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

[fabrefactions]

I had one name I considered, but... only one person calls me by it, so it's fairly personal. I wasn't sure if the names were changeable, so I went with something basic.

Other than that... perhaps the name of a painter? Van Gogh, or Monet perhaps.

[akatatai]

You have a nickname?! You have to tell me sometime!

So you're going to take credit for one of the greats?
I thought you were better than that
Plagaruske

[Spellcheck doesn't check for words that are turned into something else, okay. Please spare him.]

[fabrefactions]

I did just say it was personal, Izumi. Only one person calls me it, after all.

Please. If someone was silly enough to assume I am actually Monet, or Van Gogh then it is a chance to educate them on the great painters.

[ R u d e. ]

[akatatai]

That's why I didn't say to tell me right now where everyone can see!

I'm kidding, I'm kidding
But you really *would* do that, wouldn't you

[Listen, he means this with the utmost affection.]

I guess that's what makes you Yusuke, after all!

My suggestion is "Starving Artist (literally)" for the record

[fabrefactions]

... I suppose. It's not something I've never told anyone.

Everyone deserves to know about the great painters of our world.

[ IT'S THE TRUTH. ]

Alas, I am locked into this now. I think it is quite clear and simple to understand.

[akatatai]

I like it! Who needs clunky last names anyway?
But if you ever get a chance to change it
My suggestions are, in order:

Starving Artist (literally)
Please remind me to eat
Don't drink the paint water
Vincent Van Monet

[fabrefactions]

I will have you know I haven't accidentally drunk paint water in almost a year. And I'm eating fine.

[ How. Rude. ]

[akatatai]

You didn't have to shoot down ALL of my jokes, you know
I'm only kidding, you know that!!
(But expect me to continue shoving food down your throat or dive from across the room if I ever see you raise a cup of paint water like a glass)

[fabrefactions]

I am aware.

I feel if people did not feed me, I may end up feeling neglected. Which is perhaps a little spoiled of me.

[akatatai]

Maybe, but it's kind of sweet at the same time

I'm always being spoiled by Mao and my friends from art club
So I guess it's my turn to spoil you in return

[fabrefactions]

Friendship is about spoiling each other, so I will need to reciprocate.

It keeps the cycle going, in a way.

[akatatai]

You kind of already spoil me, though?
You talk about art with me and let me doodle when no one's in the shop
And you're my friend, to top it all off!

[A truly commendable thing.]

[fabrefactions]

As mentioned, that is part of friendship. ... Also it's sort of your shop and I doodle just as much, remember?

[akatatai]

Well yeah, but my parents get mad when I'm drawing when we have customers, even if they don't need us
Can't our art be like... an example or something? We're an art shop!

[fabrefactions]

To be fair, your parents do let us display our art in the window... Complaining too much seems rude.

[akatatai]

Yeah, but I'm allowed to complain because they're my parents!

[fabrefactions]

... Does that mean I shouldn't complain at all, as they are not my parents?

[akatatai]

You get to complain because they're your bosses!
And even if they weren't, you get full complaining rights anyway

[fabrefactions]

But they're also your parents...! And they're so nice! I'd feel terrible bad mouthing them.

[akatatai]

Then say an equal amount of good and bad things about them!

[fabrefactions]

... Now I feel even more nervous. I would be upset if someone said something rude about my mother, I can't do the same thing to you.

[akatatai]

I doubt you'd say anything actually bad, though!
I'm always on your side

[fabrefactions]

I... will do my best not to insult your very kind parents.