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The battle had been hard-fought, but Nezha had a feeling that what was about to come would be ten times harder.
Putting down a horde of screaming fire demons? Check.
Guarding a map for a millenia or two? No problem.
Remembering the names and correct forms of address for each of his former enemies?
Impossible.
However, the child had insisted on him spending time with the group, so now he had been invited to a ‘picnic’.
He recited everyone’s names mentally.
Big blue guy, Sandy. Rivers have sand.
Pig guy, Pigsy. Easy.
Sun Wukong? Hard to forget the guy who shoved you through the crust of the earth.
But the others?
The little blue cat?
The scholar with the cane?
He couldn’t remember their names if his life depended on it.
“Prince Nezha?”
It was Wukong’s successor who spoke.
“You’re panicking.”
Nezha forced a smile.
“Whatever do you mean?” Had he truly been so obvious?
“I’ve gotten used to how immortals hide their bad emotions.” The child took a bite of his sandwich, one eyebrow raised as he chewed.
“Bad-?”
The child shrugged.
“With Macaque, he gets more moody than usual, and Monkey King can never keep eye contact. I’m noticing that you fidget with your tunic.”
Nezha looked down, then let go of his tunic’s careworn hem.
“Apologies.”
The child looked annoyed.
“No, I’m not saying hide your emotions! That’s the exact opposite of what I’m telling you to do!”
He finished his sandwich then stuffed the wrapper into his pocket.
“I’m asking you to tell me what’s bothering you.”
“I suppose… I’m rather bad with names and faces. In a formal setting, that does not track well.” He took a deep breath. “I am often known as the least focused of my brothers, because I can’t remember names and put them to faces easily.”
He shook his head, trying to shake the memories of shaming his brothers through his simple ignorance. “I am worried that I will shame someone, and they will hold a grudge against me as a result.”
The child nodded and patted Nezha on the shoulder. “Oh, yeah, that’s a big mood”
“A.. what?”
The child shrugged. “My point is, don’t worry about names, or about being formal.”
He gestured to the others, who were already gathering their food.
“No one will judge you if you get something wrong.”