⬣//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:





Twin Blade:





Wavemaster:





Macabre Dancer:





Edge Punisher:





Flick Reaper:





Harvest Cleric:





Lord Partizan:





Shadow Warlock:





Steam Gunner:





Tribal Grappler:





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.
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!"
ii - tags you everywhere because i can
he approaches with a smile, in a mood high enough that even cyno's terrible joke can't ruin his grin. ]
Hey.
[ it might not be real and in person, but it feels like it, and seeing cyno's face again.. it's nice. it's really, really nice. arching a brow, tighnari glances downward, then back up again. ]
Did you give yourself a six-pack?
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Huh?
[ oh. he looks down. oh! right. ]
Not... not on purpose...
[ cyno places his hands on his abdomen, color flaring up in his cheeks. ]
... I swear, I didn't do it on purpose...
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[ he Does Not believe you. but that's fine. tighnari forgave him his terrible joke, he'll forgive him his digital six-pack, also. besides, it looks nice, and making him blush is adorable.
tighnari's teasing expression soon softens, though, and he steps in to pull cyno into a hug. it's been years since last they physically saw one another, and while this isn't real life, it feels enough like it to satisfy tighnari. ]
It's good to see you, Cyno.
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[ accidentally is, of course, subtly emphasized. at least he kept himself roughly the same height? realism is for squares. they should be encouraged to make themselves the best they could possibly be?
...
the hug silences his inner thoughts. he instinctively squeezes his arms around tighnari. this isn't real but it's the closest they've been in a long time. calls and chats are fine and dandy but actual touch is its own advantages. ]
I can't believe this is happening. What were the odds that we'd both be here?
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anyway, it's a nice hug, and when tighnari pulls back again he's smiling, his cheeks dusted pink. it's incredible, really, how real it feels.. and he's both glad and grateful that cyno suggested they make the attempt to play this game together. despite the distance between them, cyno is his best friend, and seeing him like this is refreshing. ]
We got lucky, I suppose, to both be chosen.
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Very.
[ he has no words, only feelings. it's almost too real. too good to be true.
which is why... his next exhale is a little shaky. ]
You look really good. Like. You know.
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nevertheless, tighnari feels his face warm a little at that, and his gaze drops briefly, before he smiles. ]
Thanks. You too.
[ they video chat all the time, but it's impossible to explain how different this feels, how lifelike it is. they haven't really seen one another in the physical world since tighnari's accident with the lightning.. ]
The ears aren't too much?
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No, not at all.
[ his fingers move before he realizes it, reaching up to touch the base. ]
Uh. They really feel real.
[ how does that translate to offline sensations??? he doesn't know. he won't know. he opted out of the furry life this time around. ]
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Yeah, they.. do.
[ he can feel it, too, the way cyno's fingertips brush over warm fur; his ear gives a little twitch and flick, his tail swaying contentedly behind him. ]
That's pretty nice, actually. How in the world have they done this..
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I don't know. It's not like they could ask anyone how it'd feel.
[ and it's tempting to see how that tail is, but like. not here? not in public?? it's not like tighnari is some cat looking for some affection!!!
also the fact that he's thinking about it... ]
Any reason why? Just curious. It really suits you.
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[ tighnari looked thoughtful, tapping his knuckles against his chin. ]
I'm not sure.. I thought the change would be nice, I suppose.
[ and he'd always liked animals. there was no plant-man beast race, so.. ]
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It's a good change.
[ he finally lets his hand drop lower, though he keeps it anchored to tighnari's side for a little longer. ]
Kinda jealous. I should've given myself some ears too.
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[ cyno does tend to opt for that furry life most of the time, after all, with all of his jackal paraphernalia. tighnari also sure does notice that lingering hand, and allows it. he likes it. it feels nice. ]
No jackal options?
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[ his cheeks continue to burn as he looks at tighnari. man. man!!! ]
Glad I did so I could catch you before it got too late, huh.
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Mm. I do have to be up for work in the morning, so you're right, I can't stay too late, but I've got a little time. Want to check out the food?
[ he's keen to see how realistic it all really is. ]
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Y-yeah! Of course!
[ if he had ears like tighnari's, they'd be flopping wildly or completely stiff. ]
What were you thinking? I mean, there's pretty much everything and then some...
[ his eagerness almost has him tripping over his own feet as he moves over to the table. ]
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I wonder if they have -
[ mushrooms! right there, a big pile of roasted baby bella mushrooms. tighnari leans over them and inhales the scent. mmmm. he'll just snag a plate and pile them onto it. ]
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Oh. [ he blinks. ] I didn't notice them before. [ cyno reaches to grab a plate, puts a mushroom on it, but then immediately eats it. ]
... you probably make better ones than these.
[ just saying. ]
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Maybe. We'll see.
[ he pops in a mouthful, chewing thoughtfully, before he sighs, humming appreciatively. ]
Well, no, they're not the best I've had, but they're still delicious. Mushrooms are mushrooms.
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I'm still curious how they programmed this all in. I can't imagine it would've been easy to do it...
[ also they probably ate a lot just to figure out the tastes. ]
... I wonder if you can get stuffed, like. Really stuffed.
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I mean, I don't see why you couldn't. Or it'll feel like it, at least.
[ tighnari sure does intend to find out, with the way he's chowing down on these mushrooms. ]
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[ he thinks about chowing down on some of the more obviously appealing foods, like the french fries and the dino nuggies... ]
Or else.
[ bats his eyelashes ]
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Are you lecturing me about self-care?
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[ he takes this moment to lift a 'shroom off tighnari's plate and chews. hehe. ]
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I will not neglect my health over this, thank you.
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