The cult of Silent Hill was, by now, infamous for it's cruelty to children and indoctrination, teaching them that the world was a cold, heartless place by example. Not having a birthday party didn't even rank against the other tortures he had known, such as being tossed into a cell to be forgotten for misreading the Scriptures, tossed out onto the streets to 'experience the world' or forced to drink leeches.

As such, the mention of doing anything for his birthday blindsided Walter. He had known one act of kindness in his entire life - why would a complete stranger want to honour his birthday? He couldn't hide his surprise behind his usual placid expression and it took him a few moments to form a response. "Why would you do that for me?"

Assumption's eyes widened and he looked to his own paw. He couldn't do that! Instead he used his bone club to tap on the ground in reply, to match the pattern of Loader's 'wave'.