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Chosen bit his lip and tapped his feet as he sat in the wooden chair, Dark sitting in his lap and only squirming occasionally.
The waiting room was a small one, walls painted gray and the wooden floor a rich deep brown.
A water cooler gurgled as King got a cup of water and brought it over to Chosen.
Chosen nodded thanks and took it, quickly taking a sip before offering it to Dark, who shook his head.
A small oscillating fan high up on the wall made the leaves of a jade plant in the corner shake.
“We’ll be right there with you,” Purple said quietly from Chosen’s left. “You answered everything on the forms the way you were supposed to.”
Chosen gazed again at the round blue clock on the wall and let out a long sigh before draining the cup.
“Thank you.”
A door opened and a tall, deep gray pseudo-Hollowhead Stick with black glasses stepped out.
”Come in, please,” he said, and Chosen nodded, picking Dark up and walking into the somewhat larger room that had an oak desk with a computer and a keyboard.
Chosen eyed one of the three chairs in front of the desk.
”Thank you all for waiting,” the Stick said, gesturing for them to sit down; once they were sitting down he took a seat. “My name is Shadow.”
He looked at the computer for a moment before turning back to look at Chosen.
“Now, your current full names are The Chosen One and The Dark Lord, correct?”
Chosen nodded, trying not to tap his feet.
”You said your situation was a bit complex,” Shadow said, adjusting his glasses, “but I’ll do my best to make the name-changing process for the both of you as smooth as possible.”
He glanced at Dark, who waved both arms, causing Shadow to chuckle and wave back.
”So you’d like your new names to be Onyx and Ruby.”
”Right,” Chosen said. “Are they taken?”
”There are countless Sticks who have the same names,” Shadow said. “It’s quite common. The most trouble it will cause is slight confusion if someone in the room happens to have the same name.”
Chosen nodded.
”You live on your User’s computer most of the time?” Shadow asked. “Is he your Creator as well?”
”Yes,” Chosen said.
”Is he a danger to you and Dark?”
”No, he’s not,” Chosen said. “I want to get our names changed so we’ll be more like the other Sticks with color names. Our original names are too intimidating.”
”I understand,” Shadow said with a nod. “The names many Users come up with for their Sticks make it difficult for them to get along in everyday life. It’s a big step to pick a new name.”
Shadow pulled out a folder and flicked it open, taking out several forms.
”Well, the forms look good,” he said with a nod. “I just need to sign these and I’ll send them along to the courthouse, and after it’s approved, they’ll mail an ID to you that will bear your photo, new name and information like your data type and date of birth.”
”Does Dark need an ID?” Chosen asked.
”We’ll send an ID for him too,” Shadow said. “You’ll need to update your ID cards every few years. When Dark’s a teenager he may want to learn to drive, and he’ll get a driver’s license that will have the same information on it as a Stick City ID.”
”What about library cards?” Chosen questioned.
”Ah,” Shadow said. “Well, after the name change goes through, you can go to the Stick City library and get them printed. It doesn’t take very long.”
Dark reached for a pen on the desk, but Chosen slid it over to Shadow.
”That’s not ours, Dark,” Chosen said. “Let’s leave it alone.”
He looked nervously at Shadow.
”Sorry about that,” he said.
”It’s alright,” Shadow chuckled. “So, after I send the forms in and they’re reviewed, you’ll be called in to the court to have them officially approved or denied, though most requests for name changes are approved, especially for User-created Sticks. Dark should come, and your friends if you like, though they’ll wait just outside the room. The judge will sign the forms, give you copies for your records, and that’ll be it. You’ll get your ID about two to three weeks after that.”
Chosen glanced at Purple and King, who nodded reassuringly.
”Do you have any other questions?” Shadow asked.
”No, I don’t think so,” Chosen said.
”That’s it for now, then,” Shadow said. “If any questions arise, feel free to call anytime you like. It can be a nerve-wracking process so I’m here to help any way I can.”
Chosen nodded and stood up, watching as Shadow pulled a manila folder from his desk.
”I’ll get right on to sending them,” he said. “You should get a call in at least two to four weeks. Sometimes things are busy but with luck you won’t be waiting too long.”
”Sounds good,” Chosen said. “Thank you.”
”My pleasure,” Shadow said. “You all have a good one.”
Chosen nodded and strode from the office, and from there he quickly headed down the stairs, taking a deep breath when he made it outside.
”Good job,” Purple said, patting Chosen gently on the shoulder. “Now just one more big step.”
“Yeah,” Chosen sighed heavily.
”I think we should get ice cream,” King said. “To celebrate and because it’s summer.”
”Ice cream!” Dark exclaimed, flapping his arms happily.
”And I’ll pay so you two don’t argue over it,” Purple laughed.
Dark giggled.
”Thanks, Purple,” Chosen said. “And thanks for coming with me. I don’t think I could’ve gone in there alone.”
”No problem!” Purple said.
”Happy to help,” King said.
”Ice cream!” Dark repeated insistently.
”Okay, we’ll go get ice cream,” Chosen said, putting Dark down and taking his hand. “You excited about your new name?”
”Yeah!” Dark chimed.
”I’m glad,” Chosen said. “It’ll be weird for a while, but I think it’ll be a good change for us.”