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

[liberal_arts]

That definitely feels like I'm being given too much credit. I just care about the artist's well being, is all.

[akatatai]

That alone is super important!
Since some of us get too invested in art and forget to eat
Or sleep
Or see people at all
........
I hope you don't know any art zombies

[liberal_arts]

Actually, that poses an interesting idea.

Assuming the artist lived a healthy life, would an artist prefer to continue creating after death, or is death seen as the ultimate form of setting aside the brush?

[akatatai]

I mean... I think most artists would want to continue as long as they could, if they really love it
But like, realistically, a dead person can't paint

[Just in case that wasn't obvious enough.]

[liberal_arts]

It's a figurative question. You don't have to think as death as finality in this case. Let's assume there's an afterlife, for the purposes of this.

Would you continue creating in your new eternity, or would you finally retire?

[akatatai]

Oh, that's easy!
I'll be the best ghost painter and never have to worry about eating or sleeping or doing anything but painting ever again
Even if I drink paint water, I won't die!

[liberal_arts]

Well that

certainly is a response

[akatatai]

I mean...
Not that I drink paint water normally
Because I don't

[liberal_arts]

I should

hope not?

[akatatai]

Listen!!!!
It's a long story! I've never actually done it before, okay!!!

[liberal_arts]

If you've never done it, how is it a long story?

[akatatai]

We were talking about it in art club..........
I've almost done it on accident, but I'm not as bad as SOME people

It just
You know
Happens
When you spend your whole summer working on paintings and you're sleep deprived and the glass of water's right there
And you pick it up and then the paint smell hits you and you're like "oh, so this is what death would taste like"

[liberal_arts]

But this thread of conversation leads me to wonder if you've been honestly tempted to try it.

Is this what teenagers are talking about when they talk about "forbidden snacks"?

[akatatai]

Please don't compare almost accidentally drinking paint water to eating laundry pods

I'm begging you

[akatatai]

AND THE ANSWER IS NO, PLEASE LET ME KEEP WHAT LITTLE DIGNITY I HAVE LEFT

[liberal_arts]

Well.

When you put it that strongly, I suppose I should apologize.

[akatatai]

Wait, huh? You don't need to apologize!
I'm not upset or anything, I just need to leave all mentions of paint water behind me if I want to live
Even though I brought it up...

[liberal_arts]

And you keep bringing it up.

[akatatai]

...Duly noted

[This hasn't become a sore point, NOT AT ALL.]

[liberal_arts]

Well.

I am in no position to judge anyone on their dignity. I am so frequently thought of as strange and esoteric that it's essentially become my brand. So don't feel bad about it. Your works will speak for you.