"Where's Sadness?"
Disgust is the first to bring it up, but it takes a while; half an hour, to be exact. Joy actually didn't expect them to last that long (which is awfully surprising considering what an optimist she is, not to brag or anything), but maybe they're starting to understand Sadness a little better. Joy knows she certainly is.
"Still in bed, I think," Joy replies as she slides a tab on the control panel; an A+ response to the brand new box of Caramel Crunchies in the pantry. She doesn't take her eyes off the screen (she's not sure of the reaction she'll be getting here), but from her left she can hear Disgust click her tongue and to her right Anger grunts.
"Is she sick?" is Fear's immediate question.
Joy tries to focus on the buttons in front of her, but she really shouldn't be messing with Riley's emotions more than she has to. Not all of Riley's emotions have been happy lately, and Joy is starting to realize what a success that truly is. "Um, sorta, I guess."
"You guess?" Anger starts, and Joy knows she's in for it now. "Don't tell me she's just skipping work." He gestures one red hand towards the display in front of them, where Riley has just poured herself a bowl of fresh Caramel Crunchies. "Riley has a game today! What happens if we lose?"
Joy turns to look at them this time, and it's now that she realizes they don't look annoyed; just apprehensive, and maybe a little worried. Secretly, Joy wonders who they're really worried about: Riley or Sadness. "If we need her, she'll be here. She promised." She tries her hardest to sound convincing, because she knows Sadness would never lie to her, and she wants the others to know that, too.
Disgust raises one perfectly groomed eyebrow. "You talked to her?"
Joy hesitates—what is she getting at?—but nods anyways.
"See, the way you talked about it, it sounded like you had no idea what was going on."
At this, Joy stumbles. "What, I—Digust, no—guys, listen. Sadness is just... having a down day."
Fear nearly trips over himself trying to hide behind Anger. "Down? You mean... she's... she's unconscious? W-w-what did you do to he—"
"No, no, no! I mean, she's not feeling well!" She holds her hands out defensively, effectively cutting off Fear before he can say anything more. "And she's not sick. At least, n-not physically."
Joy thinks she hears Disgust mutter, "Thank God."
"Then what's the deal?!" Anger cries, shooting Joy a look that really isn't helping her right now.
"She's in a bad mood, alright?"
There's a distinct pause where the three of them do nothing but stare at her in disbelief. Then Fear clears his throat and speaks slowly, "Isn't she... always in a bad mood?"
Joy feels like she's been thrown for a loop. "Well, she...," fond memories fill her mind, and she can't help but let out a small sigh, "not always... Look guys, the point is that she really wants to be left alone right now. She said she'll head out when we need her or when she's feeling better or whatever, but for now..." She puts on her best "please-just-give-me-a-break-she-needs-some-time" face, and the others seem to accept it with relative ease.
"Alright, do what you want," is Anger's response, and Joy feels pleased enough with that.
"Yeah," Disgust agrees, a smile playing at her lips. "After all, you know her best right?"
Know her best... Joy can't help but smile at that (she can't help smiling at a lot of things, though).
"I... I guess I do."