#gideonastasia navagraha

[toweringclam]

I found a way to split the difference between "Gideon sacrifices herself for Harrow in every universe" and "perspective switch in the second book because previous MC died" in the Harrow Nova AU.

At the end of the first book, Harrow would force Gideon's hand to absorb her soul, but it would be less about self-sacrifice than "this is the only way I'll ever reclaim my birthright as a necromancer." Same outcome, different motive.

However, in the second book, she wouldn't be dead. Only mostly dead. Her soul isn't in her body, but her body is still functioning fine. Better than fine, even. Her death-wounds healed themselves, and, despite being in a vegetative state, her muscles haven't atrophied one bit.

This is because Gideon is hemorrhaging thalergy, just like Anastasia was before they euthanized Samael. Gideon has made Jod promise not to do that and to explore other options, but in the meantime, she's slowly dying just to keep Harrow's corpse breathing. Gideon is still sacrificing herself, but by inches.

[toweringclam]

In the Novaverse, her full name is Gideonastasia Navagraha. She was originally given the name Gideon Nav, but when she was officially adopted, both her names were expanded to reflect her station.

Navagraha is a term from Vedic astrology, referring to the nine celestial bodies (not planets). It doesn't share an arithmonym with either of her parents to reflect her outsider status. This is even further reinforced by the fact that it's four syllables, while most Reverand Family second names are 5 or 7 syllables. It's a name that says, "You are very special and important, but we could still replace you if a better option came around."

Gideonastasia is one of those double-barreled names. The suffix, referencing founder Anastasia, is staking claim on her as a member of the Ninth. She absolutely hates it and has been known to lock herself in her room for a week if someone uses her full name instead of just Gideon.

[chilly-weirdo-in-a-tomb]

Honestly that’s so much better than the name I came up with while trying to write a Nova au fic.

In the Novaverse, her full name is Gideonastasia Navagraha. She was originally given the name Gideon Nav, but when she was officially adopted, both her names were expanded to reflect her station.

Navagraha is a term from Vedic astrology, referring to the nine celestial bodies (not planets). It doesn't share an arithmonym with either of her parents to reflect her outsider status. This is even further reinforced by the fact that it's four syllables, while most Reverand Family second names are 5 or 7 syllables. It's a name that says, "You are very special and important, but we could still replace you if a better option came around."

Gideonastasia is one of those double-barreled names. The suffix, referencing founder Anastasia, is staking claim on her as a member of the Ninth. She absolutely hates it and has been known to lock herself in her room for a week if someone uses her full name instead of just Gideon.

[toweringclam]

Also, I feel like Harrow having a mental breakdown while Gideon is falling apart physically is a good symmetry for book 2

I found a way to split the difference between "Gideon sacrifices herself for Harrow in every universe" and "perspective switch in the second book because previous MC died" in the Harrow Nova AU.

At the end of the first book, Harrow would force Gideon's hand to absorb her soul, but it would be less about self-sacrifice than "this is the only way I'll ever reclaim my birthright as a necromancer." Same outcome, different motive.

However, in the second book, she wouldn't be dead. Only mostly dead. Her soul isn't in her body, but her body is still functioning fine. Better than fine, even. Her death-wounds healed themselves, and, despite being in a vegetative state, her muscles haven't atrophied one bit.

This is because Gideon is hemorrhaging thalergy, just like Anastasia was before they euthanized Samael. Gideon has made Jod promise not to do that and to explore other options, but in the meantime, she's slowly dying just to keep Harrow's corpse breathing. Gideon is still sacrificing herself, but by inches.