retrospec | (no subject)

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
Retr

spec Incorporated

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[Wow, what a grump.]

Thanks! School's been busy, but I thought this looked more important! ╰(*´︶`*)╯

O☆K☆! I'll be sure to remember that! Although it's not like there's anything to sympathize with right now (´-ω-`) If I get a scary memory, will you listen? (.❛ ᴗ ❛.)

No.

Just whine about it on the public network, it seems to have worked for other people. I guess that's how people make friends now.

Soooo is that something you do too, or are you too cool for friends (￣￣|||)

I do not publicize my memories because it is nobody else's business. I don't need to rely on the shallow sympathy of others to validate what I have been shown. It doesn't change the kind of memories I have.

That just makes it REALLY sound like you need someone to talk to ∑(O_O;)

I just said it's nobody's business.

I take back what I said about your reading comprehension.

Well yeah, but that's pretty much what a therapist is for, right?

...Do we have therapists on this thing?

Right. Except that you pay them because they're "professional."

I do not know about that. If there are, they aren't anyone I'm seeing.

That's because they actually have training to tell you how to deal with stuff though (￣ヘ￣)

But seriously, do you have anyone to talk to?

[She's doing kind of a concern over here.]

[ he's going to spontaneously combust over not understanding concepts like 'general compassion towards other people' ]

I have a therapist.

[He's still absolutely a rude jerk but yes, general compassion does exist!!]

Whew, okay.

I'd say that's good, but... if they aren't on the app, you can't really talk to them about everything, right?

They are not on the app. There are... unrelated issues that are usually discussed. I do not talk to them about anything related to Retrospec, memories, or anything like that.

You certainly seem nosy, though. Might as well tell me why.

Because mental health is important?

It's not exactly my field but there's all kinds of mental health issues that can affect you physically, so it's good to take care of it

[ canned laughter ]

Thanks for your concern, but I'm already a lost cause on that front thanks to Retrospec.

No I am not talking to you about it. I don't even know you.

That's something for someone waaaaay more experienced than me anyway

[She also doesn't know him! No way she's trying to untangle whatever's going on here.]

Sorry if your memories are bad, though. Or... whatever else is going on here.

There's sooo much to catch up on.

Ask somebody else and they might break it down. You aren't missing as much as you think... It's a power struggle between people who have too much control over random strangers. That's the bottom line.

As for the memories... I just don't deal with them, as I said. Maybe you should consider how you want to deal with yours, should you get anything just as bad.

Repressing sounds like a bad idea, but I've also only had one so far. I wonder what samurai-me got up to?

Thanks for the advice, though!