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⬣//GROWING WILDLY OUT OF CONTROL.
September 23rd—conference day. In the hours preceding the meeting, beta testers are supplied with information on how to access the virtual conference room and offered a set of conduct guidelines. Testers are urged to read them thoroughly and instructed to sign their name on the bottom of the page to confirm that they’ve read and understand the following guidelines:
1. All questions will be addressed. Do not interrupt speakers or other beta testers when they are asking questions or having their questions answered.Players are generously allowed one hour to filter in and find their seats, review the guidelines, and discuss the questions they’ve prepared with their fellow beta testers.
2. Conduct yourself professionally and appropriately. Do not curse, shout, or otherwise engage in disruptive behavior. Violators will be muted and their speaking privileges revoked.
3. No eating or drinking. Keep your virtual space clean and free of debris.
4. Remain seated. Excessive movement or inappropriate behavior will result in restriction of your avatar’s movements.
5. PvP is disabled in the conference room. Weapons cannot be drawn and your Fragment inventory is unavailable during the duration of the conference.
One hour comes and goes. The room remains occupied only by the beta participants, CyberConnect Corporation’s flashy logo spinning idly on the conference room’s 80 inch display. Restlessness begins to settle in, idle chatter turning to frustration as one hour becomes two. Still, no one from the Corporation shows.
The conference room remains devoid of purpose, some forty-odd people sitting alone in a sterile conference room, a locked room, should anyone grow so restless they try to leave. Any attempts made to break doors and windows will fail.
The door is locked, as are the windows, the world beyond their stark white blinds a slurry of purple and black. Thunder crackles in that dark, endless void. Even if you could leave, where would you go?
It’s painfully evident after three hours of silence that no one from CyberConnect is showing up to the conference, but you knew that already, didn’t you? This mandatory meeting was fishy from the start, some would argue, while others may yet hold out hope.
That ends the instant anyone tries to log out and leave. Everyone who attempts to leave will be met with the same error Shoka was some weeks ago, but this time, the error is permanent. This time, there is no connection between mind and body anymore, and any attempt to “reach” your real self will fail.
You feel no one on the other end. You no longer feel the weight of your headset on your head or the keyboard beneath your fingertips. All your worldly aches and pains have drifted away only to find you here in your new reality, every sensation so real that Fragment no longer feels like just a game. Fragment is reality.
Three hours pass from the start of the conference. The boring white walls and rickety office chairs shudder and shake and give way to the Mac Anu everyone knows. You’re back where you started, more or less. What you do from here is up to you.
Some menus remain online. Players retain the ability to send and receive friend and party requests, access their inventories, spells, and weapons, and so on, but a few notable items are missing.
Players can no longer toggle their pain sensors on and off. Every blow you take is one you’re forced to suffer through, and what’s more, your health no longer automatically regenerates when idle. You’d better keep a stash of potions or a pocket healer handy.
While you’re at it, try not to die. The sharp-eyed among the group may notice that the respawn information nestled in the menus is no longer accessible to them. The respawn counter now reads as a series of zeros instead of the typical 20 minutes. Now is probably not the best time to continue testing Fragment’s death mechanics, but nothing’s stopping you from trying. No one’s going to save you, either.
Good luck, players. The real test has begun.
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That being said, Albedo doesn't find himself completely surprised when the other lets out some of his worries. Mildly, at most, but not entirely. He has established himself as a relatively calm individual, and...well, it takes the blond a moment to respond, but he delivers his words with some careful thought. ]
...I don't quite mind all that much.
You would've wanted to say so at one point, and I was already speaking to you on the subject, so it isn't as if it was unwarranted. As it is, I imagine the toll is great on someone who has an important one trapped in it all the same.
[ Even if Albedo thinks this is one of the very few times someone might have confided in him some form of worry. ]
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[ still, it's quite inappropriate to spill your feelings onto someone you've only just met, even if it was only a small spill. tighnari can't help but feel a little embarrassed; he'll simply have to make it up to him and no longer approach feelings territory. ]
Well, nevertheless, we're here now, it is what it is. Do you think there's anything we can.. do to rectify this? I'm not particularly tech savvy, I'd have no idea where to begin. If it's even possible.
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[ Albedo states levelly, more comfortable in the shift of the topic, though 'finding more information' can be a tall ask where one doesn't know where to search, including understanding what possible efforts, exactly, can be used to obtained it at all. ]
I believe testing certain elements of our environment can reveal what might be concealed, for the most part inadvertently. Questioning certain individuals can assist in this matter as well. NPCs who may have taken up certain posts, or those who still hold a link to CC Corp. [ Beat. ] Then there is looking into those special areas, or re-examining previously disseminated information that for potential new angles of investigation.
The end result of our attempts can be we eventually locate an exploit that will restore our minds' connection to our bodies.
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[ tighnari sits back a little, frowning thoughtfully as he taps his chin, his brow furrowed. ]
Probing for weak spots tends to be an effective method when it comes to escaping any traps, and certainly a good place to start, though we should be as careful as we can manage. This is an entirely new situation, and we don't want to do more harm than good.
[ like delete their consciousnesses or something haha but that wouldn't happen right ]
Still, it's a good idea.
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Yes, he supposes that's what most people would like to aim for. But, that's not his modus operandi.
It lowers an entire spectrum of results. Though... ]
...You're concerned about the potential consequences if we were not to tread lightly. I understand.
[ ... ]
I would certainly not expect you to take unnecessary risks. Fortunately, I believe we so happen to have a decently-sized group of individuals. With our numbers, we should be able to usually have leeway for cautious approaches. Accounting for, of course, potential dangers ahead.
[ He will just freely be willing to take various risks himself. ]
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Right. I know we might be putting ourselves at further risk moving forward, and that sitting still really isn't an option, nor does it promise safety.
[ they seem to be at risk no matter what avenue they take. ]
But.. yes, you understand. I just don't want anyone to be reckless, and get themselves harmed unnecessarily. I worry.
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I don't believe it to be an unnecessary worry. It'd be entirely possible people may become more reckless in the days to come.
[ There is nothing extremely ironic about saying this now. ]
I wonder, though...if there is any way for us to obtain information about the outside world as we're going through this predicament. I have been at least making sure to keep track of the date and time, but it'd be useful if we had that kind of access, even just to keep people's worries from accumulating too much.
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[ CHRIST WHAT ELSE DID I MISS.. people please.. ]
As for outside information.. well, if we're still connected to the internet, it might be possible in some way, right?
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I imagine that must be the case.
...Well, with perhaps a bit of hopeful thinking from my part, but I wouldn't believe it to be completely illogical to think it plausible.
[ Their connection doesn't stop them from witnessing updates, right? They'll learn that soon enough, though. ]
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[ imagine they did get word out - who would believe that a bunch of comatose people had their consciousnesses stuck in a video game?? would anyone actually take it seriously? ]
Mm. For now, I think I'm going to enjoy a drink. Would you like one?
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[ So if they achieve getting information or broadcasting before that...hrmm.
Yeah, his thoughts are along the same lines of Tighnari's right now. ]
...As long as there is something light and a bit sweet among the selection, I wouldn't mind.
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he just. wants a drink right now, thanks. so he'll meander on over to the bar. ]
I'm sure you can get a light cocktail. Chilled white wine is also usually light and sweet.
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As for Albedo...is he angling for one himself truthfully? Not exactly, but a little something to tide himself over really can't hurt. ]
Very well, then. What will you be getting?
[ Regardless of the idle curiosity, he'll go on over to slowly join the other at the bar, and order, well...a light cocktail. ]
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[ tighnari enjoys his wine from time to time, but he wouldn't call himself a big drinker. some wine on a sunday night spent reading on the sofa is about the extent of his excitement.
anyway, he goes ahead and places an order with the barkeep.. an npc i assume. ]
So, we're going to be here for a little while, I assume.. might as well get to know one another, hmm? If you're amenable, at least. We could also drink in awkward silence, if you prefer.
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Hearing Tighnari's suggestion, Albedo recalls if someone had probably suggested such a thing he might not really see the point.
Not that he considers himself good with these things regardless. But now it's become a matter of, 'Is there a point NOT to?' ]
Yes, we might as well. I do warn I'm not the best at such conversation, however...this may be the time where some awkward silence may not be entirely necessary.
[ That's easy enough for him to obtain on his own. ]
Where shall we start?
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Well, we'll find something you enjoy talking about then, hmm? [ a smile, as he leans his chin on one hand, then takes a sip. ] Everyone is passionate about something.
But since this is my idea, I'll start. I'm Tighnari, I'm a botanist and a forest ranger. I love studying plants and fungi.
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Certainly.
...I am Albedo; I work mostly as a cosmetic chemist as a way to found my research into my current interest in evolutionary biology. [ ... ] I suppose you might have opportunities combine your occupation with your field of study? Or is being a forest ranger a bit too involved for that to make it possible except outside of work?
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Being a forest ranger offers me plenty of opportunity to gather samples and observe flora and fungi in their natural habitat, so yes, you could say that I am able to combine my work and study very well. I do plenty of ecological surveys, on top of guiding idiot tourists through the brush. [ he smiles broadly. ] Evolutionary biology is fascinating.
no subject
I see. That sounds like rather fascinating work.
I do hope your shepherding of those idiot tourists hasn't been too much trouble. Though, I imagine the fact you can combine both work and study well far outweighs any potential detriments.
[ But, he gives a nod. ]
It certainly is—given the fact that there are always discoveries waiting around the corner in such a field, you must know that there is never a dull moment.
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[ his own personal study, yes, but also the simple wonder of being able to work in a place he loves so much, to be able to stand among the trees nearly every day. ]
A cosmetic chemist, though.. we have some crossover there, as well, in a way. I'm in the habit of developing my own skin and hair care products.
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[ ...Oh, he has almost forgotten his drink. He will take a sip.
His interest is a bit piqued at the segue, though. ]
Are you? I can't quite say I anticipated that.
If you're developing them, do you happen to have a name for your line of product?
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[ he shakes his head. ]
I just make them for myself, after all. I'm a bit finicky about taking care of myself, and keeping my skin and hair healthy. I don't know that I'd have the time to develop a brand.
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[ It's like how Albedo doesn't do his research to benefit any kind of singular institution. Which, well...the example is far different, but he believes for it to be still applicable. ]
Inventions can be made strictly for someone's own individual needs. It's pragmatic and there are advantages to taking that route instead of attempting to account for others'.
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[ a second job and a half, really, for being an entrepreneur is a looot of work, especially in the beginning. ]
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[ Or any semblance of enjoyment even if it would still benefit Tighnari, personally speaking. ]
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