TEXT | UN: Laura

[shoplifter]

It's going to be my birthday soon. I picked one a few months ago, but I don't know how it works when it's time to celebrate them. I have left everyone 'invitations' on their doors, though.

[And true to the text's word, if people wander out of their cabin or approach it, they'll find a piece of paper taped to the front:]

Comments

[shoplifter]

That's good, because I didn't come up with any other plans.

You are new, yes? Have people been nice to you?

[twin_blade]

New? No. I just keep to myself, mostly. My name's Vax.

[ But a kid talking about a birthday party is a little too adorable for him to ignore. ]

[shoplifter]

Vax, it is not good to keep to yourself.
You should meet more people and make a lot of friends.

[Sorry man, getting lectured by the birthday girl. 😞]

[twin_blade]

[ She's the birthday girl, so she's allowed. ]

I have a lot of friends. At home.

[shoplifter]

So do I.
But if I only stayed friends with people at home, I would be all alone here.
And very sad on the inside.

[twin_blade]

[ Sad on the inside? Oof. Getting called out by a kid. ]

Maybe I'll make some friends at your party.

[ Just making random friends is kind of awkward, though. He's really better at lurking in dark corners unless he's around the ones who already know him. ]

[shoplifter]

You have me as a friend now, so that is already 1.
It is a good place to start. Just don't be mean to people, and you will do fine.

[twin_blade]

[ She's a nice kid, and he knows she means well, as most kids do. Sure, Vax has spoken to people, but how many know him well enough to use the word 'friend'? It's not one he tosses around casually. ]

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like you're an expert at this.

[shoplifter]

I have been practicing a lot on making friends.
It was very hard to make friends before Etraya. People would just get hurt.
But I don't have to worry about that here.

[And when you spend your life not being allowed friends, it becomes terribly easy to stockpile them like a big jar of pennies. Well, as long as you don't utterly betray her, anyway. Feelings of betrayal tend to get her worked up enough to sucker-punch.]

[twin_blade]

Why would they get hurt?

[ Maybe he shouldn't ask over a text, but he's not sure when he would otherwise. ]

[shoplifter]

I wasn't allowed to leave the place I came from.
When I did, some very bad people came after me.
And they hurt anyone who tried to help keep me from them.