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

[jurai]

Something like that

It's a lot easier to put your faith in an object than yourself

[fabrefactions]

But if you can't put faith in yourself as well, will you ever truly be satisfied?

[ Whoa.

Deep. ]

[jurai]

A good counter argument, my friend

But consider--

Is it no different than using training wheels to gain confidence before riding the bike?

[It's just philosophy hour I guess]

[fabrefactions]

[ Counterpoint: ]

Do you still ride a bike with training wheels?

[jurai]

Me?

Nah

But then again my lucky deck isn't really for my confidence. More like...sentimentality

Like the feeling of someone watching over you

[fabrefactions]

Ah, that's a good reason. If it has sentimental value to you, then it's difficult to consider putting it away and forgetting about it.

[jurai]

Exactly. I think that's what makes it lucky for me--like...like a trusty sword to a warrior

It never lets you down

[fabrefactions]

Except perhaps you will have to paper cut your enemies into submission rather than stab them.

[jurai]

Man, just one papercut is hell

Imagine like


20

[fabrefactions]

[ aaaaaaRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH ]

I can feel myself involuntarily flinching at the thought, and I probably only have myself to blame.

[jurai]

I know right

We flew too close to the sun, and now we're paying for it with melted wings

[fabrefactions]

There is only one option. You must handle your deck with gloves from now on.

[jurai]

[Crow can't help but snort behind the feed.]

For protection?

[fabrefactions]

Yes. Paper cuts are no joke, Crow.

[jurai]

You're right

I'll have to be very careful with it from now on. It's 52 chances I'm not willing to take

[fabrefactions]

One is bad enough, just the thought of 52...

Your hands are important. Please take good care of them.

[jurai]

I appreciate it, my good man

They crack easily so I admit I gotta practice a little self-care

[fabrefactions]

... yes that would be a good reason to practice some hand self care. Cracked skin is quite painful, especially if you then get something like paint in them.

[jurai]

Paint?

I remember that one kind that super sticks to your hands from art class...came in a million little bottles like Power Snow Blue


Then again I wasn't all that good at art

[fabrefactions]

[ don't tell him you're not good at art, crow ]

... What sort of regular, classroom ready paint is that sticky?

[ SOMEONE has only grown up around proper fancy painter's paints. ]

[jurai]

[He got an A in Art Appreciation does that count. He appreciated that art so hard.]

Gimme a minute











Ah

Tempera

[fabrefactions]

Tempura?



Oh, no. Tempera?

[ Give him a minute now too. ]

...

Oh. Tempura would be fitting as well. They use egg yolk in this?

[jurai]

Yeah I thought it was Tempura too until Google corrected it

But I guess so?

There's way better uses for eggs imo

[fabrefactions]

Yes. I would choose eating them over adding them to paint... but perhaps that is how it gets that consistency you found so nostalgic.

What a dilemma.

1/2

[jurai]

[A dilemma indeed...]