Morningside Cuesta let's talk about u & me

Day remained standing when she rose to meet him, his head tilting curiously at this somewhat formal setting. Normally they sat or walked or tumbled around. His ears cupped toward her, intent on finding out what this was all about, and flickered only briefly at her humor to match the smile that crossed his face.

He was even more confused when she said she was taking her mother's name. It seemed very sudden, and he liked Akuti. It was familiar and sounded like Cutie when he called her 'Kuti for short - something that'd always struck him as clever, as if she'd been named solely for that purpose. But now she was Khoe - something pretty enough, he supposed, but not the same as Akuti. He knew Akuti, and he didn't know Khoe.

"That's real sweet of you to say," he said, ears tipping back in embarrassment. Here he was thinking he was a terrible father, and Akuti - Khoe - was changing her name for his parenting skills. "I'm sure she'd be proud of you, wherever she is."