(no subject)

[recollecters]

Posting from this network, you'd probably assume I got my job back. Hey users. For those of you who're new, my name is Zee. Sorry to say it, but you've been pulled into the Retrospec project now. Not sure what that is? Get someone else to explain it to you, there're plenty of people who've been around for way longer than deserved. So…you'd probably assume I got my job back, and I kind of did. I kind of did, but there's a funny little thing about Retrospec and memories. Let me tell you a brief story. Once upon a time, there were the four founders who came to this planet, founded the city of Recollé and started the Retrospec project. Yeah. Another planet. They're technically aliens, I might technically be an alien, some of YOU might be aliens, it's hard to say. So anyway you have the four founders: Spinnato, Cavendish, Mahoney and Vanderweele. These four created an ideal project to protect life on other planets, offer inhabitants a safe haven to recover from tragic events of their world that were being destroyed (as planets are wont to do) and "regrow" the place you once called home. The problem is that the four of them weren't entirely in agreement on what sort of people should be "worthy" of being saved, or who should be able to become part of the Retrospec project to preserve their souls and recreate what was lost. Souls are a tricky thing. I should know, given I think mine was floating around in the endless abyss for a few months while my body regenerated. There was such a controversy amongst the founders that one of them, Vanderweele, ended up wiping out an entire family line. There are relatives left from the Spinnato family. Cavendish and Mahoney decided to spearhead the project themselves and sentenced Vanderweele to life in solitary confinement. Once that happened, they began changing how the project was one. They hired some of their own family members. They changed and became the "new" Retrospec. Vanderweele's not dead though. And as a master of illusion, you can guess where this story is going. I'm not going to do this vague and hiding bullshit that the company's fond of: Vanderweele is out there and meddling with the affairs of this city to overthrow and regain control of the project. All of these weird storms that are happening, the things that mess with your soul? That's Vanderweele's work. So why am I telling you this? …Vanderweele got to Retrospec. A lot of you asked if Retrospec knew I was alive again and at the time I didn't know if they did or not, so when I got back to this layer (thank you, by the way. All of you.), I went to headquarters. Everyone inside doesn't even seem to remember that they were working on the project. I don't know WHAT he did, but their memories…everything's scrambled. The entire tech department resigned and I'm not sure if Maurice thinks he's working in a normal mailroom or what. They're almost on the same layer that you guys are before you wake up. Or that's how it seems anyway. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like it's just you and me. We need to start moving and putting a stop to this to fix everything. I'm not saying you have to. If you want to sit this one out, fine, but I have a feeling most of you want to do something about this. Bring people back to themselves. That kind of thing. You're all pretty stubborn from what I've noticed and that's the good thing. There are some things I need to check. I'm learning how everything works here and I'm trying to understand all of their notes, not to mention I need to retrieve a few things and wait for a field agent but you'll hear from me soon. I have an idea, but these things take time. Stick together. Talk to each other. Keep focused. Oh. I guess also I should mention I moved offices? I'll be staying at headquarters for a while but my remote office is easier to access. Head to the public library, you should be set to get past the scanners on the back of the building and the door will appear for you. I'll be reachable by text, too. Good luck. Be in touch soon. Zee Carlisle Hiring Manager Retrspec Incorporated Characters' display names are the same as whatever has been previously chosen and are permanently locked in! 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, though you're free to hit up his individual inbox later. 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

un: Rean Schwarzer

[motiv8]

Some choice you're offering... help out (how?) or sit back and... what, just pray that everyone else saves your soul?

Of course, you have my aid regardless, but if you're going to tell us we're in danger and you need us, just be outright with it and tell us what you need. Being so cryptic and downplaying things like this won't help anyone.

un: BIG DECK ENERGY

[jurai]

It probably makes 'em feel better knowing they're giving us an RSVP to a party we HAVE to attend rather than a text telling us to be there

Guess it doesn't matter either way

[motiv8]

I'd say their feelings don't really matter when it's our souls (our souls) on the line, but I'm 100% sure they don't care.

[jurai]

Bingo

Retrospec's no different than any other big corporation when it comes down to it. If it's not money they want, it's exploiting the people who work under them (us)

They only win out because Vanderwheele's the evil Employee of the Century

[motiv8]

We don't work for them, though. We're "users." This is like if Twitter just said "so by the way we've entered you all into a Battle Royale but you don't have to play."

A part of me wonders if this guy is much better, but... as with all things with this, we don't get a choice. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, I suppose.

And if this Vanderweele's responsible for what happened to you, he's definitely my enemy.

[jurai]

Point taken, though I don't think they see it that way

You remember that text they sent us about the fire, as if we already jumped to volunteer while they sate back on their cushy seats and rooted us on. If that was even them to start with

[Who even knows, now. But enemy of my enemy...that's about as accurate as it gets. And Crow's eyes can't help but soften behind the feed at that last sentence.]

Believe me, that's what moved my hand in this

[motiv8]

I can't deny you have a point. Still, it's not like they're paying us, or even keeping us any more in the loop than they absolutely have to. Or offering us any more than the illusion of choice.

I do believe there's a word for forced labor. That's all I'll say about that.

Yeah. I don't blame you in the slightest. If that never happens again, it'll be too soon.

[jurai]

I think they call that 'retail'

[haha joke]

Don't think I ever thanked you for what you did back then, though so...

A long overdue thanks

Definitely would NOT have made it home if you weren't there

[fiddlestick]

Actually, this is as straightforward as any of these posts have ever been.

He might be just trying to figure out what needs to be done. He did just get back from the dead...

[motiv8]

...I think that makes it worse, not better.

You have a point with that, but even so, I wish he'd just say as much. It would at least feel a little less like being thrown to the metaphorical wolves, then.

[fiddlestick]

Oh.

Yeah, I know. But I really do think Zee cares about us, at least more than the rest of Retrospec does. He's helped us out more than a few times.

[motiv8]

I mean, it's like I said. I'm willing to offer my help regardless. I'm just... frustrated, that's all.

[fiddlestick]

I know, I'm sorry. It is really frustrating, you're not wrong there.

[blondferret]

You're still newish here so i'll enlighten you. Zee is giving us WAY more info that past retrospec employees. I'm kind of impressed. Not that I didn't know a good hunk of this info, but it's a little refreshing that someone is actually telling us stuff.

[motiv8]

So I hear. That doesn't really make this much better, though, you realize.

[blondferret]

Of course not. I would never say Retrospec is reliable. And being cryptic is their normal.

[motiv8]

I understand that. I also understand that getting anything even slightly less cryptic must be a breath of fresh air, and that I'm preaching to the choir in being frustrated.

It just feels better to have it out there and have even a 0.5% chance anyone will read it than stay silent, especially when it comes to something this important.

[blondferret]

Don't worry, feeling like this is a normal part of being on the app. This is why it's good to be over 21 How old are you? A friend and I are at a Izakaya in Tribunal Terrace. You sound like you need a good drink. Although we are lamenting over Japan's loss as Asia cup and not the stupidity of Retrospec. We've done a lot of that already. But we will give you our sympathies. If you're not over 21, we still have lots of food. Bring $5 and I'll pay the rest of the bill.

[motiv8]

Unfortunately, 20 until May. Hopefully, with all of this I'll even make it to see 21.

Still, sounds like a decent enough time. It'll take me a bit to get over there, but I'm on my way.

un: ellen jaguar

[usurpers]

Rean?
How are you feeling?

[ when u jump over that shit like

]

[motiv8]

[that awkward moment where eren is literally the only one who knows about what happened on their mission and eren's bringing it up in public

welp. HERE'S HOPING NO ONE ELSE NOTICES IT'LL BE FINE RIGHT,]

I think it's more or less healed up now. It's still kind of sore, but I think that's more of the bruise I got not too long ago after a bunch of clones dropped me onto the pavement than anything.

Thank you, by the way.

[fiddlestick]

What?

[HEWWO FIRST YOUR HEALER IS HEARING ABOUT THIS]

[motiv8]

Oh, um.

Got a little banged up getting a key with Eren. I'm fine now, though.

[help,]

[usurpers]

I’m going to break your other rib, armleuchter.

What did I tell you?

[jurai]

You're going to WHAT