The fact she had a last name bowled him over. That was a Living thing, the stuff all the Dead gasped for and couldn't remember and here she was, with her very own last name stuck on there like a badge, like a gold sticker, like a big arrow saying "I'm someone".

It did occur to R that she gave it to herself. Needleteeth was so weirdly specific that it couldn't be something she had when she was alive, could it?

He bit out his name, which was a lot less impressive but still his. "R".

For once he didn't drag it out, kept it nice and short. R started to flop up his hand to try to shake hers, remembered those rattling, exposed bones, and hoped Karis didn't stab him with them on accident. It wouldn't hurt - and he wouldn't be mad - but it'd be inconvenient and he was worried about what kind of impression that would make, trying to unskewer himself like he couldn't manage a simple handshake.

"...You're...Tribute?" R asked. That made him feel better, thinking there were people like him there.