⬣//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

[veardant]

⬣// the adventure begins;

[ tighnari has played games before. with a best friend like cyno, he's had no choice, really, but he's always been a casual at best, and he's certainly never taken a stroll through a game like this. before they came to his home and outfitted him with one, tighnari hadn't even owned a vr headset. so forgive him if he's absolutely taken by what he sees once he logs into mac anu for the first time.

the sights. the scents. the sensation.. he can feel the wind against his skin, he can smell the delicate scent of water and stone, and there was no blackness in his periphery. it truly, really felt as if he had been transported to an entirely new world. tighnari's tall ears perk up, his fluffy tail wagging behind him as he moves to inspect.. a wall. he runs his padded palm over it. ]

Fascinating..

[ ah, but soon enough it's time to collect his first set of armor! exciting. tighnari.. stares at it. ]

How do I.. equip it?

⬣// party like it's y2k;

[ tighnari still isn't quite over just how incredibly, impressively realistic all of this is. the food? it's like eating real food? the snozberries taste like snozberries?? he spends a good deal of time sampling many different dishes, trying little bites of this or that, dishes from far off countries that he remembers but hasn't eaten in years. it fills him with nostalgia. he also enjoys a drink or two, until he's feeling pleasantly buzzed, but he knows better than to go any further than that. best not to get himself digitally smashed.

once he's eaten and drank his fill, it's time to glance over the party favors and armor skins. he's glancing between this, and.. (slightly nsfw) this. ]

Well. It takes all kinds, I suppose..

⬣// network prompt;

[ over here! ]

⬣// wildcard;

[ want something else? come at me!! if you'd like to plot something up, my comment is up right here! ]

the adventure begins

[regressive]

[ While he's not impressed by the opening event itself, Joonghyuk can appreciate how real everything feels. It's arguable if people are playing games to experience something real or rather run away from reality, but that's definitely not a good topic for an ice breaker.

He sees Tighnari's struggles when he's trying to pick up his weapon and armor. ]

Just put it on like normal clothes. I guess it's going to disappear because you're wearing your basic skin. You can check the equipment window to see if you succeeded.

[ He's... helping? ]

[veardant]

Like normal clothes, huh? I suppose that.. makes sense.

[ this is supposed to be like the real world, after all. an immersive experience. so tighnari lifts the leather helm and tugs it down over his long ears, where it.. promptly disappears, indeed. it takes him a few moments to remember how to find his equipment screen, and he flips through a few menus before he locates it, but sure enough, there the helm is, right in his equipment window. ]

Huh. Incredible. Thanks.

[regressive]

Try to get other equipment as soon as you get the chance, this stuff is pretty shitty.

[ There's no need to beat around the bush. Bad equipment is bad equipment. ]

Otherwise... do what you want.

[ Helping time over?? He just can't people really well. ]

[veardant]

[ he sure is bad at people, isn't he.. ]

Boy, you certainly seem happy to be here.

[ /s ]

Aren't these games meant to be social experiences?

[regressive]

I'm this happy everywhere I go, just so you know.

[ RIP. ]

Ever heard of solo players? You can beat the game's content alone if you want.

[veardant]

A ray of sunshine.

[ tighnari chuckles. ]

Sure, I suppose that's true, but aren't there thousands of games for that? What drew you to this one?

party

[696_9]

[While he's trying the food, he's not the only one. The girl with half of her face hidden -- cuteangel77, apparently -- is sitting around with a cup of tea and some cookies.]

How'd they even manage this? I guess once we saw the graphics, it feels like anything else could be possible.

[veardant]

Honestly, I couldn't even begin to guess. I'm tech illiterate when it comes to standards like these.

[ but honestly, he's fascinated. turning a cupcake around to study it from multiple angles, he takes a bite. ]

It feels so real..

[696_9]

Feels and looks. You gotta wonder how it works... Well, whatever, I don't do that techy stuff. As long as it works, that's fine!

[veardant]

Mm. It honestly makes me want to learn, but I have enough on my plate already. Anyway, I'm Tighn- err.. F0x. Nice to meet you.

[ he'll offer a cupcake! ]

[696_9]

[...she'll take it and look over it suspiciously, then take a bite.]

F0x, huh? I put cuteangel77, but I wasn't really, like, thinking of what people would call me. Someone said Angel, that'll do.

[veardant]

[ don't worry, he did not poison the digital cupcake.. ]

Angel it is, then, if that's what you like. Taste good?

party! (after they've met on network!)

[dapples]

W-Whoa!

[ THAT KNITTED OUTFIT!! ]

T-Tighnari! That's ... wow. Pretty! But, um, isn't it a bit risqué? You might have some creepy dudes messaging you...

[veardant]

[ at that, he laughs. ]

Do you think I can't handle a bunch of creeps?

[ now i wanna draw him in it.. blease ]

[dapples]

Well...! Uh!

[ CAN HE???? ]

What... would you do? Block them? Report them? I-I'm sure there's an admin around this place ...

[veardant]

[ absolutely he can?? ]

Both, though not before giving them a piece of my mind. [ a soft chuckle. ] Are you worried?

[dapples]

[ he knows he'd be unafraid of giving any creep sass... BUT! ]

Of course I'm worried! The internet can be a really weird place! I once got an email from a woman in a very small pair of shorts asking me if I was a "DILF"! I had to google "DILF"! And I was very shocked at what the results told me!

[veardant]

[ oh my god

tighnari snorts out loud. ]

Well, are you? I don't think you're quite old enough to qualify.

The Adventure Begins

[legendofthelion]

[Dehya's up collecting her gear as well, but once she hears Tighnari musing to herself, she pauses and looks up.]

You--wait. Tighnari, is that you? [Dehya grins wide, gesturing him over.] I didn't know you got in the beta! Nice ears.

[veardant]

[ oh hey, he knows that voice! even if it's been awhile since last he heard it. stepping nearer, tighnari smiles. ]

Dehya? Ah, yeah, thanks.. [ he rubs at the back of one ear, it's remarkably soft. ] It was Cyno's idea. He thought they suited me.

[legendofthelion]

[They look soft. She does, in fact, have a great urge to touch them. She holds her hands out for permission.] Can I?

[veardant]

[ tighnari chuckles, and nods, tipping his head toward her. ]

I don't see why not.

[legendofthelion]

[Aw, yeah. Dehya reaches to gently rub his ears between her fingers.] They feel so real and they're so soft. Wait, can you feel that?

[veardant]

I can, actually..

[ and it feels, kind of nice?? suddenly there's a noise coming from his chest and throat... is that a purr?? ]

.. oh.