bad things? It's one of the greatest tragedies known to me.

A midsummer day the heat bearing down outside but nestled within Arcadia's clinic all is cool, all is quiet. The lesson is ongoing and there is peace, you'd expect so from the city of such. It does not last. The door swings open with surprising force as the Arcadian militia lead by its warden comes into the clinic with their weapons at the ready, demanding for the capture of Lavenza. Kateto's rival, closest friend and for what? Their mind spun.

Good people attacking good people, if so only righteous blood would be spilled. The city of redemption sought to capture Lavenza for the crime of the magic they learned? [3] That while vile is not as insidious as a Witches Bargain. Necromancy can even be used in the treatment of wounds, to an extent! —Such was what Kateto thought, such was what they wrote about thinking while they were slowly surrounded. Guns and blades raised and a situation with rising tensions that felt much akin to that of an animal being cornered. 

Kateto was going to lash out.

Feelings rapidly flickering between confusion, indignation— And anger. The strong minty sensation of protective instinct cooled their tongue and they knew that they had to act, they had to stop this somehow, someway no-matter the cost that they would personally have to pay for it. And with that thought their hand moved on its own, around the barrel of their gun. A warding swing of its stock sends a few nearly to the ground as they dodge before the barrel is leveled towards their face- They screamed... Something, something that they cant recall. They were just so angry and it poured out into words that their mind refused to catalogue... It was there, with the leader of the militia held at gunpoint by Kateto- ears ringing and vision blurring red... Their finger so close to the trigger, eyes darting around that they suddenly heard it.

Lavenza screaming. ...Not in pain, not rebukes- But at Kateto, 'Stop-' 'Don't you dare!' ...'I will turn myself in'...

But why?

That was the last they'd ever seen of their rival and friend. Slapped in irons(and tyriums) and carted away, them turning themselves in defused the situation, not a single drop of blood was spilled in Arcadia that day

...In the following months news of their execution in Dal'thala hit Kateto's ears and it broke them, somewhere deep inside. It wasn't just them, everyone from Nilhirra felt it, though the impact was hardest on Kateto, Aricles and the Malibu family.

Kateto retreated inward, from other social ties, even those of their adoptive family. The only person who could truly reach them at this time was Aricles, the closest thing to a brother, Kateto admits— They ever had, despite this it was Kateto who would be the one to ultimately talk Aricles off a path that would eventually lead to their death. While beginning to walk it themselves at the very same time, self-sacrificial and hypocritical.

3 Their crimes are not recounted in Kateto's recollection of the events, merely their feelings... Though if the Seneschal of house Caewynn is to be believed the purpose of the capture was not-only their use of necromancy but their connection to the morningstar necromancers. They were dating the daughter of their leader while practicing it, themselves. It was far from a good-look. And "Their aptitude for half-truths most certainly did not help their appearing innocent" as said Aricles on the topic.

[Sparrow]

Chapter 4: And Falling is Scary
Their Second Name
There's few things that the desperate won't do for power. These desperate people are the preferred target of the beings known as witches. The lonely, unloved, and wounded. They lure them in not with promises of power as you'd think. There is some measure of that, of course— Meranthe is a land where the fittest survive and the weak die off. But more importantly it's the community, A found family no-matter how fake it might be.

This was a path that Kateto knew that they ought not tread, and yet. Perception cracked and split, eyes clouded with grief and rage? They didn't care. If they could burn Dal'thala down? Strike Arcadia from the worlds record for their compliance? They would have at this very moment, describing them as simply 'angry' feels like such a lacking way to describe it and yet the Common tongue has failed completely in coloring this emotive sensation in color.

There was one place Kateto had always been told not to go, by their friends, by their newfound family. And yet, in this dark time they believed that these terrible and dangerous people they'd been warned about might be more kind to them than the world which had brought only scorn, and with their Mentor abandoning them for their acts in Arcadia— And their best friend being dead? There was so little to lose.

Gemini was their mentor in the dark arts. A powerful one at that, the eventual, or perhaps at the time current Supreme of the Atrellyan sect. They inducted Kateto after demanding a tithe of five arcanium to prove their sincerity, a price which Kateto barely flinched at giving. All for their wish. To destroy Arcadia and Dal'thala for what they did, and they were told that all they had to do was—

Sign. The dotted. Line.

A black book isn't something you can be tricked into signing, your soul knows even if you don't, somehow figure it out. Having to sign it in blood does that for most. It's a willful act of evil. Despite this willful act of evil Kateto found themselves too soft to give fully to the coven, and at the same time. The powers offered, the promises of their fellows amounted to little. Revenge unsatisfied and bleeding heart pouring profusely across the floor.

"Your kindness will be your downfall" Kateto once heard from one of their coven-brothers, words that stuck like a knife in their flesh and would haunt Kateto for the rest of their lives. Because even as a witch, even with plots of revenge clouding their minds they could never hurt others with a clear heart. They always made sure their victims could be brought back to safety, or even escort them back to civilization directly for medical attention.

This does not justify what they did- Though it is a good example; that just because someone has done something wrong does not mean that they cannot come back from it. Regretting something that you've done is one of the first steps you need take.

This came to a head when one day a prisoner was dragged in by the demon-bears of Atrellya. Aricles Alline. One of Kateto's first friends- One of their best friends now.. Held captive by the Fel, and it took only the smallest of glances for them to see through Kateto's weak disguise. The first words out of their mouth? Why? Why'd you join them? Why are you doing this? You tell me not to and then go off and—! ...These aren't questions with suitable answers, Kateto knew that. And being grilled about it so made them hesitate, reconsider. Though it was all they could to eventually get Aricles out of their covens custody by whatever means made themselves available to them, and in turn Aricles turned to pull Kateto out of the darkness they'd mired themselves in. It was that mutual trust they shared, the bond that Kateto credited with being keyed to them changing their ways.

It seems hard, redemption is scary. But this was the first step, the second, and third soon after. growing closer to Lavenza's sister Maria Malibu, and talking them out of a reckless, suicidal charge against the Atreyllian fortress, Kateto felt their first taste of love, then, That new feeling. The support of their best friend, and a couple of late-night heart to hearts with their adoptive mother encouraged Kateto to turn themselves in.

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Chapter 5: You needn't forget. But you must forgive
Their Second Name
After turning themselves in Kateto found themselves collared and restricted to the lands of the Republic, Gloomlight, Goldlight and Nilhirra. Redemption was... Not all that Kateto thought it would have been. For eight years they stayed there. And for eight years others continued to rub salt in the wounds. Yes, I know I've done bad. It's why I turned myself in. And people felt the need to keep reminding Kateto of this. After admission of their guilt. After turning themselves in. After trying to turn their life around, to continue learning medicine and to practice within the republic.

It's important to not forget what someone has done. to guard yourself near them such that you don't suffer a repeat of the events. Most in Arcadia, even. Have an unofficial policy of how many times they try on someone before they give up, I've seen such with my own eyes though Koretheia herself admits that she's never given up on someone... She cannot manage Arcadia herself.

But in forgiving someone for something you lose the right to try to use it as ammunition against them later. It rubs dirt onto the person for daring to have tried to seek forgiveness, and breaks your word which should be sacrosanct. It is not good for either party. Every instance of this is a step backwards for someone trying to achieve redemption, another wound to their heart that only encourages one to go back to the Fel influence that seduced them in the first place. Kateto's eight years within the republic were filled with this. They wrote at length for this period of time. How they were spat on, kicked while they were down, unable to defend themselves properly. I saw such acts even in the modern day goldlight from the time I moved there up-until Sarina mellows took over and brought one Valdis Hiraeth into the knights to help people just like herself- Achieve that redemption. But in the past? Before that? In Valdis's case before those changes happened?. Abuse hurled at people genuinely trying to redeem themselves, chairs, too. Towards someone simply trying to change, trying to help. Some people simply don't wish to forgive, others "forgive" though perhaps the latter group is more problematic than the former.

They stewed there, rotting in what felt like a cage for such a long time. Practicing their medicine and feeling scorn even with every person they helped. It was their old mentor Nomul Nightfall that would give Kateto a suggestion to simply leave. The republic wouldn't accept their apologies so, why bother? Why stay? It was a pointed question to ask, and one that they did not have a true, suitable answer for, outside of their small group of friends and family they had little reason to truly stay, it was clear that so many would never truly forgive them... It was something that they turned over in their mind again and again, it was... Almost impossible to get it free from their mind once that seed was planted.

Tyrium, it turns out breaks surprisingly easily under the hands of an experienced artificer when they have help.

And then they were back on the run, a fugitive again traveling to the west ends of Meranthe. Within the deserts they lurked and hid and plied their trade as a medic though the hollow lack of fulfillment they felt never truly abated. A part of their soul, no-matter how small was still missing, they were left with an empty feeling that they tried to use alcohol to cope through, bear with and ignore... As if it would fill the hole left behind but it did little to aid that sensation. Wallowing in their own chemically-imbalanced misery they met Aricles again, and once again, did he pull them back from the brink, while helping a wandering poet Chevron forge a blade for their self defense the Aerodyne had found them, Kateto didn't wish to give into the pull they felt. To return to their coven. Where they would likely be welcomed, slipping back into the inky depths from which they had tried to rise. It took so much from them to resist that pull and yet... Why were they even bothering? Aricles reminded them, again. And again, as many times as it would take. They conversed for hours and eventually, their conversation culminated in the two battling for Kateto to be able to vent properly their feelings, their destructive urges and rage at their treatment.

And Aricles won, they calmed those raging emotions and they got the felinae to return to goldlight and again, turn themselves over, to repent and apologize, unlike the first time however. This seems to have worked, their next journals speak of their life as a free felinae, having moved to their grove in the shadowlands to avoid the ire of those of goldlight, there being still many among their numbers who would scorn them.

It's there that they began to foster a love for the lands. A love for the land that they taught to me in much detail.

[Sparrow]

Chapter 6: A name I never knew
Their Second Name
There is a belief in Meranthe that the Angels along with the Primordials, are problems. That only humans and humanity should be given power and any non-human forces that hold such are vile. That those forces of Vanaheim and Avalon are just as problematic as the forces of Hel, and such is true... But only when one looks at the fallen angels. Though whether it is true of all angels dubious at best, however I would like to leave aside, such a debate for the purposes of this story what matters is. That this was a mindset that Kateto would take up. That Angels are invasive to our world. That they are just as bad, just as corruptive as demons and yet quite a little bit more insidious and subtle.

In the years that followed, though lacking in reason provided. It's clear that something happened. They enjoyed their time within the shadowlands though there was a hollowness, a slight feeling of apathy settled over them. For the rest of the world at large. It was hard to bring themselves to care about it, truly. The world that had taken from them their best friend and rival. But they still plied their trade as a healer all the same, learning all they could about the healing arts and offering their services as a doctor to any who needed it regardless of affiliation. They helped many developing nations and people at this time. They wrote once in passing about helping those of Valmasa and helping the Oscuri get a foothold on the continent, having wrote in passing of doing 'much the same for soldiers of Azrael who were trapped within the Hollow World.'

They were approached by a goblin called Parasite seeking medical aid. Which Kateto provided, of course. Parasite wasn't the first and they likely wouldn't be the last to ask Kateto for such or so they wrote. The meetings between these two turned out to be a little more fruitful than initially thought. It took several of them, building trust and providing aid. And it was around this time that the grand sorceress Muse would confide in Kateto the truth of the world. The danger that Angels represented to humanity and humankind. And also, around this time...

Parasite offered the shadowlands-doctor a chance to join them. An offer oddly tempting, they wrote about knowing that they would accept before the words left their mouth. Kateto had this strange understanding of the other, and they of Kateto... It was only later, though not overlong after- that Kateto would realize that 'Parasite' was actually one of their first mentors that had come to them in disguise. Nomul Nightfall. and Kateto accepted the Fel Lord of Morningstar's offer. Kateto worked to try and unite the world, The Fel and the righteous against this threat, minimizing the damage the Fel would do and the threat they possessed while trying to organize for a united front. At the same time they began to craft a mask that would later go on to define their future persona, though at the moment they took on a different name. One given by Parasite- the vestiges and mantle of Pestilence.

A name I never knew.

Not with the goal of destroying Arcadia as it had once been, not even for a true relapse into helping the Fel actively and with their whole heart. But for the goal of trying to break humanity free from angel's shackles. Under Parasite they learned much. About artifice, about runecasting, becoming more proficient in the art... And at the same time purging the Occult from their circuits using a small part of Aquantio that they'd been gifted, came across during their earlier years. It corrupted that fragment of the tree into a seed of disharmony but Aquantio did take their pain and anger upon itself, even in this small form. It's this very property of it that they taught me, that made me wonder. And concerned for the health of the tree. Would it be able to purify the shadowlands on its own without falling to such an influence? This is my concern, that of the protege that Kateto left to fulfill their work in the shadowlands. Not relevant to our current story, however.

Under Parasite, they learned so-so much from the fel lord of Morningstar. All in an effort to push forward this goal of theirs- complete severance of the Angels from humanity. As has been revealed to me in speaking with Muse during the writing of this book. And an amending of the earlier statement printed here... While the belief that all extraplanar forces are vile is something that the city state of aetius has held since as of the earliest I know, the 2150s, the belief that this is *only* Angels, however, is one separate from Aetius's beliefs, and the one that Nightingale personally believed, at the time, that the world of Atmos where the Creator is from is connected to the Cycle- using the gradually increasing strength of mortal souls somehow for a weapon in their never-ending war. If the world exists at all in truth. It's this goal that Pestilence fought to pursue and advance. To its end they learned under Nomul, became a runecaster and made things both great and terrible under the morningstars and their former mentor... But as time went on the vice around morningstars' neck would tighten and Kateto's involvement with the sect would be found out with the fall of the Perfect Demon Indras the attention swiveled unto them and Kateto realized that the hold upon their soul was not broken. Their thoughts turned away from this goal, from aiding the Fel once again to the state of their own soul.

But it was again- Too late for such, too late to not be punished. In a somewhat ironic twist of fate they found themselves in their rivals shoes

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Chapter 7: Matters Of The Soul
Their Second Name
The Soul is a precious thing, though it's a topic of hot debate that I hope to look into more clearly to bring an illuminating beam of light unto one day. It is a precious divine engine that carries energy akin to a battery and from which miracles draw their power, from which sorcerers cast their spells and from which all our mana is drawn.

It is merely an archive, a receptacle for the memories of this life to be carried unto the other, your connection to the life-stream stems through it, and it acts as an infinite battery and source of your magic- But; And this is an opinion. Your soul is not you. Your spirit is that which comprises everything that 'you' are within this world, your memories, personality, emotions and all of that is simply the essence that makes up who you are, the soul will one day record you at the time of your death as you are- And preserve it forevermore. But it is not related to who you are as a person... And yet, the act of giving it up means that you may yet never live another life.

For memories and records are the proof of our existence, in a way it is not you, but it is the proof that you existed... A witch's contract gives up their soul to their patron, this is known... Less well known with most modern sorcerers attempting to hide such information however is the way that sorcery robs one of their souls in a more gradual, insidious way, though one with much more pointed permanence. Some call it elegant but that is only true insomuch as a loaded crossbow is... It's this connection to their soul, this pact with their patron that propelled My Parent however. Into this next stage of their life.

Kateto's concern fell predominantly to their own soul around this point, the Perfect Demon had been said to be killed- And yet... It couldn't have been? It was still alive. This was known with the cold certainty of a tombs stone. This was known because they could feel the connection they still had with the being. They sought confirmation on this to the best of their abilities, why? So that they could put the bastard demon in the ground for good. Personally if needs must. Though it was the Seneschal who would find Kateto first, the same person responsible for the death of their best friend, Lavenza. Though more accurately it was another that ended up bringing Kateto in, it was under Their will. Calyx ultimately was the one who brought Kateto under Delphina's custody

...Where they awaited sentencing but thought the matter already decided, as they confided into their journals after the fact and the Seneschal confirmed with me during an in-person interview on the topic- They very much expected the same treatment as their friend, execution by Euphradrea, dissolution by the purifying white oak as is the fate befitting those who use(d) the occult and had sold their soul off.

But that's not what happened. Our story won't be cut short by such a thing... Tiche Alline-Aubreen, the now-arcadian saint and self-redeemed morningstar undead-come-dryad fought for my parent, on their behalf... Because while serving morningstar they fought on her  behalf, for her redemption and now? It had come full circle, Aricles's daughter was the one to save Kateto this time, advocating for their potential to turn their life around for good this time. Because she of all people saw within them the same kindness that their coven-brother had all those years ago...

The kindness that supposedly would be their downfall
Became like an updraft, bringing them up and into the light.

But Kateto- No, 'Pestilence' didn't want or care about that. Bitter and soured they weren't grateful, they were spiteful and petty and angry. Scorn and spite shown to those who wanted to help them But her words did prompt the Seneschal to stay their hand for, but a moment. To speak with Kateto at greater depth. An honest conversation between the two... And it was strange. Kateto writes often here, about many things, chief among them is this- How Seneschal taught them so much over the months- years maybe. How they had come to see the Seneschal as a friend and teacher- a true equal worthy of respect. And the dissonance they then felt. This was the person who'd killed- even if indirectly. Their best friend and rival and yet. They could not bring themselves to hate the Seneschal.

Their words were considered and stewed on and over-time they...  Were released, after these lessons, after reflection. After changing suitably in Their eyes... My parent often wrote around this time, too. Of how they never could quite bring themselves to hate their homeland, either. Despite all that had happened.

Their veil as pestilence was shattered.
The name I'd never known was discarded.
And while it's not truly so...

Their 'second name' was picked out, this day. The Mein of Nightingale donned.
Who's bright songs could bring cheer and light to even the pitchest of darks.