⬣//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

ii

[tylorific]

[ Tylor certainly isn't here to read any rules, not when his stride leads him right to Mithrun. There is no sneakiness here. Also no shame. ]

Hello to you too. Don't you look beautiful today? That's quite the outfit-- are you going to wear that while we spar?

[tablescraps]

Yes. It's glitched, so I can't unequip the skin right now. But I also don't mind it. Do you?

( He seems to hold positive regard for Tylor's agreement to spar. Yay spar.

A moment, though: )

... Do you compliment everyone like that, or just me?

( Since Tylor called him pretty last time and all, too... But he also seems to like people whom he considers good-looking in general... )

[tylorific]

No way, it looks great on you.

[ Tylor tilts his head at the question, then laughs . ]

Well actually, neither. I can't help but appreciate beauty when I see it, but that's certainly not everyone.
Besides, this maid look is really working for you, don't you think?

[ a very brief pause. ]

Say, did you remember to eat today?

[tablescraps]

( Okay, so... he compliments everyone he finds pretty? He guesses it's a sign of positive regard that Tylor would include him in that category, but he guesses that category must be pretty broad if he's in it.

Well, it's only fair. It would be more surprising if Tylor held him in unique regard, so he wouldn't fairly expect Tylor to. )

I don't know about "working," but... ( in the very literal sense of he has no clue if the maid outfit looks good on him or not, ) ... But I did eat, though I didn't really feel like it. My carer was over today and cooked for me. Why?

[tylorific]

Oh, it is. But don't forget you're interesting and smart too. You don't care what anyone else thinks either. That's even more admirable than a pretty face.

[ Tylor looks happy about the food eating, but genuine curiosity hits him at the mention of a carer. ]

Carer? And it's because you didn't look so good last time. It makes sense to care about a friend's wellbeing doesn't it?

[tablescraps]

( friend... compliments... so much is going on here for un mithrun... he seems to pause for a moment )

... I have a carer because I'm recovering from an injury. I don't feel the need to eat and do other things because of it. He's not in every day, though.

( pause (again). )

I don't really mind it, but you'll probably give someone the wrong idea if you're always so effusive. Especially with someone who isn't giving you the same in return.

( Tylor's been pretty nice to him, but Mithrun's just been Mithrun back. Tylor should save his energy for someone who gives him an equal amount of investment and respect - at least, that's what Mithrun figures. )

[tylorific]

I see.

[ There is sincerity there, threaded in with the casual tone. He would ask how recovery is going if he didn't already have an idea.

Tylor is patient through the pauses with a smile, as if they aren't just parked in front of the board with occasional silent moments. Even glancing at the rules would be way too boring to keep his attention while he's got Mithrun in front of him. In a maid outfit, no less. ]

Wrong idea? What do you mean?

[ Innocent curiosity is blatant again, but that last sentence of Mithrun's sends him into a little laugh. ]

Oh no, I'd never expect the same in return. I'm only being myself, after all. And I think everyone should have the chance to do that.

[tablescraps]

( Who doesn't like a maid in heels trying to give you life advice? )

... If you're content, it's not really for me to say anything about it.

( Which is fair. Clearly, Tylor is fond of the way he's living, and he feels he's comfortable with his relationships not being reciprocal in energy. Such as it is. )

But someone who isn't used to people like you may think you're treating them special.

[tylorific]

Oh, but I am treating you special. If I didn't like you, it wouldn't really matter how pretty you are.

[ Now he actually does look over at the board, but there's no less confidence in what he's saying. He's not really reading it either. ]

And something tells me you don't hear nice things enough now that you aren't vain anymore. Am I wrong?

[tablescraps]

( Genuinely, he didn't expect that response. He looks at Tylor, who looks at the board.

He wonders if this is something that just asking questions will help him understand. He feels like whenever he thinks he's gotten Tylor all nicely sorted out into a tidy little box, he gets thrown off again, all the contents strewn out. )

...

( Tylor isn't wrong. There are a lot of factors that go into why he's not a hot topic of affection anymore, between the public and between his family. A lot of legitimate reasons. A lot of less great reasons. All of them Mithrun moves past without any care, because there's nothing he can do about them.

He doesn't let himself invite positive regard anymore, either. He's been shut out, but he's shut out others, too. )

... I don't need people to say nice things to me. ( He says this in the same way he says he doesn't need to eat. ) But you do surprise me.

[tylorific]

[ Tylor is patient again, the struggle only apparent in the slight rock of his heels as he lets Mithrun sort things out. ]

But you don't really mind, either. Maybe you'll even like it someday. [ Tylor says it airily before he looks back down at him, all innocent curiosity again at Mithrun's apparent surprise. ] Oh, I do? How so?

[tablescraps]

...

I think we should go ahead and spar.

( Deflecting? Never. )

[tylorific]

[ Tylor lets it go with an exhaled little laugh and no fight.

Actually, now he just looks excited to spar. ]

Alright! We've both gotten stronger since last time, so [ poof, there is no warning or break in his sentence before he's suddenly wearing this. ] let's both do our best, okay?

[ Idly though, he undoes the first few buttons. It might ruin the look a little but there is a scandalous flash of collar bone. ]

[tablescraps]

( Hello ??? But you know what, he won't question it. Now they're battle maids and that's just fine. )

... All right. Whoever hits 10% HP first loses, then?

( He's gonna beckon Tylor into the formal ring with him - handwaving any logistics and whatever NPC spectators there may be. The two of them need to... clean house (badum-tsssh).

He unsheathes his broadsword. If Tylor has any other conditions for winning or losing, he's free to suggest them - Mithrun's allowing him enough space to get a word in. )

Ready?

[tylorific]

Works for me.

[ Tylor follows, with both hands holding up his dress a little as he bounds after Mithrun. He's way too polite to the NPCs too.

He unsheathes his... nothing actually, because they auto equip with abilities and surprises in the middle of battle are more fun for your opponents. Instead, he gives Mithrun a curtsey.

Tylor's about to say ready, but it's clear from his grin that another thought pops in there at the last second. ]

Loser buys drinks?

[tablescraps]

( Ah, right, Tylor's a grab bag of surprises. Well, he'll just have to be aggressive and strike him down before he whittles down Mithrun's HP - if he chooses to turtle their battle out as Lord Partizan, that might be a bit tricky. Mithrun considers these more reasonable strategies, and doesn't expect shenanigans - woe be upon him.

Tylor's suggestion is met with a moment of thought, and then a conclusion he doesn't have strong desire either way. )

... All right.

Ready, then.

[tablescraps]

( He can see Tylor's prepared, so no need to draw it out, Mithrun thinks. He dashes forward, straightforward, bringing around the sharp cleave of his broadsword into a horizontal slice, using Death Bringer (hover) in his attempted strike.

Mithrun's strategy to hit hard and fast is pretty apparent. )

[tylorific]

[ The RNG gods did not bless Tylor against Mithrun's opening attack, but on instinct it's exactly what he expects the other to start with. That wouldn't have made it any easier to dodge with their difference in speed. So Tylor stands his ground, betting a recklessly large chunk of his health to use Thorn Dance, a brutal thrust of the super spear that appears in his hands just before Mithrun's broadsword makes impact with metal and arm. He slips, the sword bites into his armor. And the butt of his spear is almost comicly the only thing keeping him vicariously on his feet. That and some core strength.

The pain forces a grunt out of Tylor, making it clear he forgot turn off those sensors. Somehow, he's still smiling. A strained laugh follows, in the brief moment they're close. Whether he's managed to pierce Mithrun (sfw) or not he adds thickly-- ]

Ow, what a good attack! [ He keeps talking, like this is a friendly chat and he isn't attempting to swiftly heave himself closer with the support of his spear and a hand on Mithrun's sword. Too close for a big weapon ] That really hurts.

[tablescraps]

( Tylor gets a good and proper skewer into Mithrun, though he's saved from a nasty run-through from the bulk of his ill-fitting armor - strange as it probably feels for the both of them to see their hits make contact with maidwear and feel plate in their place.

The force of the thrust gets Mithrun, a little lesser in weight, shoved back onto his heel, his sword trembling as he presses it with full force against Tylor holding it back. )

... You're not bad either. Lord Partizan, right? A good choice against my class.

( But! He knows an Adept Rogue's Lord Partizan has slightly lower defense than a proper Lord Partizan, which means he has an edge (heh) - and if he swaps classes, his defense will be even lower. At least, that's how it logics out in Mithrun's head.

Without warning, the force from his sword goes slack - Tylor's push meets no resistance as he heaves closer; and then, without force pushing back against it any longer but still troubled by the lack of space for a proper swing, he twists his sword at a sharp angle and rams the broad face of his blade into Tylor's hands, setting off Calamity in an attempt to try to disarm him (not literally, though). )

[tylorific]

Thanks! But just for now.

[ Tylor agrees playfully, not considering yet how much that skewering would hurt with pain turned on. He does however spare a thought for how nice it is that these attacks won't destroy their pretty dresses and how nice their respective hems flow with their movements.

Calamity lands perfectly, an apparent victory as his spear goes poof and frees Mithrun just in time for Tylor to use Palm Blast, which automatically equips his Tiger Fist gauntlets. ]

[tablescraps]

( That little bit of foreshadowing doesn't come soon enough for him to predict Tylor's next swap - the blast slides right past the broad side of his blade and hits him square in the stomach, the pain of the earlier blow and the blast itself winding him. Ow.

He kicks back in a swift step to shove some distance between the two of them, bringing his blade around with a defensive, broad swing - not a skill in itself, but a normal attack meant to fend Tylor off as he regains his footing.

The moment he does, though, he kicks off on his heel - to the side. The way he begins to life his blade at a particular angle is familiar: he looks like he's going to try for another Death Bringer from Tylor's flank or rear real quick to offset the advantage he suspects Tylor has in melee, and he's closing in fast. )

[tylorific]

[ Tylor lets him escape, staying right where he is. His class remains a tribal grappler, fists up reflexively like a boxer ready to fight for a promotion above the stairs. He can't live through another direct death bringer, even as a Lord Partizan. Tribal grappler is the fastest of his classes, but he isn't as fast as a full one or an edge punisher.

There's no time. In only a slight panic that happens too fast to show on his face, he hits everything at once. Rapid Attack aiming to hit the only thing within reach-- the side of Mithrun's broadsword, to make up for the speed difference when he attempts to dodge. At the same time, because this is the equivalent of key smashing, his farmer's sickle comes into existence for Wicked Strike. ]

[tablescraps]

( Unconventional, but effective. Tylor's full of surprises, and that's what makes him a bit of a challenge for Mithrun. The principle of hitting Tylor fast and hard doesn't change, but the means Tylor can use to fend off his attacks keeps changing.

But it isn't frustrating, really. It's interesting. And while that doesn't necessarily get him excited, because nothing really does anymore, he doesn't regard this encounter with complete indifference. That's something.

The rapid blows have enough force and momentum to beat off his blade and knock it off course, and its weight is enough of a rudder that Mithrun's got to dig his heels in to swing the broadsword back proper before it throws the whole of him off balance. The weight's both a blessing and a curse, because it gets him at just the right angle to swing his blade back around to parry the sickle, a quick slash in follow up to beat it away (though still in Tylor's hand), but it wasn't a full and proper dodge: a cut runs a blaring red across Mithrun's cheek to his ear, bleeding deep and in excess under his one good eye.

But Mithrun doesn't seem deterred.

No sooner has he beat Tylor's blade off than he's swinging back again in a rapid combo with Calamity again in an attempt to disarm. This time, though, he doesn't finish the complete sweep once it's done enough of an arc to trigger the skill, though he can't guarantee it'll work - knowing now Tylor can just swap classes and refresh his weapons and skills, he jerks the blade back and attempts to hit Tylor in the head with the flat side of the sword, like smacking him with a lead block.

If Tylor's observant, though, he might notice one thing: Mithrun's reflexes are quick, and he learns pretty fast - but his orientation and aim's just a little bit off. He's not missing as much as he would be because his weapon is so stupid big and Tylor's real close, but Mithrun's absolutely missing depth perception on his right side - the side with the glass eye. He's fully blind there. )

[tylorific]

[ There's a clang as his farmer's sickle is rebuffed, and he's barely able to keep his hold on it from the force of the broadsword's blow. The feeling reverberates enough for Tylor to gasp a laugh in surprise at the realistic feel of it. His sickle paths far enough over his head that Tylor almost topples backwards. But a few steps backwards stabilize him just in time for Mithrun to launch another calamity at him.

Tylor isn't observant in the traditional sense. There are many things he misses that others find important and he simply does not. People though, come naturally. It's not at active thought process, but the accumulation of little experiences that culminate in his gut feelings. His whims and fancies, the appearance of chaos held together with the thread of his own feelings, grounded in reality.

He doesn't think about the fact that Mithrun has a blind side, but he knows how calamity looks and feels now. And he knows how that swing is supposed to go. There's not hesitation when he lunges forward, attempting to duck and strife to Mithrun's weak side with a palm blast. ]

[tablescraps]

( To Mithrun, Tylor just disappears. There's the laughter, there's the telltale sign of coming movement, and then - nothing. It's his mind that has to analyze what it just saw and interpret Tylor's movements, and understand he must have gotten to the right - but, by the time he's figured it out, that blast's already landed a critical right in his side - knocking down his HP, already steadily whittled down, under that 10% mark.

Mithrun staggers, soundlessly pained, the injury and exhaustion dictated by his lowered HP weighing on him, feeling like the Pokemon critical health sound - but he isn't paying attention to his health bar, and he isn't paying attention to his health. He grips his broadsword once again, like he's coming around for another blow once he's got his footing fixed—

But, well, he's not so far gone that he wouldn't stop if Tylor lets him know the match is over, )