LOADING...

[recollecters]

[ At 9PM on the 1st, all phones or Retrospec-enabled devices will show flickering screens, until a static-filled image appears. It seems to be a security camera shot, in black and white from a high angle, of a simple computer room. Inside is Joanne Wiseman who many of the users may recognize - she looks young, blonde curls loose around her shoulders, and she also looks tired still. A young man who looks only slightly older than her comes in. He's dark-haired with a sweater and glasses, but a white labcoat that matches hers as well. Maurice comes over to stand nearby, watching the screen Joanne is looking at. Neither of them seem to realize they're being recorded. Joanne looks up, and speaks first. ] Did R and D know anything? [ Maurice shakes his head, says: ] No. They can't track them down either - it's almost as if... [ Joanne: ] They have to be somewhere. [ Maurice: ] Jim's trying to figure it out. You know we don't have anyone better at...ah, "creative" solutions? [ Joanne: ] No, I know, just...what if their souls are just, just - [ Maurice: ] I don't think they're gone. I mean - well, they're gone, but I don't think they're gone? You remember August, the one before last. They're, uh, pretty tough? [ Joanne: ] We're usually able to at least try to help them when we can, though! [ Maurice: ] Jo - look, we're doing everything we can. We'll find them. [ Joanne: ] Before they do? [ Maurice: ] Right. I mean...we have to, don't we? [ They both look worried. Before they do was said with a certain inflection - and hey, Retrospec. It looks like the employees have lost track of you for the month. How do you feel about that one? ] As of this post, character usernames are back to being their own names - or rather, characters will be prompted to put in their name as a boot screen loads. Now's your chance to change your preferred name, Retrospecters - but it appears whatever you put in will be locked in as your choice. Hope you didn't put in something ridiculous! Please feel free to use this post as a network mingle. Every toplevel can be considered a new post, and threadjacking is permitted. No NPC response will be given. As a friendly reminder, you may also claim one of this month's freebie by submitting a thread from this mod post. This thread must be 10 comments from you and submitted before AC closes.

Comments

[thesettingsun]

You can get book advances if you're known well enough. You can live on that as long as you're consistent about actually getting the books written.

If you phrase it as 'like my past self' then it suddenly becomes a lot less appealing.

[promisedyou]

What summer vacation? I had to deal with a bunch of stupid Retrospec stuff.

[spirithacker]

i think they read
they just dont answer

locked

[unlightmusic]

[WOW she's so offended she has to break character and hide this thread to do so.]

I don't want to see you judging me when you look like you rolled around in a Victorian museum exhibit, Mr. Fancypants Text.

Things are just easier when I don't have people seeing my face. Hence, being 100% anon.

Also, if this was really work-related, it sure as hell wouldn't be like this. What kind of hospital would hire someone who acts like a deranged middle school kid?

[fiddlestick]

Sure!

I know John wants to do a movie night at some point.

[spirithacker]

ok tru but
not going 2 school is nice
cept when its cuz teachers r invisible

[flametheif40]

The strongest thing in the end...

I guess that does make sense, someone that could reach you enough to fight whatever the mind thing is.

Thanks. Sorry for bringing that question out of no where.

[servileness]

[ Her username is Clover. ]

I disagree with the afterlife theory. Retrospec pulls you away from death's cold, unfeeling embrace.

I would prefer to accomplish more than one thing before death takes me for good, but if I had to be succinct about it: I would like to be successful.

[clothes]

I see... I think that level of fame is possible for someone like you. Your personality is magnetic, and you're very personable. With the right PR team, once you have enough written, you would have no problem attracting that level of popularity.

[ he's just being factual, or so he tells himself; maybe he didn't mean to tear down shuji's loftier goal of kicking retrospec's shittiness in the face and helping everyone in the city. (or maybe he did)

hE DEFINITELY DIDNT MEAN TO MAKE IT SOUND LIKE HE WAS GONNA TURN INTO THAT SHITSTAIN DAZAI OH GOD,,,, ]

That was definitely not my intention. Pretend I didn't say that.

No. Strive for more. Alter literary history in a way that surpasses his influence. Destroy Osamu Dazai.

[ what ]

[thesettingsun]

Thank you. I promise you I will.

[He will do it for himself, and he will do it for Akutagawa, who is so much more than his past self ever was.]

[admiringly]

time is a mystery when it comes to him
i'm pretty sure you understand some of his jokes more than me?
yaaaaay
i don't mind this special treatment! hehe ☆

[clothes]

*That* would be a shame. I hate failure of any kind. If I die, I expect to do it properly, and not be resurrected or reborn.

[ he would also hope he could have gotten a less shitty life out of the deal but he's not going to say anything about that... ]

Everyone would, obviously, or life itself would be otherwise stagnant and miserable, but my intention was to encourage prioritizing one's goals. That said, being successful is very open-ended. Do you not know how to determine your success, or are you keeping it open-ended on purpose because you're too lazy to come up with a tangible goal?

[ GEEZ, akutagawa's one goal in life should be to learn how to not be a vapid asshole for no reason!!!!!!! ]

[digthefuzz]

okay good one, that works on like multiple levels

fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

un: Burt Wiggler

[digthefuzz]

whoa cool name man

[admiringly]

[ She pays a little mind. ]

us and them!
i don't thiiink i'd have problems finding anyone i know on retrospec!
people usually answer me when i call or text them?

un: Burt Wiggler

[digthefuzz]

i dunno

i'm at a loss

[clothes]

[ DAMB,,,, HE JUST GOT VERBALLY SHOVED INTO A LOCKER, THE AUDACITY???? HE IS AN IDOL PEOPLE LOVE HIM HE IILLL NOT? STAND FO THIS??????? ]

I'm the Mr. Fancypants Text with a record deal and enough fans to populate a small island.

...That makes a startling amount of sense.

So, hypothetically, if I found myself in a position where I needed to speak to you outside of your creative persona, you would prefer I keep that side of yourself private... I see. Duly noted.

[ he's not going to beg for her help later or anything, NO. akutagawa never needs help, ok!!!!!!!!! ]

𝖆𝖐𝖚𝖙𝖆𝖌𝖆𝖜𝖆

[clothes]

Are you suggestng we are more or less zombies. The undead?

[ how high,,, ]

𝖆𝖐𝖚𝖙𝖆𝖌𝖆𝖜𝖆

[clothes]

In this case, I believe our little impromptu broadcast is enough direction for us to go by. Or should I say, it's as helpful as what we usually get.

I have lived in Recolle for less than a year. Aside from this short time, has there been any progress in unraveling the mystery of unreality?

[justchords]

this is just our constant state of being, dead or about to be dead

[justchords]

i refuse to warrant this with a response based on your username alone

[justchords]

so are you new here

[justchords]

as a lawyer in a past life, and an aspiring lawyer in this life, fuck it, yeah we can

ghost votes

[justchords]

I HAVE EXAMS COMING UP, I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE DEAD, EITHER

i also mean that literally, i'm broke, i can't afford a funeral or anything

[justchords]

(oh yeah, that... happier version was friends with her. he thinks.)

i mean i have a few government conspiracies i think would be a reason, but people might think i'm a loony if i say them