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⬣//SPREAD, CONTAMINATE, ERADICATE
You've had a chance to adapt to your new circumstances and make peace with what your life has become… hopefully. If you haven't, don't expect life to get any easier.
A few things have changed in recent days. Healing no longer works as effectively as it did in the past. If you're in the habit of behaving recklessly, don't expect one of Fragment's few healers to pick up the slack. Broken bones will now remain broken no matter how many healing spells are cast on your shattered limbs. Damage to organs can't be repaired with the wave of a wand.
What's more, HP and SP restoring items have gotten harder and harder to come by. Potions are no longer available for purchase at generic NPC shops and gatherable items needed for crafting have become fewer and fewer in number, limiting your item making options. If you've gotten into the bad habit of injuring yourself heedless of the consequences, it's time to rethink your lifestyle. Playtime is over.
Think of the three core memories that have formed and shaped the person you are today. Some will think back fondly on family and friends while others have been jaded by the ill treatment they've received from important figures in their lives. In any case, it's of little concern to you now. One of those three precious memories has vacated your mind, taking with it a vital piece of you that you can no longer get back.
You may choose one of the three key memories listed on your application to be taken away from your character. Choices are limited to the memories supplied in your application and additional memories submitted for the previous memshare event or not eligible for convenient plot-induced memory loss. Choose wisely, because you aren't getting it back.
And Sky Fish, and Disco Knives, and Evil Armors…
Has anyone noticed the monsters around town lately? Which town, you may ask? The answer is all of them.
Monsters have invaded Root Towns in large waves, attacking anything and everything in sight. Any lovingly crafted signs or other furnishings you've erected around town are easily torn to shreds and destroyed by the monsters who have come to roost in your once safe Root Towns. On the plus side, PvE and PvP has now been enabled in all Root Towns, which is excellent news for those who wish to combat the monster invasion and those who can't seem to help hurting themselves and others.
These monsters range in level from 50 to 75, and while many of them can be defeated with a bit of ingenuity and teamwork, some of them boast impenetrable shields that no regular attacks or spells can break through. They are also immune to status/potion/armor effects.
When in doubt, turn to your fellow players for support. There may be some among you who know how to deal with these impossibly strong monsters, but there's no guarantee that they'll want to help you.
A lilting, boyish voice sings to you in your sleep. His voice sounds familiar to you, tickling your heart like a call from an old friend, but this is no friend of yours.
"You had every chance to abandon this world and return to your own. What stopped you? Was it ego? Hubris? In any case, it's too late for regrets now.
They say the world is what you make of it. Doesn't the same hold true for reality?"
The voice will periodically visit you and your sleep, but the moral of his message never changes: you did this to yourself. You were trapped here because you chose to look the other way. If anyone is to blame for the current situation, it's you and you alone, but there is a̸̬̲͔̘͈͚̠̫̘̬̗̖̋͑̉̓̿͛̈́̋͐̃̾̈̕̕ͅń̵̩̱̠̫̖̬̲̻͉̝̈́̀̀̚͜͜o̴͍͎̣͔̤̝̲͍̺̿̒t̴̨͚͓͍̜̮̥͊͑̿̈́̉̂̐͜͠͝h̷̨̨̦͕͖̙̞͙̗̗͎̬͛̂̾̋̅͜͜͝ȩ̸͎̭̙̜̯͎̯̳̮̘̲͒ȑ̸̡̧̢͓̠̦͙͇͍͎̭͑̈́̓̿̓̅̑̅̌͑̈́̕͝͝ ̴̧̼͕̟̬̰̞̮̗͔͈̬̙͍̈́̀w̵̗̖̩̘͇͖̲̩̫̣̗̙̲̌͜a̷̛͎͋͑̃͛̆̈̋̑̋͠y̴̡̬͕͈̗̫̯̟̯͊͐̌̀̐͑͘͝͝.
Another h̶̦̘̤̘͐͑̿̂̏̎͋͝o̴̧͖͚̖̜͓͂̏́͒̑̈́͝͝p̶̡͙̏̉̿̎̀̑́̈̆͌̉e̷̡̡̦̣̯̘̺͍̟̰͍̤͛̀́̚͝͠. Will you heed that voice and call to it?
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[ A squeeze, tone still effortlessly light even when there is warm sincerity there-- ]
But have you been taking care of yourself too, Em? Stress isn't good for you.
Huh, I wonder if we can still get wrinkles?
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[Looking up at Justy's hair. Hmmm]
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[ Justy stands and straightens his slouch enough to lean over and look, without separating their hands. Another wince, slighter than the first. With a hum like he's actually looking, because he actually is, he tilts his head this way and that.
The humming turns concerned. ]
Hmm...
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[Sinclair laughs, reaching up to stop him. Don't do that, you look really sore]
You're fine, I'm sure of it.
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But he doesn't wince when Em reaches to halt his joke, he's too busy laughing along with him.
He leans over Em this time, as if looking for grey hairs there too. Hmmm. ]
You know, I think I see a couple already.
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[No??? Also, his hair is short now it shouldn't be that obvious, should it??]
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Actually, you look really cute with short hair. [ But the joking isn't finished, as sincere as it is. ] Even if it goes grey.
[ Punctuated with a hair ruffle. He's also clearly forgotten what they were doing in the first place. ]
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I rather not too soon.
[Sinclair will just guide Justy back to the guilds. Back to Phantom Operatives they go!]
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[ Justy is easily led along to the guild, content as usually to float his attention and steps. Even after so much pve.
Have an appreciative sound once he blinks and realizes where they've ended up. No complaints here. ]
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[ It's a relief to make it back to safe territory. Sinclair lets out Orion from his inventory to go exploring while he ducks behind the counter of the cafe, looking for food and drinks]
Did you want anything to eat or drink?
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[ Justy leans casually on the counter from the customer side, chin in his hands. ]
Whatever Chef Em recommends~
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Mmm. I think some sandwiches are the best we can do right now. [Since they're both tired] Does that suit you, Captain?
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It sure does.
[ If Em's brought the drinks too close, Tylor holds his hand out for one. Even if it means leaning farther over the counter. ]
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There's some roast beef equivalent, tomatoes, butter and lettuce in the fridge, so Sinclair will take out the bread and make a few sandwiches for them]
It's nice how quiet it is inside.
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Wow, you're right. It's funny, quiet isn't as boring anymore.
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[Sandwich number one complete! Sliding that over while he works on the next]
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I wonder when this event will end.
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[He's so tired!!! Done, so so done]
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[ Offered up lightly, like he means it, before he takes a bite of his sandwich. It quiets him for the moment. ]
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[Don't make him get pouty at you Tylor. He'll sit down with his own sandwich to eat too]