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

[whatsamada]

Do I dare ask?

[belheir]

He ruined my summer vacation entirely.

[whatsamada]

How so?

If you don't mind me asking.

[belheir]

The short story is that he took a job from a cult and I got dragged into his mess.

[whatsamada]

Oh.

...I hope he's no longer in the cult.

[crouching_sin]

I was never in the cult, I was an outside contractor.

[whatsamada]

...That doesn't make things any better.

[crouching_sin]

Why not?

[whatsamada]

Because it makes me wonder why you joined up with them in the first place.

[crouching_sin]

1. They paid quite well.
2. Our goals didn't conflict for the most part.
3. They were powerful enough to have resources.
4. Certain key members of the group were easily influenced.

[whatsamada]

...

Still doesn't make it any better. Although, I'm surprised that you managed to get out in one piece.

[crouching_sin]

I mean it helps when the founder of it dies.

But I don't know that they were ever going to really stick around long-term.

[whatsamada]

Yeah but I've heard how difficult it is to get out of cults. No matter if it's long-term or not.

[belheir]

I don't think he was in the cult so much as just working for them, but it was pretty obnoxious to deal with all the same.

Actually I don't think he would have joined the cult anyway, now that I think about it.

[whatsamada]

...Isn't working for them just the same? Even if he didn't join them.

[belheir]

Nah. People work for people they don't agree with all the time.

[whatsamada]

I suppose not...

Still, it makes me wonder why he felt the need to join it.

[belheir]

I mean they were a cult, so they probably paid well.

[... On top of other reasons.]

[whatsamada]

I guess it always will be the money. That's a shame...

Don't people know how dangerous cults are?

[belheir]

Very dangerous. It ended up... mostly alright though, I guess.

Some of their members ended up being pretty nice people. I ended up making friends with their priestess and she was pretty cool once she stopped being part of said cult.

[whatsamada]

At least that's good. I'm glad to know there are some people there that did turn out for the better.

By the way, I think I'm at where you are now.

[Followed by some knocking at said door.]

[belheir]

[ He's not even going to respond to that text since he hears that knock and he's going to go open up the door!

Hello, partner in crime. ]

Welcome to Naoya's house. None of the decor is mine, and I sleep on the couch.

[ Which is the ugliest orange one could possibly imagine.

He motions for Ken to come inside. ]

[whatsamada]

[The moment that he stepped inside, he had to raise an eyebrow at said orange couch. While he shouldn't be one to judge someone's house, he had to wonder.]

That is quite an interesting place you sleep. Although, why wouldn't he let you sleep on a bed? Or made something else that could be one?

[Because sleeping on a couch isn't exactly too welcoming for a family member.]

[belheir]

That's actually my fault, not his. I just haven't bothered to look for a bed, and there's no way I'd let him get or make me one.

[ Not that Naoya couldn't, but he'd rather do it himself.

Eventually. ]

I'll get around to it eventually. Or just steal his bed. Whichever comes first.

[whatsamada]

You sure that's a good idea? Especially when you say that he's a bit of a jerk...

[Because why would you attempt to steal said bed from someone who may or may not care about you??]