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]

I meant the jerk part.

Although, I never assumed you didn't care about people.

[crouching_sin]

A usually equals B to most people, but fair enough.

I do care about him, for the record.

[... In a way, at least.]

[whatsamada]

I know. You two are family, aren't you?

So you would have to care about him. Or at least in your own way at least

[crouching_sin]

Well, family doesn't have to care about each other. It's better when they do, however.

[whatsamada]

You make it sound like it's a bad thing to care.

[crouching_sin]

Sometimes it can be.

[whatsamada]

Yes it can but it's not always a bad thing. It can be good when it gives you a reason to protect someone.

[crouching_sin]

And I assume you have people like that?

[whatsamada]

Yes, more than I can count on both of my hands. And I have learned a lot from them too.

[crouching_sin]

How lucky for you.

You can be sure that having anyone like that is rare. Having that many even more so.

[whatsamada]

Let's just say that my friends and I went through a lot. That's how we made sure to protect one another no matter what.

I FEEL SO BAD I'M SORRY KEN

[crouching_sin]

How nice for you. To have people you can rely on entirely.

While I care about my cousin, it's not the same.

[not here AGAIN]

[belheir]

[... He genuinely has no clue if this is a positive or a negative comment about him.]

HOW DARE HE

[whatsamada]

...I feel like there is something I don't understand.

Is there a reason why?

[crouching_sin]

It's Complicated.

And I don't really feel like explaining. But suffice it to say that we have a unique relationship.

[whatsamada]

...

I think I can understand. Just a little. But I just hope that the both of you can get along someday.

[crouching_sin]

We get along fine. He's a handful, but I've dealt with worse.

He's an interesting person to get to know, though. I'll be interested to see how close he lets you.

[whatsamada]

Given his powers are a little similar to mine? I think we will get along just fine.

[crouching_sin]

[!]

Oh they are, are they? That's very interesting.

[whatsamada]

I'm guessing you never heard of a Persona, have you?

[crouching_sin]

I know of a Jungian concept by that name, but I suspect that's not what you mean.

[whatsamada]

No, it isn't but let's just say that it is something I can summon. Just like how your cousin can summon creatures too.

[crouching_sin]

[He's a little surprised Kazuya did that in front of someone, given how he's been trying to maintain some kind of stupid 'normal person'' disguise. But Ken doesn't need to know that.]

I see. Fascinating. You'll have to tell me more some time.

[whatsamada]

What about you?

Do you have the same power he has...?

[crouching_sin]

I can use my COMP to summon demons, yes.