#also the reason kalim is so happy over the present jamil gave to majid is mostly b/c like

[wondersbeyondcompare]

FINALLY AN OC BIRTHDAY POST THAT’S ON TIME 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

For once, I actually kinda liked how the groovied image turned out, so I included it above the cut ( ´ ▽ ` ) Birthday interview (and groovy image w/o text) is under the read more if anyone was interested tho!

NRC BIRTHDAY INTERVIEW: Majid Shahin (May 12)

Part 1

Yuu: Happy birthday, Majid!

Majid: ...

Yuu: ??? Majid???

Majid: Oh, so you were talking to me.

Yuu: Who else could I have been talking to? You’re the only Majid here. And it IS your birthday today, right?

Majid: ...What day is it today?

Yuu: May 12.

Majid: Aaa... yes, that’s what I wrote on my school application form.

Yuu: Why do I get the strange feeling you wrote down some random day for your birthdate...

Majid: No, that is my actual birthday. Or at least, that’s what the people at that place told me.

Yuu: That place... What could you possibly be referring to?

Majid: An ordinary place. A lot like any other marking on a map.

Yuu: That’s awfully vague.

Majid: It’s not important for you to know.

Yuu: Ah, whatever... We’re getting side tracked from the very beginning... So! Shall we start with the birthday interview, Majid?!

Majid: Tch. It seems unnecessary, though... Can’t I just skip it-

Yuu: Question one!

Majid: You’re starting anyway?!

Part 2

Yuu: How’s your birthday celebrations going so far? Received any fun gifts yet?

Majid: Well... I don’t know about fun, but some people brought me a bag of snacks earlier in the day. And dorm leader Kalim gave me one of the textiles his family had in a limited collection. Just a fancy blanket with the famed Cave of Wonders stitched in stars.He says it was handmade, but he’s gotta be lying... who could possibly have the time...

Yuu: So, you were given gifts, but you still didn’t remember that it was your birthday? Not even a simple “happy birthday!!” tipped it off?

Majid: Must’ve not heard them. I just thought they were all being weirdly generous today. And I like getting free stuff.

Yuu: Fair enough. Did you receive presents from anyone else?

Majid: A couple of my dorm members gave me bangles and other jewelry. One gave me a jewelry repair kit.

Yuu: Oh, seems like you’re interested in that kind of stuff. You’re always wearing those flashy accessories after all.

Majid: I don’t mind it... But I didn’t want to try the earrings on no matter how much they begged me to...

Yuu: ? Is there something wrong with what they gave you?

Majid: I’m just attached to this one earring. It holds a kind of... nostalgia... I guess...

Yuu: Nostalgia huh... Ah, right, what about Jamil? Did he get you anything?

Majid: Tch... It’s something stupid I’m sure. I saw him carrying a weirdly wrapped present. “You cannot, absolutely CANNOT open this before this evening,” he said. He’s as strict as ever. I almost got a hint from the dorm leader, but Senior Jamil slapped his hand over his mouth. Maybe it’s cleaning supplies or something...

Part 3

Yuu: Have you always celebrated your birthdays like this?

Majid: In school?

Yuu: No, I mean, with this many people around you! And with so much going on for your celebration!

Majid: I don’t see the point in birthdays. Can’t you buy yourself little gifts throughout the year and have the same effect? There’s no reason to push it all onto one day like this.

Yuu: Aaa, but it’s not just about gifts! It’s also about spending time with your family and friends! Didn’t you... celebrate birthdays with your... why are you glaring at me like that?

Majid: ...This was stupid after all. I’m going back to my room.

Yuu: Wait, wait, wait!!! I’m sorry; I won’t pry anymore about that!!!

Majid: Good.

Yuu: But I am curious on how you spent your birthdays before this...

Majid: So you’re still going on about that... I don’t usually celebrate my birthday in the first place, so there’s nothing more to say. If I was in a good mood I’d spend a bunch of money on expensive stuff or add another cool lava lamp to my collection, but that’s it.

Yuu: Certainly you celebrated your birthday as a little kid though, right?

Majid: That’s... Well...

Yuu: ?

Majid: Sometimes the people at that place would bring us to the local bakeries to get some sweets... Sugar cookies, all kinds of baklava, kanafeh... They would let us pick out whatever we wanted during our birthday month, maybe even give us little gifts if they managed to raise enough money at that time.

Yuu: What was your favorite sweet?

Majid: I didn’t care for fancy cakes and stuff, so... luqaimats were fine with me.

Some of the Muslim aunties at that place would always cook those during Ramadan and give them out to everyone there as an evening dessert. It was an easy-to-get street food too.

Yuu: You seem to have fond memories of this place, but what exactly is it?

Majid: ...It doesn’t matter. I left it pretty quickly, so I don’t even remember that much anymore. It was suffocating to begin with. Don’t ask pointless questions.

Yuu: ! I’m- I’m sorry.

Majid: No... No, never mind. Just forget I said anything. I have to go back now anyway. ...Aren’t you coming along?

Yuu: Oh? I’m invited to your birthday party?!

Majid: Not just that, it seems like there’s gonna be a separate kind of feast tonight. A lot of my dorm members have been looking forward to it for a while now. And dorm leader Kalim said to invite everyone and anyone I knew...

Yuu: So, I’m your plus one? Haha, I appreciate it, Majid.

Majid: Don’t phrase it that way. Company’s the last thing I need anyway.