⬣//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

[fluorite]

Thanks.

[ He smiles softly, turning his hand over so he can give Tylor's a little squeeze back. ]

He pretends he isn't, but I know he's extremely sensitive. I'll do my best to take care of his fragile heart.

[tylorific]

It makes me happy to hear you say that.

[ Tylor is content with his hand remaining there for now, lacing their fingers if Fai allows it. His own expression shifts to return that soft smile with one of his own. ]

Oh. But you like that about him, don't you?

[fluorite]

[ Fai allows it, knowing full well that Tylor is simply affectionate, and who is he to turn down affection with a friend? ]

I do. He's also incredibly blunt, which I also like.

[ What can he say, he likes crass men. ]

[tylorific]

[ It is friendly, and Tylor can't help but be pleased with how often he is allowed to simply be himself around here. ]

That's true. [ A laugh of acknowledgment as he relaxes beside him. ] Somehow, it feels like you two balance one another out, doesn't it?

And if you get married, I hope you invite me to the wedding. I love weddings.

[fluorite]

I'd like to think we balance one another.

[ Where he lies, Yael is honest. Where Yael angers easily, Fai remains calm.

But the mention of a wedding has him laughing softly to himself. ]

We'll see about that. It still feels a little too early for me to think about it.

[tylorific]

Yeah, maybe it is too early.

[ Tylor agrees with another laugh. ]

But... you know, I've never wanted to marry anyone before this game either. I feel like I've known them forever already.

It's pretty amazing, isn't it? That fate brought us all together like this?

[fluorite]

I think so. I'm not sure how much I believe in fate, but... it's amazing nevertheless.

[ Believing in fate would be too sad for him, so he simply can't believe in it. ]

I've wanted to marry someone before, so I think I'm waiting for that feeling to finally hit me. I know it will.

[tylorific]

[ There's a happy sound, not quite a laugh, at Fai's agreement. Well, agreement to the important part. ]

Really? Wow, you two have that in common too.

I'm sure you'll feel it again too. But, what happened before?

[fluorite]

He moved away. It isn't like we could have actually gotten married, but still... the thought counts, doesn't it?

[ Fai thinks it does, at least somewhat. ]

He was my first love, though, and it was intense. [ A pause. ] In a good way, of course.

[tylorific]

Oh. I think the thought is everything. It's not like we can actually get married either. Who cares about the rules? People should live how they like.

I've been in love before too, but it feels different this time. Deeper, somehow. Even though we met, or met again, in a video game.

[ A blink. Distracted again, by the light reflecting off water. He realizes it too late this time, a rarer peace sneaking in without resistance. His soft, closed mouth laugh is almost a giggle this time, too innocent for his face when it turns back to Fai. Then again, he is wearing a middle school uniform. ]

Being in love sure is fun though, isn't it?

[fluorite]

[ Part of him wishes he could be as carefree as Tylor. There may even be a spark of jealousy in that, too. But some people are simply meant to be that way, regardless of the trials they've faced, aren't they?

At least Fai can soak that optimism in. ]

It is. [ He pauses, a wary smile taking over his features. ] I'm more scared this time, though. I know it's happening, but it terrifies me and I'm not sure why.

[tylorific]

Well, it's okay to be scared for the right reason.

The more you love something, the scarier it is to lose it. It'll replace any other fears if you let it.

[ A hand squeeze. ]

Taking care of someone's heart is a lot of responsibility. But he'll take care of yours too, I think. If you let him. [ A beat of a laugh. ] Somehow that part is a little scary too, huh?

[fluorite]

I think that's the scariest part of all. If I admit to myself just how far I've fallen, that would make it easier to break my heart.

[ Not that he thinks that would happen, exactly, but even so. ]

But I worry most about hurting him. You're right that taking care of someone's heart is a lot of responsibility. I think I'm worried that it'll be too much for me.

[ All because of his own problems and nothing more. ]

[tylorific]

Fai, [ Tylor says it as he reaches gwntly for Fai's other hand, pausing with them both between his own if there is no protest. All to get Fai to really look at him, which he pauses for. Eventually, he'll go on even if Fai doesn't look his way. ]

It won't be too much for you if you really try, I'm sure of it. Not with how smart and beautiful you are. Sensitive and strong too.

It doesn't even feel like it took you guys long at all to get past all that ba--[ He turns to cough, innocently.]-- everything. It's really sweet to see.

But besides all that, you have friends like me to talk to when you need it. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.

[ He moves to lock their pinkies together in a pinky swear with a smile. And congratulations, Tylor sends his cell number to Fai, if he hadn't already sent it by now. ]

[fluorite]

[ Ah... the people in this game know exactly how to break down all of his defenses and rush past the walls he's so carefully built up, don't they? It's impressive, almost.

Tylor is successful in getting Fai to look him in the eyes, and he can't help the genuine yet sheepish smile on his face. ]

Thanks, Tylor. I mean it.

[ Fai laughs when he sees that number, and he sends his own back, this time with his real name—Yuui. ]

You know... you can go ahead and call it baggage. It's true.

[tylorific]

Any time. That's what friends are for.

[ Tylor's smile tilts at being caught, going on playfully-- ]

But saying baggage is a little rude. It makes it sound like you both chose what got packed. Or that it's easy to set down and get over things. It's not that simple for most people.

I think, that's why it's so sweet that you guys are coming together.

[ And in return, Yuui receives Tylor's real name. The whole thing actually. Justy Ueki-Tylor, aged 20. No fear.

Yuui will also soon be added to the numbers that he sends cute animals to semi regularly. So be prepared for that. ]

[fluorite]

Thanks, Tylor. I appreciate your kind words.

[ He's so... good at it. Honestly, Fai thinks he needs someone like Tylor around to spread his earnest thoughts and feelings. ]

I hope you'll reach out to me whenever you need to. I'll do whatever I can.

[ And he'll definitely appreciate those cute animal pictures. ]

[tylorific]

Of course I will.

[ Tylor opens his mouth to say something else, but the sound dies before it begins. His pupils dilate, gaze losing focus. He blinks, then closes his eyes for a beat. Opening them again, he frowns.

But he doesn't sound nearly alarmed enough. ]

Huh. I can't see anything.

[fluorite]

What...? What do you mean? Did your display accidentally shut off?

[ He doesn't know if their displays work that way, but maybe? ]

[tylorific]

[ Tylor goes quiet, slouching until he blinks again. ]

Nope, it's on alright. This is pretty lame.

[ But leave it to Tylor to make light of it anyway. He shifts his hands up to feel gently for Fai's face as his frown gives way to a smile, a playful tone. Touch makes it easy for him to look in the correct direction. ]

Can you still see me?

[ And then he closes his eyes anyway. ]

[fluorite]

I can.

[ His brows furrow as he lets go of one of Tylor's hands to wave it in front of his face. ]

You... really can't see anything, can you?

[ If he didn't know Tylor took just about everything in stride, Fai would think he's joking. But he isn't, he's way too honest for that. ]

[tylorific]

Nope!

[ Tylor doesn't flinch, doesn't know to keep his eyes closed as Fai waves. There pranks Tylor would play. But this isn't one of them. Maybe decades later, when things are safe and settled and they can afford to comfortably remember the scarier times. Not that Tylor seems scared at all. ]

Well, I'm glad it's just me. And at least your voice sounds even lovelier like this.

[fluorite]

Ah, Tylor... paying compliments at a time like this?

[ He sighs, clicking his tongue a couple of times as he grabs onto Tylor's hands to help him up. ]

Let's get away from the water for now.

[tylorific]

Why of course, I'm only being honest.

[ Tylor says it easily as he allows himself to be he helped up. As laid back and unafraid as he is, he still holds Fai's hands a little tighter than before. ]

Oh, that's a good idea. I do know how to swim though.

[fluorite]

[ That doesn't escape Fai's notice, and so he comfortingly squeezes Tylor's hands. ]

I'm sure you can, when you can see. But as you can't, I'm not going to risk it.