retrospec | (no subject)

So here's the thing…

We have a lot of work left to do. Those of you who ventured down below got a taste of what we're looking at and hopefully that means we can make better preparations. I'm working on opening a new portal based on your energy readings and getting it to stabilize itself so you aren't stuck down there longer than you have to be. May take a few days, but I'm hoping to get a map drawn up, too.

How many of you have been out to Magatus? You might wanna compare notes…the influence started spreading even further. It's better to bring everything and everyone out there back to the city where we can put up forcefields and I can monitor from here.

So what am I saying? I need two teams, a rescue team and an exploration team. Take some time to decide, figure out your skills, organize and arm yourselves. Assignments will go out when you're ready, and when I'm ready.

Oh yeah…and if you're interested in working for me directly? Send me your résumé.

Zee Carlisle
Hiring Manager
Retr

spec Incorporated

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Did you get feelings for her because you didn't want to treat her like your past self did initially or was it even before then...? Ah, sorry if I'm prying too much. They say 'curiosity killed the cat', after all.

But I don't think everyone has to be the same as their past selves. I mean, we go through different experiences that change us and our perspectives on things, after all.

I

[... actually, he's not sure how to answer that. After a couple of minutes, he finally responds:]

It might have been both. I had... feelings for her, before Retrospec got involved, but... maybe part of realizing how I really felt came from that. Not wanting to treat her like my past self did, that is.

You're right, though. We shouldn't be like our other selves-- especially if they've done unforgivable things. I don't know what Retrospec's end goal is when it comes to restoring us, but... if we were given another life, it makes no sense to repeat the same mistakes. We have an opportunity to make ourselves better.

I see. And that makes sense. Thank you for being honest with me when I'm prying so much.

Yeah. I mean, utilizing the experiences of your past self's mistakes is fine, but... I also think that the opposite is true in a way, too. To not get too absorbed in it if your past life was better, or more interesting than your current one.

It's fine. If it's able to help somehow, then I don't mind. I've been in your position before, so I know leaving things out doesn't do any good.

[Plus, it's private, and Raina doesn't seem to be the type who'd blab about other people's business, anyway-- or, at least, he hopes not.]

I never thought of it that way, though. Most of what I've seen and heard... it always seems like people have had worse lives in comparison to their current ones. I don't think I've met anyone who really envied their past life over this one. Even if it seemed more interesting, there were always some weird changes or things they got back that made their lives more difficult.

That's fair.

[ And thankfully Raina actually isn't, so that assumption isn't necessarily bad, actually. ]

But I thought that was the consensus when it came to past life stuff. I don't know if I should consider myself 'lucky' or the 'exception' since it doesn't look like my past life has anything like that.

As far as I recall, anyway.

Edited 2019-03-04 18:42 (UTC)

What do you remember so far about your past life, anyway? Aside from having feelings for someone there, that is.

[And then, a moment or two later--]

If that's alright with you, of course. I know I shared when you asked, but if it's too personal, I won't pry.

A lot of it was normal high school shenanigans, actually.

... really?

Like... clubs and classes and stuff?

[Granted, this child hasn't had the luxury of a normal high school experience yet with Retrospec fucking things up since he started, but that's... at least what he's gotten out of it so far.]

I don't remember any classes, but I do remember being in a club.

Was it more of a sports club, or a hobby one?

I don't remember what the club was, exactly, but it definitely wasn't a sports one.

But you remembering doing stuff in that particular club, though, right? Maybe it might have clues to what it could possibly be?

I know some people remembered fairly normal lives before stranger things starting cropping up in them, so it could be the case with you too.

I don't really remember the activities we did, actually. Just that I was in the club and I was talking with the others about irrelevant stuff.

[ Ironically, though, she does remember strange things happening but it's something that she doesn't want to reveal.

Not to mention that they were things that were out of her control and... she wants to hope that they ended eventually.

Honestly, she could compare it to everything that happens on Retrospec. ]

I feel pretty confident that my past self was a normal person.

[ Just thrust in unusual circumstances. ]

... that sounds about right. I don't think we ever really talked about art stuff when I was still in art club, either.

[Granted, he was only there because Tsukasa insisted, and now that everyone there was off the app, it was too awkward to stick around. Not that he was too crazy about art in the first place, so it wasn't a huge loss, but still...

Regardless, Raina's poking some major holes in his Retrospec theories, with her average life, and he's not too fond of it.]

You said you envied the life in your memories compared to this one, though. But if it's just high school things, isn't that something you've already been through?

[But then, a thought occurs to him, something he hadn't taken into consideration before, and he hastily adds--]

Unless you're not in high school yet...?

[With the name 'Queen' and no sign of her face, he can't be too sure. He had assumed she was older thanks to her demeanor and advice, but maybe she wasn't...?]

It's true that I'm not in high school anymore, but my former self had things that I don't have.

[... not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed that there wasn't another kid his age on the app, but at least he knew his assumptions were true.]

What sort of things did they have?

... I mean. If you don't mind me asking, that is.

I'd rather not say, actually.