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]

[The smile has his own brightening in turn, and he shifts his attention away from the building fully now.]

Right? It's like a food chain that touts a secret recipe! If they gave it away to just anyone, no one would come to their restaurant anymore because people could just replicate it on their own. [Except with a bit more government conspiracy and a lot more at stake but details.]

[gatto]

[He nods.] Uh huh! Then we probably wouldn't even be here!

We could do it ourselves. [There's a moment where his smile turns into more of a smirk, but it's quickly gone, bright smile back in place.]

[outfoxing]

[As observant as he is, that subtle shift doesn't scoot by him unnoticed. He doesn't comment on it though, choosing to nod in agreement instead.]

It would be much easier to do it without the aid of a looming corporation too, wouldn't you say? To have that kind of ability without needing to bend over to cater to the rules set by someone else... Do you think that would be ideal?

[gatto]

[He looks up, frowning in thought, without changing his position.] Maybe...

But it could get pretty chaotic, y'know? I dunno if you wanna let everyone do what they want.

[Even Igura had its limits, after all.]

[outfoxing]

That's true. [Nodding in a completely sympathetic way, like the very thought of all that chaos is wince-worthy.]

We would have to find some balance between one dominant corporation and complete chaos, wouldn't we? But I don't think that's something any of us will have to worry about any time soon.

[gatto]

[He shrugs, not looking entirely convinced by that either, but not looking particularly broken up about it either.]

Nah, these guys've got everything locked down real good. No chance of anyone getting at anything yet!

[He waves a hand dismissively, smile still firmly in place.] I'm Rin, by the way! How about you?

[outfoxing]

Well, I'm certain there is a perfectly good reason for it, one way or another. [It's a pretty passive-sounding statement, accompanied by a one-shouldered shrug. He'll be nodding politely shortly after, though.]

It's nice to meet you, Rin. My name is Tadanobu Kudou. [As an extension of the friendly smile and tone, he holds his hand out for a shake.] Kudou is fine.

[gatto]

Probably some reason that only makes sense to them! [No skin off his nose, though. He only shrugs again.]

You too, Kudou! [He reaches out to shake the hand, his smile widening.] Let's do real good in this game, yeah?

[outfoxing]

So it would seem. [One last glance is cast in the direction of the building, but he seems just as willing to shrug it off.]

Indeed! The very best of luck to you. I hope you find your stay to be worthwhile.

[gatto]

You too. Let's all get what we came here for!

Even if it looks like we're really gonna have to work for it.

[outfoxing]

[an enthusiastic nod] Hard work will only make the payoff more rewarding in the end, wouldn't you say?

[gatto]

[Rin's not quite looking at him now, but he's still smiling, almost carefree.] Yeah, knowing you worked hard to get what you wanted is the best. I can really admire people who do that.

[outfoxing]

That makes sense! Being "hard working" is a trait that's almost universally appreciated, after all.

[gatto]

Yeah, yeah, and it's even better when they're real persistent, eh?

[outfoxing]

Naturally. Persistence is a valuable trait. [a small pause, and an even smaller shrug.] Well, in small doses.

[gatto]

Hm? Don't like it when people are too persistent?

[outfoxing]

Oh, it doesn't bother me on a personal level! In fact, I think persistence is one of the best traits a person could have. It takes a lot of persistence to get over hurdles in life, both mental and physical.

[gatto]

Yeah, yeah, I agree! And it takes a real amazing kind of person to never give up, no matter what! Don't you agree?

[outfoxing]

I do. It's a true shame that those sorts of people don't get the recognition they deserve from most. I'll show gratitude for determination when I can, but I'm only one person.

[gatto]

[He shrugs.] That just means we have to tell them that even more, yeah?

[outfoxing]

True. Leading by example is always good idea. [nods to himself, and then shifts a little to stare in the direction of the park.]

Anyway, there are a few other places I want to look at before returning to my room. It was good meeting you, Rin. Feel free to get in contact again if you'd like, familiar faces are always a good thing to have on hand!

[gatto]

[He waves, as enthusiastic as ever.]

See ya, Kudou! We're gonna be here a while, I'm sure we'll see each other again!