⬣//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

[dissimulative]

i. food

[ This guy that's dressed like this, standing at a 5' 7" in height looms over the banquet tables. Food? Food. He's here. Even though he should be careful, food has only betrayed him once and he doubts digital food will turn its metaphorical back on him.

That said, that donut you saw on the table? Gone. Madeleines? Gone. A lot of this stuff is getting inhaled in resemblance to how a certain pink menace do.

Yeah. Did you have food on your plate? He reaches for that too, before realizing it's actually on someone else's plate and backs up without taking it. ]

Oh, that one has an owner.

[ Though your reaction will decide whether he snatches it from your plate or not. ]

ii. wildcard

[ Targeting his information will get you this page, a thunder-based Steam Gunner by the name of "Oriade". If you want to do anything else, hit me up. ]

food

[tinged]

[ there's a soft laugh from hani as they hold out their plate. ]

This owner can share.

[dissimulative]

[ He looks up at their face and--whoa. Pretty. But more importantly, really nice?! He seems almost ecstatic, but hesitant to take the food now. Hm. Hm...

Well, okay. He reaches out to take a cookie from the plate, but that's all. It's gone down the hatch in a second. ]

I can't believe 0 calorie feasts are real.

[ Not like he ever worried about his weight, but there's something about this that feels surreal. ]

[tinged]

[ they're not really sure what that means, but they smile and nod. ]

Don't stop with just that - try this, too. Look, isn't it so cute?

[ literally just a chocolate chip cookie, but hani's pointing at the freckle of chips clustered together by the cookie's edge. ]

i. food;

[ganymed]

[ BRUH ]

Yes, it does.

[ Anyways... he holds the food closer to him. ]

You really weren't intending to slow down all that much, were you?

[dissimulative]

Well, it tastes great and you can eat as much as you want! Why should I slow down?

[ To save some for everyone else, maybe? He clearly doesn't seem to be thinking about it. Ganymede's food is safe. For now. ]

[ganymed]

To make sure everyone else has a bite?

[ Ganymede voices the obvious, though he does suppose if someone likes the food enough, they might want to indulge. That being said... ]

...And maybe to keep your tastebuds from getting tired of eating the same food. Isn't that a good reason too?

i;

[userunfriendly]

[ When the offending hand swoops in Michel jerks his plate up on reflex alone.

Pursue? If Oria gives him a moment to process, the plate will once again begin slowly descending like an elevator. ]

[dissimulative]

[ He doesn't pursue for now. However, his eyes are still on the plate as he watches it slowly descend...

Then he tries swiping this time. ]

[userunfriendly]

[ There's a tiny twitch like he's going to raise it again... but not this time. Oria can claim his dubious prize of one(1) cookie. ]

There are more on the table.

Food

[threatmewted]

And its owner was in the middle of eating it, thanks.

[Edgy Flick Reaper girl is not impressed.]

[dissimulative]

No cooties in the digital world, right?

[ Hehe.

Though he doesn't look like he'll try again. For now. ]

[threatmewted]

Yeah, and? What, just because we're online means it's okay to steal people's food?

kirby no

[synodical]

[...Ah.]

...Are you not feeling full already?

[This guy has been eating a lot of stuff, and they know it's all fake - but it's supposed to feel real, so...? Wouldn't it mean he'll get full, too?

They don't seem particularly upset at him reaching for their plate, though.]

[dissimulative]

Why would I feel full? There's nothing in my stomach.

[ He's also been trying to test that out, but he doesn't feel full. ]

But then again, it takes a lot for me to feel full anyway. Maybe if I ate like... half of this table?

[ He gestures to the abundant plates on a certain half of the table. ]

[synodical]

[Is this guy actually Kirby... how much does he usually eat...]

Well, this is all "real" stimulation, so it could be possible they would implement something that imitates the feeling of "fullness"... If they can already make this feel lifelike, they could probably trick the brain like that.

[Hmm.]

Maybe it'll be in a later patch.

food

[ntrd]

[Aoi has a few macarons on her plate, all a different soft pastel color. She hasn't gotten a chance to eat one and someone almost swipes one of hers. Her reaction is more like a lack of a reaction as she looks at him.]

Sharing may require affection points.

[dissimulative]

Affection points?

[ He is luckily enough of a nerd to understand visual novel lingo, so he just smiles at her. ]

Yeah? Not for me though.

[ He holds out a small cookie and puts it at Aoi's mouth. ]

[ntrd]

[She doesn't event move to back away from this stranger placing the cookie near her mouth. She does bite on it enough to keep it in place but she just keeps it in her mouth. He stares into his eyes, a mixture of something more intense and eyes glassed over. She just stands there, not flinching.

She'll stay almost in this frozen like state until he does something. Is this a glitch in the game they need to patch or an absolute weirdo? It's anyone's guess.]

food....

[tot]

[ you know, it's fine? it isn't as though uta is hungry herself nor was this real food that they were consuming. clearly more could be created if desired so there's no reason to get angry.

thus, have your food you crazy, voracious creature, you. ]

Are you still hungry?

1/2

[dissimulative]

[ Being handed the food isn't something he enjoys, so Uta's food is safe. Good for her, huh. But then he looks up at her face-- ]

I--

[dissimulative]

Oh my god, Uta?!

[ He even does a quick check of the character info. ]

For real??

[ He's half doubting since anyone can just recreate Uta's model, but that voice is what places the other half of him outside of the doubt zone. ]

[tablescraps]

( Mithrun is in this event skin (mask up on his head, like a fascinator, and not covering his face). He has a plate of a completely random assortment of food, like he just took one of everything on the table because he thought he was meant to and not really because he particularly wanted it.

He stares at you reaching for his plate, which is but a miniature version of the banquet table. )

Are you hungry, or do you just enjoy the act of chewing?

( Since it's not like this fills you up for realsies. He doesn't sound judgmental, though. Just kind of perplexed.

It remains unclear if he cares about you grabbing a thing off his plate, though. )

1/2

[dissimulative]

If I was really hungry, I would have logged out to get some food. It's not like I enjoy chewing either.

[ But like. Look at that plate? Come on. ]

You have a bunch on your plate too, so it's not like you can say anything!

[dissimulative]

[ He's about to say some more, but then his gaze veers down and holy shit that is a lot of Leg. ]