OPENING LOG.

[enjoyers]

Characters: Everyone!
Date: August 11th
Rating/Warnings: Nothing as of yet. Mark anything that qualifies a warning in your subject line!
Summary: Arrivals.
You want happiness. A company called RECOVERjoy has offered it to you, so you've signed up with them. Gaining happiness can't hurt, right?

Suddenly you're in a room, an apartment, with three other beds and unfamiliar faces. This is your assigned room, and it's quite crowded. You don't get much of a chance to think as your phone beeps--it's not your phone, maybe you've never had a phone, but there's one in your hand so you check it. It's a smart phone, nothing special about it, but now you've received a text from RECOVERjoy.

Welcome to Joywick! We're so happy to have you!

You've arrived in your assigned room, we hope you like it! Don't worry, you can move out once you've collected enough joypoints. Speaking of, if you'd like to check your balance, there's a special application that tracks it for you right on your phone! Handy, right?

... Did you check? If you did, you'll notice you have no joypoints. But don't despair! We're giving you a special mission. Make three (3) friends and get 200 joypoints! Gee, that's easy! Of course, we can't put a level on something like friendship, so just get to know people. Don't miss out on these easy points! We'll give you more information about joypoints once you're done.

Wishing you happiness,
RECOVERjoy : )

You're in this for 1 million joypoints, aren't you? Might as well get started.

(AFTER THE MISSION HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED OR ONCE 24 HOURS HAVE PASSED)

You receive another text from RECOVERjoy.

Great job on the mission! Or not so great job for those who didn't do it. : (

Well, you probably want more joypoints either way. Here's how! Look for another person. I bet they look fairly happy, right? Why are they happier than you? Because they've got the joypoints you need! The only way to get those joypoints is to steal theirs. How? Take their happiness away. It's easy! Maybe a rumor here, an injury there... but if you want the big points, be creative!
You want to be happy, don't you?

Wishing you happiness,
RECOVERjoy : )

... Not quite what you expected when you signed up. You can't leave, though, you still owe RECOVERjoy 500 joypoints and, well, you came here for a reason.

Comments

[outfoxing]

[He waves a hand dismissively at that.] I would be at fault too, in that case. These rooms do seem much smaller than I was anticipating, but as you said, it's nothing we can't manage through. [As unobtrusive as he is, it's pretty clear he's already claimed one of the beds, with a small suitcase neatly placed in its very center with his joyphone resting on top.

But the amount of interest shown piques his in turn.]

Me? Ah... That question is a little difficult to answer, but I found the promise interesting. What kind of organization has the ability to make good on their word in this case? It's curious, isn't it?

Might I ask the same question of you?

1/2

[varmint]

[No, Elijah doesn't mind- in fact he hasn't even started picking out what little piece of space he was going to reside in for the remainder of this excursion. He doesn't plan on sticking around very often...rather, as much as this game will permit him. He'll make due.]

Ah, well- [and he pauses, hard.]

[varmint]

- How about that! Our motives are nearly exactly alike! [He's suddenly very animated, bracing his arms as if something were about to drop on them. He finds something about this TERRIBLY welcoming, if not something to almost gush about...luckily he isn't.] Yes, it's very curious!

Haha, it's a peculiar thing, but I'm starting to feel so much better about this residential welcoming, don't you?

[outfoxing]

[Oh boy, that wasn't a reaction he had expected...! But he's pretty fast when it comes to reciprocating emotions, and the enthusiasm is reflected at least in part.]

Oh! Isn't that a coincidence? [One that kind of makes him wonder if there's a rhyme or reason to the housing assignments after all, but he'll save that thought for later.]

I have to admit that it's a relief to share living space with such an agreeable person. Having clashing motives would make things a little awkward, I'd imagine.

[varmint]

[A more practical part of him completely agrees with what Kudou says, and he nearly gives voice to those thoughts before something else comes to mind entirely.] It would be even more fortunate if our other roommates were accustomed to clashing ideals and agreements.

Now we'll have nothing to bicker about. [he smiles as if though that were almost true.]

[He pats the pocket of his suit- feeling the familiar pack of plastic, and is relieved. They didn't take them.]

[outfoxing]

[He raises a hand to his chin at that, looking pretty amused by the thought.]

Wouldn't that be nice? This room would seem even smaller if we had to deal with arguments every time one of us came back.

[The movement catches his attention and he can't help but to raise a brow, tone growing a little more curious.]

Looking for something?

[varmint]

Actually...[He gives Kudou a bit of a rueful smile, maybe for just noticing, or maybe because he feels as thought he's been caught in an unspoken act.

He pulls out his partially opened box of cigarettes.]

Do you smoke, Kudou? [He extends the box out to the other male.]

[outfoxing]

[He politely raises a hand in response to the extended box and shakes his head.]

A kind offer! I don't, but I won't keep this room a smoke-free zone. I know it can be irritating to be asked to leave whenever you want to indulge. Just make sure to check with any other roommates first.

[varmint]

Rest assured, I will! And...hopefully we will see more of them soon enough.

[He was starting to wonder if perhaps the other occupants of Room 204 were out and about and simply exploring. He was itching to do the same...but it really wouldn't feel any different, would it?]

I suppose while we're still on the topic of introduction, may I ask where you lived before showing up? [Merely by Kudou's name it would have been obvious, but he felt the need to prod despite that.]

[outfoxing]

Hopefully! I wouldn't mind having a little less than the maximum occupancy though, if I'm entirely honest. [because seriously how is he going to be able to start an out-of-home counseling service if "home" is cramped and shared with four people? it's just not a good fit.

That question distracts him from the thought and he's quick to give a wave.] Of course, feel free to ask whatever you would like. I lived in Japan prior to coming here. What about you?

[varmint]

[Elijah doesn't respond to the question right away because now he's thinking about Japan.] Japan...that is...

...very far away. [wow. For whatever reason he says this kind of GRAVELY, and drags out his cigarette a bit more. Yes, things are going to be much different here.] As for me...Australia. In Melbourne.

Haha, I know when to push and when I am simply being nosy. Unless you prefer not to, you're free to ask whatever comes to mind as well!

[outfoxing]

[what kind of dramatic declaration was that it actually gives him pause for a moment because he really wasn't expecting it...

But he's good at the whole rolling with bizarre conversations thing, even if he still looks just a little amused when he speaks again.]

From Australia, certainly! This is already shaping up to be quite an interesting stay, I can only imagine the tremendous mesh of citizens that will be here. [It's a pretty exciting prospect to him, all things considered.

He hums thoughtfully, and then:] I'd like to know how you've enjoyed Australia, in that case. I've never been outside of Japan myself, you see.

[varmint]

[Elijah vaguely wonders what Kudou has heard of about Australia, and if it's anything like his first experience when he moved to Melbourne.] I've enjoyed it immensely. Especially the city...the way it just so happens to draw in countless strangers and cultures of very variety. It's very refreshing, if not startling at first.

I don't like the rain, though. [He cradles his cheek on a palm.]

Does Japan share a similar likeness? [It's hard to admit that his knowledge of Japanese culture is limited, from their rigorous universities to their...liquor. And geishas.]

[outfoxing]

A breath of fresh air, is that it? It sounds like a good place to be. Everyone needs a little change of pace, right? After this is over, I don't think I would mind moving to a place like that. [It's accompanied with a laugh but he doesn't really sound like he's joking. His current area of living is getting a little... stale, after all.]

Does it rain often, then? That's pretty surprising, everyone seems to talk about the desert areas when they mention Australia.

[He leans forward a little, lacing his fingers together and resting his elbows on his knees.] That depends! If you're looking for a place like Melbourne, Tokyo would be your best bet. The further you get away from major cities, the more peaceful and quiet the locations become. Granted, the rural lifestyle has its own set of good points.

[varmint]

[He nods at that.] I originally came from Perth, and believe you me it was very dry! The real downpours are in the city, haha. But, yes...there is always plenty of talk of Tokyo in Melbourne, surprisingly. That one I remember. It's suppose to be "devastatingly" busy from what I hear. Not that I'd mind.

I'd consider visiting if my time would allow it. That and days on a ship... it's a terrible amount of work.

[oh.] Oh! [He places his hands over his knees.] You don't live in Tokyo? I have to admit...I can't quite envision you living somewhere as rustic as Perth, or the peaceful locations of Japan.

[outfoxing]

Devastatingly busy is a decent way of phrasing it, actually, but I think the sort of people who live in Tokyo would be upset by the comparative lack of things to do in any smaller location. [But the mention of a ship has him arching a brow, his head canting slightly to the side.]

Is flying out of the question for you?

[and then a quick wave of the hand.] Ah, well, I'm afraid I don't know anything about Perth, but the place I live isn't exactly rustic! There are more superstitious people in the area than you'd find in a larger town, but all in all, it's very suburban.

[varmint]

Superstitious? [He pinches his cigarette between his thumb and forefinger, looking occupied again, but only because delving further into this conversation has made him feel misplaced again. Or for lack of a better word...unbalanced.]

Then...you could also count me in that category. [He pulls out his phone, and gives a hard look. Then, he looks back up at Kudou, and smiles sheepishly.] Although, I don't believe I could ever hope to fly in my lifetime! That's a very funny thought!

But that is the new dream, isn't it? Planes hopping around, country to country, across oceans...

[outfoxing]

[He's keeping a keen eye on those actions and expressions good sir, even if he seems completely immersed in the conversation.] Oh, you know... It's the kind of place where students still like testing their courage after hearing horror stories and people avoid places that ghosts visit. That sort of thing.

Is that so? [What a perplexing guy. The phone check earns him a somewhat curious look, but chooses to remain silent about it. If it's something he wouldn't mind sharing, he'd talk about it, and more importantly...]

Melbourne is a big city, isn't it? Don't they have at least one international airport?

[varmint]

[Elijah pauses half way into putting his phone back into his jacket. He gives Kudou a peculiar look.] Airport?

Ah, is that something they've already achieved in Japan? Although I have to admit I don't believe I've heard of it before...

..or of this, now that I think of it. [He weighs his phone in his hand.] I gathered it's...a kind of phone. [He finally laughs.] Am I close?

[outfoxing]

[whoops yep now he's showing his confusion in full.]

Airports are fairly common across the globe, from what I know. [And then he gives that phone a look, pulling his own out of his pocket to check it as well, even if he already knows he won't find anything particularly outstanding about it.]

As are cell phones. You don't have either?

[varmint]

[Elijah watches Kudou's face for a few brief seconds, unanswering, then briskly turns on his phone and scowls.] I don't. I wonder why that is?

[It could have been any number of reasons, really...oh, it couldn't be. And honestly, Elijah didn't catch anything particularly surreal or supernatural about Kudou, but the situation itself was giving way to that very tension. He shrugs his shoulders in some attempt to dismiss the feeling.]

How funny, really! I suddenly feel so much older! I may not just be keeping up with the times.

[outfoxing]

[The possibility that's presenting itself in front of him right now is, frankly, the most interesting thing he's seen since arriving. Different places is one thing, but this...

He unfolds and refolds his hands, now using them to rest his chin against.]

Age does seem to creep up on the best of us, doesn't it? But I do have to wonder... International airports have seen heavy use since before the 1930s and cell phones have been very popular since at least the start of 2000.

[varmint]

Ahaha, see, I didn't even think to-

["2000".]

...[Elijah gives an incredibly strained smile towards Kudou, and all of his doubts and fears have been realized. Figures.]

Aha, that's all very interesting...but this doesn't add up. [He frowns, really frowns this time, and finally pockets his phone.]

1921. That's correct, isn't it? [But he already knew, somehow, it wasn't.]

[outfoxing]

[Oho, definitely interesting. If it wasn't quite clear that his conversational partner was having a difficult time getting over this particular hurdle, he'd probably clap his hands together in a display of enthusiasm.

As things are, he adopts a suitably unobtrusive posture, wanting to lessen any potential negative impact this information might have. He's even doing a somewhat decent job at keeping that amusement out of his smile this time!]

It's the year 2010 for myself, actually. It seems that "different places" doesn't quite cover it, hm?

[varmint]

[It's pretty safe to say if Meredith were here, Elijah would be tossing one hell of a fit, and it's only by the will of his own resistance does he actually not. throw. a fit...]

It doesn't, and I'm sure whoever decided it would be interesting to warp vast instances such as time must find it very funny. [Elijah takes a long drag of his smoke and rubs a temple.] But...

I suppose this doesn't really change anything. [At least not anything he's planned.] I feel like some wayward character in a science fiction novel...