⬣//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

[fluorite]

[ He frowns, his lips still on his glass as he lifts it up just enough to allow more liquor to slide past his lips. ]

You and I both know that that isn't overthinking. There are regulations they have to comply with, but there are also plenty of loopholes.

[ In other words, Fandaniel could very well be right, and Fai would like to not think about that. ]

[trollophoroi]

[ Ruining the party even when he is behaving, that's the Fandaniel way, apparently. ]

There are only regulations if a government manages to keep up with the vast bounds that technology likes to make.

[ Considering his drinking buddy here knows he works for one such government, chances are he's speaking from experience there. Not that he'll go into detail. This isn't much of what you'd push past the desk of a minor official. If only...

Not that any of this will stop him from carrying on with drinking from his own glass. ]

[fluorite]

[ Might as well enjoy what they're in the midst of, after all! It's what keeps Fai drinking too, and not just to forget about the implications of all of this. ]

Ah... and changes take a while too.

[ He gives Fandaniel the sort of smile that says "you'd know that well". ]

At least we can marvel at all of this for the time being.

[trollophoroi]

Hmm, well, I cannot find it in myself to disagree, so here's to marveling while we can.

[ Fandaniel gives his glass a little raise, a mockery of a toast at best. ]

But if we are to marvel at it, I suggest we see just how drunk we can get and whether or not logging off and logging back in clears the feeling right up.

[fluorite]

A scientific mindset even in your free time, hmm?

[ As if Fai hasn't already thought of doing something similar. Seems they both can't just check out of their respective jobs. ]

I think that's a good idea. We have our own fun in the game, and if we're sober after logging out, then there's nothing to worry about~ Of course, being drunk after logging out would still be fun too.

[trollophoroi]

It isn't exactly something you turn off. At least this time it's for something we don't have to take notes for.

[ Simply for fun! And a good excuse to get wasted, as if they even needed one. Although, if the drunkenness crossed the digital barrier to them after logging out, well, then that might be something to worry about.

Later, though, much later. He tips his own drink back and makes a point to finish it off in its entirety. ]

There. Now, where are they keeping the rest of these?

[fluorite]

[ Fai whistles as Fandaniel empties his glass in one go. ]

Right over that way~

[ He gestures towards the banquet table before taking a long pull of his drink. ]

They have quite the array of cocktails, too.

[trollophoroi]

[ Fandaniel looks the way Fai waves off towards and pauses a moment, tapping his chin thoughtfully. ]

I wonder...

[ What he wonders, he doesn't share, because he leaves before explaining to hit up the table full of cocktails. What he's up to will become more apparent if watched closely enough. He had wondered if the drinks could be turned into inventory items.

As he picks up one, he focuses on it for a second, and then, poof, it vanishes into his avatar's inventory, just like that. He'll do that quite a few more times! Until there's a veritable cocktail party of drinks in his bag. It'll only be then that he turns back to rejoin Fai, only one specific drink in hand: an old fashioned, complete with a cherry in it. ]

[fluorite]

[ By the time Fandaniel has filled up his inventory with drinks, Fai has finished his own, so he's more than ready for the old fashioned his handed. ]

Thank you~ Is this your favorite drink?

[ He grins, lifting it up a little bit before bringing it up to his own lips for a sip. ]

[trollophoroi]

My favorite? No, no, far from it.

[ Yet he still takes a sip from his own drink after handing off the other old fashioned to Fai. ]

I'm usually a wine man but seeing how I supposedly have unlimited drinking capacity here, why shouldn't I try a bit of everything, hm?

[fluorite]

[ He laughs, taking another sip. ]

Now, that is the right attitude to have. I usually prefer sweeter cocktails, but I'm not paying for any of the drinks, so they're all equally delicious.

[trollophoroi]

Ah, there it is. My actual favorite drink! One I didn't have to pay for!

[ On that, they can both agree. ]

And especially if it isn't beer. That's all anyone drinks after work. Beer, beer, beer. You have to be a lady to order anything different except beer and whiskey, I swear. Not that I am so opposed to whiskey but...

[ It tends to be more pricey! Beer, at least, is cheap even in large quantities. ]

[fluorite]

[ He laughs. ]

It can be pricey.

[ And he doesn't like it nearly as much as other things anyway. ]

Also, you should order whatever you want. If you do it confidently enough, no one will question it.

[trollophoroi]

Mm, you woudl think, but that isn't quite how it works. A word of advice? Stay in the US for a job if you don't enjoy drinking with your boss... often.

[ He hates it, hates it, hates it, hates it, ah, but he won't let that out around someone that knows him for real, even if only distantly. ]

[fluorite]

[ Damn, that sucks. ]

I like drinking, but... I'd definitely pass on something like that.

[ He'll stay right here in California, thanks. ]

Have you considered working elsewhere? I think your work is high quality enough for you to go wherever in the world you like.

[trollophoroi]

[ Excuse him while he finds a crate set next to the nearest building to them to take a seat. His legs aren't feeling tired since he isn't technically actually standing and yet, to simply carry on standing while planning a long drinking session seems unbearable to him.

The environment window dressing provides more than enough places to take a load off, at least. ]

Oh, I have. I already know that I'll always be the "young kid" of the office judging from how many times I've been passed over for promotion, though finding a lab that strikes my fancy is a little more of a, hmm... an adventure, I suppose.

[fluorite]

Is it?

[ He settles down on the crate next to that one, far enough away from Fandaniel that he can cross his legs without bumping against the other man. ]

What does strike your fancy, then?

[trollophoroi]

To put it simply? Cloning. I don't mean cloning sheep, either, but...

[ He swirls the glass he has in hand, drink within swishing about. ]

Humans, preferably. Not to replace those we have lost, mind you. That presumption that clings to cloning is such nonsense. What we need is to be able to clone organs and limbs, not people.

[fluorite]

Ah. A noble cause.

[ He wonders if Fandaniel might have a personal connection to that cause, but there's no way in hell he's going to ask something personal like that. ]

It must be difficult finding your ideal job, then. That's a difficult bar to clear.

[trollophoroi]

The ethics and legality are still so questionable, so, alas, yes. The bar is incredibly high.

[ There is a story behind the interest, but, just as Fai won't ask, Fandaniel isn't about to tell. ]

I suppose if I lowered my standards, I could find somewhere in the US that might lead to such research.

[fluorite]

[ Fai bites back a laugh. ]

Mm... if you're really worried about ethics, I'd try just about anywhere else.

[trollophoroi]

Mm, well, I did say I could lower my standards after all.

[ Hence why he brought up the US. Ethics and legality aren't anything he cares about, in truth, though he weighed admitting that against not and leaving it unsaid won out. ]

[fluorite]

I didn't think you actually would!

[ Whether or not Fai is judging him for that, however... it's hard to tell. ]

I'm sure you could find a position that pays well, should you pursue it earnestly.

[trollophoroi]

Good pay matters less to me than getting to do what I truly desire to be doing. Although, that said, I do get a very good wage where I am currently...

[ Taking that fat government check and all. ]

[fluorite]

Benefits too, right? What kind of benefits do they have where you live?

[ Come on, tell him all about those government benefits. ]