⬣//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

[userunfriendly]

[ Oh god. Michel's bluntness has met its match?? He opens his mouth, then freezes as he tries to think of a word. Someone competitive would have to have ambitions, wouldn't they? He's... ]

I just don't like being bored.

[ That's not quite it either. But trying to pick through his own logic in front of a stranger sounds incredibly unappealing. He studies Ganymede instead with perhaps disconcerting intentness. ]

Likely. It would be a waste of time to go through so much trouble with the equipment if they couldn't show off to this extent.

[ And then he pauses again. Listen, he knows he's letting Ganymede carry the conversation. But also: he's terrible at this. ]

[ganymed]

[ Ganymede squints at him for a moment. ]

Denial isn't just a river in Egypt.

[ This place really takes all kinds, huh?

But, there are those pauses for certain. Not that he's going to mention them at all. Ganymede has his own difficulties talking with people. ]

And big companies do like to show off. [ ... ] What about you? Do you like that sort of thing?

[userunfriendly]

[ He hasn't leveled up enough yet to unlock laughter, but that gets a tiny snort. He's fluent enough at English that the terrible pun renders just fine. ]

Is there some reason you want me to want to beat you?

[ Competitively. In games. But at the question about showing off, Michel raises an eyebrow at Ganymede's eye-catching design and then sweeps his gaze around the rest of the partygoers, indicating the distance between them. ]

Clearly, as much as you do. It's why we've chosen the room's most desirable stretch of wall.

[ Honestly, Michel headed over here in the first place because he thought Ganymede's design would draw in anyone who might otherwise be in danger of talking to him. But he misjudged the distance, and Ganymede spoke to him first, and here he is. ]

[ganymed]

[ If anyone asks Ganymede he'd still quantify it as laughter. At least for Winter, it might as well be. ]

Why do you think that I want you to beat me in anything?

[ He counters seemingly seamlessly. Ganymede witnesses the gaze that briefly falls over him, and then as it goes elsewhere. For a moment, he turns around completely, to see if he saw something else, out of curiosity, before looking back at Michel. ]

...So, the great Winter storm also has an interesting sense of humor. I think I'm fortunate that you're just not loud.

[ Ganymede wonders if it's all sarcasm, though. Dancers really do need to show off, whether in IRL, or...in games, apparently. ]

[userunfriendly]

You seem invested in me being competitive.

[ Winter's tone is deadpan almost regardless of what he's saying. But the speed of the response, at least, hints that he's enjoying the back-forth a little. It's fun that Ganymede counters so quickly.

He raises an eyebrow a tiny bit at that almost-nickname. ]

Is it interesting? [ A little skeptical... unless Ganymede means him lumping the two of them together is funny. ] Or do you like to show off after all?

[ He's not making any assumptions from the dancer class, really. From his perspective, Ganymede could have picked it to satisfy no one but himself. ]

[ganymed]

[ Ganymede hums and then puts his hands behind his head. ]

Why do you think that?

[ The back-and-forth round continues...! Look, they're both in a game, and have nothing else to do with their (free) time.

As for the raise of the eyebrow, he notes it, but he does not comment. ]

I guess it is. First impressions aren't everything, after all. [ Not like he necessarily came here to make friends, but... ] It does help out in my case when I do. Class-wise and in other respects, so I do.

[ That said he did pick the class for his own reasons, 'aesthetics' very much a factor, yes. ]

[userunfriendly]

[ Winter eyes that patently innocent expression with the dash of skepticism it deserves. ]

Are you trying to run me in circles, or is it a natural talent?

[ Honestly, he could believe either. But he'd have no defense if he were called out on the fact that he is, in fact, following along.

The answer pulls a tiny flicker of surprise from him -- indeed, first impressions aren't everything. Or perhaps the impression of a dancer with an eye-catching costume should have taken precedence. ]

Hm. Then I intend to throw you to the wolves if anyone else comes over to talk.

[ This is, imperceptibly, a joke. Followed by a slightly long pause. That kind of lead is ordinarily an invitation to ask more about someone's life... he thinks. He's a little allergic to the thought, but he can try to apply rusty and half-remembered socialization. ]

"Other respects." You mean, work?

[ganymed]

[ But then he says pointedly: ]

I was wondering when you'd notice and then decide to give in.

[ Sorry, Ganymede is not taking any prisoners in this war. Neener neener.

Well, either way, he's not wholly surprised by the reaction. ]

Not if I throw you to the wolves first. [ Get them before they get you!! Jokes aside, work is safe enough and doesn't like tell everything about a person immediately, so he nods. ] Something like that.

I spend most of my time with dance routines and the like...though, I doubt you're a swordsman in real life?

[userunfriendly]

[ The future has been changed; Michel is absolutely going to believe Ganymede and Hani are related, after all. He gives the barest hint of a snort as he weighs whether he's annoyed about that one or not. ]

With a macabre dancer's strength stat?

[ As the children say: "neener neener." ]

A performer. [ Or a choreographer; but it stands to reason that there's less showing off involved in that. He shakes his head briskly to the question. ] No. ...Despite appearances, I'm not a hundred years old.

[ Although really, who could be blamed for taking the vampire getup in earnest. ]

[ganymed]

[ Michel concluding that yes the two are indeed related and not just because they so happen to have pretty avatars. ]

If I use a certain 'stat increase' spell on myself I might be able to carry a frosty mountain in denial like yourself with ease.

[ Where is the logic in this argument...out the window.

But he does nod again when Michel concludes he's a performer of some sort. ]

I never said anything about you being ancient. Though, I wonder if you'd like to have been an old swordsman for real.

[ Is this Michel? Maybe Ganymede should actually bother to use the network to send something like this straight to an inbox. This is totally not troll activity because he isn't like that, it is just a supposition of reasonable personality vibes. ]

[userunfriendly]

[ There's another unfortunately uncanny resemblance...

Michel gives that threat the quiet snort it richly deserves. Try it, pint-size. He's... relatively confident that his avatar's weight would make that too much of a challenge. ]

You're going to move mountains? Right.

[ His strange nicknames seem to be increasing. Just what kind of performer is Ganymede supposed to be? He's not shy about pulling those grumpy faces or taking jabs at people. ]

No, but it's been well over a century since swords were used in combat on any meaningful scale. [ And as for Michel being a swordsman... that makes his mouth quirk very wryly, definitely the most expressive he's been so far. ] In what era? Marching off on orders from King or Church, killing whoever they decided to condemn? I don't think so. I'd be executed in short order.

[ It's absolutely Michel and Ganymede should absolutely consider inboxing him that. Possibly while standing next to him if he wants to see more exciting expressions. ]

[ganymed]

[ Excuse. Wanna call him pint-size to his face?!

...

Ganymede just fixes Michel an unimpressed look, and while the other male is relishing in his commentary directed towards the blond, he's busy being temporarily distracted by something far more important than taunts of size. ]

Look at you, taking what I said to completely ridiculous directions.

Just because someone might be an old swordsman doesn't mean they were taking orders from either or. Maybe they were already retired.

[ He says casually. And, uh, hey Winter, you got mail! Wanna check it out? Fonts probably can be used to make memes even back in the 2000s and Batman has been around since forever so your welcome!! ]

1/2

[userunfriendly]

And how, pray tell, would they have retired without ever having done that? Or would you call someone a swordsman if they never fought?

[ Might as well call him one now, then. He tilts his head a little in bemusement about what's occupying Ganymede. If he's done with the conversation, that's fine... Winter isn't exactly a master of subtle implication, but he can certainly just leave. ]

Would you still be a dancer if no one saw you perform?

[ Wait, hold that thought. He hasn't done enough tweaking on his interface yet to turn off notifications, so he's reflexively diverting his attention to that— ]

2/2

[userunfriendly]

...

[ Looking at the adorable bat. Looking at Ganymede. Looking at the bat.

Is Ganymede going to explain this one, or is Winter just going to have to keep giving him this look. ]

[ganymed]

When a tree falls in a forest and no one's around to hear it, does it make a sound? What is the definition of a swordsman, simply one who wields a sword and it is accepted that he does so to a certain degree by his peers, and others? Or can anyone who swings a sword be called a swordsman? Whether in reality or fantasy?

What if the retired swordsman never took orders from an authority figure and was simply taught swordplay by a passing retired swordsman? Does that make him less or more qualified?

[ Shooting off these questions while Michel is receiving the image, and then looking like that. ]

...What? Why are you looking at me like that?

[ This is revenge for his comment earlier. He will feign some manner of ignorance until Michel unlatches his jaw and uses words. ]

[userunfriendly]

Do you mean some sort of noble who learned for fun or for show? Or a swordsman who somehow made his living without ever taking orders? Anyone can swing a sword, if skill isn't a factor. It's too hypothetical.

[ It's not even philosophy! It's so far removed from the realm of what he could make a judgment call about if there's no basis in anything grounded.

Also, who knew that Ganymede had a poker face after all. Look at that defiant catlike stare. If Michel goes looking for memes in return he knows what he'll try to find... no, something smaller than a kitten. A teeny, fluffy mouse. ]

...Is this picture intended to be me?

[ganymed]

What if the retired swordsman is one who deserted and simply taught someone who just happen to see them show off their skills? Wouldn't that be considered as a swordsman, even if they weren't serving a King or Church?

[ This is totally freeform philosophical discussion! Normal logic can be boring. Why not expand one's horizons and confront a million different scenarios all at once?

ALSO WOW!! Michel's nepurrious schemes... ]

Hypothetically speaking, yes.

[ Adding in with a dry tone: ]

Amazed by the stunning resemblance?

[userunfriendly]

Your hypothetical swordsman is developing an elaborate enough backstory to deserve his own name. Was this your childhood dream before you took up dancing?

[ He's just saying. Ganymede has invested a surprising amount into this swordsman that doesn't exist. Philosophically speaking, and surely not just because Ganymede loves arguing.

He gives that question a little snort and looks down at the bat again. ...It's cute. He has no idea what this is supposed to mean. ]

Your artistic interpretation is beyond me.

[ Unless this is an oblique reference to his forum, but he can't think of any posters Ganymede could possibly be. ]

[ganymed]

If that's my original childhood dream, maybe yours was about swimming in certain bodies of water.

[ Ganymede also helpfully has a colorful imagination, combined with a tendency towards potential philosophical wonderings (does the latter of this run in the family? Mayhaps.)

You know, the snort comes as a surprise. He may have imagined that the thoughts regarding the image may have driven him a little...batty.

Heh. ]

I'm a little amazed that it does.

[userunfriendly]

Happily, I can tell you that it was not.

[ Ganymede might have been closer to the mark than Winter wanted to admit, with the swordsman guess. But he's still never seen the Nile, thanks!

The internal pun happily goes undetected, so Winter avoids managing to take HP damage in a no-PK zone... for now. ]

I'm more amazed that you went to so much trouble mid-conversation. Do you keep pictures of small bats on hand?

[ Because it's going to take Winter a lot longer to find pictures of cute animals to send back. There might need to be a few attempts. ]

[ganymed]

[ How fortunate for him!!

Anyway, Ganymede doesn't argue the reply, meaning he seems to believe Michel's answer. For now~! ]

I might. It could drive some people a little...no, I'm not going to go there. But, I'm sure you can imagine where I was leading.

[ Or not. Ganymede is fond of sounding as hardly ridiculous as possible. Anyway, since they are going to be dungeon running, he will receive a friend request. ]

Accept that request. Then I'll let you know when I've brought the cavalry, Sir Winter Von Strom.

[ He downs the rest of the drink, but is not tipsy in the slightest even as he sets it on a table or something. Then, with a turn of a heel, he is off! See ya later, Michel. ]

[userunfriendly]

[ Winter is making unbreaking eye contact, waiting for Ganymede to complete that pun.

...No? Cowardice. Or just a regard for his own dignity. ]

Fine. Any warm bodies will do.

[ Figuratively speaking. He was going to tell Ganymede that he'd run it with him regardless, but the man sounds determined now. No reason not to let him find a little backup. Or not to accept that friend request, even if he made it sound like an order. ]