⬣//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

[weaseled]

[This poor twink. Yael takes one long, menacing step towards him............

...And bops him on the head.]

Calm down. Someone's really gonna think you did it if you act so guilty.

[insinning]

Ow...?

[ this is rude. He gave himself extra height so he wouldn't just be a twink anymore.

(He'll always be a twink)

Rubbing his own head. This guy doesn't seem as mad anymore]

Um. I guess if it looks like that...

[weaseled]

You say something? Speak up.

[It may not seem like it, but Yael's trying to do this boy a favor. Seriously, he can see this twink (with a few extra inches tacked on) getting bullied pretty ruthlessly if he doesn't grow a spine.]

No one's gonna take you seriously if you keep mumbling like that.

[insinning]

[That's. Also intimidating! But Sinclair tries to straighten a little and nods]

Ah--I'll try? I'm not...used to this.

[He's really trying???]

[weaseled]

Not used to what? Talking to people?

[Sorry to put it so bluntly, Sinclair, but Yael's simply a blunt guy. At the same time, he's a guy who cares about supporting the underdog.]

[insinning]

...actually, yes.

[GUESS WHO HAS BEEN A COMPLETE SHUT IN FOR THE LAST YEAR OR SO]

[weaseled]

[Of course. Yael lets out a long, whistling sigh.]

Well, get used to it. You're stuck online with a bunch of weirdos, so the playing field's pretty even. I'm sure you'll make friends if you want them.

[insinning]

[Just. GLANCING A LITTLE AWAY. OFC sinclair wasn't always like this, but that was the point of these games...pretending and all]

Ahaha...everyone is a bit different here, aren't they?

[Just glancing at some of the chaos already being inflicted on people]

[weaseled]

Different's putting it lightly.

[Yael does a quick skim of the area, pointing out... several people to Sinclair.]

Stay away from him. She's a weirdo. That one's a freak.

[Does Yael have anything nice to say about anyone he's met so far? No, but Sinclair would know if he truly didn't like them.]

But we're all weird in someone's eyes. Just trust your gut... if you've got one.

[insinning]

...that doesn't always help.

[He had known Kromer was bad news, deep down. That wouldn't have helped him then. Then Yael's words sink in a little]

How do you know so many people already?

[weirdo isn't the worst thing a person could be after all]

[weaseled]

By talking to them. People let you know who they are and what they're about pretty quickly if you listen.

[...But a boy like Sinclair might not have the most well-developed social skills. With that in mind, Yael hums, chin tipped up in thought.]

...Well, before I waste my breath, let me ask you this. Do you even want friends?

[insinning]

[ That gets Sinclair's attention and he looks up in surprise. He... doesn't think he's been asked that before. Everyone had just assumed. He takes a moment to think, rubbing his sleeves between his fingers in a self soothing gesture]

I...think it depends. I'd like to meet people I can trust. But there's a lot of people out there that you can't.

[weaseled]

[Yael would expect most people to respond with a resounding yes. The lack of one is nothing to arch a brow over, of course, but Sinclair's reasoning as to why gives Yael pause.]

What's the issue, you figure? You're just a bad judge of character? Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of shitty people in this world, but you've got to learn to differentiate the good from the bad.

1/2

[insinning]

...no. I don't know if I'm good at that or not but...it's more like...[There's a distant tone to his voice now, like he's not quite all there] That the worst kinds of people will get close enough to hurt you anyway and there's nothing you can do to stop them.

[He hadn't been able to do anything about her after all. And now, now--]

2/2

[insinning]

[And then in an instant, Sinclair's expression changes into something flustered and embarrassed. ]

Ah, I mean. But this is a game, so I'm not really worried about that either.

[weaseled]

[...and there's nothing you can do to stop them.

Is that so? Yael wants to argue, the words sitting right on the tip of his tongue, but they disperse into the open air with a simple sigh. He won't run the risk of belittling Sinclair's honest feelings by telling him he's wrong, but at the same time? Yael can't pretend he agrees with that sentiment.]

Those people wouldn't have gotten so close if you didn't want them there in the first place, right? It's unfortunate, but the people closest to your heart are the ones who have the power to hurt you the most. That doesn't mean walling yourself off and acting like a tough guy will make your life any easier.

[insinning]

That's different from what one of my co-workers like to tell me.

[It's not like that. It's not like that at all.

But maybe Sinclair can let it be like that - let the betrayals be normal teenager issues among friends and loved ones. He thinks he would like to pretend a little longer. That's the whole point of this game, isn't it?]

...you're probably right. I was never any good at being that type anyway.

[weaseled]

No need to tell me that. You're more like a soft-boiled egg than a hard-ass if you ask me.

[And the world needs a few soft-boiled eggs to balance out all the hard-asses, doesn't it? Yael grins.]

What you need isn't a tough outer shell. A little self-respect will do the trick.

[insinning]

[Pfffft. That gets an uncertain smile out of Sinclair. He can do that]

Ah. I can try that part at least.

[weaseled]

You can practice on me if you're that worried. A little roleplay, you know?

[No one can complain about doing a little roleplaying in an MMO, can they?]

Let's say I'm a big, mean bully who's just stolen your lunch money. What are you gonna do about it, brat?

[insinning]

[Sinclair blinks. That...that sure is an example. But he can mess around too]

Go to a teacher and ask for help getting it back?

[weaseled]

[Yael makes a buzzer sound with his mouth, stepping forward to press his palm to Sinclair's solar plexus and attempt to shove him onto his ass.]

Wrong. Fork it over, kid. There isn't a teacher alive who can take me.

[insinning]

[Sinclair stumbles, but miraculously?? or because of his class (11), he manages to stay on his feet despite taking a few steps back.

Flustering a tiny bit]

--I don't carry money on me though.

[He never did. His parents always made sure he had a personalised lunch to take to school because he had been such a picky eater as a kid]

[weaseled]

No money, huh? That's a problem.

[Good on Sinclair for managing to remain upright. Will a second shove increase the odds of knocking him onto his ass...? Yael goes for it, shoving with more force.]

Then your lunch will do. Hand it over.

[insinning]

Huh?

[ This definitely knocks Sinclair flat on his ass and he glances up, breaking character]

I'm beginning to think you're enjoying this too much.