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

[lethechained]

[ There's that word - the 'friend' word. She's more able to accept it these days, but-- ]

I don't know if I could say that, exactly.
He and I only just met the other day.

[ ... Although, reading that back, she feels the need to amend, ]

Not that we couldn't be friends in the future, that is.

[ There, that's... better, she thinks? Anyhow, ]

When we met I was trapped in one of the bubbles from the fountain.
It wouldn't stop rolling down a hill with me inside, and he stepped in to stop it.
If he hadn't I'm not sure what would have happened, so I'm very grateful.

[crouching_sin]

I see. He's that type of person - the one who helps others. He's alwayhs been that way.

I'm Naoya, if it wasn't obvious. He's my little cousin, but we were raised together.

[lethechained]

He and I haven't spoken much, but I thought that might be the case.

[ Kind of hard to miss the hero vibes, considering how they met. ]

It's nice to meet you, Naoya. My name is Naminé.
It's lucky that you're here together too, then. Are the two of you close?

[crouching_sin]

We were raised together - his parents took me in when I was young. So yes, we're close.

[lethechained]

[ There's a thoughtful little pinch in her brow as she compares what he says to Kazuya's apparent demeanor in her other messages. Maybe they just like to poke fun at each other, as close friends (or in this case family) do. ]

I'm glad. It's important to have people you can depend on here.
Not that that isn't true everywhere, but things can get a little overwhelming at times.

[ Of course, in comparison to her previous world - well, anyway, it doesn't bear talking about. ]

Although now that I think about it, you might have found that out already.
I know you mentioned he'd just arrived, but have you been here long?

[crouching_sin]

I've been here a few months. Not too terribly long, but enough to start to get my bearings and a grasp on the world at large here.

[lethechained]

[ Initially, she feels rather positively about that answer, since it means he'll be settled enough to help out a relative who's just arrived, surely--

But then she does a little math in her head and pauses. ]

I see. Were you here when the Story Eater caused all of that trouble?

[crouching_sin]

No, I showed up just after that incident, it seems.

[lethechained]

[ Phew. ]

That's a relief.
I'm sure it wouldn't have made the best first impression.

[ Not that the aftermath was likely a great one either, but there are degrees. ]