I was doing my laundry this evening.
Thinking that no one else does laundry at 9pm on a Monday, I ignored my usual paranoia (about strangers touching my laundry) and just let time slip by. I knew the washer must have finished, but I just didn't think that someone else would need the machine I was using.
To my pleasant surprise, someone had already put my laundry in the dryer AND put quarters in for me.
I was a bit blown away. In college, my laundry would have been on top of a rusty, dusty washer. Or worse-- someone else's hamper.
I put down some quarters on the neighboring machine, to repay this kind person, and threw in my dryer sheet. As I folded the clothes, I found two dryer sheets-- pretty stunned how giving this person is.
It made me happy. It's something I wouldn't have asked anyone outside of my immediate family to do for me. It's certainly not something I expected.
It was kind. It was considerate. It was selfless.
It kind of makes me think of the power of this experience in an RPG. I struggle to think of examples... The first thing that comes to mind are the guards who wander the outskirts of the towns of Oblivion. They come to your aid when mobs jump out of nowhere (with certain exceptions, depending how you play).
But you know, it's not enough...it's still fairly predictable.
... Where's the XP mint on my pillow, Mister 50-gil-to-sleep-in-your-crappy-inn?
... Where's the free ammo with purchase, Mister liberty-city-gunshop-owner?
... What'd you do with my materia, Aeris?!?
Not talking about freebies ALL the time. God forbid we jeopordize someone's "perfect" design balance. But once in a while, it's nice to have some positive unpredictability.
... Just Thoughts ...