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[elevelvetor]

Elizabeth Velveteen

"Good morning, noon, or night. You have reached Elizabeth Velveteen, who may or may not be here right now. Please leave a message if you have need of me."

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION

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[twostringsonebow]

[Slight experience. Yeesh. So looking forward to explaining to his mom about the fruits, if she asks.]

I see. [...] It is strange though, that it's like this. It seems as if they'd like the whole city to encompass their userbase, in my opinion, if there's a steadily growing number of people who become aware every so often. But why? What is their purpose in releasing it a bit at a time, why not all at once, why not seek volunteers instead of their generous use of the word "selecting"?

[He pops another piece of pancake into his mouth, the taste oddly bitter on his tongue.]

Well, it isn't a mystery that can be solved all at once, [he finally decides.] No doubt more questions will turn up as time goes on as well.

[elevelvetor]

Perhaps the app can only handle a certain amount of users each time, and they're working on expanding its capabilities between selections. I'm not entirely sure why they don't take volunteers instead, but I believe that sounds the most reasonable for why they don't just take everyone all at once.

It would run the risk of crashing otherwise. [ A common enough occurrence. Mmm... ] I wonder... It sounds very Orwellian, though I'm not certain if we're the ones trapped beneath Big Brother's boots, or if those who are not on the app are. In that case, wouldn't Retrospec be freeing us from brainwashing?

Or is it... [ ... She hesitates, then shakes her head. ] Well, it's no matter. You're right in that it's nothing that's solved overnight. Or over pancakes.

[twostringsonebow]

[... Brainwashing is another thing, that's new, that's a good an idea as any. Whether it's the government's fault or Retrospec itself, it doesn't settle easy on him.]

If only everything could be. Maybe we should try waffles next time, just to see if there's a difference.

[elevelvetor]

Maybe we should. After that, we'll move on from breakfast foods and onto lunch.

[ They'll eat their way through the city to figure out what's up with Retrospec— ]

[twostringsonebow]

[That actually sounds like a great idea???]

Hopefully we'll have something by the time dessert arrives! Ah, but I have something of a sweet tooth, so perhaps we could skip dinner..?

[elevelvetor]

[ this is it this is his social link with liz, i guess. ]

I'm partial to sweets as well, but I believe dinner is very important. It's where one shows off how much another means to you! The more you spend, the more you care.

... Or something like that. [ Heehee. ] Take that to heart for your significant other, Akechi.

[twostringsonebow]

[this is absolutely it, this is their social link, like a true guest and attendant]

I'll keep it in mind should I ever find myself having one in the first place, Miss Velveteen. [...] Though I think that something homemade may get across one's feelings better than any amount of money.

[elevelvetor]

[ TRULY... ]

Something homemade... Does that mean you can cook?

[twostringsonebow]

Decently enough, I think. My mother's work keeps her out late at times, and I find it oddly fulfilling to watch things like that come together...

[Dishes, baked goods, small dinner spreads...]

It's a necessary skill for one to have when they're planning to live on their own, too.

[elevelvetor]

Hm... I may soon find myself at a disadvantage then. [ Guess who doesn't cook.

... It's her. ] And simply ordering food is not considered a wise choice when one lives on their own?

[twostringsonebow]

Not if you have a finite amount of money, no. It's simply more economical to buy groceries, cook dishes that last as delicious leftovers, and focus your resources elsewhere.

[... For a rich person, or someone dependent on another, that doesn't matter.]

[elevelvetor]

I see. [ Hmm. ] I appreciate the advice. Perhaps quitting my job at the flower shop would be a poor choice, given that I'm not certain anywhere else would take me at the moment. I was only hired because of certain connections in the first place, anyway.

[twostringsonebow]

It would be best to stay with the job you have now, but I'm certain you can find something outside of that as well. You're a very charming young woman.

[So she'll have no problems!!]

[elevelvetor]

I was hoping to change jobs since I'd likely be staying at the university, and making the trip between Apprassage and Tisse would be very... taxing, especially with my chosen schedule.

[ ...so ideally, she'll get a job in Apprassage!! Ideally... ]

[twostringsonebow]

[Ah... It's easier for him, since modelling brings him wherever they need a shoot, but that would be a problem, wouldn't it.]

You do have the rest of the summer to find one closer... I wish you the best of luck in that regard, Miss Velveteen. My own job allows me to have more freedom where I can live.

[... Even if he wants it to be closer to Tisse so he can be near to his mom just in case something happens to her.]

What sort of thing would you like to do?

[elevelvetor]

[ What would she like to do... ]

I'm not sure.

[ ... That's a good start. ]

Most of the things I enjoy are simply hobbies. [ And escapism. ] I'm not sure how I'd feel doing them or being surrounded by them for a job.

[twostringsonebow]

They say you should do the job you love, even if most people tend towards hypocrisy by taking on careers they only get money out of. [Like him. Modelling is kind of fun? But it's just a job he tolerates.] I think that looking into your hobbies and exploring the possibility of enjoying them full time is a good idea though.

[He's going to work at an agency when he's able to, after all. Being a private investigator... it's the long game, but he's working for it.]

Besides, wouldn't it be invigorating to find others who share your interests? Your passions? They are the kinds of people who make any job worth it, in my opinion.

[Why he's not working at the cat cafe he frequents with startling regularity is anyone's guess!]

[elevelvetor]

You're very passionate about jobs, aren't you.

[ JUST AN OBSERVATION....... ]

[twostringsonebow]

[................. Embarrassment,]

Ah, um. I suppose so.

[He can't go to Denny's ever again. Their waitress is also looking vaguely impressed, she is doing her job of refilling their water tirelessly but maybe she'll just walk right on out of here and pursue her dream of being a truck driver.]

I hope it has been some... some help to you, in any case. Persistence and passion are the foundation of life.

[elevelvetor]

[ OH...... DID SHE EMBARRASS HIM... ]

It was very inspiring, I promise. I'm just not entirely certain how to respond to such championing. [ Really... ] I've never thought of being an actress at all, though I was asked if I was one earlier...

Technically, I suppose, I act, but I wouldn't call myself something so illustrious. So far, it hasn't been for money. [ Just school, and roleplay online in a sense. ]

[twostringsonebow]

I'll refrain from giving another impassioned speech, but...

[... Well, it kind of hits home for him. Solving cases at the moment is simply a hobby, something he'd like to make a career of, and even if it's not feasible it's still something he feels strongly about wanting.]

Those who like to write are writers. Those who like to draw are artists. [A pause.] Those who like to act are actors. They're simply amateurs, I think, but that doesn't discount them from being part of their respective sections.

Perhaps you could try for a company? Recolle is home to a number of interesting things, I can assure you, I wouldn't doubt if we had one that put on performances around the city. Or maybe you can be a storyteller at the library.

[elevelvetor]

[ He'll refrain, and yet. ]

It sounds quaint. [ Quaint. Very nice, if she's honest, and she leans back in her seat to study her half-finished pancakes. ] I suppose I'll look into a few things. Thank you for the impassioned pep talk.

[twostringsonebow]

[He has a bad habit alright.]

Ah... I'm sorry if that was bothersome. It simply strikes a chord with me.

[elevelvetor]

Because of your detective work-hobby, yes?

[ Given her dismantling of Goro Akechi In 39 Words Or Less when she met him. ]

[twostringsonebow]

Correct. It's not very well-paying, but it is highly rewarding... and unlike with your hobbies, those of the profession would certainly look down on me as I am now.

[Just a kid playing pretend. Not serious about it at all. Too naive to the world, will break before he bends, stuff like that.]

You have the benefit of having people who'd help you grow into your potential.