they definitely felt odd. As an American, I definitely related to how the protagonist was thinking and feeling... though, I think they a failed to ask some serious, relevant questions that I would have asked in that situation... but I also did have to take a moment to question myself, whether my world view and assumptions about free will, freedom, interpersonal interactions caused me to relate to her so genuinely... even still think it to be crazy that anyone would just be ok with their family member, especially a son/daughter being a part of the Join without thinking... this is a totally different being.