⬣//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

[worldbent]

"Promise"? ...Haha. That depends on what I can find- and what you can offer.

[Interesting. Interesting, and either confident or naive, but... No, maybe this would be a deal worth keeping. If it's confidence, this person might be useful for other things as well.]

Oh, certainly not just for that, but I always like to accomplish as many goals as I can in one swoop, so why not take the chance?

Call me Makoto. [The 0 is read 'ma', okay] I simply happen to be an individual who pays attention. That's all. [It's definitely not all, but Hani doesn't need to know anything more than that- hopefully, ever.]

[tinged]

Call me "Hani," Makoto-kun.

[ or tabibito, his choice. ]

Naturally, I can offer you the traditional things. [ the typical things: money, standing, etc - useful, but toeing the line of uninteresting and uninspired. ] Within this game, however... well, I suppose we'll see. For now, I can offer you conversations and small parts of me.

[ which is a weird, but offered sincerely. ]

[worldbent]

[Matoba's expression remains politely neutral, but they both have gotten a little more serious now, haven't they? Even in VR, Matoba marvels, this sort of interaction with another person can reflect this sort of subtlety in body language. His eye narrows like a cat's, watching Hani anew.]

"Within this game", huh... [If it allowed for such things. Who knows how far the programming went? Matoba, too, prefers more interesting things than money- information and debts both paid in dividends.]

[Weird that offer might be, but that was what was fun about it.]

Now you've got me intrigued. [He plays at flippancy with his smile, hands clasping behind his back, but he'll definitely have Hani's offer on his mind now.] I'd like to see where these 'parts' of you lead, Hani-san.

After all, I have things I'd like to know, too.

[tinged]

[ their eyes crinkle in anticipation. ]

I would, too.

[ even if hani were to know all the potential pieces they could trade, the conclusion of this offered promise is hardly transpicuous. each connection they make could lead to thoughts and actions entirely unexpected. ]

Whatever you discover from the pieces I share… may also surprise me. I very much look forward to it. That is, if you’re willing to share your conclusions at that point. And, assuming, I have something else that’s worthwhile to exchange, right?

[ hani isn’t expecting they’ll get anything for free here. ]

If I may ask, what are some of the things you’d like to know? Is it too soon to ask?

[worldbent]

[A pretty strange person, aren't they. Matoba's no stranger to weirdos in his line of work, but that sort of weirdo and the sort he usually expects to find in a video game aren't exactly similar. It's a pleasant surprise.]

If you have to ask, then you already know, hm? [For the time being, at least, it's not necessary to ask around about it. He's sure...] If what I'm looking for is here, I'll find out sooner or later.

But, having a proxy to investigate for me would be useful. I will keep you in mind if I pick up on it.

You seem like you're looking for something very different from me, though. [He straightens up, as if to break off from the more serious tangent, keenly aware of the possibility of any onlookers- whether players, or... not.] I hope you'll find it.

[tinged]

Mhm. Though I do wonder if I’m looking or just waiting. There is also the possibility that I’ve had my answer all along, but have yet to realize.

[ perhaps hani will share the details next time if he seems interested. they would like to have many more conversations with this smiling stranger.

- ah, no. smiling friend? smiling partner? a smiling seeker? some interesting thoughts to ponder.

as he straightens, they reach out a hand. ]

May we?

[ they’re not sure if they’re looking to officially seal the deal or create a connection. they don’t have a concrete reason for wanting either. but something within moved hani to reach out, and they’re not really the type to question instinct. ]

[worldbent]

[So that's it. He might not know the details, but he can pick up what Hani is putting down, this search for... identity, or purpose? It's something like that, something nebulous he can pick up on even if they're being this vague about it.]

[Not exactly a great idea to entrust something like that to Matoba, but who is he to tell them that? They seem plenty sharp enough to make that decision on their own.]

[His eye lingers on Hani's hand a moment, maybe just for effect in making them feel as though they're playing on his rules, before he reaches out to shake the hand. Even though these aren't their real bodies, it's still strange how real it feels to grip another person's hand and have the tension, the minute movements or the grip or the thrum of a pulse seem to come across the VR implements. He once again finds himself wondering if all this was really just for a game.]

[His smile, neutral, meets Hani's.]

I look forward to speaking with you in the future, Hani-san.