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⬣//A WHOLE NEW YOU.
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.
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.
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.
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 BootsTwin Blade:
Railroad Spikes Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsWavemaster:
Splintering Rod Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesMacabre Dancer:
Paper Fans Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesEdge Punisher:
Yaoi Oar Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky BootsFlick Reaper:
Farmer's Sickle Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsHarvest Cleric:
Magical Girl Stick Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesLord Partizan:
Stop Sign Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky BootsShadow Warlock:
Travel Pamphlet Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesSteam Gunner:
Water Gun Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsTribal Grappler:
Fishticuffs Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsIt'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.
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, 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!"
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[That's... not the response Yael was expecting, taken aback by it so much so that surprise briefly lifts his brows. This kid knows he doesn't know shit about playing this game... so is he asking him to help him hone his reflexes?
Yael is silent for a moment, staring into Mithrun's eyes like he might walk back his request if met with the slightest bit of opposition. When he doesn't, Yael answers him flatly.]
Do you really want to learn?
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Yes. I'm capable of some very basic brawling, but I can't really fight, and I don't know how to wield a weapon. While I imagine the game has been designed to compensate for a lack of actual capacity for combat via "skills" and "combos," ( he read all the info blurbs before playing, at least, ) I think it would only be a boon if I knew how to engage in the core systems effectively.
( A beat. )
I don't have a means to compensate you right now, since I don't have items or gold. But we can set up an arrangement when I do, if that's acceptable.
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[Yael just— quietly exhales, staring down this unwavering-but-not-in-the-cool-shounen-way kid. Seriously? Yael doesn't mind, but he'd like to confirm something before he commits to anything.]
You know what I teach you might not apply to this game, right? You'd be better served employing this stuff in real life than in a game with made up combat and combos.
[Is that what Mithrun wants?]
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When all else fails me, I'll only have myself.
( Whether that "all else" are game mechanics, or something a little more broad. Much more simply: a skill combo may not have protected him from getting disarmed here in Mac Anu. )
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...Fine. Why don't we get away from this party first? When you're all done merrymaking, meet me on the other side of town.
[With some fumbling and delay, Yael manages to send Mithrun a friend request so he can easily track him down later.]
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He's ! when Yael concedes, however. )
All right. I will.
( It takes him a second, but he gets that friend request accepted. His second ever friend...
And unfortunately for Yael, Mithrun Will wrap up soon enough, once he's cycled through all the activities at least once. Yael will not be free of this digital coil just yet.
He sends a message to portend his coming. )
I'm on my way.
( Now, one may consider that this would be a relatively quick affair - maybe a little inflated because no one's used to navigating Mac Anu yet.
But the minutes pass and pass... And pass... And become a little too many...
Mithrun is definitely actively and rather briskly moving through the town, and he can definitely see the indicator suggesting where Yael is. Unfortunately, he's going in circles, getting lost in ways not even conceivable to the designers. Sometimes his indicator suggests he's in the canal, somehow, but not on any gondola.
He'll get there eventually. It'll just take some time, if Yael would rather wait. )
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Yael's sitting on a bridge helping himself to more digital whiskey when Mithrun finally wanders over. Yael lifts a hand in greeting, picking himself up from his perch on the railing.]
About damn time. What, did you go on a journey to find yourself or something?
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He perks up visibly when he realizes he's finally made it to the indicator without another obstruction in the way, though it's hard to tell if he's happy or excited or anything. There's just acknowledgment he's made it.
Covered in leaves as he is, he trots up to Yael with that same brisk stride he's had this whole time, undaunted, a shlap shlap shlap in his wake because he's, uh, soaking wet. He quite literally swam across some waterways, apparently. )
The paths didn't go where I expected them to.
( If his indicator is any... indication, he definitely went through buildings and over low-rise roofs, so it's not clear what his issues with the paths were. )
You can also travel along the banners, which is a little misleading, since I think those aren't actually meant to be a path.
( The fact that he weights 5 pounds wet aside, that probably should not be traversible for anyone who isn't, uh, Batman or something, but hey. )
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Anyway. Stepping up to Mithrun with a sigh, Yael picks a leaf out of his hair and flicks it aside. There's so, so much work to do with this one.]
They sure as hell aren't a path. How did you even get up on the roofs?
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I climbed.
( The answer is very genuine, unfortunately.
However, after a moment, he does seem to reflect on it, since he sure wasn't when he was just moving like a feral animal operating on instinct. )
I guess it felt unsafe to travel in the open. It seems reasonable to seek side-paths that are more efficient while also being out of the way... but, it seems they don't exist here.
( Though he understands this conclusion, it isn't so easy to fix his instinctive sense of direction and orientation by simply accepting that the rules he's used to don't apply here, so, oh well. )
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[Just confirming. Yael lets out a long, haggard sigh and leans back against the railing. He's very quickly picked up on the fact that it's pointless to ask Mithrun questions that should, in theory, have simple answers.]
That's a concerning answer. You realize that, right?
[He was concerned for Mithrun to begin with, but now Yael's really raising a brow.]
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... Are you worried about me?
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Who wouldn't be worried? Seriously. Look in a mirror.
[Yael broadly motions to Mithrun's Everything. He is made of shit to be concerned about.]
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[With a sigh, Yael straightens up and approaches Mithrun, looking him up and down.]
I can teach you the basics of self-defense. That sound good to you?
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Yes. Be as hard on me as you will.
( Serious student. )
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[A serious student deserves a serious teacher. With that said, Yael won't cut Mithrun any slack, straightening up and letting his arms down at his sides, completely open and exposed.]
Punch me. Don't hold anything back. I need a baseline here.
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... All right.
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With all the force Mithrun put behind his punch — all the force of a vulnerable, injured animal — he's easy to grab and turn into a rear naked choke. For extra emphasis, Yael lifts, leaving Mithrun stranded on the tips of his toes and a thick arm wound like a lead pipe around his esophagus.]
Not bad, but not good, either. Fighting so desperately makes you an easy target.
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He doesn't struggle against it or even try to grab his arm, even against the disorienting sensation of having only the toe of his heel so lightly brush the ground. He barely weighs anything, so he's not at all difficult to disable.
He tries to look up at Yael from his position, though it's relatively useless. )
... I see. ( It's not easy to talk in a chokehold, but here we are. ) I'd never— considered it before, but what I do is more about a display of intimidation than actually...
( You know, being effective in a fight.
Stay tuned to see if this awakens anything in him. )
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Intimidation?
[Yael scoffs, more out of disbelief than anything else.]
Who are you trying to intimidate? Kindergarteners? Anyone who knows how to fight will see your approach and know you're no stronger than a caged animal. You've got to learn proper technique, and just as importantly, you need confidence.