⬣//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]

[ It's fine he has a "funny" reason for picking them too

He grins though. ]

Yeah! They really helped me through hard times, so...

[ Man, he didn't want to sound so attached right from the get go and scare someone, but he's feeling a bit emotional right now. ]

Thanks for singing, Uta.

[tot]

[ :dislike:

and it's fine to be emotional about this. uta wears her heart on her sleeve for the most part and grabs for his hand with a smile that's more soft than bright. totally things she was incapable of doing while behind the camera on her streams. ]

You're welcome. It means a lot to me, too, that my songs were able to help you. I'm so happy that I could help you during that time.

[dissimulative]

[ UTA IS HOLDING HIS HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaand

Well, he's a fan, but he's not an otaku fan. (Maybe) Nevertheless, he returns that smile and nods. ]

Will you ever hold a concert?

[tot]

[ it's only for that short moment because she'll drop it as she responds to his question. ]

If I ever get the chance and ability to, then I'd love to.

[ firmly with a nod. ]

Most singers dream of holding their own concerts for all of their fans.

[dissimulative]

Wow...

[ But then he gets an idea. ]

What if you could hold a virtual concert like this? Virtual reality stuff! Wouldn't that be really cool?

[tot]

I've definitely thought about it once or twice before, but something like that would be a lot to do on my own.

[ not to mention probably computing power?? what all goes into holding a virtual concert...she has no idea. would she even have anything to reference???? ]

Especially since I'd want it to feel different from any ordinary stream.

[dissimulative]

Ah, right... that would be pretty costly, huh?

[ He starts thinking some more, wondering if he can actually pull that off.

But in the meantime, he's not very eager to show off what his family is, so— ]

Why not have a fundraiser?

[tot]

[ looks at who her family is and... well.

honestly, she's thankful that he's bringing it up like this to her. ]

I wouldn't feel right if I used the money of my fans to create something like that. If I were to hold a digital concert for my fans, I'd want to make it free to everyone.

[dissimulative]

You have a really good heart, you know that?

[ At least when it comes to singing and her fans. Even if it's through a computer model, he thinks her feelings are genuine regarding that. ]

I bet people would love to help out if you let them.

[tot]

Thank you for thinking so.

[ she's touched by his words and it's a bit awkward for her for a moment... since, well, isn't that much obvious? she's not blind or stupid however— ]

Something I heard a lot growing up was that it's the moments we create that impact our future. [ she'll place a hand to her chest. ] I just want to make my fans be happy when they listen to my music, and even though I know that there are people who will want to help me...

I want to the one to be able to give them that.

[dissimulative]

[ Wanting to help someone rather than being helped is a kind of selfish motivation that Oria used to idealize, but has largely grown out of akin to yanking out a butterfly from a cocoon before it's ready to leave. But still, it isn't a bad thing nor does he think less of her. ]

You're an all-give and no-take kind of person, huh!

[tot]

[ thank you for seeing her actions for what they are, oria... now, is uta in the same position as him to share that same feeling despite what she says? ]

It's not that I don't take—it's just that I feel as though I've been given so much already.

[dissimulative]

Like what? Love and attention?

[ Parasocial relationships???? ]

[tot]

[ he isn't wrong with both (all) of those things but... hm. uta hesitates but only momentarily. the tone she uses for her answer different than the normal way she speaks. ]

A second chance.

[dissimulative]

[ The tonal shift along with those words feels as if Oria got cold water thrown onto his entire existence. He looks confused for a moment. Would Uta be willing to divulge this sort of information? Oria actually respects her enough to not pry even if he's curious.

But then he feels like he understands what Uta is trying to say and he won't bother with the give vs take argument anymore. ]

I think you're doing great with it, Uta.

[ His tone also shifts to something a lot more gentle. ]

[tot]

[ it's a good thing that he did drop it because there was no way that uta would have explained herself more than she already had. honestly, that might have been saying a bit too much but what has been said cannot be taken back. so instead she offers him a softer smile. ]

Thank you.

[ don't think she has missed his gentler tone with her either. ]

I hope that I can continue making the most of the opportunity that I've been given, too.

[dissimulative]

You definitely are. No doubt.

[ So here is one fan's support, Uta. He seems sincere about it too. ]

... I'm glad to have met you, but this is getting a little too mushy for me.

[tot]

I agree.

[ to all accounts and she'll give him a gentle smack on the shoulder as she looks for a good way to transition into something far more enjoyable for the both of them. oh, right. the food.

she'll grab a random finger food (probably something super spicy or super sour—flip a coin??) and hold it out to oria to eat. ]

Open wide!

[ aaaand the rest of the thread can be handwaved to being uta feeding oria random foods to see the depths of the flavor programming. ]