"Pretty old, I'd wager, " Al said with a smile, still a bit overwhelmed that his birthday was suddenly upon him. Did that mean he was indeed a year older? That he lost all those months between November and March? What if he wanted that time back? Did it even matter here? There were so many people from all sorts of ages. His grandmother was here - did that mean that no one was capable of dying? If anything, it was a disturbing thought and he wrapped his arms around his shoulders as he suddenly felt cold.
"Thank you for the cake, Scor," he said softly. "I'm really happy you're here with me. I don't know if I told you that or not but I am. We're a long way from home and if I can't be with my family today then there's. I one else I'd rather spend today with than you. You're practically family anyway. I guess... I don't know. Even my birthday feels different. Am I really older? I don't feel it. I feel... Lost."