⬣//BLOSSOMING FROM A GAP IN THE ASPHALT.

[cccorp]

>>NAVAL MONTE // >>HEALTH // >>ROGUE NPC // >>CONFERENCE // >>Zelkova Corner

⬣//A TOWERING MOUNTAIN AMIDST THE WAVES

A new Root Town has been revealed: Naval Monte, a tiered city built upon a mountain jutting up from an endless expanse of ocean. These fortified walls house an innumerable number of NPCs who, unlike those which occupy other Root Towns, are quite a bit more advanced.

Those of you who spend entirely too much time logged in have no doubt noticed the set patterns the NPCs of Mac Anu and Lumina Cloth take to move from area to area. Their paths never change. Their dialog rarely diverges. Talking to a freshly painted wall would be more stimulating than conversing with your run of the mill NPC, but Naval Monte's are different.

They move in accordance with their own whims, seldom found in the same place twice. Some NPCs have entire families while others boast elaborate backstories and speak at length of their tales of bravery and triumphs over evil. While they won't accept your party invites, they may instead invite you to share a meal with their family and regale you with stories until you've had your fill.

Travel far enough into the depths of the city and you'll hear tales of a graveyard that sits within the core of the mountain, but the NPCs who guard this elusive site are defensive at best. Don't expect them to let you in, but given their advanced nature, you may be able to wheedle some valuable information out of them.

Be aware that there is a price to enter Naval Monte. After crossing the vast bridge leading right up to the mountain city, you'll be accosted by no less than a dozen eager vendors fighting to peddle their wares to you. Some are so desperate that they ask only for a single GP, and in exchange, they grant you passage to the city.

Ask them why they're so desperate to make a sale and they'll answer plainly: if you don't, the curse will persist.

⬣//FOR YOUR HEALTH

Come Saturday morning, an email flagged as urgent pops up in your inbox.

To our beta team,

It has come to our attention that a number of our beta testers have failed to report previous underlying health conditions that may negatively impact their ability to perform their duties as intended.

In our ongoing efforts to monitor the health and safety of our beta testing team, all participants in Fragment's closed beta test will be required to complete a health screening before the date of September 16th in order to continue participating in the beta.

Beta participants will be matched with a health professional in their area and the fees for their screening and assessment waived. As such, it is necessary that you make an appointment with the medical professional assigned to you or select another from within our network.

No exceptions will be made for those who fail to submit their health assessments to CyberConnect's Health and Human Resources department. Termination from Fragment's beta testing program and applicable legal action will be taken in the event that you fail to participate in these necessary steps.

We take the health and safety of our beta testers very seriously. If you have any concerns, please contact us at cccorp.ccmail.com.

Thank you for your continued efforts,
CyberConnect Corporation of Japan.

⬣//ON THE RUN

Murmurs of an unusual NPC have begun to circulate within Naval Monte.

According to eye witnesses, one of the local residents has "gone rogue". According to them, a woman with dishwater eyes and hair messily pulled into a loose bun has been spotted going door to door begging to be let in.

"We need to go," she shouts, her eyes glossy with tears, her every word slurred. "We'll be safe there! We'll be free! We can't live like this anymore!"

From what you've heard, that woman has managed to break free from the confines of her native Root Town and has been seen running through the streets in Mac Anu, Lumina Cloth, and the nameless Root Town in the sky. You may have even come across her, accosted in the street and urged to listen to her increasingly erratic ramblings.

"I need you to take me there! Take me to him! His father left the key within him!"

Ultimately, nothing you say or do will influence the woman's behavior or calm her down. All you'll get for your troubles is an ill feeling in the pit of your gut, something that blooms from within you and spreads infinitely outwards. An infection you can't cure.

You won't realize that the infection has begun to spread and mutate until you see it blossoming all around you, your fellow testers complaining of an unidentifiable malaise. You'll know what afflicts you and everyone you've infected when it's far too late to do anything about it. Until this unfortunate "bug" is patched, you'll continue to get sicker and sicker. The progression of the illness is as follows:

Stage one: The complete inability to lie, but is that really a bad thing? We could all stand to be more honest and communicative.

Stage two: The loss of one of your key senses, but only one. Maybe it's your sense of smell. Your keen tongue. Your vision. Whatever it is, it's a vital part of you that won't return to you until you log off, but when you next log in, you may find that a different sense has gone missing instead.

Stage three: Disconnect from your real world body. You'll realize after several days have passed that you can no longer feel your real self as keenly as before. You may not realize you've slapped yourself in the face or knocked a tooth out on the edge of your desk until you log out for the day and witness the extent of the damage.

Final stage: Memory loss. Your head feels foggy. Concentrating becomes a struggle, your thoughts sluggishly crawling through your mind and and ultimately losing their way. In the final stages of the illness, you may forget to log out for days at a time and wake to find yourself passed out on the floor with your headset jostled loose, inadvertently freeing you from the game.

The "cure," aside from a timely patch, may hide somewhere within the game. Before your senses leave you, you'd better start asking around.

⬣//YOU CAN TRUST US. WE PROMISE.

As many of you know, it isn't easy to get ahold of CyberConnect when you need them. Hien is, at best, completely useless. Pete isn't much better. It's for these reasons and more that players have been invited to a digital conference and encouraged to give a voice to the rising concerns within the beta testing community.

The conference is to be held, both ICly and OOCly, on September 23rd at 12PM EST. If you have any burning questions to ask the people who hold power and influence over the state of the game and what happens within it, you can't afford to complain about timezones. This is your opportunity to speak your mind and have those questions answered.

OOCly, the conference will begin on September 23rd at 12PM EST and end on October 7th at 12PM EST. During this time, your characters can ask whatever questions they'd like of CyberConnect corporate staff, bring up concerns, and provide insights on their beta testing experiences.

Participation is mandatory (ICly), so set your alarms and don't be late!

⬣//ZELKOVA’S CORNER

Hello, everyone! Sorry I was away for a while. I got stuck in an outer level of the game and it took me a week to get back, but I should be just fine now! I hope I didn't miss anything too serious...

I did see that all of you have worked hard on those recipes, though! I liked all of them so much that I've added each of them into the game so that everyone can make their own. Congratulations!

>>Navigation

Comments

[regressive]

[ Joonghyuk coughs and clears his throat when Brambles is so straightforward about riding his dick all of a sudden. ]

So... you're holding yourself back because I said that we shouldn't have sex while playing this game? Is that the only reason?

[dapples]

I respect your boundaries far more than I respect my own wants and desires ... because they're not a necessity.

[ He holds his hands then kisses him. ]

I love you. I don't need to have sex to show you that, or to feel it from you as well. If I did succumb to my desires, I would go forth as described. But nothing matters more to me than how comfortable you feel and respecting the rules we set within our relationship. I really won't die without sex ... I'm sorry if I've seemed desperate or pushy.

I just really miss you. The distance can certainly be a challenge at times. But I know I'll get to see you again.

[regressive]

[ While Joonghyuk remains silent for quite a while after everything Brambles has said, it seems that he has made up his mind already. ]

We'll get back to how you don't consider your wants and desires a necessity in a moment.

[ That's something he wants to discuss in a slightly different setting, really. First of all, Joonghyuk pins Brambles against the bed and entwines their fingers together as he gazes down at the other man. ]

You didn't sound desperate or pushy at all. Besides... maybe I'm the one who's desperate.

[ It's not like he doesn't want to go all the way. It's just... they really don't know much about this game, if Mithrun's incident is anything to go by. ]

I miss you too, Bramley. Being so far away from you drives me insane. I want to have you close, all the time.

[ Joonghyuk gazes away for a moment as his cheeks start to feel warmer. ]

[dapples]

Joonghyuk ...

[ After being pressed down on the bed with ease, Brambles cups his face with his hand. ]

Me too. Even if it's not the real thing ... I'm glad this game allows us to be close to each other.

[ He leans up to kiss his cheek. ]

I spend most nights dreaming about the next time I'll be able to kiss you for real.

[regressive]

When we meet again, I'm not letting you get out of the bed for the whole day and night.

[ Considering his solemn tone, this isn't a joke. He truly means it, even though there's no telling in what circumstances they're going to see each other again.

Taking advantage of having his cheeks cupped, Joonghyuk wraps his fingers around Brambles' wrist and tilts his head to press soft kisses against his palm. ]

Me too. Sometimes it's hard to wake up when I know you won't be there.

[dapples]

[ He giggles. ] Mm, you know I wouldn't object to that ...

[ Being confined to bed for a whole day and night can only bring about very good things. He smiles with bliss when Joonghyuk kisses his hand. ]

I just hope it won't be long until we can do this for real.

[regressive]

I'll try to make sure you won't have to wait too long.

[ This may or may not sound like another trip to the UK. For the time being, however, Joonghyuk focuses on the present—he catches Brambles' lips with his own in a hungry, passionate kiss while his hips grind against the Englishman's. ]

[dapples]

[ He kisses back eagerly, moaning softly against the other man's lips as their hips grind against one another. He's fully hard - but this shouldn't be too much of a surprise, considering how sensitive he is. His hands comb through Joonghyuk's hair and trace down his back and ... it's definitely not the same as doing this in real life, but it'll suffice for now. Even if the physical alignment in the game isn't a perfect nod to reality, the sound of Joonghyuk's voice is comforting enough. ]

My body aches for yours ...

[ But didn't Joonghyuk say something about customisation? Maybe they can have fun in other ways, with the game providing interesting features. ]

[regressive]

I know that feeling...

[ Joonghyuk sighs softly, fully aware that there are many differences but rather than focusing on them, he decides to concentrate on making Brambles feel good. His fingers hook around the band of the other man's pants, pushing them down slightly. After a little while, Joonghyuk manages to pull Brambles' cock out, his fingers wrapped around the shaft as he starts pumping it. ]

Leave everything to me.

[dapples]

Ah...! Haah...!

[ He writhes and squirms, shuddering from those touches. ]

You-- ah ... a-always know how to make me feel good, even online ...

[regressive]

It's just the beginning.

[ Joonghyuk dips down and runs his tongue from the base to the tip of Brambles' cock, and gazes at him while giving him small, teasing licks. ]

How's that, Bramb?

[dapples]

Fucking incredible ...

[ It isn't often that the polite Englishman uses such vulgar language, which should indicate to Joonghyuk that he's doing a pretty marvellous job. It's not easy having a long distance boyfriend, but thanks to this game, they can become intimate just as they would in real life. ]

God, I miss you. [ Not exactly dirty talk, but, those words tumble out of his lips before he can stop them. ]

[regressive]

I can't decide if you're becoming more vulgar or religious because of me.

[ Joonghyuk can't help teasing his adorable lover a little especially when he is so sensitive. It's impossible to completely forget that they're currently in a game yet he tries to not focus on that part too much and instead concentrate on making Brambles feel good. ]

Do you think you're going to taste the same way as you do offline?

[ Leave it to Joonghyuk to ask the most important questions. ]

[dapples]

[ He giggles at that remark. ]

Hey...!

[ He's definitely not a religious man, but if Joonghyuk was a religion, he just may consider it. Wow - that's a hell of a thought, isn't it? ]

Well ... there's only one way to find out, right?

[regressive]

[ You can't say that and expect me to do nothing... ]

Yeah.

[ There's no need to say anything else for now, so he dips his head down and takes Brambles' cock inside of his mouth, hollowing his cheeks right off the start and suckling on it quite hard. ]

[dapples]

Oh--

[ Brambles produces a particularly throaty moan when Punisher's mouth closes around his cock, tilting his head back with a heavy sigh. He stirs and writhes, vocally responding to the sensation with small shaky moans and pleasurable little peeps, visibly enjoying himself. ]

J-Joonghyuk-- Ah ... [ It just makes him miss him even more. Softly, he cards his fingers through his hair. ] You make me feel so good ...

[regressive]

[ Only now Joonghyuk fully understands that he should have never suggested holding back and not doing anything sexual while in the game. The fact that there's no telling who checks the game logs and to what extend is still not sitting right with him but he can't think of that for too long, not when these moans spill from Brambles' mouth.

His answer is bobbing his head faster, pushing the other man's cock deeper inside of his mouth, letting it rub against the back of his throat. As expected, there's no such thing as gag reflex implemented in the game, so he can actually go all the way to the base of Brambles' dick. ]

[dapples]

[ The concept of being monitored while having sex in the game is a thought that has also entered Bramb's head. However ... unlike Joonghyuk, there's an overwhelming sense of arousal at the thought of being caught or watched like this. Why is that? He would have to psychoanalyse himself in order to try and make sense of it. Is it really that arousing to consider the idea of being observed while having sex in game? ]

Hya-ah-ahh-!

[ But any thoughts building in Bramb's mind over this immediately die once he finds himself swiftly approaching climax. It can't be helped, really - Joonghyuk's mouth is a perfect warm velvety sensation around his dick, and combined with his fantasies about being watched, he can't hold it in. The coil snaps free inside of him and he cums with a pitched, breathy squeal escaping him. ] F-Fuck! Cumming!

[regressive]

[ Getting a taste of Brambles' tangy spent makes Joonghyuk hollow his cheeks out, his lips getting a bit swollen from all the suckling but he wants to get every single drop before pulling away. Pumping his lover's cock with his hand, he keeps swallowing audibly, letting the Englishman hear how much he enjoys it. And when Joonghyuk raises his head, some of the cum still remains on his lips yet he doesn't lick it off until Brambles can see it. ]

I want more...

[dapples]

More-- [ He starts to answer while slightly short of breath, sighing out gratified moans of bliss at the utterly erotic display that Joonghyuk is providing to him. ]

Y-Yeah, I'm game for more--

[ Whatever "more" may entail. He truly doesn't mind - he's just happy that they can share intimacy with one another, even if it's virtual. ]

[regressive]

You won't mind waiting a while before we get to that part, right?

[ What does Joonghyuk want to do NOW, of all times? It is a mystery. As long as he gets a confirmation from Brambles, he's going to open the character customization window. ]

[dapples]

[ He blinks. ] Wait? Wait for what?

[regressive]

Have you taken a good look at the customization options?

[ Because he did. Actually, he's looking at the advanced options right now, tweaking a few settings. ]

[dapples]

Customisation options ...

[ He's seen them for almost everything. Hair, body, and ... wait. ]

For ... what, might I ask? [ Surely he can't mean his dick-- can he?! ]

[regressive]

For our dicks.

[ Leave it to Joonghyuk to say it directly. ]

If you want, I can make mine bigger and thicker.