Happy Birthday, Dork | Backdated to August 31

[crouching_sin]

Sender: Naoya
To: Everyone
Subject: Birthday boy

My cousin, who recently arrived, has a birthday today. Wishing him a happy birthday is encouraged.

He's 18 now after all. In many places that makes you an adult, Kazuya.

Yes, I know you can see me writing this.

Comments

[crouching_sin]

It's appreciated. He's new here, so I thought this might help him make friends.

[untwisted]

That's a great idea! He's lucky to have you around to help him.

[crouching_sin]

It's the least I can do for my little cousin. He's good with people, but it's hard if you don't know anyone, hm?

[untwisted]

Exactly! I try to do the same for the people I'm close to who have trouble reaching out.

[belheir]

I don't have trouble reaching out!!! I have more friends than he does!

[untwisted]

Oh, you do? That's probably not true around here just yet, though.

And it sounds like you can help him out, too!

[belheir]

I can make friends on my own just fine without his help. I'm way more personable than him anyway.

I'm definitely not helping him make friends.

[untwisted]

But it must be nice to get a head start on it!

He'd have more people to talk to too if you did.

[belheir]

This is not my ideal way of making friends.

Also that's not my concern. Or his, probably. Like I said, I'm more personable than him, and that means he's a recluse.

[untwisted]

Talking to people isn't? Or, well, writing in this case. How do you like to make friends?

Well, everyone has different amounts they're comfortable with. As long as you at least have a few people you care about, it's fine!

[belheir]

It's not talking- or writing to people. It's the whole being forced into the spotlight thing that I don't like. It's better to make friends with people you have common interests with, isn't it? Not that you can't hit it off with a random person, but having something in common with someone helps.

[untwisted]

Oh, yes, that's a good point. It doesn't help to be very uncomfortable in situations like this. You still need to find out if you have something in common somehow, though.

[belheir]

You usually find out if you have something in common with someone pretty quick, at least. Either because you're doing something you enjoy when they approach you or they're doing something you enjoy.

[crouching_sin]

He's still a teenager, he needs support.

[untwisted]

Yes. I'm very familiar with how important it is for teenagers to have friends. Especially ones their own age.

[crouching_sin]

We're not so far apart in age, but I don't want him hanging around me all of the time and I don't think he wants that, either.

[untwisted]

Probably. It's nice to have someone you can count on, but it's also important to be independent. It sounds like you really know what to do for him.

[crouching_sin]

Of course. It's my job as an older family member to take care of him, after all.

[untwisted]

I had to do that myself, so I understand completely!

[crouching_sin]

Oh? Are they here with you?

[untwisted]

No. I'd like to see him, but it's all right.

[He's a an issue or two that she hasn't been able to address for a few thousand years...]

[crouching_sin]

That's a shame. Family can often make things more entertaining.

[untwisted]

They can, yes. I think meeting new people can be just as interesting though.