⬣//A WHOLE NEW YOU.

[cccorp]

>>Premise // >>Introduction // >>Party // >>Zelkova Corner

⬣//CONGRATULATIONS! YOU WON! 🙂

On a day like any other, you're checking your email when one in particular catches your eye. We invite you to Fragment, the subject line reads, and the sender is a name everyone is familiar with: CyberConnect Corporation.

It doesn't matter whether you signed up for Fragment's closed beta months ago or simply found the mysterious email sitting in your inbox. The fact remains that you are one of the select few chosen to participate, and in a word gone fully digital, you can't afford to turn down such an opportunity.

Those who accepted the invitation were given much more than a free pass to beta test the latest and greatest MMO. Upon confirming their participation, employees of C.C. Corp arrive at their homes and outfit them with top-of-the-line internet — a must to play such an advanced game — a brand new PC, and a state-of-the-art VR headset created by C.C. Corp themselves specifically for this beta test. You may call it excessive. They call it necessary.

Welcome to The World's first event! Your plotting post is here.

⬣//YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS SIMPLY.

When the morning of July 29th rolls around, you're finally able to access Fragment and create your character. By default, your avatar resembles your real world appearance, but naturally you're able to fully customize your look from head to toe. Want green skin? You got it. What about twintails that stretch down to the floor? You won't have to worry about those clipping through your armor in a game as advanced as Fragment. The sky is truly the limit!

Once you've settled on your avatar's appearance and class, you log into your home Root Rown: Mac Anu, a city forever at twilight with a series of canals snaking through it. It's done up in a series of flowing banners and balloons, glitter and confetti carried along by a gentle breeze you can feel along your cheeks.

Players are given some time to wander around the Root Town and acquaint themselves with the feeling of being fully immersed in a digital fantasy world, but after some time, a soft, playful voice echoes all across the Root Town.

"Hi, everyone! It's time to begin! Meet me at the Chaos Gate!"

When everyone gathers for the meeting, they're greeted by the cheerful face and pitchy voice of an enthusiastic young boy. Unlike you, a level 1 newbie without a single GP to your name, targeting the boy reveals a few things: his name is Zelkova and he's level 100. Huh. Is he cheating? Maybe he's someone important?

In either case, you'll have your answer when Zelkova begins to speak, sweeping his arms out wide to greet all the new beta testers.

"Welcome! I'm Zelkova. I'll be your point of contact during Fragment's closed beta! Before we start celebrating, let me give you guys your armor and equipment. You can't fight monsters without that stuff, huh?"

With a wave of his arms, a table pops into existence before Zelkova. Sprawled out on the table is an immaculate collection of... shabby level one weapons and equipment. Yikes. What, did you think you'd be fabulous from the jump? That's not how MMOs work!

Zelkova encourages everyone to step up and grab the set (or sets, if you're an Adept Rogue) to outfit themselves.

YOUR NEW ARMOR AWAITS.

Blade Brandier: Rusted Blade Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Twin Blade: Railroad Spikes Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Wavemaster: Splintering Rod Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Macabre Dancer: Paper Fans Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Edge Punisher: Yaoi Oar Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky Boots

Flick Reaper: Farmer's Sickle Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Harvest Cleric: Magical Girl Stick Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Lord Partizan: Stop Sign Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky Boots

Shadow Warlock: Travel Pamphlet Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Steam Gunner: Water Gun Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Tribal Grappler: Fishticuffs Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

It's... not very impressive, sure, but beginner sets in MMOs never are. Better get dungeon crawling if you want to step up your glamor game.

"Well, that's all the boring stuff for now! This is an exciting opportunity for us all, so why don't we start the beta with a proper party?"

⬣//PARTY LIKE IT'S Y2K.

What better way to celebrate your acceptance into Fragment's prestigious beta program than a blowout party? Every inch of Mac Anu is decked out for the occasion, and once everyone has picked up their armor, Zelkova's armory disappears to reveal a vast banquet table piled high with food, drink, and party favors.

There's cuisine from every corner of the world just waiting to be devoured, and what's more, you'll taste the food like you're really eating it! Zero calories never tasted better. The drinks work much the same way, and there's even alcohol that will get you drunk in no time flat. Take it easy on the cocktails!

Still, maybe you're not feeling adequately dressed for the occasion. Never fear! There are a set of armor skins to pick from. Feeling a bit peckish? Dress up as a vegetable. If veggies aren't your style, how about this sleek little number? Those are just a few of the silly party costumes available for the occasion, and when it's time to depart, Zelkova will graciously allow you to keep your favorite skin to wear whenever you please.

Finally, don't forget to pick up some party favors! There's a foam weapon that, when equipped, takes the form of your class' weapon of choice... but what does it do, exactly? Well, hit another avatar with it and find out for yourself. There are also an array of paint ball guns, nerf guns, and water guns for use in Root Towns. Pick up one of each! Be the annoying friend no one wants to invite on a dungeon run.

Before you leave, Zelkova hands you a Greeting Card that can be emailed to anyone on your friend list. "Try sending it to one of the new friends you made today! I promise they'll love it! Oh... but be careful not to accidentally send it to someone too."

⬣//ZELKOVA'S QUESTION CORNER

⬣ Zelkova, this level one armor sucks! I want better stuff!

"Don't worry, new player! Better equipment is a button press away! Well... after you earn it. Why don't you give Area Exploration a try?"

⬣ I'm a social butterfly ready to spread my wings and take flight on the winds of friendship! Can I start a guild?

"Heehee... About that! This is a beta, you know? We're still getting stuff ready! Maybe if you wait patiently, you'll be able to form and join guilds in... a week from now. While you're waiting, make some friends! You'll need guild members!"

⬣ I hate walking! My feet hurt! I want something that will do all the hard work of moving around for me!

"What? Your feet hurt...? Turn off the pain sensors in your feet! As for alternative travel methods... well, there are "those"... Oh, that's a great idea! Give me some time and I'll see about finding some Grunties for all of us!"

⬣ How can I communicate with other players? I want to stay in the loop!

"Great question! That's what the official forums are for! You can ask for help, search for parties, share interesting discoveries you've made and just about anything else on your mind! Give it a try, but be careful: the head admin is kind of a grump... but you didn't hear that from me, hehe!"

"That's all for this week's edition of Zelkova's Question Corner! If have questions you'd like to ask me, send me an email any time!"

>>Navigation

Comments

socializing

[tot]

[ uta is far from being a wallflower but she'll welcome the kara all the same as she takes one of the crackers from her and immediately popping it into her mouth. also do not mind the way that she has embraced the true party experience. ...or do. it matters not. ]

Thank you.

[ and she'll sneak another cracker if the plate is still being offered to her. ]

All of this is really amazing, isn't it? I was nervous at first but it doesn't seem to be so bad.

1/??

[curvaceous]

Yeah, it is. I wasn't expecting any of this, but –

nvm just 2/2 hehe

[curvaceous]

[ ...Hmmmm. You know, something about her looks...strangely familiar? Kara definitely knows her from somewhere, but she can't put her finger on who she is just yet.

Kara continues to hold the plate out towards Uta as she tries to figure it out. ]

...Sorry, I know I'm staring. I just...you look super familiar.

[tot]

[ thank for the supply of crackers kara, and while she could totally just reveal who she is to kara, what's the fun in that? her avatar looks the same (except in a tomato suit) as she would in her streams but, you know. the doubt is acceptable. ]

It's okay, I don't mind. I'm sure that there's plenty to get used to in the game but do I?

[ cue her removing the tomato glam, though, just so that kara has a better (proper) look at her. ]

Who do you think I look like to you?

[curvaceous]

Mm...

[ She has to think pretty hard, because she's not big on celebrities, but when the tomato glam comes off?

Oh, man. She knows. ]

You're – aren't you that really popular singer?! Uta?!

[tot]

[ she definitely knows and when kara's reaction has her laughing. it's nice that she's able to get this type of interaction with her fans. hopeful fan..? ]

Yep! That's me!

[ because knowing someone who is famous is one thing, of course: ]

Does that mean you're a fan of mine?

[curvaceous]

I love your voice, so I guess I am!

[ THIS IS LEGITIMATELY SO COOL, and her expression is one of genuine glee. ]

Uh, I'm not into following people's personal lives and all that, but your voice is wonderful! I'm pretty shocked to see you here, but -- man, this is awesome! Nice to meet you!

[tot]

[ uta's chuckles at kara's excitement. she has had her own fair share of interactions with her fans but never like this—and to interact with them like this is really nice. ]

If you ask me, not being too nosy and reading into people's lives when they aren't willing to share it is a good thing.

But it's my pleasure to meet you, too, KaraBear. [ she's using avatar names because it's easiest that way and she also doesn't want to force kara to introduce herself. ] And thank you for loving my voice. I hope you've been having fun so far.

[curvaceous]

Yeah? I agree. It's pretty weird when people get overly invested, but I know talent when I hear it.

[ Said like she's the pariah of singing or something, but it doesn't take an expert to know that Uta's talented. ]

Nice to meet you, too! Just Kara's fine, though. So far, things have been pretty fun. I hope it's the same for you, too? Did you run into any other fans here?

[tot]

I understand why people would be curious but some people take it too far, but thank you again. It really makes me happy to hear that.

[ it sure doesn't but it still makes uta flustered for a moment. of course it isn't the first time that someone has praised her voice, it's just a matter of the proximity to her while doing so. ]

And things certainly have been! Especially with how I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of my fans that I've come across so far. It has been touching.

[ you know. given how exists just as an avatar for most people. ]

[curvaceous]

So you're running into a lot of them, then? Hm, that's not surprising, given how large your audience is.

[ Uta is so composed, so calm and gentle in-person. It makes her curious... ]

It's truly an honor. I'm sure tons of people would be begging to be in my position right now. Even so, you're so gracious to your fans! I wasn't sure what to expect, but it's good to know you're not the kind of person who snubs the people who admire you, y'know?

[tot]

I wouldn't call it "a lot" but it's more than I would have expected.

[ a number is just a number on a screen that's hard to quantify unless there's something else to go along with it. so, this is a bit of a shock to her. she'll laugh a bit at kara's comment about the begging. ]

And I can understand the fear; they say that you should never meet your heroes or something like that, don't they? [ uta. a hero. hmmm... ] But I could and would never treat anyone who looks up to me poorly.

After all, in some part, I'm the person today because of them.

[curvaceous]

...

[ How nice, to view so many people so kindly, to see them as more than just-- ]

I see. You are a warm soul, Miss Uta. While I believe it's true that fans are important to figures like yourself, you've probably inspired more people than you realize. It's a two-way street.

[ Which is how it should be. Equivalent exchange or whatever. Nobody loves unconditionally and without reason, after all. ]

But, I don't know much. I'm not a celebrity, haha. Even so, I admire the love you have for your fans. I'll have to keep rooting for you.

[tot]

[ uta says nothing after hearing kara's response and is only able to look at her in awe before her expression softens with a gentle smile. there's a lot being said here that uta wonders how much kara is aware of. ]

Thank you. You're too kind, Kara. [ truly. ] It means a great deal to me if I was able to inspire or help someone with any of the things that I've done.

[ she'll wipe away a stray tear from her eye. ]

I hope that I don't ever disappoint you and make you regret supporting me.

[curvaceous]

[ Uta's expression, the gentle smile, the way a tear needs to be wiped from her eye -- normally, Kara would wonder what the catch here is, speculate that Uta's putting on the nice girl act for show and for more fans. More money. More fame.

But here, when faced with something so sincere...

Kara's expression is that of mild surprise, but her mind goes blank. I hope that I don't ever disappoint you and make you regret supporting me.

Her smile falters a little, a clear indicator that she's been caught off-guard. But she manages a quiet little laugh, despite herself. She's flustered, and it shows. ]

O-oh, no. You don't need to worry about that.

[ What is she saying? ]

I wouldn't mind supporting someone like you, Miss Uta.